Talk TURKEY to me!

Aright people it's time to talk TURKEY!  With Thanksgiving next week it is the perfect time to bring out the turkey activities and have fun teaching all about these quirky animals.  To get started I always like to see what my kiddos know by asking them "what do you know about turkeys?" and charting their responses on a schema chart.  This is an example of the chart I'd make.  You could draw it out on chart  paper and fill it in with sticky notes or use it with a projector.  I made it in color and black and white. Grab it FREE by clicking the image below.

Clipart by Krista Wallden of Creative Clips and Border by Sandra Macadamias

After charting our schema we'd then read a variety of nonfiction turkey books throughout the week.  We'd add our new learning to the chart and discuss any misconceptions.  Here are my favorite nonfiction choices.

Turkeys on the Farm by  Mari C. Schuh

Turkeys by Aaron Carr

All About Turkeys by Jim Arnosky

Turkeys by Hollie Andres

Next I'd have students complete a labeling activity like the turkey one included in United Teaching's Label It set. Check it out by clicking on the cover image below... IT'S FREE!

Lastly, I'm a HUGE fan of tree maps, so for writing I'd pull out my turkey tree map activity set.  We'd get to work filling out what turkeys can-have-are as a class and then students would write their own sentences and complete the turkey craft to attach their writing to. 

The craft can also be used as an add on to make a silly turkey hat!

Do you tie in teaching about turkeys when talking about Thanksgiving?  What kind of activities do you do?

BOLO: Be on the Look Out for...

Happy Monday All!  

This past weekend I was browsing the seller's forums when I came across a post from Stephanie of Principal Principles sharing info about a fun new monthly linky called BOLO!  This link up is all about "being on the look out" for some brand new products that will be in your favorite TPT stores soon!

With my LO keeping me very busy, I've been trying to work on a few products from my "to make list" that I know can easily be worked on here and there when I just have a few spare minutes.  Last week I started on my Alphabet Flip Books and I'm excited to give you all a sneak peek at how they are turning out!

**Now in store HALF OFF 10/1-10/3!!!**

Here's a look at the current cover.  I've played with the colors a bit and I think this one is the winner!  What do you think of it?  Any suggestions?

 This set of flip books will include 36 flip books. One for each consonant and three for each vowel sound (short, long, and combination).  Each flip book is made from one printable page making for easy prep!  This is what the "short Aa" page looks like and for stopping by you can grab it for FREE by clicking the image below.

I've also included a student direction sheet just in case someone would like their kiddos to make these in a center.  Do you think this is helpful?  Would you change anything about it?

Well, I hope you enjoyed this product glimpse and I'd love to know what you think so leave me some feedback below.  And be on the look out because I promise to have this product in my store by Friday and it will be 50% off for the first 24hours.  

Now if you'd like to get a sneak peek at more great products be sure to head to the blogs below.  Just click and go!

XOXOXO

TPT Back to School Sale!

Hey You!  If you haven't heard the BIG TPT Back to School Sale starts tomorrow!  Be sure to fill your baskets with back to school goodies and don't forget to stock up for the year too!  Just wanted to let you know that my ENTIRE STORE will be 20% off plus save an extra 8% by using the code BTS15 at checkout!  The sale will run August 3rd - August 4th.  Wishing you a happy start to the new school year!

Thanks so much to Jillian Starr from The Starr Spangled Planner for this awesome button!

XOXOXO

TPT Seller Challenge Week 3: Make your Masterpiece

This week the TPT Seller Challenge is encouraging the sellers to make a NEW masterpiece!  I had just started working on this little idea so I thought I'd finish it up for the challenge.  

When I was in the classroom I always liked to collect a monthly writing sample from students.  After grading the sample, I'd store it in a large file box and then send home the samples at the end of the school year, almost as a keepsake of the progress each student had made.  I always remember scrambling at the end of the year to put together some type of folder so that the papers weren't just astray so I wanted to create something that would help organize this process from the start.

This here is a monthly writing portfolio.  It can be pre-made at the beginning of the year and then is set to go for each month.  Wahoo!  The folder includes a cover page, writing rubric, school to home sheet (I thought it'd be a nice way to communicate with parents monthly), a student self check strip, a teacher rubric/comment strip and monthly writing pages.  Here are a few photos to show you what I'm talking about.

I really like things that can be organized from the start of the school year and this is just one other thing that could be prepped now and ready to go!  It's posted in my store HERE and will be 50% for the next 24 hours!

Hooray for the hosts of the TPT Seller Challenge for pushing me to get er' done!

Fun with Names

Today I finally completed and uploaded my Fun with Names product!  I had started it awhile back and then got side tracked doing other things, but it's now DONE!  Hooray!  

I know a lot of kindergarten teachers incorporate name activities into their beginning of the year plans and I created this resource to help with just that.  It's full of printables, whole class activities, centers, crafts and more!  I tried to include activities that could be used during different subject areas and I wanted a mix of styles.  Also, some of the activities might be better saved to use until later on in the year depending on student ability levels but I figure kids always love some name fun!

Here's a quick look at the printables included in this set.  For these pages you could either hand write in student names, let them write in their own names or type in student names if you decide to use the included editable pages.  The printables are great for morning work, homework, independent time, centers or mini-lessons.  

I also included a few whole group activities and center activities for a little more hands on fun.  The whole group activities are perfect to complete as a class then display.  I really like the little class book "My name is _____ and I like ____."  And I'd use the class charts as questions of the day where students would complete and then we'd talk about the data together.  

For the centers I included student direction pages and a recoding sheet if I felt it needed one.  

*Please don't mind my ALL capital letters in the pictures I didn't have any magnetic lowercase letters at home. 

Lastly, I included a book list, printable name tags and a craft and display activity.  The apple name craft is super simple and you can choose what art material you want students to use to decorate their names with.  And the Our Ten Frame Names would make a cute math display!  

This product can be found in my store HERE and will be 50% off for the next 24 hours so grab it while you can!

TPT Seller Challenge Week 1: Makeover Madness!

Hey All!  I am LOVING this TPT Seller Challenge!  This week it was all about "makeovers"  and who doesn't enjoy a new look?!  I've been working on a number of products and thought I'd share a few of my makeovers with you today.  Check them out and let me know what you think!

Look at that BEFORE!  Blah!  This was actually one of my very first FREEBIES on TPT and let me tell you it shows.  Ha-Ha  I love seeing how far I've come in terms of my design eye and really like this fresh new look!  I also updated the fonts and graphics on the pages as they were a little drab!  

Now I actually didn't think this cover was too horrid, but I really wanted to create a cover that I could "duplicate" for other similar products so this is what I came up with.  I wanted it to be simple and clean.  For this product I also updated the fonts, added more printable pages and even added a BRAND NEW Nonfiction Book to the set!  I'd say this was a makeover success!

And this one is another FREEBIE from back when I first started out.  I decided to brighten it up, update the fonts and add new clip art.  I think it POPS a lot more!

This challenge has been so much fun and I've enjoyed working on these much needed updates.  I'm actually in the process of TWO MORE MAKEOVERS, but they are not just cover makeovers so their re-haul is taking a bit longer. :/  I hope to have them completed and updated in my store soon.

Also...... I have a another HUGE MAKEOVER going on at the moment and that's my BLOG design!!!  I've been working with Kristen from Design Infusions (She is AWESOME!)  for a new look and I have to tell you I AM SO EXCITED for its reveal.  Be sure to check back soon to see it for yourself and to read all about my experience.

Happy Teacher Appreciation Week {SALE}

Hey All...

 Have you heard the news? 

 TPT is having a 2-Day Teacher Appreciation SALE!

Can you say... SCORE?!

I'm linking up with these fun bloggers who are making it easy to find out who is participating in this BIG sale!  Be sure to head on over to Flying Into First to take a look or link up yourself.

For the next 48 hours my ENTIRE store will be 28% off.  Now that's some savings!  Be sure to stock up while you can!

Happy Teacher Appreciation Week.  

Thank you for all you do!

Mother's Day Craft & Book

Are you ready for Mother's Day?  I know this time of year can get pretty busy, but this is one holiday you just can't forget!  If you're still looking for a Mother's Day idea or maybe just want a little something more to add to the pot,  I might have just the thing for you.  

 I am SO excited that I finished this book and craft in time for the holiday.  I seriously LOVE how it turned out and really like that it won't take A TON of time to complete.

When the project is complete it just looks like a little flower pot craft.  BUT, actually the flower pot itself acts as a little pocket which holds an "All About Mom" book!

Now if you don't want your littles to complete an "All About Mom" book I have also included book option 2: "Top 5 Reasons I Love My Mom."

And don't worry I have also included a grandma, aunt, and blank option just in case.  

Here's a look at what comes in the set.

This Mother's Day Book and Craft will be 50% off for the next 24hours so be sure to check it out HERE.

Five for Friday!

I am one happy gal because...

It's Friday!  I mean I think most of us get a little smiley on a Friday.  Wouldn't you agree?

via:agirlsrighttodream.tumblr

The SUN is out!  I am beyond thrilled that this week the sun has been shining most days and although not as warm as I'd like, I can leave the house without my big puffy coat!  Come on Summer I need a tan!

I finished up this Earth Day Flip Book & More set!  Earth Day is such a fantastic holiday to celebrate at school and I enjoy watching kids talk about all the ways they can help our Earth!  I like to fill an Earth Day week with FUN activities that get the kiddos talking.  This set includes a simple flip book, a class anchor chart, a writing sheet, a class graph, and posters for talking about The 3 R's! 

A variety of baby girl's nursery items arrived this week and I am starting to put together the pieces of what will be her room.  Here's a look at a few pieces all crammed together to give you an idea of the colors I'm going with.  I actually have a really hard time decorating because I have trouble seeing the end picture and generally have a lot of ideas that may or may not go together (generally the latter).  So, while I'm excited to put things together,  I can't wait for it all to be ready and done. Ha-Ha

I was able to go to the library this week and as I was browsing through the children's books I came across these plant part books!  Do you use these when teaching about plants?  Maybe I'm a little late to the show, but I've never come across these books and I really wish I would have.  The books are all part of a series written by Vitaya Khisty Bodach.  Each plant part has it's own little book and the text is simple with great pictures.  I definitely recommend checking these out if you are working on or planning your plant unit.

Well that's a wrap for this week.  Now head on over to Doodle Bugs Teaching and link up with a recap of your week.