Best Selling Math LInky and Giveaway!

Why not end the month with two times the fun?  Over at Table Talk with C and C, they are hosting not one, but TWO Math Best Sellers Giveaway.  Be sure to visit and link up!

I've donated my best-seller "Basic Faction SCOOT."  It's a great active game for students to get up and move around while having fun and reviewing!  Please see my previous post for more details!

Here's the info:

Here's how it's going to work.  

1. Take a look through your TpT Store and sort your products by "Best Sellers."  

2. Find the product that is your best selling "math " related product.

3. Link up your "BEST SELLING MATH ACTIVITY" below.  

4. Enter the giveaway for a chance to win a *FREE* best selling math activity!

5. Spread the word about the linky and giveaway through all your social media!!

 (grab the button from above!!)

*The linky and giveaway will be up for one week!  

 

Happy Linking!

The Busy Life of a Teacher Mom

Hah - that needs no explanation, right?  

I had promised myself to blog at least once/week during the school year, because there's tons of time on the weekends, right?  I have to confess, that is NOT what I'm thinking Sunday night or getting up Monday morning!  It usually is more along the lines of "Where did that weekend go?  One more day!  One more day!"

I've signed up to do several blog hops/freebies that are coming up that I wanted to highlight before I get to share what we've been up to this week in our classroom. :)

Be looking for "Friday Fall Freebie" starting October 4!  Several bloggers, including myself, are sponsoring a freebie each Friday (I think there's 13 of us?).  So be sure to hit the blogs Friday/Saturday AM to check it out!  The theme won't necessarily be fall for all of us, but I know my first one is a cute Fall writing prompt that my class did on Thursday that I can't wait to show you pictures of!  Think 4-square and q-tips! :)

The second is less of a hop and more of a giveaway and linky!  I'm linking up my best-selling "Basic Fraction SCOOT" as a prize with Table Talk with C and C's linky, "Best Selling Math Activity Giveaway and Linky!".

We all love those SCOOT games!  It's a fantastic way to get your class up and in motion while reviewing a concept.  This is one of my early SCOOT creations, but a goodie.  I named it "basic" because it follows our second grade standards where students need to identify the fraction and are just starting comparing.  So, it's good for end of unit first and second graders, and a refresher at the beginning of unit for 3rd and up!  

I'm currently having an issue with Publisher to load up my original (and I have no idea how to pull pics from PDFs), so I'm sending you my link to go check it out (sorry!).  Click {here} to check it out in my store!

Okey dokey....what have we been up to lately?  These are some of the activities we've been up to in September, since I just realized I submit more on Instagram than blog!  Whoops!

Our Eric Carle Unit - our Harcourt Trophies has the story of  The Mixed-Up Chameleon, so last year I wanted to take it a step farther and make it into an author study with the books I had available, as well as some borrowed from a teacher-friend.  I plan this year on binding the projects together in a book for my students to take home!  Because of pre-testing for our district, it's been lasting over a couple of weeks....we have not painted nor read The Little Cloud, but it's on for next week!

Our school participated on September 18th in the United Way Day of Caring and each child, during resource time, got to put their handprint on the wall in the front hallway of our school!  Our walls were a drab gray before.  I know there's plans to decorate the whole school (we have colored tile scattered throughout the school which is what made up the colors of each square).  Doesn't it look cute?  Teachers and staff got to put their handprints on later in the day!  We had UW workers that are (somehow) connected to UVA (which is 30 min from us) to help out for the day!

Constitution Day - got to read my favorite We the Kids and we made our own class Preamble, which now hangs outside in our hallway! If you've never read or heard of that book before, it breaks the Preamble down to kid-language. 

Matter Ice Cream....every year at the end of our Matter unit, our 2nd graders create ice cream (liquid to a solid!).  Can you tell my kiddos were excited?  

Story Problems - we use Investigations series at school....if you've read my earlier posts, you know I am NOT exactly a fan.  In Unit 1, it has students adding 2 digit numbers with the strategy of drawing pictures, which is FINE except for my struggling lil' ones.  So, in order to assess their learning, but using smaller numbers, I created "From Apples to Bananas" which tests the same skill of understanding story problems but in smaller chunks!  Always a fan of clipart to make items more visually appealing, the kids really liked these and loved the variety that matched their interests.  I even have some "challenge" ones since my class ranges from below to above.  It's at my TpT store, if you want to check it out {here}

Finally, I wanted to share with you a Whole Brain Teaching strategy that has gone over so well in my class - the "Genius Ladder"!  As you can see below, you start with a "blah" sentence and add details, extend it, and make it into a story.  After doing this many times with my students whole group, I made one for my students' writing journals and we've done it together, so far.  My goal is to give them the "blah sentence" and have them do it independently.  To learn more about Whole Brain Teaching, their website is www.wholebrainteaching.com.  They have a ton of free stuff, but if you're interested in doing it in your room, I highly recommend buying the book.  I'm leading a PLC in our school about it (we are a very small group), so I'll let you know how it goes!  Since I'm a newbie at it, but have implemented it the last 32 days, I get to lead it!  Hopefully, I'll be able to post some information on here as I go.  You should definitely check it out!

 

So, that's been September in my room (or at least what I've taken pictures of!).  I fear I've been more loyal to my classroom blog than this one :( except for one Friday, so be sure to take a peek there as well at Youel Soar High in Second Grade.

One more plug - Limeades for Learning!  Sonic sponsors this along with Donors Choose, so if you have a moment, head over there and check out the great projects that are posted.  I hope you'll consider voting for one of my 2 projects.  I am VERY easy to find - type in "Youel" as keyword (I'm the only one in there!).  Thanks! :)

Adios for now - hasta luego!

Resources4Teaching.com | Secure and full-featured Online Shopping Portal for Educational Purposes

Resources4Teaching.com | Secure and full-featured Online Shopping Portal for Educational Purposes

Back in August, I was nicely contacted by Martin Legault, asking me if I would be interested in joining as a "Teacher Vendor" for a new website he had created called "Resources 4 Teaching."

So, it's taken me awhile to get my ducks in a row, but I finally had some procrastination "down time" this weekend, and set up my first 3 products.

It's such a cute website!  It's based in Ontario, Canada, so I have to admit, I felt a little guilt putting up my "Citizenship Bundle", so I relabeled it the "US Version"....now, hmmm, where can I find cute clipart with Canadian kids? :)  There are a few things to tweak (president=prime minister, red/white/blue outfits to Canadian flags, etc), but I think I'll be able to publish a Canadian version (and maybe Australian), since the basic concepts of the unit are treating each other with respect, responsibility, trustworthiness, etc.  Add that to my "to do" list!

I also added my Word Families packet 1 (I plan on doing more) and my "Apples to Bananas:  Word Story Problems" as well.  I was so excited that my Word Families Packet became the featured product of the day!

I realize that this is the 3rd teacher product site (that I know of) out there, but I have to admit, since it's small, it's easier to find things without having to go thru pages and pages.  In no way shape or form am I going to leave TpT or TN in the dust, mind you!  So many fabulous products have been uploaded on both!  However, it was nice to see other products that maybe I hadn't thought about before, or seen before.

Because it's based in Ontario, there are taxes added to the products.  However, I'm off to go buy some of the super cute ESL products on there to help out my lil' D in my class.  Bless his heart, you can tell he's so smart, but the language barrier can sometimes get to him!

I hope you'll go check it out!  Click on the link at the top and check it out! :)

Caution: Forbidden Post!

Well, no, not really.  But I AM double posting on the same day (shocker, I know!).  If you read my earlier post, the "best seller" linky is not quite set up yet (whoops)....so be sure to check it out maybe tomorrow or later tonight?

So, in the interest of making everyone happy on a Sunday evening (when we are yawning and trying to finish up those last minute projects), I am linking up with Lucky in First for her "Freebies on the Fifteenth!"

 

My freebie is an oldie but a goodie.  Lately on Instagram, we've been discussing spelling and word study.  One of my teammates also was asking me what to do (she moved from a SPED position to classroom teacher), especially when you have kids that are low (you have to do activities in group) and kids that are high (you can have them do activities independently).

So, my freebie I'm offering today is my "Word Study Games."  I'd LOVE to be able to show you a sample, but alas, my hard drive has fried (grrr) and my laptop apparently has a burned out backlight (????).   So instead, head on over to TpT and check it out with the link above.  I hope you'll be able to use it! :)

Time To Link Up! Best Seller LInky

 Caitlin and Carrie from Table Talk with C&C are hosting a very exciting *TpT Best Seller Linky Party and Giveaway* this week.  I am very excited to be donating my best selling reading activity for this linky and giveaway!  They wanted to have a linky and giveaway that showcases all of your hard work and dedication to making your products meaningful and engaging for your students.  We all know how passionate we are about blogging and TpT product making, that we wanted to also celebrate all your hard work and accomplishments as a TpT seller.  The countless hours of creativity you put into these beautifully and thoughtfully made products deserve a little bit more love!  Why not celebrate them right here, right now?!?! Who's with us?  

The best part is that we connected with 14 TpT Sellers who have donated their best *reading activity* seller item and we want you enter to win them!!!  Enter the rafflecopter for a chance to win ALL of our donator’s Top Selling *reading activity* TpT Product! Yes, you heard me correctly all 14 items FREE!!  

Starting today, 9/15/13, you will have a chance to share your best reading activity seller through the linky AND enter the rafflecopter to win all of these amazing products!

Here's how it's going to work.  

1. Take a look through your TpT Store and sort your products by "Best Sellers."  

2. Find the product that is your best selling "reading " related product.

3. Link up your "BEST SELLING READING ACTIVITY."  

4. Enter the giveaway for a chance to win a *FREE* best selling reading activity!

5. Spread the word about the linky and giveaway through all your social media!!

The *best selling reading activity* linky will be up for one week and then we will share the winner from the rafflecopter!  The schedule for the linkys are below! 

We hope you will all join us and we celebrate the hard work, creativity, and countless hours that we have put into making teaching and learning more fun and engaging!! :)

Sooo...looking at my "best sellers," once I sorted the list, I was surprised at what I found.  I'm certainly proud of all of my babies products, but I didn't think this was THE "best seller."  I'm such a proud mama teacher-author!

(drumroll)

It's one of my earlier works from several years ago.  It's an "active" way to review how and when we use reference materials, such as the Internet, atlas, encyclopedia, books, dictionaries, etc.  I have it marked for grades second through sixth, since some concepts are not covered by some states in second.  However, here in Virginia, we have to know them ALL!  

You can set this up as a scavenger hunt in your room with students as teams, pairs, or individuals, depending on their level.  In the past, I've had several sets of cards for each team/pair, and when they have recorded the answer to one question (or told me orally, depending on the reading/writing level), they earn the next "clue."  Students LOVE playing detective, and that's essentially what the review is!  I love for my writing to be active and exciting when it can, so this definitely was a labor of love for me!

To quote one of my favorite reviews:  "This looks awesoome! Great opportunity to review with other grades as well. Good back to school or back from vacation brain waker-upper!"  Be sure to check it out at the bargain price of $1.00! :)

Be sure to link up with Caitlin and Carrie, or just check out the other links out there!  It would be so cool to win all of these great products.    

Currently in September

A little late, but I'm linking up with the September Currently from Oh Boy 4th Grade and Farley! 

 Gosh, things I need to get into routine in September to last me throughout the year - exercise, leaving school earlier (especially if I'm spending at least one day at school on the weekends!), which then translates into spending more time with my family!  Hopefully, we'll be able to take that beach day we told the kids we'd try in September! :)

It's been a little crazy (and time consuming) since school has started.  I am still trying to blog once a week, but even my Instagram has slowed down a bit!  That, and my class has simply worn me out each night!  Once again, I am boy heavy :) but I also have a child who does not read English, and another who is at a readiness level for reading.  Pair that with 5 other PrePrimers....along with other levels up to 6th grade - yeah, it's been a little time consuming. :)  It's one of the reasons I'm up late tonight, because I was determined to finish a word family packet to use with my struggling readers.

I've uploaded it to {TpT }with a free sample on the preview of the "ink" family.  I called it "Packet 1" since I'm determined to do more! :)  I'm going to try to incorporate different activities for each packet, so that it doesn't become "stale" with my students (although they could do word searches all day long if I'd let them!).