Believe it or not, Easter is right around the corner! I'm not sure why I thought we had more time, but just in case you missed the memo too, we don't. We don't have much time at all. Next week to be exact. I'm in the process of helping the Easter Bunny gather lots of fun treats for the boys. I'm glad I didn't wait to remember that until the night before. Not that I know anything about that ;) I was at Michael's the other day and found these... Of course, I had to have them. Loved that they came 3 to a set. I'm sure they have something similar to this at the Dollar Tree?? All … [Read more...] about Easter Freebie and A Few Ideas
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Last Minute St. Patrick’s Day Ideas
St. Patrick's Day has always been one of my most favorite **holidays**. The green. The pinching. The silly traditions. I love it all. My dad's side of the family is Irish. My cousin's name is Liffey (after the Liffey River in Dublin Ireland). And she has red hair. AND...her birthday is on St. Patrick's Day!!!! HA!!! I LOVE IT!!!!! Celebrating St. Patrick's Day in the primary grades is just my favorite. I love the way the littles believe pretty much anything you say and almost everything that happens. It's cute and endearing and it reminds me how magical life is … [Read more...] about Last Minute St. Patrick’s Day Ideas
Book Study!!! Chapter 3
Hello friends! HAPPY SATURDAY!!! How many of you are on Spring Break this week?! We are!!! I'm looking forward to a visit from my best friend and her kids, a trip to take the kids to the Rodeo, a night out watching Zac Brown, and my baby brother's wedding. So much for a "break"! HA!!! Moving on... Let's talk field trips, shall we?! If you're joining in on our book study, Worksheets Don't Grow Dendrites, welcome!!!! You can link up with Deedee today and check out what she has to say about this chapter as well. My favorite quote from this chapter... Can I get an … [Read more...] about Book Study!!! Chapter 3
Sight Words!!! (Assessment, Activities, Ideas, & FREEBIES!)
Hello friends! I'm happy to say that after 5 weeks of traveling, I'm finally home and settled for a while!! I absolutely love getting to meet so many amazing teachers all over the U.S. It's definitely been the highlight of my year. Just this past week I had the opportunity to travel to Wichita, KS and work with some of the sweetest, kindest Kindergarten teachers. And let me tell y'all...they had some GREAT ideas!!!! One of my sessions covered sight words...mainly quick and easy sight word centers and activities to implement into the classroom for immediate practice and review. I usually get a … [Read more...] about Sight Words!!! (Assessment, Activities, Ideas, & FREEBIES!)
Book Study! Want to Join?!
Happy Tuesday, friends! How many of y'all are snowed in today?? I keep seeing crazy snowfalls and iced roads on the news and I have to admit that I'm grateful we're only battling temps below 50. Praying for all y'all affected by this nasty weather!!! Now how many of you guys enjoy a good read? I mean, like we have any time to read anything, right?! I've always felt that way. I typically like to reserve my reading for the summer and then I read in bulk. You know, 15 books in a 20 day time span ;) With all the demands and obligations during the school year, I find it so hard to carve out the … [Read more...] about Book Study! Want to Join?!
Hello Alabama! (Kindergarten Teachers, That Is ;)
I'm finally home from another great conference and ready to share a few things I discussed with some of the best teachers in the state!!! There was a lot to cover in 2 days and 8 sessions, so I hope y'all were able to take away a few new tips and tricks without feeling too overwhelmed!! As I've said before, I think the best kind of professional development is the kind you get from the teachers in your own building. Watching others teach & listening to their ideas can be so very powerful. I wouldn't be half the teacher I am today had it not been for the girls with whom I taught. We were all so different in … [Read more...] about Hello Alabama! (Kindergarten Teachers, That Is ;)
ATTENTION TX Kindergarten Conference Attendees!!! Your Goodies as Promised!!!
These last couple of weeks have been a bit of a blur, so I'm lacking in my posts these days. However, I have to say that I've LOVED my time with all my Texas 1st and Kindergarten teachers these last couple of weeks. I swear I'm not biased or anything, but Texas has some of the sweetest, best teachers around ;) I was able to spend a lot of time with our TX Kindergarten teachers this past week at the SDE Texas Kindergarten Conference. It was awesome!!! I loved meeting and talking to so many talented, dedicated teachers across our great state. During our time together, I promised these teachers I'd come back to … [Read more...] about ATTENTION TX Kindergarten Conference Attendees!!! Your Goodies as Promised!!!
The Ron Clark Academy Experience (aka – Best PD EVER!!!!!)
If you are following me on Instagram, you may have seen a few pics from my visit to The Ron Clark Academy last Friday. I couldn't wait to come home and share my experience with you. If I'm being completely honest, I've been struggling with this post. Not because I don't have anything to say (y'all know me better than that ;)), but because I don't know how to put my experience into words. Nothing I could possibly attempt to articulate could begin to do it justice. I wish I could press rewind and get a do-over. I wish I could go through that day in slow motion so I could really take it all in and truly savor … [Read more...] about The Ron Clark Academy Experience (aka – Best PD EVER!!!!!)
100 Day Freebie!!!
Happy MLK weekend!!! Do you get a 3-day break?? Or do you have to go to school on Monday?? The boys are off on Monday and we were thisexcited when they hopped in the car on Friday afternoon. My kindergartner exclaimed, "YESSSSS!!!!! We're off of homework for THREE whole days!!!! YESSSSSS!!!!" Bless him. So we celebrated with some coke floats from Sonic and took a little Sonic selfie to kickstart our extended weekend. Dang, I love those boys. Now let's talk 100th Day. That's right. The 100th Day of school. I know many of you have already celebrated. Lots of … [Read more...] about 100 Day Freebie!!!
Five For Friday!
Today I'm linking up with Kacey at DoodleBugs for a little 5 for Friday... But first, can y'all believe it's already the 16th?! I always feel like January and February are the two months of the school year that just D-R-A-G on, but dang...this month seems to be passing me by in the fast lane! Anywho, let's get started. Let's start with someone to follow. Are you on Instagram?? If you are and by some chance you're not following Miss May at One Fab Teacher, do yourself a favor and follow. I absolutely LOVE her posts. They are always SO positive! In a profession where it's easy to let … [Read more...] about Five For Friday!
Penguins!!! (And A Couple of Walruses, Too)
Teaching my kids about penguins has always been one of my favorite themes. There is just SO much you can incorporate in this thematic unit of study...science...math...literacy...a little bit of everything! If you're in the process of planning out your penguin activities for the next few weeks, I thought I could share a few ideas that might help make your planning easier :) First up, here are some of my most favorite penguin picture books. I don't get around to reading them all during our unit, but these are several I've read throughout the years and have loved. The Penguin Who Lost Her Cool is a great little read if you … [Read more...] about Penguins!!! (And A Couple of Walruses, Too)
Snowman Fun, Freebies, and a Place Value Sneak Peek!
Happy New Year, friends! 2015....really?!?! Have you made any resolutions? Me...notsomuch. Of course, I always want to be a better version of who I was the year before, but resolutions never quite "stick" if you know what I mean. Sure...I want to eat healthier. Work out more. Get more organized. Keep the house clean. Do the laundry...regularly ;) Yes...I want all those things. And to eat all the things and still be able to fit into my jeans. But really...I just want to have a great year filled with lots of laughter and more memories than I can count. Instead of a … [Read more...] about Snowman Fun, Freebies, and a Place Value Sneak Peek!
Long Vowels & Place Value
It's been a quiet few weeks here on the blog. Good reason of course...FAMILY TIME! And holiday fun. Lots and LOTS of holiday fun. I like to "unplug" this time of the year and get back to what's the most important...my family. No work. No blogging. No...well...nuthin'. Completely and totally necessary. We spent Christmas Eve with my sweet family here in Houston.... Then we woke up at 6 on Christmas morning...sang Happy Birthday to Jesus...opened our gifts from Santa...and headed to the airport to spend the remainder of our holiday vacay with our Indiana family. This … [Read more...] about Long Vowels & Place Value
Christmas Conversation
With 4 days left until Christmas, I thought today would be the **perfect** day to link up with my dear friend, Abby, and join in on her Christmas Conversation linky... ** I absolutely LOVE reading this version of The Night Before Christmas to my boys..as they're snug in their beds...on Christmas Eve. It's become a yearly tradition and we only read it...aloud...on Christmas Eve. I keep it on a shelf they can reach in their room, but they've gotten to where they only want us to read it to them. SO sweet. **My grandpa makes the most AMAZING Faccia di Vecchia every year for Christmas Eve. I'm obsessed and I … [Read more...] about Christmas Conversation
Happy December!
I'm so sad that we're halfway through the month and I'm JUST now finding the time to sit down and update this sweet little blog. Because...well...LIFE. It kinda gets in the way, right?! I kid...sort of...but in all seriousness, here's a little peek at what the last few weeks have entailed... I spent the first week of December prepping for the MI Kindergarten conference and getting my house ready for my soon-to-be SIL's bridal shower. Terrible planning on my part. I always over commit, gosh darnit. In between all that prepping and planning, I also chaperoned Landon's field trip to the … [Read more...] about Happy December!
Christmas for the Classroom Giveaway!
It's the season for giving and I've teamed up with several fabulous bloggers to giveaway this AMAZING gift!!!! A laser printer!!! Amazing, right?!?!?! I mean, can I enter?!?! PLEASE?!?! Anyway, in addition to the laser printer, I'm giving away my most favorite math tool...dice in dice! I LOVE these things!!!! Great for comparing quantities, determining greater/less, addition/subtraction/mixed operations, counting, and more!!!! I use these for EVERYTHING!!!! Wanna win one...or both...of these for your classroom?!? Just follow the directions below and enter to win! … [Read more...] about Christmas for the Classroom Giveaway!
Elfis is BACK & a HUGE Sale!
Our family elf, Elfabet, is back at our house and visiting us from the North Pole. He is one of my favorite family traditions because his silly hijinks always make my boys laugh. There is just no sweeter sound to wake up to in the morning, I swear. Not only are the elves flying back to homes everywhere across the country, but according to my calendar, they're flying back to classrooms everywhere, too. Last year I posted all about our classroom elf and I wanted to share that post again in case you could use this fun freebie in your class, too! Click on the picture below to read all about it. … [Read more...] about Elfis is BACK & a HUGE Sale!
Talk Turkey To Me!
How many of y'all are in scramble mode right now?! Scrambling to get things planned and prepped for your Thanksgiving festivities...and I don't mean your homebound celebrations. I thought I'd throwback to some old things I've done in my classroom for Thanksgiving and share a couple of new things with you as well. If you're still not done planning and prepping, maybe these ideas will help! First up, here are my favorite Thanksgiving books! Before I throwback, here's a little something new for this year. I created this supplemental math & literacy resource full of printables and writing craftivities to get you … [Read more...] about Talk Turkey To Me!
Celebrating Veteran’s Day (Freebies, Too!)
If you're anything like me, you are always looking for more ideas and resources to add to your ever growing collection. I do this for EVERYTHING. Constantly looking for new ideas...more resources...and more time. If anybody can tell me where I can find more time, I'd really appreciate it ;) That to be said, I want to share with you a few ideas to help you get ready for Veterans Day {next week...ALREADY!!!! Gah!!!} I absolutely LOVE teaching my kids about veterans and the sacrifices they make for our freedom. At my old school, veterans related to the students were invited to an assembly and … [Read more...] about Celebrating Veteran’s Day (Freebies, Too!)
Problem Solving in the Primary Grades
Are you sitting down?! Good. Because this may or may not be a lengthy post. On the off chance that it is {& by off chance, I mean it is}, go ahead and grab yourself a little something to sip on...and don't forget your snacks, too! Let's go ahead and talk a little bit about.... I don't know what it is, but I love teaching math concepts and skills. This always makes my mom laugh something fierce because I STILL...at 30 something...have to CALL HER when there's a sale so that she can tell me how much I'll be saving. If it's 10%, I got it. 50% off is even better. I mean, I can … [Read more...] about Problem Solving in the Primary Grades
Currently.
Hello friends! Happy Sunday!!!! AND... I don't know if y'all feel the same way, but seriously....where'd October go?! November?? ALREADY?!?!? That means it's time to start Christmas shopping. And decorating. And finding my elastic pants. Lawd knows I'll need those these next few months {for the love of carbs!!!!!} This weekend has been filled with craziness and lots of memory making. We had a wonderful Halloween, but we had to spend it without Mr. Spouse. This is the first Halloween he hasn't been with us for trick-or-treating. Ahhhh....the joys of Friday night lights … [Read more...] about Currently.
Odd & Even Anchor Activity
Do y'all use anchor activities in your room? I do! I refer to them as anchor activities & desserts...a little something for the kids to do {independently} when they're stuck or when they're finished with their work. I love anchor activities because they lend themselves to easy differentiation. They give kids a sense of independence and autonomy, too. The activities I include in mine are concept/skill specific and thematic. I keep them out for a few weeks, until I feel the novelty is wearing off, or until the themtic unit of study comes to an end. The activities included are always independent … [Read more...] about Odd & Even Anchor Activity
Musical Matching – A Blending Game
Hey y'all! How's the week going so far?! If it's anything for you like it is for me, then it's crazy...and jam packed full of Halloween insanity {I'm talking about the kids, of course;)} I love, love, LOVE Halloween, but I know you feel me when I say that celebrating it at school with the kids is nothing short of....well...crazy. Fun, absolutely. But crazy nonetheless. I feel ya, friends. I really do! But let's go ahead and keep it business as usual until all Hallow's Eve and remain thankful that Friday's festivities don't coincide with a full moon {can I get an amen?!!??!} I wanted to … [Read more...] about Musical Matching – A Blending Game
Five for Friday
It's been a while since my last post. I just realized I can't do everything. Actually, I came to that realization a long, long, LONG time ago, but it slapped me in the face yet again this past month. Between getting 8 presentations ready for the TN 1st grade conference, being the grade level chair for our community Fall Fest, and *trying* to take care of my little family, everything else in my little world just got pushed to the side. And I'm okay with that. If you purchased my growing Work on Writing Year Long Bundle and are wondering why I didn't meet my October 15 deadline for adding the November edition, I … [Read more...] about Five for Friday
