Martin Luther King Jr. Mini Pack & A Freebie

January is flying by for me.  What about you?  We've got so much testing coming up for our 2nd graders that my mind is spinning.  As I was planning upcoming lessons and glanced at the calendar I realized that MLK Day is coming up super quick.  I have been working on my new mini unit.  I finished it yesterday and it is now on TPT.  It is quick and easy to use over a 3 day period leading up the holiday.  Click on the pic to check it out!

For you fantastic followers, here is an extra freebie for you. Click on the pic!  

I'll be using this with this book, but you can really use any biographical book about MLK.

It is a rainy Sunday here in NC.  Hope it is bright and sunny where you are.  Have a wonderful week!

Stop By Classroom Freebies for more wonderful work by teachers!

Click on the picture to shop at my store and receive 20% off every product...TODAY ONLY!

New Year, New Beginnings

Happy 2013 Friends!  

Have you made any resolutions yet?  I've been thinking hard about what I want to achieve this year and decided to narrow it down to 3 things...

1) Stop drinking soda.  I love me some caffeine, but at a recent doctors appointment I was highly encouraged to stop, so here goes.  (A cup of coffee is okay, right?)  I found these scary stats...

2)Run at least 3 times a week.  Last year, I ran frequently and ended up losing about 20 pounds that I had put on during my pregnancy.  I love these running shoes and will use these as a goal.  If I can drop 5-10 pounds within the next month I WILL buy these.

3) Set a schedule of cleaning throughout the week.  All of my cleaning ends up piling up for the weekend and then I am stuck cleaning my house the entire weekend.  Not.so.fun!  I like this idea!

What are your resolutions?

Christmas Time Chaos Plus A Letter of Invitation

WHOA, the past week has been crazy busy!  I only expect it to get even more chaotic leading up to Christmas Break.  My class has been rehearsing for their Christmas musical everyday as mentioned in the past post.  This week we rehearsed everyday and have 4 performances this week, two on Thursday and two on Friday.  Try fitting in Core Curriculum with this going on and you have one EXHAUSTED teacher.  Though I have to boast that my students are singing, dancing, and memorizing their lines very well.  I can't wait to share the pictures with you next weekend.  Our fabulous art teacher created the backdrops out of foam insulation and they are A-M-A-Z-I-N-G!

Here are the letters of invitations that my students wrote to invite their families to the show.  We turned them into presents by gluing the bow on top and designing the construction paper using oil pastels.  Oooooh I love me some oil pastels!  (side note: I have the bow template to share, but left it on my desktop at school.  I'll post it Monday if you would like to use it)

I'm taking my daughter to Disney On Ice TODAY!  She loves everything Disney.  I can't wait to see the joy and excitement on her face!  Happy Sunday Friends!

I {Heart} December

December is HERE!  

There are too many reasons to name why I love this month sooooo much!  My classroom is gearing up for the holiday season.  We've been busy with phonics, phonics, and more phonics.  Afterall, it is the basis for reading and well the kids love hands-on phonics activities.  I created this freebie for you to use as well to get the kids focused on word work while still enjoying holiday activities.  Click on the pic to get your word work freebie.

My students are preparing for a musical that they will be performing next week.  The music is very energetic and uplifting that I find myself singing the songs in the shower.  I just can't get them out of my head.  

Oh and....Our Donor's Choose Project was fully funded this weekend!  

What a great Christmas present to my class!!!  I can't wait to tell the kids tomorrow.

Happy December to all of you!

After Thanksgiving Sale

I don't know about you guys, but I am one T.I.R.E.D teacher.  Between eating all the delicious food and countless hours of shopping, I am exhausted.  But I am very thankful that I had these days off to enjoy with my friends and family.  Plus, I'm getting caught up on some much needed house work.  Ha!

I'm having an after Thanksgiving sale in both of my shops.  The Teacher's Notebook Sale started today and will run through Monday.  No code needed!

My shop will be on sale at Teacher's Pay Teachers beginning on Monday and ending on Wednesday.  Enter code CMT12 at checkout.

{Thanks so much to The 3AM Teacher for creating this cute button!}

Happy Holidays Friends!  

Enjoy the rest of your Thanksgiving Break. 

 

Teacher's Notebook & Turkey Ideas

Guess who made the Teacher's Notebook Newsletter???  

Yep, this teacher.  

I was so thrilled when I opened my email to find my shop as a featured shop.  It is such an honor to be featured and I am very blessed to be able to help other teachers.

This is the beginning of some much needed sunshine in my life.

 I just know it is! <3

Yesterday, we had students from the middle school, which is across the street, come to the 2nd grade classes.  They read and did two activities with the kids.  I could tell the middle school kids were nervous, but they did an outstanding job.

The kids made these "Missing Piece" faces from the book by Shel Silverstein.

Then, they created hand and foot print turkeys.  The kids kept saying the feet looked like potatoes.  Ha!

I wanted to share some fun ideas that I borrowed from Amy Lemons to prepare my students for Thanksgiving.  If you haven't heard of her, go check out her amazing ideas.  I borrow her ideas all of the time to help reinforce skills in my class.  My students created these darling bowls of mashed potatoes using her thanksgiving pack.  The kids listed 3 things they love about Thanksgiving.

And last, meet our "I'm Thankful for Turkey".  Isn't he just the sweetest?  I made him myself and the kids write things they were thankful for on the feathers.  

Have a blessed Thanksgiving with your loved ones.