TPT {Seller} Challenge

I'm taking on a challenge and SUPER excited about it! I'm joining the TPT {Seller} Challenge!

Let's be honest...I hadn't posted in 4 months until last week. I need something to get me in gear! :) Here is a look at my stats:

Now...let's chat about my stats:
Facebook - I was in a Fourth of July hop a few years ago and my FB page blew up. I'm very thankful for that. Since then...FB has changed and I notice not as many people see my posts. I also need to be more interactive with my followers.
Instagram: I have a personal instagram...but not one for my blog. That is about to CHANGE!
Twitter: I signed up a few years ago...but I'm a little scared of twitter! :)
Pinterest: I use pinterest DAILY...but both my personal and blog are on the same account and I'm okay with that.
Bloglovin': I remember being SO excited that I finally had 1000 followers on Google...only to find out they were no longer going to do google. I was so upset! I love Bloglovin' so much more! :) Change is good!
TPT: I love my store...but I need to a pay more attention to it! :)

I'm super excited about the changes that will occur! I hope you will join too!!!

1 comment Tags: linky party, teachers pay teachers

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Kindergarten Tips

First and foremost...Hi! Really? Has it been 4 months since I have blogged? Apparently so. I am so sorry. But...I am on summer break and have been for 2 weeks so....hopefully I am back. I am so excited my friend Mary from Sharing Kindergarten is having a linky party. What an easy way to get back into the swing of things!

 

I am by no means an expert, but I have been teaching Kindergarten for 13 years. Here are a few things I wish I had known from day 1!

 

 

 I began doing this 2 years ago. I get on my knees (to be at their eye level) and greet them daily with a hug first thing in the morning as they walk in the door. I start this on day 1. It takes some kids a little while to hug me back, but they all do. It is the best way to start the day. Some kids don't get hugs at home. I want them to know they are safe with me and that I love them. I feel this little step has changed the dynamics in my classroom. They know they are loved by me.  Their hugs and get tighter and tighter as the years go on. Trust me....this is a game changer guys!

 

I know you have TONS of standards to teach. You have so many assessments to give. You are held accountable. I do know that...but they are 5. Let them be little. Let them giggle, laugh, and play. It is easy to incorporate it in your centers. They have no idea they are learning. Brain breaks are my favorite way to let them dance and laugh!

This is one of my favorites. I have been creating a hard copy scrapbook for each kiddo since my first year. I take several pictures each month and keep several of their writing pieces and art pieces. I (my assistant does a lot of the work) puts it together throughout the year and then binds it together. This year I also created a digital scrapbook. There are TONS of great tutorials on this. (Mary has one!) I am SO happy I did this. I cannot tell you how many parents come back and thank me and tell me their high school student got their scrapbook out and was looking through it. I know I will enjoy looking back at the digital scrapbook many years from now!

Lordy. This one is important. The first month is ROUGH. Like dead-dog tired rough. BUT...it does get easier. We start the first week of August. I always remind myself that if I can make it to Labor Day...I'm all good. They are learning the routine and learning the ropes. Just reinforce the rules and routines consistently and they will get it. Listen...I still have to remind myself of this rule after 13 years!!!!

There are TONS of awesome K teachers in the blogging world and we are all here for each other. I hope you gain a lot from these tips!

2 comments Tags: linky party, quick tips

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Go Noodle Sanity Savers

First of all, HELLO! I realize I haven't posted in over a month! YIKES!
When I saw that Elizabeth at Kickin' It in Kindergarten was having a GoNoodle linky party I knew that was my chance to get back on board! I am always amazed when people tell me they haven't gotten on board with Go Noodle yet! Y'all. It's awesome! My kiddos LOVE it. (And I do too!)

Brain Break: Roller Coaster is one of their favorites. Here is a quick glimpse:

They love anything Koo Koo Kanga Roo really!!!

Happy Place: I'm happy anywhere with my family, but especially here:

I LOVE Destin, Florida. We go every fall break (and now Spring Break too) but we didn't go this past Spring Break because we went to Disney so I really seem to be missing it right now! (I did go in August for a weekend boat Poker Run with hubby but didn't get to lay on the beach. GASP! I know!)

Guilty Pleasure:  Jane.com. Y'all. It's bad. Yes. Items for $4-$25 is a great deal....but when you buy 10 in a week...not so much! I need an intervention.

Keep Calm and...Pray for a Snow Day! I know. I know. I was sick of them last year. (We had 18) But in general...I LOVE Snow Days. It was a possibility of ice/sleet tonight but I think it's gonna miss us. It looks warm for the next 10 days. Maybe in February! 

1 comment Tags: gonoodle, linky party

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November Currently

Hello. Lordy. Where did the month go? I just cannot seem to get a good blogging schedule going! I don't know about y'all about but last week just about killed me! Red Ribbon Week and Halloween...WHEW! That makes for 1 LONG week! We survived and had a blast. I'm ready for a more calming (and shorter) week! I'm linking up with Farley today.

 

Listening - To my little on watch DocMcStuffins

Loving - The time change. I know I'm weird but I LOVE when we fall back. I love that we gain another hour in the day and I am so excited that it won't be pitch black when we leave for school now. I know it gets dark earlier (but I secretly enjoy that). I won't feel as bad in my pj's at 5:30!

Thinking - I have GOT to finish my November Write the Room today. #1 because we need it in class and #2 I may or may not have not finished my October unit until October 26. Gotta get ahead.

Wanting - I've been on the look for a good pair of black boots that I really like...within my budget. I've not found them but I'm going on a shopping trip next weekend for my birthday!

Needing - To Diet and get serious! Y'all...it's bad.

Reading - Nothing. I LOVE to read but I really don't read a book unless I am on vacation or it is the summer. If I get into a good book I cannot put it down. That means I am up reading a book at 1am on a school night when I am normally in bed by 9:30. 

I hope you will link up with Farley too!

4 comments Tags: currently, linky party

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Five for Friday

I'm liking up with Kacey for Five for Friday today.

 

 

 

 

I'm soaking up this summer with this one. We make a pretty good team and had a great 1st week together!

 

 

 

I've been doing a lot of this and I look forward to a lot more!!!

 

 

 

I'm finishing up parts of my house that need to be completed. I haven't hung pictures yet and it's been a year. It's a commitment problem, BUT I've decided on a collage about my couch. This pretty thing from Z Gallerie will be among the mix! Loving him!

 

 

 

Uh...look how adorable this shirt is! One of my sweeties wore it the last day of school and I about died. I immediately got on my phone and ordered my little one for her last day of K next year!!! Wanna know where I got it! Justice.  (Ok...I despise that store. Sorry. Personal opinion. I try to stick to Crewcuts, GAP, Target, Carters for my little one. The less I can expose her to that store the better it is for me. She likes sparkly and LOUD...me...not so much!)

 

 

 

One of my summer goals is to complete a bunch of TPT units. This puppy is up first. I've been working on it for a few months...just haven't had time to finish it!!! Hopefully it will be up next week!

2 comments Tags: five for Friday, linky party

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My Summer Bucket List

Woo Hoo! I am a little late to the party...but I am FINALLY on Summer Vacation!!! My last day was last Thursday!!! Unfortunately, it should have been the 16th but we all know the story..SNOW! We have about 7 weeks off before I head back for PD. I have a lot I want to accomplish this summer so I'm joining Deanna's linky party.

1. Spend as much quality time with this little girl. She will SERIOUSLY be in Kindergarten next year. I have NO idea where time goes. Please tell me if you know. I think it is really hitting me hard because I know Kindergarten like no other. I know they aren't babies anymore...so that means she isn't a baby anymore! :(

 

2. Organize and finish this home. We have been in it for a little over a year and there are still some things that need to be finished and a few rooms that need to be completed.

3. Finish the 4 big products for TPT that I have been working on ALL YEAR LONG. I just can not get it done during the school year. I can not wait to get it all completed and in my store!

4. Go to this LOVELY place with my husband. So excited and can not wait to relax. (Although it will be the longest by far that I've ever left my little one!)

5. Plan a better organizing system for my classroom. I want to be better organized with my student data, notes, etc. I'm not sure if I will complete it or I will purchase something from TPT but it has to be done! I've been pinning!!!

6. Organize my classroom library. I am going to be sorting it by genre and by reading level. I've pinned lots of great ideas...just gotta get it done!

7. CRAFT and SEW....I've got lots of sewing projects on the back burner but it's time to complete them. I am basically vinyling my whole classroom this year so I need to get that silhouette out and get busy!!!

8. Blog more. My poor blog has been neglected lately. I'm going to try to make an effort to blog at least 4 times a week. I enjoy it so much but it has been the last thing on my list. I miss my readers and I miss reading blogs!!!

9. Diet and Exercise. I did T25 before school ended and started dieting. I lost a little weight and felt better. I'm back on the diet wagon today and well, exercise.....maybe it will come too!

10. Relax. That's a hard one for me. I don't relax well at all, but I'm going to try and really enjoy the summer!

It's rainy here today so maybe I should start with organizing the inside of this house!

2 comments Tags: linky party, summer

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Five for Friday and New Blog Design

I am finally linking up for Doodle Bug's Five for Friday Linky Party!

 

 

1

Can you guess where I am????? It is FINALLY my Spring Break and I am in the good ol' state of Florida.

 

 

2

 

Specifically in the Rosemary Beach/Santa Rosa area. I LOVE this area. It is so quaint and southern!

 

 

3

 

Speaking of Southern. I saw this on a tea towel in Seaside. I die. Love it.

 

 

4

 

We are working on long vowels, specifically long e using this unit. Anywho....the students were to read the word and draw a picture. My teaching partner brought a student's paper over cracking up! Funniest thing ever!

 

 

 

5

 

We are doing our Easter theme next week. We will be doing this craft I blogged about here. Is it an egg or a bunny? You can grab your free one here.

 

 

Okay...now on to the exciting news. Do you LOVE my new blog design??? I do. Parker created it for me and he was so wonderful to work with! He worked and worked until it was just what I wanted. I still have a few pages to update, but I am loving my new design! I'm thinking I feel a giveaway next week (after my vacation) to celebrate! Stay tuned!

 

 



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Currently March

March? Is it March? Really....I didn't know because we have ICE and 4-9 inches of snow coming down! Worst. Winter. Ever.
I am linking up with Farley for her Currently series again. You have GOT to check out her blog design. It is ADORABLE! I LOVE the buck!!!! Here is my currently for March!

 

Yes...this weather is killing me if you cannot tell! I want my summer!!!!

 

Loving - I am SUPER excited that I just paid for my blog design tonight! I cannot wait. I've been dying for one and finally took the plunge tonight.

 

Wanting - To finish those products. I'm going to try to work on them tomorrow but I also try hard to spend time with my child when we are home together. I don't get those days often!

 

Needing - I've been trying to be healthy. We are eating healthy and working out. Something about this weather makes me wanna eat. We had pizza tonight (not good) and I didn't hit the elliptical. I am supposed to start T25 with my team when we go back to school. (If we ever go back!)

 

And my ?????? - You guess. What was my question that would have lead to those answers. The first one to guess wins my Lucky Me St. Patty's Day unit! Leave your answers and email in the comments below!!!

20 comments Tags: currently, linky party

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Currently February

I seriously cannot believe it is already February. I'm still writing 13 on my checks! I'm linking up with Farley for her Currently series.

 

Loving - SO excited we are going to school! We have had 8 snow days this year. 5 of those the students don't have to make up (but we do). From now on they are tacked onto the end of the school year! BOO!!!! We didn't go today because we got a surprise 3-5 inches in our county. Tomorrow we are going...but I'm guessing we will have an early release. They are predicting ice!

 

Wanting - I need some prayers for a friend tonight. All are appreciated!

 

Truth - I have been working out almost nightly. Those who know me probably think that is the fib. HA! Nope! We bought an elliptical machine and I have promised to use it. I'm quite proud of myself because I despise it!

Truth - We turned down a trip we won (through my husbands business) to the Atlantis. Before you hate me...listen to my reasoning (because trust me...I pro and conned it like crazy!)

Pros: The trip is paid for (as in the flight and room), A week of relaxation, Time alone with hubby,

Cons: The trip is not inclusive...would have cost us $2500ish, I have to take 5 unpaid days, sub plans for that week plus be prepared for when I come back, I HATE flying, I've never left my daughter for more than 3 days (7 out of the country was not happening), I don't know any of the people going with us. See how the Cons won??

 

Fib - I love to Cook. Ha! Not. So. Much. Nuff. Said.

 

I hope you will link up!

 

 

2 comments Tags: currently, linky party

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Happy Near Year and Currently

Happy New Year!!!!

Well, almost another month went by and no blogging from me! :( Sorry friends. December got the best of me, as I know it did everyone. I have thoroughly enjoyed my break, although sadly it ends for me tomorrow! I SO wish we had off until next Monday like a lot of folks. (Although they are calling for an inch of snow...so it is possible we will be off!) Since we just have a 2 day week, we won't be doing literacy center rotations and small reading groups. We will take some time to review rules, discuss what we did over the break, and enjoy getting back into routines. Instead, we will be doing these activities the next 2 days!

This small unit contains 5 literacy and 5 math centers. Here is a little of what you will see in this unit (all centers come with recording sheets as well):

Sentence Scramble

Count and Record (1-10 or 11-20)

Syllable Count

 

Sight Words in ABC Order

 

Unscramble the sight word

 

 

You will also find centers for skills covering CVC words, counting, on, greater than or less than, graphing, and ordering numbers from least to greatest. This is the perfect unit to get your kids started back in the New Year!!!! Grab it by clicking on any of the pictures above!

I also wanted to join Farley in her Currently series. I tried to do it some last year. I hope I can remember to do it each month this year! :)

 

It is SUPER cold here and I am very thankful for my warm home!!!

This year so SOOOOOOOOOOOO magical for Lilly with her elf and Santa. She was TOTALLY into it and couldn't wait each day to see where her elf was and what he had been up to! I wish I could put that age into a bottle and hold on to it forever!!!!!

 

I hope you will link up with Farley too!!! I'll be back sooner rather than later!

 

3 comments Tags: currently, linky party, new year

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Inspiring (Non-Teaching) Blogs

The blogging world is nothing new to me. I began blogging for personal reasons back in 2006 when I was planning my wedding. It was so much fun and although my personal blog is private now (and I may or may not have posted on it in a year), I love having that record of my life since before my husband and I were married.
Since I have been blogging WAY before I found these awesome teacher blogs....I follow quite a few blogs that are non-teaching related so....I'm linking up to share them with you!

 

First up is a blog I have been reading FOREVER!!! Sweet Kelly from Kelly's Korner.

 

I will NEVER forget the day she had Harper (as I sat in bed 5 1/2 months pregnant myself) and I read the story of her birth and how both Kelly and Harper were not doing well. I bawled like a baby. Forever. I followed so closely has Harper struggled to hang on to life, but thank goodness came home after over a month in the hospital. Kelly is so sweet, southern, and such a wonderful example of a great Christian. Love her!

 

I also love Cara Carroll's Pearls, Handcuffs, and Happy Hour.

 

I am so.not.a.cook. Like I don't like it and I don't think I'm very good. About a year and 1/2 ago, I found Cara's blog. I have tried several of her recipes and not only are they easy, but SO good. I love that she has pictures (because I am a visual learner) and takes me through the process. If I can do it, you can too!!!

 

A more recent favorite of mine is Young House Love.

 

 

They are a young couple who purchase a home, live in it, as they flip it. The crazy thing is that as we were building our house, I was OBSESSED with lighting from Shades of Light. About 80% of the lights in our house came from there. I noticed the Young House Love collection, but didn't realize that it was this couple with a blog. I recently found there blog and was like "Oh wait! I love their lighting collection!" Anywho...they are in their 3rd house and I love reading their daily posts and watching their house transform.

 

Another blog I love it Tatertots and Jello.

 

 

This is a blog full of crafting and creating and decorating...all DIY. I LOVE crafting. I love it, just don't have the time like I want. If I did...I'd be ALL OVER everything they do.

 

Also, don't forget about the AWESOME Winterlicious bundle going on over at Educents. You don't wanna miss it. I promise!!!

 

 

 

 

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