Well, wouldn't you know it that I would go crazy shopping and planning and guess what? I will once again be teaching 5th grade math! You know what though, I am definitely okay with it. I LOVE MATH. One of the things I've also learned in my short 7 years of teaching is that it doesn't matter how many times you've taught a subject, every year is different. There are new ideas, thoughts, activities, and a blend of what you know that works great mixed in. This summer I clocked something like 40 hours of professional development. It was my favorite kind too! You know, where you get to pick what you learn about instead of the district mandates. For years I have wanted to institute a Wonder Shelf in my classroom. Have you heard of one of these? It is essentially a place with mini-projects and activities for students to work on when they have mastered your current standard, or even if they are just early and correct finishers of that days work. Let'