Last linky for 2012

What an amazing year this has been.....began Graduate school in January (3 semesters down---2 to go...will be finished in July!!), started another school year off with a bang...and blogging....blogging has been an adventure.

I am so glad that I took the plunge and decided to create my own blog. I had been an avid blog stalker  follower for quite some time and kept telling myself that I could never do it but I did and I have and then started my own TPT store...and it's been so much fun.

I'm so thankful for all those out there who have offered help/support and just been blogger "friends". What a great way to connect to those who are passionate about their jobs as I am...and also who understand when you just have one of those days when it all seems to just be yuck.

Therefore, when I saw this linky from The Teacher's Cauldron I just had to link up. And it's fun knowing that we all have resolutions that we may or may not stick to and seeing what other's say.



So hmm...this has been pretty had for me to think of stuff b/c I want  to be able to do so many things but I can only pick one.

For my personal resolution----I say fitness (but don't we all?) but I am definitely going to try to be better at taking better care of myself and eating healthier, etc. I guess I've already started off right in following this resolution because I have my first chiropractor appointment on Wednesday and this is something I've been putting off for quite a while. 

My blogging resolution---hmm...I think I would like to be able to be more personable such as leaving comments and linking up more with others. I think sometimes we get caught up in our stuff but forget that others are out there who may have questions or ideas that we look over in our haste to put our own post up. 

Happy New Year everyone and I hope that 2013 brings you many blessings in all areas of your life!!

It's been a while....

It's been quite a bit since I last posted....busy busy busy as I know you all are. With trying to finish our last few fun things at school before the holidays, having the SHORTEST break ever and finishing up stuff for Christmas, it's been pretty hectic around here.

Here is a pic or two of some things we did before school got out....and it's well..only a couple..sorry! I just realized that I didn't take as many as I thought I did...ahhh darn.

We had fun with the Grinch....of course I didn't take any more pics than this...

The Grinch stole Christmas.

 (love how she looked around the room to find the word Christmas)

The Grinch stole Christmas. He was not happy. His heart grew two sizes. 

He got stuck in the chimney. He stole all of their presents. 

The Grinch got stuck in the chimney. He took all of the presents. He took all of the food.

Then instead of making a list of things we know about Christmas. We made a book.

 We discussed parts of a book, what does a book need, and how we will make one.

 So the first day we discussed a title and the kiddos decided since it's about everything we see, hear, smell, etc. during Christmas then it should appropriately be titled All About Christmas. 

Each page had one word with an illustration to go with it.

           

Here is my friend working on his picture for the word presents.

Sorry for the lack of pictures. My goal for the new year is to take more pics of what we do in class.....I just forget b/c we get so busy.

I have been working on a few new things. 

I use newsletters in my classroom to let the parents know what is going on. And I like to change them up quite a bit. So I created a set of newsletter templates for the entire year for you. The set includes two formats for each month and they are both editable.

One set has updates, upcoming events, star student, homework, and classroom needs. The other set is blank so that you can add your own headings as you need.

Each set includes graphics that are NOT editable to go along with each month. 

Click on the picture to take you my TPT store. 

Another activity that I just uploaded is a sight word game. 

Click on the picture to take you to my store. 

This game includes:

 2 game boards (one blank, one with varying activities on each spot)

100 sight words (pre-primer and primer list)

 freeze cards

2 dice (one with numbers/one with move ahead, back, etc.) 

a sheet for students to record the words they read, tally how many, write the number, and write any words that they may have had trouble with. 

More to come soon....Happy New Year!!

Happy Tuesday freebie

Just a little something for you on this Tuesday morning. I hope everyone is enjoying their last week...and if you are already out of school...lucky you!!!

Here is a little freebie for you.

Click on the picture to take you to Google Docs.
Students can put the letters in order and use the sheet to practice writing their letters. Also numbers 0-20 are included as well.

Have a great day!!

Manic Monday Freebie and Gingerbread Fun

I must say, it was a little surreal walking into my classroom this morning. I looked upon each little face and thank the Lord above that I was able to stand before them today and notice how they were able to walk in peacefully this morning, oblivious to the anxiousness I'm sure that all teachers felt today. Some days they can work my last little nerve with their non-stop chatter, but oh how I love each of them. 

Words can still not express how badly my heart aches for those at Sandy Hook Elementary. I don't think any of us will ever begin to express to others how this has impacted our schools, teachers and students. I will continue to pray for those who have been touched by this tragedy.

On to Manic Mondays at Classroom Freebies!!!


Today's freebie comes from my Gingerbread Fun Pack that I just posted on TPT. 
Click on the picture to take you to Google Docs. 

If you like this, be sure to check out my Gingerbread Fun Pack at TPT. 

This is just a few of the items in this pack. It includes 70 pages of activities. This pack can be used throughout the season because there is no holiday focus.

It also includes:

Story Elements sheet (character, setting, problem, solution)

Venn Diagram for 2 Gingerbread books

Beginning/Middle/End sheet

Gingerbread 5 senses

Question sheet for any Gingerbread book

(?s include: Who is the main character? How do you think he/she felt?

Did you like the book? Why or why not?

How could this story have ended differently?

Etc...)

Silence for Sandy Hook

My heart is heavy....

My heart is heavy today with the news that we have all heard. I pray for moms, dads, sisters, brothers, and other family members who have been touched by this horrific act, including the family of the alleged shooter. My heart goes out to the school and it hits so close to home being a teacher. I pray, oh how I pray......

12 in '12 linky party!

I saw this linky party over at Irene's page at Learning With Mrs. Leeby and I thought how cute. It's hosted by Miss Kindergarten and a Teeny Tiny Teacher (who by the way is absolutely hilarious if you have never seen her blog).

Anyhoo---thought this looked interesting so here I go. 

-------My 12 in '12--------

12. Favorite movie you watched: Well, I was going to say the Hunger Games b/c I've read each book numerous times and now have the movie and yadda yadda...but the other night the hubs and I watched The Dark Knight Rises....oh my word---A-mazing!!! I loved it!

11. Favorite TV series: It's a tie----New Girl and the Vampire Diaries---I heart both

   

 

10. Favorite restaurant:  Considering there isn't too much around here that I could call my favorite....I guess I would say Olive Garden...we finally just got one in my town so it's kinda nice to be able to go in town and not to the next county to enjoy it

9. Favorite new thing you tried: I would have to say blogging....it's definitely been an adventure since July and going back to school to get my Master's degree

8. Favorite gift you got: I have absolutely no idea....I'm sitting here thinking back but I have no clue...I did get an Ipad for my classroom the other day (it's the classroom's though--not technically mine does this count!?)

7. Favorite thing you pinned: I pin so much stuff....little addictive if you ask me

this teacher one that I just pinned and the other one just cracks me up

 

6. Favorite blog post:

Eh....I guess I would say where I reached 50 followers b/c I never thought I'd get there

5. Best accomplishment: Selling my first item on TPT...who would've thought someone would want to buy my stuff

4. Favorite picture:

This one definitely from when the hubs and I were in the 

mountains back in October.

And when we went to Orlando!!!!

3. Favorite memory: Driving to Orlando for spring break with the hubs. He had never been at all and I had never been to the parks that we were visiting: Universal, Islands of Adventures, and Sea World. It was the best trip ever!!! 

2. Goal for 2013: To finish some things around our house that we started, finish Grad School, and maybe become a mommy.....

1. One Little Word: "Faith"....such a small word, but with great meaning. The hubs and I have really learned how to focus on this word in so many ways and not to give up when things get tough. That little word and the Lord above is what we have been focusing on to one day become parents, among other things. 

Ipad? Apps anyone? and a little Bloggy love!

First off----A huge thanks goes to Cindy from Granny Goes to School who gave a little shout out to me and another new blogger, Mrs. Cranfill's Class. She did this through her Triple Treat Day---click the picture to find out more!!


Thanks for the bloggy love and helping me to reach 100 followers (hopefully soon!!). 

So Monday morning I'm working with my small group when in walks our University students who are completing a research project. This is normal for them to come in but they had my the classroom's Ipad!! Yay!! For their research project, two classrooms are working with Mac-books and do webcam activities each week, but for those of us who do not do that yet, we were given Ipads to work with. So......any ideas?

I've found a few really cool FREE apps to for my students to use, but what else is out there? I know a lot of you have these already in your classroom, so what are you using?

Here is one student using Reading Eggs (if you are not familiar with this program---it's amazing!!!) I found it through someone's blog last year (can't remember who sorry!!) and presented it to my principal, so now we have a school license. My assistant uses the app for her daughter (some of their apps are free) and showed it to me. So this student is practicing copying his letters.

 And here he is getting ready to draw the letter a. (He needs practice with writing letters so this is perfect---and it tracks their progress!)

I have a few other apps that I've downloaded---all free of course! :) But many just work with letters and there are a few math activities that I have found. But pass on your ideas if you have any!! 

Here are a few more things we've been doing in our classroom this week as well! Here is our Elf on the Shelf named JJ....he was found this way this morning in the classroom. The kids thought it was hilarious...wonder what he'll be up to tomorrow morning??

Wow...the lighting is terrible. This activity is Hide the Elf. You can find it in my December Fun Pack. Each Santa has a sight word on it and the students must read the sight word to be able to find the elf. The elf this time was hidden behind the word white, but it took the students awhile to guess the word. I turn the cards over once they've read it if they did not find the elf, so they know what's been read and what hasn't. 

This is an activity from my Editable Santa Hat Build a Word. Students cut out the letters, which are scrambled, and rebuild the sight word. This has really helped my students who struggle with sight word recognition. This pack is editable for 3, 4, 5, and 6 letter words so that you can make your own. If you downloaded my Pumpkin Sight Word Build, then you'll like this one. 

I'll post a few more pictures in the next couple of days with some other activities that we are doing. 

Manic Monday Freebie!

I'm linking up with Classroom Freebies Manic Monday!! This is way that bloggers can contribute to Classroom Freebies just by linking up.

It is a Label the Reindeer activity. Students will use the word bank to label the parts of a reindeer.

So just click here to grab it up!!!

December Currently and a freebie

I love that it's December already---lights, family time, the holiday smells, gifts, etc. And it means a new currently!!! I'm linking up with Farley for the December currently. 

And I'm also linking up with Freebielicious for freebies on the first!

Here is my freebie. Just click on the picture to take you to Google Docs. I hope it works correctly b/c I've never linked anything to google docs before. Let me know if it doesn't work!

Enjoy the rest of your weekend. I hope to have some reindeer and gingerbread men activities up soon! Keep checking back.

More Christmas Goodies

Quick post-----here are a few more December/Christmas goodies that I posted up today on TPT.

This is my Santa Hat Build a Word activity (like my Pie build a word and Pumpkin Build a word). Students cut out the letters. On this one I did include the editable templates for making 3, 4, 5 and 6 so that you can make your own. Click on the picture to grab it up!!

Here is a freebie. It includes letter cards plus a paper for students to write their letters.

December Fun Pack--Finished!!! And a sale!

Finally---the December Fun Pack is finished! And it's on sale today because I missed Monday. You can grab it here for 20% off today only!!!

This pack is full of various items!
coloring sheets
number/tens frame memory
before/after number worksheets
cvc word work mats
sight word--find the elf game
2 versions of labeling Santa
What Color is Santa's Hat?--emergent reader
3 variations of Christmas List writing templates
Roll the cube/write the number activity
I can see a.......Pocket chart activity cards with writing sheet
Cut and paste beginning sounds sheet
and more....

Editable Christmas Calendar Cards & Sale!

I'm finally feeling like I can return to the land of the living---ugh it's been horrible. I did get my Editable Christmas calendar cards posted this morning

This pack includes:

2 sets of calendar cards (1 page is editable for each so that you can include any special days that you might have planned)

2 December calendar headers

2 December calendars (both editable--one in landscape, one portrait)

This isn't the greatest view of everything but it's the best I can do right now. Click on the picture above to take you my store. 

This is on sale for 20% off plus what TPT is giving. I am running my sale until tomorrow because I've been sick. I will have the December Fun Pack posted tomorrow morning. Again, sorry it was not all up this weekend!!!

Happy Shopping!

TPT sale and an I'm sorry

Ugh I hate being sick. Apparently the horrible stomach bug decided to attack me (of all people... Me!) on Saturday and I'm still under the weather. Then the Internet crashed so I'm apologizing that I don't have my December fun pack and a few other December goodies up on TPT in time for the sale. So because of that I'm extending my sale until Wednesday in hopes that I can get that stuff uploaded
by tomorrow.
Please hop over to my store though because everything is 20% off plus the extra 10% that TPT is offering!!!! I'm sending this through my phone so I can't post a link to my store but there is a link on my sidebar.
Again I apologize the stuff isn't uploaded so keep checking back through Wednesday and I hope you fill your cart with goodies today and tomorrow!!!!

My little buddy is keeping me company!!!

Liebster Award Nom and Upcoming TPT sale!

I hope that you all have had a wonderful Thanksgiving. I'm stuffed after eating at my dad's house last night with that half of the family, going to my mom's today to eat, and then to the in-laws this evening to eat. I do believe I am oh say..around 30 lbs heavier now...LOL I see some serious walking and exercising in my near future...possibly...unless the couch calls my name before I can get my sneaks on....

I will be participating in the Cyber Sale going on Monday and Tuesday on TPT!!!



Use Promo Code: CMT12

I'll have my December Fun Pack uploaded by then as well as a few other Christmas goodies that you will be able to grab. I hope to also have some more digital papers as well. So stock up and grab and get 20% off of my stuff and TPT is offering another 10% for a total of 28% off of your purchases. I know that my wishlist is FULL of goodies!!

And my dear bloggy friend Mrs. Leeby over at Learning With Mrs. Leeby nominated me for the Liebster Award. 



The Liebster 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. Thanks Mrs. Leeby I appreciate it!! It means a lot!

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 followers) and link them in your post.

- No tag back (but please leave me a comment on this post with the URL to your Liebster post so I can learn more about you)!

11 Things about Me:

1. I was born and raised in the same small town that I live in now (in fact like 3 blocks from where I went to HS & my grandma lives right behind us)--so I know everyone it seems.

2. I have 3 sisters (2 are step-sisters but we've been family so long I normally don't say step)

3. I am the oldest grandchild on my dad's side and the shortest...all of cousins are at least 6 ft tall. I'm pushing 5'2 with shoes! LOL (my sister is about an inch or two taller than me)

4. Growing up I've always wanted to be a mom---one day maybe....

5. I heart chocolate and orange juice---at the same time

6. I can knit.

7. I LOVE to read (Mrs. Leeby--i saw you read eBooks. Do you have a nook or kindle???)

8. I've killed two deer with the same car while in college

9. I'm pursuing my master's degree (will be finished July 2013)

10. I love to watch New Girl and the Vampire Diaries :)

11. The beach is my most favorite place in the whole world....

11 Things asked by Mrs. Leeby

1. Do you play an instrument?  

Yes..the Ipod and the cd player (LOL) no seriously--I've never learned how to play an instrument...always thought it'd be cool to learn how to play the drums only b/c my dad knows how
2. Where have you traveled?

I have not traveled outside of the country. I would LOVE to visit Australia. But I have been to NY, Florida, Tennessee, Virginia, Kentucky, Georgia, SC, Indiana,  (ok..basically everywhere surrounding North Carolina!!)
3. What is your favorite thing to cook or your favorite recipe?

Good question...I enjoy cooking when I have time so I'd have to say...oh, I made the most awesome homemade vegetable soup last year...I found it on Pinterest and it's a.m.a.z.i.n.g....I'll have to do that again soon.
4. How long have you been teaching?

this is my 10th year
5. What's your zodiac sign?

Leo
6. Camping or hotel on a beautiful summer weekend?

Camping if there is a bathroom!! 
7. Most embarrassing blogging moment?

Um...I think just all of it sometimes because I'm so new at this. Feeling like I'm being obnoxious with asking for followers at times.
8. Bath or shower?

Shower but I wouldn't rule out a bath
9. Wine or beer?

I don't really drink anymore, but if I had to choose...beer
10. Real or fake Christmas tree?

Fake--my sister used to break out when we had real ones so I just stuck with the fake because I was used to it
11. Is blogging taking over all of your free time?

Yes...unfortunately b/c my grad school stuff ends up taking a back seat!! 

Questions I'm asking my nominees:

1. How long have you been teaching?

2. What is your favorite holiday?

3. Do you have any siblings?

4. If you weren't teaching, what would you do instead?

5. Do you have a favorite sport to watch or play?

6. What do you do in your spare time?

7. Where is the farthest place you have traveled?

8. What is your favorite movie?

9. How long have you been blogging?

10. What made you begin blogging?

11. Favorite food?

Blogs I'm nominating:

1. A Teacher Without a Class

2. Beach Lovin' Teach

3. Bedford, Love, and Teaching

4. Clearly Kindergarten

5. Coffee Cups and Lesson Plans

6. Creatively Cricket

7. Fun and Fearless in First

8. Heidi's Krazy Kinder

9. Mrs. Janelle's Kindergarten

10. Mrs. Christy's Leaping Loopers

11. Teacher Kirra: Maestra Kirra

Wow what a hard time I had picking just 11 blogs....there are so many amazing ones out there. Don't forget to comment here and leave a link when you've answered!