Motivation Monday: First Day Back

Oh, summer.  Where did you go???  

Today was my first day back at school for preplanning.  :(  I was so sad to leave my sweet doggie and comfortable couch to go back.  So this quote went perfectly went my mood:

I can't stop school from starting back, but I can jump in my classroom and get things going.  I hope all of you have the best of luck in starting this new school year.

When do you go back for preplanning?

Want an Apple Classroom Sign?

Hey guys!  Happy Friday!  It's my last one before preplanning starts.  

I put this on my FB page, but wasn't sure if everyone would see it...

My mom made this adorable apple sign for my classroom!  

We were thinking of giving one away as a back to school gift.  

Would y'all be interested?!

Inspirational FREEBIE!

Suzy from Technically Invisible 

recommended this fabulous video as a little back to school inspiration.

After watching it, one of the most important things mentioned was this:

So I created this classroom sign that can help inspire yourself and your students.

Click below to snag it for free!  :)

Motivation Monday: All About YOU!

I saw this pin last week:

                                                    Source: fit-is-what-i-aim-for.tumblr.com via Dana on Pinterest

How true is that?!

We all have many roles...teacher, wife, husband, mother, father,...
the list goes on for DAYS!

I hope you take a little "me time" every now and then.

YOU DESERVE IT!!!

Target $1 Section SUCCESS!!!

I had to run into to Target yesterday to get a card and some lotion.  

Well, 45 minutes later...

I hit the Target JACKPOT!!!

I'm so excited to have found some super cute and cheap things for my kids' treasure box!  I found pencils, erasers, markers, bookmarks, and cute Dr. Seuss cut-outs!

And I also saw this fabulous back-to-school commercial last night!!!

LOVE everything Target!!!

What's your weakness?!  Is it Target?  Wal-mart?  The Dollar Tree???

Feel free to share below in the comments.  Who am I to judge?!  :)

Techie Tuesday: Policies and Procedures!

Sandy from Soaring Through Second posted this freebie on her blog:

                                                Source: soaringthroughsecond.blogspot.com via Dana on Pinterest

I think this is fabulous for those of you who use iPads in your classrooms!

The kids need to understand the policies and procedures, 

making sure that the iPad is handled safely and with care!

What are other ways you ensure students are handling classroom items/resources properly?

Daily 5 (Ch. 6) Word Work!

Happy Monday, friends!

I'm back from a long weekend of celebrating my birthday! 

I'm excited to be teaming up with Molly from Lessons with Laughter to bring you the Work on Writing/Word Work chapter from the Daily 5 book study!

Click on the button below to head over and check it out!

And feel free to leave questions/comments!
See you there!

Back to School Poem FREEBIE!

Happy Saturday, everyone!  I had a question on my FB page the other day about back to school poems.  Here's one that I created.

You can send it out to the kids before school starts (if you have your roster/addresses) or wait and give it to them at open house.  I also left a blank space at the bottom for you to sign your name.  That way you can personalize it!

Click below to download the poem!

Thirty-One/Birthday Winner!!!

THANK YOU to all of you who entered the giveaway!!!  Your birthday wishes were so sweet and heartfelt!  :)  They truly meant a lot to me.  

And now for the moment you've all been waiting for.......

The winner is:

Congrats, Lilly!!!  Check your inbox!!!

And for those of you who are still wanting that tote (and lots of other goodies like myself), you can join Danielle's Thirty-One FB group and shop 'til you drop!  :)

Click the picture below, choose "Join," and then Danielle will approve you!

Hope to see you there!

It's My Birthday!!!

I'm 30 and LOVING it!  :)  Well, all one and a half hours of it (officially).  

Since I've been getting presents and celebrating, I think y'all should too!  :)

Here's a multiplication freebie for you guys!

Click the buttons below to snag the freebie!

Enjoy!!!

Motivation Monday/Birthday Giveaway!

The Golden Girls have provided so many funny and inspirational moments!!!  Here's one that suits me this week since my 30th birthday is Thursday!

These girls are a hoot!  I love how no matter how many years pass by, they still know how to laugh and have a great time!  That's my plan!

And since it's my birthday week, I want to give one of YOU a gift!

Thanks to Danielle, she's going to help me giveaway one Organization Utility Tote to one lucky winner!!!

The giveaway starts today and ends Thursday night at midnight (EST).

I'll pick a winner Friday morning!!!

a Rafflecopter giveaway


Good luck to all!!!

Classroom Theme Linky Party!

Corinna at Surfin' Through Second is hosting a "Classroom Theme" linky party!

And y'all know me, I'm all about some football decor!!!

And I have found these lovely jewels in Target!

I was also given a tip that Michael's has these items!

I can't wait to get into my classroom and start decorating!!!

Stop by, link up, and share your pics!  

I'm excited to see what everyone's doing!

"Welcome Back!" Pack/Football Decor!

 I told you guys yesterday that I would update the shop with a couple items.  Well, here goes.  :)

The first is a "Welcome Back!" Fun Pack!

It's 11 pages of games, activities, and a first day letter!

     

The second is something I've been playing around with for the last week.  I'm not sure if anyone else on this planet even has a use for this, but I'm definitely using it as my classroom decor this year!!!

It's 100 pages of:

- banners ("Welcome!" and blank ones)

- center signs (several for Literacy, several for Math, and blank ones)

- word wall letters

- number lines (1-100)

- ABC line

- months

- days

- calendar numbers

- nameplates

- blank tags

     

I hope everyone has a fabulous weekend!  

Be on the lookout for news about another giveaway.

Here's a hint...

It's the weekend, baby!!!

Oh yeah!!!  The weekend is here and I'm SO pumped!

Great times planned with the hubby and friends!

I'll be adding a couple new products sometime tomorrow.

Here's a sneak peek:

Enjoy your weekend!  :)

ETA Giveaway Winner!

Before I announce the winner, I would like to thank everyone who entered the ETA giveaway!  Your comments about the achievement pack go right along with my feelings....they're are so many awesome activities packed into this one product!

And now, the moment you've all been waiting for!  The winner is:

Congrats, Anisa!!!  ETA will be contacting you soon to get your details!

Hope you enjoy the pack!!!

Techie Tuesday: TBTS!

Teaching Blog Traffic School is hands down one of the BEST decisions I've made since I started blogging.  There were a few months where I was floating around in blog world, lost as could be, and had no clue that there were guidelines and etiquette!  

But within weeks of joining TBTS, I understood tons more about social media and how it could help me.  I also learned valuable blogging etiquette (because the last thing you want to do is get all spam-happy and get banned from a blogger's site or page)!  I was also introduced to multiple new avenues such as blog expos, writing for TeachHUB, and doing product reviews.  

In all seriousness, TBTS has helped me go from less than 100 to over 1,000 followers in a year.  Lord knows I couldn't have done that on my own...not at the rate I was going.

Here's a video I did a few months ago to give TBTS a shout out!

If you're feeling like TBTS sounds like something you'd like to try out, click the picture below!  I'd love to see you there, chat with you, and watch you learn and grow!

Either way, happy blogging and blog hopping!  :)

Motivation Monday...and a Book Study!

Happy Monday, friends!!!
I found this on Pinterest and couldn't agree more:

                                                  Source: thesimplyluxuriouslife.tumblr.com via Dana on Pinterest

How true is that?!

My hubby recorded an ESPN 30 for 30 on Ricky Williams, an NFL player who went through some ups and downs.  But the main point of the show was that Ricky's choices were leading him down his own path, not the path that everyone else wanted him on.  The right choice isn't always the popular one.

I hope you all are on your own special tracks and that you don't let others deter you.  It may mean making tough choices, but it will all be worth it in the end!

On another note, the Daily 5 book study is up and running!  Everyone is invited to grab a book, stop by the blog, and join in the fun!  Here's a link to where it's all going down:

See you there!

Avoid the Summer Slide - Giveaway!!!

We all know that kids need activities and learning experiences over the summer to keep their brains fresh!  ETA hand2mind has graciously allowed me to review one of their awesome products:

Home Team Advantage^® SUMMER Goal Achievement Packs

Grades PreK-8

I've been exploring the 3rd grade pack over the past couple of weeks and I'm in LOVE!  Watch the video below to get a better idea of what's in the pack and how effective this could be for your child!

And now, the fun part!!!

YOU could win this!!!

Enter below!

a Rafflecopter giveaway