Jan 30, 2012

Tag You're It!


Kara at Treadwell's Math Adventure tagged me first!
Then that Kindergarten Chick, Amanda, tagged me!
But when I turned around, there was Adrienne from Wiggins World, and she tagged me too!
What's a girl to do?  Get new running shoes, I suppose!  bwahahahaha

OK...
So here are the rules:
1.  Post the rules.
2.  Post 12 fun facts about yourself.
3.  Answer the questions the tagger set for you in her post, and then create 12 new questions for the ones you tag.
4.  Tag 12 people and link them in your post.
5.  Let them know that they have been tagged.

Ok, so let's get this tagging started with 12 fun facts about me.
1.  I'm a Gramma to a precious baby girl!  
2.   My hubby is eight years older than me.
3.   I have two amazingly talented grown sons and one daughter-in-love.
4. I am a HUGE dog lover...especially Labradors
5.  I'm a collector of most anything vintage/antique.
6.  I'm a crafty kind of girl!
7.  I have a personal blog too.
8.  I have had several websites.  My new site Teacher's Chatterbox will OPEN SOON!
9.  I love shopping online!
10.  I adore peppermint mochas!
11.  I love to pixel draw.
12.  I think you can never have too many candles!!!  ;)

Next, here are Kara's questions for me, and my answers in response.

1.  If you're a "pinner", what's your favorite item you've pinned?  I am def. a "pinner".  My favorite pin is probably my WHOLE "Robin's Egg Blue" board!
2.  Who is your favorite children's author or book in general?  Ooooh...just one?  Really?  Patricia Polacco
3.  What is your favorite dessert?  Anything cherry, raspberry, or chocolate, AND especially any combination of those!  
4.  What is your most memorable school moment?  One year I had a third grader come to me who could barely read.  Through working with him in a small group, really differentiating instruction for him, he blossomed, began reading, and felt so proud of himself.  That's what it's all about! 
5.  Any advice you would give to a new blogger?  Get involved in linky parties, blog hop, post regularly.
6.What's your favorite TV show?  Tori and Dean, Impractical Jokers 
7.  How did you learn the tricks of blogging?  I began a personal blog a few years ago.  I'm self taught on a lot of my computer skills.
8.  What is your favorite math game?  Snaps 
9.  What is your guilty pleasure?  The Bachelor/The Bachelorette
10.  What is your favorite band/song right now?
11.  Do you sew?  Would you recommend buying a sewing machine?  No, I'm not a seamstress.  I say buy one if you are wanting to learn!
12.  Favorite place to buy teacher things?  Lakeshore



Here Are Your Questions:

1.  What movie could you watch over and over again?
2.  What would be your dream vacation?
3.  Do you like to cook?  If so, what dish have you perfected?  
4.  Are you tech savvy?
5.  What is your guilty pleasure?
6.  What is your favorite book to read aloud to your kiddos?
7.  Are you more crafty or sporty?
8.  Are you an early bird or a night owl?
9.  Facebook, Twitter, or Both?
10.  If you were told you were going to be teaching abroad, where would you want to teach?
11.  Do you collect anything?
12.  What is your most memorable teaching moment?


WHEW!  I know I was tagged three times, but I don't think I'm that exciting a person to be able to fill all of this out two more times!  bwahahaha... Thanks for the tags though, ladies!  Thanks for sticking with me through that long post!
Have a lovely week, everyone!


Jan 29, 2012

Setting Up Shop



Not quite ready to open, but it won't be long!
Hear a little about it here...


Big Smiles,

Jan 28, 2012

My Channel


I have a Channel on YouTube.
Drop by when you get a chance.  I'd love for you to consider subscribing!

Chatterbox Blessings,

Jan 27, 2012

Multiplication Linky Party

Adrienne is having a Multiplication Linky Party over at her blog.  Since multiplication is a biggie in third grade, I just had to join.  I am always looking for fresh, new ideas...and I love to share my ideas with others, as well! 

When beginning multiplication, I begin with teaching my students about groups and arrays.  We create groups and arrays out of a variety of items...marshmallows, m~n~m's, counters, etc.  Vocabulary is an essential part, as well.  So we add these words to our Word Wall.  

Anchor charts are created together and then displayed on the wall.  I created a little multiplication book freebie that you can find here if you haven't picked it up already.

When we begin memorizing the facts, we play a game called "SNAPS".  Everyone stands behind his desk.  I begin with the first person...I give them a fact.  I start to snap my fingers.  On the third snap, they must have said an answer.  If not, they sit down and I go to the next student.  Of course if they get the correct answer, they continue standing, and I go to the next student.  Once I get around the room, I start over.  This time they only get two snaps.  Then if I get around the room again, I do one snap.  They LOVE this!

Then of course there is the CeLeBrAtIoN for learning the facts...The Multiplication Sundae party.  


This is a HUGE hit!  You can find it here.    

Now, if you want more ideas for multiplication...head on over to Adrienne's!
Math Blessings,

Divide and Ride


Just a quick note to let you know that my division unit, Divide and Ride, has been added to my shop.  Here's where you can take a peek.

Thanks for looking!
Chatterbox Blessings,

Jan 25, 2012

One Teacher's Trash...

...is another teacher's treasure!

Looky what I found!  

I'm so excited!  I found this awesome Theater/Store/Post Office last Saturday...for $25!  I set it up this afternoon after the kiddos left for the day.  They are going to be SO excited tomorrow when they see it!  A few years ago, I rescued a table top theater from a teacher's trash.  It's been well-loved, but this one is much bigger!  Not only can the kids use my ever-growing puppet collection...

but they can use it as a math center {store} 

or a post office...I'm thinking something with our bucket-filler buckets.

So, do you rescue items from other teachers, as well???  If so, I'd love to hear about your Trash to Treasure{s}!

Chatterbox Blessings,

Bubble, Bubble



Are you starting to think...gulp...test prep?




Here's a freebie bubble sheet to help get your kiddos in the bubbling mood.

ENJOY!

Jan 24, 2012

What Are You Reading???

...Or rereading in my case!  I love anything by Isabel Beck, Debbie Diller or Debbie Miller!  I was looking through our teacher resource room the other day.  There were a few books that I personally own, so I pulled them back out.  I also picked up a couple from the teacher resource room to bring home.

What are you reading right now?
What are your favorites to revisit and read again?

Right now I'm rereading Debbie Diller's Practice With Purpose...and then Reading With Meaning by Debbie Miller.  Love these authors!!!
Happy Reading!

Jan 22, 2012

Working Together

At the beginning of the school year, I establish a "community" in my classroom by using books, skits, bucket fillers, activities, discussions, etc.  I'm sure many of you do the same!  I just had to snap a quick pic because my kiddos work together so well, and I know it is because of establishing that community right away.  It makes me smile when I see my kiddos, like this, working together and working out differences with others.  The two students here are using "Rock, Paper, Scissors" to make a decision.  They have many other ways that decide, as well.  It just makes the classroom a happy place when they are working out their problems instead of tattling.  What kinds of things do your students do to make decisions when they can't agree on an answer?

Chatterbox Blessings,

Jan 15, 2012

The Valentine Bears


I adore this endearing story by Eve Bunting {illustrated from one of my FAV authors, Jan Brett}!
I have created a sweet 22 page unit for this sweet Valentine story!

And this is what you get...

You can take a peek here.
Thanks for looking!

Chatterbox Blessings,

Spelling Menu Freebie





Jan 14, 2012

Sending Some Love

Do you remember the devastating tornado that ripped through Joplin, MO eight months ago?  So many lost everything!  Can you imagine your school being demolished with nothing left?  That's what these teachers are dealing with.  I can only imagine how devastated I'd be! 

I just LOVE teachers!  They are so giving, and are there for their fellow teachers!  DeeDee over at Mrs. Wills Kindergarten is throwing a linky party for the teachers of Joplin.  I have sent several of my products from my TN store for teachers there in Joplin.  You are welcome, and I encourage you to do the same!  

If you would like to join, and send some love to these teachers, head over to DeeDee's for the information and link up with us!

Love and Blessings,

Jan 12, 2012

Snapping Up Numbers with Mr. Alligator


I've just added a new item to my shop at Teacher's Notebook.


This Comparing and Ordering Numbers Unit {with Mr. Alligator} will have your students snapping up numbers in no time.  


Colorful posters, worksheets, flash cards, and a board game are included in this 20 page set.

You can see it here.  Thanks for taking a peek!

Chatterbox Blessings,

Jan 10, 2012

One Hundred! Woo Hoo!

I am so excited!  I hit 100 followers last night {and 112 today}!  My goal was to hit it by our 100 days of school and I made it 6 days before!  But for me, it's not about numbers...it's about friendships, collaboration, camaraderie!  I just started my teaching blog last Sept.  I'm not sure what took me so long to start it...I've been blogging {personal blog} for 4 years, and that has been such an awesome experience.  Well, I'm glad I'm here now!

Thank you all so much!  Your friendship, teamwork, and collaboration is such a blessing to me.
Chatterbox Blessings,

Jan 9, 2012

Right Now...


So here's my "Currently" for January.  Be sure to head on over to Farley's to check out everyone else's...and join in the fun!

Chatterbox Blessings,


Jan 8, 2012

Roll A Cube FREEBIES


Here are some freebies for ya!


Graphics by KPM Doodles











Hopefully you can find a use for these roll-a-cubes for reading and math games.  I'd love to hear what you do with them if you use them.

Enjoy!
Blessings,

Jan 1, 2012

New Year Blessings

Happy New Year, dear bloggy friends!  
I look forward to the new year full of blog hopping, linky parties, and friendships!
Chatterbox Blessings,


Building A Classroom Community

Classrooms are actually communities...after all, educators and students spend a lot of time there together....at least seven hours, five...