We Are Thankful!

Here at All Things Upper Elementary, we are so very THANKFUL for all of our loyal readers who have become our friends. Today on this day of Thanksgiving (in the US) we want to take the time to share what we are thankful for with you. 

Check out our posts on each of our blogs as we share the many things that we are thankful for this year. If you feel like posting as well, leave your blog link in the comments so that we can check you out as well.

Read More

Leanne Baur- New Member of ATUE!

Hi everyone!  I hope the school year is treating you well (if school is back in session for you).  Actually, my first day back was today and it was fantastic!  I am hoping it's not a honeymoon period and that the students are truly as well-behaved as they were today!  Do you know what made it go so well?  I had thoroughly planned out my day, stayed ahead with organization, and had copies paper clipped and ready to roll!  Sometimes being stress-free is EASY with a little extra effort!

 

Enough about my first day...I'm sure you want to know who I am.  I'm Leanne Baur from Leanne Baur's Creative Classroom .

 

This is me and yes, I love my Baltimore Orioles!

This is my blog!

 

I'd love to have you stop by and leave me a blog post comment!  I like to blog about classroom ideas, teaching ideas, contests, and life in general.  Since writing is a passion of mine, I feel that having a blog is the best way to do what I love!  I am a freelance writer for The Mailbox Magazine for teachers in my spare time.  

 

I also love teaching with all of my heart!  This year, I am a fifth grade teacher but in years past, I have taught every grade from Pre-K to grade 5.  I am currently teaching ELA and Social Studies. Just in case you were wondering where I'm from, I am a Maryland blogger who has been on TeachersPayTeachers since it first began!  Over the years I have learned so much about teaching, blogging, and collaborating!  I can't wait to collaborate with all of you through ATUE!

 

Well, no welcome is complete without a little FREEBIE or TWO, right?  I know we are all busy with the new school year starting so I thought I'd hook you up!  You can download the following resources for FREE through September 7th!

 

 

This one is my BEST SELLER on TpT!

 

 

This one is my NEWEST RESOURCE!

 

I hope you enjoy them!  The first one makes life so much easier during report card time. The second one is sure to impress your students, their parents, and your administrators.  It makes for such an adorable display in your classroom!

 

(Sorry for the glare...laminating material is SHINY!)

 

 

If you like what you see and you want to follow me, you can click any of the pics below! Then, you can check out my latest posts for new resources and more freebies!  Please, say "hello" when you visit!  Let me know you found me through ATUE! 

 

  

 

That's all for now!  I have some planning to do!  We are getting ready to read Out of My Mind by Sharon Draper.  You can grab a copy from Amazon below if you are interested in reading along with me!

 

Have you read it?  Comment if you have! 

 I hope to see you on my blog and social media pages soon! 

 

Hugs,

 

 

 

Read More

Back to School ATUE style!

It's BACK to SCHOOL which means TpT is throwing a MONSTEROUS SALE and ATUE is joining in!  

We are guessing that many of you have been adding items to your wishlist (or the wishlist in your mind!) and this is THE time to stock up on all the resources that will make your teaching better and your planning easier. Whether you need something "extra" to spice up a unit or are ready to try something brand new--this is your chance to get amazing resources at an even more amazing price.

Make sure to stop by all of our stores and stock up on the amazing savings!  UP TO 28% OFF in each of our stores!!

An InLinkz Link-up

Read More

Oh What Do You Do In The Summertime?

Hello Friends,
I decided that since it was summer, and I didn't want to think about school (yet), I thought I would share what my family has been doing for fun. After all, don't we all need a short break from thoughts of our "other" lives?

This summer has been exciting for me. This is the first time in 14 years that I haven't spent nearly every summer day at school preparing, stressing, prepping, stressing...

What changed this year?

Good question.

By all accounts I should be freaking out. I have 3 writing classes that are using a new writing program this year which I have barely glanced at, AND, I am teaching all the science for 4th, 5th, and 6th graders. I know 6th, and most of 5th, but 4th grade science is ALL new to me.

BUT- I realized that if I didn't start taking time for my family, and for me, and for creating (which I enjoy doing), that something would give, and, I realized, it just might be my job! Best part is, I have thoroughly enjoyed the break. I am actually looking forward to school starting for the first time in years. WAHOO!

So...

What has the Hughes clan been up to then, with all this extra "together" time?

Well, just this week we took this idea from pinterest:

OH MY HECK! The kids LOVED IT! We used dollar store glowsticks and cheap-o water from the store. We didn't have a soccer ball, so we used a mini-basketball. This is a keeper, and we will be doing this at my wife's family reunion next month. WAHOO!


We go swimming twice a week and the kiddos are LOVING that. We bought a season pass for the local pool here in town. I am not a big fan of swimming, but the kids get me to go at least once a week. I even get in the water and play with my cutie-pie 2 year old girl (pictured below).

One of our most favorite events is hosting the Hughes Summer Cinema at least once a month. We started this tradition last summer and we have really improved on it this year. In fact, we got all sorts of serious this year and invested a small fortune to make a viewing screen. We bought the materials for and created a HUGE screen for our back yard. We used 2" PVC for the frame we designed and a painter's cloth for the screen itself. My wife sewed it all up in about an hour while my father and I played measure and cut with the PVC. We break it down between viewings as the finished screen is about 10 feet tall and 18 feet wide! WAHOO!

As you can see, this is a HUGE event and we LOVE having our family and friends over. Everyone comes early and eats treats and visits. This last time we secured a subwoofer and it was pretty amazing.
So far this summer we have watched: Brave, Life of Pi, and Emperor's New Groove. We are planning our next showing a week from Friday.

As part of each movie, we have a theme for a treat. We made this for Brave. I think the theme was BRAVE something new, or maybe it was just bring a tasty treat to share, I don't know... ha ha. Whatever it was, this is what we made. S'Mores Mix. It was super easy to make and OH SO TASTY! I think I ate most of it myself.

(Click on the picture to see the Pin on Pinterest)

We have also made and played Kick Croquet (idea on pinterest, but couldn't find the pin). Dollar Tree hula hoops cut in half, small balls (1 per person), and 3- 36" dowels but into 6" lengths (from our local ACE Hardware).

I have also been busy creating resource for the FOUR on-line stores I sell in. It is very relaxing (most of the time) to take a blank screen and turn it into a resource that will help my students learn a concept better. I enjoy sharing those with others as well. Here a few of my latest:

There are many more, but I will let you find them if you are interested. :)

As you can see, I have been enjoying my summer. This is all new to me, and I think I can handle this EVERY summer. I didn't realize how much a break can truly do for the soul of a teacher.

How about you? Are you MAKING time for you? What is your favorite summertime activity?

I wish you a restful summer!

Cheers!

-Mr. Hughes

 

Read More