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 Christmas.  My 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!

 

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!

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!

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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!

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!}

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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".

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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! 

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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?

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Blogs I am nominating:

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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!!

 

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:

Spring Literacy Centers

Vocabulary Printables for ALL Subjects

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!

Thanksgiving Turkey Craftivity

Common Core ELA Instructional Shifts and Mathematical Practices Posters

Spring Break Writing Prompt

Learning Scale

"Bee" a Good Writer

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!

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!

Turkey Craftivity {Free Pattern}

Thanksgiving is fast approaching and I can't seem to find time to fit in all of the fun and wonderful activities I've found in blog world!  How in the world do you find time to fit it all in?!

I did find time to fit in a turkey activity on Monday.  I started by reading the Thanksgiving issue of Time Magazine for Kids.  Then, we talked about what we are thankful for.  {Almost all of them said their mom.} 

Then we created these pinterest inspired guys!  You can download the pattern for free!

Here's what is needed:

Brown construction paper for the body

Variety of colors of paper for feathers

Orange construction paper for beak and feet

Googly eyes or print the eyes from the document

and of course - glue and scissors.

I used paint chips instead of construction paper.  {If you ask a clerk at your local hardware store, they will most likely allow you to take as many chips as you want!!}  I also made sure to have everything traced and ready to be cut for the little ones.

Here they are in action:

 

Most of the turkeys turned out adorable....but of course there's always the one or two that make you tilt your head to the side and think "?!?!"

More fun shall be posted soon!  Happy Wednesday all.  : )

Motivation Monday {Linky}

One more week until Thanksgiving Break! {And 5 days until my cousin gets married - I'm so incredibly happy for him!}

I was browsing You Tube and I came across this teacher-slash-comedian who tells everyone what teachers really do.  I apologize for the low quality and audio of the video {and I find the amount of camera angle changes quite comical on its own} - but it's worth the watch!  

 

Don't forget to link up!  Grab the Motivational Monday button above to include in your post, then link back!

Special Visitors!

It has been a long, tiring week with 6 "accidents"{SIX!!!!}, meetings, and all of the extra responsibilities I have volunteered to do.  It definitely helped that we had two very special {and ridiculously cute} visitors today!

This little guy was found wandering our main hallway.  I was DYING to take him home, but it just wasn't possible.  I am so happy that a fellow first grade teacher took him home and is planning on keeping him.  She has already named him "Troy". 

This sweet girl was found in our parking lot, excitingly bouncing from teacher to teacher as we arrived.  A colleague is planning on taking her to the vet to check for a chip.  If she does not have one, that teacher will adopt her! {She answers to "Princess" - and now she will be treated like one!}

Both dogs were neglected - both very skinny.  "Princess" has skin issues.  I am so thankful to have colleagues that share the same passion that I do for animals.  There was no way I was going to let either one of those dogs go with animal control - even if I had to take them until I found them a home.

How awesome is it that these dogs will have a warm, safe place to sleep tonight?!