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Thursday, May 30, 2013

Are you feeling... hot...hot... hot ?

The classroom thermostat read 95 degrees this morning at 9:15!!  What can you do when it is this hot?  We drank lots of water, worked with the lights off and made sure to feel like we were at the beach.

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I really tried to keep the routine as normal as possible but boy was it hot!    Tomorrow it should be a little cooler.  Maybe only 90 degrees.  So then we will hit the ocean to stay cool.  


Thank you to the generous teachers and fans that have purchased a bundle.  The Teachers Care for Oklahoma has raised 5 figures so far.  Please pin.... share.... and SPREAD THE WORD about these awesome bundles.   100% will directly to the teachers and staff in Moore, Oklahoma!  Fundraiser ends on Monday June 3rd.  Buy it this weekend!  :)  


    

Happy Weekend.  Stay cool.  What's the weather were you are?  




Tuesday, May 28, 2013

Generous Teachers Stand Together

Many of you have packed up your classroom and enjoying your summer vacation.  Many of your are beginning to wind down and think about your summer ahead.  However, let's not forget the teachers and children of Moore, OK that lived through a HORRIBLE tornado on their last day of school. 
 
Those children will not be able to take home their things and the techers that have worked so hard all year long to give those students a warm loving teaching environment, have nothing left.     They need your help!
This is what's left of a classroom in Plaza Tower Elementary.
 


I would like to send a HUGE thank you to everyone who has generously donated their resources, and all those that helped organize Teachers Care for Oklahoma.  
 
 click here for original post


This week with the organized worldwide team effort, I was able to work with Dani from Crayonbox Learning, Amy from TPT,  Mel from Graphics from the Pond and Wendy from Teacher's Toolkit to put these bundles together.    

You can help by purchasing one or more of the bundles that have been put together in part by generous donations by amazing teachers like you.  There are 4 bundles, each valued at $150-180.00.  100% of the donations are being sent directly to the Moore, Oklahoma schools.

Thank you for your support and the teachers of Moore, OK will know that a wonderful community of teachers support them in their time of need. 
 
 
Still need to purchase a bundle or two....
 
 
 
 


Sunday, May 26, 2013

It's Here....

 
...those are the last words that Principal Amy Simpson, announced on the loudspeaker just as the tornado hit Plaza Tower Elementary School.  Over 500 children and school staff were affected with this horrible disaster on the day that was suppose to be the graduation day for the 6th graders. 

On the afternoon of May 20, 2013, the town of Moore, Oklahoma was hit head on by what has now been classified as an EF5 tornado. Wind speeds were estimated between 200-210 miles per hour, with forces said to be greater than that of the Atomic Bomb that hit Hiroshima, Japan in 1945. Two of the elementary schools in Moore, Plaza Towers Elementary and Briarwood Elementary, were leveled while students and teachers were still in the buildings resulting in the loss of life of young children. Many businesses, medical centers, and residences were also destroyed or severely damaged.

Actual photo of Moore, OK tornado!!
 
 
A classroom from Plaza Tower Elementary School in Moore, OK!
 


Not long after the news broke, teachers from all over the world began discussing a way to raise funds to help the teachers in Moore, OK that have lost all of their resources (and classrooms). Within a few hours, this fundraising effort was aptly named Teachers Care for Oklahoma. A plan was soon put into motion, and within a few short days Teachers Care for Oklahoma is on it's way to raise much needed funds to help the teachers in Moore.


Because of the overwhelming, generous support of TPT Sellers, we have been able to put together 4 separate bundles of learning resources. Materials range in subjects, with the majority meeting Common Core Standards. The bundles are separated by age group. There are 2 bundles for K-2 age group, and 2 bundles for the 3-6 age group with clipart as well. Each bundle is valued at well over $100.00, and will be made available for a $25.00 donation. These bundles will be available for a LIMITED TIME, beginning Friday, May 24 through Monday, June 3rd, 2013.

100% of the proceeds for this fundraising event is being collected by TPT, and will be distributed by check to the appropriate Moore Oklahoma School District Representative earmarked to specifically aid the teachers as they begin the process of rebuilding.

Teachers Care for Oklahoma is on a short timeline so that we may better help those who need it the most. There isn't a limit on the number of bundles you may purchase. Below the description, you will find the direct links to the other 4 bundles available.

Below, please find direct links to the Fundraiser product pages which detail the products offered in each Bundle, and images of the covers from all of the materials. There isn't a limit to the number of bundles that you may purchase. It's a good way to receive top quality resources, while helping fellow teachers in need.
TEACHERS CARE FOR OKLAHOMA - BUNDLES

 Click on the pictures to take you to the awesome bundles!  
 
 
  
                                                         


If you would like to help spread the word about this fundraiser, you are welcome to use the logos below. A special thank you to Mel from Graphics from the Pond for creating them.  I also would like to thank Wendy from Teacher's Toolkit for designing the covers.

A special shout out goes to Amy from TPT, as well as Paul, John and the whole Tech Department for pulling out all of the stops to help with this venture. To Danielle from Crayonbox Learning, for working with me a lot of sleepless nights sorting through files, organizing, and communicating with donors, the list goes one. I can speak for everyone involved, it has been well worth it.  To help just one person, we've succeeded.  Thank you so much everyone for your kind, and generous support and contributions!

 



Sunday, May 19, 2013

Hooray for You!

I have had a few emails from people who said they couldn't find the Hooray for You book to go along with my Hooray for You Critical Thinking Skills Activities
 
 Looky... Look..  what I  found in the  June Scholastic book clubs.
Click on the picture to take you to the resource. 
 
 
Also, I have updated this Outstanding Compound Words resource.  It is now 100 pages of compound fun!
It is on sale until Monday May 20.  If you already purchased it, please go to your My Purchases and re download it for free!  I will be updating it again after the third set of new compound word graphics are released.
 
 
 
This is what my kiddos will be doing the week of Memorial Day.  It will all be about the circus!  My special needs kids will learn to juggle, get their faces painted and of course ride the best thing of all they will ride therapeutic pony! 
 
 
 
 
 
For those of you that are in double or single digits days of school left, I am jealous and wish it were me.  However, in August when my summer is in full swing I will be happy to still out of school, while many of you are returning.  I have a lot more weeks to go until summer vacation.  Like too many to say.  We were actually told at a faculty meeting that we were NOT ALLOWED to count down the days until summer.  As per my principal, it makes the students feel like we don't like them.   My kiddos are 12 month students.  So I leave them June 26 and they have another teacher for the 6-8 weeks of summer instruction. 
 
 


Friday, May 10, 2013

FRIDAY!

After a ridiculously long ride home on this beautiful Friday afternoon,  this is what greeted me as I pulled into the driveway!
 
So pretty and made me stop and think.  Life is good.
 
Happy Weekend Friends and Happy Mother's Day too!
 
 
 
 
 
Did you see who is on TpT now? Her stuff is amazing and you won't be upset you checked her out! 





 

Tuesday, May 7, 2013

I Appreciate You! Enjoy a Sale!

Appreciation according to Webster is to be grateful or thankful.  To value or hold in high regard.  If you are reading this, then I appreciate YOU! 
Isn't it nice when someone appreciates your hard work and dedication!  So as a sign of thanks and appreciation, I am having a sale! 
 
 
 
My entire store is on sale, even the winter holiday items for those of you that want to catch a bargain before the season and before any upgrades are done!
 
 
 
 
Summer Math Fun 
 
 
 
 
 
 
The Very Hungry Caterpillar AND the Butterfly Life Cycle
 
 
 
Literacy Centers and Phonics Activities
 
 



Sunday, May 5, 2013

Caterpillars and Butterflies Oh My!




A fun spring time story grew into something more exciting in room 202!  We enjoyed reading this wonderful book The Very Hungry Caterpillar and some of my boys even went as far as trying to act it out.  They crawled on the floor and pretended to eat all the different foods.   Having a class of multi level kiddos, finding a resource with different levels of materials is difficult. 

This resource has picture cards, words cards and different mini books to complete a sequencing activity. 





We did not grow our own butterflies in our class, however the class that we are buddies with did.  We had the chance to see their eggs, turn to caterpillars, chrysalis and then beautiful butterflies. 
The 8 butterflies were let go into beautiful blue sky on Friday during afternoon free time.
"We will see you again little friend!" cheered one of my kiddies

I created several different life cycle resources to meet the different needs in my classroom, to show the cycle of these beautiful creatures.  A slide through, a flip book and a life cycle diagram.  Depending on the abilities of your kiddos the choice is yours!

This resource will be on sale until I get back from Pilates in the morning.  Head over and check it out.  I would love some pinning love.  :)
 THANK YOU to those of you who took advantage of the early morning mark down.


Wednesday, May 1, 2013

Currently May!!!



 
 
 
HAPPY MAY!  I was late in April and I promised myself I would be early for May!  I left early and I did not hit any city traffic, so I am early. 
Thank you Farley for a fun time.  May is my birthday month and I am excited to be a part of this currently. 
 
 
Listening to the Mr. laugh uncontrollably at the TV.  Must be something totally boyish!
 
Loving that my birthday is the month and I have searched all over the house for my gift!  I haven't found anything yet! :(  He hides them well, because he knows me well!
 
Wanting to finish my gardening.  It just hasn't happened and Mother Nature isn't helping at all.
 
Wanting June 26th to get here A.S.A.P!

Needing a good book recommendation please feel free to tell me. 
 
Summer bucket list, to visit friends in Alabama and New Mexico, but also to SURPRISE my friend at her destination wedding in Italy.  Yep, I am flying all the way to Italy to surprise her.  She thinks I am teaching summer school.  Mean while I will be in Spain and then Italy for her big day!
 
Join the party with Farley!