Liebster Award Nominations

I hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving!

 

Don't forget about the TpT sale. There are a lot of great deals out there! Click on the picture to go to my little store.

 

 

I am feeling the bloggy love. I haven't been blogging long, but I can definitely tell there are people out there who care and who work hard. It is nice to get on the computer after a long day of inspiring a love of learning in little ones and seeing all the blog posts of others who have a passion for inspiring learners. It just warms my heart and keeps me inspired me! :)

I have been nominated for the Liebster Award by Learning With Mrs. Leeby and Teaching Snip-Its. What a blessing. Just a couple of months ago, I didn't know anything about these ladies. What an awesome feeling.

 

 

The Liebster Award is for new bloggers who have less than 200 followers. It is a way for others to find and follow new bloggers.

 

The rules:

- You must post 11 random things about yourself.

-Answer the questions the nominator set for you.

-Create 11 questions for the people you nominate.

-Choose 11 blogs you love (with less than 200 followers), and link them in your post.

-No tag backs (but please leave me a comment on this post with the URL to your Liebster post so I can learn more about you)!

 

11 Things About Me

1. I do not like to cook, but I absolutely love to eat!

2. I must have coffee on my hour drive to work each day.

3. I am extremely cheap. I clip coupons for nearly everything I buy, and I don't buy anything unless it's on sale!

4. I can't carry a tune to save my life, but I love to sing. It's a good thing my first graders don't judge :)

5. Mountain Dew is my soda of choice.

6. I'm a little OCD (just a little or maybe a lot..haha)

7. I got my college degree after having my 3 children.

8. I love anything pink or zebra print.

9. I would rather read children's books than adult books.

10. I do not have any major talents like cooking, sewing, or playing instruments. Those talents just skipped right over me.

11. I could make a living out of shopping (cheaply of course).

 

11 questions asked by Learning With Mrs. Leeby.

1. Do you play an instrument?

No. I tried a clarinet once, but it didn't work out.
2. Where have you travelled?

I've only been to Alabama, Georgia, Florida, and Tennessee.
3. What is your favorite thing to cook or your favorite recipe?

I do not like to cook. When I do, I like it to be something simple like spaghetti or some type of casserole.
4. How long have you been teaching?

This is my third year.
5. What's your zodiac sign?

I am a Leo.
6. Camping or hotel on a beautiful summer weekend?

Hotel
7. Most embarrasing blogging moment?

I'm still new, so I've probably made a ton of mistake.
8. Bath or shower?

Shower for sure! I don't feel clean after a bath.
9. Wine or beer?

Niether. Yuck!
10. Real or fake Christmas tree?

Fake
11. Is blogging taking over all of your free time?

I can't say it takes all of my free time, but it gets a lot of it. It's addicting.

 

11 questions asked by Teaching Snip-Its
1. Why did you want to be a teacher?

I always played teacher as a little girl. I think inspiring little minds is amazing! Teaching is so rewarding!
2. What is your favorite subject to teach?

Since incorporating Daily 5 this year, I'd have to say reading is my favorite.
3. What's your favorite thing to do on your days off?

I like being with my family. We stay up late together and sleep late together.
4. How does your grade level plan together?

We have a 45 minute planning period we use one day out of the week to all sit down together. We are known to talk after school, during our 20 minute lunch as we are all shoving our food down, during other activity times if we have a spare minute, and any other time we can fit in.
5. What is your favorite blog for inspiration?

I can not pick just one. There are so many out there that I follow and have followed for about a year before making my own.
6. What are you afraid of?

Everything. Haha..I'm a scaredy-cat.
7. If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be?

I tend to be very direct, and I sometimes say things in ways that I don't necessarily mean. I would definitely change that and be more tender-hearted. Sadly, I'm not as bad as I used to be. I'm working on it.
8. What is one teaching area you are working on improving this year?

I changed reading to incorporate Daily 5 this year. Now, I am trying to improve my math block.
9. What is your favorite vacation spot?

I love the beach!
10. How long do you spend getting ready for work in the morning?

On myself, maybe 45 minutes, but I fix my girls' hair also.
11. Do you pack a lunch or buy?

I almost always pack my lunch.

 

Questions I am asking:

1. Why did you become a teacher?
2. If you weren't a teacher, what profession would you have choosen?

3. How long have you been teaching?

4. What has been your favorite thing about blogging?

5. What is your favorite holiday?

6. If you had more time in a day, what would you do with that time?

7. If you had any amount of money, what would you buy for your clasroom?

8. What is your favorite food?

9. Where do you like to shop?

10. What is your favorite travel destination?

11. Do you have a favorite shoe to teach in?

 

Blogs I'm nominating:

1. Forehand's Phenomenal Firsties

2. Seriously in Third Grade

3. Mrs. Christy's Leaping Loopers

4. Live, Laugh, I LOVE Kindergarten

5. For the Love of First Grade

6. Rivers' Kindergarten Roundup

7. Little Miss Organized

8. Fun in K/1

9. Crazy About First

10. Tales of a First Grade Teacher

11. Special Teacher for Special Kids

 

What fun that was! Blogging has been such an adventure. I can't wait to see what's to come! Yay! When you answer the questions, please leave me a comment under this post with the link to your post, so I can go read your answers.

Enjoy your week back at school!

 

 

 



 

 

 

 

 



A sale!!

 

I'm going to be offering 20% off of everything in my little shop. When you check out, you will get another 10% off if you enter the code CMT12.

 

 

A sale is always exciting. Is it just me or does a sale make you think you HAVE to have something??!! I know I have my eyes on some things I want need.

 

 

I'm new to blogging and putting things on TpT and TN, but it sure has been fun. I've made a new little Polar Bear Facts pack. Check it out!

 

TpT                 TN

This little fella is included in the Polar Bear Facts Pack. I just think he is too cute, and he will be just right for my little first graders.

 

 

 

My Sweet Christmas Time pack is full of Christmas time fun.

TpT      TN

 

 

I'm way too excited to start using Winter Wonder.

 

TpT      TN

 

 

 

Don't forget there are some cute little freebies in both of my little shops as well.

 

TpT      TN

 

 

TpT       TN

 

 

Have a Blessed and Happy Thanksgiving!! I know I have a lot to be thankful for!

 

 

Worth a Million

I think it is important that teachers tell their students what they are worth. I found some Buttermint Cream candy that had $1,000,000 on it. You will never guess where I found them. You got it, the famous Dollar Tree! I've seen them in there before, but it gave me an idea today, so I made some cute little tags. I give my students a Christmas book each year, but this will be a cute addition to my gift to them. Only because they really are worth a million!

 

 

 

Download it for free!!

 

 

 

Winter Wonder

It's cold here in Alabama again. The cold really makes me feel like a hermit crab. It's ironic how hermit crabs make me think of the beach, but this is definitely not beach weather we are having. Anywho, I finished my Winter Wonder Unit. My sweet little first graders need extra practice with short and long vowels and nonsense words, so I can't wait to let them practice with these. My very own little first grader likes it. Maybe my school babies will, too. My favorite part is that I don't have to laminate anything. The sorting mats are in page protectors. So quick and easy! My kids do a good job of taking care of the things I put out for them, so I don't have to laminate the sorting cards. However, you can for durability if you prefer. Check it out to see all the goodies it includes.

 

TPT      TN
Click the links to check it out.
TPT-Teachers Pay Teachers
TN-Teachers Notebook

 

Don't forget that I also posted a Christmas Tree Family Project Freebie.

TPT  TN
Click the links to check it out.

I will give my Winter Wonder Unit to the first commenter who leaves their email address.
Enjoy your Saturday!





Inspiration and a couple of freebies

I love inspiration! I love it even more when I find it at the Dollar Tree!  

I was browsing the candy isle when I found these.

So, I bought them and made little baggies for my kiddos. All with the help of my own children. I was the nice mom who let them eat some of the candy! :)



Then, I was inspired to make this little graph to go with the candy.
Snag the FREEBIE on TPT or TN.

This could be the next Laura Numeroff book!

I've also been busy making a Christmas pack for my little loves to use. You can check that out on TPT or TN as well.

I even loaded a little Christmas Tree Family Project as a FREEBIE! TPT TN

I'm still working on my Winter Pack. Maybe I will have that completed by the weekend...maybe!

If you made it this far, I will give my Christmas Unit to the first commenter who leaves their email address! :)





 

Brrr, Thanksgiving Unit, and a freebie

It is cold here in little 'ol Alabama. At least it is to me. I feel like I could go into hibernation mode. I don't mind cool weather, but when it goes below 60 degrees, I don't even want to walk out the door. I'd never survive in Alaska! I decided I'd cuddle with my cozy blanket, a cup of coffee, and my computer. I went ahead and finished my Thanksgiving Unit and made a little creative writing freebie from the unit.

Thanksgiving Unit-Reading, Math, Writing, and a Project

 

Creative Thanksgiving Writing Freebie

Stay warm!



 

My Skeleton Cuteness

This is the last day of my fall break. What did I spend it doing? Creating a small little packet for my little loves for next week. I am very excited about it! It's just too stinkin' cute if I do say so myself. I'm going to be teaching about My Skeleton. I really didn't have any cutesy pages to help, so I fixed that problem. This is the perfect time to teach about the human skeleton since Halloween is coming quickly. I've got this baby printed out. All I need to do now is laminate the little girl and boy skeleton heads for my students to make their guess. I'm ready to see how many bones they think are in their body. Off I go to laminate. Happy Sunday!


My Skeleton
Check it out HERE :)

Blog signature

What? What? I have a blog signature. Can you see it? Huh? Huh? No one told me this blog designing thing was going to be so addicting. It has taken a couple of several a 1000 times to get it all right but by golly-gee, I think I have it! For now anyway. Now, I really need to get busy writing my lesson plans for next week. Whew!

Update: I see a box around it! Oh well, I will deal with that another time.

Fall Break, Pumpkins, and Classroom Organization with a Freebie

 

I love that we are on fall break right now. It has given me a chance to slow down and enjoy my rotten little family. On Saturday, I went to a Swamp Gravy Production-Live and Learn with my sweet friend, Andrea over at Forehands Phenomenal Firsties. It was great!! On Sunday, the hubby, kids, and I went to look at some land. We have come to an agreement that both of us driving an hour to work and then an hour back home is just too much. Before the land shopping, we enjoyed lunch together. After land shopping, we enjoyed dinner together. We like to eat! :)
Having a fall break this year has also given me a chance to work on some items for my TPT store. This is what I have been working on.






This is our classroom pumpkin that I had to bring home for fall break. I didn't know it was going to take 8 days to sprout. Oops...we live and learn..right??!!
 

 This is the set I made to go with our classroom pumpkin. If we were going to watch it grow, I thought we needed to document what we saw. I'm thankful it sprouted before the break. You can download that (here).

Table labels for classroom organization. I made numbers and vowels. Each set has small and medium labels.  There are also two different fonts to choose from. I use the medium labels to hang above each table and the small labels for their table baskets. Since first graders need a lot of practice with the vowels, I chose to use the vowels in my classroom. You can find the Table Labels-Vowels here and the Table Labels-Numbers here.

I also put my writing labels on TPT for FREE. Just click (here). There are two different fonts. Each font has a colorful set and eight single colors for you to choose from. Labels mean organization and organization makes my heart happy. Yeppers, it does! Go ahead and download them. Now is as good a time as any to get organized.

Whooaaa Baby

Hold on horsey! I've been a busy moma. Since my freebie post in the wee hour of the morning last night, I have created two more packets that all match. I love matching products. They just make me squeal with delight. You can download and preview the Amaze Me Freebie, Word Work Pack, and Listening Center Response Pack. All you have to do is click each link. Please remember that I am sleep deprived new to all of this. If you decide to download them and find any mistakes, please email me and I will fix them in a jiffy! I am now going to cut my computer off, my telephone down, and enjoy the rest of my Sunday.

Can we say..EXCITED?!?!

CAN YOU BELIEVE I JUST POSTED MY FIRST PRODUCT ON TEACHERS PAY TEACHERS?!?! I've even pinned it to Pinterest. Of course, it's the free product! I am working on another product. Hopefully, people will be able to use it.

This is definitely a learning process. I sure hope I haven't broken any copyright laws. I read the rules for a long time today. I read them then I read them again. Then, I read them AGAIN! I've read them so many times that my eyes are starting to cross.

If you go to my TPT store, you can download my very first product.

Have a Happy Sunday! :)

Johnny Appleseed Anchor Chart

I love fall and all the activities that go with it. We started our apple unit today, so I made a large apple to put Johnny Appleseed facts on. After reading about Johnny Appleseed, we talked about him, how he traveled all over the world to plant apple trees, and about the kind of person he was. Since we have talked about wild/tame animals during reading, their favorite fact was that he had a wolf as a pet. They said "Mrs. Key, you aren't supposed to have a wolf as a pet. They are wild animals." I love how first graders minds think. Tomorrow, we will add the facts we wrote to the apple. Later in the week, we will make a Johnny Appleseed craft and write about him.


 

Just a little racing and shopping

I love teaching, but I also love my weekend family time. I really love the days that I can stay in my pajamas and blog-stalk play on the internet all day. I always manage to find school stuff to work on. There are too many people that have such great ideas. I did take a break from school work yesterday to clean my house. In the afternoon, the family and I went to my hubs and sons kart race. Nicholas, my 12 year old son, won first place. Whoop! Whoop! Way to go, Nicholas!












Well, you know you can't go to a different city without visiting Wal-Mart and the Dollar Tree! Before the race, my girls and I decided to do a little browsing that ended with me buying tons of stuff for my classroom. Oddly, that always happens. I can't figure out why. If I could, I might not spend nearly as much. Ha! Yeah right!! Who am I kidding??!! Some of my favorite buys came from the Dollar Tree. I bought 2-4 of each item! :-)









*The dominoes are for us to use in math.
*The drawing boards, magnets and stencils are for Word Work. I LOVE the Daily 5!! 
  Thanks to a sweet co-worker!
*The nails will be used as pointers. I have several different types of pointers for my
  little loves to use when reading instead of just using their finger, but I couldn't pass
  the little nails up.

I also found some things clearanced out at Wal-Mart. Anyone who knows me knows that I am extremely cheap frugal. I found a pink floor lamp for $4, 52 pieces of large side-walk chalk for $2, and another crate for $1.50. I was super-de-duper excited about the crate because I made 10 crate seats over the summer, but I only had 9 crates. Maybe that 10th crate seat will make my room feel complete..nah, probably not.

Shhh...I think I hear another load of laundry calling my name. I better get to it! Enjoy the rest of the weekend!

Q-tip Painting

What a fun day in first grade. If you have never told a child they had to paint with a q-tip, then you should. As I got the painting supplies ready for them to paint their fall pictures, they were all looking for the paint brushes. I told them there weren't any..they were painting with q-tips, they got the funniest looks on their faces. It was priceless. Once I showed them what to do, they were so into it. They had the most intense looks on their faces. My own daughter, who is in first grade, wanted to make one when she came to my room after school. I think it was a success, but the idea wasn't my own. I found it on Pinterest. I am obssessed with love that site!

First Time Blogger...yayyy

Hello Bloggy World! I am so excited to begin this new journey, but I am a little overwhelmed with starting my very own blog. I follow many blogs through Google Reader, and I always find great ideas to use in my classroom.  I know, without a doubt, that I have a lot to learn! Ta-Ta for now while I go learn what I'm doing! :)