Winner, Award, & Meet Up

So here's my take...

Wow, thank you to everyone who participated in my Teacher Survival Kit Giveaway!!! 

It is with great pleasure that I announce the winner (imagine drum roll)... 

  

Beki Moore!

I also want to say thank you to two awesome bloggers for awarding me, 

The Versatile Blogger! I am so excited and honored!!!

 Big thanks to Vicki at Keep Calm & Imagine & Michele at Multiage Moments

When accepting this award the nominee must:

~1 Thank the blogger who nominated you and include a link to their site.

~2 Include the award image in your post.

~3 Give 7 random facts about yourself.

~4 Nominate 15 other bloggers for the award and include a link to their site.

~5. Let bloggers know they've been nominated.

Here are some random facts about me:

1. I worked at Disneyland in college as a hat writer (I put your name on your Mickey Mouse ears before machines took over!!!)

2. My knees have been dislocating since I was 7 (hence knee surgery in June).

3. I stayed at home for 5 years after the birth of my daughter (I dubbed myself a stay at home mommy teacher!)

4. I franchised a business called Baby Boot Camp (while being a stay at home mommy). I became a personal trainer and taught group exercise classes for moms to get back in shape. 

5. I earned an intramural champion T-shirt every year in college for things like:Bowling, Billiards, Volleyball, etc.

6. I never thought I would teach the upper grades and like it...but I LOVE 4th!

7. I will have been with my college sweetheart for 20 years on March 5, 2013! 

Now it is my turn to pay it forward...here are 15 blogs you must check out!

1. Christine at The Crazy Pre-K Classroom

2. Suzanne at Krazy Town

3. Becky at Lesson Plans & Lattes

4. Barb at It's About Time Teachers

5. Tessa at Tales from Outside the Classroom

6. Meghan at Third Grade in the First State

7. Lisa at Fourth & Ten

8. Jennifer at Best Practices 4 Teaching

9. Hope at Second Grade Shenanigans

10. Diane The Teacher's Jungle

11. Layla Fancy Free in Fourth

12. Nancy at First Grade W.O.W

13. Margaret at Taking Grades for Teachers

14. Ms. T at Journey of a Substitute Teacher

15. Deb at Adventures in Jamestown

Calling all Virginia Bloggers!!! 

Karen over at Mrs. Stamp's Kindergarten is holding the first meet & greet for Va. Bloggers! Spread the word and come join us! 

I will be attending with Heather from Beg, Borrow, & Teach!

See you there!!!

Teacher Survival Kit & Giveaway!

So here's my take... 

This year my 4th grade team will be getting 2 new additions. Do you remember when you were the newbie? Well, I decided to put together a Teacher Survival Kit to welcome them aboard.

In honor of my little blog reaching 200 followers, 
I decided to do a give away!!! 


These came out so cute that I just have to give one away! Read the survival sign below to see what the winner receives.

I will personalize the bin for the winner...either keep for yourself or give as a gift!

Also, don't forget to pick up a copy of the survival sign incase you too have a new team member this fall! 


I sure wish someone had done this for me!

Click Here for a Copy

...and yes that is a $10 Starbucks Gift Card in the cup! 


Thank you to all who have come to my blog and have taken the time to read it! Come back often to increase your chances! 


Giveaway ends Sunday, July 29th at Midnight. 


Winner will be announced Monday the 30th.
Good luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Treasures from the Dollar BIn!

So here's my take...

You know you are ready for the next school year when you get a HUGE adrenal rush from the dollar bin! I hit Target yesterday and came away with a truck load of awesomeness!!! 

I plan on redecorating my classroom this year with colors from my blog. I couldn't believe my luck when I hobbled over to the dollar bins (thank goodness those are in the front of the store!)

Today I decided to create recycle bins inspired by a pin I found this past week from 

Laura at Peace, Love, & First Grade!

I used the pink/blue bins above and then I made the "got paper?" signs. I absolutely love the end result! I only hope it inspires my kiddos to make sure to keep paper off the floor!!!

I can't wait to create more things from the treasures I bought yesterday! It amazes me how a good shopping trip can put me in the back to school mood! 

Click Here For Your Copy

I hope you find some treasures in the dollar bins this summer too! 

Enjoy the Recycle Bin Signs.

Update & Summer Reading

So here's my take...

I had envisioned my summer a little differently than how it has turned out. First I want to apologize for my absence from blogging. A month ago I had planned knee surgery. I thought I would be out of the bloggy world for two weeks, but it turned out to be four weeks!

I had a few post surgery hiccups too that kept me from blogging, like an allergic reaction to a topical agent and HORRIBLE muscle spasms. Now I'm a month out, the spasms have stopped and the allergic reaction is almost gone (I am still on antibiotics for it though!).

It does hurt as bad as it looks! But...

Now I feel well enough to get back to blogging...YEAH!

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The past two days I have been pinning great resources from wonderful teachers. I came across a linky party I just had to participate in from Donna at the Math Coach's Corner! Her blog is such a wonderful resource and I visit it often!!!

This summer I have been reading the second book by Laney Sammons about using literacy strategies to  make meaning for math concepts. Last summer I read her first book on Guided Math. These two books are fabulous and I believe a must in every teachers professional library!

I am halfway through the Building Mathematical Comprehension Strategies book. The first connection to literacy that I found is how Good Mathematicians have certain characteristics that are similar to Good Readers. 


I compiled the traits Laney Sammons discovered into a poster to help my class and I remember. In honor of my first post back since surgery I thought I would share with everyone!

Click here for your copy!

I look forward to finishing this book and hopefully creating more products to share and use in my classroom. Also, I can't wait to check out everyone's selection of Best Math books!


I hope you will join the Blog Hop!