Five for Friday

Hi All!

It's time for some Five for Friday fun.

Here are a few random things that 

happened in my corner of the world this week.

Some of the most imaginative ladies 

 work at my school.  

Specifically, the lunchroom staff.

Seriously, these ladies decorate the lunchroom 

(and themselves!) 

around a specific theme about three times a year.  

Recently it was the 

1950's Rock and Roll era.

With Elvis singing Blue Suede Shoes, 

our lunch period was especially festive.

Reps from our local zoo 

came to visit 

our first grade kids this week. 

They brought an assortment of 

reptiles, birds, and mammals.

Here are a few pics of our favorites.

Three Banded Armadillo

Barred Owl

 White's Tree Frog... 

named for the man who discovered him

(obviously not for his color).

My precious pup has had serious dental issues since 

we rescued her several years ago.  

At a recent vet visit 

it was determined she needed 

to have all of her teeth pulled.  

I tell you she was so pitiful for a day or two. 

Like, who wouldn't be?!

   Thankfully she has completely recovered and is now

thoroughly enjoying her new diet of soft food.

Shopping with box-top funds is pure joy.

Can you relate?

And finally...

Enjoy your weekend, friends!

August Currently

It's August, folks

so it's time to link up with Farley from

for another Currently linky.

You're welcome to join the fun!

Listening: Folks, it's HOT in central Alabama. The ceiling fan and the a/c are both operating at maximum capacity today.

Loving:  I crave routine.  Yes, summer is lovely and I enjoy it.  However, I love the structure that a school routine brings and I honestly think I accomplish MORE during the day when I'm on a schedule.

Thinking: Although I've been working in my classroom for two weeks, you'd think I'm just about ready for Open House this next week. I'm not and I can't stop thinking about the list of things yet to do.

Wanting: The satisfaction of checking everything off of my "to do" list.  It seems as soon as I cross something off, more things appear at the end of the list.  It's maddening!

Needing: To complete the laundry.  I'm thinking it's not likely to get done, either.

B2SRAK: The lovely ladies with whom I'm blessed to share my day asked that I create a bulletin board on which they could post their kids' AR scores.  My own is done and I'll be sharing the others as quickly as they're completed.

Have you returned to work in your own classroom or do you have time yet to enjoy your summer?

TPT Seller Challenge

It's Wednesday, folks and today I'm participating in a

TPT Seller Challenge.  

This is week one of four and it's all about 

For this challenge, I selected Gregory the Terrible Eater as the product in most need of a face-lift.  

Let's see if you agree...

BEFORE:  Poor 'ole Gregory was tired 

and frankly, 

a tad bit embarrassed.

He lacked the self-confidence to even make eye-contact.  

So sad.

AFTER... BAM!

Gregory is now new and in my opinion... GREATLY improved!

I used different fonts, swapped frames, updated and added more clipart in addition to adding the background paper.

If you'd like to read 

more about this product, 

you can access it HERE.

So... can you tell I've learned a few new skills since I started this TPT journey?

I'd love to hear your thoughts!

Five for Friday

Happy Friday, Folks!

I'm excited to link up with

Kacey

from Doodlebugs Teaching

for another

Here we go!

My Donor's Choose project 

was fully funded by

a sweet librarian 

who provided the funds 

for our new Poppleton books!

Seriously, who doesn't love 

the Poppleton series?

Aubie, 

Auburn University's mascot,

visited my school for a recent celebration and I was so, SO excited 

(and a tiny bit embarrassed) 

to have my picture made with him.

Auburn is my hometown 

and for those of you 

who've never visited, it's truly

the loveliest village on the plains.

WAR EAGLE!

This lovely librarian

 served doughnuts to my class when all of my kids met their reading goal for the quarter. 

We've now met her challenge 

for the entire year!

 Of course, I celebrated this achievement with my kids and I may or may not have but definitely did consume more than the

recommended daily allowance.   

I actually had to pause in my driveway this morning to allow this lovely goose to cross.

Strange, but true!

And finally...

Stop, Swap and Roll!

 Jungle Learners

is hosting another product swap and
I'm so pleased to participate.
 It's round TWO for me!
Thank you so much, Melissa!

For this event, I was partnered with 
Gina from

Gina is a chocolate lovin' 
kindergarten teacher 
from Connecticut 
who recently adopted 
a furry pup she calls Dexter. 
  Is he not the cutest 
bundle of furry goodness?

Oops, I digress...

 Shortly after 
Gina and I were introduced,
I was able to go shopping in her store
where this product caught my eye.

 My own classroom lacks the space necessary for the traditional writing center... 
you know, the one in the corner of your classroom stocked with several types of writing paper, access to the word wall, pencils, crayons, office supplies, etc...

 Gina's product eliminates the need for an "official" writing space by taking the
 writing center TO YOUR KIDS!

  They're customizable for grades K-2 and I especially liked being able to select the resources best suited for my kids.  
Score!

Need to see it in action?

 Gina's adorable office cover sets the stage for a serious writing time.  

My kids were so impressed with the 

April dictionary of words. 

  

Maybe you'd like even more options?

 Gina is so sweet to make a new monthly dictionary available for you to download at the beginning of each month.

How cool is that?!

Gina offers other resource options, too.

These include color words, prefixes, suffixes, blends, silent e, and many MORE!

Once again, you're free to select the resources that are 

best suited for your class.

It's just that simple!

  With 3 file folders and a bit of packing tape, my kids were highly motivated to write and I attribute it all to Gina's writing office.  

Want to win a copy of your very own?

You can enter to win down below.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Don't forget to check out 
the product that Gina chose 
from my store.
You can find her review HERE.
  

And you'll also want to take a peek at the other product swaps and enter their give-aways, too!

Hoppy Easter Linky

Hi All!

I'm so pleased to link up with

Melissa 

from

Jungle Learners

for a fun "pre" Easter linky.

To participate, Melissa has invited everyone to link up with their favorite 

spring-themed ideas and freebies.

Basically, anything that will help us all survive these last few weeks of school!

(My district is at T-minus 39 days and counting!)

So... here we go!

My teacher friends and I 

will be preparing for an art show 
the week that we return 
from spring break.  

This project is one that 

I pinned sometime ago and 

I'd like to include it 

in our display.  

It's too adorable to ignore!

Just click the picture 

to take you to the original post.  

I also have a freebie for you... 

and it has a spring-theme, too!

It's a "scoot game" called

and you can access it HERE.

Finally,

here's another scoot game 

with a spring theme.  

It reinforces telling time 

and double digit 

addition/subtraction (w/no regrouping).  

I created it to last 
more than one day.

The recording sheet 

helps your kiddos 

pick right up 

where they left off 

the previous day!

Too simple!

If you'd like to win a copy, enter here!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

3 winners will be chosen in a few days! 

Happy Spring, Everyone! 

January Currently

Happy New Year!

It's so nice to have a fresh start, 

don't you agree?

Anyway... I'm linking up with 

Farley's January Currently

to kick off the new year.

Listening: We're currently between ballgames at my house.  Hubby is napping so it's just me and the dehumidifier.  My life is so exciting, I know.  

Loving:  The afternoon I spent with my parents watching THE Auburn Tigers in the Outback Bowl. Although my mother served a wonderful lunch (peas and cornbread!) and we were all sporting our Auburn colors, my team sadly lost. We'll regroup and return next year. There's always hope in next year. 

Kudos to YOU, Wisconsin! 

Thinking: I am a list-maker and every year during my Christmas break, I make an impossible "to do" list.  This year is kicking my bottom because I'm not remotely getting close to completing it.

Wanting: My pup, Brownie, is not well.  We made an emergency trip to the vet hospital last weekend and after a round of meds, he's still not on the mend.  We have an appointment with our regular vet tomorrow.

Needing: My lesson plans are not complete for next week!  My teacher friends had them done before we left school 2 weeks ago!  

Yes: I should GET UP and go for a walk before the soaking rain that's forecast for our area arrives later today.  I really should... just.get.up.

Wanting: I had an earlier conversation with our vet yesterday.  Her prognosis was not good for my furry friend. Perhaps after she examines him, she'll have better news.

Wishing: I desperately want to attend a professional development seminar in Mobile in 2 weeks.  My district, however, has not approved these type requests in YEARS.

What's up with THAT?!  Folks, Kim Adsit is presenting! 

Happy New Year to YOU and YOURS! 

Five for Friday

Happy Friday!

Another week is coming to a close 

and I'm 3 days closer to the start of school.

Yikes!

Before I return to my 

regular schedule, though... 

it's the perfect time to link up with 

Doodle Bugs Teaching

for

Let's get started!

I luv getting extra mileage out of clip art!

So... using THIS set from 

Graphics From the Pond 

I gave my spelling word display an overhaul.

Each week, I'll write the spelling words on the mice so they will be on display.

Another facelift project ...

This is the anchor chart I use the first week of school to teach one of the many procedures I want my kiddos to learn.

Be sure to wear your shades so the shocking yellow doesn't damage your retinas!

For Open House, my teacher friends and I 

are planning a photo booth.  

I've been busy creating speech bubbles to use as props...

My daughter and I made a dri-erase calendar 

for her dorm room.  

She moves in about 3 weeks.

*sniff*  *sniff*

And finally...

Like many others, 

I'm having a sale this weekend.  

Be sure to check out all the

Reading Street 

units I have available.

You're sure to find something!

Enjoy your weekend, friends!