I'm Ready to Ring in the New Year!

I have to say 2013 has been an AMAZING year. It was filled with many wonderful memories and accomplishments. This year I crossed something off my Bucket List: I launched a blog! I began selling my creations on Teachers Pay Teachers and soon-after found this community of teacher-authors. I have enjoyed every minute of creating, connecting, and sharing. I’m looking forward to making 2014 just as fabulous. So, I’d like to ring in the New Year with a TpT sale. Everything is 20% off, even the stuff that’s less than $1.00! 

That’s Not a Snowman is one of my newest packs. I started it and let it sit for too long. I finally finished it during a long drive to Southern California. My students loved completing this take-home project with their families. These activities would be fun for students to complete when they return from Winter Break. Click {HERE} to head to see the That's Not a Snowman Craftivities.

Subtract Like a Ninja provides tools for teaching 2-digit subtraction. My students had fun using the steps and learning to subtract 2-digit numbers with and without regrouping. Click {HERE} to Subtract Like a Ninja. Click {HERE} to read the original blog post. 

Is your New Year’s resolution to get organized in the classroom? Check out my Common Core Gradebook for 2^nd Grade. It allows you to track grades by standard for up to 25 students. Click {HERE} to see the Gradebook.

Well friends, enjoy your evening and Happy New Year to you and your loved ones! I'm off to New Year's Eve dinner with my hubby. 

Sparkly Smiles,

This Christmas {A Photo Linky}

I'm linking up with Teaching in the Tongass to share my holiday photos. I can't say that Christmas ever includes much rest or relaxation. This year we decided it would be too stressful to host either of our families for Christmas. So after we returned from Disneyland on the 23^rd, we went from house to house to spend time with our families.

I'm participating in Tailor-madeTeaching's New Year’s Blog Giveaway! Of course, I think the 2nd Grade pack is pretty awesome. She’s got goodies for grades K-5 though. So head over there!

I'll be back in 2014! Happy New Year friends!

Remembering Sandy Hook {Random Acts of Kindness}

As educators, we remember and honor our fallen colleagues and their students from Sandy Hook School.  We honor them each day in our classrooms in which we continue their dream of teaching our children.  We honor their memory with our service.  Join with teachers everywhere in committing random acts of kindness to show our love for Sandy Hook.

#love4sh

Love & Prayers,

Five for Friday (Winners Announced)

I know it's Saturday and I really shouldn't be late this time since I've been home, but as usual I'm soooo late to the linky party. I have much to share about my week though. If you're impatient like me you can skip to the bottom to find out if you're one of the Giveaway winners. Not judging at all. Promise.

I left a comment at Teaching in High Heels and I was one of the lucky friends selected to receive Gladys' Turkey in Disguise Take-Home Project. It was even better than I was expecting! I knew my students would love a project that encouraged them to be silly and creative. I read Run, Turkey, Run and Turkey Trouble, then sent the assignment home. My kiddos came back with the cutest little turkeys! When they brought them in on Friday they hid them away and wanted to do a big reveal. With the exception of one friend who loves to show off. She had hers in hand as she waited in line. This project has really brightened up our Student Work Wall. I sent the writing assignment home the following week, so those aren't up yet. I can't wait to see what my students wrote.

My class was lucky enough to book a video conference with Texas Wildlife Association. Have you ever done a video conference? They are so much fun. I would definitely recommend it if you have the technology available. My county's Office of Education offers them for free and there are other places that offer them for a cost. Anyway, we were able to book "Let's Talk Turkey." Unfortunately, it was non-interactive, which means we didn't get to chat back and forth with the presenter. But it was still fun to watch and listen in.

I've been meaning to work on my Turkey pack, but time just got away from me. Doesn't that always seem to happen? You have a great idea, but run out of time to fully implement it. Well, this week I finally finished off my Informational Turkey Packet! I really wanted to add more to the pack, but just couldn't find the time. Anyhow, I had enough activities to get through a week of Turkey Talk. As you can see we started off the week with a K-W-L chart and turkey folders. I wish I'd taken more photos. We labeled the parts of a turkey and read an article about them. Want to see the pack? (click HERE)

I had my LASIK redone. Ugh! Fingers crossed my results stick this time. My vision was better than 20/20 after the sugery, but that didn't last long. The past 8 months have been rough! I've had a lot of dryness and can't tolerate bright screens for long periods of time. This definitely poses a problem when it comes to creating digital projects, blogging, or planning lessons. Of course, this was an informed decision and I knew the risks, but I hoped for the best. I had the procedure redone on Thursday and am hoping my eyes heal well and experience less dryness this time around.

I am thrilled to announce the winners of the Multiple Milestones Giveaway!! I've been waiting all week to hop on and have Rafflecopter choose the winners. The winners are Sara F., Courtney C., and Jennifer T.! Congrats ladies! Emails will be going out to the 3 of you very soon, so keep an eye out. Thank you to everyone who entered and for following.

 

Want to visit the Doodle Bugs' linky party (click HERE)? 

Well friends, I'm off to prepare for Parent Teacher Conferences (no instruction this week). We spend Monday and Tuesday conducting conferences. Then, we're FREE!!!! I can't wait to spend time with my family and good friends.

Math Monday on Tuesday & Part 3 of my Giveaway!

I’m linking up with A Burst of First for Math Monday (on Tuesday). Last week I shared how I teach 2-digit subtraction with regrouping (read the post). It can be a confusing concept for second graders. So, I teach a chant with hand motions. Then we practice, practice, practice with our work mats and Expo markers. This week my students are focusing on writing the algorithm vertically and they’re really getting the hang of it. I’m so proud of them. Of course, there are a few who are still confused about the ten that moves (to the ones place) once we take away the models. So, we’re working together in a small-group during independent math and work station time.

I finally gathered the pages I created for my students and put them all into a pack! If you’d like to check it out, it’s in my store for $1.00. It has the interactive notebook pages and work mat that we use to work out problems.

Also, I mentioned that I would be offering a giveaway for TpT lovers. I’m such an addict. I’m pretty sure I buy more than I sell because I can’t resist the amazing resources and clip art (shh… don’t tell my husband). So, here it is… a chance to win a $10.00 TeachersPayTeachers gift certificate!

Good luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Revealing a GIANT Giveaway Pack

Back so soon?? Why, yes I am. I rounded up some amazing goodies from some talented Teacher-Authors. Some of them have offered their best packs and others decided they'd let you choose anything you'd like from their store. Isn't that amazing?

These milestones have seemingly come out of nowhere. When I began my journey as a blogger I expected to get a few followers from my TpT store. I never thought I would make friends... yes, the people I've never met, but leave comments or blog themselves. Cheesy smile. I'm so thankful that I've discovered such a welcoming, collaborative community. As a thank you I'm hosting this giveaway.

 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Check back tomorrow for a different prize. If you're a TpT addict like me, you'll definitely want to return. *Wink Wink*