Wow!

I'm choosing the title "Wow!" for a few reasons.  First, I am just in shock/awe over what happened yesterday!  I signed up to be apart of the Teacher's Jackpot, not knowing what would happen.  I thought I would be helping out a few teachers and gaining a few more bloggy friends, at most.  Never in my wildest dreams did I ever believe that in 24 hours (give or take a few hours, because I was SLEEPING and wasn't waking up to put my product back for sale) that I would have over 4000 downloads!  Never did I expect to have over 50 new followers on my blog and TpT store!  It really makes me feel appreciated.  My goal was to thank you for all that you do.  I know (obviously) what it's like to be a teacher.  We have ups and downs.  Most days the only appreciation that we get is knowing that another child's light bulb went off.  We are taken for granted-but that's okay!  We are making a difference, whether or not they know it. 

Teacher appreciation week couldn't happen at a better time during the school year.  This is the time of the year that becomes "crunch" time.  Testing is looming.  The end is in sight, but there is just SOOOO much more to do.  We don't sleep at night.  Then, something like the jackpot hits.  I'm hoping that you started the week with a "high" of having so many new freebies that can be used at different parts of the year from all of the other wonderful bloggers----and I have a new "high" of knowing that there are so many people who took the extra time to comment, leave feedback on TpT and/or just to follow me!

The flip side of Wow!  is..... MOM! ;)  This week is a big week in my room.  First, our caterpillars have just climbed to the top and are starting to get into their cozy home for the next week or so.  I've been so intrigued by this-----I really wanted to see how on earth that chrysalis becomes---but I think I'm missing it as we speak.... Every time I went to watch today, they were just hanging up there wiggling or appearing like they were sleeping (or I had one slowpoke that was back down on the ground, eating maybe?!) :)   Some of the fun activities that I'm doing with my Reading group is reading Clara Caterpillar and coming up with some fun caterpillar (and butterfly) alliterations.  I'm also having my kiddos work with partners to come up with a "Life Cycle of a Story" writing.  They are going to tell the story of a caterpillar where they will be figuring out what problem the character will have, etc...... it's still a work in progress too, as I had it while I was trying to sleep last night!!!!  ha!  :) 

With all of that excitement, we also need to fit in some MOM time!  I whipped up this Mother's Day booklet for my kiddos to work on this week.  (hopefully none of my mom's come across this blog!)  I know there are so many different things out there to do for mom, but none were completely MY style.  I wouldn't say this one is complete, but it is for this year.  After I see how my kids do this year, I'll know what more to add for next year.  Click on the picture to grab a copy for yourself!

I didn't add my copyright onto each page because I just didn't want it to ruin the booklet for mom.  I know that is putting myself out there for copying and the possibility of someone selling my product, but that is something I will deal with if needed. The cute borders are from Fancy Dog Studios.  (I LOVE them!)

Have a great week!  Remember that the TPT sale is STILL going on for one more day!  Use the code TAD12 for an addition 10% off!  You can get mine for a total of 28% off!  Check out this post for some of my kids (and mine) favorites!

Oh-and I set a crazy goal 2 weeks ago that if I hit 200 followers by the end of school, that I would have another giveaway!  OHMYGOODNESS!  I'm almost there!  I better start figuring out what to do!!!!!!!!!!!  (I do have 2 lined up for back to school----------in case you need another reason to follow me!!!!  They're good ones too!!!!!  But you'll have to wait till August....)  ;)

Teacher Appreciation!

What a way to kick off Teacher Appreciation Week!  We have sales, freebies!  Who could ask for anything more?!  How about that you can possibly get over $600 in freebies!?!  Click on the picture to take you to the list of people giving out their freebies in honor of you!!!!

And drum roll.....  For my appreciation of YOU, I am offering my Beachy Math Story Problems FREE for the next 24 hours!  Go snatch it up before time is up!  (I had a hard time deciding what to

have free-----I wanted to be fair to my followers and fans and didn't want to offer something that you may have already purchased!  If you have never tried my story problems, now is your chance!  Your students will be writing in Math experts!!!)  Click on the picture to take you to TpT to grab your copy!

Now-also!  SALE!!!  Who doesn't love a sale?!  I, for one, HATE paying full price for anything.  Before I had my second child, I was a pretty good bargain shopper :)  but anyway-For 3 days, my store at TpT will be 20% off!  Add the code TAD12 to get an additional 10% off!  It's time to snag all those things on your wish lists!

Here are some of my kids' favorites from this year!  (mine too!!) :)

 I also have these 2 together for a COMBO-for an even better deal!

Other Story problem books from other months:

 I have a few more, but didn't have the pics to post easily on here tonight.  I hope you all have a WONDERFUL week that is full of appreciative kiddos, parents and administrators!  You do a wonderful job shaping those minds of our future! 

Don't forget to leave feedback on your purchases at TpT---that also gets you more points that turn into CASH to buy more!!!  (and I also take those comments to make things better, etc. and I will respond to them all too!)    Don't forget to click to follow my blog, if you haven't already!  I love to hear from you all!!!  :)

Teacher Appreciation JACKPOT!

 

Next week is Teacher Appreciation Week 2012! To show our appreciation for you, myself along with over 130 bloggers from TeachersPayTeachers are participating in the first ever "Teacher Appreciation Jackpot!" 

This is not a contest where there is only one winner. Rather, this is a jackpot where every single person can download over $450 in free teaching resources for one day only!  (I will reveal how much it is exactly Saturday, May 5th)

On Sunday, May 6, 2012, each blogger participating in the jackpot will be offering one regularly priced item (between $3 and $8) for FREE from their TeachersPayTeachers store. Because so many bloggers are participating, this event will be divided into three grade level groups: PK - Grade 2, Grade 3-6, and Grades 7-12.  Keep these links handy if you want to check out other grade levels!

PK-2 Products: Teacher Appreciation Jackpot

3rd-5th Products: Teacher Appreciation Jackpot

7th-12th Products: Teacher Appreciation Jackpot

Throughout the day on Sunday, you will be able to hop from blog to blog, seeing what each individual is offering for free! But remember, all items will go back to regular price after Sunday's event.

That is all that I can share for now, but be sure to check this post in the following days for more details!  I'll be revealing what I'm giving away for free on here!  (I've been wracking my brain trying to figure out what to give away, so that those of you who already have things could also benefit!)

Below is the list of all of the PK-2 blogs that will be giving away items on Sunday! 

Thank you for all of the wonderful support and collaboration that you have given/done with me over the past few months!  I am truly grateful for this new online world!  YOU ROCK! 

For my appreciation of YOU, I am offering my Beachy Math Story Problems FREE for the next 24 hours!  Go snatch it up before time is up!  (I had a hard time deciding what to

have free-----I wanted to be fair to my followers and fans and didn't want to offer something that you may have already purchased!  If you have never tried my story problems, now is your chance!  Your students will be writing in Math experts!!!)  Click on the picture to take you to TpT to grab your copy!

Animal Fact or Fiction

Telling the difference between fact and opinion is the first step towards persuasive writing.  As first grade teachers, we need to expose students to this so that they are easily able to understand what is fact and what is opinion.  It gets a little hairy when we say something like "I think apples are yummy."  Well, it is fact that I like them, right?!?!?!  Soooo.... we talk about this all year.  I admit, there are times where I just don't know what to say, cause maybe it is a fact?!?! 

I created a worksheet for students to cut and paste statements that are fact or opinion that they will glue into the correct space.  I tried to tie in key words like, "think" and other feeling words that give away that it's an opinion. 

Writing is my other passion, besides Math :)  I was trained to be a trainer for the Step Up To Writing program, which is fabulous, by the way!  I feel like I need retrained now, since our standards have changed yet again and have students writing in all genres again.  The color coding that the program uses is just perfect for writing.  I'm not quite sure what I'm able to share that I've made from the program because it is so specific to the program....  Once I can think more about it this summer, I'll try to have some fab writing tips too!

By the way---wanna know how I spent today?!  I was redoing our Math curriculum AGAIN!  (we just did it over the summer to match the Common Core Standards---but we just found out the company we had been using for our math program has a SIGNIFICANTLY CHEAPER workbook/program, so we're switching to it!  And I have to say this program is FAB.U.LOUS!)  If your district is in the market for a new program-----MY MATH is PERFECT for first grade!  I'm so excited to use it, even though it means a LOT more change next year, again!

Click on the picture below to grab a copy of the Fact Opinion page!  And, I have some pretty exciting news that I'll be announcing TOMORROW!  If you aren't following my page, make sure to follow so you don't miss out on this pretty EXCITING news!!!!!!!!!!