Favorite Pins Friday and NEW Freebie on Facebook!

Hey there everyone!  I'm so excited to share some new creations with you all.  The official First Grade Hugs and High Fives Facebook and Pinterest pages are up and running.  To celebrate, I'm offering a FREEBIE available only to my wonderful new Facebook fans.  Check out my new buttons on the right sidebar.  The first is for Bloglovin.  If you aren't following my blog on Bloglovin yet, click on that heart and join up with me.  The second button is to visit my Facebook page, where you can get your FREEBIE, simply by liking the page.  Look for the "Fans Only" tab!  The last icon is for my Pinterest page.  Please follow me on there, too.  I'm looking forward to pinning up a storm with tons of great ideas for school and home!

That's the perfect introduction to my first link up with Cara from First Grade Parade.  Who doesn't LOVE pinterest???  Personally, I think this e-card says it all!

So here we go!  Check out my Favorite Pins!

Just click on any of the pictures to get to the pin.

This is ingenious and so simple (aren't those ideas the best?)!  If you are like me, your students have multiple consumable workbooks.  It always takes much longer than I think it should for 20 six year olds to locate the correct workbook for the assignment I want them to do.  The original pin suggests that you use a fat marker to mark the outside edges of the pages.  Use a different color for each book, that way you can say, "Take out your math workbook- the one with the Red stripe."  I definitely plan to implement this clever technique this year.  

For years, I've used the two cup system.  It worked just fine, but I have a small drawer organizer that I'm not using for anything right now and I think I'm going to repurpose it for this.  I think it looks neater and inevitably someone always knocked the cups over at least once a week.  

I found these timers last year and my kids and I loved them.  It was easy to project them on the smart board and everyone could see how much time was left.  

Thank you so much to Kristi at Ms Fultz's Corner for her wonderful You Tube tutorials for improving your blog.  If you haven't checked them out,  you should.  She makes it easy for you to make your blog and other social media components look great!!! 

I've seen so many of you posting about the wonderful planners you have purchased.  I'm sure they are fabulous, but I'm excited to share another alternative.  Check out this planner from April at A Modern Teacher.  I love that it is editable and I can type my plans into the plan templates.  Plus, it is much more economical than others out there.    

My first baby is my bulldog, Otto.  He's almost ten now (ancient for a bulldog), but I remember him looking like this like it was yesterday... awwwww!!

I just thought this was fun and oh, so true in my house!

This is "crack bread" named that because it is more addictive than the aforementioned.  I have made it for many parties and get togethers and it always gets rave reviews.  I think I gain 10 pounds every time I make it.  But, man is it worth it!

I've had this pinned for over a year and yet every time I go back and read it, I get fooled all over again.  Guess I'm gullible!!!

Thanks for stopping by and don't forget to pick up your freebie on Facebook!

I've Been Featured and New Blog Buttons!

Hey there!  Guess what!  I've been featured!  Dana over at Common to the Core features new bloggers every Tuesday and yesterday was my day, woo hoo!  Thanks Dana for spreading the word for us beginner bloggers!

Please check out Dana's blog to see all of the great work she has done as a classroom teacher and soon-to-be librarian, check out her Whole Brain Teaching resources, and meet another newish blogger Amanda from Teacher At The Wheel.

Also check out my new blog buttons for Facebook, Bloglovin, and Pinterest.  I made them myself using a wonderful You Tube tutorial by Blogaholic Designs.  If you want to make your own buttons, it was really easy to follow her steps.  Click here to see the video.  And don't forget use the buttons to follow this blog on Bloglovin, Facebook, and Pinterest.  From time to time, I may post freebies on the Facebook page that are only available for fans.  You don't want to miss out, so please join me.

July Currently and Blog Design Giveaway

I'm taking advantage of a quiet moment in my crazy house to post my July Currently.  On the first of every month, Farley over at Oh Boy, Fourth Grade hosts a really fun linky.  It's a great chance to get to know other bloggers.  After you read my post, hop over to hers to find some other great teacher blogs to check out.

Listening

My oldest got the video game Skylanders Giants for his birthday in May.  Yes, I realize it's important to unplug and not let my kids' brains turn to mush in the summertime.  But the weather has been miserable here for days.  When it's not raining, the humidity is dis-gust-ing!  And my boys fight and annoy each other to no end... but, not when they are playing Skylanders.  And sometimes this mama needs a little peace.  So yes, I let them play... maybe more than I should, don't judge!

Loving

We are loving summer break!  It's been a little over a week since summer began for us.  I'm reading so many blogs where you all are thinking summer is going too fast and you're getting ready to go back.   Nanny nanny boo boo!  Finally, some paybacks for all your postings about summer when I was still sweating it out in my 90 degree classroom in June!  I tease you all with love!

Thinking

I wrote my currently earlier this morning and am plugging it into the post now... So what did we do?  We drove down to Camden, NJ to visit the Adventure Aquarium.  This photo is of two of our favorite residents of the aquarium, Buttons and Jenny.  My boys are crazy about sea creatures so this day trip never gets old.  The weather is calling for at least two more rainy days.  I'm running out of ideas.  My boys LOVE to be outside so I know they have cabin fever as bad as I do.  

Wanting

I think you already know where I stand on this one.  Rain, rain, go away!

Needing

I'm going to be running a Mud Run- The Merrell Down and Dirty- in Philly in a few weeks and it has been a challenge to get my runs in on a regular basis.  This is a photo of me and some of my coworkers at the run last year.  We are such "dirty teachers."  Between the weather and my husband not being around to watch the kids while I have my time, it's been hard.  My hubs is getting ready to open a new business in October (a beer brewery) and the construction has been very time consuming.  I am REALLY hoping all of the investment pays off!

Tips, Tricks or Hints

Since, I've only been blogging for a few months but I've been a blog follower for years.  One of the things I enjoyed reading were the random posts (like this) balanced with plugs for products and teaching tips and ideas.  It's nice to connect with other teacher bloggers in personal ways and helps with a feeling of camaraderie.  I also like to read blogs that make me laugh so I try to write the way I'd talk and hopefully it's entertaining, at least some of the time.  I think one of my favorite blogs to read for entertainment (she's freakin' hilarious) is Kristin- The Teeny Tiny Teacher!  If you've never read her blog, you have to (plus we are fellow Bachelor Fans).

One of my first bloggy follower friends was Barbara from Ruby Slipper Blog Designs.  She designs the most beautiful blogs.  My design is "learn as you go", by me.  It's definitely primitive but all done by me, so I'm proud of it.  I have some ADHD tendencies when it comes to my interests.  I tend to be gung-ho for a few months and then something new comes along and pulls me away from my hobby.  I promised myself that I would treat myself to a fabulous, professionally done blog design if I stick with blogging often through October.  But, Barbara is having a blog design giveaway.  I'm entering and so should you!

Hop on over to her blog to enter yourself and best of luck to all of us!  Thanks for stopping by!

It's Bloglovin' Time and some Made It Monday Fun!

You must have heard by now, but quick it's time to make a move so you don't lose all of your favorite blogs.  Google Reader apparently will not exist tomorrow (all this fuss reminds me of Y2K), but I did it!  I made the move a few weeks ago to Bloglovin'.  Up until about 6 months ago, I used to bookmark my favorite blogs and then check them periodically.  Then I joined Google Friend Connect to follow my blogs that way.  Now... dum, dum, dum... Google's Reader is going away.  What's a bloglover to do, you ask?  Switch to bloglovin' to follow your favorites (hopefully mine is one of them!)  I love that there is an app for my iPhone and I can check up on the blogs anywhere... while waiting for T ball practice to be done, at the dentist, at the salon... you get it!  Here's a great tutorial to help you make the switch from Tori's Teacher Tips.  Click here to check it out... but don't forget to come back to my blog after you sign up to click on the button on the right to become my newest follower.

Now onto Monday Made It!  I'm linking up once again with Tara at Fourth Grade Frolics.  This is one of my favorite inspirational linky parties.  You can get so many FANTASTIC ideas for your free time (or lack of it in my case) this summer.  After you check out my post, be sure to visit Tara and other blogger friends to be inspired!

 So, I've been working on a "wild" classroom makeover for a couple of months now and I posted last week about how I was able to go in and set my new classroom a little bit.  I put up my bulletin boards (background and border) and then covered them to protect them from fading and cleaning products this summer.  I wanted to use some animal print borders with a black background on some of my boards, but when I went to my local teacher store- Becker's they only had tiger print.  I need a little variety in my room and I didn't want just tiger print so I had to come up with something different.  Duct tape has become my new best friend.  I used cheetah and zebra duct tape as the border.  I think it turned out pretty good.  I did use the tiger on some other boards though.  

This is going to be a board to display reading and writing anchor charts.

This is the header for my word wall.  The lower bulletin board is my famous starched fabric fake bulletin board.  If you are interested in reading about how I used fabric to jazz up an ugly and dated chalkboard to make a neat fake bulletin board, click here.

I know... I'm late to the party on this project.  It seems like every blogger has one, but just because I'm late doesn't mean I can't join in.  And ya never know... maybe there are others who haven't discovered this little cool organizer.  To the best that I can figure out, the original "Teacher Toolbox was created and shared on Create, Share, Teach.  You can click the link to see the original post and her directions.  I did mine a little differently.  First, I purchased the black 22-drawer organizer from Home Depot (for about $20.  I removed the drawers.  Then, I used spray paint (be sure to use the kind that bonds to plastic) to change the color from dull gray to glossy black.  After the paint dried, I used my trusty duct tape--- I told you, obsessed-- to cover the sides and top.  It took three strips. 

Then I found this wonderful FREE template on TPT compliments of Fun in 4B.  I downloaded it and customized my drawer labels.  I think it turned out pretty good and I hope it keeps me more organized!

Thanks for stopping by!

Monday Made It! (My First!!)

Hey there!  I'm so exciting to do my first link up with Tara at Fourth Grade Frolics for her Monday Make It Linky.

Let me preface this by saying I come from a family of crafters.  The women in my family paint, sew, do needlepoint, knit, crochet, and quilt... all except me!  Some how the crafty gene skipped me.  I use Modge Podge and end up looking like Ted in "Something About Mary" and on top of it my craft looks like something else that starts with cra__.  

Anyway, I did something somewhat crafty that ended up looking awesome.  Truth be told, I actually made it about a month ago, but haven't been able to link up until the stress of the end of the year ended. Shhhh! 

I had these nice generic-looking primary colored drawers.  They looked fine, but they just didn't work with my new theme, which by the way is a Jungle Theme (in case you are new to my blog).  

So, I used spray paint and duct tape and the end product looks mighty fabulous, if I do say so myself!

View from the front

View from the side

So there!  It's not fine needlework and I didn't make a quilt but, I did create something cool that I love.  

On a totally unrelated note, I just taught myself how to watermark my pictures and I realized I really need to work on the details of my button.  But, that's a project for another lazy summer day.  Thanks for stopping by.  I hope I have many more Monday Made Its, thanks to the inspiration out there in bloggy land.  

"Aloha" and Five For Friday!

Yay!  I can finally say Summer is here!  Yesterday was my last school day.  It was probably one of the most bittersweet end of the years days I've ever experienced.  I've mentioned before that my firsties this year were one in a million.  I'm gonna miss them, but who doesn't love summer... so of course I'm delighted.  But it was also the last day for a couple of my colleagues that I've become very close to.  If any of you are reading this, lunch will not be as much fun without you!  

I've mentioned before that I am moving classrooms this year.  So, I spent yesterday afternoon, after the kids left, and today moving my personal stuff.  I thought "Aloha" was the perfect way to describe the situation... "Goodbye" to my home for the last ten years... I admit I teared up as I looked around one last time.  I told myself "I can always visit... I'm just moving down the hall 2 doors."

I'm gonna miss my lockers... they hide the kids' messes.

And "hello" to my new digs.

The classroom that I've moved to is in an older part of the school.  It has a huge ancient chalk board at the back of the room.  It was looking pretty beat.  I plan on using it for my word wall.  So I covered it with black fabric.  Since it's a chalk board, I couldn't staple it.  So I researched how to cover walls with fabric using starch.  It was actually pretty simple and I think it looks great. It's tough to see the transformation because it was a black chalk board and now it's black fabric... but trust me it gave it new life.  If you want to try hanging fabric on your walls, all you need is the fabric (I used a light weight, inexpensive cotton), liquid starch (in the laundry aisle of the grocery store), and a paint roller and pan.  First, roll the starch onto the wall.  Then, hand the fabric as you would wall paper.  (I thought it would be easier to cut the fabric into 1 yard width pieces to make it more manageable).  Get the fabric into place with minimal wrinkles and air bubbles.  Then, roll more starch onto the top of the fabric and continue to smooth it.  That's it!  I'm so proud that I was able to do it.  I don't have a crafty bone in my body!  

I have to thank my work crew.  My mom (a retired teacher and avid quilter) was the brains behind the operation.  Thank goodness she thought to bring her cutting mat and rotary cutter.  We learned the hard way that my scissors were pretty dull.  And my big guy (and almost first grader) helped me roll and smooth out bubbles. 

I'm looking forward to the new adventure and new memories in a new room.... Change can be good, right?

Now onto my Five For Friday.  I'm linking up with Kacie from Doodlebugs teaching for her infamous Five For Friday linky party.  It's a great way to check out other teaching blogs and find a few new ones to follow. Click on the link above to check out the linky party.  

1. You gotta love 1st graders love notes!  Definitely one I'll save... It says "The smallest things can take up the most things in your heart."  Very philosophical... not sure about what it means, but it sure is sweet!

2. I think this is my favorite e card!  

3.  I got my chromebook to practice with this summer.  If you have no idea what a chromebook is, read my original post here.  

4. Now, that we're all done school... I'm planning lots of days trips to keep the kids preoccupied.  Here are just some of the places within about an hour.  Where do you think we should go first?

The Jersey Shore

The Crayola Factory in Easton, Pa

Adventure Aquarium in Camden, NJ

The Philadelphia Zoo

Sesame Place in Langhorne, Pa

5. I'm doing a class makeover in my new classroom- a jungle theme.  I made a couple of products and have them in my TPT store.  If you are thinking of having a jungle or safari theme, please check out my calendar headers by clicking on the image below.  

I'm hoping for some rest and relaxation in the coming weeks, but as anyone with small kids knows, that's probably wishful thinking.  I will probably spend more time playing referee than anything else.  But... here's to a great summer.  If you are STILL in school, that stinks... the end is near!  If you've been on break for a while... save me a drink, the party is here, LOL!

Thanks for stopping by!