Currently

I'm linking up with Farley from Oh' Boy 4th Grade for a new Currently!

Listening to:  Well, it's bitter cold outside.  Bitter isn't even the word.  It's -50 degrees with the wind chill and we have over 12 feet of snow.  Needless to say, I have a roaring fire in the fireplace.  I have been listening to it crackle all day.  Love me a nice warm fire!

Loving:  Well, because of the weather we did not have school today! And guess what?  No school tomorrow, either!  Just another reason to lounge around in my comfy cozies all day!  I know I will not like these days at the end of the school year!  But right now, I'm lovin' them! 

Thinking:  I can't wait for spring!  Come on, do you can't blame a girl!

Wanting:  I have become the Princess of Procrastination.  I think a Fairy Godmother would really come in handy. I mean, who doesn't want a Fairy Godmother?!?!?!?  Just wave a magic wand and the house is clean, laundry is done, report cards are completed, papers are graded.....  The list goes on and on!

Needing:  I guess since I do not have said Godmother, I better get a few things done!  Thank goodness for the extra couple of days! 

Memory or Tradition:  Christmas break is a perfect time to reconnect with friends!  I especially enjoyed the time I spent with my friend, Laura.  I have known her since Jr. High (YIKES!!) and I have not seen her in FOREVER!  It was so good to catch up.  We might not see each other often, but we NEVER run out of things to say! 

Now it's your turn to link up with Farley! 

What was your favorite part of Christmas break?

Stay warm, Friends! 

Happy New Year!

Where did 2013 go?

This year has been quite an adventure for me! I opened my store on Teachers Pay Teachers, started a little blog, made some new bloggy friends! :)

I am celebrating the new year by having a SALE!

Whoo-hoo!

All all of my products will be 20% off from Tuesday, December 31st-Thursday, January 2nd.

Just click the picture below and it will take you right to my store!

On of my goals at school is to help my students improve their fluency with addition and subtraction facts. To do this, my team uses this:

Click the picture to get it!

Each week, we administer 1-2 Mad Minutes. All students begin with “Whole: 5 or less.” Once students master “The 5’s,” they move to the 6’s, etc. There are three assessments for each “level.”

You may choose to have students complete either 15 or 30 problems in one minute. I have my firsties begin with 15 problems, then once they master 15 problems, they complete 30. This is a great way to differentiate!

I keep track of students progress in my grade book, marking how many problems the student attempted and how many he or she got correct.

Once students get 28 out of 30 correct or better, they "pass" to the next level and get a certificate.

When we have extra time in the day, my students use flashcards to practice their addition and subtraction facts!

My kiddos are motivated to beat their score and move to the next level!

What is your goal for 2014?

Happy Holidaze!

Ho! Ho! Ho!  To get in the holiday spirit, I am linking up with Michelle from  Fabulous in First to answer some fun holiday questions! 

Hot Chocolate or Eggnog? 
I'm a total chocoholic!  I love hot chocolate.  Throw in as many marshmallows as possible, please!  I love when you get to the bottom of the mug and all that is left is the ooey gooey marshmallow goodness!  

Does Santa wrap presents or just sit them underneath the tree? 
My husband and I discuss this question EVERY Christmas!  When I was growing up, Santa was way to busy to wrap presents!  He left goodies under the tree.  Unwrapped.  I wonder if  Santa did this so we didn't have to wake up Mom and Dad early in the morning?  

If you ask my husband this question, I know he will tell you a different story!  ;)

 Colored lights or white?
 I love white lights!  Classic!  

When do you decorate? 
I have to eat turkey before I decorate.  I can't look at Christmas things in the store until the day after Thanksgiving. No, I did not go out shopping on Thanksgiving!  I can only do one holiday at a time!    

Real or Fake Tree? 
When I was a kid, we always went to a tree farm and chopped down a tree.  Over the years, I have developed a terrible allergy to trees.  I touch a Christmas tree and break out in hives.  It's awful.  I get allergy shots... meds...  it's awful.  I'm itching now, just thinking about it.   While I do miss the smell of a real tree, a fake tree isn't that bad.  No needles.  No watering the tree.  Sometimes a girl's gotta do what a girl's gotta do, ya know?

What Tops Your Tree? 
We have an angel on the top of our tree.  It was given to my by my nana.  Love it.

Favorite Christmas Memories or Traditions? 
I love baking.  I bake for days over the holidays.  My all time favorite, must bake Christmas treat would have to be Thumbprint Cookies.  I use my Great Grandmother's recipe.  They are buttery goodness filled with butter cream frosting.  To. Die. For.  My dad says he won't let me in the door if I don't bring them on Christmas!  

Do you remember your favorite gift as a child?  
I would like to say that it was the Barbie Dream House.  You know the one.  It had an elevator. I would really like to say that....  but I can't.  I never had one.  I wasn't allowed to have a Barbie.  Can you believe it?  Not allowed.  I can't talk about it.  I'm still in therapy about it.   (insert violin music here....)  

Do prefer giving or receiving?
 Giving for sure!  I think that I would have made a great elf.  And isn't that what Christmas is all about?

What is your favorite Christmas song?
Winter Wonderland

 Candy Canes. Yuck or Yum?
Yum!  I love anything peppermint!  Especially around the holidays!

 Favorite Christmas Movie? 
A Christmas Story.   Hands down.  The end.

Do you shop online or at stores?
Both.  Online is so much easier.  No crowds.  You can stay in your comfy cozies.  Drink coffee and click away. There are times you just have to go out and get in the mix of the hustle and bustle.  

 Photo Cards, Letter or Store Bought Card? 
I love photo cards.  It's great to see all of my friend's kids!  Sometimes I have them on the fridge all year! 

The holidays are all about giving.  So, I have a gift for all of my blog world friends!  My kiddos have been having fun writing letters to Santa and I thought I would share all of the fun with you, too!  There are two graphic organizers, each with a different topic.  Students may choose to tell Santa how they have been a good boy or girl, or they may tell him all of their Christmas wishes.  There are also two types of writing paper to choose!  Enjoy!  Click HERE to get it!

I have five more "wake ups" until Christmas vacation!   Whoo Hoo!   No big plans for me.  I just want a little R & R! 

I'd love to hear what you have planned this holiday season!   

Don't forget to head over to Fabulous in First to link up! 

 

Deck the Halls!

Are you ready for the TpT Cyber Monday {and Tuesay} sale?

Everything in my shop will be 20% off!  Use the code CYBER at checkout to get additional savings!  Start filling your cart, Teacher Friends! 

In the spirit of the holiday season, I am joining in with this fun linky!

Click HERE to join the Linky Party!

Deck the Walls with Blends and Digraphs...

Click HERE to get it!

Walking in a Writing Wonderland....

Click HERE to get this!

 It's Beginning to Sound A Lot Like Reading....

Click HERE to get this!

 

 

Tis the Season To Do Word Work...

Click HERE to get this!

I'm Dreaming of a Holiday Freebie!

Click HERE to get this!

Looking for other great things to put in your TpT cart?  Check out the other blogs that participated in this linky at Bunting, Books and Bainbridge or click HERE!

I'm off to fill my shopping cart! Happy shopping, Teacher Friends!

And The Winner Is......

Five for Friday

Oh what a week!  I am so thankful that we only have school for two days next week!  I need some R&R!  A girl can dream, right?!?!?!?!  ;)

I am liking up with Doodle Bugs to share my Five for Friday!  I know it's Saturday, but......

My firsties made the cutest word family turkeys this week!  I found this idea over at The First Grade Parade!

Click HERE to get the FREEBIE!

I'm getting the Elf on the Shelf ready to go!

Need an Elf On the Shelf?  Get one HERE!

I found these cute jokes to use.  You can find them at Over the Big Moon!  Click HERE to get them!

 

Need I say more?

When I think Thanksgiving, I think PUMPKIN!  I love pumpkin anything!  I'm thinkin' this might have to be on my Thanksgiving menu this year!  It sounds YUMM-O!

I found this treat over at Budget Gourmet Mom.  Check it out!

I am so excited about my giveaway! I'm giving away 9 of my BEST SELLERS!  All of the activities are great for literacy centers, Daily5, guided reading, and reading interventions.  

There's only a few days left before I announce the big winner! Be sure to ENTER! 

Click HERE to enter!

Good luck, Friends!   

Hope you have a relaxing weekend! 

Thanks Giveaway!

I am having a GIVEAWAY for a chance to win 9 literacy activities from my TpT store!

Click HERE to check them out in my TpT store.

Enter today for your chance to win 9 great activities!  These activities may be used for homework, Daily 5 word work, literacy centers, guided reading, or reading interventions.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Winners will be announced on Wednesday, November 27th!