Being Thankful {yep-I have a freebie!}

This month, you probably see everyone posting what they are thankful for on each day.  One thing that I am extremely thankful for is all of you.  I jumped into this blogland almost 2 years ago, along with Teachers Pay Teachers.  It has changed my life.  {and I'm not talking about the money}

Up until 2 years ago, I was a teacher robot.  I was told what I had to follow, where I had to be, etc.  My creativity was not being used.  2 years ago, I decided that I needed to change that.  I found the bloggyland and all of the wonderful bloggers and found my spark.  From that spark lit a fire that cannot be contained anymore.  Yes, I am now spending unreal amounts of time planning for my kiddos.  I'm making sure things are highly engaging and FUN.  I am making sure what I share with the world is my best work.  But, I am a better teacher, mom, person because of it all.  I have a confidence that I had lost being that "robot."  I'm not afraid to stand up for what I believe in.  I'm not letting the negativity bring me down like it is doing to so many.... so many that are my friends too.  :(  Not all teachers are there for their summers off.  I don't know many teachers who don't put 110% into everything they do.  But politics are bringing many of us down...

I digress.  I'm thankful for you.  Without you all, I would not be the person I am today.  I invite you over to my Facebook page to grab a freebie that represents the first thing I ever created for the world...  math games.  I have 4 Turkey math games that are perfect for this time of year--that practice subtraction, addition and missing parts.  (Click either picture to take you to my FB page!)

 {Don't have facebook?  Keep an eye out for other freebies in the works for my fans!  Make sure you are following me on Bloglovin' or by email!}

If you like these games, you can find many more {HERE} at my TPT store.

If you like what you see, you can also come {PIN} with me!  And check out my pics on Instagram!  (I'm much better at updating those than my blog lately...  but I'm working on it!!!) 

Turkeys, Turkeys, Turkeys!

I'm trying so hard to stay ahead of the game.  I just finished an idea that has been in my head for months---and added some extras with the packet to give you some extra days' worth of activities!

Introducing the Turkey Book Report!  {Sorry for the lack of STUDENT samples... I'll have those after we actually do them next week!}

My plan is to read turkey themed books ALLLL week.  Thursday and Friday, they will choose their favorite and write a book report on it.  They will use the template I have in the packet to write OR draw the information and then color and assemble the adorable turkey!

I did include other reading response worksheets within the packet---some are specific to books, others are generic.  I did already include Essential Question posters for the standards that are met!  :)  You can click on the picture to read more.

Now, for a fun freebie!  I found an idea online a few years ago.  Up until now, I have used our die cut machine to punch out feathers and write numbers on.  However, they got so torn up after using just a few times, that it was wasting my time!  Now that I found adorable feather clip art, I created a template and am sharing with you!

It was called Indian Feathers (though, I'm not sure that's okay to use, really) so I'm calling them Math Head Feather?!?!

Anywhooo..  Students play in groups of 3.  1 is the chief.  {if kids can't decide who that job goes to, I always tell them that the student with the smallest foot goes first/is the chief, etc...)  ;)  The other 2 sit side by side facing the Chief.  The 2 pick up a feather without looking at it, and places it on their heads.  The Chief adds the numbers together and tells the other 2 the sum.  Then the 2 look at each other's feather (without looking at their own) and has to figure out what their own number is!!!!  The first person to get it correct wins both feathers.  The player with the most feathers at the end becomes the Chief.

 My kids actually learned how to play this last year and played this game throughout the entire year (of course with me replacing sets...).  They LOVED the challenge! 

Click {HERE} to grab yourself a copy!

Have a great weekend and week ahead!  I've got report cards coming and conferences!  So, I may be a little MIA in the near future.  Don't forget tonight's the last night to enter my 500 follower giveaway!

a Rafflecopter giveaway