Willy Wonka, Linky, Dandelion Clocks, and Task Cards

Hello hello! I am feeling pretty good tonight even though I have lots of work I am going to complete, but I got a massage from a few find in East Greenbush, NY - It's called Revival Salon and Spa.  They were all so nice there!  My massage therapist was Kimber Coler, and she was such a sweetheart.  She made me feel so very comfortable and relaxed!

I wanted to share something with you that touched me about Kimber... she has epilepsy, and she has a service dog, Willy Wonka (Willy for short).  He was trained to stay with Kimber, and can even let Kimber know of signs of a seizure very early on.. one hour or two hours before it happens!  You are not allowed to pet Willy while he is on the job, because that's just it - he has a job to do.  When the vest comes off, Willy is free to play and do as he pleases.  It touched me so much!  You know how much I love animals and how I try to do my fundraising and everything, and it just goes to show you how genuine, loyal, and extremely intelligent dogs can be with the right training and care.  Don't worry Kimber does not have seizures all the time, but it is great that Willy is there! See below for an adorable picture of him :) Check out Revival Salon and Spa if you are in the area!!

 

I am linking up with Bunting, Books, and Banbridge with one of the cutest linky's I have seen.  How important it is to let our lovely friends know how much they are appreciated and how much we love them!! Check it out and link up!

I have MANY blogging buddies that are just so dear to my heart, that it was difficult to choose... I picked Sara Ventrella from Ms V's Busy Bees because she is such a caring, dear blogging buddy to me. I love her like a sister, and would do anything for her.  Make sure you check out her blog and become a follower.. she's a talented, darling lady!! XO 

 

My class and I created these cute dandelion clocks that we made with just some markers and white paint (and a q tip! I love q tip painting!!) You can tell which way the wind was blowing in each picture too.. so cute!

 

I have updated some products, but I also wanted to show you my latest... Fourth Grade Common Core Task Cards.. sweet and simple, yet engaging for your kiddos.  Perfect for a math center game or test prep review with your fourth graders... if your third graders need a challenge, or fifth graders need a review, then come and check it out! Thank you SO much for your support and following me... for reading through this entire post, be the first THREE to comment with your e-mail, and receive my task cards for FREE :] Thanks again lovelies!  Have a good rest of the week!

 

I leave you with a picture I created of my hamster, Pancake.. love him so much! I created this candy dish with my class during Valentine's Day, and I decidd to have Pancake check it out :P

 

Currently for March

I love the beginning of each month because all of us lovely bloggers get to participate in Farley's Currently Linky Party :] I think it is most likely the most successful linky party out there for teachers because she is oh so wonderful & it brings us all together with what we love, hate, wish, want, and need at the moment. Love it! So click here and head on over to check out what it's all about!

 

I don't have cable, so when I come to my parent's house to do laundry [I still live in the same town as them!] I get to have my fulfillment of reality tv! Some of my favorites are on MTV and E! I love the Kardashians and fashion-type shows... so I am getting my Rachel Zoe Project fill :]

 

My gala is tonight for my school.  It is optional for the teachers to attend, but we all are so it should be a good time - I just like getting dressed up and pretty!

 

Thinking that I have no time [or strength in my hands] to continue to fix my older TPT/TN products, and create more. I need to though because I need a new car! You have no idea how old and beat up my car is, it's terrible.. but just can't afford it right now! If I can continue to create teacher products that are great for you, it'll help me with bills and expenses and all that for everyday life, and then I can THINK about getting a nicer used car ;]

 

I like smelly stickers and any smelly markers... they are so fun, even for the older kids!

I love animals.. every kind! My friend Sara Ventrella at Miss V's Busy Bees just got the most adorable pup, Tucker.. check him out here! She's my bestie :]

I hate disorganization... organization is such a love of mine.  Even though I may not always be the best at it, it makes me happy!....................................

 

Haha and I just realized that I did this "Like, love, and hate" wrong.. so my new pics are: lollipops, lists, and lateness! I like lollipops because they are yummy [cherry], I love lists and being organized, and I hate [including myself] when things are late!

I hope you enjoyed my Currently for this month... Happy March!!



My TPT Finds and Friends

Hello all! :) I am linking up wtih Tales from Room 112, the wonderful Erin and her linky party!! I always love this time of year (and back to school) when TPT has their huge sales where (I hope) all of my teacher friends are VERY successful!  This year, I don't have much money so I only made a few purchases...

 

My favorite is Rachel Lynette.  How wonderful is she?  One of the TOP sellers, I could not help but buy her task cards to help my students in my classroom.  I am very excited to use these!!

 Even though my budget is tight, I want to direct you to my favorite sellers and some of them happen to be my very best blogging buddies...

Please click on each picture to visit their TPT store and enjoy their wonderful sales!!!

 

Nicole Shelby... AMAZING! I would buy her whole store if I could!

 

Rachelle Smith is like a celebrity to me.. her products are PERFECT!!

 

 

Sara Ventrella... wonderful, talented lady, sweet as can be! (My BBFF!)

 

Hadar Moar... my extremely talented beautiful friend and has the most perfect primary products (a little alliteration right there!)

 

Where else would I get my graphics?! Michelle Tsivgadellis from the 3AM Teacher!!! Amazing clipart, especially for the holidays!!

 

I could probably go on and and on with my purchases. There are too many teachers/sellers to name that are just incredible and that I love.  One Extra Degree, Sunny Days in Second Grade, Jodi Southard, Amy Lemons, Ashleigh, and so many more... I wish I had time to write about all of them! :)

 

 

Don't forget to check out my own sale as well...

 My Teachers Pay Teachers store and My Teacher's Notebook store!!!

 

I was looking at all my products and I have THIRTY freebies featured!! Holy cow, that's a lot.. I will have to go through them all someday and tweek them to make them even better.  Someday when I actually get a free minute.

They include:

My Writing Posters

 

My Reading Response Journals

 

Thinkmarks

100th Day Activities

 

 

Christmas Word Search

And so much more!!! Please check out my stores and become a follower and leave feedback... it means so much to me :) Every purchase counts in helping me succeed as a teacher and pay for all the "little things" (and of course big things like food and rent).  Thank you again!

 

 



Motivational Monday and Goals Linky

Hi my wonderful teaching friends! How is everyone?  I had a wonderful birthday filled of TONS of love from my friends, family, and Mike... I am so gosh darn lucky, I really am XOXO

I know it's not Monday, but it sure feels like it since I had yesterday off... So I am linking up with Sara over at Smiling in Second Grade and Kimberly over at The Learning Tree for their Motivational Monday!! :)

 

When I saw this quote, it really hit home to me, because I am definitely an overachiever and always try to do EVERYTHING and be superwoman, but I just have to remember to be the BEST person I can be :) 

 

Life is too short! And how cute is this puppy? :) You DESERVE to be happy and fill your heart with love and happiness rather than waste it on hate and complaints.

 

 I like this picture because it reminds me of how great I feel when I accomplish things.  Right now, I want to accomplish my goals with teaching and losing weight, but even more, making more time for myself.

 

 Haha how cute!! For my entire life I depended on others for my happiness, but you have to remember that you can be your own hero too!  You can be independent and make yourself happy too!

Well, that's for my Motivational Monday (Even though it's Tuesday!) I am still feeling motivated soo...

I am also linking up with Jenn over at Party of One and Jessica over at Fantastically Average.. but have you seen Jessica?! She's such a cutie, definitely not average! I am a new follower of Jenn and Jessica, and found her through my amazingly wonderful bestie, Sara!! Love her! This is my first time linking up with Five for Five goals, but hey, it's never too late to start...

So here goes my list!

1.) For this week I will eat healthy every day in the morning and in the afternoon, and I will also make 3 out of 5 dinners healthy and NOT EAT OUT! :) I need to do this for me, and also throw in exercising at least 3 days this week. Insanity, here I come!

2.) Clean out my clothes that are scattered in my bedroom.  There is a huge pile that I pick through and leave a mess (which is sooo not me) so my goal this week is to clean it up!

3.) Another goal for me is to read. I need to find a good book for me to pick up and start reading in my "free" time.  Even just to start one, it will be good for me to get back into the enjoyment of reading.  I am open to suggestions!

4.) Try something new with my kids...whether it's a new art project or game or way of teaching, I am switching it up this week.

5.) Last but not least. it's actually most important, I need to at least find a half hour a day to RELAX.  I literally never do, and don't remember the last time I have (which is why my back and neck ache from knots.. my massage therapist told me she has never in all her career seen the pain and knots in me!) so that is important for me to do. RELAX!

Wish me luck!! And don't forget to link up! :)

My Birthday

Ahh I am so excited that it is my birthday today :) (Mostly) everyone loves their birthday! I turn 27 today, which is not that old at all.. some people may think that is old that are around my age, but it's not! I feel older than I am, and really need to get back into eating better and working out but it's so hard.  Well anyways, enough of that.. I don't need to worry about that on my birthday! ;)

I haven't been able to really "blog" because I have been so busy trying to get all my work done and stay on top of things.  There is always "something", isn't there?
Well, I know Halloween has passed, but I wanted to show you all a picture of what I was for Halloween.. I was a Super Teacher! Pinterest/TPT inspired, the Kindergarten teachers were doing it and I became an honorary member since I really had no time to think about a costume.  Here is a picture of me and co-teacher Heather!! She was a cute CHEETAH and won the contest for Best Teacher Costume :)

Heather has been a wonderful person to work with this year.  We bounce off each other's ideas and do a lot of activities with our classes.  She planned a wonderful birthday party for me and a couple other students in our grades :) So much fun!
We made T shirts from an awesome Pinterest idea.. all you need is sandpaper and crayons, and then iron on your design, and it comes out AMAZING! I was owl inspired by The 3AM Teacher... I tried to draw a similar owl to her design here:

Here are a few other examples that our kiddies did! They absolutely loved it.  *If you do this activity, just make sure you press hard with the crayons so it will come out as clear and dark as it possibly can!

 

Look at these adorable cupcakes we had for a snack one day... I am sure the parent that made these found this on Pinterest, but if not, they should be on there! So cute... the only downside: the oreos get a tad bit soggy!

There are so many topics to teach in fourth grade, and it's a lot different than third grade.  I am really trying to do fun and creativity projects as well.  We did a small newsletter about current events and the students wrote about Veteran's Day, the presidential election, news from space, Kenya, and more.  The kids loved learning about it and writing a short paragraph about their topics.  For next time, I will have them include illustrations and longer paragraphs.  For this, I wanted it to go out before the election and Veteran's Day.

 

 Veteran's Day is very important to my students so at our Veteran's Day Breakfast on Tuesday, we are going to present cards and I laminated American flag hearts that they will hand out as well.  Our soldiers are such a blessing and such wonderful heroes.

Here are some pictures of my students' adaptation writing and drawings.  They did such a great job and they are continuing to edit and revise.  So important! (Also, the kids LOVE when I post their work on my blog!! It makes them even more proud)

It would mean a lot to me if you could vote for me for the Mary Kay Contest.. thanks so much!!!

And on a final note, I absolutely love my bloggy buddy Sara... she's the biggest sweetheart and so easy to talk to.  I am so happy that we have quickly bonded! I was so excited to participate in Sara's Giveaway, and I was so wonderfully surprised to find out I was a WINNER of her prize #1... I spent a great deal of time looking at the amazing prizes the teachers are giving away.  My kids are going to love the TPT products that I am going to choose!! Thank you again for this amazing giveaway, Sara!!

My boyfriend is the best; it was our 3 year anniversary a few days ago, and he gave me these beautiful diamond earrings and this beautiful lucky bamboo plant :) I love him so much!

Since it's my birthday (and I still love giving), I will give the first FIVE people that comment on my post, any TPT/TN product they want!! :) 5 is my favorite number, so please comment below with your e-mail and what product you would like!!!