Motivational Monday and Back to School

Today, I'm linking up with Sarah and Tamara at First Grade Buddies for their linky called Motivate Me Monday! I think all teachers need a little motivation from time to time especially with all the hats we wear.  Teachers are truly amazing people who get the job done.

Back to School 
I officially started back to work last Monday. There were 3 days of Professional Development and little time to work in my room. I'm still trying to get it together. Today was the third day for my students. I have 18 superstars who are already blinding me with their brightness. They all have so many wonderful things and ideas to shared. Some of my little stars tend to talk out of turn or without permission. Today, I share the book My Mouth is a Volcano by Julia Cook. This is a great book to use to discuss listening respectfully and getting permission to speak.

Back to School Blogger Exchange and SLANT Box

In July, I signed up to participate in Blogger Exchange hosted by Adventures of Ms. Smith and Covered in Glitter and Glue . I was thrilled about sending a fellow teacher something to brighten her day. My blogger exchange partner was Katie from Smiles from 2nd Grade. I had a blast searching for things that I thought she would enjoy. After mailing off her box of surprises, I anxiously waited for my package. When it arrived, I did a little happy dance. The envelope was covered with cute foil stickers. 

 Look at all the goodies that were inside!!!

 I wonder how she knew that I loved books, stickers, pens, post-it notes, erasers, and cute little notebooks. She must have extrasensory perception!!! Maybe, it's a teacher thing!!!

 There was also a lovely note.

I truly adore my package.  Thank you, Katie! You ROCK!!!

Since I love giving as well as receiving, I also signed up for the SLANT Box. If you haven't heard about it, click on the button below for more information.

August Currently

I’m so excited about linking up with Farley at Oh Boy Fourth Grade! for my first currently. 

LISTENING:  I like to watch a lot of shows on TLC.  Today, they are having a Say Yes to the Dress Braidmaids marathon.
   

LOVING:  I finally found out that I’m not moving to another grade. This lady is staying in SECOND grade. YESSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS!!! Guess I’m going to have to cancel my appointment.

Sorry, Dr. Lucy.  

THINKING:  I always wait until the last hour to do things which causes a tremendous amount of stress.  I get the job done but imagine what I could do if I would stop putting things off until the last minute.

WANTING:  Okay, don’t cringe when I tell you this. I really dislike decorating my classroom. I just can’t get into it like other teachers. I have all these great visions that I can’t seem to implement. I need to hire someone to do it for me.  I’m currently taking application for a classroom interior designer. Those who are willing to work for Target/Dollar Tree gift cards or FREE will be interviewed first.

NEEDING:  My classroom technology consists of an overhead projector and one computer. YES, I’m serious!!! I need a SMART board, an Elmo, and some iPads.

MUST HAVES:

1.  Pencil Sharpener:  I’ve got to see if this pencil sharpener works as good as everyone says. I hope I win one!!!

2.  Comfortable Shoes:  I wished that I could wear tennis shoes to work everyday, but I can’t.  It’s a good thing that I have my Clarks. 

 3.  Bag:  I can’t wait to use my new bag that I got for my birthday.

If you have time, check out the other teachers’ currently and link up!!! 

Birthday Gifts, Monday Made It, and Monday Manic

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ME

It's a tradition in my family to celebrate every members birthday.  We sing Happy Birthday, read birthday cards, open gifts, and eat cake. My family celebrated my birthday on Saturday.  Boy, did I get some great gifts.  Look at SOME of the stuff I got!

 BATH & BODY GOODIES 

COACH GOODIES

TEACHER GOODIES

And to think, I only asked for a bag and a laminator. This is the reason I'm so spoiled.

Monday Made It & Monday Manic

       

Today, I'm linking up with Tara at 4th Grade Frolics and http://www.classroomfreebies.com/2013/07/MM-July-29.html.

I'm still loving the gingham apples clip art that I got from . I created three additional things with them.

2013-2014 two page calendar

planner cover with section dividers

desk plates

Feel free to use these freebies. If you have time, please comment. Thank you!!!

P.S.  I still don't know if I'm moving to another grade. 

When Do You Go Back to School Linky, Educate and Inspire’s Giveaway, & iPad Giveaway

  I'm joining Jessica from Literacy Spark for her linky party, "It's Time!! When do you go back?".

Link up and share when you officially start back at school.  How many days of work do you have before the students come back?  What do you spend those days doing?  How are you feeling about going back...?!

School officially starts back for me on August 12.  I will have three days of professionally development before the students come back. Hopefully, I will have some time to work in my room.

Until a couple of days ago, I was SUPER excited about going back to work.  I talked to my principal on the 23^rd. She told me that she was THINKING about moving me to a different grade and wanted to know how I felt about it. As all my super plans (I found via blog stalking.) for the upcoming year flashed before my eyes, I told her that I was not comfortable about moving.  Without shedding a tear, I then stated that I would perform whatever job tasks she assigned to the best of my ability. Now I’m SUPER anxious, but still excited. I won’t know her final decision until Monday.  I’m truly optimistic about the upcoming school year. After all, it is what it is, but it will become whatever I choose to make it. I choose to make it an AWESOME year!!! 

Have you heard about Kate’s awesome giveaway at Educate and Inspire? It’s a 5 day giveaway packed with awesome prizes.  I just found out I won the giveaway for Day 1!!! I won 10 products and her awesome smartphone clip art. There are 4 more giveaways to go. Click on the picture above and check it out!!! 

There is also another great giveaway for an iPad for you and a friend at Teacher Created Resources.

Monday Made It--- Welcome Gingham Banner Freebie

I'm linking up with Tara at 4th Grade Frolics for my second Monday Made It. I came across some cute gingham apples created by

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I really wanted to make something with them.  So, I created a welcome banner.  This is my first time creating something in PDF.  I’m also going to use the clip art to make my planner and additional class decoration.  You can grab the banner below for free. 

I would love to hear some feedback.  Thank you!!!

       

Blog Hops, Facebook Frenzy, and Giveaways

I have a confession to make. I absolutely love freebies!!! When I see the words FREE or GIVEAWAY, I begin to salivate. I’m sure my face looks like Ralphie (Christmas Story) as he daydreamed over the infamous Red Rider BB gun.  Check out the following for some great stuff!!!

 These two end today!!!


 This one ends tomorrow!!!

$125+ Back to School Giveaway

Back to School Blog Hop  (10 days of freebies and a daily prize giveaway!)

Monday Made It---Teacher Toolboxes

I'm linking up with Tara at 4th Grade Frolics for my first Monday Made It.  I really have enjoyed looking at the different things my fellow bloggers have created.  I'm not a crafty person, but I wanted to try to do something outside of my comfort zone. I fell in love with the teacher tool boxes I seen on various blogs and Pinterest, so I decided to try to make one myself.  

I painted two blue toolboxes (22 and 18 drawers) with chalkboard spray paint. I taped some free labels I founded on TPT (OwlinaVowelTree and can't remember the other one) on some bright zebra stripes and bright chevron paper using double sided. I'm going to let my students add some artwork using chalk during the first work of school. 

My First Award Nomination

                                   

I can’t believe that my fellow NBOTB (New Blogger on the Block) Lori at Second Grade Serenade nominated me for the Liebster Award.  I just started blogging. I’m having fun interacting with new people.  All this exposure to countless innovative ideas has inspired me to try to become more creative. 

Here are the rules for accepting this nomination:

1. Link back to the nominating blog.

2. Nominate 5 and up to 11 new blogs that has 200 or fewer followers.

3. Answer the questions posted for you by your nominator.

4. Share 11 random facts about yourself.

5. Create 11 questions for your nominees.

6. Contact your nominees and let them know you have nominated them.  

Here the questions that Lori asked me:

1. What is your favorite T.V. show?  Drop Dead Diva

2. If you could move to anywhere in the world where would it be? Australia

3. What is the name of your favorite childhood teacher and why were they your favorite?  My favorite teacher was my second grade teacher, Mrs. Stewart. She always made learning fun and looked fierce while doing it.  I even witnessed her jumping rope in stilettos a few times.

4. What is one thing that you would like to do differently this school year? I want to incorporate the Daily 5.

5.  When do you have to return to school?  August 12

6. Target or Walmart?  Walmart

7. Which celebrity would you like to meet and what would you say to them? I would like to meet Bono of U2.  I want to know if he’s found what he’s looking for.

8. What was your proudest moment?  I think my proudest moment was when I was chosen as teacher of the year at my school.

9. Apple Juice or Orange Juice?  Orange Juice

10. Yoga, Zumba or Cycling or none of the above?  I order the Zumba dvds and they arrived right before June.  Now if I could only open the box.

11. Are you an early bird or night owl?  I’m up before the roosters August through May; but when schools out, I’m a nocturnal creature.

 Here are 11 random things about me

1. I believe that family is the heart of the soul.

2. My teenage son has Aspergers.

3. I love to laugh and make others laugh.  I believe I was a comedian in a former life.

4. My favorite color is red, but I have been told I look GREAT in yellow.

5. This will be my third year teaching second grade.

6. I have never seen an episode of Scandal. 

5.  I like to write poetry.

6.  Scooby-Doo is my favorite cartoon of all time.

7.  I watch a lot of reality shows.

8.  This will be my 3rd year teaching second grade.

9.  I looped from kindergarten to the second grade with one of my classes. Yes, I’m a looping survivor!!!

10. I love romantic comedies.   

11.  I like listening to all kinds of music.  

 My Nominees

1.  Making Lemonade in Second Grade 

2.  Mme Julie's classroom

3.  LittleSecond-Grade Somebodies 

4.  Life is Great in Second Grade 

5.  S is forSecond Grade

6.  Seize the Day With Second Grade

Questions for My Nominees

1. What is your favorite song? 

2. If you could choose a $100 gift card from your favorite store, what store would you choose?  Why?

3. What is the name of your favorite cartoon and why it is your favorite?

4. What is your color scheme for the upcoming school year?

5. What was your color scheme for the last school year?

6.  High Heels or Flats?

7. Which celebrity would you like to meet and what would you say to them?

8. What is your favorite quote?

9. Chevron or Polka Dots?

10. How many brothers and sisters do you have?

11. What is your favorite thing to do when you are feeling blue?

This is truly an honor.  Thanks Lori for nominating me!!!

Blog Button 101

I used a free template from Leelou Blogs to create my blog because I had no clue on how to even begin to create one myself. However, I was determined to design my own button. I searched the web for some tutorial assistance. I came across a website called Projects Around the House which had a series called How to Beautify Your Blog.  The steps in the series How to Make a Button (http://projectsaroundthehouse.blogspot.com/2012/06/how-to-make-blog-button-using-picmonkey.html) were very easy to follow. It even included illustrations which was extra helpful for a visual learner such as myself. I’m proud of my little creation.  What do you think of my button? I’m going to look at the other series so I can create my own unique design.

My First Link Up

I'm so excited.  I'm going on a BLOG HOP!!!!

Bloglovin'

Follow my blog with Bloglovin

NBOTB (New Blogger on the Block)

This summer I have become somewhat addicted to searching teacher blogs for ideas to enrich my classroom and to help me become a better educator.  I searched even harder during the Bloglovin’ Giveways.  As a teacher, I could not resist the word GIVEAWAY. These wonderful blogs have inspired me to start my own.  I feel like it’s the first day of school.  Butterflies are in my tummy and I’m wondering if I’ll make any blogging friends.   Yet, I’m very optimistic and so open to learn and share ideas.