A Little Bit of This... and That (And a Vista Print giveaway?!?!)

I have been super busy this past week.  It's now been a week since I've had my new laptop back from school, and I gotta say WOW!  I just love it.  Love how fast it is... Love how pretty it is :P

Anyway---I created a few things that I have been fortunate to be able to upload to TPT.  I spruced up my "Word Jails" that I created for my classroom last year.  {See the post here} I found this adorable little graphic set and KNEW I had to make this little beauty POP in my room for this year!

 

Unfortunately I couldn't make this an "editable" version.  I tried various ways to make it work for you, but it just didn't work out :(  However, I have a blank page in there for you to print out and put your own words on there----BUT if you just email me, I will add it to the packet and re-upload!  IT'S NOW AN EDITABLE FILE!!!  Here's a sample of the words that will be hanging next to each other on my wall:

 

I have the wrong spelling in black and white and the correct spelling in color so that students' eyes quickly go to the correct one.

Another packet that I just created and uploaded is my 'Scooper' Adjectives!  It's my first 'craftivity' that I have up in my store.  Students will create ice cream cones--either on their own or using the glyph I have included--and then they will choose sprinkles (or jimmies) that have adjectives on it.  They need to decide which words are adjectives because not all of the words I have are!  I also included a bulletin board header because I'm sure this will be a SWEET bulletin board!  ;)

 

We've also been working the last few years about keeping kids engaged (who isn't talking about that?!)  My teammate and I sat down during one of ours and created a Spelling Practice Choice Menu.  We are planning on giving it to the kids to complete each week to practice their words.  Our original one had more choices.  I downsized it to get my students used to the idea during the first month or so.  I created this one to be a Tic-Tac-Toe.  I changed the heading to be a Word Tic-Tac-Toe so that you could use it in your room however it would fit!  (Spelling, High Frequency Words, Vocabulary,  etc.)  Once we get started on these and I see how they do, I will create more---maybe even monthly/seasonal specific?!   

What you'll do is give this sheet to your kiddos at the beginning of the week.  They need to complete AT LEAST 3 items to make 3 in a row.  (Of course they could do more if they want!)  You can prewrite all of their words on this recording sheet BEFORE handing it out to them, or you could have them write what words.  You could even leave it up to them and have them pick words they want to learn!  Possibilities are endless!!!!  And your kids will be engaged and feel empowered :)

Click on the picture to grab yourself a copy!  {I do have spell with Scrabble Letters on there----but there are lots of things you could use or print that would be the same.  I found a great little set at Fancy Dog Studio, but there are a lot of others out there too.  I plan on asking parents for a Scrabble donation once school rolls around----and I'll be keeping my eye open at the holiday sales and yard sales!}

Borders and Scrabble Letters from Fancy Dog Studio; font from Hello Literacy;  AND-the typo that you see in the picture is fixed on the copy you will download.  I just hadn't had time to create a new pic of the page and re-upload. =)

Last-----who doesn't LOVE Vista Print?!  Well, I have an extra Groupon that I want to gift to one of my lovely followers!  If you win, you'll have $80 to spend at Vista Print!  Just in time for the school year!!!!  Click on the rafflecopter to enter to win!  I'll announce the winner next Sunday, August 12th!  {I'll be without a computer again till then and can't do everything as well with the phone} I'll email the winner the certificate!  Good luck!

  a Rafflecopter giveaway

A New Look & Rainbow Adjectives

I'm the type of person that JUST has to figure things out on my own.  Blogging to you, is quite new to me.  I wasn't happy with how things were looking, nor could I find anything that I liked----so I started googling and looking for ways to make it more appealing, and also JUST a little bit different than others.  So, for now, I'm mixing a few different things with a header that I created myself.  :)  I think this blog will forever be a "Work-in-Progress."  :)

Next week we will review adjectives-specifically with color adjectives.  I figured I'd tie in the rainbow with it, since St. Patrick's Day is next weekend (not to mention my oldest's birthday party that I'm frantically planning and making things for!!!)  I had the idea, but had to figure out how to make it the easiest way possible.  When you download it, keep it in the EXACT order and the EXACT way it prints out.  Every other page will be upside down.  This is very important.  Once it printed, copy it double sided.  Then, you will be able to layer it and fold over to make a pretty cool flip book.  Under each flap, have the students write a sentence using the color adjective.  I am going to make sure my students write a sentence that does NOT say "The ball is red."  But instead, model and get them to write saying something like "The red ball bounces high."  I created 2 different versions for you.  The first one already has the color printed.  The second one will be black and white, so that students can color in the word/box (and also save ink---plus the indigo printed out a little bit off for me...)

 Color Version       Black and White Version

Don't forget to follow me so you don't miss out on freebies and ideas!  I'm still loving all the "love" from your emails and comments :)  It's amazing that there are so many different people from ALL over the world checking this blog out.  Thank you!  I love getting ideas and inspiration from others too-which is what makes this blogging "era" absolutely wonderful!

Hope you have a wonderful weekend and week!  I'm going to be working on my soon-to-be 6-year-old's Angry Bird party!  Which involves me making 60 pom pom red birds and 40 green pom pom pigs... and trying out my new found crafty-ness inspired from Pinterest and am also making some cute angry bird magnets (well, they are cute in my head---we'll see what happens to the final product) and will also be requesting the assistance of a certain 5 year old to make his "non-edible" birthday (non)treat for his friends in Kindergarten.  (Melting more crayons, but molding into a football shape) :)    (Then, I have 1 month to plan my soon-to-be 2-year old's party!  That's right-my kids are EXACTLY a month apart--March 15th and April 15th!)

Check out my TpT store for more St. Patrick's Day needs!  Literacy Games   Math Games   Story Problems