Sunday, July 12, 2015

Welcome!

Hello. :)  

Welcome to the newly designed and refreshed Classroom Cupcakes blog!  I am grateful to my hubby for creating this adorable blog and putting up with my nitpicking over little details.  To kick of the *new* Classroom Cupcakes I am having a giveaway where 5 of you can win any item from my TpT store!  Keep reading for more details. :)

I've tried blogging before.  I've always had problems keeping up with it.  However, now that I'm in my 6th year of teaching {6 years!!! Where did the time go?!} I feel I have better time management and would love to blog more!  My goal is to share what I'm doing in my classroom to help my littles learn and grow, and listen what you all have to say and share as well!  I love collaborating with others and piggy backing ideas to create amazing lessons.

Since it's summer, I decided I would take part in an online professional development offered through my district.  Most of it was straight forward but there were plenty of videos from The Teaching Channel integrated into the PD that I found insightful and I don't know about you but I love to see lessons from other classrooms.  I am including a few of my favorites.  Take some time and watch them. :)


I am so happy you took the time to visit my blog!  Here is the information for the giveaway.  There are three requirements: visit my Facebook page{and hopefully click that little 'like' button!}, follow my blog, and leave a comment that tells me what you are most excited about for the upcoming school year!

I am most excited to meet eighteen new smiling faces and do my darndest to mold them into young critical thinkers!


Sunday, December 23, 2012

I'M ON VACATION!!

Hi!

It has been awhile since I've posted - and for good reason!

Last week was the week before Christmas break, and there was a lot to do!  The best part, by far, was First Grade's 3rd Annual Grinch Day! 


 {I'm second from the left...and please ignore how unpretty our campus is.  We are S.O. overdue for a new building.}

The teacher's wore pajamas and/or a Grinch shirt.  The students rotated from classroom to classroom - each teacher had a different activity.  {Most activities came out of my Grinch unit, but it was deactivated for copy right issues..boooooo hisssss!}

Here are the activities we did:
Read aloud
Green Grinch Juice {very similar to Jitter Juice}
Noun sort
Math facts {using a circle map}
Grinch face craftivity
Bookmarks with a quote from the book
Alphabetical order
 
I was the read aloud teacher.  By the end of the day I was reciting the book by heart!
 
I also teamed up with Teacher Blogger Exchange to be a part of their Holly Bloggy Christmas.  I am partners with Katie from A Basket Full of Apples, meaning she and I are exchanging gifts.  Here is what I sent her.


This is a delightful organizational binder, folder, and calendar inserts.  I wanted to get one for myself, too!  I hope she likes it!

I also hosted a giveaway as part of Holly Bloggy ChristmasMy giveaway was a wonderful set of Sharpies!  Yet again, I wanted a set for myself!


The winner was Jen from Jen's Kinder Kids!  I hope you enjoy them as much as I would!

On top of running around last week like a mad woman to make sure I have everything done before the winter break - I am cat sitting for my boyfriend.


This cuties name is Darwin.  It sure has been interesting having him around.  I have two decent size dogs - 65 lbs. and 60 lbs.  They won't even look at Darwin!


This is my "little" girl, Dora, begging me to move the cat, ha ha.  She has not been a happy camper this week!  One more week, Dora.  Hang in there!

Now that school is out, I am doing some remodeling in my bedroom.  I probably won't have time to blog again until next week.
 
I wish you all a safe and happy holiday!
 

Thursday, December 13, 2012

Happy Grinchmas!

Boy has it been a hectic few weeks!  I have been so preoccupied that I have neglected my poor little blog.  

So, I have this young man in my class.  Let's call him T.  He comes to school hyper and angry {quite a toxic mix}.  He has been my challenge all school year.  Mom's phone numbers do not work and his siblings are just as challenging.  I was seriously ready to bang my head against the wall.  I had no idea what to do to get T to stop being so angry so he can focus on learning.  {It is no surprise that he is severely below grade level.}  

I am sharing all that with you because T has made some major improvements in his behavior over the last week!  He is doing his work without redirection and smiles at appropriate situations! {He used to smile when he or another student would get in trouble.}  I am celebrating a small victory.  I just hope he keeps making progress!

**Update - My Grinch unit was deactivated due to copyright issues.  Sad face!!!  But the freebie is still available!! {For now...}
Subject change:  My Grinch unit is done!  I am so happy with this pack.  



The title page could be a little more creative but I seem to be lacking creativity lately.  This pack is full of literacy activities including alphabetical order, thinking maps, writing prompts, and craftivities.  You can get your copy here!  ...and because I love all of you who visit my blog - you can download the alphabetical order portion for free here!

 Subject change again:  My math grant materials FINALLY arrived!  You can imagine how excited I was when I had these boxes waiting for me in the office!


 I ripped into those boxes like a child on Christmas morning.  Check out my goodies!  I was awarded $380 to spend on math materials.  I can't wait to share these with my students!


That is all I have for right now.  I am going to make an effort to post more often!  Before I go, check out Teacher Blogger Exchange.  They are having constant giveaways.  I am participating in their giveaway.  My guest post will appear on December 17th.  Stop by to check out my giveaway - trust me, all teacher's would want it!

Happy Holidays!


Monday, November 26, 2012

Motivation Monday {Link up!!}

It's Monday, again! 

 
 After having a week off it has been difficult for me to get my mind off vacation mode!  To help me get back in my groove I have been doing work and blog related activities ALL day.  {Including creating a super-awesomely-great Grinch literacy unit!!}

I came across these two videos during my inter web travels today.  I hope they make you smile!



 *********************

I am finishing up my Grinch unit this week.  What literacy activities would you want if you were doing a Grinch themed holiday celebration?

Don't forget to link up!

Saturday, November 24, 2012

Liebster Blog

Is it awful that I'm dreading going back to work on Monday?  I love what I do - and I LOVE my students {even the difficult ones}, but when the break is over administration will be doing informal evaluations with the support staff {training purposes for the support staff} which means I will have roughly 6 people watching my every move.  I know I'm a good teacher, but having 6 pairs of eyes watching my every move is a bit intimidating!  

Rant over.

On a much lighter note, Kelly from Thirsy Firsties {go check out her blog!} nominated me for the Leibster Award!


The Leibster Award is given by bloggers to up and coming bloggers who have less than 200 followers.  It is to show new bloggers that they are appreciated and to help spread the word about new blogs.

The rules:
*You must post 11 random things about yourself.
*Answer the questions that the nominator set for you.
*Create 11 questions for the people you nominate.
*Choose 11 blogs you love {with less than 200 followrs} and link them in your post.
*No tag back {but please leave me a comment on this post with the URL to your Leibster post so I can learn more about you!}

******************
    
So here it goes!
    
11 random things about me:
1} I have a passion for animals - especially dogs.
2} I have an older brother - we were born 2 years and 1 day apart!
3} My boyfriend's name is Tim.  We have been dating for 4 months.
4} I want to have 4 children.
5} Regular cola is my cryptonite.
6} If/when I do get married, my wedding dress will be pink.
7} I love post-its!
8} If I had an endless amount of money, I would open no-kill shelters EVERYWHERE.
9} I love my job.
10} I used to be a World of Warcraft addict.
11} I dislike how many times I have used the word "I".

******************

Questions from Kelly, along with my answers:

1} What's your favorite thing about blogging?
Sharing experiences and resources from the classroom has got to be the most rewarding!
2} What's your favorite blog?
The Learning Tree - I work with Kimberly.  She inspires me more than she could ever know.  She's made me a better teacher, and she's the reason I'm blogging!
3} How long have you been teaching?
I am currently in my third year teaching.
4} What is your favorite vacation spot?
My entire family goes to Englewood, Florida every year.  It's tradition - and I love it.
5} What is your favorite thing to cook?
Anything that comes in a box with directions!
6} What is your favorite store?
The Dollar Tree by far!  They always have something I can use!
7} What was been your best TPT purchase?
Hmm..this is a hard one.  I guess it would be Deanna Jump's guided reading packet.
8} Coke or Pepsi?
When given a choice I'd choose coke - but they really do taste the same to me.
9} What's your favorite Christmas movie?
My favorite Christmas movie is Home Alone.
10} What's your favorite TV show?
Glee! {Yes, I'm a gleek.  Proud of it!!}
11} What's been the hardest thing about blogging?
Gaining followers has been the hardest....and finding time to check out other blogs to network.  I'm busier than I'd like to be! 

******************

Questions for the blogs I am nominating:

1} If your life had a theme song, what would it be?
2} Why did you choose to become a teacher?
3} Why did you start blogging?
4} What has been the best thing to happen in your years as a teacher?
5} Skittles or M&M's?
6} What was the last book you read for you?
7} Apple or Android?
8} If you could create a new species, what would it be?
9} Acrylic nails or au naturale?
10} What food makes your mouth water just by saying it's name?
11} What are your plans for the holidays?

******************

Blogs I am nominating:












******************

Thanks to everyone who read this post!  Those who I nominated - please remember to comment to this post when you have responded {if you choose to - and I hope you do!}.  I look forward to reading your responses!!
 

Thursday, November 22, 2012

Cyber Monday Sale!

Happy Thanksgiving break!

I have SO been enjoying my time off.  Hopefully you are all home relaxing and getting ready for the Cyber Monday {and Tuesday!} Teachers Pay Teachers sale that most everybody in blog world is participating in.  I will also have all my items on sale for 20% off + 10% off your entire order {from TpT}!


Since my blog is fairly new, I haven't had a chance to show what I've got!  Here is just a few...plus ALL of my freebies that are on TpT.  I hope you stop on by!

I JUST got done putting the finishing touches on these two:



I started making Imagine It vocabulary cards last year...I didn't quite have the ambition to finish so I've only done a few units.  {Maybe I'll finish all of the units now....maybe.}



These have been my best sellers {and I personally LOVE these}.  End of year memory books for Kindergarten, First, and Second grade! {Only first grade pictured below.}


I absolutely adore my colorful word wall.  I am challenging my firsties to learn as many words this year as possible.  {Hence why I made the printable activities to use at my sight word center!}  I wanted to make a word wall that was engaging and appealing to the eyes.  The more their little eyes look at the words the better!



My other products include:

Now onto everyone's favorite: FREEBIES!  Here is a list - I hope you check them out and rate them!  I love to get feedback so I can grow and improve!


I hope you stop by if not just for the freebies!  

Side note:  I am tutoring 1st-5th graders two days a week.  The students are separated into three rotations by grade: 1st/2nd, 3rd, and 4th/5th.  The older children are tired of doing multiplication and division drills.  I'm looking for some sort of winter project or FREE activity that will last us the next four weeks.  Any ideas?!?!

Until next time my friends..Happy Thanksgiving!

Monday, November 19, 2012

Motivational Monday {Blog Hop!!}

I'M ON VACATION!! {An at home vacation, but just as good!}

Many of us are now on Thanksgiving break.  {Happy dance!}  For those of you who have to work the beginning of this week - here's a little quote to hopefully make your day a little brighter.

Happy Monday everyone!


Join our blog hop!
Click here to get the InLinkz code.
Copy/paste it into your html tab to add the link list to your post.
Don't forget to grab the button up top too!