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Monday, July 22, 2013

Monday Made It

So I had this whole list of things I was going to get accomplished and it sort of worked.  I at least got most of them started to the point that they just need some finishing touches or a last coating of mod podge.  Let me show you a little...
I'm linking up with 4th Grade Frolics for Monday Made It!
I got started on a duct tape quilt that I had seen a few times on pinterest while glancing through.  I ultimately found the directions from the wonderful Mrs. Bainbridge.  Check out her tutorial here.  Unfortunately, I didn't purchase enough duct tape, so it's not totally done yet! But I do have a couple pictures to share of the beginning stages.

 So I will be heading out to Walmart tomorrow to grab another roll of duct tape.  It's where I have found the best price for it!

Next up is the hall pass I've made for my classroom.  I made one last year and it lasted really well, almost made it to the end of the year when it collided with a brick wall!

 Start out with a wooden letter. I got mine from Michaels! Then trace the letter onto two pieces of paper and cut them out.

Next you'll need some mod podge. Use the mod podge to affix the paper to the wooden letter. On the back of mine (the solid color) I use stickers to spell out my name so passing adults know where my kiddos are coming from (and it doesn't fade off like sharpie on a plastic pass).
The back takes a little longer because it gets more mod podge because of the stickers.  Mine is not quite dry yet with the humidity :(  But here is a finished picture of the front!

Happy Monday!

Sunday, July 21, 2013

I'm back and feeling creative...

I have all these creative ideas flowing around in my head.  I have lots that I want to make and get done. One of things on the list I made myself (am I the only one addicted to list making to stay on track???) was a common core aligned math activity.
What I love about this activity is the versatility of it. It can be used as an assessment, with a small group, with a large group, or even as an independent center. I also made it to be printed in color or in black and white!

Because I am am loving this activity so much, I am going to give a copy away to the first two people to leave a comment and their email! If you'd like to check this item out, you can click a picture or use this link!

Be sure to come back tomorrow to see what I link up for Monday Made It! I've already got a few things in the works!

Saturday, July 20, 2013

Back From Vacation and Feeling the Love!

I'm back, bloggy friends! I had a wonderful vacation...so sad I had to leave! While I was on vacation I was nominated not once, not even twice, but three times for the Liebster Award!
Liebster means beloved, cute, lovely, dearest, and welcome.  The award is given to up and coming bloggers with less than 200 followers (I'm getting close to 200!). So, I'm feeling very loved to have been nominated for this award.

Here are the rules for accepting this award:
1. Link back to the blog that nominated me
2. Nominate 5-11 blogs with fewer than 200 followers
3. Answer the questions posted for you by your nominator
4. Share 11 random facts about yourself
5. Create 11 questions for your nominees
6. Contact your nominees by commenting on their blog or sending them an email to communicate the nomination

Emily at Confessions of a Third Grade Teacher asked:
1) If you could have any superpower what would it be? Why?
I would want to be able to fly so that I could visit some of my favorite people more often without having to pay for a flight!
2) What is your favorite teaching item? Why?
I pretty much love all school supplies, but I totally wouldn't know what to do without my ELMO!
3) If you could relive a day in your past, what day would it be? Why?
I think I would relive the day my bestie got married.  It was out of state and on a day that I already had a prior engagement, so I couldn't make it. I'd go back to that day and get myself to the wedding!
4) What are you looking forward to most about the upcoming school year?
The newness of it all...new school, new grade!
5) Why did you decide to start blogging?
I had been following quite a few blogs for a while and finally decided to just dive in.  I'd been wanting to for a while and I finally just did it!
6) If someone were to write a book about you, what would it be called?
This one is tricky...Not really sure if it would have a title yet as I feel my story is still being written!
7) What is your favorite book to read to students?
I love to read Pout Pout Fish! It's such a great book and then referencing it throughout the year is wonderful too!
8) What is a classroom item you don't have that you wish you did? Why?
I wish I had a Smart Board.  Once you've had one, it's hard to go back to not having one!
9) What advice would you give a first year teacher?
Don't over do it! Do what needs to be done, but don't kill yourself to get there.  There are so many great resources that's it's silly to reinvent the wheel at every turn!
10) Why did you decide to become a teacher?
I always wanted to be a teacher.  I was one of those kids who loved to come home from school and play school! Of course, I was always the teacher!
11) Who is your hero? Why?
There are so many people that I look up to in life.  Right now it's hard to pick just one.  There are so many people who have allowed me to lean on them through all the downs of the past year.  Those are my heroes!

Brittany at Excelling in Second asked:
1. What is your favorite way to relax after a long day of teaching?
A visit to my massage therapist or chilling out with some television!
2. What is your favorite children's book?
I have so many! I love the Junie B. books.  The younger (and even the somewhat older) kids have always loved them as an after lunch read aloud.
3. What is your favorite time of the year?
I love the fall.  The weather starts to cool down a little and the leaves change colors.  So gorgeous! Plus there's apple and pumpkin picking!
4. What is your dream vacation? Why?
I would love to go to Hawaii.  It looks so gorgeous and I am definitely an oceany girl.  So I'd love to go snorkeling and see all the ocean life!
5. Do you have any animals? If so, how many and what kind?
I don't.  My dog had to be put down last year.
6. What is your favorite t.v. show or movie?
I really cannot pick just one and it really depends on the day! True Blood, Pretty Little Liars, Scandal or Greys Anatomy :)
7. Favorite food?
Italian or Chinese...always a toss up for me.
8. Why did you become a teacher?
I always wanted to be a teacher.  I was one of those kids who loved to come home from school and play school! Of course, I was always the teacher!
9. What is your favorite piece of technology?
I am a cell phone addict! I love my iPhone and relatedly, my iPad mini!
10. Do watch/play any sports?
I played volleyball in high school and pick up games in college. But not much since then. I like watching football and hockey.  They're better live though!
11. Any hobbies?
Crafting and Scrapbooking. I love my Cricut!

Susie at Shafer's Shenanigans asked:
1. What grade do you teach and how long have you been teaching?
I will be teaching Kindergarten this year.  This will be my sixth year of teaching.
2. What is the best thing about where you live?
There's so much to do.  It's close enough to a big city that I can head down town if I want.  But far enough away that I can have a nice big backyard!
3. What is the last book that you read and what are your thoughts about it?
I'm currently in the middle of CAFE.  I am trying to decide if I want to utilize Daily 5 with my Kinders or try something else. I was just recommended to read DI for the Little Guy...may have to check that out too!
4. What technology can you not live without?
My iPhone!
5. What is your favorite healthy treat to eat? How about your favorite guilty pleasure?
Favorite healthy treat...carrots and cauliflower. Guilty Pleasure...frozen yogurt, it's only 8 calories an ounce (which sounds healthy) but then I tend to add some not so healthy toppings.  Gotta work on that!
6. What is your classroom theme this year?
I'm doing a mish mash of bright colors!
7. Do you have any pets? What kind? What are their names?
No pets!
8. What is your favorite thing about teaching?
I love watching the students grow and seeing their realization when they figure out they understand or can do something they thought they couldn't before.
9. Do you have any special talents?
It's not really a special talent, but I'm good in the kitchen.  People always ask for seconds, that's a good indicator, right?
10. Where did you go on your last vacation?
I just got back from Arkansas.
11. If you could choose any career (other than education), what would it be?
I think I would be a baker or a chef (or a combo of both)!

11 Random Facts about me!
1. I have a younger brother.
2.It's been ten years since I graduated from high school! Seems so long ago!
3.My favorite color is purple.
4. I love movies...except for scary ones!
5. I bought a house 2 years ago and LOVE it!
6. I love to plant and have pretty flowers, but hate to pull the weeds!
7. I absolutely love to cook and absolutely hate to do the dishes. HA!
8. I love listening to music and have recently reignited my love of country music!
9. I love the summer, but hate the humidity as it messes with my asthma. Yuck!
10. My parents have been married for more than 30 years.
11. I am addicted to nail polish...my favorite is shellac. It lasts so much longer!

With that being said, I have to make my nominations now...
1. Jess and Kheila at Two Friends in First
2. Meredith at Diary of a First Year Teacher
3. Traci at The Bender Bunch
4.Kristen at The First Grade Scoop
5.Carol at Super Sparkly in Second
And now I have to come up with 11 questions for the bloggers I have nominated...I'm never very good at this type of thing!
1. Which grade level is your favorite to teach; why?
2. Which season is your favorite; why?
3. What is your favorite movie?
4. What can you not live without in your classroom?
5. Early bird or night owl?
6. What is your favorite part about back to school time?
7. What advice would you give to a teacher just starting out or starting over?
8. What is your favorite Read Aloud?
9. Do you have any pets? What kind?
10. What is your favorite food to make?
11. What is your favorite part of being a teacher?


Tuesday, July 9, 2013

On Vacation with Target!

Hey y'all! So I'm on vacation and loving every minute of it! Sadly, the time is just speeding by. 

There have been all of these wonderful Instagram posts showcasing some great buys at Target since I've been on vacation. Well, today, I broke down and went (we had some extra time!). 
And I have to tell you, there was not much school stuff. They were still putting stuff out in their Back to School area and their dollar bins only had a few things. But the crayola markers were on sale and I'm quite addicted. Plus mine were getting a bit worn down. And who can pass up the clearance racks in the clothing...not me! Here's what I found!
Happy Tuesday! 

Wednesday, July 3, 2013

4th of July Sale!

I am joining up with some fabulous bloggers to have a 4th of July Sale! Today and tomorrow, my entire TpT store will be on sale for 20% off.  Check out the list of bloggers who will have their stores on sale as well! And thanks to Flying Into First Grade for hosting this sale linky!

To get to my store, click the image of my most recent creation that I am planning to use in Kinder with my kids this fall!



Tuesday, July 2, 2013

Monday Made It...a day late!

My post yesterday was monstrous and I totally forgot to post about my Made It Monday item.  My first time linking up and I forget to do it on Monday... With no further ado, I am linking up with 4th Grade Frolics!

Well, I guess it's better a day late than never!  I have been seeing Retell Ropes on pinterest and really liked the idea of it.  But of course I had to cutesy mine up! And add my own little touch to it.  So I went to Michaels and bought some black ribbon and prepainted wood pieces.  Then I got to work! Super easy and totally user friendly. I thought this would be a good visual tactic for next year with my kinders! Here's the finished product!
Each piece is meant to remind the students of a component of the retell process...
Coconut Tree...setting
Fish...characters
Alligator...problem
B...beginning
M...middle
E...end
Heart...solution/wrap up

Monday, July 1, 2013

Winners, Currently, and a Meet Up!

Could I possibly attempt to cram more into one blog post?  I'm sure I could, but I'm not sure y'all would like that!  So here it goes... I've got winners for my bloglovin followers giveaway! Congrats, I am emailing you after I post!
a Rafflecopter giveaway
Next up, Currently July with the wonderful Farley at Oh Boy 4th Grade! Love her currentlys! And please notice how I'm not complaining about it being July! July is bringing some great things for me...so I'm happy it's finally here!
Listening: I am really loving Florida Georgia Line right now! They are definitely in rotation on the iPhone, iPod, Pandora, IHeart...whatever I choose to stream my music through at the given time!
Loving: That I am so close to being on vacation. Not just sit at home vacation, but actually get out and do something vacation!
Thinking: My to do list before vacation is getting bigger and time left is shrinking quickly!
Wanting: I'll do the laundry if someone will just fold it up and then maybe pack my luggage???
Needing: To get off the computer and onto this to do list...
Tips, Tricks, or Hints: Participate...help others with their giveaways, offer freebies, comment on others' blogs. Get to know people and build bloggy relationships this way.  Makes it even more fun!

Last thing, I know, we're so close; but with me telling you to participate, I have to leave you with some pictures from the Michigan Blogger Meet Up that happened over the weekend at PF Changs! Thanks to Christina from Bunting, Books, and Bainbridge and Patty from 2nd In Line for setting things up and the cute goody bags! Here you go...
It was wonderful to meet these ladies! 

The food was wonderful! It was my first time at PF Changs!


Now, before I let you go, I have to tell you you should definitely check out these blogs. I definitely found a few new ones to follow!
Christina from http://bainbridgeclass.blogspot.com/
Patty from 2nd In Line
Amy from The Resource(ful) Room
Maria from Kinder Craze
Kelly from All That Glitters in First Grade
Marsha from A Differentiated Kindergarten
Julie from Make, Take, Teach
Ellen from Primary Classrooms Are Oceans of Fun
Kara from SpedVentures