Giveaways, Freebies, OH MY!

What a busy week.  I'm not even back to school yet, however today-my legs are making me feel like those first few days of school!  {Spent the day at an amusement park with the family and in-laws}

I'm excited to tell you that I'm apart of TWO different giveaways going on right now!  Two of my bloggy friends are celebrating milestones!  Patti at a Series of 3rd Grade Events is celebrating her 300th follower.  Click on the picture to check out her giveaway where you could win $130.00 worth of prizes, including my newest packet:  Jet Setting.

 I created "Jet Setting" last week in anticipation that I will have a LOT of kids out for vacation like I did last year.  Honestly, I think I had my entire Reading, Math or Homeroom class for like 4 weeks out of the year.  It was CUH-RAAAAZZEEEE  not to mention that it drove me bonkers trying to remember who needed what, by when.  This packet includes things for kids to do that will get them looking for numbers and creating number sentences while out and about.  It also has them writing and thinking about what "story" their vacation could make!  I'm really proud of what I have created and actually can't wait for the first student to go on vacation this year, so that I can see how it works out!  I plan to give the person some sharing time when they return to share their book.  I think it will be such a great keepsake too!  Click on the picture to read more about it at my TPT store.

The second giveaway I'm participating in is Tammy's  at 123 Teach With Me is celebrating her 400th follower!  {Which, by the way I noticed that I just surpassed 400 recently too!  I'll be thinking up some good stuff for the big 5-0-0!}  Click on Tammy's picture below to enter her giveaway.  For hers, you can win ANYTHING {YES, anything!} from my store!  You will also win some fabulous prizes from 20 different TPT sellers!

Last, I wanted to leave you with something from me, to thank you for all of your support.  I get alllll sappy sometimes when I think about where I am, just going on 8 months later after starting my venture on Teachers Pay Teachers and here in bloggy land.  This is a repeat for you long-time followers, but maybe not so for my newer ones.  I promise to have some great freebies up within the week----and a GREAT not-so-educational chance to win something FABULOUS from one of my great long time teacher friends!

Click the picture below for a worksheet for your students to fill out during their first few days/weeks of school.  I know I'm becoming a minority out there as I still have one FULL week left of summer.  Hopefully it's not too late for you to use it!  It's a page out of my Back To School Bonanza packet.

This would make a great class book too!

DON'T FORGET YOU HAVE A FEW DAYS LEFT TO ENTER TO WIN A FREE PIECE OF JEWELRY FROM LIA SOPHIA!!!!  CLICK HERE TO ENTER!!!!!!

How about a Samson's Classroom Giveaway?!

First, congrats to Sadie B. for winning the Vista Print giveaway!  I'm emailing you the details now!!!  Go get your shop on!!!!  =)

Now, here's another awesome post!  Last school year I was introduced to this A.W.E.S.O.M.E. website called Samson's Classroom.  What is Samson's Classroom?  Well, it's a web based educational software program designed for early literacy that focuses on sight words, spelling, and reading comprehension.

You can input your own spelling lists so students can get extra practice or use their preexisting lists.   I would say this was my students' most favorite part of the site {they loved it all}.  The games for the words are totally engaging and FUN!

I love "Read with Samson".  The passages are perfect and I love how, if you get a question wrong, the part of the text with the answer is underlined.  This is really helping my students feel ok about looking back in the text to double check their comprehension because so often, they just like to "be done" without being right.  My students loved playing this and getting their points for "hammer time" :)

"Sight Words with Samson" would have been great had I introduced this site from the beginning of school!  It's great how it goes through different stages/levels to learn the lists!  PERFECT for all levels of learners.  I really liked how there was a spelling proponent for my higher kids so that they would learn not only to read it {most likely they already could} but to SPELL it correctly!!!!

Here's a link to a little video for you to get some more info...

Other GREAT things about this site is that you can EASILY track their progress.  When I had my kids use it during the last part of the year, I gave them a simple log-in name, which was our room number and their name.  I gave all of my kiddos the same password.  Of course, you do not need to give each student a log-in, but instead have a class log-in.  You just won't be able to track each student.

The other great part of this was that it gave my kids an opportunity to use this at home!  Parents loved it too.  It was another great way for them to complete their spelling homework practice or their reading.

This site is TOTALLY worth every penny---------BUT WAIT!  I have one classroom account to give a way!!!!  Say, what?!  That's right!  You can enter to win a classroom subscription for this school year!  All you have to do is enter below!  What are you waiting for?!?!?!?!!??!  I'll announce the winner next Sunday, August 19th!  GOOD LUCK!  =)

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Get to Know Me Activity--and SALE!

I'm feeling a little bit behind.  So many of you are going back to school and I still have about 3 weeks of summer left!  I feel like I'm not able to share things from my room because, well... I haven't been in there yet!

I did want to share a few things with you.  FIRST-Call me maybe CRAZY-but while on my vacation, I created and finished a big little unit for Election (or President's Day).  There are over 20 activities that I'll be using during the week of election.  Last election, my team organized a whole school Presidential Voting---so there are also ballots included in the packet with Obama, Romney and Paul listed as well as a blank line for "write ins."  Click on the picture to take you to the listing to read more about what is in it.  I'm excited about it!  (And, I promise that I'll start the October Math and Literacy stations that I've been asked about ASAP!!!!)  =)

Next, I want to share an activity that isn't new in any way, but maybe new to you!  On the first day of school, I'm going to give my firsties a little quiz.  This quiz will be a little different.  I have created (it's important to write down everything, including answers---even though it's obvious!) 25 True/False statements about myself.  Here's the part that makes it even more fun and engaging.  First, you will line up your students across the back of the room---or take them outside.  This will be played kinda like "Mother May I" or "Red Light, Green Light."  I will stand where ever I want the kids to finish.  I will read a statement about myself.  If they think it is TRUE, they will take a STEP FORWARD.  If they think it is FALSE, they will STAY PUT.  If they answer INCORRECTLY, they GO BACK TO START!  The first one(s) to make it to me is the winner!  Click on the picture to read statements I put on.  I have more trues than falses for this one so that I'm sure to get SOMEONE to me.  I am going to send home the paper to parents after we complete it in class for parents to give it a try.  (They won't need to send it back.)  I will send home answers to them the following day.  I'm hoping that this not only helps create a nice classroom culture from day one, but also a great family relationship.

Here's what I did for you!  Click on the next picture to go to google docs.  There you can download an editable version of above (with the directions in place---and one set of directions for SHE and one set for HE-both are in the same doc-and you'll need powerpoint to edit)  If you like the font I have, I used Hello Literacy's font: HelloAli

ALSO-I plan on giving my winner (or winners) a little certificate.  I am thinking that I'll be making one for everyone because I'm not quite sure I'll get an answer from my little firsties ;)  Click on the next picture to grab yourself a copy!  (I will also put the direction page there too, for those of you who do not have powerpoint.  You could do the old fashion cut and paste to get your statements on there)

LAST-If you haven't heard by now, Teachers Pay Teachers is having a HUGE sale this weekend!  I will be having my store 20% off.  Use the code BTS12 to get an additional 10% off!  I can't wait to clear out my wishlist and get some great new things for this school year!

Here are some of the newer things that I have recently placed on TPT:

Word Jails are now editable!

First day/week of school ideas/activities

  

 

I have K-5 checklists available in my store!

 

Lit stations/centers perfect for September!

Math Stations/Centers perfect for September!

A fun word work station activity that can be used throughout the year!

OH!  And if you made it this far-----I HAVE A GIVEAWAY GOING ON RIGHT NOW FOR YOU TO WIN A PIECE OF JEWELRY OF YOUR CHOICE (UP TO $100) FROM LIA SOPHIA!!!!!!!------>GIVEAWAY!

And---make sure to follow my blog because I have some more pretty exciting giveaways coming up that you will NOT want to miss!!!!!!!

Word Jail! UPDATED!!!

I found a quick "hotspot" and had to share!  I have figured out how to make my word jail editable!  If you have purchased it, go back and download it again.  There are directions on how to access the file!!!!!!!  Please remember that it is for your classroom only when you purchase this.  Graphics are copyrighted and cannot be copied. (they are secure)

Click on the picture to take you to my store to check out the details of the product!  (also-read the post below to see more!)  =)

Don't forget to enter my contest for $80 for Vista Print here--------->CLICK HERE TO ENTER TO WIN!!!!!

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