October Fun and a Freebie

**Updated 10/30/14 and revised FREEBIE.

I was recently going through some pictures and wanted to share some of my pics from Octobers past!!

An Elvis pumpkin for the annual decorating contest.

We lost to a pig pink pumpkin. :-(  I just noticed that Elvis has no nose...oops.

We had fun studying standard and non-standard units of measurement.

A few die cut pumpkins, a yard stick to measure and mark the standard unit side and you have a lesson on measurement!

Below is our interactive bulletin board that is a lesson of its own.  I used die cuts of leaves and wrote double digit addition and subtraction problems on each one.  The students had to solve the problems and decide if the answer was even or odd. 

I've seen several teachers posting pics of what their students thought they should be for Halloween, so I joined in!
This is what we started with:

This is a few of my favorites:

And finally, for those of you that are still reading, here's your freebie!

Enjoy!!
Happy Halloween and don't forget to leave me some love in the comments.

Stitch Fix #1

WOW!!!!!  I wondered what all the buzz was about this service called, Stitch Fix, and now I completely understand.  I read several blog posts about it before I finally went to the web site and signed up.  I mean every girl dreams of having a personal stylist, right?  But one that is affordable, is unheard of...not with Stitch Fix!  For a mere $20 you can get a box of awesome items, handpicked just for you.  If you choose to keep any of the five items, the $20 fee goes toward the price of that item.  For more detailed information, you can go here. 

I can't express my excitement when this was on my doorstep.

And it only got better when I opened the box to find the personalized note from my stylist and suggestion cards on how to wear each piece.

I had two favorites in this fix.  First, was the Kut from the Kloth burgundy corduroy skinnies.  I requested some colored jeans and my stylist hit the nail on the head.  Also pictured below is a 19 Cooper Cathleen Abstract Print Tulip-Sleeve Blouse.  I wasn't sold on this one until I put it on and it fit and felt awesome.

My second favorite was this Market and Spruce Corinna Striped Dolman Top.  I can't tell you how great this material feels.  I paired it up with some black leggings and ballet flats.  Ignore the teacher badge in the selfie!!

Pictured above with this, is a Pixley Leighton Metal Bauble Necklace.  It was more than I'd normally pay for costume jewelry, but since I kept ALL the items I got 25% off the entire price.  So it ended up being free!!!

In the notes to my stylist I asked for a nice flowly cardigan. She delivered with this Market and Spruce Clove Twist back Cardigan.  Although you can't really tell, it's a great blueish green color.  A great staple for your wardrobe.

Here's a little collage of how I wore some of the things from my first Fix.

Disregard the iPhone quality photo!!

As I stated before, I kept all the items in my fix.  I think I had such awesome results due to entering very detailed information in my style profile, lots of notes to my stylist with special requests, and mostly the pins to Pinterest letting her know "my style."  I LOVED the excitement of getting a surprise in the mail and trying everything on.  I was so impressed with how well EVERYTHING fit me perfectly.  I would recommend this service to anyone.  I can't wait to get my box next month.  Even if you have no desire to get a "fix," sign up with no obligation and complete the style profile just to see what your personal style really is.  You may be surprised!

So what are you waiting on???  Go schedule your Fix.

Here's my referral link, if you decide to take the plunge. 

Leave me a comment if you already get Stitch Fix or plan on it!  You will NOT be disappointed.

I have not received compensation from Stitch Fix for this blog post.  These are solely my opinions about my experience with this service.

Liebster Award

I'm happy to announce that I was nominated for the Liebster Award by Sheri from Early Years with Sheri!! This award is for bloggers who are new to the game and trying to grow their readership.  I have to answer 11 questions and then nominate 11 blogs of my choice that have less then 200 followers. 


Why and how long ago did you start blogging?

I started blogging this past summer.  I've always maintained a blog for my students and their parents, I was just ready to step out and join the blogging community on a different level.  I love reading other teachers' blogs and hopefully now I can add to that community. 

What one word sums up the heart of your blog and why?
Relatable.  I'd like to think that as teachers we can all relate to one another.  It's a type of connection that non-teachers will never understand.  Only a fellow teacher understands this:  "I didn't have time to pee today.  Yesterday, I did make it to the bathroom, accompanied by 22 children!"

Is there something you learned late in your blog journey you wished you knew before?
Don't have high expectations.  People are busy and won't run right over to read your posts.  :-(

What is your favorite past time other than blogging?
Watching reality TV!!!  Sad, I know!!

How many hours per week do you dedicate to your blog?
Probably more hours that I'm willing to admit!!  It's still new to me and I enjoy it.  

What category of blog posts do you enjoy most?
I love teaching blogs but equally enjoy reading fitness blogs.  I find both inspiring.

Where does your blog inspiration come from?
I love Step into 2nd Grade with Amy Lemons and several others.  I love seeing pictures of children learning in different ways and getting new ideas.

Which post that you've written are you most proud of?
I love participating in blog hops and writing posts for them.  This, Halloween Blog Hop, was one of my favorites. 

Is there any post you've been planning to do, but have postponed it for awhile now?
Yes, I received my first Stitch Fix and need to do a review.  I LOVED it.  You should check it out.  Here's my referral link.

What is your favorite aspect of blogging?
I enjoying sharing ideas almost as much as I love reading other teacher's ideas and classroom tricks.

Which recipe, project, on my (the person who nominated you) blog would you be most likely to try yourself?
I like your ideas for GROUP activities.

I nominate the following 11 bloggers:

Art with Jenny K

The Education Highway

Smarticle Particles

Secondary Strategies

Love Teaching Kids

Daisy Designs

The Teacher's Post

Kidz Learn Language

Literary Sherri

Mrs. Mc's Place

Mrs. B's Best

 Now that you've been nominated, here are the "official" rules if you accept:
1. In your post, link back to ME you as a thank you and "shout out." (Use my button.)
2. Answer the 11 questions given to you (the ones I answered above).
3. Nominate 11 blogs of your choice that each have less than 200 followers. Provide them with 11 questions to answer or have them answer the questions above.
4. Let your nominees know that they've been nominated and provide them with a link to your post so that they can accept.
5. Send me a link to your post so I can learn more about you as well! (You can just put your post link in the comments below!)

Follow me on Bloglovin'

Welcome to the club!!

Five for Friday~October 17

I'm linking up with Doodle Bugs Teaching to give you a quick rundown of my past week...OK maybe it's a compilation of the past two weeks!!  

Last week we had the entire week off for fall break, so the mister and I headed off to Mexico for some much needed R & R.

#blessed

It's back to reality this week and I'm hosting my first linky party.  I'm looking for IDEAS and FREE products for those early finishers.  Of course we want them to do meaningful activities and not just busy work.  So please, please, please link up and share all your secrets!

#linkyparty

Click the above graphic to link up.

I mentioned here that I was working on an interactive Sudoku bulletin board set.  I finally finished it and you can grab it in my TPT store.

#sudoku

My 2nd graders started a new mini-study this week on Presidential Pets.  This is one of my favorites.  I put this study together last year and it's so fun and full of fascinating facts about some REALLY unique pets former presidents had in the White House.  Here's a pic of some word clouds we packed full of facts about some of these pets using Tagxedo. The word clouds are in the shape of animals!  If you haven't tried it...go there NOW.  So easy to use and you can create super impressive products.  The kids love it!!!

#tagxedo

If you're curious about some of the most unusual presidential pets, you can find a list here.

I'm so glad it's Friday and love Halloween, so I'm putting my Halloween Creative Writing Station on sale for 20% off all weekend!!

#halloween

That means you get everything you see here for only $1.20!!!

I'm Done, Now What?~~Ideas for Early Finishers Link-Up

I'm Done, Now What?  Those are a few words that every teacher dreads hearing.  The key is to be prepared with options for your students.   I recently wrote a post about this here.  

I'm wondering what ideas you have in place for your early finishers...hence this linky party!!!

Here's a few quick things I'm currently using:

 You can read more about this freebie at The Teacher Wife.

Here's a free version of Boggle. 

You can search TPT for more free versions.

Rules:
1.  Only link ideas or products that are FREE.  NO paid product links, please.

2.  Use the graphic above and link back to this post.

3.  Add your post below. Please make sure your link goes directly to a specific post about this linky party, not a main page.

An InLinkz Link-up

My SLANT Box Experience

Let's start with the run down of my first SLANT Box experience.  If you have no idea what a SLANT Box is, head over to Lessons with Coffee for the details.  It's definitely something you want to experience, at least once. I was matched up with two awesome teacher bloggers.  One, I sent a box of goodies to and the other sent a box of fun stuff to me.

I got to stalk know Rachel, from Mrs. O Knows and sent her a box of teacher themed goodness.  You can check out her post on her SLANT Box experience here.  This is a pic she took when she received her box from me.

My other match had the chore pleasure of getting to know me and sending me a box!  Here's a pic of all my goodies.

I love my hand painted clothes pins and the Spark energy drink.  She did an awesome job putting my box together.  You can check out Julie's blog, Laughing and Little Learners here.

Now head over to Lessons with Coffee and get started on your own SLANT Box.  It's fun getting to know other teachers and finding new blogs, Facebook Fan pages, and Instagram peeps.

Halloween Hop 2014

The gals from my collaborative blog, The Teaching 2 Step, have put together an awesome Halloween Blog Hop with a ton of goodies!! 

So let's get started!  First, I wanna share an easy Halloween craft that my mom made for me years ago to hold candy corn.

 (source)

A clay flower pot, a little masking tape, some craft paint, and you have a masterpiece!!  Cute decor for the classroom or your house.

Next, a fun recipe.  Your students would LOVE this or it would be perfect for a spooky Halloween house party. 

INGREDIENTS

• 6 oz. package of orange Jello 
• 1/2 cup of sugar
• 2 cups of boiling water
• 4 liters of ginger ale
• 1 can pineapple juice (46 oz.)
• 1 can apricot nectar (46 oz.)
• 1/2 cup of lemon juice

DIRECTIONS

1. Dissolve Jello and sugar in a large bowl with boiling water.

2. Stir in the pineapple, apricot, and lemon juices. Place in freezer container and freeze.

3. Remove from freezer 2 hours before serving and place in punch bowl.

4. Crush up the frozen mixture into big pieces.

5. Pour gingerale over mixture just before serving.

Makes about 2 gallons of punch

(source)

Click on the pics below or here to grab this FREEBIE.

  a Rafflecopter giveaway

 a Rafflecopter giveaway

 a Rafflecopter giveaway

An InLinkz Link-up