Thanksgiving Special BOGO SALE - Happy Thanksgiving!

I just wanted to wish all of you and your families a very Happy Thanksgiving!  I hope you get to spend lots of time with your family, friends, and loved ones!  But... in the case that you catch a little time to sneak on the computer because football just isn't your thing, I am offering a special little deal.

I can't begin to thank you enough for all that you have blessed me with this year!  From your encouraging comments, helpful suggestions, and your all around support - I really appreciate all of you! My classroom and teaching would not be the same without all of you!

I just wanted to say Thank you and offer a token of my appreciation with a Buy One Get One Free Sale to tide you over until the big TpT sale on Monday!

 

Thank you  so much to the ever talented Melonheadz for the adorable clip art!

Two For Tuesday Week 4

Tuesdays are fast becoming my favorite day of the week this summer with Two for Tuesday with The Teaching Tribune. I have gotten some great deals and added a few things to my wish list each week!  The two products that I have chosen to mark down to 50% off are my Kicking It Math Subtraction and Kicking It Math Division Products.  

You can read the full post about how I implement this in my class here.

Happy students wearing the "belts" they have won!

Yes, belts, as in karate belts.  The program involves a karate theme and the students pass levels to earn different belts.  They LOVE this!

We start by practicing our math facts orally.  Each student has their own key ring with "belts" that have the math facts on them - problems only on one side and problems and answers on the other.  One student says all of the problems and answers while the other student coaches, then they switch.  This takes about 2-3 minutes.



Here is a close-up of the cards.

Then we complete a 1 minute timed test.  The students have folders with their current level in a sheet protector.  They answer using a dry erase marker.  I only make copies at the beginning of the year!  Yeah!

If they finish before the time is up, they raise their folder above their head, I collect them, grade them, and change the sheet out if they are all correct.

Their name is also changed on our level board.

  

5 For Friday - March 28, 2014

Oh my Goodness! This week has been the longest week ever!  Well, at least it felt that way!  Thank goodness it's Friday and thank goodness it's over!  Also time to link up with Doodle Bugs Teaching for 5 For Friday!

One reason why this week was so incredibly long was that I was sick most of it :(  !  I had a spider bite morph into a staph infection.  The bite started to flame up a bit over the weekend, but by Monday afternoon I had a full blown fever.  I had a headache most of the day on Monday, but didn't take my temp until I got home. 101.3 - no bueno!  So, it was a trip to the doctor for some antibiotics and sub plans for the next day.  I must say, my hubby was awesome and went down to the school to make copies for the sub so that I could stay home and rest.  He is definitely a keeper!  

Anyway, the sub day was a complete bust as I had 5 - yes FIVE parent calls to tell me what a disaster the day was, so I had to drag myself into school on Tuesday because I couldn't subject the students to a second day.  I have a few kiddos who are a tad on the emotional side who DEPEND on structure and routine.  When I got in that morning the sub left in the note the following quote, "I didn't follow your discipline plan our seating chart - it was too chaotic for me to do anything."  - WHAT??? What do you expect if you don't follow the discipline plan???  And changing the seating chart is also ridiculous - I have students seperated for  a reason!  GRRR! Sorry, vent over... It just didn't start my week well at all!  Or my students.  Two of them passed by my classroom before school on Wednesday and I heard one say, "She's here!  I see her Starbuck's on her desk!"  ( I May be a bit addicted...)

This week has also been taxing because it is test prep time.  We have our state tests April 8 - 11th so it is crunch time!

Our city received an art grant to install some large art sculptures downtown.  One of the artists is making a turtle that will have tiles made by the students in our town. The artists came into our classroom this week to help make ours. 

Each student made two tiles - one to represent Nevada and one to represent themselves.

Last week I asked for help voting for my school to win $10,000 to help repair our dire playground.

Well, GREAT NEWS - WE WON!  They presented the check to our school this morning.

As I look through my pictures from this week, I notice that my classroom could use a little spring cleaning for sure!  If only there was a magical classroom cleaning fairy! Speaking of spring cleaning, my Teachers Pay Teachers Wish List is also in need of a little freshening up - it is getting a bit too large to manage (imagine that!).  Luckily for me, a few of my favorite sellers are having a Spring Cleaning Sale!

I am also joining in the sale with 20% off until the end of the month!

3 Million Teachers Strong Sale On Teachers Pay Teachers and Pin it to Win It

(image credit: Rachel Lamb for Blog Hoppin')

Can you believe that Teachers Pay Teachers is already 3 million teachers strong!  That is a whole lot of resources and support!  I can honestly say that Teachers Pay Teachers has been an amazing blessing to both my family and my students.  The quality of my teaching has improved tremendously thanks to the resources that I have not only made, but have purchased from other sellers as well!  My wish list is way too long to even talk about, but with the great sale taking place Feb. 27 - 28th, I will be able to make a major dent in it!  I will  be having a  20% sale on all of my products at my store. Teachers Pay Teachers adds an additional 10% to that when you use the code TPT3 (You effectively save 28%).

I am linking up with Blog Hoppin' with a bunch of other sellers who are also throwing sales at their stores. Several of these sellers have products that are on my wish list!  Be sure to check them out and get ready to save on some amazing products!

As a special thank you to my followers, I am having a Pin it to Win It party for the next three days.  Pin your favorite item from my store and you can get it for FREE!  Limit one item per person.  Simply leave the link to your pin and your email address in the comments and I will send you the file as soon as I can.  Thank you again for all of your support!

My store link

Teachers Pay Teachers Flash Sale

Just quick post to let you know that TpT is having a surprise "flash" sale this weekend in honor of 100,000 Facebook fans and I joined in!  I have tacked 10% more onto everything in more store for Sunday and Monday only!  Make sure to use this code when you check out to get the full 20% discount!

Check out this adorable button from Whimsy Workshop! I love her clipart and she is having a sale too!  Also, don't forget to enter to win a $25 Teachers Pay Teachers Gift Certificate for even more shopping fun! Enter here.

Reading Comprehension Cubes - Goodies from SmileMakers

When I was initially approached by SmileMakers to choose an item of my choice to review on my blog, my first thought was that I was going to get stickers for my sticker economy.  Because after all that is what SmileMakers is all about.  Boy was I wrong!  It took forever for me to pick something from their catalog because they have sooo much to choose from! Seriously, they have everything from classroom decorations, to arts and crafts supplies, to curriculum materials.

I finally narrowed it down to these reading comprehension cubes that have been on my Wish List forever!

 

I can't wait to use these this year with my kiddos!

 

The set comes with 6 cubes as you can see above and a set of directions with suggestions for using them.

 

According to the directions, there are 2 pre-reading cubes, 2 during reading cubes, and 2 after reading cubes.  Here are a few pics of the questions.  I love that some of the questions are right there while others require more in depth thinking which is perfect for differentiation.

 

 

 

 

I plan on using them in small groups, for partner reading, and even for whole group lessons and read alouds.

I am not only thrilled with my reading cubes, but also with the amazing customer service from SmileMakers.  Here are a few facts about Smile Makers:

• SmileMakers has been helping teachers to create smiles for over 35 years.  You can count on us to make a difference in your classroom.
• We have what you need!  We bring you products you won't find anywhere else.
• Our product safety testing meets or exceeds Consumer Products Safety Standards.
• We offer quick, easy, hassle-free ordering online and on the phone.
• Same day shipping means most orders are received within 1-5 business days.
• Everyday low prices on a wide selection of giveaways.  Plus get great sales offers when you sign up for emails.
• Everything at SmileMakers is backed by our 100% Satisfaction Guarantee.  If your order doesn't meet your expectations, just call us to exchange or return for a full refund.  We'll even pay the return freight.
• SmileMakers is based in Spartanburg, South Carolina
• SmileMakers is a business unit of Quill Corporation, and a wholly owned subsidiary of Staples, Inc.

SmileMakers also offers Teacher Perks which offers sales and discounts just for teachers.  As a member of Teacher Perks, you will receive free shipping on any order over $49 and flat rate shipping of $4.99 on orders less than that.  There are also special private sales for members only!

So, what are you waiting for? See what SmileMakers has to offer!

Have you ever purchased from SmileMakers?  What did you buy?

Do you have these reading comprehension cubes?  How have you used them?

Disclosure: I received the product from SmileMakers in order to facilitate the review.  No other compensation was received, and all opinions expressed are my own.