100 FOLLOWER GIVEAWAY!!

I've got 100 followers!  Yay!!  :)


You know what that means.....giveaway time!  


I've been so busy at school with getting end of the year things done and ordering items for next year....so I'm going to make this giveaway really easy!  


My wonderful friend Christina at Second Grade Sugar and Spice is going to donate a couple of items too so make sure you thank her by visiting her blog and following her!  

10 winners will get to choose any item from my store....I know there isn't much, but it's going to be free!  :)  I'm working on some more things to post...hopefully soon.  


1 grand prize winner will get to choose any item from my store and get Christina's new Let's Pack a Picnic pack and one item of your choice from her store!  

Here are your 5 chances to enter:

1. Follow my blog and leave me a comment (with your email address). 

2. Follow my TpT store and leave me a comment (with your email address). 

3. Blog about my giveaway and leave me a comment with the URL (and your email address). 

4. Let me know which item you would like to win from my store (with your email address). 

5. Let me know which item you would like to win from Christina's store (with your email address). 

That's 5 easy ways to enter and there will be a total of 11 winners!  Anyone can win so good luck!  I will choose the winners on Sunday, April 22.  

One more thing before I go....I have another friend who has created a blog.  Her name is Meghan and she is an Intervention Specialist at my school.  Here is her button.  Make sure you click it and go visit her cute, new blog!!  She's got a wonderful freebie too and we all love freebies!   

Good luck with the giveaway and THANK YOU to my 100 wonderful followers!  I'm so excited!!!  :)

Recess Centers, a Winner, and Tax Sale!

I know with the weather getting warmer everyone is having outside recess more often, but I wanted to share an idea that I've been using the last couple of years.  I'm a pretty organized person, at home and at school, so I couldn't stand the craziness of inside recess.  


My kiddos would come back to my room so loud and running around trying to find someone to play with and a game/activity to play.  So, since I was already doing centers for reading (this was before the awesomeness of Daily 5) I decided to create Recess Centers!  And, let me tell you....I think this might have been one of my best ideas ever!  :)  


I used a smaller pocket chart and printed all of my kiddos' names on labels so that I could easily move them around.  Then, I created 6 centers or activities they were allowed to play during inside recess and posted them at the front of each row on the chart.  Here is a picture of my Recess Center Chart:

The six recess centers I had this year were Lincoln Logs, Coloring, Games, Puzzles, Legos, and Computers.  Depending on how many kiddos I have, I put 3-4 kiddos in a group.  I try to change the groups around every nine weeks so that they have time to play with other friends.  


One more great thing I started this year is only the first person is allowed to get the game/activity.  I have a specific place in the room where each center can happen.  The other kiddos go straight to that spot.  The first name is the one allowed to get the game out of the Recess Center cabinet.  This keeps everyone from pushing and shoving to get into the cabinet.  I change this responsibility too throughout the year.  Here is a picture of my labeled Recess Center cabinet:

I put labels where each center should go so they can easily find what they are looking for and so they keep my centers organized....my favorite word!  :)


This has worked extremely well for me.  My kiddos love it and are much more calm and responsible with my recess things.    


Now....for the winners of my What Do You Want to Be When You Grow Up Pack!!  


The winners are....

True Random Number GeneratorMin: Max: Result:23Powered by RANDOM.ORG

Mrs. Richling 

True Random Number GeneratorMin: Max: Result:35Powered by RANDOM.ORG

Sandra at Sweet Times in First

True Random Number GeneratorMin: Max: Result:12Powered by RANDOM.ORG

Kelly B at Busy in Kindergarten


Congrats, ladies!  I'll be emailing those out to your shortly.  Hope your kiddos enjoy!  


This pack is also available on my TpT store so make sure and check it out!  :)


I've also jumped on the bandwagon....I'm having a sale today and tomorrow!  Click on the picture to visit my store:

Social Studies Pack is Finally Done....Giveaway Time!

This post is going to be short and sweet!  The good news is that I FINALLY finished my Social Studies Careers and Economics Pack!!  :)  I meant to have it done by Monday....but it was a busy week.  


I know careers aren't really in the first grade standards, but I've also included needs, wants, goods, services, producers, consumers, and trade.  When my kiddos are the "Star of the Week" they fill out this giant poster and one of the questions they answer is what they want to be when they grow up.  I know this changes quite a bit with kiddos this age, but I thought it would be a great way to tie in these important standards and get them thinking and researching what they really do want to be when they grow up!  


I have already posted this 31 page unit on my TpT store so go check it out if you're interested!  Here is a quick look:

Now.....time for a giveaway!!  I will give away 3 'What Do You Want to Be When You Grow Up' Packs on Sunday, April 15!  


Here's how you can enter:


1. Follow my blog and leave a comment (with your email address).  
2. Follow my TpT store and leave me a comment letting me know (with your email address). 
3. Recommend my blog to a friend and if they follow me you can leave two comments telling me who your friend is and a little about their wonderful blog (with your email address).
4. Blog about my giveaway and leave a comment with your URL (and your email address). 


That's it!  :)


Hope you like it!  


I've had a GREAT week for it being the week after Spring Break.  Hope everyone else is having a great week too!  


I just LOVE my kiddos!  :)

I've Been Tagged 3 Times and a FREEBIE!!

Oh, my goodness!  I was tagged 3 times yesterday!!  I REALLY don't think I'm that interesting or that anyone wants to read 30 things about me so I'll QUICKLY answer the questions from the first 2 that tagged me.  I think that will be enough info about me!  :)  

I'm also working on a new Social Studies Unit about careers, producers and consumers, and goods and services so I'll include a FREEBIE at the end just for hanging in there!  

I hope to have my new unit up on my TpT store by Monday so make sure and check it out!    

I've been tagged by Marissa at WILD About First Grade, Becky at 2nd Grade Rocks, and Mrs. Dwyer at Mrs. Dwyer's A+ Firsties!  Thanks ladies for tagging me...how fun!  

Here are my interesting, funny, and exciting answers!  :) 

Here Are The Rules:

* Post these rules

* Answer the 10 questions that the tagger posted for you

* Create 10 questions of your own to ask the people that you're about to tag

* Tag 10 people and link them with your post (and let them know they've been tagged!)

Here's the questions I was asked by Marissa:

1. Are you a night owl or early bird??  A night owl for sure....I'm going to be exhausted next week after staying up so late during Spring Break!  :(

2. What was the last book you've read? (Not related to teaching)  Financial Peace Revisited by Dave Ramsey...trying the whole get out of debt (school loans) thing!  

3. What kind of movies do you prefer? Comedy, action, drama, love story???  I love a good comedy or action movie...but I also LOVE a good love story!  

4. What is your favorite grade to teach?  I've taught first grade for three years so first grade!! 

5. Coffee or tea? Neither...yuck!  Diet Coke all the way!  

6. Are you married or do you have kids?  I've been married to my wonderful hubby for almost 4 years and no kiddies of our own yet.

7. How long have you been teaching? What grades have you taught?  Already answered!  (3 years in first grade)

8. Did you always know you wanted to be a teacher?  Yes!  My mama is a teacher so it's in my blood!

9. What do you like to do when you're not teaching?  Read, travel, hang out with my hubby and family!

10. What is your favorite song that puts you in a good mood?  Anything upbeat....I do love my country music though!  :)

10 more questions from Becky:

1. What is the last movie/tv show/book that made you cry? The Vow...so sweet!
2. What is the oldest item you own? Some jewelry that my grandma has given me.
3. What one food do you never get tired of? Sweets....I crave sweet things always. 
4. If you had to pick 1 place in your town to bring a tourist, where would you take them? Several places come to mind....I guess it would depend on the tourist. Bad answer, I know. When my friends visit we usually go shopping!!
5. What one food do you never get tired of? Oops, see answer to #3.
6. What is your favorite book? I have so many!! I LOVE to read!
7. What is your favorite season? Fall...I love the colors, cool air, carving pumpkins, and the smell of bonfires. 

 8. What is your favorite beverage? Diet Coke!
9. When is the last day of school for you? June 1st!
10. If you could live anywhere at all where would it be? In the mountains....I love the west! 

Whew!  That took awhile!  Thanks for hanging in there!   

Here are 10 questions for those I tagged:

1. What is your favorite subject to teach?

2. What is your most embarrassing moment as a teacher?

3. What is the most exciting thing you will do this summer?

4. What is your favorite holiday?

5. What is the most important item you use in your classroom?

6. What item would you love to have in your classroom?

7. What tip would you give to a new teacher?

8. How long have you been a teacher?

9. If you weren't a teacher, what would you be doing?

10. How do you celebrate the end of the school year with your kiddos?

Here are 10 of  my (some old, some NEW) bloggie friends that I'm tagging: 

Christina at Second Grade Sugar and Spice

Katie at Queen of the First Grade Jungle

Cynthia at Mrs. Vautrot's 2nd Grade Pad

Mrs. Cook at First Grade Smart Cookies

Tamera at My Heart Belongs in First

Kelly at All That Glitters in First Grade

Tori at Tori's Teacher Tips

Ms. King at The New Teacher Noggin

Delighted at First Grade Delight

Vicky at Traditions, Laughter, and Happily Ever After

Okay, after ALL of that, I'm giving away a FREEBIE!!  

This is from my new Social Studies Unit that I hope to have in my TpT store by Monday...we'll see if I can finish it today or tomorrow (although tomorrow is Easter so we'll see!)....

That was a LONG post!  Hope you enjoy the freebie!  If you use it, please leave me a comment!  :)

Hope everyone has a GREAT Easter tomorrow!  :)

Check Out These Great Giveaways!!

I'm totally enjoying my Spring Break!  I'm looking forward to working on school projects tomorrow though....I miss my kiddos!  


Since I'm not working with my kiddos this week I thought I would post about all of these great giveaways I keep finding!  Take a look at all of these blogs below and try to win!!  


Click on their buttons to visit their blogs!


Don't forget about the Spring Break Giveaway I'm part of too.  

It ends Sunday night!  Go to Cynthia's blog to check it out!!

Amy is celebrating all kinds of good news at The Resource(ful) Room so check it out!  She's giving away a $50 gift card to the place of your choice!!  :) 

Teaching Blog Addict is having a HUGE giveaway for their 'first birthday' and they are also hosting an Easter Egg Hunt with LOTS of Freebies!!  Make sure to visit!

Katie is giving away 3 of her new Math Work Stations.  They are so cute!  Make sure you visit her blog by Friday night!

I was Miss Kindergarten's 2000th follower!!!  She's having a very short 3 hour sale...everything in her TPT store is only $1 but you have to go there NOW!!  :)  I got some really cute goodies!

Crystal at Kreative in Kinder is giving away a Time Tracker!  You have until Sunday night to enter!  

Teri has reached 1,000 followers and is having a HUGE giveaway with 10 ways to enter!  Go on over to her blog and check out all the great prizes!!  :)

Check out these great blogs and good luck with their giveaways!!  :) 

50 Follower Giveaway and Spring Break Giveaway!

Yay!  I have over 50 followers now!  I know that isn't really very many, but I'm so excited!  :)  For my 50 follower giveaway, I'm giving away my new "Springing into Number Sense" Pack that I created to help my struggling kiddos with number sense.  Thank you to all of my followers and especially those who left comments!  


Here are the lucky winners:
*I promise I put in 37 as the max number, but for some reason it changed to 100 when I put it on here....sorry!  

True Random Number GeneratorMin: Max: Result:23Powered by RANDOM.ORG

Jen at Hello Mrs. Sykes

True Random Number GeneratorMin: Max: Result:11Powered by RANDOM.ORG

Angela at The Daily Alphabet

True Random Number GeneratorMin: Max: Result:5Powered by RANDOM.ORG

Marissa at Wild About First Grade


Congrats ladies!  I will be emailing these out right away!  


If anyone else is interested, I will be putting this new "Springing into Number Sense" Pack on my Teachers Pay Teachers store tonight so check it out!  :)  


Here is a 'thank you' freebie for everyone...just because I'm so excited to have over 50 followers!  

Also, don't forget about the Spring Break Giveaway at Cynthia's 2nd Grade Pad.  Check out my previous post to see all the goodies you could win!  Good luck!  :)

Spring Break Giveaway!

I have joined a Spring Break Giveaway at 2nd Grade Pad along with 6 other bloggers!  All you have to do is follow all seven blogs, follow all seven TpT stores, and for extra credit you can blog about the giveaway and link back to Cynthia's blog!  The winner will receive one free goodie from all seven of us!  The drawing will be next Sunday, April 8th at 7:00 pm.  Feel free to leave me comments, but to count you need to leave your comments at Cynthia's blog since she's the hostess!  Here's all the bloggers participating in the giveaway:

And, here are all the goodies you could win:

Good luck!  Don't forget about my own giveaway for my new Springing into Number Sense Pack.  I will be randomly choosing 3 winners tomorrow night around 11:00 pm.  Leave me a comment on my previous post from last Thursday.  I will have it for sale on TpT tomorrow too!