Freebie #2

Dear Bloggy Friends,

      I am sad to report that I cannot give you the activity I had planned to post today.  When I returned home  from a Social Studies Standards workshop, I found that my external hard drive was empty.  This is where I keep all my clip art, items I made, videos I make and find, etc. While trying to figure out how to recover the files myself, the electricity went off because it is storming like crazy here!  I am going to the computer man tomorrow to see if he can help me!
        Anyway, this is one of the only things that I have not shared that was saved on my actual computer.  I had not planned on sharing this in Blogland because I specifically made it for my school, which is a Kids at Hope School.  We believe that all kids are capable of success!  We want to get them to thinking about how they can be successful adults in 4 specific areas of life (Career and Education, Home and Family, Community and Service, & Hobbies and Recreation).  I created this little book so students can write their future.  I can see this being used when discussing meeting needs and relationships too.
        With all that said, there will actually be 5 freebies (hopefully), since I kind of threw this one in here!  Click the pic to download the "My Future" Book.

Freebie #1

As promised, here is my 1st of 4 freebies!  Thanks so much for reading!   Click the "I am a Gift!" picture to get your copy. :)

This is an all about me activity for back to school.  Some of my favorite back to school books that I will use with this activity are I Like Me! by Nancy Carlson and I Like Myself by Karen Beaumont.

400 Followers= 4 Winners and 4 Freebies!

          I am totally amazed that this ol' blog has reached 400 followers!  I know I've told you all before, but I just love you!  I love your comments, your posts, your TPT items, everything!  Now, on to the contest and freebies! *Note there are a lot of exclamation points in this post because I am excited! :)
    
           Some of you probably know that I have made a hobby out of making blog designs.  I find it so relaxing! I made my own, and here is an example of some of the headers I have done:

So, in honor of reaching 400 followers, 4 of my readers will be getting a personalized blog design.  It can be for your teacher blog, classroom blog, whatever!  I will work with you to find out what you want your blog to look like.  You will get a blog header, background, and button.
Here is how to enter:

1. Follow my blog and and leave a comment telling me you do.
2. Follow my TPT store and leave a comment.
3. Blog about my giveaway and leave a comment.
4. Grab my button, put it on your blog, and, you guessed it, leave a comment.

Contest ends Monday, July 4th at midnight.  I will announce the 4 winners on Tuesday, July 5th.   

Now, I know that many of you have BEAUTIFUL blogs and don't want to enter the contest.  That is totally understandable! :)  To say thanks to you, there will be 4 days of freebies, a freebie for every day of the contest, starting tonight!

Get to commenting!  Good Luck!

Classroom Shopping Linky Party!

Kristen at Ladybug Teacher Files is hosting a Classroom Shopping Linky Party. You know me, I can't resist a good party! :)

Of course I LOVE Target! Here is my latest find:

Sorry for the poor quality.  It was a quick shot with my phone!

The purple bag is for my classroom iPad and the small green ones are for our iPods.  I can't wait to get my paint out and fix them up!  The books are Who is Hiding? (a habitat book) and Dinosaurs.  I am going to use the clock for something like "Tiger Time" to discuss things that are happening in our district since we are the Tigers!

I also like shopping at the Dollar Tree, Really Good Stuff, Wal-Mart, and The Tardy Bell!

Now head on over the Kristen's page and link up!

Leaving a Link in a comment

I am sure that Kristen (Ladybug Teacher) has probably done a fabulous tutorial about this, but I'll give it a shot!

I received a comment asking how to leave a link to your blog in a comment.

You will need this code:

Copy the URL to your blog and paste it in the place of URL in the code.

Type the name of your blog in place of Name of Blog.

I typed mine in as a post, but I didn't publish it.  Here is a screen shot of what it looks like.  I just copy the code from here and then paste it below my comment.

Labels!

I've been wanting to make some new labels for my book baskets, cabinets, and student work.  My old labels were name tags from the dollar spot with words written in Sharpie, so I think these are a definite  upgrade. Because I love all my bloggy friends so much, I wanted to share them with you! You can get your copy by clicking the picture below.

P.S.:  I tried to embed the file directly into my post, but Google Docs was being silly.  Anyone else having trouble? 

Have a GREAT Summer night!

New Blog Alert!

Plug-n-Plan... Have you heard of it? If not, you have now! :) She is giving away her newly finished owl themed time unit right now, and it looks super cute I LOVE owls! When I was making my blog design I almost incorporated owls, but that's another story!! Anyway, click the picture and check out her blog!

Postcard exchange and Giveaway!

Mrs. Saoud and Mrs. Mathes have joined forces to bring us a fabulous postcard exchange. They are looking for one classroom from every state.
Here are the states that still need to be filled:

Head on over to Mrs. Saoud's Blog, Primary Graffiti, to join!


Then go over to Mrs. Mathes' blog, The Techy Teacher, to enter a giveaway.  The wonderful Erica Bohrer has offered her amazing letter writing unit for a lucky winner!

Get to blog hoppin'!!!

Blog Stalker Linky Party!

I'm a blog stalker!  The rules were to list a few of your favorite blogs, but I can't do that!  I LOVE them all.  Just check out "Blogs I follow."  I can't pass up a good blog!  Here is link from a post I did not to long ago with a list of a lot of great blogs, many that were totally new to me: BLOGS!!!


Head on over to The Clutter Free Classroom (a blog I stalk!) and join the party!!! 

A Give-A-Way!!!

Brenda at Primary Inspired is having a Give-A-Way! Yay! The lucky winner will get a super fun math mat that will help students with addition and subtraction. Here is a direct link to the give-a-way: Primary Inspired 200 Followers Give-a-Way.




Get on over there to enter!

Google It- Kiddie Style!

At the beginning of the week, I presented at TCEA's Tots and Technology Convention in Galveston, Texas.  It was tons of fun and super informative.  I told the folks who attended my session that I would post my presentation on my blog, so here it is!  I had to take out the links to examples of student work.  I also had to put a link to the videos instead of having them directly play from the file.  All the links that go to the internet should work.  There is also a slide that I added to show how you can use Google Earth to teach objects in the sky, since I am not with you to walk you through it :).   Click on the picture below to take you to the file in Google Docs.  Just comment if you have any questions.

Bloggy friends: Keep your eyes peeled for all my notes from the TCEA conference.  There were some really cool Web 2.0 tools, iPod and iPad apps, and lots of other fantastic ideas that were shared.

And the Winner is....

Congratulations Ms. M!!!  Please click my email button on the right of the screen and send me your mailing address.  Everyone be sure to check out her two fabulous blogs:   Ms. M's Blog and A Teacher's Plan.

Give Away- Last Call for Entries and a Thanks!

 I will use the random number generator to choose a winner tonight!  You have until 10:30 to enter.
As a "Thank you" to my followers, I wanted to give you a little publicity.  If you left a link to your blog under your comment, I have added to the post below.  I encourage everyone to take a look at these awesome blogs!

Oh the Places We'll Go!-  Mrs. Dillard has Bucket Filler Resources that are awesome!
First Grade Brigade  Kristen has great lesson and spelling ideas.
Mrs. Freshwater's Class Mrs.  Freshwater has a super cute blog and AMAZING TPT listings.
Primary Graffiti  Mrs. Saoud has wonderful resources on her blog and in her TPT store.
Mrs. Wills Kindergarten  Mrs. Wills does a great job getting bloggers to collaborate and has fabulous items in her TPT store!
Tales of a Teacherista Mrs Pollard has great FREE resources on her blog!
Mrs. M is a wonderful blogger.  She hasTWO great sites. Ms. M's Blog
A Teacher's Plan
Mrs. Parker's Second Grade Go to Mrs. Parker's site and check out her listing for Donor's Choose!
The Accidental Teacher Jennyfer does a Top 10 Tuesday that I just love to read.
Just Love Teaching   Angela has great activities (check out her QU lesson from March!) and very thoughtful posts. 
Mrs, I's Class  Mrs. I has wonderful ideas!  I just love her writing prompts!
Marvelous Multiagers    Jill shares ideas that work for students of many different ages.
Go Fourth with Owens  I LOVE when I find a blog for the older grades.  Way to go Mrs. Owens
Miss Kindergarten  Hadar or Miss Kindergarten or the blogger formerly known as Outfitted and Inspired is FABULOUS and Super-Duper Crafty!
 Primary Connections  Beth gives great details and explanations of procedures and activities that go on in her classroom.  Great info for beginning teachers!
Love like This   Jamie left probably the sweetest comment! Go to her blog and see here beautiful wedding pics and precious fur baby.  From looking at her blog, I believe we could be good friends!  Haha!
Little Miss Glamour Goes to Kindergarten  Kristin cracks me up!  I love reading her posts. 
Finally in First Jenn Bates- enough said.  She is AWESOME.  I love everything that she does!
Mrs. Bee's KinderGarden   I love this blog because it's garden theme matches my class room!  Oh and there is a bear sighting on there too.
What Happens iin Kindergarten... Last a Lifetime  I love the name of this blog.  Kindergarten definitely lays the foundation for learning.  Great job Ali!
Thoughts of a Third Grade Teacher Julie shares soooo many great ideas and she is a coupon-er!
The Apple Basket Teacher  On Nancy's blog you'll find a lot of great things!  My favorite is herschool to home binder with fabulous spelling activities.
The Adventures of Miss Elisabeth She has recently posted about a super fab Johnny Appleseed activity that is new to her TPT store.
Once Upon a Teaching   Katie lists some great summer reads.  The only one missing is THE HUNGER GAMES!
F in for First Grade Melissa has fabulous blog and TPT store.  She is a great blogger and idea sharer. :)
Erica Bohrer First Grade  Two words-  Erica Bohrer.  She is wonderful. Her blog is great, and her TPT store is out of this world good!
Teachin' First Go to Kristy's blog and check out her handsome little Pre-K Graduate!
Teaching Mrs. Lazenby  Mrs. Lazenby has a super cute blog and a recently opened TPT store.
Really Roper   Ms. Roper has a wonderful kindergarten blog.  She has recently posted some fantastic ocean art projects.
Swamp Frog First Graders    Heidi's blog is one of my favorites!  I think she may be the first blog I started following. 
Just Add Clipart  Lauren has great resources and I love the name of the blog!  I think that it must be written into the Blogging Teachers' Code that if you add adorable clip art to something, it makes it 10 times better.
Teaching in High Heels Gladys. Love. Her.  She is possibly the kindest blogger I have "met" in Blogland.  She always has a nice comment to leave and great ideas to share!
Spotlight on Kindergarten TMarie has some great pics of Mrs. Wills' Space Unit is action and many other great ideas.
Lights, Camera, Action Mrs. Youngblut has a super cute tanagram bunny activity and lots of other great resources.


Whew!  Now go enter the contest if you haven't!  Good Luck!!

300 Followers= A Give Away!!!

I am completely amazed that there are 300 wonderful teachers who have chosen to stop by my little spot in Blogland!  I am so grateful for your comments and ideas that you share with me.  I LOVE checking out your blogs and learning from all of you. It is my belief that blogging and "collaborating" with you has made me a better teacher.

Well, enough with the sappy (but totally sincere) stuff.  Here is what you can win: 

Here is how you enter:

1. Follow me!
2. Follow my TPT store. (I only have two items on there, but there will be more.  I promise! :))
3. Blog about this Give Away!
4. Tell me which store's gift card you would like to win and why!

Leave a comment for each.  That is 4 chances to win!
The contest will end Tuesday, June 7th. I will announce the winner on Wednesday, June 8th. 

GOOD LUCK and THANK YOU!!!