November 2012

Beach Sand and Lesson Plans 7:11 PM 3 comments

OHHH!! I LOVE SHOPPING! My TpT wish list is growing...and will continue to grow over the next few days! I haven't even begun to decide what I'm actually buying!

Since discovering TpT over a year ago, I don't think I have bought a teacher resource from any place else. The talent and creativity out there among my colleagues is extraordinary! Some of the best resources I have ever used have come from teachers! Who would have thought! LOL!

The connections and friends I have made in the VERY short time I have joined the blog world is incredible. One of the most important things we can do for our profession is collaborate and connect and share our experience, knowledge, and talents. I learn so much from all of you out there when I read your blogs and use your products. I have been teaching for 23 years and I think this has been one of my best years yet because of all of my bloggy/TpT friends. You have motivated me and encouraged me beyond what I ever thought! Here I thought I would post on this blog every once in awhile and that would be that! Who would read what I had to say?! Well, this blog has turned into something I look forward to and think about often. I can't wait to blog stalk all my new friends and see what you are working on in your classrooms and to share what I am doing! I hope you learn from me, too!

It is all incredible!

NOW...enough rambling...putting my tissues down...

I'm linking up with Shuna at Pocket Full of Kinders for a Cyber Monday share!

Here are some of the items I'm looking to purchase tomorrow:

I'm all obsessed with clip art right now. It can be used for so many things in and out of school. I like to craft and cute clip art comes in handy! I love being creative with in my products, too. Here are some I love from Pink Cat Studio, Melonheadz, and Ashley Hughes.

I can not live without Weekly Word Wizard from my friend, Denise, at Sunny Days in Second Grade. She has created 4 sets that cover 9 weeks. I use one sheet per week. My 3rd graders get daily practice with language arts skills that they so desperately need. What I love is the skills repeat so the kids should (hopefully) have them mastered by the end of the year! I still need set 3 and 4 so tomorrow will be the day to get them!

So this is just a teeny tiny PEEK into my cart! Can't wait to hear what you are wishing for on TpT!

Beach Sand and Lesson Plans

Beach Sand and Lesson Plans 10:32 PM 13 comments

What a wonderful Turkey Day! Lots of cooking and family around my house always makes me happy! In the middle of all the food and family fun, I received the kindest comment from The Realistic Teacher. She said she has nominated me for the Liebster Award. The Liebster Award is given by bloggers to up and coming bloggers who have less than 200 followers – and that is ME! It’s to show that new bloggers are appreciated and help spread the word about our little pieces of cyberspace.
I think this is a neat way to get to know each other and connect with more teacher bloggers!

Here are the rules:

1. You must post 11 random things about yourself.

2. Answer the questions that the nominator set for you.

3. Create 11 questions for the people you nominate.

4. Choose 11 other blogs with fewer than 200 followers to nominate and link them in your post.

5. You cannot “tag back” the other blog, but leave a comment on this post with the URL of your Liebster post so I can learn more about you & see who you nominate.

So for 11 random things about ME:

#1: I LOVE teaching...it is my passion and has been since the 2nd grade. My wonderful Aunt Norma (who is 92) was a teacher. She used to send me old TEs and grade books and plan books. I had a whole classroom set up in the garage. When I came home from school I would reenact the school day...my daughter does the same thing!

#2: I am married to a teacher. We met at school about 18 years ago. We've been married for 14 years. For MOST of the last 18 years we have taught in the same school. I know...a lot of time together, but you'd be surprised. We really don't see each other that much. The best part is we have been able to spend school time with our kids! It's so nice to be able to see them during the day and sneak a hug and kiss. This year my hubby and I are in adjoining rooms...now this is the closet we have ever taught...I'll keep you posted!

#3: I love dogs! I currently have 9! Crazy I know but we just love each and every one. They all have a "story" and all are rescue babies!

#4: I am a Disney freak! I visited the Magic Kingdom for the first time in 1971 when it opened. We lived in Cocoa Beach so it was a quick trip. From the first time we took our children there we were hooked. I live about 3 hours south of the Happiest Place on Earth and I'm like a kid when the time comes to make a trip. (Our 9 dogs all have a Disney name)

#5: Starbucks is my drink of choice! I belong to a "Starbucks Club" at school and we each take a turn buying coffee on Fridays.

#6: Like my new friend, Realistic Teacher, I have a huge children's book collection. One of my prized possessions is my Author's Chair (blogged about it a while back). I have met lots of authors at conferences or local book signings. I bring along the seat to my director's chair for their signature. The kids love it too.

#7: I'm a serious procrastinator.

#8: I think starting this blog and TpT as been one of the best things I've ever done. It's given me a renewed motivation in the classroom. I think it's neat how teachers from all over are connecting and collaborating.

#9: The beach is one of my favorite places to be. I can not, for one second, imagine living in a place that was not near the ocean. My dream is to have a beach house one day...I want to wake up, look outside, and see the ocean.

#10: My kids are my life! I feel so blessed and fortunate to have a son (12) and daughter (10) who are funny, super smart, kind people!

#11: I didn't think I was going to be able to write 11 random things about me! I surprise myself sometimes!

Now to answer questions from Realistic Teacher:

1. What is your favorite genre? Realistic fiction for sure but I'm starting to read more about history and I really like it!

2. Do you parallel park or find another spot?OMG...find another spot!!

3. Do you have any tattoos? How many? Of what?YES! I love mine. I have 3. My first was a small palm tree above my ankle. (We got married in Key West and it was my wedding present!) I also have a sea turtle, and on my other ankle I have a fairy sitting on a hibiscus. (It reminds me of my daughter.)Yes I want another!

4. What is your favorite book? Charlotte's Web, hands down!

5. When did you last laugh? Today...my family always cracks me up!

6. Where have you traveled and what was your favorite place? Growing up my dad worked for Eastern Airlines so we traveled a lot...all over the U.S. and I've been to Europe.

7. Do you like to dance? Well I like it but I'm not good at it.

8. What is your favorite type of music? Rock, Pop

9. Have you ever, or would you ever, go skydiving or bungee jumping? NO WAY!! My hubby went sky diving for his 40th and I was a nervous wreck watching him!

10. Do you garden? I like it but don't do it much. I want my husband to build me one of those raised vegetable gardens next summer. I really want to grow my own veggies.

11. If you could eat lunch with a favorite person who would it be? Easy...Walt Disney!

Whew...that was fun!

Now my 11questions for the bloggers I'm nominating:

1. What is your favorite subject to teach?

2. What movie could you watch over and over?

3. Would you rather live in a place with a cold or warm climate?

4. Do you have a favorite vacation spot?

5. Do you cook most nights or eat out?

6. What professional book have you read lately or do you have any that you couldn't live without?

7. What do you do for you that is fun?

8. Are you a dog or cat person?

9. Are you a middle child, oldest, or baby of the family? Or are you an only child?

10. How did you pick your blog name?

11. What is your favorite dessert?

Here are the 11 blogs I nominated:

1. Drowning in Paperclips

2. 2 Brainy Apples

3. Teach with Laughter

4. Trendy in Third

5.Don't Let the Teacher Stay Up Late

6. Miss Math Dork
7. Lovely Literacy and More
8. Red and Black and Learning All Over
9. C is for Cookies, Cakes, Children, Classroom & Crafts
10. Coffee Cups and Lesson Plans
11. Reading and Writing Redhead

Don't forget to leave me a link to your blog so I can learn more about you! Hope you enjoyed learning about me!

Beach Sand and Lesson Plans

Beach Sand and Lesson Plans 12:12 PM 1 comment

Hey Bloggy Friends,

The holiday shopping season is officially upon us! The sales are ON! TpT is no exception! Check out this fabulous Linky Party for some TpT bargains! Your favorite sellers are marking down their quality educational resources for 2 days only, November 26 and 27! So start loading up those carts for this huge event! Remember to enter the CODE: CMT12 at checkout.

Here are some of my products that will be on sale Monday and Tuesday!

Use this pack to create a winter themed showcase of reading response work. This pack focuses on the skills of summarizing and understanding genres.

One of my newest products includes 10 activities to use when studying the regions of the United States. Students will need to read informational text and practice their research skills in order to complete these activities.

Creative thinking will be enhanced when students try their hand at my Brain Boosters. These are perfect for morning work, early finishers, substitute plans, or just for fun!