Hall Pass Linky

I am linking up with Reagan from Tunstall's Teaching Tidbits for her fun Hall Pass Linky Party!! What a lovely talented lady Reagan is :] Read below for what needs to be included and join in on the fun!

MY PRODUCT: Okay, so this was really difficult for me.. I have just improved many of my products, so I am unsure of which is my favorite.  I went back and forth with my weather unit, government unit, and my common core units... but I decided (for the moment) my favorite is my Teacher Guide Unit.  And I only say this because it is 50 pages of posters, lists, organization, and excitement for a new teacher.  I want to revise this unit as well hopefully in the near future and make it more pages and even more fun printables for teachers.  Being a teacher is very difficult for those of us with a small paycheck or subbing and looking for that perfect placement.  But we all know how rewarding it is, and I love my Teacher Guide Unit because I think it can get teachers excited to be organized about teaching :]

MY AREA: My classroom is very, very small.  But me and my wonderful kiddos make it work.  My favorite area is our rug and book bins.  I am happy to call myself a bargain shopper and did my best to find pillows and books that my kids could enjoy.  The rug is a hand-me-down from K-2 is Splendid.. Love her!

MY SIGNAL: I feel that we probably have a lot of signals that we use in the classroom, and I do not even realize it.  A few of them that come to mind are the sign language sign for listening:

 

We also have different signals for Daily 5 that I have actually just made up as I go along.  For example, for Read to Someone I have my students hold up 2 fingers to signal that they need a buddy to read with, and then a student that would like to read with them, holds up 2 fingers and they nod at each other to confirm it.  I read about different strategies for this, and that just worked for my kids. 



Also after the kids make their choices, they will not start their work until I say, "Aaaaand BREAK!" and it's so cute because we feel like a team and we are getting ready to work together.  When I forget to do it, they will wait for me (and they had to remind me a couple of times!)

                       

 

MY SANITY: Sometimes I do not know how I get through the long days after teaching, tutoring, teaching piano, cooking dinner, and cleaning.  It's a lot. And I am often tired!

These are the things that keep me sane:

-working out [keeps my stress down]

-treating myself to a sweet treat or chinese food on the weekend [hey a girl can't stick to her diet all the time!]

-hugs and kisses from my honey [and I get a massage once in a while!]

-constantly blogging, talking to you lovelies and putting new activities on tn/tpt.. it helps me to think I am being productive! It DOES keep me sane ;]

-shopping!! I haven't bought myself anything in a long time, but when I lose some more weight, it'll make me feel great to go shopping.. I am hoping by April-ish!

 

Five for Friday

Hello ladies and gents (and the weekend!) I can't complain much because I was off allll this week and have to go back on Monday.. so I didn't really want the weekend to get here too quickly ;) I always say I am going to relax on my breaks, but I.never.do.  I work my butt off with school work & my teacher stores - but that's our life, right? :] I didn't want to include it in my 5 for Friday, but this week has been very hard for me and the people in my town.  Our dear sweet lady Anna went missing Monday and we still have no idea where she is... I cannot help but think bad thoughts, but I am praying and hoping that she is okay XO.. say a little prayer for me if you could!

I am excited to be linking up with Doodle Bugs Teaching and it's her famous Five for Friday! She is just wonderful and has the best ideas... please go follow her!

1. Since it was my February break, I definitely have lots of new updates on my teacher stores (click here for Teacher's Notebook and here for Teacher's Pay Teacher's) and I really tried my best to make my products better... I actually am in the middle of fixing up my Landform Unit as well :] Every little bit helps more than anyone knows, so this extra $ (even if it's a few dollars) can do wonders! I wanted to show you my latest post, which is my Reading Common Core Task Cards.. they can go with any fiction story and are most appropriate for grades 4-6 (and higher level 3rd graders.) Perfect for guided reading or having your students try them independently in their notebooks.  Only $1.50 on TN and TPT!

2. Well... I went to my doctor and I need to eat BETTER. All whole wheat and whole grains for me.. I got a kick in the butt with how my liver is doing :\ everything else is great.  I have to tell you all, I am down 6 pounds and feel great! I am better when I am not on break, but I have still been doing my best.  I wanted to give you a heads up of a few great healthy eating choices when you are out to dinner (which I am a lot.)
P.F. Changs - Ginger chicken with broccoli and brown rice: Lunch portion is 570 calories: it is very filling, and one of the best choices on the menu (besides vegetarian options).
Red Robin - This is a toughie with yummy burgers and fries and other salty yumminess... but the regular burgers are over a 1,000 calories..without the fries! Ridic :X So it makes me feel better to have a plain grilled chicken sandwich (with a whole wheat bun) with a side salad.  The whole thing is around 500 calories including the low fat balsamic dressing!

 

3. I am still waiting to be able to pin from my blog to pinterest again!! Don't ever mess up your pinterest It is not worth it ;] And it has become one of my most favorite things in the world.. I just pinned my 1000th pin the other day AND it took me 3 days to sort out alllll my activities into different categories.  Wish I had did it a long time ago!! Come follow me :]

                            

4. My bestest friend and I got together and had a little work party with some yummy fondue... she got out her laminator, sharpies, smelly markers, and poster board and we did a few things that we never get around to and always wanted to do for our classroom.  Going back to Pinterest, it has the BEST anchor charts and poster ideas... here are two that I created for my classroom :]

5. I bought my first font license from Tonya's Treats for Teachers.. I am very excited and look forward to using Tonya's fonts in most of my products.  She is such a wonderful gal too :]

 

So glad I got to link up with Doodle Bugs Teaching :] I hope you all have a wonderful, wonderful weekend!!



Common Core

Hi all! :] It is almost midnight, but since I am on February break I have been staying up late and trying to be productive.  I just had some fabulous ladies help me out by checking over my Reading Common Core Task Cards, and I am happy to say that they are live up on Teachers Pay Teachers and Teacher's Notebook! Please check them out :]

The Common Core learning is very important so our students stay on track.. working at a private school, it is not emphasized as much as the public schools, but I make sure to stay on top of it because I want my kiddies to be successful - I love them, and I want to give them all I got as a teacher so they are prepared for 4/5th grade.  I am proud of my ELA Common Core Pack as it has been selling quite nicely over the past couple days.  :] Thank you SO much to all of you for your support and love. I have re-did my Government Unit, Poetry Unit, and now Weather Unit.. all new and improved, better content, fonts, and additional resources.  It took me a LONG TIME but I am so glad I did it since those 3 units are my "Top 3 Sellers".  Please check them out at both my stores!!

I wanted to show you FIVE Common Core products that I think are just fabulous... Please check them out!!

From What the Teacher Wants.. Rachelle has amazing common core checklists for a few different grade levels!! Here is the one for first (one of her best sellers!)

From 3rd Grade Gridiron.. my girl Dana has a 89 page pack full of assessments for ELA for third grade.. Amazing! You need to get this if you are a 3rd grade teacher!

From Deanna Jump... the most talked about TPT seller and millionaire :] She has one of the best all time Common Core sellers for Kindergarten out there... Already has over 2,000 feedback messages! WOW! Such a sweet gal too :]

From Rachel Lynette... she is my go to girl for task cards.. she has the most AMAZING bundles and for such a cheap price!! I have a few of her task card sets, and this is one of my favorites.. perfect for the Common Core, please check these out!!

From One Extra Degree... let's not forget about Poetry!! There are 75 pages from Amanda's Poetry Centers, aligned with the Common Core!! Amanda is another talented lady with many amazing products out there.

 

Don't forget about my GIVEAWAY that I am having.. you can win $25 to TGI Fridays [yum!] and any two products from my teacher store!! Tell your friends!

 

By the way, my Pinterest is under construction.. I have finally decided to divide all my teacher delights that I have found into appropriate categories.. boy, I wish I had done that sooner than later!! It has taken me a few days, and I am STILL not done :[ Advice - if you have not already created a pinterest and you want to, do NOT bunch all of your activities into one category.. organize first ;]

I also messed up my Pinterest account by trying to pin from my blog from my Kindle Fire.. do not do this because now it won't let me pin at all from my blog because of "spam/inappropriate content." I was so excited to pin that I tried over and over and over.. and finally, it cut me off.  I can't wait until they respond and I can start pinning again!!
Come follow me anyway!!! :] http://pinterest.com/lauralove2teach/

Love to Teach February Giveaway!

Hi everyone! I decided to have throw a spontaneous giveaway :) I love the 3AM Teacher and Kevin and Amanda Fonts so I included them in this graphic ;) I have not had a giveaway in a while, and I want to treat my fellow teachers to a night out to dinner and a couple products from either one of my teacher stores! Enter to win a 25 dollar gift card to TGI Fridays (I hope there is one in your area!) and any 2 products from my store.  Giveaway going on from FEBRUARY 17-FEBRUARY 24 at midnight! Check out the rafflecopter below to enter starting at midnight tonight XOXO Love you all, I hope you all have a fabulous weekend!
http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/88e1c35/


I am on February break right now and I made a few goals for myself :]
1. Catch up on my beauty sleep
2. Find awesome activities for the common core & state testing
3. Lesson plan and get all caught up since report cards are due soon!
4. Make another product on TPT and TN
5. Find some time for me and relaaax! (Maybe get a massage?!)
6. Workout at least 5 times during my break

Valentine's Love and Craft

Happy Valentine's Day to you all! I hope you had a wonderful day and enjoyed spending time and sharing the love with your students and loved ones.  I had a great (but hectic) day with my lovely kiddos, but I am excited for February break coming up.  I know many teachers do not receive a February break and they get a longer Christmas break than I do, but I like the split up.  I just wish it wasn't so early this year!

Check out our adorable candy holders that me and Miss Mound's class made :) So cute!! Heather is a lot better than me with keeping up with Pinterest and finding the best ideas!! Check out this pin HERE and how you can make a DIY Candy Jar/Gumball Machine!

Posted below is my finished candy jar :) I can't wait to put it in my apartment!! I hope Mike likes it!

Also, we made delicious Valentine's ice cream sodas!! Also found on Pinterest, here :) [What did we do before Pinterest?] Even though I am on a "diet/changing lifestyle", I HAD to have one of these!!

The love of my life of 3+ years and counting got me a half dozen roses and a half dozen carnations :) He also got me a beautiful necklace/earrings set, and the adorable pug that you see below!

I am still in the process of updating my TPT and TN activties... so far, Government Unit is fixed, and I JUST finished my Poetry Unit!! :) Please check it out on Teachers Pay Teachers and of course, Teacher's Notebook!

TPT and TN are both wonderful, but I am so happy that Teacher's Notebook will be featuring my ELA Common Core Pack in the upcoming newsletter!! Steve and Debbie are amazing!!

Speaking of awesomeness, I think I am going to be getting my fonts from Tonya's Treats for Teachers from now on!! She is a great and talented gal, so I am definitely going to get a commercial license once she gets going... Please check out her blog if you haven't already and show her some LOVE :] Tell her Love to Teach sent you!

Well, I am tired and need to try to wake up in the morning to do my workout.. I have been so exhausted, but it doesn't help that it's already close to midnight by the time I go to bed! Again, I hope you all had a wonderful Valentine's Day, whether you are single or taken, live with someone or alone, always know that there is someone that cares for you!!
And you are all the best teachers!!

Snow Day

Hey all! Very happy today was a snow day.. we only had one last year, and we haven't had a delay or one yet this year, so it was deserved.  It didn't start snowing until later on in the afternoon, but it's better to be safe and have the kiddies home with their families and babysitters instead of trying to drive in the snow to get them.  The kids missed their 100th day of school today, but the celebration will definitely be happening on Monday! Check out my Tshirt I made :) The pom-poms already had 100 in the package, all I had to do was spread them out!

What did you do own your snow day (if you had one)?  This is what I accomplished:
1. Working out
2. Napping (most of my day)
3. Catching up on Price is Right, Maury, and Let's Make a Deal
4. Finishing my new and improved, Government Unit
I'd say, overall that it was a great day. I probably would've been more productive if I was in school mode, but I need a break sometimes too! I am enjoying a Friday night in with my honey with movies and (fat free) popcorn.  I wanted to do lesson planning, finish my ELA unit, and all that, but whatevs! The only thing I really need to get to is making two picture boards for my boyfriend's 30th birthday party tomorrow :] I love him, I already gave him his present early (couldn't help it).. a new pair of Jordan kicks! Only the best for my babe!

So I am on this "inspirational path" of revamping my TPT/TN products.. and first up was definitely my Government Unit.  It's crazy how much you learn over the course of even a year... I wish I could change ALL my old units and make them better... this money has helped me out more than anyone knows.  I will not be making any big milestones any time soon, but even 100 dollars helps.  Thank you to all of you XOXO Check out the unit!! It's up on Teacher's Notebook and Teacher's Pay Teachers! And if you have already purchased, please re-download and let me know what you think :)

Currently and Super Bowl Sale!

Even with all the busy-ness of my life, I always look forward to blogging for Farley's "Currently's." She is unbelievable and always brings us bloggy teachers together :) Join in on the fun by clicking HERE! I hope you are all enjoying the beginning of the month of February.  I actually feel like this is one of my busiest months.. doing more prepping my kiddos for the state tests.. superbowl [which last year was waaaay better with the giants ;) ]... valentine's day... michael's birthday [30 this year!]... and we just had our Catholic School Week! It was crazy busy--Hat day, Hawaiian day, Western day, School Spirit day, and Royal day.  The kids LOVED it and that's all that matters! (even if my throat does hurt).  February break is coming up... who's with me? Excited, and hoping that I get everything done that needs to be done so I can actually ENJOY it... but then again, that would be my first break ever ;)

Pet peeves - that was something to think about.  Lying is the worst thing, and my kiddos know it.. granted, they are 9 and 10 years old, but they know to tell me the truth because they will get less consequences if I find out that they lied to me about the situation.. oh boy! ;) I guess cheating goes along with lying.. only because, really? Just break up with the person!! I am seen too many people hurt by cheating.. messes up their whole lives and their children's lives.  If you are not happy, then communicate!... That is my rant about that.  And animals.. they are everything to me.  If I could, I would be vegetarian.  Here is my cute little Zoey.

I am currently working on a ELA Common Core Unit, and it's already 39 pages.. it will probably end up being around 100 I am sure, because there are not just readings and posters, but games with have lots of printables that after you print in color and laminate, can last you a very long time! I can't help but using color because the kids love it and it will last me years and years :) 

I am also trying to continue with my 90 day weight loss challenge.. it's almost been 3 full weeks.. I have NO idea where the time has gone.. My next weigh in is Monday so we will see if I lose any weight--I have lost a total of 3.5 pounds thus far which I am very proud of! I am also continuing Insanity, but only 4 times a week.. makes me feel strong.  I highly recommend it if you really want a hardcore challenge!



I wanted to show you my friend Holly (since Kindergarten)'s creation for a friend of mine.  ADORABLE! She actually started her business with making the most adorable bows, but now she is crocheting hats... look at this cute owl one she made for a toddler?? Sorry my phone camera quality is so bad, but you can see how amazing her talent is!! Check out her facebook page for more examples.. she literally can do ANYTHING!
http://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Bee-Belles-Baubles/277719062262787

 

Don't forget about the amazing sales going on on TPT and TN!!! Click HERE to check out my TPT store for 28% off February 3rd and February 4th when you use the code: super. And click HERE to check out my Teacher's Notebook sale of 30% February 2nd and February 3rd!! Going on now with so many amazing teacher stores so go check them out!!
Look how cute Ashley Hughes' clipart is? She's the best... Click here to visit her blog and link up!