First Grade Blue Skies

Super excited! and an Error!!

2012-02-25T08:22:00.000-06:00

I am super excited to be going to the Bama Blogger Meet up in a later today!

In the meantime, I needed to let you guys know if you purchased my Let's Make a Leprechaun pack on TPT, you need to download it again.. there was an error on page 49...so if you have printed the pack, you don't have to re-print anything except page 49 (which is a writing prompt).

I am so sorry for any inconvenience!!! (and a big thank you to Ms Curry for finding the error!! =)

Click the picture or here to go and download it again!

New table? Not Quite...

2012-02-23T20:29:00.000-06:00

Do you ever just need a change? Well, I do. My room is sort of small, well...at the very least it is jam-packed with furniture so I am limited as to what I can move around and where. With that said, I got the urge to change my guided reading table. It is bright yellow...and had had some abuse/paint/stains. I was at TJ Maxx the other day and saw this patterned self adhesive shelf liner- SOLD. I used my prep time today to cover my yellow table to now look like this:

Ignore the mess and clutter (no, I am not a hoarder)... and ignore the animal print cover on the chair (left over from Jungle theme..lol)

The print looks darker in the pics than it really is.

Below is what the table looked like before. Of course, the liner is removable and leaves no residue. And in this picture, it looks A LOT cleaner than it is in reality..lol

The two rolls of shelf liner were only $5.99! It took almost both rolls from the pack, but a new (looking) table for less than 6 bucks...now that's a deal!

Tomorrow is FRIDAY!!! YAY!

Alabama Blogger Meet Up!!

2012-02-22T18:53:00.000-06:00

Everyone is welcome!!

It is at 11:00

and if you haven't emailed me yet, please do so that I can add you to the number when I call to get a table =) If you have already emailed me, thank you!

Hope to see you all there!!!

Let's Make A Leprechaun....Or Two! (freebie, too!)

2012-02-19T14:41:00.001-06:00

I love St Patrick's Day...and all things Irish! Creating this pack was just too much fun for me!
Of course, I have been a bit busier (and sicker) than I thought I would be and it has taken WAY longer than I thought it would to finish it. (Not to mention the fact that I kept adding stuff to it, making the initial size something like 180MB...until I found a way to reduce the file size with my MAC so that it is WAY more manageable). ANYWAYS... This pack has, as usual, some adorable craftivities- a glyph and also a personalized friend which both have writing extensions...but the pack also has a bit of math...and a lot of writing and making connections with character and plot.
I also included a leprechaun legend that can be used as a "Think Ahead" (predicting activity)
...lots of activities to go along with my two fav St Patrick's Day books by Tomie DePaola...
gotta love Jamie O'Rourke!

I included Common Core standards covered with the pack, too.

If you get a chance, check it out HERE.
When you go to TPT, there is a freebie download if you click "Download Preview"

Seriously, you will love this pack!

Have a great Sunday!!

Valentine's Exchange and Pics of the Day!

2012-02-14T19:58:00.000-06:00

Wow. Valentine's Day is not for the weak of heart...at least not when you are a teacher... =)

Just a quick post about my super fun Valentine Class Exchanges

(a huge thanks to Caitlin and Sarah for hosting it!!).

I must be special, because I got TWO Valentine Exchange partners...and it worked out so well! Here are the awesomely cute Valentine's Cards my kiddos got from Mrs Cotten

from Virginia (Kinders on the Block Blog...check her fun blog out!!!)

and here is a pic of the sweet cards my kiddos got from Mrs Guntorius' Class in Texas.

(check out her cute blog, too!)

My kids were THRILLED...it was like Christmas!

And here are some snapshots from our day=)

A picture of the cards I made my students:

The Valentine Bags inspired by Pinterest and The Teacher Wife (love, love, love her!!):

And the Inspired Apple (another fav) inspired the cute cards I made:

"I 'moustache' you a question....Will you be mine?"

Label It! President's, Valentine's, St Patrick's Days and even Safari Animals! *Plus a Freebie, too!

2012-02-11T17:08:00.000-06:00

Wow...now that's a title length you don't see every day!

First off, I had a couple of sweet customers ask if I could do some new Label It! Packs...one for Safari/African Animals and then another for holidays for around February and March.

So here are the new packs, up and ready to go:

The Label It Pack for February and March is huge (to me...lol) 42 color and BW mats

(BW not pictured below)

Here on TPT

And then there is the African Animal Safari Style Pack that is a combination of color and

BW mats, 26 total...along with 10 (1/2 color, 1/2 BW) bonus Thinking Maps! I really tried to listen to feedback and make the fonts simple, and the boxes bigger...I hope you love them!

Here on TPT

And one last thing...Pinterest must have blown up with the "er, ir, ur Sisters" poster I had as a freebie a long time ago...because all in one day I have had several emails about it because it is/was missing from my shop. Well, long story short, there were some clipart policy changes about freebies and I just took it down...but I used some time this morning to do some newer, even cuter versions and here is a pack of three for free on TPT (hey, that totally rhymes!)

Leave me some love and let me know if you can use one of them!

Here on TPT

I have another pack I am feverishly working on...and it is gonna be one of my favorites I think!!

Hope everyone has a great rest of their weekend!!!

Vocabulary (free) Resource Link!

2012-02-09T18:48:00.000-06:00

I have been having issues with vocabulary retention, especially with my ELL kiddos. I started using this resource from Zaner Bloser:

Not sure if you can tell what the illustrations are or the words...but I think the pig flying is perfect for unreasonable... Road Runner totally works for hastily...my favorite?

"Oh, I saw Super Hero" and the other kids replies, "Oh really?" (for gullible) lol

There is a paid service, which I am sure is awesome...but the free part is pretty cool, too! I have been using the vocabulary page (you can choose the pages over on the right hand side, along with grade level.

Just click on the picture above to visit the link!

Anyway, each week our Storytown series introduces 6 vocabulary words...I use the online resource to type the words onto the lines (optional: you could have the kids print their own words) and then I print the two pages, three words on each side...and then the day before the test, we work together to create illustrations for each word. After a lot of modeling with my firsties, I can see this being added to a station maybe. Research shows the value of illustrations and pictures created by kids to enhance a word's meaning...along with using in context, hearing the word used... etc. It has seemed to help my kids...and they love creating their illustrations!

Anyway, maybe you can use this resource, too! =)

AL Blogger Meet Up Announcement! Currently..and a Thank You!

2012-02-06T20:43:00.000-06:00

Not sure about a time yet...but I was thinking if we make it early, like 11:00 or some time later than 1:00...then maybe we could avoid the crowd =) If anyone needs directions or info, just email me. Those of you who have emailed me, I will send you an email about it soon!!

My kids worked on 10 more, 10 less...one more, one less, two more, two less...which may be explaining my headache right now..lol

Anyway...Guess what came in the mail today??? My Bloggy Valentine Exchange present!
Mor Zrihen of A Teacher's Treasure outdid herself with this package!! Thank you, Mor!!!!

If you don't already follow her blog, then you need to...she is one talented lady.
..PLUS she gives great gifts!! lol

Oh, and to add just one more thing to this post:
Farley's Currently Linky Party:

Check her out if you haven't already...you'll thank me if you do!

Valentine Freebie~14Days of Love by Ingles360

2012-02-05T04:30:00.002-06:00

I am joining Ingles 360 for a Valentine Freebie!

To get your freebie, visit my store on TPT here or click the picture above.

To see all the freebies from now until Valentine's Day, go check out and follow the fabulous blog:

Ingles 360!!

Happy Sunday!!

Hi Everyone!

2012-02-04T19:57:00.001-06:00

I had a great Saturday. The hubby and I got a babysitter and finally got to spend a day together (ALONE!!) Anyway, after several gifts for the kids...a yummy lunch...and a jacket from Anthropologie, we are home!

I am working on some freebies...so check back tomorrow. Until then, I wanted to share a great little blog by a super cute teacher here in Alabama. Her name is Jamie Mayas and her blog is

Mrs Mayas' Kindergarten

She has a great penguin unit...

and right now, get over there and pick the great little freebie shown below!!

So go now and Follow Her Blog!!

Friday Freebie for Remembering a Sweet Bloggy Friend =)

2012-02-02T23:17:00.001-06:00

Here is a Friday Freebie ...but the most important part is that it is in honor of a great teacher and blogger, Pamela Woods of Vintage Teacher. She will be missed!

I like using this vocabulary page (it's a new version of an old vocabulary page we used to use). It is easy to beneficial to use for words that have clear definition of what they are and are not...great for words that kids get mixed up on easily, like last week, we had "unthinkable"- it worked great for that! On it, you have the kids list the vocabulary word and then draw a picture in each box of what it is and what it is not....and then use the word in a sentence. Hope you can use it!! (click on the picture or here to snag it!)

Ta-Dah! GeoBoard It! Math Station Pack and a Freebie!!

2012-02-01T18:05:00.000-06:00

Ta-Dah!

I have finally finished and listed my newest ready-to-go math station for Geoboards!

(thank you, Heather for the great suggestion!)

I had such great feedback with my pattern block sight word station, I thought adding a new math pack was the perfect choice. Geoboards are usually those things that the teacher who had the room before you left a box of in the floor...and we let the kids explore and use them..but without a lot of direction and accountability. This pack allows for lots of variations on activities and fun patterns for kids to create and record.

It also aligns with Common Core Geometry Standards (which are provided for 1st grade).

Check it out and click on the "download preview" to get your freebie at TPT!

I hope you love it as much as my kiddos have this week!

Get it here at TPT

I am feeling excited and positive...and am thinking about the Alabama Blogger meet up...probably will be posting details in the next few days, but we are leaning toward

February 25th at Chuy's (at the Summit)...

I will let you guys who have contacted me know for sure soon =)

Happy Wednesday!!!

A Few Lines!

2012-01-31T19:53:00.000-06:00

Hi everybody!

First off, I want to say thank you to everyone for all their sweet word and kind thoughts concerning my paypal issues.
I am over it (mostly)...haha

Anyway, life goes on regardless.
School is kicking my butt this week and I have an awesome pack to list, but with all the commotion I didn't want to do it Sunday and I am dead tired tonight, so tomorrow night is my goal to get it up and on TPT!!

And also if you get a chance...Please visit my friend Heather's site and follow her blog,
Heather's Heart. She is SO close to reaching 800 followers...she only needs 5 more before tomorrow to have a giveaway!!! Plus she has great freebies and awesome ideas!!

I wanted to direct you to my Groundhog freebie (in case you missed it the first time)
Hope you can use it! =)

((Big Hugs)) to all of you and for making me feel better last night...I value each and every one of you!

Issues, Issues, Issues.

2012-01-30T16:26:00.000-06:00

Well, I woke up Sunday morning with an email from Paypal saying that my account had been frozen. I have no idea why and even after calling them, I still have no idea why. From what limited information they did provide, they think my email/paypal account is associated with some other email address or paypal account...which it is not. So after trolling a bunch of websites this morning, I am even more worried because apparently, they can just freeze your account...close it...not allow you to ever have one again. And in essence, end my ability to earn money. I haven't done a single thing wrong. (I mean, sure, I have done things that are wrong in my 38 years, but concerning paypal and buying, selling, etc...I haven't done anything wrong). The websites I read basically said that even if I just allowed someone to pay me, and they are a wrongdoer, paypal can still say I broke their terms and close my account. I read where if they think you violated their terms, they can go into your banking account and withdraw funds to reimburse your customers. ...without consulting you first, depending upon the situation. (even if the customers have no problem or issue with you) SO my suggestion knowing this now is to never let money sit in your account...always withdraw or transfer it, just in case they decide to freeze your account...another suggestion I read about was to never give them your banking account info, to instead use a prepaid debit/credit card to verify your account. I am so irritated by the entire situation I cannot even see straight. Of course those suggestions are for the paranoid...and when once posed to me, I thought 'who needs to do that?
It won't happen to me...'

Well, that was yesterday...I hesitated posting anything then because I thought it would be resolved because, afterall, I did nothing wrong. Well, I got an email this morning and the appeal was denied. I am done. No paypal account for me. FOR LIFE. Yes, I said...FOR THE REST OF MY LIFE. Are you serious? Are you freakin' kidding me?? Ten years of having and using this...my one and only paypal account..allowing paypal to take a percentage of my earnings for every transaction made...never having a single complaint by a customer...and they deny me even an explanation after all of that.
I called again and yes, that is it. They do not nor will they provide me any details as to why my account was closed....unless I provide a subpoena. And even then he (customer service) delightfully told me it would not change their decision. It is final.
My funds that were in there are frozen for 180 days...after that they will probably release them.
I have no idea what any of this means for my business... fortunately TPT sends checks and you can purchase using a debit or credit card...for online buying I can use google checkout or amazon checkout. For the time being, my Teachers Notebook store is closed.
For me, it is the point. I did nothing wrong...and yet I am being treated and punished as if I did ...with no way of defending myself. I am horrified...and heartbroken...worried and irritated. I should have entitiled this post as "Why I Hate Paypal."

and to make matters worse....
did I mention our heat has been out all weekend?? lol

What We've Been Doing...

2012-01-26T09:17:00.002-06:00

Ok folks...I will be honest. I am behind. ...so very, very behind. I have a list that is a million miles long and so I haven't been sharing a lot lately simply because I am trying to remember all the things on the list.

(insert nervous laugh)

But I thought I would share real quick some of the things I have gotten around to doing in my classroom.

Snowmen used for -er and -est adjectives.

Torn Paper Snowmen from Pinterest.

Ringing in the New Year with a project from A Cupcake for the Teacher.

For 100th Day...we made a banner that says "I'm 100 Days Smarter!"

The banner pieces are hot glued to ribbon.

Our Signs...from Walmart $1 section tied together with ribbon so they would hang.

We made 100 Day Crowns

...and illustrated what we would like look when we are 100.

I have a new pack that should be a lot of fun..so stay tuned!

By the way, tomorrow is Friday!!

Fantastic Giveaway!

2012-01-24T08:22:00.002-06:00

Miss Kindergarten is hosting a
Fantastic February Goody Giveaway!

To enter, visit her blog here:

Preparing for February? Wouldn't you love to get all these great activities for free!?

What can you win if you enter?

All these things:

from

from
ME!

from

To enter visit Miss Kindergarten! Or click on the picture above!

Alabama Blogger Friends!

2012-01-22T19:46:00.000-06:00

I have had a lot of great folks respond that they are interested in meeting up some time. I have filed all your names away and still would love to hear from anyone else interested. I was thinking before sending out an email with time and place...maybe I would ask for suggestions.

I was thinking maybe lunch on a Saturday?

We could plan for some time in February...so if there is a date that does NOT work, leave a comment..and I will try to accommodate for as many people as possible =)

I know I had mentioned Red Robin (maybe in Trussville) but I am open to anything...

(there is also Chuy's at the Summit or Superior on 280...just "holler" suggestions below...lol)

If you are like me and can come anytime (as long as I know in advance) then you are fine to not comment as long as you have emailed me or commented on the last post about it! =)

Anyway, sorry about the double post tonight, just wanted to make sure I got some feedback from everyone about dates and location.

Giveaway Time!

2012-01-22T19:33:00.000-06:00

Loving & Learning in Pre-K is hosting a fantabulous Giveaway

where you could win one of my packs :

AND also

and this...

and a $10 gift card to TPT from

And this also...

And then our host, Julia is adding this:

WOW! That is a lot of awesome prizes!!

In order to enter for a chance to win visit:

Groundhog Day Freebie!

2012-01-18T19:43:00.003-06:00

OK, I admit it....I like Groundhog Day. I like it, not only because it is my husband's favorite movie (gotta love Bill Murray), but also because Phil is just plain cute. It's a fun holiday tradition and a great way to work in a lesson or two about predictions! Click here or on the picture to get your copy!

Included in the freebie is the template for the headband craft, a class prediction graph, Groundhog Info Page, and a prediction fill in the blank page.

And don't forget....

Also, if you are an Alabama blogger, we would love to meet you!! Email me at laughinbrunette@hotmail.com and I will let you know

when and where we are thinking about meeting up.

Alabama Bloggers!...and Some Great Giveaways

2012-01-17T20:22:00.000-06:00

Hey Y'all!

I know a lot of bloggers out there have been having regional meet ups and I was wondering if anyone would like to get together here in Alabama?

I thought it would be fun to meet and have some fun.

I mentioned it a while back to Ms A (over at Oceans of First Grade Fun) and she thought it would be fun, too. SO all we need now is to find out who all would want to come, where, and when. Everyone is welcome and I was thinking maybe Trussville or Birmingham both are pretty much in the middle of most of us in the state. (I know Ms. A likes Red Robin...just sayin'! lol) Maybe we could meet on a Saturday...in February? or March? I am flexible (most of the time! lol)

Anyway, if you'd like to be a part of it, just email me at laughinbrunette@hotmail.com or comment below and I will start a folder of folks interested.

Feel free to throw out possible dates or locations...

any ideas are welcome!

ALSO...here are some links to some great giveaways around, check them out!

Darlin' in First

Amazing Gift Giveaway!

Ashleigh's Education Journey

Amazon Card Giveaway!

Fun in First

Win a Year's Worth of Fluency Passages!

Ketchen's Kindergarten

50 Follower Giveaway!

And I have my freebie ready to go and will share tomorrow night!!

Happy Tuesday!

Froggy's First Kiss

2012-01-16T18:39:00.000-06:00

FINALLY! I have finished my new pack!!

It is an art, science, math, and writing pack all about frogs, specifically centered around the book Froggy's First Kiss...but really, some of the extension activities could be used when studying frog life cycles (like the flipbook)...perfect during Valentine's Day, or any time of year when you devote some time to Froggy!

Here is what is included:

TPT

Teachers Notebook

Hope you love it!

And I have a freebie to share tomorrow or Wednesday night!! =)

Pattern Blocks & Sight Words

2012-01-14T19:01:00.002-06:00

This is an oldie, but goodie of mine. My kids *love* this station...and it integrates math and reading..how's that for cross-curricular? The first is a set of my own creation of pattern block shape math mats with sight words on them...ready to place in a Math and Literacy Station...an awesome way to integrate geometry and sight words!
Check it out by clicking the above pictures or:
TPT
Teachers Notebook

Should apply to Common Core:

1.G.2. Compose two-dimensional shapes (rectangles, squares, trapezoids, triangles, half-circles, and quarter-circles) or three-dimensional shapes (cubes, right rectangular prisms, right circular cones, and right circular cylinders) to create a composite shape, and compose new shapes from the composite shape.¹
RF.1.3. Know and apply grade-level phonics and word analysis skills in decoding words.

I hope everyone has had a great Saturday!

I am working on something new, so be on the look out!!

Love To Joplin

2012-01-13T17:56:00.000-06:00

I am linking up with Mrs Wills Kindergarten

for a

Love to Joplin Linky Party!

Click here or on the heart to learn more about it and to find out how you can help those teachers who are having to cope with the devastation caused by a tornado that ripped through Joplin, MO almost 8 months ago. I sent a couple of packs to help out and I am hoping many more teachers will do the same! You know us teachers...we always love to help!!!

Thanks Mrs Wills for allowing us to join in on the sharing!

Super Giveaways! And a funny story...

2012-01-12T20:45:00.000-06:00

Check out these fun giveaways..I know I am!

First there is a great $25 Amazon or Target Card giveaway over at

Made in the Shade in Second Grade

And then a $20 Amazon Card at Color Me Kinder

And last but not least an awesome Beautiful Customized Picture giveaway at

Taming my Flock of Firsties!

I need them all!!! lol

Oh and for a funny story from today...we are in small group with my advanced group. We look at the biography that we will be reading, about Joseph Bruchac. I ask the kids to look at his picture and guess what he is famous for...what he does...etc

The kids look at this cover:

And my 'funny boy' student states the obvious guess:

Pirate.

Soup Nazi and a Better Day!

2012-01-11T16:46:00.001-06:00

Ok...I know I may be the only one. But there are times, especially at the beginning of the year or after holidays when I feel like I am the "soup nazi" (like from Seinfeld)...barking out orders, calling kids on everything, all day...to the point where when I go home I feel like a complete failure- like if I had been a better teacher, they wouldn't have been acting that way.

Now keep in mind, I don't just act like the 'Soup Nazi' for no reason. Oh, there's a reason, baby! (insert George Costanza reference)

Anyway, it is usually because my kids are out of control...I know, I know, if I were better at classroom management, they wouldn't be wild. I get it. BUT I am pretty good at management...and even then, they still just 'act-a-fool' sometimes. When that happens, the 'Soup Nazi' will show it's ugly head and I am barking orders, telling people, "turn around!".."get with your partner!" open your book!"..and on and on. And as I said, I just (upon reflection) at the end of the day come to terms with the fact that I a horrible teacher...and maybe I will do a better job next year. Yeah, that's it...There's always next year, that's when I will do a a really good job...not ever lose my temper...get to Science and Social Studies every day..never raise my voice..... That'll be great!

Ok...not sure if that's gonna ever happen...and

if you can't tell, I have been the 'Soup Nazi' for the last two days. Had my Stuart Smalley (SNL) moments, "I'm good enough. I am smart enough. Gosh darnit, people like me. And next year, I will do it right!"

AND then...it happens.

I come to school today and my kids...after two days of 'Soup Nazi'...just do everything right. (ok, not everything, but you get it, right?) The class flows. Everyone does their part. People listen. People follow direction. I smile. I mean, really smile. And I realize the Soup Nazi has a place. At least for me, there are times, when I have to show that side...or remind kids that I possess that side. That combined with new seating and new groupings...Voila! My old kids are back...the ones who do pretty much everything I ask and who aren't perfect, but at least help me to help them.

Now, for those of you who are unfamiliar with my reference to Soup Nazi, here is a little help:

And for those of you who "get it" and love Seinfeld as much as I do...here is a little beefcake for you:

Ok, one of my teacher friends suggested that I am not the 'Soup Nazi'..that I am more like Miss Viola Swamp. I couldn't argue with her! lol (Gotta love the book, Miss Nelson is Missing!)

That was me on Monday.

and....

This was me today:

except as a brunette! lol

Currently... Linky Party

2012-01-09T18:06:00.000-06:00

Farley over at Oh' Boy 4th Grade is having a Currently Link Party and I just had to join up!

Join up here and tell us what you are "currently" doing and enter her giveaway!

We have a Winner! And a freebie sort of...because I am a Dunce.

2012-01-08T21:46:00.000-06:00

Our winner of the "A Little Penguin Told Me..." Giveaway is

KaydeeShaffer!!!

Watch your email for our packs!!!

With that taken care of,

there is this other situation. It has to do with the fact that I am a dunce. =)

Not really, but very rarely I am known to make a mistake...and this happens to be one of those times. If you have purchased my Let's Make a Penguin ..Or Three Pack then there WAS a small mistake on the labeling page- the title was misspelled...BUT instead of you having to download the entire pack again, here is that page (corrected) on google docs- as well as now the page is a freebie there for anyone who doesn't have the pack already!

So just click here or the picture below:

Sorry for any inconvenience and I promise to do a better job next time catching typos!!

Label It Nursery Rhymes!

2012-01-08T12:19:00.001-06:00

I know a lot of us in Early Childhood teach and use Nursery Rhymes for a variety of things related to reading. These mats are perfect for your literacy stations to reinforce re-tell and writing/labeling skills. I found super cute clip art and designed a labeling pack for Nursery Rhymes and since I got carried away with the new clip art from Springhill Graphics, I included 4 bonus fairytale mats and 3 Nursery Rhymes Thinking Maps!

Find it:

TPT

Teachers Notebook

Nursery Rhymes included are:

Hey Diddle, Diddle

Little Miss Muffet

Humpty Dumpty

Old Lady Who Lived in a Shoe

Baa Baa Black Sheep

Jack and the Beanstalk

Jack Be Nimble

Peter, Peter Pumpkin Eater

Sing a Song of Sixpence

Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star

BONUS:

Snow White and Seven Dwarfs

Little Red Riding Hood

Three Little Pigs

AND 3 Nursery Rhyme Thinking Maps!!!

Also...the "A Little Penguin Told Me..." with The Bubbly Blonde Giveaway ends tonight!!

Click here to enter!

In case you missed it, I have labeling packs that also include:

Space, School, Winter, and my newest one for The Mitten!!

There is also a great giveaway over at Fun For First...check it out!!

Hope you have a great rest of your Sunday...I am off to put something in the crock pot.

CAN'T BELIEVE tomorrow is MONDAY!! WAHHHH! lol just kidding...sort of =)

January Book Picks Linky Party with Mrs Parker

2012-01-05T20:38:00.000-06:00

Learning with Mrs Parker is having a Linky party for January Book Picks!

These are a few of mine!

My (own) kids are into this oldy, but goody:

Read this one today =)

Label It The Mitten! and a Freebie!

2012-01-05T17:08:00.001-06:00

If you love the Jan Brett book, The Mitten, then this is your lucky day!

KPM Doodles has done it again and created EXACTLY what I needed!!

You are going to love her clip art and this pack of Labeling pages I created! Included are 13 color labeling mats and then 13 B&W pages (are the same as the color, just in B&W), color direction page for stations, and two bonus thinking maps (one bubble and the other a double bubble map).

TPT

Teachers Notebook
Mats are great to use in a writing station...just print, place in a plastic sleeve, and allow the kids to use a dry erase marker to label the pictures, using the provided word box. If you prefer, you can always print them out to use as individual work pages.

And here is a freebie from the pack- a bubble map to use when you read the book to describe your perfect mitten! Click the Picture or here to get your copy!

Hope you love it!

By the way, today was my first day back with kids..and other than getting mixed up and taking one of my students up to be a car rider when she was supposed to get on the bus (...and then having to call her mom to come get her), I'd say it was a pretty good day...considering! lol

And if you haven't already, please consider adding me as a favorite shop of yours at:
Teachers Notebook
and
TPT
Thanks!!!

Winners! Valentine Friend Giveaway!

2012-01-03T22:20:00.000-06:00

I went ahead and doubled it... making it 6 winners since there was such a great response!

Elisabeth at eangelakos

Nancy at sunnyinsocal

Kristy at cozartsclass.blogspot.com

Karen at kadythomas

Janette at janettegonzalez3

Karyn at Kideducator

I am sending the unit now to the winners! I love you all my bloggy friends out there...and you are ALL winners!! Thank you for following me and being so sweet!!

Let's Make a Valentine Friend!

2012-01-03T09:02:00.002-06:00

Let's Make a Valentine Friend is a new craft/activity pack...I took the many

suggestions I have received and worked really hard to offer something that has a lot of variation available. Like the elves and pilgrims, you can have kids create friends with different hair colors and styles...but in this pack, I have created a template for a LARGE friend and a SMALL friend...depending upon the amount of display space you have. I also included 4 different writing prompts (in a variety of cute fonts and then also some more practical/readable ones.)

The pack also includes a Valentine Class Graph!

Hope you love it =)

Here are some more pictures:

TPT

Teachers Notebook

These crafts are perfect for a writing extension of your Valentine themed book study!

I will choose three comments from below (between now and tonight at 9 central- January 3, 2012) by random generator and they will get this pack free! =) Don't forget to Leave your email!

The Most Supportive Blogger & Giveaways

2012-01-02T10:56:00.000-06:00

Ms Coe and Ms Maor are having a linky party about...of all things....

The Most Supportive Blogger!

Which is sort of ironic because they would both be at the top of my list of supportive bloggers. Hadar and Laral are always commenting and being a great friend to me and other bloggers alike!

But then there are a few other sweeties that seem to be always lifting my spirits, too...I checked my comments and found a few I wanted to mention:

Barbara at Grade Onederful
Heather at Heather's Heart
Kristin at Teeny Tiny Teacher
Mel at Seusstastic Classroom Inspirations
April at Chalk Talk
Kelley at Buggy for Second
Ms Arnold of Oceans of First Grade Fun for helping me out in the beginning!
Mrs Cupcake, too!

There are just so many sweet bloggers that make me feel like I am "doing" something more each and every time I post! I know there are like a million I have forgotten to list...and I will think "Doh" later! =)

OH AND

...there are a few (lots) giveaways I wanted to mention that I am participating in!

Hope is having a New Year Giveaway!

Mel is having a huge Birthday Bash Giveaway for her 40th Young Birthday:

And then there is my own little Penguin giveaway:

Oh, and then some giveaways I am not a direct part of..but they are pretty awesome just the same:

Buggy For Second Grade Giveaway

Made For 1st Grade Giveaway

Faithful in First Giveaway

A Little Penguin Told Me... Giveaway!

2012-01-01T20:08:00.000-06:00

A Little Penguin Told Me...

YOU could be a WINNER!

Happy to announce a giveaway of all things Penguin related from me (FirstGradeBlueSkies)

and Alisha from The Bubbly Blonde Teacher!

You can win her awesomely incredible (& huge!) "Playful Penguins Unit"

and my "Let's Make a Penguin...or Three Pack"!

(and since mine isn't as big as her pack, the winner can choose a bonus item from my store, too! =)

The giveaway begins today, January 1st and runs one week until next Sunday, January 8, 2012

(2012, what?? That just looks crazy!lol)

Anyway, the way to enter is eazy, peazy, lemon squeazy! Just be a follower of our blogs! That's it.

So follow me, FirstGradeBlueSKies and The Bubbly Blonde Teacher

Just make one entry to this post below that says,

"I follow both awesome, incredible, super great blogs!"

...or something like that!!
Feel free to use your own words!! haha

Math Station Organization

2011-12-31T15:20:00.000-06:00

That's an exciting title for New Year's Eve, right??

Well, ok...not exactly, but that is pretty much where my life is right now with two toddlers.

Anyway, the last time I was at school, I thought I would take a picture of how I organize my

math stations:

The cart was actually re-purposed from holding an overhead projector (yes, I not only had one...but I still do in storage)...the boxes are cheapos from Dollar Store that are made to sit on top of each other- (but they wouldn't have to)... the numbers are those peel and stick bulletin board letter/numbers-

easy, enough =)

I like it because I can change the tubs out easily...it rolls around in case I need to move it for convenience and they are easy to put up and take off for the kids. I have things like geo boards, dominoes, and unifix cubes in them...dice games and recording sheets...pattern blocks, shapes and pattern pages. Fact family activities were the last item I added. Each pair of kids gets a new number bin each week...I haven't been able to do math stations every day, regular like I should...so the kids only have that bin maybe 2-3 times that week...and then they go to the next number the following week. (if that makes sense =)

I also thought I would mention some great giveaways my bloggy buddies are having:

Teeny Tiny Teacher has 1000 followers and is celebrating by giving away three $10 Amazon cards here

Mrs Wheeler is celebrating a New Year by giving away a $10 Starbucks card and a cozy pair of socks here

and Yearn To Learn is celebrating 2012 by giving away a $15 Starbucks card

here

Those are some AWESOME Giveaways!!

How I Spent my Vacation Linky Party and some CUTE Clip Art!

2011-12-30T17:25:00.000-06:00

I am linking up with Clutter-Free Classroom on How I Spent My Vacation"

To be honest, I haven't "done" much...just stayed in my pj's most of the time... chased my kids around, the usual. Well, I was sick, broke a tooth, but I don't go back until Wednesday.... SO my vacation isn't really "over" (please say it's not, please say it's not!) and as of right now, I have a date planned with the hubby for maybe Monday?? Hope so, anyway!

ANYWAYS, link up and let us know how you spent your holiday. =)

OH.....And I know I have been reading a lot about clip art terms of use changing, etc...but I wanted to share with you a new creative force, somewhat new to blogging...but she has started a clip art etsy shop that you have to check out. I am sure she will be adding more as she goes...so follow her blog or add her shop to your favs!!

Her Blog:

Her Etsy Shop:

An example of her newest clip art, which you can use for your teaching goodies:

Cute, right?? And only $2.50!

Awesome Giveaway!

2011-12-29T20:46:00.000-06:00

Here is an awesome $25 Amazon Gift Card giveaway you don't want to miss over at

Hopelessly Devoted to Teaching!

Who couldn't use a gift card to Amazon??

Told You So! (Freebie!!)

2011-12-29T12:59:00.001-06:00

I told you I would be back with a freebie today!

These are two variations of a Chinese New Year class graphing activity...hope you love them!

Click here or on the pic above to download your copy.

And in case you missed it, I have a Chinese New Year pack on TPT and Teachers Notebook, too!

The meds have kicked in and I can just about breathe...my tooth, however, remains partially in my wallet change purse...nice, right?

Hope everyone has a great Thursday!

Chinese New Year! Let's Make a Dragon!

2011-12-28T20:34:00.000-06:00

Well, to sum up my day...visited the Dr. and got a shot, steroids and a prescription to get rid of this illness that has taken over my ability to breathe...oh, and then there was my back tooth that simply broke in half. That was just the icing on my sickly cake! But on a brighter note, I finally finished my Chinese New Year Pack that has been sitting and sitting, ~~unfinished~~ on my to do list!!

Yeah Sick Me!! lol

Well, I have no more energy to do a freebie tonight to go along with this, but I promise I will do one tomorrow for you guys!!

In the meantime, go take a gander at my new listing (insert sneeze)!

TPT

Teachers Notebook

Oh, and if you get a chance, check out the giveaway over at

Busy in K???

It is awesome...you should check it out!

11 in 11 Linky Party!

2011-12-27T11:48:00.001-06:00

Ok, so I know I already posted once today...but you can blame it all on Hadar and Kristen!! I am linking up for their 11 in 11 Linky party! You should link up, too!

11. Favorite movie you watched

I am a die-hard mystery reader/watcher...the more British the better...even though these particular Holmes movies aren't exactly true to the Doyle books...they are still fun to watch. (and let's be honest, Robert Downey jr 'ain't hard on the eyes')

10. Favorite TV series
This is tough for me, too...This year I got hooked on a couple of shows...Empire Boardwalk and Walking Dead...but my husband got me on Game of Thrones, too. I like Castle, too...Oops, there I go...adding more than one!!

9. Favorite restaurant
Umm...another tough one...I like Tex Mex and in B'ham there is Superior and La Paz that both make me happy. But if we are talking fast food...then "everybody goes to Milos" (you gotta be from Alabama to get that one..)

8. Favorite new thing you tried
blogging...I never thought I would do it...much less love it...but I do (obviously)

7. Favorite gift you received
My new Fossil purse...and my Brighton "go to" bracelet. (you know the bracelet you can wear everyday and it not bother or ever get in the way...not too valuable, but valuable enough to look good)

6. Favorite thing you pinned
hmmm ...I couldn't choose just one thing in my teacher related things- they are all awesome...so..maybe everything in my Polka Polka Dots Board

5. Favorite blog post
Probably my 'Classroom Pics' Post...I loved the response I got....and decorating is sort of a fav thing of mine

4. Favorite accomplishment

This year, it has been starting a blog and opening a TPT and Teachers Notebook store. I am proud of myself for stepping out there and giving it a shot =)

3. Favorite picture

I have a million fav pics...of my husband and me..my kids, my family...but when it comes to teaching, I have always had a place in my classroom for this picture. It is me in first grade. It reminds me of what it was like to be them. It reminds me of a lot of things, my first grade teacher and how she made me feel special.... it helps me be a better teacher to remember.

2. Favorite memory

from 2011? Well, maybe going to the beach with the hubs and kids...or maybe the last time my mom came to my house on Maggie's bday last February...the latter one makes me sad a bit, so I will go with the first:

1. Goal for 2012
In life: Eat better/be healthier....be a better role model for my kids =)

In school:I want to do a better job with Science and Social Studies.

So there ya go...My 11 in 11. Link up and share yours!!

Label It Winter! and a freebie!

2011-12-27T11:01:00.001-06:00

I woke up this morning with a cold...seriously? On break, and I have a cold??? Not cool at all!

But setting my personal sniffling, coughing, stuffy head, fever so I can't rest issues aside....

Here is my newest labeling pack, Label It Winter!

This doesn't show all of the mats, but a lot of them! Find the new pack on:

TPT

Teachers Notebook

Here is a freebie for all my besties out there in blogland! Click the picture or here

I am working on a couple of other things, like a Label It Nursery Rhymes Pack...=)

In other news, if you downloaded my freebie Snowman Writing Pack from TPT, I had a suggestion to change the font from a sweet follower so that there are capital letters...so it is changed now if you want the new font version =) Find it here

Hugs to all of you!!

Let's Make a Penguin...Or Three! Glyph, Art, Lit, and Math Pack (and Freebie!)

2011-12-26T20:47:00.001-06:00

Ok...I know I have exceeded my daily amount of times I should post...BUT I just listed something new that I am super excited about AND there is a freebie if you go to the TPT link and click on download preview...you'll get a free copy of the penguin labeling page! So forgive me, k...pretty please???

TPT

Teachers Notebook

Here is a preview of what is included:

and here is a close up of the glyph:

and more of the art projects:

I also finished my Label It Winter! Pack...soon to be listed tomorrow night!

Oh, and if you are in the mood for penguins..and I know you are, check out this

INCREDIBLE and GIANT

Playful Penguins Centers pack (here ) from my friend Alisha over at the Bubbly Blonde Teacher !

Please check out her blog and FOLLOW HER!!!! She is awesome!

Yes, I am posting another linky party!

2011-12-26T10:22:00.000-06:00

Please forgive me, but I am trying to get caught up with all the linky parties I want to join in on!

This one is brought to us by Tammy from

It's all about the Resolutions for the coming year!

Here are my resolutions:
PERSONAL-
1. Start my diet....again (I'm thinking this is just a standing resolution!)

2. Model the behavior I want my kids to have....

get away from the mentality of "do what I say, not what I do"

3. Spend time with my hubby...quality time,not just errands and chores.

4. To be less critical and more appreciative.

TEACHING-
1. Concentrate and work towards being better prepared and not waiting until the last minute.

2. Do a better job with Science and Social Studies.

BLOGGING-
1. Share freebies as much as I can

2. Continue to make friends in the blogging community and try to always comment

(and say thank you!) when I get a freebie from someone!

So there you have it, my New Year's Resolutions

Holly Bloggy Christmas Gift Exchange

2011-12-26T10:09:00.000-06:00

I needed to take a moment and say thank you to Heather, my gift giver!

And also to Caitlin and Sarah for coming up with such a cute idea!

Here is what I got from Heather:

And here is what I sent to Nicole at Teach-Love:

Linky Party Top Three Posts

2011-12-26T09:08:00.000-06:00

I am joining in with Fern Smith's Top Three Most Viewed Posts Linky Party!

I don't have really, super high numbers...but for me, it seems big =)

Let's Make a Pilgrim or an Elf!

with 12, 332 views

Reindeer Sighting, Thinking Maps, and a Freebie! Oh My...

with 6, 589 views

Label It Pack and a Freebie!

with 4,796 views

I am currently working on a ton of things for the New (school) Year!...so watch out!!

Maybe I can get those numbers even higher!! lol

I hope everyone had a great holiday weekend! I did...basically stayed in my pj's ....except for our annual trip to the Chinese restaurant on Christmas Day =)

Sale and a Freebie!

2011-12-21T19:08:00.002-06:00

I am officially out for the holidays! Help me celebrate with a sale in my

TPT and Teachers Notebook Shops!

TPT

Teachers Notebook

AND....In case you missed it back when I posted about it in the fall, I thought I would re-post now that it is a bit more appropriate!

I hope you will love the freebie and if you do, leave a comment below!

Just click on the picture to get your pack!

And for those of you that still have some school left, hang in there! ((Hugs))

And the Countdown Begins!

2011-12-20T17:05:00.000-06:00

It's the final countdown!!!

(enter Europe musical interlude- and if you don't get the reference, you are not

part of my "generation"! lol)

Tomorrow is OUR LAST DAY!!! Do you hear what I am saying?????

Oh, and here is an awesome video shared by Tina at Quench Your First...if you haven't watched it, then you should...especially if tomorrow is your last day!

Anyway, we had our "Bring your elf to school day" today and the kids loved reading to their elves and even grew elf ears!! (idea from Pinterest)

Here are a couple of pictures!

They brought small animals if they didn't have elves. They were thrilled! We did all sorts of fun elf themed things. By the way, did I mention tomorrow is my last day? (ha)

Currently... Linky Party

2011-12-18T20:28:00.000-06:00

I am linking up with Oh' Boy 4th Grade for the Currently Linky Party...here are mine:

Hope I followed the rules! (except the one about not posting more than once a day!) lol

By the way, the shuffle just went from Beatles, "Here, There, Everywhere" to Tone Loc "Funky Cold Medina"....Let's just say my taste in music is....eclectic.

Link up and have some fun:

Holiday Greetings and a freebie add on!

2011-12-18T17:27:00.000-06:00

First, Happy Holidays from my family to your sweet families!

And for those of you who purchased my Let's Make a Snowman Pack...here is a freebie add on

(per request of a sweet follower) that will tie in a writing activity to your art. It glues right to the snow person's belly...so theoretically, even if you haven't bought the pack or even plan to do so, you could create your own snowman and add this writing element to it. There are four different prompts to choose from. Hope somebody can use it!

Click here to get the freebie

and if you'd like to purchase the pack itself,

click the picture below to purchase the 'Let's Make a Snowman' Pack on TPT for only $2.50...

or the link below it for Teachers Notebook!

TPT

Teachers Notebook

And don't forget while you are there to check out the Snowman Survival Pack for January!!

I still have THREE MORE DAYS next week...poor, poor, me!!! To those of you already out on break...I would be telling a story if I said I wasn't a wee bit jealous!

Easy Craft Idea and a Question

2011-12-15T18:54:00.000-06:00

Hi guys!

Is it Friday yet?? We still have four more days and I am TRYING to make it...tomorrow is Grinch Day...I told my kids to expect to see me as the Grinch tomorrow and perhaps on into next week! lol

Anyway, I have a couple of things to share. One is an EAZY PEAZY ornament snowman craft. It is made from burlap (I know, I know, it seems like I am obsessed with burlap...but I like it!!)

Let me first point out that the reason the look so stiff is because I might have spray painted them first ...trying to take the easy way out, but in the end found it doesn't work. However, it does make the burlap stiff and then the kids can paint the white apple barrel acrylic paint over it for a great effect. Next, using my handy dandy circular sponge brushes that I have spoken about so many times before (here)...the kids added the dots and used a brush to make the carrot nose.

Use a hole punch, some raffia and you are done.

(Don't judge the messy room... =)

ALSO, my husband pointed out that last night when I posted, that the picture I used of the collage of items included in my new Snowman Survival Pack makes it too hard to see the details of the pages...he said instead I should just post examples of some of the pages- that 'less is more'. I always am afraid of doing that because I don't want to make a post gynormous by including too many pictures, but still want to show what all is in it. SO let me know what you think...here is last night's post that shows the collage (here) and then here are some pages that I would have shown if not using the collage. Give me your insight and advice if you have the time!

Teacher version of original story based on an oldie but goodie

(there is a student version they can make, too)

Ideas for "Snow Day"

Flow Map

Compound Poster, there is also an activity page to extend learning.

circle map

Science integration poster...there is also an activity page abotu what to wear when it is cold.

Cards for Math station that has two options...these are just a start of the pictures I could show...but I am displaying restraint! lol

Hugs, everyone...remember: we can do this...holiday break is ALMOST here!!!

Snowman Survival Pack

2011-12-14T18:56:00.001-06:00

If you are anything like me, your school system has you returning to school after the holidays in the middle of the week. We go back on the 5th..so during those two or three days you have, what do you do? Usually, I spend that time reviewing, getting them back in the routine, and just reminding students of what we do here at school. This year I also plan to do some fun things, too! Normally when I come back, there is a bit of bare wall space where all the holiday crafts used to be...and these few days before the regular week begins, is a great time to enjoy a lesson or two about winter and snowmen and add some flair to those walls, too! (Shh...don't tell anyone, but I have another survival pack coming out later this week on penguins!!)

Find it here:
TPT
Teachers Notebook

Now this Snowman Survival pack is jam-packed with activities ranging from literacy, math, and art...all the way to science. It can be used as a way to fill these odd days before your "regular" week begins...or you can pull out the activities and use them throughout the month. (I hope you love it as much as I do...)

Details:

The pack includes:
Now this Snowman Survival pack is jam-packed with activities ranging from literacy, math, and art...all the way to science. It can be used as a way to fill these odd days before your "regular" week begins...or you can pull out the activities and use them throughout the month.
The pack includes:
A class graph and writing activity for "Snowmen All Year"
a Snow Flow Map
a Math Number Station which has two uses, ordering and odd/even- direction page for the station
Compound Word Poster and activity page
Fact family short activity page
Journal Prompt set
an Original Story with teacher and Student version
2 art activities, one with full color in depth direction and how it can be used with a lesson on comparative and superlative adjectives and an additional activity page for the adjectives
Book, craft, bulletin board, and snack ideas for your own"snow day"
Snow Science Poster and cold weather clothing activity page
Circle map
Is and Can Snow Page
Cause and Effect Page

This pack is ideal for first grade students, but allows
for differentiation for the grades below and above.

("smart, smarter, smartest...white, whiter, whitest")

You may have seen variations of these cuties on Pinterest, but I took it a step further and provided not just the template, but also a lesson for comparative (-er) and superlative (-est) adjectives. This is just a *small* part of this huge pack!

Make a submission to 'Me and My Gang' for a Winter Packet!

2011-12-13T19:06:00.001-06:00

Me and My Gang is wanting to create a packet of great ideas for when we go

back to school in January!

So before you shut your classroom doors and head home to spend time with your family~ pull out one or two of your tried and true WINTER favorite activities!

The Teamies are compiling a Free Winter Packet!

If you are interested in adding your item to the packet please email your activity and the following information to meanmygang@gmail.com and add Winter Favorite to the subject line.
Please include the following: Your First and Last Name & Your Blog URL.

Each entry will be credited with your name and blog information.

(This is a great opportunity for ALL you new bloggers to get your name out there:)

They welcome ALL grade levels and ALL subjects.

The packet will be organized into categories once all of the entries have been submitted.

They will be taking entries until December 28th.

They hope to have the FREE packet up the first week in January!

For All of your hard work they will also be putting every person's name that submits an activity into a drawing for a $15 Target Gift Card!

Quickie!

2011-12-11T21:00:00.001-06:00

It is coming down to the wire for holiday crafts and I was sort of at a loss of what I could share tonight, seeing how I am knee deep in about three units I am trying to get ready to share with you guys...SO, then I remembered the craft I did last year... that I am planning on doing later this week.

(crossed fingers)

I have used the regular round glass or plastic ornaments...large and medium, depending upon what I could find. Last year at Michael's I found these flat glass ornaments that worked really well. Anyway, I start by cutting the photo of my student in a circle, a bit smaller than the ornament. Then I roll the photo and stick it into the ornament. Using a thin stick, or a pencil, I unroll it and have ( at times) used two sided tape to affix the corners of the photo. To cover the back off the photo, I use pieces of tissue paper rolled into balls...I have done green and red before...and other years I have had the kids take their finger and dip into paint and dot the back of the ornament with red and green polka dots! Last year, I used paint markers to do swirly and dots around the edge of the front..and to put the year on the back.

Maybe somebody might be able to get some ideas from this! =)

We don't get out until the 21st...so I still have some time to finish mine! (luckily)

Bama Bloggers Giveaway!

2011-12-08T19:06:00.000-06:00

Check out the super fun giveaway from some of your fav Bama Bloggers over at

Castles and Crayons!

Enter the giveaway to get an item from each of these bloggers' stores!

and then, of course, me!

(remember to enter the giveaway, visit Castles and Crayons by clicking the first picture of Santa!)

And on a funny note, I had one of my kids today (super cute little girl) say,

"Ms White, you're a good teacher...even when you're mean, you're a good teacher!"

Nice...right? lol

It's Christmas, David! Freebie

2011-12-07T19:04:00.002-06:00

Here is just a quick duo of writing activities for the super cute book:

Choose the version that works best for you =)

Click here or on the picture to get your copy! (and don't laugh at the David I drew! lol)

I linked up this freebie to Playing with Words 365...check it out...awesome blog!
AND....one more thing!

Please go visit A Cupcake For the Teacher Blog to enter to win a gift card to Target!!

She is just starting out and would love to gain some followers..plus, her blog is super cute!

Label It Space! and Snowglobe Writing Prompt Freebie

2011-12-04T17:54:00.000-06:00

New listing

Label It Space!

Great during a unit on Space...or learning about the soft 'c'...or even as an added

non-fiction element in a lit station or science station!

Pack includes 13 color Labeling Pages, 3 B&W labeling pages, a direction Page for stations,

and a planet info page to assist with labeling the planets in order.

TPT

Teachers Notebook

Also, I have the snow globe writing page I promised that some of you asked for. You can find it here

or click the picture! =)

I did a web on the board for each of those senses and we brainstormed

things you might see...or feel, etc in the globe.. to help with spelling and appropriate choices (we were able to do a think aloud if someone chose something that didn't fit... like for "smell" if they said something like "cookies"- we could talk it out as to why maybe that wouldn't work.)

Hope everyone has a great night!!! You guys are the BEST!

What I Have Been Up to...and some ideas!

2011-12-03T09:19:00.003-06:00

Here is an easy and cheap craft to do for Holiday Gifts...got this one from my son's teacher a couple of years ago. They took plain, white tile and broke it up into medium size pieces

(gently in a bag with a hammer..it is cheap- and

sometimes stores will even give you ones that are already broken for free!)

Then they let the kids use their thumb print to "dot" the tile...added the details with a Sharpie...hot glued a ribbon loop to the back and a puff ball for the nose, googly eyes... and Voila!

Cute keepsake, right?

We made the snowglobe Bulletin Board found on Deanna Jump's blog...love it. I changed the writing paper copy to describe with their senses what it would be like to be in a snowglobe.

A hint for all your snowman/Christmas art projects: Glitter SPRAY! Easy to use and dries to look great! I used it on the snowglobes...and my elves this year. You'll love it!

Like the glitter all over my thumb-?? (no extra charge for that!!) lol

and just one more little observation...have you seen the new happy meal fries?? Using the crayon for scale, here is a picture. Now I know we have to be more healthy, especially with our kids. BUT...this resembles "toy size fries"..and if they are this small...HOW CAN I SNEAK A FEW OF THEM OUT BEFORE I GET HOME??? I mean, the kids will know!! I eat three and that's half the pack!!! lol

I mean, I guess I could live without stealing their fries. (maybe)

Torn Paper Santas

2011-12-02T22:14:00.000-06:00

April over at Chalk Talk asked about the torn paper Santa"Ho Ho Ho" bulletin board seen here. They are super cute...and the kids have a great time making them. I do have to admit, I have made them enough times in the past to know what parts are easier for me to do ahead of time and what parts the kids are really good at doing (depending on the class...etc) My directions in the freebie are what I do...in First Grade...with the class I have this year. You can follow these directions, or have your kids do everything from start to finish...

Click on the picture above or here to get your freebie!

I know I may sound a little cuckoo, but I have had it pointed out to me that maybe I am not being clear enough when I give directions for my crafts....or that maybe it is cheating to do some of it ahead of time. I disagree. I give my students TONS (literally...well, maybe not literally...but you know what I mean) of opportunities to express their creativity. I am NOT the teacher in

The Art Lesson

(great book by Tomie DePaola) who won't let kids make a pilgrim how they want to. I provide both. They do their own thing, create freely all the time. And then there are times when I have a specific pattern I want to use, and I will cut out parts of it or assemble a section of it beforehand...whether it is to save time or to lessen frustration levels. I may have a parent volunteer to help also. Once the item is created, I give my students an example of what they can do...but they are free to create a face or details as they wish. You can look at the items my students create and see some things that are somewhat consistent...and then lots of details that aren't. For example, the pilgrim and elf patterns that I sell on TPT and Teachers Notebook, give a pattern that is relatively easy for kids to handle, except for the hair (specifically the girl's long hair) ... with that particular part, I assemble the hair with the head ahead of time...it saves time and the kids do everything else. If I taught a higher grade level or depending on the ability level of my kids, I may not do that. I hope you all understand what I am trying to say. No matter what pattern or craft I may do, I always adapt it or make it what it needs to be in order to fit the needs of my kids. (not sure if you can tell, but I received some feedback on my patterns saying they are too hard...it really got me in the "downy dumps"...but I am feeling better now and hope everyone can use this fun freebie!

If you download it, please consider leaving some feedback or a comment below =)

Holidays Around the World Freebie and Linky Party with TBA

2011-11-30T10:57:00.001-06:00

I am linking up today to share ideas for Holidays Around the World! I have a newly listed freebie pack of Holiday Thinking Maps, that include Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, Old Befana (Italy), St Lucia Day (Sweden),
and several German Christmas themes.
Click here or on the picture below to snag your copy!

Don't forget to visit TBA by clicking the link below to get even more great ideas fOR Holidays Around the World!!

Updates and Sale

2011-11-28T19:46:00.000-06:00

My Reindeer Glyph and my Sticker Story 2 Packs have been updated...I am

so sorry if it causes anyone any inconvenience!! It is just dreadful when I realize

I have done something silly...but they are fixed now!!! Yeah!

Also...the sale is through tonight...20% off at my store on TPT and Teachers Notebook

and an additional 10% with TPT with the code below. (links are to the side!=)

Finally got our tree up tonight...the kids are SUPER excited. Ok...I have GOT to get up and

go take a shower!!! Have a great Monday night, everybody!!

Best Sellers on Sale!

2011-11-25T16:25:00.000-06:00

Just a reminder that my

Let's Make an Elf!

(which has been a best seller since September) is on sale for just $2!!

If you love it and haven't gotten it already, check it out on Teachers Notebook or TPT

I also have a Let's Make a Reindeer! listed that you may love, too!!

Thanks for looking!

Don't forget!

2011-11-25T10:24:00.000-06:00

Savings in my TPT store and my Teachers Notebook store!!

If you get a chance, click over and visit a new blog:

Once Upon a Substitute!

She is super sweet and looking for some new followers to share her adventures of being a sub and looking for a regular position next year!

Oh, and if you are a Jennifer, (and I know there are a lot of us out there)...consider joining "Jennifer" of Rowdy in First Grade for some fun, Jennifer Style...

SO... whether you are a teacher or a Jennifer, you'll love this blog!

Black Friday Sale!

2011-11-24T20:34:00.000-06:00

Shhh...the sale runs until Monday!

Hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving!

Mine was pretty ~~yummy~~, I mean great!

I'm Not Thankful... Linky Party!

2011-11-22T19:34:00.001-06:00

What? Did she just say that? She's not thankful???

Well, as my readers know, I listed earlier things I am thankful for...

so that has been covered.

BUT I WILL ADMIT IT.

There are some things I am NOT thankful for.

I will limit my list to 5.

1. lice. I'm just not.a.fan. And I have just seen too much *shudder*

2. video games. not video games in general...but the ones that distract my husband from his main focus: me.

3. faculty meetings. (is that wrong?) I mean, I know they are a necessary evil..but wahhhhhh!

4. Poop. (Again, not really in general...but when it is anywhere, other than the potty, like say...on the classroom floor...or on a bookshelf in my classroom (yes, you read that correctly)...I'll say no more -other than I am not thankful.

5. Pencils that the eraser immediately pops out of and/or the lead that will just break no matter how you sharpen it.

Ok...that's it. My top five (that I am thinking of today)

All this is just in fun..I am paranoid someone will misinterpret my humor

(which has ~~never~~ happened before) lol

Link up below and join in some unthankful fun!

To make you laugh...

2011-11-22T09:39:00.000-06:00

Full school day for me...but the LAST day this week!!!

Here is something a friend just emailed me...thought you might enjoy and smile!

HOW DO YOU KNOW YOU ARE A TEACHER?by Jeff Foxworthy

1. You can hear 25 voices behind you and know exactly which one
belongs to the child out of line.

2. You get a secret thrill out of laminating something.

3. You walk into a store and hear the words "It's Ms/Mr. _________" and know you have been spotted.

4. You have 25 people that accidentally call you Mom/Dad at one
time or another.

5. You can eat a multi-course meal in under twenty-five minutes.

6. You've trained yourself to go to the bathroom at two distinct
times of the day: lunch and prep period.

7. You start saving other people's trash, because most likely, you
can use that toilet paper tube or plastic butter tub for something in
the classroom.

8. You believe the teachers' lounge should be equipped with a margarita machine.

9. You want to slap the next person who says "Must be nice to
work 7 to 3 and have summers off."

10. You believe chocolate is a food group.

11. You can tell if it's a full moon without ever looking outside.

12. You believe that unspeakable evils will befall you if anyone
says "Boy, the kids sure are mellow today."

13. You feel the urge to talk to strange children and correct their behavior when you are out in public.

14. You believe in aerial spraying of Ritalin.

15. You think caffeine should be available in intravenous form.

16. You spend more money on school stuff than you do on your own
children.

17. You can't pass the school supply aisle without getting at least five
items!

18. You ask your friends if the left hand turn he just made was
a "good choice or a bad choice."

19. You find true beauty in a can full of perfectly sharpened pencils

20. You are secretly addicted to hand sanitizer and finally,

21. You understand instantaneously why a child behaves a certain
way after meeting his or her parents.

Have a great Tuesday!!

I'm Thankful for..

2011-11-21T17:46:00.001-06:00

I'm linking up with Rachelle at What the Teacher Wants for her "I'm Thankful" Linky Party!

I have to say I was also inspired by Mrs Saoud (like she was) over at Primary Graffiti who has been sharing with us daily about what she's thankful for. =)

Of course...thankful for my husband, kids...Emma, Jack, and Maggie.

I am thankful to have a job I love (most days..lol)

Upon reflection...

it's been a tough year (or two)...but joyful at the same time...ever had that happen?

My mom died six months ago...that was a biggie.

Add to that a lot of other stressful things like finances and there you have the negatives.

But at the same time, this year has had some good and some great things to happen.

For one, I've made a point of getting a babysitter to spend at least one day each

month alone with my husband...(nice)

And I found blogging (thank you Ms Arnold at Oceans of First Grade Fun for the encouragement to start), which has allowed me a creative outlet- to feel like I am sharing something really worthwhile... I am thankful for Teacher Pay Teacher and Teachers Notebook...these two ventures have given me a way to help my family and have fun at the same time.

My son is (knocking on wood) potty trained. YES..I said it. He has finally come around...(I feared he would come to school next year and I would be called down to K in order to change his diaper-

it was that bad)

SO many other good things have happened...we got to go on vacation! ...not just a beach vacation, but the BEST beach vacation I can remember...ever.

I am thankful for my followers, who with their comments give me encouragement

and put a smile on my face =)

Gosh, this has turned into a long post (not intentional)...but

I am thankful that I had more positives to list than negatives...I've been trying to work on that =)

Oh, and what would a post from me be without a craft I made for the hallway outside my room:

I LOVE burlap!

(and my family =)

Link up with what you have to be thankful for:

Reindeer Sighting, Thinking Maps, and a Freebie! Oh My!!

2011-11-20T19:07:00.000-06:00

Reindeer (possibly Rudolph?) have been sighted...even before Thanksgiving!

Check out the sighting for yourself:

A fabulous new glyph ready for the upcoming holiday season-

the pack includes a variety of activities, too!

TPT

Teachers Notebook

I also created a new pack of Thinking Maps much like my Thanksgiving set, but these are geared toward Christmas! I added a couple of new kinds of maps, including double bubble...

hope you love them!

Teachers Notebook

TPT

And that brings us to a freebie- simple ABC Sort for literacy stations...

two to a page for paper saving...

ONE page is Thanksgiving (for those of us who have a short week next week) and then the OTHER page is Christmas themed!

Click the picture above to get your copy!

Leave some love below in comments if you download and like them!

Update!

2011-11-18T20:57:00.000-06:00

If you have purchased my Label It Fall Pack, I have updated it to include B&W versions of all the mats (all the ones that I could find the matching clipart for and the ones I couldn't, I used something similar...) So be sure to download it again if the added versions will be useful to you! They would be great time fillers for our short week next week!!

Oh, and I am working on some REALLY cute things right now, so stay tuned!!

Label It Christmas! and a freebie!

2011-11-11T16:52:00.001-06:00

Hi everyone!

My hubby is camping this weekend, so with this extra time ~~alone~~..I mean alone with my three kids

(not quite the same thing, right?) I worked on my labeling mats for Christmas. I know many of you liked the snow freebies this week, but didn't want to actually "see"snow...or even think about snow yet. I hope you don't feel the same way about Christmas...because it will be here before we know it!

Find it on TPT and Teachers Notebook.

This time I included 15 color mats for stations and 3 B&W ones for student/whole group use

Here is an example of one mat included in the pack:

And because I love you guys, here is a holiday labeling freebie to celebrate my newest listing!

Just click on the above picture and download your free copy. It is not in the labeling pack, it is just an extra mat with a graphic I got with the membership I won to Graphics Factory from the Moffat Girls!!

If you like it, leave some love below! =)

Snowman Freebie Pack and...

2011-11-09T18:05:00.001-06:00

First off, I want to express how much I appreciate all of you...my followers, my fellow bloggers, friends, folks passing through, you all inspire me to be a better teacher...every last one of you! I love the fact that I can feel like I am part of a community of people that understand what I do...what we do...what teachers do. As a way to say thank you, I have a new fun pack of

Snowman themed writing activities and prompts.

I hope you will love them and if you do, leave a comment below!

Just click on the picture to get your pack!

ALSO...I want to introduce you to a new bloggy friend. I won a giveaway of hers last weekend and even though she is an LSU fan, I want you to go and visit her blog. She is a creative, fun teacher who is just starting out in the blogger world...and did I mention she has some great ideas and freebies?

Anyway, Lisa is her name and her blog is:

Please visit her and become a follower! =)

Let's Make a Snowman!

2011-11-06T10:49:00.000-06:00

As I see the leaves changing color and feel the chill in the air, I'm getting in the mood for winter fun...like snowmen! Here in Alabama, that means the kind you make (out of paper) not the ones you make! So...here is a new pack that offers two versions of snow people:

Check it out!

TPT

Teachers Notebook

Hope you love them!!

Common Core Organization

2011-11-05T18:52:00.001-05:00

If you are like me, you purchased Deanna Jump's Common Core Standards Posters...and love them. But there is that pesky problem of how to store them..do I file them with specific lessons?...or do I keep them in a folders?...or in baggies?

Well, I decided to tackle the problem with a photo box (perfect size- no trimming necessary!) I had some boxes left over from when we had a jungle theme...the one I have just so happens to be zebra print (bought it at Michael's).

Anyway, I first organized all the standards strips by topic and subject...attached the velcro to the back so that I could copy Deanna's ribbon display idea (love it).

Next, I took the photo card dividers and put one between each topic...Between the subject areas I cut a piece of colored cardstock to separate math from reading from science, etc. Each subject area then has the photo dividers with tabs I bought at Walmart labeled with the topic name- I tried to color code those with the cardstock that divides the subject areas. So like Math has a blue cardstock paper divider and then all the photo card dividers have a blue tab with the standard topic name...

Perhaps pictures would help for all you visual learners (like me) out there:

Let me know if you have any questions =)

My version of Ms Jump's Standards Ribbon Display:

I have also been working with my students on graphing, data, and an ongoing lesson of expressing numbers in a variety of ways... for example, we did this the other day about our favorite sport after we read, Soccer Song:

The balls are 'post it' notes from the Dollar Store.

Volunteers came up and wrote different ways to make or show the number:

If you enjoyed any of my ideas, leave a comment and don't forget to vote for me at Circle of Moms:

You can vote once a day until Tuesday!!

Important Pilgrim/Elf Updates!! and a Freebie

2011-11-04T21:22:00.000-05:00

Does everyone else feel like I do and that time is flying by??

I have so many things I need to do, but one I can now cross off is this ~~post~~! Check!

First off, I was thrilled to see the author of the Pout Pout Fish, Deborah Diesen comment on the activity that my kids did a while back...super cool!

ALSO...in really, super important news, if you downloaded either my

Let's Make an Elf or

Let's Make a Pilgrim

off either TPT or Teacher's Notebook..you need to go and re-download them. It is nothing MAJOR...but I had added an additional direction page at the end...but without realizing it, I dropped one of the other pages because a text box moved down. ACKKKKK!

Ahem, anyway, I apologize for any inconvenience or confusion if you downloaded the packs and wondered what happened to the legs! lol Thanks for understanding!!

I also have been thinking about Thanksgiving and recently was sent a free book in my Scholastic Book Order, Who Will Carve the Turkey This Thanksgiving? Maybe you got a copy, too!

If you did, perhaps you can use a writing freebie to go along with the book:

Just click on the picture of the book to get your copy of the activity!

Have a great weekend!!

Super 'Wh'?

2011-11-02T22:03:00.001-05:00

For as long as I can remember I have taught the 'wh' sound through the use of questioning.

All the big questions words (which most are tricky) begin with 'wh' (except for how and of course the nasty little 'who' which I use my owl to teach that...)

This is a great little unit complete with templates to create your very own

Super Wh

(who is able to leap TALL Questions in a single bound!)

Here is an up close of the anchor chart I created for the wh sound and question words!

The original super hero I created below was for action words (predicates, too)...the idea came from a bulletin board by

Lindsey at The Teacher Wife...love her stuff!

This template for a boy and a girl super hero is included, along with a super 'wh' poster, 2 SUPER cute labeling super hero pages, a question activity page, question cards for reading, a set of 5 journal prompts, a story starter, 2 writing activities, a super hero owl page for 'who', and 2 super hero pages for coloring or for your anchor charts.

Check it out:

TPT

Teachers Notebook

First three people to comment below with their email address will get their own free copy!

Sickly, but I survived! And a freebie!

2011-10-31T17:05:00.001-05:00

I know I haven't been on here...or around anywhere like normal because like

so many teachers lately...I have been sick, coughing, coughing, and more coughing. But I am feeling a bit better (not sure how long that will last since we still have to take the kids out in the cool air to go trick-or-treating in a bit). Sooo...I thought I would go ahead and post a freebie that I am planning on using tomorrow as a before/after writing activity (especially since you can never have too many things to keep post-sugar frenzied children busy!)

click the picture to get your copy!

If you download it, consider leaving me a comment or even better yet, visit Circle of Moms by clicking the button below and voting for my blog!!

Here is to hoping for a peaceful 'day after' tomorrow!

Awesome Giveaway

2011-10-25T06:51:00.001-05:00

The super sweet girls,

Erin of

and Kristin of

are having a SUPER giveaway...gift cards (plural) and a couple of your choice freebies from me!!

They are both fabulous girls with AWESOME blogs...

just click on Erin's button above to read more about the giveaway!!!

Trick or Treat Candy Corn Freebie!

2011-10-24T16:59:00.000-05:00

A fun freebie for candy corn art using tissue paper and a candy corn poem poster.
Get them by clicking the pictures below

Join us for some fun over at Me and My Gang

for some fun Halloween treats and goodies! Members will be posting all week! On a personal note,

today was pretty much a horrid day...and I would ask for a "do over"

...but who wants to do over a day like today?? lol

On a happier note,

there is a new blogger on the block and she is having a $15 Target card Giveaway:

Click her button to enter and become a follower!!

Let Us Give Thanks for Adjectives!

2011-10-23T15:38:00.002-05:00

New Thanksgiving Thinking Maps, perfect to use during whole group and then laminate (or put in a plastic sleeve) for kids to use at the writing station!

Find it here on:

TPT

and

Teachers Notebook

If you haven't voted for my blog, please consider visiting Circle of Moms

by clicking the picture below and voting!!

Thanks!!!

It's Turkey Time!

2011-10-21T19:05:00.000-05:00

Turkey Time!

A super fun glyph perfect for turkey lovers!

Find it on

TPT

and

Teachers Notebook

Blend Friends and a Freebie!

2011-10-19T18:59:00.001-05:00

As I said yesterday, my kids are working on blends this week..and making some real progress! =)

I created a pack of blend friend mats to help them start seeing the patterns in the blended words. Along with mats for 23 common blends, there is a blend explanation poster, station direction page, 2 different recording pages and a list page for words they may have read, but don't know the meaning.

Find the new pack on

Teachers Notebook

and

TPT

I also created a cute little freebie below for kids to create words with blends..remind them that the blends can be used for multiple words and also be used more than once.

Click the Picture above to get your freebie =)

Don't forget to visit Circle of Moms and vote for First GradeBlueSkies!!!

Click above to vote each day until Nov. 8th!

Thinking Thumbs, an Award, and Nouns (oh, and a freebie, too!)

2011-10-18T19:12:00.000-05:00

My this has been a busy week! My kids are working on blends...and the dreaded "th" which is giving us some major trouble, especially my ELL students... "th" keeps sounding like "f", so as we keep working on it (practice makes perfect, right???) I came up with a fun little thing for my kids to create: 'Thinking Thumbs' and I am *hopeful* that it will help them to remember the sound for th!

I just let them decorate the cut outs and then I added tape to hold them together around their thumb.

Here are a couple of pics of our thinking thumbs!

To get your copy, click below!

We are also working on nouns and here is a chart we did where my kids got a post-it note and wrote a noun of their choice...then added it to either person, place, or thing. They loved it!

Just in case you didn't know about these below...they are shower curtain rings (found at Walmart or Target) which are perfect for hanging charts below you board (if you have a rack)

And in other exciting news, my blog was nominated for the

Circle of Moms Top 25 Teacher Mom Blogs!

If you aren't familiar with the site, it is an awesome resource for all things mom/child related!

If you get a chance, please click the button below or the one over to the right side of my blog

to vote for me! While you are there, check out the fabulous site. You can vote for your favorite blog once a day until November 8th

Halloweenish Writing Freebie

2011-10-14T19:36:00.000-05:00

A Halloweenish set of writing activities for free on TPT...

Click the picture to get your copy!

If you download it, please consider following my store =)

By the way, IT IS FRIDAY!!! (in case you didn't know! lol)

And I get to go and have a date with my husband ALL DAY tomorrow!!!

I couldn't be happier..well, I could...but I am pretty happy!

Fun Freebie

2011-10-12T18:03:00.000-05:00

Have you ever had just one of those ~~days~~ weeks where it just doesn't seem to want to ever end? Well, I am in the midst of one right now.

Recently we were told we must not only include objectives and standard numbers on our lesson plans...but also a before, during, and after... PLUS strategic teaching strategies for each day...and a whole other list of things that will never, ever fit in the boxes provided by any lesson plan book! EEK!!

I keep thinking it HAS to be Friday..and then I realize, nope...not so much =/

SO...on a happier note, here is a little something I did to share..sharing makes me happy =)

Click on either pic to go and pick them up!

They are $2 Now!!

2011-10-11T06:51:00.000-05:00

Remember me posting about these little books? Well, now they are only $2 each!!

They are from Creative Teaching Press and include the cutest text frames to read sight words, rhyming words, long and short vowel words, and even some phrases!

Click here to find them and read below to find out more about how I use them and set up the station!
(and there is a freebie at the very bottom! =)

Oh, and with all that money you'll save getting them for such a great price, you can get in on my FAVORITE teachers stuff EVER:

DOTS ON TURQUOISE!!!

I mean, you love it, right?

If you would like to pick up the direction page and recording page for the reading pal books:

Click Here

Label It, Brown Bear!

2011-10-09T18:29:00.000-05:00

Hope you are all having a great Sunday. I had to go get groceries...

is it bad that I ate a doughnut before I even made it out to the car? Nahhh....lol

Anyway,

I've been super busy and one of the things I accomplished today was a new set of new labeling mats.

If you are a fan of Brown Bear, Brown Bear..then these are the labeling mats for you!

Find the new listing here:

TPT

Teachers Notebook

Oh, and here is a freebie post for labeling that I did some time back using the class clipart from

Brown Bear:

(if you didn't catch it the first time- it's all the way down the page =)

Here

Table Makeover and a Freebie

2011-10-08T17:42:00.001-05:00

Gosh, I wish I had taken a before picture of this table!

A teacher friend let me have it...

just a plain, wooden table that I wanted so that I could put my computer over to the side of my desk (lower)...all I did was spray paint it red (Dollar Store) and then use white apple barrel paint acrylic to put dots on it. Too cute, right? I had to use my camera phone, and I would love for you to overlook the much, much too full garbage can under the table...lol The key to making great dots on (everything) is to use these:

I found mine in the craft section at Walmart...and I use them on everything. (as you can see)

Anyway, I created this for my kids. I know a lot of teachers stay away from poems like this, but for those of you that would like this, I thought I'd share. I plan on letting my kids paint (or color) 5 orange circles on the fence and then decorate the page.
Kids love this poem, acting out with the hand motions =)
Click the picture to get your copy!

Happy Saturday!!

Pumpkins, Pumpkins Everywhere! Glyph

2011-10-06T17:53:00.001-05:00

I had such a good time creating a pack to go along with apple glyphs, that I knew I should make a pack for pumpkin glyphs, too!

Included in the pack: the pumpkin glyph direction poster, templates for the pumpkins and materials list, a tree map, a writing activity about pumpkins, and a couple of ideas for other pumpkin art activities....also included are some journal prompts and an even/odd math station activity.

Hope you love it!

Find it at:

TPT

Teachers Notebook

Tomorrow is Friday!! YEAH!!!

One word: Awesome.

2011-10-05T19:26:00.000-05:00

Have you ever had something you bought as a teacher and then put it on a shelf, just to make room, thinking that you will get back to it...and then of course, you forget about it? Well, I have had that happen more than once. The other day, I found three books I purchased last year..and then forgot about. I got them out and within a few minutes I remembered why I bought them...they are awesome. And the best part? Even at regular price they are a bargain for $7.99 (what I paid for them) but when I looked them up online, I found they are on sale right now at CTP for: $3.20 each!!! Click here to find them and read below to find out more about how I use them and set up the station!
(and there is a freebie at the very bottom! =)

If you are a follower of my blog, you know how much I appreciate a good lit station that is ready to use, no muss, no fuss. These books fit the bill. They are from Creative Teaching Press and include the cutest text frames to read sight words, rhyming words, long and short vowel words, and even some phrases! The cute animals were what caught my eye initially...but after I punched them out, laminated them, added a craft stick for a handle- and saw just how easy they were to use...I was in love. And my kids love them, too.

The kids use the text frame to show words in the window and read aloud.

I added a recording sheet to each folder for them to record the words they read...and a direction page on the back.

Details: I printed the 17+ pages they read on colored paper (a different color for each book...so like the sight words are all yellow...rhyming set are all green, etc) and placed them in plastic sleeves. Then I labeled the text frames on the back with the color word that corresponds with the correct pages and placed each set in a colored folder that goes with whatever color paper is used for that set. Each set has three frames (the books have three of each frame!! SO if one gets worn out, you have back ups!)

I use them in my word work station...in one of the half size crates I bought from Walmart.

My kids love using them and it is helping their fluency (not to mention they are super cute!)

If you would like to pick up the direction page and recording page:

Click Here

Homecoming

2011-10-03T14:09:00.000-05:00

Homecoming is this week for my school.

We are a self contained k-12 public school, which presents some advantages and disadvantages. We only have one principal and one vice principal for the entire school- which can be trying to have our "elementary" problems compare to "high school" problems. But at the same, it does allow our community to remain tight knit and I am able to see "my kids" (former students) daily as they grow up and graduate.

ANYWAY...as I said, Homecoming is this week and we made eagles to encourage our team...the Eagles!

Sooo...Go Eagles! I would be happy to post a pattern if anyone else is an eagle or has a need...it is essentially a brown bowling pin shape, brown hand cut-outs, and then the kids tear up white paper and glue to the head. Add orange beak, orange talons, google eyes and call it a day...you're done! lol

Anybody else having Homecoming this week?

Adjectives Say Things!

2011-10-02T18:43:00.000-05:00

Adjectives Say Things...because they describe nouns!

Fun Pack just listed with the cutest graphics ever from JW ILLUSTRATIONS.

Find it here:

TPT

Teachers Notebook

Is it just me, or did the weekend just FLY BY???

We had a great time at the Pumpkin Patch!

Here are a few of my fav shots from yesterday!

And yes, this would be my son, Jack, showing his "hiney"...one of his favorite things to do =)

Pumpkin Prediction Freebie

2011-09-29T19:15:00.001-05:00

Teaching Blog Addict is having a Science Week...and I decided

to share an activity I do each year...pumpkin predictions!

Here are some pictures from my class website last fall.

And here is the little prediction freebie! Just click the pic! =)

BTW...Tomorrow is FRIDAY!!!

Oh, and if you are looking for awesome October themed activities check out the linky party over at:

Ginger Snaps!

Fairytale Freebie

2011-09-28T20:12:00.001-05:00

Hope everyone is having a great Wednesday!

I have a new set of Label It! Mats...this time focused around fairytale type stories.

Here is a little bonus freebie not included in the pack ...all in celebration of me finishing them finally:

Check out the pack of 12 fairytale type themed mats here:

TPT

Teachers Notebook

Oh, and just a little funny bit from today...one of my kids came up to me and tattled "SoandSo said the 's' word"...and being the seasoned teacher that I am, I mistakenly said "which one?"... knowing he was about to reply 'stupid'...(which he did)...and then all of a sudden the tattletale says, "wait, how many 's' words are there?" I told him not to worry about it. lol

A Bat, A Ghost, and A Bulletin Board

2011-09-25T16:27:00.000-05:00

A Bat, A Ghost, and A Bulletin Board?

Yep!

I had some requests for a pack that included these cuties. The ghost flips open and is a Halloween writing activity.

Click to find it at:

TPT

Teachers Notebook

Hope you love them!

The Pout-Pout Fish Freebie

2011-09-22T18:37:00.000-05:00

"Pout" was one of our vocabulary words with StoryTown this week...so I read The Pout-Pout Fish with my kids. They *loved* the story and were SO excited to make their own pout, pout fish ...

along with showing me their best 'pout' in the pictures =)

Click the above picture to get your free copy of the craft template I created for The Pout-Pout Fish!

Label It Fall!

2011-09-21T20:13:00.000-05:00

I had a request for Fall Labeling Mats that can go with or in place of my Label It Spooky Mats.

Check them out at :

TPT

Teachers Notebook

...no link yet to TN because I CANNOT get it to upload at TN right now! =( I am thinking they may be having issues with their server? As soon as it is resolved, I will upload it there and you'll be able to find it in my shop:

FirstGradeBlueSkies at TeachersNotebook

FB Linky Party

2011-09-21T06:46:00.000-05:00

The Lesson Plan Diva is having a FB Linky Party!I just had to join in.

CLick on the button above to visit me on Facebook, like me for updates and news =)...

Check out Lesson Plan Diva's Linky Party:

Happy Wednesday!!

Apple Finger Paint Poem FREEBIE!

2011-09-15T19:04:00.000-05:00

See? I told you I would be back with a freebie!! =)

Simple and fun activity for your class and your apple unit. I have my kids decorate the tree....except for the apples. I let them dip their finger tips in red paint and dot the apples. They love it! We also practice the poem for them to take home and read to a parent.

You can find them at:

TPT

Teachers Notebook

Don't forget this is the last night for my sale at TPT and Teachers Notebook!!

Apples and Spoookiness!

2011-09-14T21:18:00.000-05:00

New items just finished!!

There is also a freebie I've been working on, but I just don't have it in me to finish it tonight =( BUT...I will get it done tomorrow night, promise!

I have finished my Apple mini-pack that includes my glyph (seen on my class site)and a torn paper apple poem activity!

and also a "Label it Spooky" Literacy Station Pack...cutest Halloween Graphics EVER!!

Oh, and did I mention it is all STILL ON SALE until tomorrow???

Check 'em out!!

Teachers Notebook

TPT

Do you have a room with NO view?

2011-09-12T20:53:00.000-05:00

Or worse yet, an ugly view? Well, at my school we have a set of windows in the hallway right outside of my room that have a view to quite possibly the ugliest trailer in the world...it is used as a "closet " for the janitor and is just horrid to look at every day. SO...I decided (with the help of a lovely parent volunteer) to cover the windows. Here are some pictures in case you have a spot that could use some help, all you need is bulletin board paper and trim. I added rope with tulle at the top (not a good idea if your school is infested with bats...but otherwise a lovely touch =) The green is just cut up crepe paper. We used shades of blue on the windows because of our ocean theme...but in years' past I have done rainbow colors instead.

Another idea is simple, but cute to assign the grade levels n each hallway, I used triangles cut out of construction paper and then cut out letters with bulletin board trim at the top. Cute, huh?

And just another random pic of the back of my room...I know some folks say kids shouldn't be over stimulated by their environment...certainly that isn't what is going on here...right?? lol

HAPPY MONDAY EVERYONE!!

Let's Make a Pilgrim...or an Elf!

2011-09-11T22:52:00.001-05:00

I have had a ton of folks saying they loved the pilgrims and elves found on my class website. I have never used a template... I had seen them done by another teacher (the fabulous Ms Wynn) and sort of changed them a bit over the years and came up with these cuties...both of which have a writing prompt in the middle. I decided to make a template and full directions to go along with each.

If you love them as much as I do, check them out on Teachers Notebook or TPT

I am still having a Birthday sale!!

Thanks for looking!