Teacher's Appreciation Sale

Hi everyone!  It has been waaaay too long since I have blogged.  I apologize for being away for so long, but it has been a busy (and wonderful) year.  My goal is to get back into creating fun and engaging products for all of you on TPT and get back into blogging and connecting with my friends again!

Happy Teacher Appreciation Day - I appreciate you.  So do all of your wonderful parents, students, and coworkers.  I hope you had a wonderful day!!

As you may know, there is a Teacher Appreciation SALE going on over at Teachers Pay Teachers.  This site has changed my life with teaching and finding the best resources out there.  MANY, MANY sellers have put their stores on sale May 3rd and 4th with 20% off and with the code CELEBRATE, you can receive 28% off of my resources and bundles!! The code is good through May 4th, BUT.... my store will also be on sale for 20% off the 5th (CInco de Mayo!) in case you didn't have time to shop :)

I am linking up with some fabulous ladies (Miss DeCarbo, Flying into First Grade, Elementary Nest, and ) My Silly Firsties) for the appreciation sale.

HAPPY SHOPPING and HAPPY TEACHER APPRECIATION DAY!

4th of July Sale

Hello everyone!  I hope you are all enjoying your 4th of July weekend.  For me, it's a time to relax a little bit (while still being productive) before my summer job begins.  It is my 13th summer working at a remedial reading and writing program.  I absolutely love it and the people I work with.  I have been reflecting on this wonderful year I had with my K-1 class as well - I miss them already but will hopefully keep in touch with their families as they continue to grow.  I am so proud of their hard work :) It makes me so incredibly happy to be a teacher.

I have linked up with Buzzing with Mrs. McClain on her wonderful 4th of July linky!  ALL of my products (including BUNDLES) will be 20% off July 4, 5, and 6th! I hope you can find something to use for either the summer or back-to-school!

 I am excited that I just posted my completed First Grade Vocabulary Task Card product as well - I hope you can check it out! Perfect for tutoring or using in your classroom :)  A few examples of vocabulary words include shout, alligator, after, stove, and practice.  Let me know if you have any questions!

Another product that I am SO excited to share is my Close Reading Bundle - these have been so helpful with deeper-thinking and comprehension with my readers. I hope you can check out this great 20% off price (already at a discount!)

I hope you are enjoying your summer.... Happy 4th of July to you, your family, and friends!

Currently January 2015

2015... what a great number. I am a big fan of the #5 so I am hoping this will be a fantastic year for me... it's also the year I turn 30.  I should start making a bucket list of things I want to do before I am 30.. it'll help me stay motivated and live life a little more, you know what I mean? 

 

I am excited to link up with Farley from Oh' Boy 4th Grade with her first Currently of the year.

Our winter break was from 12/24-1/4.. such a nice vacation, but of course in the snap of a finger, it is almost coming to an end.  I think I would prefer to have our winter break before Christmas Eve and then go back earlier.  There's always so much to do before Christmas, and then it goes by so quickly.  

I am definitely wanting to lose weight before I go to Florida for a couple days in February.  Over the past year I have done great to maintain my current weight (I usually gain a few pounds every year...and not take it off lol) but it's time to LOSE :) And never find again! I have not been on a real vacation in years and I am so excited that Mike and I are going to Florida for 3 nights - short and sweet, but well worth it!  We are very lucky that Mike has great friends in Fl. to let us stay in their house.

I need to take Lily out more for walks - she loves the outdoors and it'll help me be not so lazy if I take her out more and get some exercise :) she is my love!

Yes - I will make healthier choices

Maybe - I will buy myself something once in a while or treat myself here and there

I wish I could have more time to do all the work I need to do and not work so hard every day - I will get there :) 2015 seems like a great year to start!

Link up with the sweet Farley! xo

Happy New Year!

 

2015 New Years Goals

I was inspired to blog and link up with the lovely Erica Bohrer from Erica's Ed-Ventures, a fellow New Yorker just like me!  I think it will be refreshing for me to take the time to write out my 2015 goals and reflect on what I would like to change or improve in my life.  It's also great to think about what I have accomplished as well - I don't give myself enough credit sometimes! ;)

This is probably the most difficult goal to think about, but I truly would like to limit my spending even more than I already do, continue to pay my bills on time, and continue to put more time and effort into Teachers Pay Teachers.  It's so hard to find time after teaching all day and cooking and cleaning and taking care of my little Lily, but I often find myself doing work anyways every evening, so why not apply that more to TPT and what I create? The worst is, I create for my kiddos and put it on TPT, and no one buys... but the positive side is if even one person buys, there I go :)

Money is tight, but maybe I can even save enough to do a nice vacation this summer.. not Vegas or anything, but a nice vacay within driving distance and treat myself a little! We will see :)

I always will strive to be the best teacher I can be.  In 2014, I have attended a number of professional development sessions and I want to continue to do this.  The best part is that my blogging friends have been the best resource for me with their experiences and knowledge.  I want to keep adding to my file, portfolio, and try at least 3 new teaching methods with my kids :) 

I have been very proud of myself the end of 2014 for improving my weight little by little and also changing my liver - it only took 4 years, but I am on the right path! I would love to continue to lose weight, gain more energy, and just feel more comfortable in my own skin.  It's TIME!  This goal is just as important to me as my financial goals - both are my necessities in my life xo

I will be 30 in 2015 and I still feel like I haven't "lived."  No big trips or big purchases... not a lot of time for myself - work, work, work.  So in 2015 I want to do more for myself, even if it is an hour here or there... I need to make time for myself.  Life is meant to be enjoyed :)  I am always worried about everyone else, and it's time for me to think about myself xo 

Have a wonderful 2015! Keep in touch with me--I love hearing from all of you!

Being a less wasteful teacher

Today I am bringing you an idea of what to do with scrap paper.  There is always so much of it after the children are done cutting, and even with recycling, sometimes I feel bad "throwing it out."  I thought of something fun for the kids to do with their scraps - they were so excited about this!

During their free time, four of my Kindergarteners were very excited to make books out of construction paper.  And not just any books.. different shaped books! Rectangles, squares, stars, even trapezoids! I let the kids write about whatever they wanted and use crayons, markers, pencils, and stickers - anything to make it even more enjoyable.

 

My student below wrote about "Art and Glass" - can you tell she is quite the artist? :) The other two books were going to be for her sister and parents.  Such a nice little sentiment to give to your family and write from your heart.

Always remember that you can create something beautiful using old materials.  I hope this inspires you to think outside the box with paper and scraps!

Please stay in touch with me on my blog, facebook, and my TPT store.  I appreciate you stopping by and I'm always here to help :) lauralove2teach@gmail.com is the best place to reach me as well!

For more bright ideas from 100+ different bloggers, please browse through the link-up below and choose a topic/grade level that interests you. Thank you so much!!

An InLinkz Link-up

Unifix Cube Writing

Hi all! I am so excited to link up for the month of April with my bright idea... so many amazing bloggers and ideas that I can't wait to shuffle through and see how I can become a better and more efficient teacher.  Bright ideas rock! Thank you to Shelley Gray who has made this monthly blog hop possible!

 

I learned about this bright idea about 4 years ago when I was a reading teacher, and a woman had her first graders use unifix cubes to demonstrate where they were in the writing process.

This helps to keep your classroom more organized and less disruptive.  You are able to meet with individual students and not have all of your kids coming up to you at once with questions.  It's a great check in process that I know can be used for any grade level!

  All you need for each student is a green, yellow, and red unifix cube.  It's kind of like a "traffic" tool! : ) Feel free to make it your own and use any colors that will best fit your classroom.  

Below shows the different colors and what they mean:

 

If you enjoyed my bright idea, please consider following my blog, facebook, and my TPT store : ) I also have a Pinterest!! (Got to love social media!)

For more bright ideas from 150 different bloggers, please browse through the link-up below and choose a topic/grade level that interests you! Thanks for visiting!

An InLinkz Link-up

Dry Erase: Great Invention!

I am so excited to be a part of the Bright Ideas Blog Hop this month :] I hope that you each take with you, many different ideas for your classroom or at home teaching. 

Today in my blog post, I wanted to express my love for dry erase boards.  Not only because they can be used in any grade level and for any subject, but also that the kids LOVE them.  One of my biggest components about teaching is my students to enjoy what they do, and make it as hands-on and fun as possible. 

Dry erase boards come in all different shapes and sizes... some have lines, some don't.  I always find great deals on markers and boards at Target and Staples when they have the teacher sales.  The more colors I have, the more the kids love! Dry erase helps with math, social studies, science, spelling, handwriting, I think the most I ever use them for is REVIEW.  A wonderful way to review different concepts for children!

I store my dry erase boards in one of my drawers.. the students know exactly where to get them! And we have a "dry erase cup" (that I got at Target, 3 for $1) with all the different colors.  My kinders love searching through the cup for the right color :] I make sure they are quick about their choice so they can get right to work.  For example, a Daily 5 Word Work choice! How do you store your dry erase products? :]

 Examples of how to use dry erase for math and literacy! :]

 My sweet student Ella volunteered to do some dry erase work.  She did it within a few minutes and loved it! She thought of the idea, picture, and what to do with the dry erase board all by herself.  I didn't tell her to write, draw, or anything.  I love the creativity that comes with this!

 Then she decided to do some math facts as well!

 

 You can laminate ANYTHING and make it dry erase... I absolutely love using it for Calendar and other centers.  All of the students I have taught, younger and older, have LOVED using dry erase.  Hope yours do too!

 

Please hop on over to Mrs. Lovely Farrah Shipley, who is absolutely wonderful! I think you will love her Bright Idea! :)
 
 

An InLinkz Link-up

An InLinkz Link-up

September Currently

I am linking up with my girl Farley for her Currently for September :] I am of course late for the party since it's the month of SEPTEMBER.. I know many of you are back to school, but my summer time is July-August.. and I go back a little bit later this year anyways - September 9th.  Meetings start tomorrow and the Back to School bash for my school is Friday, but I am spending most of my time trying to make my classroom look perfect for my Kinders.  It's my first time teaching Kindergarten full time... I have worked in a Kinder classroom, and I have taught Reading K-6 for a few years, but this is it's own world :] I am very excited... and I have had SO many amazing K-2 teachers helping me along the way.  I feel SO blessed and I wish I had the money (and the time) to thank them and shower them with gifts! ;]

I cannot wait to post pictures of my classroom! It's smaller than most of yours, but I am hopefully going to make it cozy and inviting for my kiddies.. I have a wonderful feeling about this year.  I invite you to share any ideas of art projects and creative K ideas though! :] I am sure I will need it!

I want to thank all of the Kindergarten and first grade teachers that have helped me out SO MUCH with resources.. honestly, some of the best people.  That goes along with second through sixth grade teachers as well (and my clipart loves!) for their friendships and advice.  I feel great about this new journey in my life because of all of you!! Blogging and TPT are two of the best things I have ever started because I have met the BEST people!

My 3 loves that I need to do for myself (even though there are a lot) are work out AT LEAST 2 x a week.. I know that's not a lot, but I am a workaholic so it will be a challenge for me.  Spend time with my boyfriend Michael as well and not do work for 14 hours a day is a necessity.. this whole summer was work,work,work.  I don't want life to pass me by without enjoying a little bit of it! And I want to watch at least 30 minutes of TV a night (without doing work) I don't remember the last time I've done that.  Sigh.  I am so glad Farley had that little segment because we all need to remember to love ourselves!!

Who's That Blogger?

Welcome Everyone!!

         Are you ready to have some fun??
        
                                              ....Play a game?
           
                                                              .....Win  prizes and cash?

I have teamed up with 65 AMAZING blogger buddies to put together the ultimate Back to School Linky/Giveaway!!!

Each one of my blogger buddies submitted a cute childhood photo & generously donated something special from their online TpT shops for this occasion!! We have included a fun game for you to play for a chance to win over $300.00 in prizes and a BONUS  CASH-PRIZE raffle you can enter at the end of this post!! 

CHA-CHING!!

The game is easy to play....

 Your job will be to try and match each blogger with their childhood photo!!! With over 60 childhood photos and bloggers to match up, this might get tricky!! As I mentioned above, each blogger has generously donated one awesome prize from their TpT store. Successfully match a blogger and childhood photo, and you win the prize offered from that blogger!!! The more you matches you make, the more prizes you win!!! 

Check out some of the prizes you could win!!!

but Wait....

That's not all....

ONE lucky follower will win a $125 Amazon Gift Card!! Scroll to the bottom & follow the directions in the Rafflecopter for a chance to win $$$

The link below will open a form that will allow you to submit your answers for the match up. 

Use the blogger links and numbered images to help you along the way!! Each childhood photo has been assigned a specific number. 

Once you open the form, use the drop-down menu beneath each blog button and select a number that corresponds to a childhood photo. 

The form results will be collected throughout the week. At the end of the week, each submission will be "graded" and you will receive a prize for each blogger and photo you successfully matched up!!

The game closes on Friday, August 23rd at midnight (Arizona Mountain Time). Answers will be announced on Saturday, August 24th. Winners will be notified through email throughout the week. 

Use the blog links below the photos to search for clues!!

Click HERE to Play the Matching Game!!

AWE!!! PuFfy HeArT SWEETNESS!!!

An InLinkz Link-up

Click HERE to Play the Matching Game!!

Follow the directions in the Rafflecopter for a chance to win a $125 Amazon gift card!! 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Thank you so much for participating!!! Good Luck!!!

If you would like to post about this linky/giveaway, grab the special image below to display in your post and link up below!!! Make sure to use the link to the actual post,,,

An InLinkz Link-up