Happy, Glorious 2013!

I am so happy to be a part of another linky party.  Thanks for including me my bloggy friends and Farley!  You're the best!  Listening...to my sweet grandbaby making beautiful sleepy noises as she dreams;
Loving...life and all its splendor and wonder.  At my age it just gets sweeter;
Thinking...about all the things I need to do by the time my beautiful third graders enter our classroom on Wednesday and wondering if they missed me as much as I missed them;
Wanting...to be included and a part of others lives in 2013;
Needing...love, acceptance, security, admiration, hope...
OLW...forgiveness.  I wish this for everyone...the ability to forgive the person you would most NOT like to forgive; to forgive those that do the absolute unthinkable to others; to forgive yourself for mistakes made; forgiveness...the best gift for 2013.  Happy 2013 to all....
Love and Peace,

It's a New Year Link Up!

Resolutions....Believe it or not I LOVE them.  Problem is after awhile I've forgotten that I've made them.  One could say I'm getting older or wiser or have more work...blah, blah, blah, but  no matter the reason I don't keep them so I'm gonna try and set goals that are achieveable, meaningful, and won't be forgotten.  So personally my resolution is to give myself permission to take some time for me.  That includes sitting in my pj's on Sunday with a good book (no not all day but for a hour or so), take a longer run, shut my door at school for 15 minutes a day (I never ever do this because it sends a message that I can't be bothered and I CAN) or just take a quiet walk with my puppy (well, not quiet but a walk never the less!)

Professionally I'd like to set a business goal that I take all those lessons in my head and make one happen at least once a month and share it with others on my TpT store.  I have a passion for teaching and a great passion for business.  I feel like I have little time left, just had a birthday yesterday, and definitely want to make a difference to my fellow teachers, my students, and my family.  Life is so short!  So there we go...a little time for me and a business goal.  Sounds like they conflict but actually they go hand in time as everything in life is a balance.  Here's to a great 2013 everyone full of love and trust and belief and passion and hope and joy and determination:).

Setting Daily Goals Detective Style

With the approach of the new year I thought that it should be goal setting time in the third grade.  I like setting daily goals in my classroom and like to write 5 goals for each day everyday.  It keeps me and my kiddos on track and they become really aware of what we hope to accomplish together.  I created a detective goal chart and I'd love to share with all of you.  I plan on taking it to my favorite Walgreens and having it made into a poster.  I will laminate it and write 5 goals on it each day.  As the school year progresses I hope that my kiddos help ME write the goals; a small project where we work together to goal set and write.  Snag your copy below.  I hope you enjoy it.  P.S.  Melonheadz Illustrating, my dear friend Nikki, created the cutie detectives!

In Memory...

12-12-12...A Fabulous Number Indeed!

"Twelve is fun...twelve is neat...12-12-12 what a delicious treat!" ~ Mrs. Teed
I love math and have come to really, truly appreciate how much fun computing and finding tricks and strategies can be.  I love trying to help my children understand these concepts and watching as the lightbulb goes on and when FINALLY, whew...my little kiddos who "just can't get it" and "just don't understand it" and "hate math" quickly change their minds when they get it!! 

Hurray for 12-12-12...a time to celebrate and compute and write about!  Be sure and snag my latest freebie at http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/12-12-12-Creating-a-List-of-12-Freebie  It's sure to be a pleaser for that beautiful number twelve.  Blessings to all during this hectic, wonderful, hurried, exuberant time of year!  I count my blessings everyday for all of you!
Peace and love,

"The More That You Read, The More That You'll Know..."

"The more that you read, the more that you'll know.  The more that you read the more places you'll go."  ~ Dr. Seuss

I just love my buddy Dr. Seuss.  He has made my job so much easier.  From rhyming words, to onomatopoeia with Mr. Brown Can Moo Can You...all such great classroom learning tools.  I help my students sequence with Dr. Seuss and his stove top hat...really...where does it end?    My latest TpT lesson has a touch of my friend Dr. Seuss in it because without comprehension my readers will truly never love a good book and certainly will never get past the early elementary Dr. Seuss books.  Take a peek at my latest work.  I am kinda proud of it...I've just gotta say.  Thank you Tanny McGregor, for inspiring me to be a better teacher to my students and for teaching me some important lessons that I can pass along to my third graders.  I love learning, don't you?
~Love and Believe
http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/What-Thoughtful-Readers-DoA-Reading-Comprehension-Study

P. S.  It's 15% off Monday through Wednesday this week...November 19th - 21st.

Who is your Hero?

"And then a hero comes along, With the strength to carry on, And you cast your fears aside and you know you can survive. So when you feel like hope is gone, look inside you and be strong.
And you'll finally see the truth that a hero lies in you." ~ Mariah Carey

Who is your hero?  Heros come in all shapes and sizes.  They can be old or young, rich or poor.  All heros have one common thread...the goodness they have in their heart and their willingness to help others.  I have many heros; my child, my grandparent, my parents. 

Find out who your student's heros are with this free writing prompt at my Teachers Pay Teachers store Tootsie and Teed.  Just click on the link and download.  Enjoy, my friends.  Stay well. http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Who-is-your-Hero.

Place Value...The Mat Has It!

"Try not to become a man of success, but rather try to become a man of value." ~Albert Einstein

I love third grade.  No, really, I absolutely love third grade.  I think, looking back on my life and all the struggles and challenges and "different directions" and hard stuff, and easy stuff...I really think my destiny has always been to be in a classroom and third grade is the perfect fit.  Yes, there are challenges but really I wouldn't want it any other way.  We don't learn without a challenge; without a good fight.  We get to see what we're made of when challenges happen.  No, it's certainly never convenient, but looking back on my life as I'm sure all can say, the most growth, the more possibilities, the proudest moments are those with a huge challenge.  I continue to look to the days ahead with optimism, strength, courage, determination, and a zest for living.  Happiness...I'm sure I've found it in my personal life and for sure in my professional life through the beautiful eyes of my third graders.  I am truly blessed.  Just had to ramble!!

I posted a freebie on my Teachers Pay Teachers Store entitled:  Place Value...The Mat Has It!  Please go over and pick up a small lil 'ol freebie that I've been using in my classroom for the past few weeks, and truly for a few years.  It never ceases to amaze me that sometimes the simple ways of doing things are the most productive!  Here's the link:  http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Place-Value-The-Mat-Has-It.  I hope you like this little something as much as I do!

Thanks for being my friends and supporters!

The Very Hairy Caterpillar

"It is like the seed put in the soil; the more one sows the great the harvest." ~ Orison Swett Marden

It's caterpillar time in the third grade room!  Yippee!!  Each year I think, "this is the best bunch of caterpillars I have ever seen."  Then the next year's kiddos come and I repeat myself, "this is the best bunch of caterpillars I have ever seen!"  It amazes me that with a few supplies, sun, water, and patience these great hands-on caterpillars are created!  Here's all you'll need to make your own:
4 cups of soil (I use Miracle Grow plant soil) and 4 tablespoons of quick sprouting grass seed (look for rye grass seed).  Measure and put in a large ziplock bag.  Let your kiddos mix the soil and seed together.  Cut the bottom from a styrofoam cup for a funnel.  Slide a knee-high nylon stocking over it and pour the mixed soil, seed combination into the stocking.  Slip a small hair tie, ponytail holder (at least four of them) over the end of the stocking section to section off the caterpillar.  Repeat this process until the soil and seed mixture is gone.  We made at least four sections.  Tie a knot in the top of the stocking and trim away any excess.  Submerge the caterpillar in water for 10 minutes, then place it on a styrofoam meat tray.  Place the tray into a plastic bag and let it sit overnight.  The following day remove the bag.  Watch and water.  After a few days the grass will begin to grow through the nylon.  Add googly eyes (teachers job with a hot glue gun) and antennae (students had fun winding them around pencils and fingers.)  Tadaaaa.....finished.  The process takes a little over a week.  Below are pictures of the progress we made...from the sprouting to the finished product.  I've done this project for many years and each year the caterpillars have grown.  I put two students together to do this project; they help each other by holding and pouring.  The teamwork is second to none!  Try it!  Blessing to all as we turn our eyes to the beautiful fall season; the harvest and the hard work realized!






The Important Half of Tootsie and Teed

"I am fond of pigs.  Dogs look up to us.  Cats look down on us.  Pigs treat us as equals." ~Winston Churchill

I think Winston Churchill was referring to guinea pigs!  And who knew that Winston Churchill had a passion for animals??  Let me ramble just a bit, my friends, as I confess that I have lost my dear guinea pig friend Tootsie Roll.  He was definitely the important half of Tootsie and Teed.  I truly thought that this fabulous pig, the one that thought he was truly a student in the third grade room, was a forever guy.  Then, last week, I realized that even with guinea pigs all good things eventually end.  My piggy left me last week and to say that I am broken hearted is putting it mildly.  Ok, now that you're all done laughing at me for being so silly I just have to say that he was more than just a pet that I cleaned and fed.  He was the keeper of lots of secrets who went through many many events in my life silently, with love, and above all with understanding.  I think that pets are the most insightful of us all.  They also love us unconditionally and treat us like kings and queens (if he only knew!!)  I got TONS of inspiration from my little furry friend.  He made many, many students smile and feel special.  That was the greatest gift of all...he made my students, all of my special kiddos who don't feel so special sometimes, feel special.  After his passing I tried to decide what would be fair to all including myself.  I decided that my third grade room just wasn't complete without a pal so I did what I'm sure my piggy Tootsie would have wanted...I adopted a guinea from a rescue in Madison.  This little piggy's name is Penelope.  She is a dear...lots of long hair, a peruvian, and very, very calm.  She waits in the wings to be petted and held.  I think it's going to be a perfect pet for my third graders.  My kiddos will continue to learn about love, responsibility, and God's creation.  I am blessed to have this little critter in my room.  I'll post pictures of her and a few new ideas as I venture into a great new school year.  I appreciate your friendship everyone!!

This Is Why We Do What We Do!

I challenge you to be dreamers; I challenge you to be doers and let us make the greatest place in the world even better. ~ Brian Schweitzer

A simple trip to the local grocery store to grab a few things for dinner when all at once I see one of my former students from years ago.  The thing is this kiddo is now a grown-up...really, how did this happen??  Our eyes met and he came over to give me a big squeeze.  I'd been thinking about him and his family for sometime and had recently read that he was a new hire in our local school district; a new Language Arts teacher at our local high school.  When I read that awhile back I couldn't help but feel so many emotions:  pride for the wonderful young man he'd become, sad because he's grown up without even asking me, happy that one of our own has now become a teacher!!  Anyway, after our hug I just began rambling because I seem to do it so well.  We talked about lots in those few short minutes but one of the things that he said practically made me cry.  He talked about how it was people like me, teachers, who had really changed his life and made him who he was.  He went on to say that teachers didn't give up on him when, apparently, there was something to give up on??!!  I told him that it was his turn to do the same...a pay it back of sorts.  Wow...ever really realize the impact one person can make on anothers life?  I thought and prayed and promised all the way home.  I thought about those great memories of my former kiddos, I prayed that I could do a good...oops...GREAT job with this years class, and I promised my Lord that I would give it my all from the tips of my toes to the top of my kinda graying head.  So...here's to a great school year of dreams, hopes, wishes and all those impossible things that just might come true.  Happy new school year to all.  P.S.  Yuppers...more pics of my fabulous room.  There'll be lots of learning here (and lots and lots of love:)

Jobs, Jobs, and More Jobs!

"Quality is more important than quantity. One home run is much better than two doubles." ~ Steve Jobs

 

Thank you to all who purchased from my Teachers Pay Teachers store.  I just posted another lesson that I'm really fond of called Students at Work.  It's a job board with some pretty crazy jobs for your kiddos to apply for.  Please follow this link to the lesson:  http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Students-at-WorkClassroom-Job-Board

I don't know if you're familiar with Store More Chair Pockets but I'm absolutely in love with mine from Really Good Stuff.  They have held up for four years now.  I wished I had a picture of mine:  they are currently hanging on my clothes line.  Yup, they are washable and very durable canvas.  These bags are truly worth their weight in gold.  If you're interested please take a peek at this link: http://www.reallygoodstuff.com/product/store+more+deluxe+chair+pocket.do.

Happy Tuesday Friends!

I Recommend Friday!

 

Teachers Pay Teachers is having a gigantic sale this weekend- www.teacherspayteachers.com.

 My sale starts tomorrow, Saturday, and goes through Monday.  Please check out my website for some great low prices and pretty nifty things. http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/Tootsie-And-Teed Please also take a quick peek at my latest friend, La Escuelita. http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/La-Escuelita.  Have a wonderful, safe weekend!

Awww Precious Time!

"Time you enjoy wasting is not wasted time!"
Thanks, friends, for sticking by me!  I took some much needed, very appreciated time off.  I spent some of it with family and some of it getting my battery reenergized.  After all, school is right around the corner.  I had a wonderful time with my hubby of 30 years as we ventured off to the Wisconsin State Fair.  You guessed it...lots of great food, cream puffs and corn slathered in butter, great music, and just a good day to get away and reconnect with my guy.  It was so worth it!
I've been busy creating.  Please take a peek at my store and my new creation...a Back to School Welcome Packet.   http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Welcome-Back-to-School-Packet-of-Suprises-and-Activities.  I'm gonna use this packet to welcome back my kiddos.  I can't wait to start teaching!  I love each and every new school year.  There truly is much to be grateful for...always!

I Recommend Friday!

"...why take when you could be giving; why watch as the world goes by?  It's a hard enough life to be living; why walk when you can fly!" ~ Mary Chapin Carpenter

I feel like I'm flying today.  I realized today just how extra lucky I am.  I'm so proud of my friends, of my school, of my family, and of all those things that I truly recognize as little blessings like that rainbow I saw on my way home tonight!  Take a look and see what you can see!

I've got two resouces that I've been using all week that I'd like to recommend:
Recommendation One - Lettering Delights! I've spent a great deal of time today making all those most necessary labels that make my classroom feel a bit special.  I've snagged them up at Lettering Delights for pretty cheap if you are just using them for your classroom.  If you use them commercially they are a bit more.  The website is:  www.letteringdelights.com  I've been using the Silly Snowman Font...super cute...very loud...sounds like me!!

Recommendation Two - Okay, I'm kind of silly.  This has absolutely nothing to do with my third grade class and as I type this I think, "oh yes it does!!"  I run:  for pleasure, for ideas, instead of doing something else to relieve stress...and I am totally in love with my BROOKS SHOES!! 

 

Check out my fabuloso shoes at www.brooksrunning.com

Remember to do something everyday for you.  It's not selfish...it's necessary.  Blessings to all of my new friends and to everyone for your love and support!

Thanks for the Award!

Thank you to my new friend Amy at Adventures in Teaching for this fun award. 





Here are my 7 random facts about 'lil old me:
1)  I have three grown children ranging in age from 27 to 21 and am the proud "little grandma" to one fabulous 4 year old grandbaby Kayla;
2)  I have been teaching my whole life but have had my own classroom 7 years.  I have a special son who taught me that it was better to stay at home and figure out this thing we call Autism before entering the teaching world...it was something that I learned the most from and would never change;
3)  I have an imagination that never quits.  I swear my brain never truly goes to sleep...creating is my passion;
4)  I'm deathly afraid of elevators...got stuck 3 times...3 strikes your out;
5)  I "met" my husband years before I met him...I was working in a nursing home in a total care unit while going to school and one of my darling residents kept yelling "Teed".  I always wondered who/what that was until years later when I met and married Mr. Teed;
6)  The mantle that we have above our fireplace was from my kindergarten teacher's garage...my husband knew my kindergarten teacher and her family...spooky isn't it...I think it was all in God's plan;
7)  I am a champion polka dancer with my little brother...yup...we can still kick up our heals!

Now to some newbies...Not necessarily new blogs but new designs for sure...check them out!

Honey Bunch Blog Designs newest member!!

Check my new friends out!!  Happy Thursday!



Happy Wednesday!

"Fill your mind with truth.  Fill your heart with love.  Fill your life with service."  ~Thomas Monson

I spent some good, quality time with my grown son today.  It makes me appreciate time...time to just take a breathe and sit with the people you love, time to reflect, time to challenge, time to learn, time to teach, time to just allow yourself the pleasure of sitting.  What a magnificent morning!

I headed off to school after my nice morning to, hopefully, make a difference in someone else's life.  What we do as teachers is for the betterment of our students.  Always in my mind is the thought..."they're gonna love this!" or "I can't wait for them to see this..." or "This is going to help them make those important connections...".  We do it for our students out of love for them.  I call that service.  I hope we can all spend sometime reflecting on giving back to another...for me there is nothing better than that.  Blessing to you my friends!

P.S.  Here are a few snapshots of my room as it unfolds!  Enjoy!

 Thanks to my dear friend Nikki at Melonheadz Illustrating for making these fabuloso pictures...it makes me look so good, Nikki:). www.melonheadzillustrating.blogspot.com.

I Recommend Friday!

"...Over and over I marvel at the blessings of my life.  Each year has grown better than the last one."

Another wonderful day.  This has just been a great summer.  Today I was part of a great Teacher Appreciation Day given by Nasco Corporation. (www.enasco.com)   It is a world-wide company and I'm proud to say that it was founded here in Wisconsin by a teacher!  The day was absolutely unbelieveable; a great time to talk among some great teachers, learn about new products, and receive oodles and oddles of fun things.  I have a new product to pass along as well as a few things I've created that you may want to take a peek at.
 1)  Recommendation One - Smart-fab.  This is a disposable fabric that can be used in oodles of ways in your classroom.  It's colorful, durable and easy to work with.  You can use it again and again.  It is a cross between cotton fabric and paper...sort of reminds me of landscape fabric.  I found out how great it looks on a bulletin board but can be used for many, many crafty projects in your classroom.  I got a sample at the Nasco Teacher Appreciation today!  Check it out.
 www.smartfab.com
2)  Recommendation Two - Rocks...Love them!  A little story...My grandbaby Kayla got out her favorite book yesterday, she's four, and sat down on a rock to read outside my house.  When I asked her why she was reading on a rock she looked at me sort of dumbfounded and said, "little grandma, this is my reading rock!!"  What a great idea.  My fabulous hubby came up with the slogan...Be a rock solid reader and taadaa...It's my new reading rock for the Daily Five!

3)  Recommendation Three - Mod Podge...Okay you probably already know about this fabulous product but I took a few minutes to create with it yesterday and it's absolutely wonderful.  Mod Podge is a medium like glue but it also contains some lacer for a soft finish.  It is a permanent medium.  I actually adhered the label on my rock with this product...just brush it on!  Check it out at www.plaidonline.com

 
                                                                  Here's my creation:

It's made from a wood walk-way that I purchased for really cheap at Menards, where else?!  I made the words on my computer, stained my board with very strong tea, positioned my words and colored paper and done!  I'm going to keep this in my classroom and refer back.  The ideas with Mod Podg are endless.

Thanks for reading, friends!  Hope everyone has a great, safe, fun weekend!