July 2015 - Down River Resources | Your Elementary Math Guide
 
 
 
Howdy, friends!
 
I am so excited that you stopped by! For many of you this may be your first time DOWN RIVER! If so, I hope you find something that you are passionate about, get a chuckle from, or that you are curious about...there's a little something for everyone!
 
I live, teach, and create out of El Paso, Texas, known to my inner circle, which you are now a part of, as "Down River." You'll have to infer the meaning but it has a lot to do with geography and the origin of our local river. (Just sayin'!)
 
I have been teaching for 10 years and so excited to share my journey with you as I conquer the classroom in Texas (or try like heck to do so!) It is sure challenging at times, but I trust that this is my calling. I love reaping what I sow throughout the school year; that is really the beauty of teaching. It's a highlight! Don't you think?
 
I am thrilled to be a part of the Kinder Tribe, a group designed for Kinder teachers to collaborate and help one another. I am really looking forward to reading about more classrooms, teaching strategies, and meet all of the beautiful people, who are blessed to be called to teach. I am humbled to be among you.
 
 
I added an Instagram account this summer and am really enjoying to get to know more teachers from Texas and around the world, many from the Kinder Tribe. I try to keep it interesting in sharing my life through a creative lens. (It sounds enticing, doesn't it?! Check it out. If you are so inclined, follow me.
 
 
Click HERE to check out new collaborative blog, by kindergarten teachers for kindergarten teachers! There's many giveaways to enter when you get there by some creative tribe members near and far.
 
I hope you will come back and join me for my BIG classroom reveal, coming to a computer near you mid-August.
 
Happy Blog Hoppin' in the meantime!
 
 
 
Howdy, friends.
 
Thanks for joining me on this "Tell All Tuesday" hosted by Teach. Talk. Inspire and My Day in K. The theme this week is "If my life was a reality show, it would be called..." This is pretty fun as I have often referred to my life with the following title....
 
 
LA VIDA LOCA DE LAURITA (Yep, it is a story about my crazy life!) Growing up on the southern border, I have been influenced by novelas (Mexican soap operas...they seem way more dramatic than my General Hospital). In America, we use dramatic music while in Mexico there's a little more hands-on drama, based simply on observation....growing up the television translators would go out and that was the only option for "entertainment."
 
"Why did your name change to Laurita?" I know you are all asking yourselves this question. 
 
Many of my friends growing up would call me Laurita. Though I am a White girl with Polish roots, I love cumbias (type of music), enchiladas (delicious tortillas, cheese, and chile), and my Spanish speaking amigas (friends)...hence the name was given...Laurita (make sure you use your best Spanish accent too! Well, it was worth a try!)

Now on with the show...

The television crew of two would follow me in the summer as I balance sleeping around my husband's rotating shift schedule (new schedule every six weeks), taking care of an active 23 month old dog, writing curriculum for the school district in which I work, creating resources for my TpT store, and preparing to set-up the most awesome classroom I've ever had. Oh, and riding my bike. Did I mention, riding my bike?! (Doesn't that sound CrAzY?!)
 
Luckily for the two television crew members, they would have to shoot the scenes from the kitchen. This location has the least amount of things....um...I love to cook but do not do it often enough. The crew could not fit in my office due to the numerous textbooks and resources that are open.
 
Another great thing for the television crew is that I spend a large majority of summer days in my office writing curriculum, creating resources, and preparing for next school year, so they would stay in one place....they can see the office from the kitchen! WHEW! No need for cordless cameras here, ladies and gentlemen. (This show is really going to save the major television network on its budget!)
 
The more I reflect on this show, the more low-budget it seems. In fact, the REALITY of it is that they would sign a contract for one season (16 shows) and after one hour of filming me talking to the dog about strategies to reach the English Language Learner, it would be cheaper to pay out the contract than look like dummies for advertising such a flop of a show.
 
All-in-all, La Vida Loca de Laurita, was a win for the Williams family. We got a VERY large payout for starring in our own reality show.
 
It's my life. I love it. I love my husband, my puppy, and my work! And...you too. Thanks for reading. You should stick to the Kardashians though, really. Or Big Brother...is that still around?!
 
Happy Dreaming of YOUR Reality Show!
 
 
 
 
Howdy, friends.
 
I have been connecting with so many beautiful teachers in the last few weeks. I am so thankful for so many wonderful friends whom are also called "teacher." We belong to such an amazing group of people. Thank you for your continued friendship, whether in person, through the resources we share, or on social media. I love connecting with you.
 
I have recently joined the VERY large group of teachers who photographically document our lives...the good (classroom---on most days), the bad (D.I.Y. projects gone bad), and the ugly (smashed toes, mosquitos bites, and whatever else we've gotten ourselves into this summer!) Are you following? Click here to see me in action...biking riding, teaching, eating at Whataburger...you get the drift! I try and keep it interesting (but G-Rated), for your viewing pleasure.
 
I am working on a few top secret projects preparing for my big classroom reveal coming to you in less than one month! (AHHHH, I better get back to work!) In the midst of my work though, I have found time to shop around. I love Michael, JoAnn, and Wally this time of year. We are best friends during back to school season! I try and go a couple times a week, you know, to check the stock. This brings me to today's topic...
 
I teamed up with wonderfully talented Mrs. Stanford of Mrs. Stanford's Class and am participating in a July "ABCs of Teaching" photo of the day challenge. Today our challenge was L for "list." Check out the list I complied.
 
 
Do any of these things sound familiar? My sweet husband...bless his heart  (that's Texan for "poor, poor, poor, poor him,) he has all of these memorized, including the look on my face when I spot one of these things five aisles away!
 
See the other photo challenges and what other teacher's lists are...just search for #abcsofteaching on Instagram, it's never too late to join in on the fun, just start with the current day.
 
What are your "go-to's" when back-to-school shopping?
 
Happy Hunting!
 


Howdy, friends.

I am on Week 3 of the TpT Seller Challenge! Whew! I cannot believe three weeks of summer have already passed! I am very excited to finally (did I say "finally?" I meant "FINALLY!")  finish creating my masterpiece which I am sharing with you this week!
Before the unveiling I want to thank, Sassy Schoolhouse, from neighboring New Mexico, who edited this product. I love collaborating with other teachers, especially experienced teachers who are starting a TpT store! Check out her FREE calendars for the upcoming year!
https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/15-16-Student-Calendars-1884113

The newest addition to Kindergarten Down River is the Financial Literacy for Young Mathematicians Bundle. Within, you will find exciting resources such as:
  • essential questions to drive your instruction
  • interactive lesson activities to build content knowledge on income, wants and needs, goods and services, saving and spending, and charitable giving
  • graphic organizers to supplement instruction on subunits  
  • writing prompts to extend the learning and formatively assess your students on how they are understanding the content vocabulary for this unit of instruction
  • scenario cards for subunits to help students critically think about the financial choices they are making to build their decision-making skills, in color and black and white (sold separately too)
Financial Literacy Scenario Cards
  • assessments for subunits to be used for formative or summative information
  • AND....my favorite: the folds and flaps component!
    • FOLDS AND FLAPS allows students to build their knowledge of financial literacy in their interactive math notebooks or in a "lapbook" (created with a standard file folder as shown below- sold separately too)
If the bundle is just TOO much awesomeness for you...I decided to split up the specialized components (Scenario Cards and Folds & Flaps,) to meet the needs of more teachers!
I am excited to share this new bundle and all of its unique components with you!
What do you think?
  
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