2012 Bloggy Best and Brightest Linky

I am happy to link up with Christina at Bunting, Books, and Bainbridge for her 2012's blog best and brightest linky. What a fun way to look back at the year!   It is a great way to brag about your own blog favorites while giving a shout out to some of your favorite bloggy friends!   
One of the best things that happened this year is that I was offered a position in the school district where I lived.  I was previously teaching in another district and had about a 30 minute commute each way.  My youngest son goes to the school I am at now and my next two youngest are at the school right next door - talk about convenience!

I have also been blessed with a little bit of extra income from my blog and TPT which has helped us cover all of the expenses associated with my son Tyler's traveling baseball team (He says, "THANK YOU TEACHERS PAY TEACHERS!").  It also helps me fund items for my class which makes my hubby very happy!

One of my favorite posts this year was a Peek Into My Classroom - I love seeing my room so neat and tidy pre-kiddos! LOL!  I previously taught 7th grade so I wasn't able to go as cutsey as I did now - LOVING elementary!

My most popular post was the Whole Brain Teaching 3 Star Homework Model. This year has been my first using Whole Brain Teaching and I must say that I am hooked!

The Best Freebie I shared was my If I Was In a Snowglobe writing activity. I could not believe the quality of my students' writing with it!

The BEST product I created this year was My Lucky Day teaching packet - my class had a blast with it. I haven't blogged about it yet, but maybe will get the chance during break!

My MOST POPULAR product is my capitalization packet.  I definitely have to give credit to being involved in the Great Product Swap hosted by Jessica Stanford  for that.  My partner, Brooke from Third Grade Troops went above and beyond and created a PowerPoint to go with it. How awesome is that?  That is definitely my favorite thing about the bloggy world - the amazing giving spirit of all of those involved. You all rock! I wish I could teach with all of you- but having blogs makes it seem like the most amazing PLC ever!!!!

So that leads to my last brag of the year - my fave bloggers this year! (No... I don't have room to list you all!!!) Of course I've already listed Jessica and Brooke, but I would also like to send a shout out to Farley for offering blogging inspiration for even the worst case of blogger's block with her monthly Currently (plus I love learning more about my bloggy friends). I also love Tania from Mrs Poultney's Ponderings who is one of my most frequent commenters - she makes me feel loved - at least I know one person reads what I have to say! LOL!

Merry Christmas From My Family To Yours!

Thank you for reading my blog and following along with my classroom adventures!  I hope you have a very Merry Christmas!

Free Printable Multiplication Poster

What are Multiplication Posters and How Can They Help Students Learn Math?

Multiplication posters are a great way to help students learn math. They offer visual cues and support to help students understand the concepts they are working on. These posters can be used in classrooms, homes, or anywhere else students need a little extra help with their math. By providing an easy-to-understand visual representation of the multiplication process, multiplication posters can make learning math easier and more enjoyable for students of all ages. With these tools, students can better understand multiplication and develop the skills they need to succeed in math class.

Free Printable Multiplication Poster

If your students need help practicing their multiplication facts, you will want to grab this free printable multiplication poster!

This post contains affiliate links. I earn a small commission each time someone makes a purchase using one of my links, which helps to support the blog.  All opinions are my own and I only promote brands and products that I have used myself and truly love.  

Learning and memorizing multiplication facts can be hard for students.  I made this multiplication songs and tricks poster to help remind my students of the tricks and songs they can use to help them memorize their multiplication facts. 

I have them keep this multiplication poster in their binders for easy reference. Tips are included for the multiplication facts for numbers 1 through 12.

  You can download this multiplication songs and tricks poster for free here.

Other Helpful Multiplication Resources:

Kicking It Math Multiplication Fact Fluency Program

Multiplication Bingo

Using Subitizing Cards to Foster Multiplicative Thinking

10 Ways to Practice Math Facts

Multiplication Facts That Stick: Help Your Child Master the Multiplication Facts for Good in Just 10 Weeks 

Multiplication Slam Game

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Rock, Paper, Math

I have a group of wiggly third graders this year - my class is mostly boys with a few girls.  My principal has suggested using some brain breaks.  I would love to implement a few brain breaks that also involve some content review.  That is why I love this video with a version of rock, paper, scizzors that reviews multiplication facts (if you teach younger students I'm sure you could substitute with addition or subtraction instead).

This comes from a book entitled Energizing Brain Breaks.  You can find a few more free videos at the website here.

What brain breaks do you use?

Fun Faux Stained Glass Picture

If you are looking for a simple Christmas Arts and Crafts project for your students, you will love these fun faux stained glass pictures!  

We made these fun faux stained glass pictures of candles today and they came out super cute! You can use almost any coloring page if you would like a different image.

This post contains affiliate links. I earn a small commission each time someone makes a purchase using one of my links, which helps to support the blog.  All opinions are my own and I only promote brands and products that I have used myself and truly love.

We started with these supplies:

• Candle picture template (click to download)
• Black Yarn
• Glue
• Sharpies
• Aluminum foil

We first put glue on the black lines and then covered them with yarn.  We found it easier to do it piece by piece, measuring the yarn first, cutting it to size, then gluing it down.

When it was completed, we wrapped it in tinfoil with the picture side upside down.

Then we pushed down to make the yarn impression show on the foil.

Then the kids used sharpies to color the insides.  We found that using the sides of the markers kept the foil from ripping.

And another final project done:

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Silence for Sandy Hook Elementary

If I Were In A Snow Globe Writing Activity - FREEBIE

                                                                                   

If you happen to have school next week like we do, you might be looking for some fun Christmas type activities to keep them engaged - and learning.  My kiddos had a great time writing about their time in a snow globe as an imaginative narrative.  It was seriously one of the best pieces they have written all year.  I was quite impressed!

I have posted the graphic organizer and final paper as a FREEBIE on Teachers Pay Teachers if you would like to try it out.

I had the kids make their own snow globes using pictures we took, a paper plate, and a Ziploc bag.  Here is one of our final projects: