Assess Me~ A Get to Know You Link Up

 The Tattooed Teacher has come up with an awesome linky to "assess" us teachers.  It's a 'get to know' you assessment!

Okay, don't laugh at the font.  I haven't had time to upload my fonts on my new computer.  And just for the record, I showered last night and I'm cleaning out the attic so I have a good excuse for not having showered yet today. 

Hop over to The Tattooed Teacher and get to know some other awesome teacher bloggers! #teacherbloggersrock

Wonderful Idea Wednesday

I'm back….yeah, it's been a while since I've blogged this has been one busy summer with building a house, moving, and selling another!  Anywho, today I'm linking up with the gals over at Freebielicious for Wonderful Idea Wednesday.

I'm revisiting a post I wrote for another blog about an awesome idea for reviewing skills.  Let me know what you think.
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Looking for a fun way to review for those end of the week tests or just want to do an informal assessment of how much information your students are really learning?  Well, Tic-Tac-Know is an easy and FUN way to do just that!!

In my gifted classes we do mini-studies on various topics.  For example, one of the most recent was on kaleidoscopes.  After we did our research and had some discussion.  Then, I wanted to see just how much they retained and really comprehended, so we "played" Tic-Tac-Know.

It's really simple, but fun and effective.  I use painter's tape to mark off a large, life-sized Tic-Tac-Toe board on our carpet.

I compile a list of questions about our current study or whatever we are reviewing.  Next, I divide my students into two teams (Team X and Team O.)

The teams stand, in rows, on opposite sides of the tic-tac-toe board.  We flip a coin to see which team goes first and I ask a question to the first person on that team.  If it is answered correctly, the person takes a spot on the game board.   X's will stand and O's will sit, so at a glance, we can see who's who.  If the answer it incorrect, no one moves and I move on to the other team.  This continues until one team gets tic-tac-toe (3 in a row.)

This game of human tic-tac-know can be used with any subject and is an exciting way to review skills.

Some other ideas for Tic Tac Know could include:

• reviewing math facts
• comprehension questions about a book
• reviewing antonyms/synonyms
• homophones/homonyms review
• stating facts and opinions

What's your favorite way to review with your students? 

You can find more wonderful ideas by clicking the link below.

Stitch Fix Review #7

Summertime is cray cray for this teacher, right now!!  We are in the middle of moving, building a house, and attempting to get my diabetic fur baby regulated on her insulin.  That's an entire different story for a different day!!!  ugggg.....Whoever said teachers do NOTHING during the summer, needs to head to Memphis and I'll put them to work!

Ok, now the review!!  All of the packing came to a screeching halt when this arrived at my door!!

I had some special requests for this fix.  I asked for some shirts with fun backs, that would still allow me to wear a bra.  I also asked for colored jeans, specifically white with no holes or leg zippers!  So here's what I got:

Loveappella Michelle Cross Back Knit Top

LOVE...LOVE....LOVE

This shirt is super soft and has a nice shape.  Not too clingy, but fitted.  I love the back and my bra doesn't show.  That's always plus!  It's really more navy than purple.  I'm not sure why it looks more purple in the pics.  Perhaps, my iPad quality photos????

Skies are Blue Milford Graphic Stripe Top

Cute, soft, but it sort of screamed Wal-Mart. #sorrynotsorry

Market & Spruce Gretta Embroidery Detail Knit Top

This is also SUPER soft and is a good fit.  I was a bit worried about my bra showing through the little hole details on the front, but it's not bad at all.

Henry & Belle Abana Ankle Length Skinny Jean in gray (looked like army green to me) and blue (a mix between navy and royal blue)

I guess my stylist was convinced that these would fit me, because she sent two pairs of the same pants in different colors.  They were an okay fit but a little snug in the thighs.  I wanna believe it's because I've been doing a lot of squats, but probably not!!  #crossfitnewbie

You can read more about how Stitch Fix works here.  Or better yet, head on over and create your style profile!! 

Let me know what you think about this fix.  You can read more about my past "Fixes" by clicking on the Stitch Fix label on the right.

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

Pool Party Blog Hop

I'm excited to be working with Celeste again from The Education Highway to celebrate her 30th birthday.  She's worked hard to put this "hop" together and I'm honored to be a small part of it!

You can grab some great ideas, lots of freebies, and a chance to win THREE prize packs full of awesome products.

Here's my special freebie just for you.

(Click the pic to download)

4th of July Handmade Tees

(source)

Cute, right?  All you need are a few white tees or tanks, some fabric paint, and a few fun kiddos!  

Be sure to download our eBook below!

Check out these AWESOME giveaway packs!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

a Rafflecopter giveaway

a Rafflecopter giveaway

An InLinkz Link-up

Five for Friday~June 5,2015

It's been a minute since I've linked up for Five for Friday with Doodle Bugs Teaching, but I'm back!!!!  I've been out of school since Friday, May 22, so I'm getting into this whole 'no work' thing.

We're in the process of building a new house, so that means packing up EVERYTHING for the big move. It's crazy how you just collect stuff and aren't sure why.  I think it's worse for  teachers.  We never know when we "may" need something, so we hang on the junk.  Here's the progress so far!

This little rascal had cataract surgery about three weeks ago. She developed cataracts shortly after she was diagnosed with diabetes.  As some of you may know, she was born deaf, so when she went blind from the cataracts, surgery was no option.  Turns out she only has about 20% vision in one eye now.  So we are doing tons of eye drops, and tons of pokes for glucose testing, and even more pokes for insulin injections.  But she's happy so that makes momma happy!!

I've been dragging myself out of bed everyday and heading off to our local cross fit gym. It's addictive!! I was very intimidated at first but I let go of that.  I'm not gonna lie, I'm deathly afraid of straining and getting a hemorrhoid!!!  But so far, so good!!  Here's a glimpse at me working on my front squats.  Ignore the "just out of bed" look!

Anyone else into cross fit?

I had an appointment at the Apple Store this week because I have an older iMac desktop, that is now apparently "vintage." Anyway it won't turn on and I need the pictures and documents off of it.  Turns out they can't even get parts for it or pull off my data.  I then had to go to an Apple Authorized Dealer to have this done.  Grrrrrr..... over $100 and three days later, I have the data on a flash drive and the repair shop gained a "vintage" computer.  

While I was at the Apple Store I took it upon myself to pull up my blog on a few computers and just walk away!! #freeadvertising

For all of you that signed up for a chance to win the $100 Stitch Fix gift card, I'd like to say THANK YOU!!  It was so fun  working with A Trendy Teacher and a few other awesome bloggers for this giveaway.  The lucky winner is Bre Simons. 

FYI, I have a new fix coming next week, so be on the lookout for a new Stitch Fix review.  You can follow me on Instagram for a heads up.

Head on over to Doodle Bugs Teaching and see what everyone else is up to. 

Stitch Fix Review and a HUGE Giveaway

I'm super excited to be teaming up with Melanie from A Trendy Teacher and a few other awesome bloggers for a HUGE Stitch Fix Giveaway.  We are giving away a $100 Stitch Fix gift card!!  WOW...right?

If you aren't familiar with Stitch Fix, you are really missing out.  For only $20, you can have your very own personal stylist that sends five hand picked items right to your doorstep.  Just try them on and keep what fits and mail the rest back in the postage paid bag they provide.  Easy...peasy!  You can read more about it here.  There are NO hidden fees or commitments, either.

Before you enter to win, let's take a look at my latest "fix." 

Always leave a note for your stylist letting them know exactly what you want or don't want.  This is KEY to a great fix.  I requested a pair of white jeans with no holes, to wear to work.  The only other thing I was specific about for this fix was that I did NOT want any jewelry or dresses.  I switch this up from time to time.

Leslie, my personal stylist, wasn't able to find any white jeans without holes but she did send me a pair of Margaret M Emer Textured Cropped Straight Leg Pants in mint green.  These, like all Stitch Fix pants, felt like butter.  You can read in my previous reviews, how much I LOVE their pants.  The fit is always amazing.  It's much better than the pants I find when I try to shop for myself!

Next up was this boho inspired Brixon Ivy Diaz Embroidery and Crochet Detail Cotton Top.  I could tell that Leslie had taken a look at my Pinterest~My Style page.  This shirt was a perfect fit and felt great on.  It does look a lot like another shirt I already own, so I'll have to decide if I want to keep this one.

I also received this Le Lis Haney Mixed Material Knit Top in a light peach color.  Again, the fit was amazing and the varied textures made this shirt very appealing.  I may actually ask for this shirt in another color in my next fix.  

Everybody loves a good cardigan, right?  Well I'm a sucker for a comfortable, wash and go cardigan.  The Dahlya Poppa Open Cardigan is a great staple for any wardrobe and its neural color will go with almost anything.  I wouldn't mind this in a bolder color, in a future fix.

And lastly, is the Daniel Rainn Triton Spaghetti Strap Silk Blouse. This is super cute and a little bit sexy!  It's double layered, so it's not see through.  It was a little big around the arm holes, so I'm not sure this is a keeper.  But, I think this is worth asking for in a smaller size.  This could easily be dressed up or worn casually.

So...what are you waiting for?  Go sign up, you will NOT regret it.  You can get started HERE.

Now, if you're interested in entering to win a whopping $100 gift card to use on your Stitch Fix order, head on over to A Trendy Teacher or just click the button below.  Good Luck!!

Summertime FREEBIE

Hey all, just wanted to check in.  Life is in fast forward right now.  I'll try to do Five for Friday and get you all caught up.  Next week is my last week before summer break, so to celebrate I made a quick Summertime Bump.  You can grab it by clicking on the pic below.  Enjoy!