Did ya know?!

So, as I was cleaning up my computer last weekend, I thought of a post to put out there to help keep things organized (which I was NOT!!)  ;)

Did ya know that if you set up a google account (it's free!) and follow blogs, you don't have to remember to bookmark them and return to see the good ideas?  Once you have an account, you have a little "reader" that has all the new posts from all the blogs you follow right there!  I didn't know that till I actually started a blog!  What does that help?  Eliminates a million, jillion bookmarks!  (which I still need to delete....)

Did ya know that once you have that google acount and you download cool freebies from our sites (that are through the google docs) it's saved in your account too???  I didn't till I started my blog....  well, it wasn't till much later that I actually REALIZED this fact-----you don't need to save it on your computer!  If you lose your hard copy, you just log into your google account and go to google docs and everything you've downloaded is there!  My desktop is now THANKING me!  I can actually SEE the cute little picture of my boys!  (Instead of looking at a bunch of overlapping files because I just had no idea what to do with them.)

Did ya know that if and when you purchase things from Teachers Pay Teachers, your purchases are saved there forever????  It's just like google docs!  No need to waste space on your computer keeping those files!

Did ya know that when you purchase something from a seller on Teachers Pay Teachers, when the seller updates the file, which most do, you can go back and download it again to get the new awesomeness???  Speaking of which---if you have purchased the Common Core Checklists from me, go back and download again!  I have a second version in the file with a less fancy font.  K-4 also has 2 duplicate sets in the file with super hero GIRLS!  (5th grade-give me a few days, if you are reading, and I should have the girls updated in yours too.  I do have the additional font updated on TPT already, if you weren't diggin' the cutesy font)  ;)  If you haven't checked out the checklists, here's one reviewer's comment: "This product is amazing!!! I have already printed it off and placed it at the front of my teaching binder! Bravo for creating such a cute and fun learning resource! Keep it up!!!"  (click on the picture to take you to my store---there you will find the checklists K-5)

Did ya know that you should delete most emails?  Most emails don't need to be read more than once!  And if it's read more than once, the second time it's read because you are deciding whether or not to delete it.....  Me <--------guilty!!!!!  This was told to us at our little in-service when we got our new laptops....  SO TRUE!  I need to live by that more!  And, if I think I may need it, I created a folder that says 2012-2013 and I will drag it into there.

Did ya know that when you leave feedback on Teachers Pay Teachers, you get credits to apply to future purchases?  Speaking of which, if you don't think I deserve a 4 on something-or aren't giving me a 4, please let me know what is wrong!  AND-if you email me, most likely I can fix it for you (if it was a problem), etc.  That doesn't mean that I can custom make things all the time, but I do like to make sure everyone is happy!  :) 

Did ya know that you have 2 days left to enter to win a bunch of really cool stuff for me reaching 300 followers?!  Click on the picture to read how and enter!

Christmas In July!!!

I can't believe that it's half way to Christmas!  Who doesn't love a sale?!  I'm one who always has Christmas shopping started almost after Christmas is over!  :)  When I saw this sale, I couldn't resist joining!  Tomorrow, check out my store and find all kinds of SEASONAL items on sale! 
One note----TPT will be offline tonight (EST) from midnight till 8am Weds morning......  so fill up your wishlists tonight :)

I know it's hot here!  Hopefully a sale will keep you cool tomorrow! ;). Click on the big pic at the top to go to the blog hoppin link to see everyone involved!

Don't forget to check out and join my 300th Follower Giveaway!  Click on the picture to learn more and join!!!!  :)

GIVEAWAY TIME! HOOT HOOT!

THANK YOU!  I can't believe I have so many "friends" out there! :)  (especially since I've been lacking lately with my posts!!!!!  lol)  As my appreciation for you, I have some amazing blogging buddies who are graciously donating items to help me celebrate!  Make sure to show them some love too-if you haven't already done so, since they are pretty awesome!

What the lucky winner will get:
 Katie from Dirty Hands and Lesson Plans has donated her best seller:

 

From Erica Bohrer-TWO fabulous units:  Reading Comprehension Cueing Cards and Laura Numeroff "If you Give....." Author Study!!!

 From Jessica at Mrs. Stanford's Class-----WINNER'S CHOICE!  Browse her store to find out your favorite!  (Click on her beautiful picture to take a peek at her store)

Lori from Teaching with Love and Laughter is donating her Writing Yearbook:

From me, my COMPLETE Literature Circle Packet AND the Common Core Checklist of your choice (you'll need to email me to tell me what grade you teach.  I have K-5 created)

Lastly, from my new friend and teacher, Courtney who sells 31 Gifts----a beautiful Butterfly Zipper pouch!

And, she has also offered to offer 10% off to my readers!  What you'll do is mention my blog name or name and email her your order---or call her.  Go to her website and look at all the wonderful new patterns!   Keep an eye out on July 25th because she is going to have specials all day for Christmas in July!!!!

The details:  Enter below with the rafflecopter.  Make sure to follow all of the wonderful bloggers above and also follow their Teachers Pay Teachers store!  Good luck!  The winner will be announced on Monday, July 29th!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Tell Me More Linky/Newbie Blog Hop!

There's two linkys out there that are similar so, I'm mixing the two so you can get to know me a little better!  I always like reading about others in bloggy land---hopefully this will entertain? enlighten? idk?

Tell Me More, Tell Me More....
In no particular order, other than it's what came into my brain as I was typing....  :)

1.  I'm an only child.  While I had a great childhood and wasn't one of those stereotypical only children who are spoiled, etc.... I HATED IT!  I love my parents dearly.  They did a lot for me, and I was even allowed to take friends on vacations as I got older, but I would have loved a sibling!  Now that I'm married, one thing I knew for sure was that I was going to have at LEAST 2 kids!  :P

2.  Speaking of kids.  My first one, who's 6 now, came a month early.  I left school early one day (I apparently had a small, slow "leak") and didn't come back.  My friends laughed at me at how laid back I was.  The nurses were amazed at my "perkiness" afterwards too!  lol.  My second child was 6 days late.  I even worked in the classroom 4 days late.... but I just couldn't do it after that.  Both boys are a month apart (4 years apart).  My first was March 15, my second was April 15!  (One of my BFF's daughter was born on July 15th!)  Do I dare even think of trying again?!  How cool would a May 15th be?!  :P

3.  I twirled baton and danced for over 20 years!  I performed in the Citrus Bowl halftime show (back when it was the Citrus Bowl..) twice.  I absolutely loved teaching and choreographing routines for 3 year olds!  I also loved choreographing routines/half time show in college too!  I had 2 years at "head majorette" where I got to create the routines we did!  I miss it greatly, having two boys....

4.  I am a frugal, savvy shopper!  I have been known in the past to be one of those people who goes into a store and buys like $200 worth of stuff for like $10.  Now that I have started blogging, working on things for TPT and of course have 2 young boys-----I'm lucky to even USE a coupon.........  it pains me each time I go shopping and don't use a coupon--but I'll get back to it one day!

5.  I do not drink coffee!  But have like $40 worth of gift cards to Starbucks!  HOWEVER I do love their white hot chocolate---and use the gift cards on that!

6.  I HATE feet.  (but need to have polished toes) :)  Enuff said on that!  Ewwww......

7.  I have a memory that will not let me forget things.  I'm up all the time and am lucky to get a few hours of sleep at night.  And if my memory doesn't keep me up----my "to-do" list grows instead! 

8.  I love to travel, but HATE flying.  I hated flying before 9-11, but that gave me more fear!  My hubby and I went to Aruba for our honeymoon in 2003----and we were on this small 20 seater plane from Aruba to Puerto Rico and I did not get to sit with my hubs, but instead in my little row of 3---a broken seat by the window and a foreigner male in the middle, who held onto a rosemary bead cross the whole time chanting and praying....  I thought we were going down......  I have since flown to Disney twice and that's it.

9.  I was a drummer all throughout school!  From 4th grade on.  I was the only girl for most of that time.  I did not participate in the Marching Band in HS, but did in the Concert Band.

10.  I met my husband at Zany Brainy.  (Any of y'all ever shop there WAAAAYYY back?!)  He's not a teacher, but in business.  He went to the same college as me, but if it weren't for Zany Brainy, we would have never met.

11.  I'm a verbal processor.  I'm one of "those" students who talks.  BUT what you might not know about those learners is that I might be talking, but it's usually taking in the info and processing it.  It is a weakness of mine and something I'm not quite sure how to overcome, as it has gotten me in trouble.... even as an adult.... :(  I do know to sit by the back/sides and to sit with people who know this about me and are okay with it :)  I have great friends and coworkers! :)  The hypocrite in me though---it bugs me to death when my 6 year old does it!  He's totally like his mama in that aspect.... I can only hope he has understanding teachers throughout school.

12.  I can usually name that tune in 5 seconds!  I love music---all kinds!

13.  I have been going to Target at least one time a week this summer.  I'm even more dangerous when I have my kids with me (which is every time) because I just throw it in the cart and go!  My hubby and wallet will be quite relieved when I go back to school!!!!  ha ha!

Well, I'm not sure that was all that interesting, but it's what came to mind!  I gotta clean off my computer desktop now.  I'm handing it in to get a new one in a few days and am a little embarrassed as to what my desktop looks like with all the downloading I've been doing!!!  oops! :)  It's also the reason for lack of pictures in the post too.... 

Okay, so I'm NOT quite a newbie anymore.... BUT I haven't been blogging that long and still am learning quite a bit!  (I still consider myself to be new) I thought I would join this Newbie Blog Hop over at Grade Three is the Place to Be. 

1.  What state are you in?
I'm a blogger from PA!  There are so many bloggers from around the world really, and there doesn't seem to be many from PA!  Come out, come out, where ever you are!!!!! ;)

2.  Current Teaching Position
First grade.  I also used to teach full day kindergarten.  This is my 10th year teaching!  WOW!  Time flies!

3.  Teaching Experience-
oops.  Answered some of that in the last question!  Before my teaching positions, I was a long term substitute.  I also taught baton and dance to kiddos for quite a long time at a baton studio that I also attended for over 20 years! 

4.  When did you start blogging?
I started blogging mid January.

5. A blogging tip
Take off your robot comment thingy!  If there is spam, you can delete it easily and also report it.  It is a lot easier for other fellow bloggers to comment without always having to "verify" that they are a "human!"  (Plus, half of the time humans can't figure out what it is either!) :P
 

MAKE SURE TO CHECK OUT MY 300TH FOLLOWER GIVEAWAY!  CLICK ON THE PICTURE TO READ ALL ABOUT IT! :)

Thanks for reading!  Join up to so we can get to know you too!!!

Must Have Picture Books/My Top 5!

I have SOO many favorite books that I like to use in my classroom.  I'm linking up with the Teacher Wife and am sharing my top 5!

In no particular order (because my top changes depending on my mood/day....  or for what I need it to teach, etc...)

1. Big Chickens (and the others that follow too---Big Chickens Fly the Coop, etc)

This is a hilarious story about 4 chickens who are "chicken" to do things.  In the first book they are running away from the wolf.  The second, they are "chicken" to leave the coop to "see the world."  I use these books to also help teach alliteration.  It's also great for teaching prediction too!  And they are just plain silly!

2.  Hooway for Wodney Wat

I read this at the beginning of the year and we talk about being kind to others and about how we are different.  This is about a mouse who cannot pronounce his "R's" and all of the other rats make fun of him, till a big bully comes into the class and he unexpectedly becomes a hero!

3.  Knuffle Bunny!

Who doesn't love Knuffle Bunny?!  I just love the graphics and story behind all of Mo's books.

4.  Chewy Louie

This is just a fun read aloud about a puppy who eats EVERYTHING!  And I mean everything---from his dog dish to the HOUSE!  They try everything to train him, but nothing seems to work.....  then at the end-------he stops?!   You have to read it to find out why! ;)


5.  My kinda new find----LMNO Peas!

This is an adorable book that I had read before, but just reintroduced myself to it at the library with my little people this past week.  It is a fun little ABC book that can actually be used many different ways in the classroom!  From pure enjoyment to teaching about careers or nouns even!  I whipped up a little activity that I'll be doing with my kiddos.    We will brainstorm all of the words that we can think of that begin with that letter that have to do with school and record it on brainstorming paper (or I may have them work in small groups to do, but I will not know which route to go until we start back up)!  Then we'll create an ABC book of "Who We Are" because at the end of LMNO Peas, the peas ask us, "Who are you?"  Click on the picture to grab this activity for yourself!

 

 MAKE SURE TO ENTER MY 300TH FOLLOWER GIVEAWAY!  CLICK ON THE PICTURE TO READ ALL ABOUT IT! :)