Sunday Blues and a GIVEAWAY!!!

My winter break is coming to an end.  I know it was longer than most of my blogger friends (3 whole weeks!!!), but I'm still not completely ready to go back to work.  I have a slight case of the Sunday blues.

However, I am super excited to use my new smartboard that was installed over break!! I figured out to use airplay.  That means I can mirror what's on my iPad to my smartboard WIRELESSLY.  Super cool!  I will post some new techie tips as I learn them.  I'm still trying to figure out my new equipment. 

I finally took a picture of my trendy clipboard that I mentioned in my Five for Friday blog post.
Here it is:

Jackie and Danielle over at Sister Teachers are having an awesome giveaway!! Be sure to check it out and enter to win some great products!! I'm donating one product (winner's choice) from my TPT store.

Have a wonderful week my friends,

Five for Friday

Happy Friday friends!!! I'm linking up with Doodle Bugs Teaching for her Five for Friday. 

Here goes ...

1) I was in my classroom ALL day today organizing and cleaning.  I finally have a Smartboard in my classroom!!! I'm super excited, but I need to do some more organizing.  I will post some pics soon.

2) I'm in love with my new clipboard I got for Christmas! My mom found it at a local boutique.  So cute!  I forgot to take a pic when I was in my classroom, but I found this cute one online.  It would make a great gift for your coworkers!!

3) Technology Tip: I downloaded a Mad Libs app last month.  It's great to review parts of speech and it cracks my students up!!

4) I just downloaded this MLK Freebie from Gina over at Beach Sand and Lesson Plans.  I'm planning on using it next week with my students.

5) Since my winter break is coming to an end, I will be hosting a 20% off sale at my TPT store this weekend.  It sounds like most of my blogging friends have already returned to school.  I had a long and lovely three weeks off.  My sale will run Saturday, 1/12 through Sunday, 1/13.

 

Enjoy your weekend friends!!

January Currently ~ Happy New Year!!

Happy 2013 friends!!! Farley's January Currently is here!! Be sure to link up over at Oh' Boy Fourth Grade.

* Listening - to the New Year's Eve specials

* Loving - my new laptop!!! 

      What a generous and awesome Christmas present!!! I love it.

* Thinking - about all the things I want to do this upcoming year

           - travel, travel, travel

           - pay my car off

           - become a techie teacher pro

           - charity work

* Wanting - blessings for my family and friends

* Needing - to get back to the gym

       It never fails, I always put on my "winter coat" at this time of year.  Time to hit the gym and stop eating holiday treats!!! :)

*  OLW - CHERISH

      With every passing year, I appreciate my loved ones more and more.  My goal is to continue to cherish life. 

      Cherish my loved ones.  Cherish my job.  Cherish my independence and health.  Cherish my friendships.  Cherish moments.  Cherish the beauty around me.  

Here's to 2013!! Good bye 2012!! Thanks for the memories.  

Spread KINDNESS and LOVE!!

I'm still in shock over what happened at Sandy Hook Elementary in Connecticut.  As an American, I'm saddened over this senseless tragedy that killed innocent victims.  As a teacher, I'm horrified because this hits too close to home.  It makes me sad that this event will instill a sense of worry in students, parents, and teachers across our nation for years to come.

I love my students.  I love their families.  I love my coworkers.  I work with some of the best who I know would do anything to protect their students.  I am surrounded by love and kindness everyday at my little school.  I want to remind my students that even though there are bad people out there, there are MANY good ones TOO!!

I created an ACTS OF KINDNESS FREEBIE to promote kindness.  It's an extension of my holiday "Acts of Kindness Homework Log."  I feel it's more important than ever to spread love and kindness among our students.  It's important for them to recognize caring acts of others.  It's important for them to be caring.  It's important for all of us to remember the good in the world.

Enjoy this FREEBIE with your students.

Proud teacher,

Silence for Sandy Hook Elementary

Christmas Crafts & Gifts!!

Merry "Craft" Christmas!! I'm linking up with Cynthia over at 2nd Grade Pad for a Christmas Craft Linky Party.

My side tables and student desks' have been filled with tissue paper, glue, paint, glitter, and trinkets.  Messy, but fun!! I do love the holiday decorations in my classroom.

Here's a decorated glass jar my students made as a gift for their parents and/or family.  You can put a tealight candle in it.  Last year, I had my students write little notes telling why they loved their family.  They put the notes inside the jar.  Click here to read more about this from a previous post.

Supplies:

* liquid starch

* tissue paper (small cut squares)

* paint brushes

* black die-cut holiday shapes

Next, here's a holiday candle directed draw.  I love the colors!! It's easy ... and when you mix them with some paper poinsettias, the room is filled with holiday cheer!!

Be sure to check out the linky party at 2nd Grade Pad for more craft ideas to get you through the next few weeks!!

Cheers,

December Currently and a FREEBIE!!

Happy December!!! It's Farley's monthly "Currently" linky party!! One of my favorites! Click below to check it out!!

I love the idea of Random Acts of Kindness (aka RAK) ... Thanks Farley!

* Listening: Yes, I'm obsessed with basketball.  I have an ESPN Score Center app on my phone that alerts me when a game has started.

* Loving: Local holiday boutiques are so great!!! I always find one of a kind gifts and I love supporting small business owners.

* Thinking: It's crazy time!! Everyday in the teaching world is a busy day, but the holiday season is filled with gifts, crafts, art projects, etc.  These three weeks are going to fly by!!

* Wanting: Mmm ... a warm holiday drink, like kahlua and coffee, would be so delicious right now!!

* Needing: Clothes!!! Seriously, I stand in my closet and stare at my clothes every morning.  I'm out of ways to mix, match, and reinvent my closet.  My clothes are old and my favorite black boots have seen better days.  Time for some holiday shopping for myself!!

* RAK: I bought an extra scratcher at the store and told the clerk to give it to the next person in line. 

Speaking of Acts of Kindness .... Here's a FREEBIE homework assignment!! It's great to assign during the holiday season.

Happy Holidays,