New Craftivities + Teaching Blog Round Up

Even though I want my winter break to last forever...I started planning some fun things to do when we get back.  Introducing...

   

Click on each picture to check them out!  As always, I will give away a few to some loyal followers.  The first 2 people to comment with an email address and which craftivity shown above that they would like will receive an email from me :)

Also, I am linking up with Jennifer from Simply Kinder for her Teaching Blog Round Up.  She wanted to do one big link-up so we could all connect.  Click below to link-up!

Love.

"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

Cyber Monday(!) and a Good Cause

Happy Cyber Monday eve!  I am sure your email account has been full all weekend with deals from stores for the big day tomorrow.  I didn't go out on Black Friday this year, so Cyber Monday will be when I take care of all of my gifts.  With so many stores opening at various times on Thursday, I figured that all of the doorbusters would be gone by Friday morning.  Also, I hosted Thanksgiving this year, so I couldn't kick my guests out so I could go on Thursday!  Long story short, I am a huge fan of Cyber Monday.

Even though I take care of most of my gift-giving, I also take advantage of the incredible deals + free shipping to buy a few things that I have been wanting or needing for awhile.  I like to clean out my wishlists on various websites.  If you are looking to cross a few things off of your TPT wishlist, then be sure to stop by for the big Cyber Monday Sale!

Here are some of the most wishlisted items from my shop:

  

  

  

While you are filling your cart, please consider purchasing a bundle from the Central Illinois Tornado Relief Fund.  All proceeds will go to help the victims of the November 17th tornadoes in central Illinois.  These bundles will be available December 1st - 31st.  A big thanks to Amanda Pauley for letting me know how I could help with this!

Here are the two bundles I am a part of:

A holiday bundle with products from Amanda Pauley, Deanna Jump, Miss Kindergarten, Teacher at Heart, Cindy Feeney (Kinderkay), Melonheadz, Jen Jones - Hello Literacy, First Grade Blue Skies, Kindergarten Smiles, Vicky Moore, Nicki Thigpen, Karen Rowland, Liz Fowler, Kindergarten Squared, Ms. Arnold, Smart Chick, Teach 123, Teachery Tidbits,  Brittany Hutchinson,  Kindergarten Smorgasboard, Andrea Knight, Khrys Bosland, Lovin’ Lit, Charlottes Clips, and Pink Cat Studio

A winter bundle with products from Kim Adsit, Cara Carroll, Lori Rosenberg, Teacher at Heart, Lory Evans, Anna Brantley, Melonheadz, Meet Miss Parker, Live, Laugh, I LOVE Kindergarten, Regina Berns, Rebecca Anderton, KTP on TPT, Primarily Au-Some, Kyp McLaren, Vickie Plant, The Write Stuff, Lovin’ Lit, Charlottes Clips, and Pink Cat Studio

Happy Shopping!  

(P.S.  Anyone else wanting to take a personal day to shop Cyber Monday in their jammies?!)

Last Minute Craft = Last Minute Sale :)

In the fall, holidays come one right after another, would you agree?  Fall starts, and there is Christopher Columbus Day, Fire Safety Week, Halloween, Veterans Day, and Thanksgiving, oh my!  I had not planned on making a Veterans Day craftivity, but after a few requests, I ended up making one last minute!  So here it is!

I tried to include as many branches of the military as I could as I have been told that many schools split them up among classrooms or grade levels.  I know that Veterans Day is only a week or so away, so I put this pack on sale (it's under $3!) for the next four days!  Would you like to win one?  Leave a comment with your email address below and I will pick 2 lucky winners to receive this craftivity set free!  

Target Dollar Spot Alert!

*Alert*  The Target Dollar Spot is Teacher Heaven right now!  It is filled with back to school goodies.  They have their usual assortment of workbooks and flashcards, along with some other items.  Check it out:

The ever-popular Target dollar spot mini pocket charts.  What am I going to use them for?  Not sure.  Bought 10...I can always return them!  I can always use them to display our daily schedule, spelling words, vocabulary words, class jobs...any other suggestions?  Did you notice that they changed the shade of blue?!

These are those tiny metal buckets...except now Target makes them with a little chalkboard!  I was tempted to buy these for my pencil buckets, but I already have a closet full of these tiny buckets!  Any more and I would feel a bit like a hoarder!

Okay, so these were $3, but still in the dollar spot.  I had heard rumors of bright colored tape dispensers at Costco, but I have searched long and hard and have not found them.  And by searched long and hard, I have done the whole have employees look it up, call stores, etc. thing.  These aren't Scotch brand, but for $3, they aren't bad!  These will definitely brighten up my teacher desk.  

Fancy file folders...pack of 3 for $1.

They also had these little fabric drawers for $1 (along with some closet organizer and hamper type things for college), but the key word here is *little*.  They are pretty tiny.  Like 7 inches by 7 inches.  I picked up a few, but decided they were too small to use for centers and put them back.  I tried to take a picture, but because the dollar section was taken over by a crowd of teachers ferociously and aggressively sifting through items politely and gracefully viewing products, it got a little tight.  So photo credits go to Target.com for this one!

And finally...in case you need a laugh...

I did not purchase this!!!  Why not, you ask?  Look closely.  16 divided by 4.  Yes.  That is what I am going to work on with my three-year-old...   Who made this???  

Favorite Pins Friday!

Happy Friday!!!

I am linking up with the fabulous Cara from The First Grade Parade for her new linky party:

Pin #1:  My first pin comes from Maria at Kinder-Craze:

She gives many ideas for working with Pre-A readers.  She uses traceable alphabet books (perfect use for those old alphabets!), her high frequency readers, and gives you great advice on which emergent readers to use.  Reading this made me feel motivated to get back to school believe it or not!

Pin #2:  Ultimate Center Organization Solution from Mrs. Prince:

I cannot stand crumpled papers and gameboards!  My #1 center pet peeve!  I will be on the lookout for some of these flat bins this summer.  If anybody sees them at a reasonable price, let me know!  I am thinking Wal-Mart or Target.

Pin #3:  The ever-popular "New Student Bag" posted by Angie:

Every year I say that I am going to do this, and then I don't and pay for it later.  For example, I will have exactly 20 students, so as I am printing labels, I think "Oh perfect, twenty labels on a page!" and don't make any extras.  Wouldn't want to have to start a whole different page for a couple "extra-in-case-I-get-a-new-student" labels.  I figure I'll take my chances...and then I always get new students!  I am making myself do this this year!  No excuses!

Pin #4:  Tizmos from Christina at Sugar and Spice:

What a lifesaver!  By just accessing this one webpage, your students can easily click on the sites that you want them to use.  You can switch out the sites at anytime.  On this page, you add up to 8 links (for free...you can add more if you pay $0.99) to websites that you want your students to access.  Think about the possibilities...Listen to Reading, Literacy Centers, Math Centers, Computer Lab, Classroom Website, etc.  Christina has many more great tech ideas on her...check it out!


Enjoy the rest of your holiday weekend!

Currently July!

I was waiting until July 1st to post this, but it seems like I am already late to the party as there are already 304 people linked up!  Wow!  Farley sure is popular!  The number was around 125 when I first looked, and then I went back to link up and several more bloggers had joined.  I wonder what the record is for the largest linky party...

Here it is...my Currently July!

Listening: Let's just say it has been a long time since this teacher went running!  Whew!  The best part of today is that I know my time can only improve.  I am trying to make an effort to work out more, and since July 1st is a Monday, it seems like the perfect day to start up a new workout routine.  I am sure many of you understand this one...working out is always the first thing to go when I get busy!  I am hoping this routine lasts at least until school starts!

Loving:  The breeze!  I feel like such an old lady saying this, but after the heat and humidity we have had these past few days, it feels so good to have the windows open!

Thinking:  About how to schedule out the rest of my summer!  Can't believe June is already over!  Only a few more sweet weeks before it all starts again!  I am so thankful that we get our summers off though.  I can't imagine going all year long.  Summers are needed for mental health!

Wanting:  A way to make sure that what I buy online will fit me when I get it!  I am such an online shopper; it is just so much more efficient than walking into a crowded store and browsing racks.  Only problem is when the cute fitted dress arrives and looks like an over-sized sack.  Not attractive.  It works out okay when there is a specific brand and fit that you know your size in, but not when you're buying from a new online boutique.  I wish the online shopping process could be perfected...

Needing:  iOS 7!!!  Have you seen the video?  I don't know what it is about Apple products, but they make me truly love technology!  (Until it doesn't work, but that's another story...)

Tips, Tricks, or Hints:  Do what you love, and love what you do!  I truly love teaching and designing teaching materials, and I try to make every product I design reflect this!

100 Followers on TPT = Freebie (Coming Soon)

Hey there!  I am writing a quick post to let you all know that I recently made it past 100 followers on TPT!  Woohoo!  I am so excited.  I never thought I would have that many followers.  Ever since I began creating products, I have enjoyed making new friendships and working with wonderful educators.  To show my appreciation to all of my followers, I will be giving away a FREEBIE to EVERYONE who is following me on TPT!  Check your inbox this week for details ;)  If you are not a follower yet, you still have time...I will be sending out the freebie alert sometime this week!  I plan to do this periodically because I want to make sure that you all know how much I appreciate YOU!

Thank you so much for following!  :)

Bloglovin!

As you have most likely heard, Google Reader will be no more as of July 1st :(

But no worries...you can still follow your blogs on Bloglovin!  :)

As soon as you sign up, it prompts you to import your Google Reader...super quick and simple!  I have been working with it for a few weeks, and while it was an adjustment at first, I am beginning to like it just as much if not more than Google Reader!  Click below to keep following my blog!

Fabulous Feedback Linky Party!

I am linking up with Christina Bainbridge for her Fabulous Feedback Linky Party!  You share two of your favorite feedback comments that you have received from your TPT store.  The best part is that the two people who left the feedback get to pick something FREE from my TPT store!  I love reading feedback, so it took me awhile to find two of my favorites...

The first winner is Sam Chizauskie!  She purchased my Geometry: 2-D and 3-D Shapes Common Core mini lesson unit.  I am so glad that this resource worked well for her and that she had a chance to try it out before leaving feedback.  I might have blushed a little while reading her feedback! :) It was good to know that she was able to leave it for sub plans...what a time saver!  More of these math units are on the way...they just take time to put together!

The second winner is Pjcooper!  I am glad that teachers are enjoying the editable option on these calendars.   Your kind feedback is much appreciated!

Sam and Pjcooper- please email me at teacheratheart123@gmail.com to let me know which item from my TPT store you would like for FREE!  Thank you for taking the time to leave feedback on your purchases!  

You can link up with Christina at Bunting, Books, and Bainbridge.  She has some great information and tips on leaving feedback!

June Currently (Plus Schedule Cards!)

It's hard to believe that it is already June!  Especially for those of us who are still in school.  But it's time for June Currently...

Listening: to Sports!  I am not the biggest sports fan, so correct me if I am wrong, but it seems like it is that time of year where just about every sport is on!  I am watching my team in the hockey playoffs, just watched an NBA playoff game last night, and baseball is on too!

Loving:  Sometimes you just need to throw things away.  I love the spring cleaning that comes with all of the EOY activities.  The only thing is that I often find myself slowing down as I walk by the "free" table in the hall.  I *might* have picked up a thing or two from that table this year...hopefully I still have less than I started with.  

Thinking:  I love having time to relax, but I need to keep myself busy.  Hopefully I'm not putting too many things on my summer bucket list!

Wanting:  Like many of you, I am already thinking about my classroom theme for next year!  Which is why I created these (and am so excited to laminate them and start cutting them apart!):

Chevron Schedule Cards

Polka Dot Schedule Cards

I have seen some cute sets that I have liked, but my number one TPT pet peeve is downloading a product only to find that the font that was used doesn't have capital letters (and then my kids ask me a million times why it doesn't start with a capital letter!) or that contains a mix of printed and cursive letters.  I absolutely love cute fonts, but some of them are very difficult for six-year-olds to read.  Therefore, I created a set of editable schedule cards that can be customized.  The best part is that you can use whatever font you like to fill in your subject areas!  If you want to write "Math with Mrs. M." on a card, you can!  I am quite excited about these.

Needing:  A tan!  Self-explanatory.

3 Vacay Essentials:  Wouldn't you agree?

***Because it is the 2nd day of June, and because I am so excited about this new product, I would love to give a set of schedule cards away to the first 2 followers who leave a comment with their email address and their choice of chevron or polka dot!***

Have a wonderful week!