Super Duper Sunday Sale (and a freebie)

Hope you're having a fantastic weekend!  Mine has been good so far...except for the fact that it is FREEZING. 

 

I hope that little rodent was right this morning and that spring is on its way in a hurry.

 

Speaking of that little rodent...we read some fun stories yesterday about Groundhog's Day and learned a little bit about them, graphed our predictions, etc.  My favorite groundhog story is "Substitute Groundhog."

 

 

One of the writing activities we did went along with "Wake Up Groundhog."

I told them that they could write any ideas they had about how to wake up a groundhog AS LONG AS they didn't HURT him.  I've had some traumatic experiences with my sweet little darlings writing horrific things they would do to wake him up in the past.  NO HURTING!

 

My kiddos this year had some...interesting ideas.

 

 



 

Yes...you read that right.  Stick him outside "nacked." What in the world!

 

I would find a big "simbl" and hit it.  I would throw snow at him. Ruthless, I tell ya!

 

 

 This is great.  Step 1: Get kids  Step 2: Give kids sugar Step 3: Make kids yell

That'll wake him up for sure!

 

 

This one is hard to see but I had to show you.  This little guy is super serious...always doing the right thing.  He wrote "I would poke him with a "nif" (knife) "jitley" (gently). 

I said not to hurt the groundhog...so he added gently!  Violence = not funny....but this made me giggle.

 

We also finished up our pattern unit with some fruit loop necklaces!  I just used plastic ribbon (the kind you can curl and put on packages) and taped the end to their desk so the fruit loops wouldn't slide off into the floor. It worked GREAT!

The best part is, now I have half a box of fruit loops to finish up.  I never let myself buy sugary cereal like that but if it's leftover, I can't let it go to waste...right?!?!

 

So, Andy has to work tomorrow which stinks...because I don't think it's socially acceptable to make a ridiculous amount of junk food to watch the game if you're at home by yourself, even if you share a little bit with your dog...

 

Luckily, some friends are having a little get together so I think I'll head over there for the first half
(to watch commercials and eat).

 

Speaking of the SUPER bowl...Are you ready for the SUPER sale tomorrow??

Thank you Ashley Huges for the ahhh-dorable button.  If you haven't checked out her clipart...wow.  It's fabulous (and in my cart waiting for the sale to start!)

Well...here's a little secret.  My sale has already begun (20% off PLUS an extra 10% from TPT)...so you can start shopping on Super Bowl Eve if you like. ;)  I'm also going to extend the sale to the 4th as well. (Ya know...just in case you're in a food coma tomorrow and can't get your fingers to click the right buttons. It happens.)

 

I added a few new products to my store recently...mostly math.  Click the pictures to find out more.

 





 

 

 

I had a bunch of requests to offer my geometry materials separately from my "Hello Winter" pack and I was more than happy to offer that as a brand new "Shape it Up" Mini-Pack!

 

 

It includes the super fun "At first it was a shape" activity (a personal fave!)

 

  

 

*Just please note: you should NOT purchase the "Shape it Up" pack if you have already purchased my "Hello Winter" pack.  I don't want anyone to be disappointed to find duplicate activities.  If you have the "Hello Winter" pack, you already have these geometry materials as well. :)*http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Shape-it-Up-A-Geometry-Mini-Pack

 

 

Perfect for Valentine's Day...

(or anytime because I surely don't need a special occasion to enjoy a cupcake!)

 

 

 

 

 

I didn't forget! 

 

Is anyone else celebrating the 100th day this week?  Ours is Friday!  Last year one of my favorite projects of the whole year was our "100 year old portraits."  There are lots of ideas floating around pinterest.  We put our own little spin on them and are planning to do them again.  I'll post pictures when they're done!  The kids did an awesome job last year of describing themselves at 100.  The writings were downright hysterical.  I'm hoping for more of the same this year.  If you are doing any variation of this project and need writing paper...here it is!

 

The second page has empty space at the top so that you can tape the first page over top of it (and overlap) so that it looks nice hanging in the hall.

 

Click the pics to download.

 

 

 

 Happy teaching to you!

 

 

 

Happy 2013 & A Freebie For You!

Happy 2013!

 I hope everyone had fun ringing in the new year.  I celebrated at home with my two favorite guys for the first time in a long time and I must say...it was fabulous!

 

This was the extent of our celebration...

 

and I've never been more content on New Year's Eve!

 

Sawyer is actually modeling the tiaras that I got for our new year's resolution writing craftivity tomorrow when we return!  Not sure exactly how I'm going to use them yet, but they were on sale along with the party blowers so I'm thinking of a little combo of all of the cute "party hat people"  I've seen on pinterest! 

(Click the pictures to head to the original source)

 

 

 

 

 

 I bet the NYE accessories are even cheaper today!

 

 

Don't forget...

My "Hello Winter" Math Pack is on sale through midnight!  Are you teaching geometry or patterns when you return?  Working more on addition and subtraction story problems? 

If so...grab yourself a copy! My printer is working on it now!
 

I'm spending the day organizing and lesson planning to gear up for my return to reality tomorrow.  I'm excited to see my kiddos but not excited to have to change out of my PJs before 2 pm tomorrow!  Morning work for my babies tomorrow morning will be "Winter Break News" where they get to write all about what they got for Christmas, who they visited, where they went, and how they rang in the new year!

  Feel free to grab it as a google doc (click on the picture) if you would like to use it. :)
*Print in grayscale for best quality in B&W. I plan to run it front and back.*

 Happy teaching to you!

 

Blog Hop & Shop

Happy winter break teacher friends!!  This is what my to-do list looks like today.

1. Cuddle with the dog and watch the Today show

2. Clean the house

3. Wrap ALL our presents that are stuffed in the guest bedroom

As you can see, my priorities are in order. ;)    The best thing about this list is that none of these tasks require me to shower or change out of my PJs.

I hope your list looks similar!

If I can manage to get through this list by tonight...I will probably spread out my school stuff and start getting organized for January.  I know that makes me a giant nerd but I've found that I can enoy my break more when I know it's done...and my productivity seems to dwindle as break goes on. ;)  Also - We are heading to Nashville to see Andy's family right after Christmas and we are anxiously awaiting the arrival of my new neice so I'm just not sure what the end of the break will look like for me! Lots to look forward to.

Just in case there are any other fellow nerds out there...there is a big sale going on right now to help you stock up for the second half of your school year!  Here are some of the fellow teachers who have their stores 20% off through the 23rd. 

For all my kindergarten teacher friends...if your babies are ready to take off with their reading...pick up my Super Sight Word Pack to start when you return.  :) 



I do plan to post some winter activities soon too...so check back!

I hope you all enjoy your holidays and cherish your time with your loved ones.

GIANT Sale & a Call for HELP!

Sawyer and I are cuddling by the fire this morning... filling up our TPT cart!

 

 

Doesn't he just look full of Christmas cheer?

 

HA.

 

He's pouting because I'm making him leave his dad alone for a little while so that he can catch up on some sleep.  He was up all night running calls at the fire station. 

 

Also...it does appear that the stockings are on fire but I assure you they are not. ;)

Anyways....make sure you don't miss out on the big sale tomorrow (& Tuesday) on TPT!  Everything in my little store is already on sale starting today...just in case any of you are trying to get ahead with some planning today like I am. :)

 

 

 

This precious graphic was created by Ashley Hughes. I just found out about this talented lady.  A bunch of her clipart is already in my basket for tomorrow!

 

The newest item in my shop is Math Mega Pack full of Christmas & Winter Themed math activities & games perfect for math tubs/stations as well as whole group instruction & assessment.

 

 

There is a lengthy preview available if you want to check it out and see what all is included.  Most of the activities and games focus on number sense and addition/subtraction.  There are a lot of opportunities for differentiation within the packet.  For example... 40 different word problems are included for the story problem book so that you can pick and choose the ones best suited to your students.  Many require higher level thinking skills.  It stretched my little brain just to THINK of them. ;)

Also...one of my favorite new ideas (pinterest inspired) are these BACKWARDS word problems.  I tried a few out last week before Thanksgiving and the kids loved them because they got to make up weird stories.  I loved the fact that they were using critical thinking skills and that it correlated with writing!  Instead of reading a question and solving to find the answer...students get the answer and have to use their imagination (and their math skills) to write their own story problem.  (think JEOPARDY style!)  So for example...if the answer is "one reindeer,"  the problem could be any number of things. 

"There were 9 reindeer ready to help Santa on Christmas Eve.  8 of them got sick.  How many could still deliver presents?"


The possiblities are endless.  My kiddos came up with some VERY interesting stories about turkeys, pies, and all things Thanksgiving so I can't WAIT to see what they come up with for these. :)

I kept making a HUGE deal about how much smarter they were getting everytime they thought of a story for one of these and they were lovin' it!

Click here to download your free copy and try it out with your students.

There are a bunch more of these included in the Dazzling December Math Pack. :)
 

  This math pack is aligned to Common Core:

 

1.OA.1

1.OA.2

1.OA.3

1.OA.4

1.OA.5

1.OA.6

1.OA.8

 

 

Happy shopping!

 

And last...my call for help.  I know my blog friends will come through with some great ideas.  I am getting a student teacher right after the holidays and I am *trying* to get a few things ready to welcome her in January.  This is my first student teacher ever! I am excited but nervous and want to make sure she has a great experience.

 

Any tips would be welcomed and appreciated! 

 

Enjoy the last day of your break and rest up for the whirlwind month of December.

 

Happy teaching to you!