Saturday, August 31, 2013

Art Skills Giveaway!

Have you ever heard of Art Skills products? They make amazing products at amazing prices! This year they have launched their brand new Learn, Motivate, Reward line available exclusively at Dollar General Stores!

Having won one of their giveaways when I first started blogging, I was so excited when they contacted me about doing a giveaway myself! I just knew it would include great products.


The goodies are here! One package for me, and one for me to give away to you! Let's see what's inside!


Seriously, everything in this picture could be yours. FOR FREE! The package ranges in anything from decor, to learning materials, to rewards and incentives. I love the lacing cards and puzzle cards--how perfect for some early finishers tubs in your classroom maybe?

And the eye spy spinner--in the back left corner-- how perfect for large group games, small group games, or hello- use with your own littles on a car ride! 

I can't wait to use the artists work frames, and I can add those erasers and some of the stickers to my treasure box. Perfect rewards! 

AND I have to point out the scratch off incentive cards! So fun!

And the daily planner for the week- I could totally use that for myself over by my desk! Or use one to display what days of the week you have which specials. 

You can enter to win ALL.OF.THIS.STUFF. by entering the rafflecopter below! I tried to make the entries easy, and don't forget to share with your friends!
a Rafflecopter giveaway
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Sunday, August 25, 2013

New Facebook Fan Freebie

Well, I went back to work officially this week--if you hadn't already noticed from my lack of blog posts and facebook updates! Shew. It was only our PD days and I'm pooped.

Kindergarten starts on Monday and I am assigned to helping out in a kindergarten classroom for the first 2 weeks of school. Then on September 9th my pre-schoolers start!

My classroom is almost completely set up. Of course there will be a photo post to share once it is.

In the meantime, to make up for my lack of attention to my blog and my followers, I've added a new facebook fan freebie. Remember, you MUST be a fan of facebook page to download this file! 


Click on the image to go to my facebook page and become a fan if you aren't one already!
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Saturday, August 17, 2013

The {BIG} Sale!

It's here, it's here, it's FINALLY here! The big TpT sale starts tomorrow and I hope you've loaded up your shopping cart! I don't know what I'm more excited for, the TpT sale or the Lilly Pulitzer end of summer sale...eek!


My entire TpT store will be marked down to 20% off, plus you get an additional 10% off from TpT when you use the code BTS13! 

Don't forget that leaving feedback on all purchases gives you credits to use toward your next purchase! But do all of us teachers a favor, and leave a thoughtful comment. Seeing "n/a" or "." really is a bummer :(

I've kindly linked the image below to my store so you can go ahead and fill your cart up! ;)


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Monday, August 12, 2013

Teacher Week: Meet the Teacher Monday

At first thought, I wondered, really, what can I offer my readers when it comes to "Meet the Teacher" that they wouldn't already know? I mean, this topic could be a little redundant. Then I thought of my new followers, then I thought of all of the weird and random things about me that you probably really don't know. And we all love to be nosey. Hence the premise for this topic, right?

Let's get right down to it, shall we?


1. I dislike odd numbers. I don't know why, I just do. I can handle the number 1. It's cool. But other than that, there should always be even numbers. Unless you're decorating. Odd numbers balance out for decorating. That's maybe the one exception.

2. I'm funny about touch textures. I hate the feeling of newspaper and forget it if the pages of a book feel the same way. Not happening. I also don't like to get my hands wet. I have to "mentally commit" to getting them wet, then it's okay. I will always try and rinse out a cup or anything first without getting them wet.

...I told you these were weird and random things didn't I!

3. I cannot stand repetitive noises; i.e. tapping of pencils, clicking of pens, tapping your nails on things (cough, cough, MOM!--always taps her fingernails on things in the car) Fortunately crying doesn't fit into this category for me or else I might have to quit my job.

4. I re-paint my nails probably 2 times a week if I don't have a shellac manicure done. I hate chipped nails. 1 chip and we're done. It's all down hill from there. I will chip away at the remaining polish, then have to repaint them. It's really in the best interest of my time to just get manicures, but not always in the best interest of my wallet. 

5. I love sour patch kids. The berry flavors are my favorite. I started clean eating and now I can't eat them anymore. They were the last thing I ate before I changed my diet and in the last 11 weeks, I've only had 1 bag. I was hoping I wouldn't like the taste anymore, but that wasn't the case. I enjoyed every little bite. nom. nom.

6. I don't like pencils. I've never liked writing in pencils. I was always trying to use a pen whenever I could in school. I don't know why, but I don't like the way that they write or how my hand writing looks when I use them. I'd much rather use a pen and scribble out a mistake. Erasable pens? Nope.

7. I've always had a white car. I'm on my 3rd car and it's white too. I debated really hard about getting a different color, but was too chicken I just wouldn't like it. I guess it's just a white SUV kinda life for me.

8. I like the strangest TV shows, or so I think. My favorite TV series are The Walking Dead (yes, zombies), Big Bang Theory, Under the Dome, and just recently I got hooked on Breaking Bad. I need to go back and watch the first 4 seasons though. My birthday is on Wednesday--anyone looking to get me a gift?

9. If I find a piece of clothing I really like, chances are I own it in more than 1 color/pattern/print. I love lots of tops from J.Crew, not to mention a solid color can match tons of things. Chances are I have it in at least 3 different colors. Favorite shoes? Have them in 3 different color options too.

10. I'm allergic to nickel. Jewelry or anything with nickel in it will make my skin break out. It's gotten much better the older I have gotten. I remember getting a rash on the back of my legs in elementary school from those little metal things on the chairs. Pitiful I know.

Well, there you have it. 10 really weird and random things about me. Hopefully things you didn't already know--I want this post to be at least somewhat interesting to you! ;) 


Now, grab the button and link up too if you'd like. I'm off to find out if any of you are any weirder than I am...
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Saturday, August 10, 2013

Back to School Sale! Teacher's Notebook Style!

Did you even know I had a Teacher's Notebook store? It's true. I do. And you know what else, when you purchase items on Teacher's Notebook and leave feedback, you can collect points to redeem for gift cards. Yes, GIFT CARDS to real stores like Lakeshore, Amazon, Target, etc. 


I just learned about that, I'm sure all of you have known this forever, but I'm pretty excited about this. As they say, "you learn something new everyday!"

Now, back to the whole point of this post! HA! I'm having a sale for 25% off of all of the products in my Teacher's Notebook store starting today August 10th, 2013 through August 18th, 2013.


If it's been a while since you were in my TN store, be sure to pop in again. I've been adding more products there so you may see something new. If you find something you like, make sure you follow my shop while you're there so you won't miss out on any new uploads!



HAPPY SHOPPING!
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Thursday, August 08, 2013

Did I Quit Clean Eating?

I gave you all 2 updates on how my clean eating adventures were going soon after I started them. Then I stopped....stopped updating! HA! No, I haven't quit clean eating, I'm still going strong, 10 weeks later and this is a lifestyle change that I beyond happy with!

I feel great, yes, I've lost weight, but I don't really care what the scale says. I just prefer to be happy with what I see in the mirror. My main reason for starting clean eating were the health benefits. I wanted more energy during the day. Since starting clean eating, I don't feel so lethargic. My alarm goes off in the morning; I get up. Versus sleeping through 3 alarms! AND I recently learned I lowered my bad cholesterol by 16 points. I'm pretty excited about that!

Just some tips I've learned along the way...

1. It will get easier! Clean eating is so hard those first few weeks. Especially if you are around foods you can't have. But it does get easier, MUCH easier!

2. You can learn to like things you never thought you would. Black coffee? Really. I used to put coffee in my cream. Now, it's either completely black or I add Sugar in the Raw. 

3. Never leave home without food! Seriously. Don't jeopardize something you are trying to do for yourself by finding yourself out starving with nothing to eat. I take apples, bananas, almonds, carrots, etc. with me all the time. Whether I think I will need them or not.


4. Don't be afraid to try something new. There are lots of new things I've tried. Making my own hummus? Tried it. Would I recommend it? Absolutely not. Chia seed pudding? Tried it. Would I recommend it? Eh- maybe not, but I do use chia seeds daily on my greek yogurt. 


I follow a company called Conscious Box on instagram and on facebook. I first started following them on instagram because I found posts like this to be very eye opening.


Conscious Box is a company that sends out a box of items each month that are organic, or non-gmo. They can be food items, household items, beauty products, etc. I've been debating signing up. I really want to and today I found just the thing to make me finally do it! Click on their name above to head to their web site and get more info on what they are all about.

AN EDUCENTS DEAL!! Yes, Educents has Conscious Box on their site today! I am so excited!

 Displaying consciousbox.jpg.jpeg

Would you consider signing up for Conscious Box? I did! I can't wait to see what comes in my first box!

*As a disclaimer, the link above to Educents will give me a very small commission if, and only if, you decide to order conscious box through the Educents deal.
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Wednesday, August 07, 2013

My First Donors Choose Project

Have you ever posted a project on Donors Choose before? I have donated to projects before, but I can't help but always think, there are SO many projects out there that need funding, how in the world do they all actually get funded? There have to be some that don't, which is sad, because we know how much teachers spend of their own money on their classrooms and students each and every year.

I guess you go into Donors Choose with a positive outlook and are hopeful that your project will be funded. All you can know is, that if I don't at least try it, I'll never know if it actually would have been funded or not. At least that's my mentality. I'm optimistic.

About 2 weeks ago I ordered this amazing book on setting up a classroom for students with Autism. Obviously something I've done before, but something I am ALWAYS looking for new techniques and strategies for. 


One of the authors actually is a blogger over at Autsim Classroom News , another awesome resource for working with students with Autism. This blog is filled with lots of great ideas, and so is this book!

Autism Classroom News

While reading it, I came across these amazing things being used in the photographs. Edutrays! I had NEVER even heard of these things before. I literally had an ah-ha moment. So that's what those silly cube chairs are used for!


I have cube chairs in my classroom right now. Always thought they were a little odd, but never really thought that they could have a matching table top component to them. And how perfect are these for working one on one on instructional trials??! They define the space for the student perfectly and they aren't restraining. All a student would have to do is stand up and the tray would come right off.

I just know for sure I could make good use of these in my classroom and make better use of the cube chairs we already have. At $77 a piece though they are a little steep for my pockets. This is when I immediately thought of Donors Choose. And now, until August 13th they will match any donation made dollar for dollar if you use the code INSPIRE. Wow!

If you are at all interested in donating, or just checking out the project that I posted here's the link:


I could be beyond appreciative if you donate, but please don't feel like you have to. I would just love to take advantage of that dollar for dollar match! 

Fingers crossed this is successful! Have you had any projects funded recently??
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Thursday, August 01, 2013

Swallowed Some Books--and a Bundle!

I don't know about you, but I LOVE my activity cards. Activity cards for anything really--books, songs, chants. But activity cards for the "Old Lady Series" might be one of my top five favorites. And my kiddos favorites too!

Activity cards are a GREAT way to keep students attention during a read aloud. You can also assess them for receptive skills, matching (picture in book, to picture they have), following directions, etc. We even incorporate social skills. If a student doesn't notice that they have the card, a friend can tell them. This is a good social piece to add for my kiddos.

I finally put together cards for the last book. "There Was an Old Lady Who Swallowed some Books" 


If you are familiar with this product of mine, then you know what's included. If you aren't, it's a simple set of cards for each of the items in the book that the old lady swallows and then a photo for what she coughs out at the end as well. I typically read the book once to my students, placing the cards out myself. Then on the second read aloud I pass out the cards, 1 to each student, or 2 to some students if we have extras.

Things I consider when passing out my cards--who has the longest amount of wait time? Give that student the last card. If you have a very impatient student, give them the first card. The next time you do the activity, maybe the second card. You can easily scaffold it.

Who bends cards, etc almost immediately after you give them? Yeah. I don't give cards that go with the end of the text to that friend. ;) (Obviously I can print new ones if they get too messed up)

If you need this set to add to the other activity cards of mine you have, you can purchase it in my TpT Store.


BUT WAIT, THERE'S MORE!

Now that they are all finished, you can buy them in a full BUNDLE! That's activity cards for 9 different books. Another fun piece, with the bundle you will also get activity sheets for each of the text. There are the same sheets included for each book, but obviously the photos are different! These activity sheets cannot be purchased elsewhere in my stores so if they interest you, you may want to consider the bundle.





You can purchase this bundle in either of my stores.

Please let me know if you have any questions about the product! Do you have a favorite book series to read with your kiddos?


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