November Currently

And Currently in Polka Dot Land...

Listening

So...currently, I am listening to the television as background noise. I have a sincere affinity for Netflix, in fact, I don't know why we even pay for cable. I recently finished up Breaking Bad, which led to an HGTV binge of Flea Market Flip. After just one week of incessant watching and dreaming ("Hey, I can make that...mmmm, nah, probably not"), I am now hooked on Restaurant Impossible with Robert Irvine. Why you ask? Am I a great cook? Nope. Not at all. Do I want to own a restaurant? Nope. Do I like to eat? Ding! Ding!  All jokes aside, this show really is surprisingly great!

Loving

How do I pick one thing? I do, indeed, have so many things to love! I am, after all, a very lucky girl. But right now, in the steamy mist of Charleston humidity, we in the lowcountry have been blessed by some sort of anomale-esque southern blizzard! How does the weather go from pushing 90 degrees to 30? I'll never know, but I will say, I am loving the cool snap. It was 37 degrees on the way to school this morning! I wore a scarf...A SCARF! And leggings, to boot! It was wonderful...all elastic wonderfulness.

Thinking

So, I have been thinking since this morning..."I get to sleep in tomorrow!" Happiness for teachers is so simple and borderline pathetic. Does anyone else wake up and the first thing you think of is a glimmer of excitement envisioning yourself settling in for that night's sleep? I guess this is warranted considering I get up at an entirely inhumane hour.Phew...glad I'm not the only one. Tomorrow is election day, which means no school! Which means sleeping in past 5:30. Which means awesome-sauce. 

Wanting

With this cool snap that has been a welcome visitor here in Summerville, I was pretty psyched to turn the heat on for a change. Well, as luck would have it...no such luck for me. Our unit won't turn on! Which means (lucky me) I get to wait for the AC guy to come and check it tomorrow. Why can't a girl just have a normal day off? We are hoping it won't cost an arm and a leg and that it is fixable. We have had so many issues with our HVAC system since we built this house that it has reached a comical level. 

Needing

Does anyone else hate going to the grocery store? I know I do. But, I am in desperate need of a trip to Publix. The fridge is puny. The pantry has nothing of substance. Perhaps on my day off tomorrow I could go.....or perhaps I could have an all day Restaurant Impossible marathon Hmmmmm....decisions, decisions. I'm pretty sure the decision has already been made...

Reading

I am so into my new book...well, new to me book, Gone Girl. I saw the movie when it first came out and loved it. I decided the book was worth a try and got it on my nook. I'm hooked. *(teacher moment: book, nook, hook...THEY RHYME!) Dare I say the book is better than the movie? It's a close call for sure. Pretty sure Ben Affleck wins out, but the book is certainly a very close second.

Want to share your currently edition for November? Head on over to Farley's and LINK UP ALREADY! Click below :)

Linky parties are the best, aren't they?

Keep chirping, friends!

Product Updates

Since I am dusting off the keyboard, per se, and ending my dry spell of blog neglect, I wanted to share some projects that I have listed in my TpT store! If you're like me, TpT is a lifesaver when it comes to finding kitschy, creative, funky, clever, differentiated, and simple ideas to implement in the classroom. Sometimes, we, as teachers, need that last minute item that will seal the deal and reach our students. And if you're like me, you don't always have the time or energy to always make the activities yourself. Not only am I a seller on TpT, but an avid buyer as well. It is amazing how many early childhood products are listed on this site...and to think the proceeds go to hard working teachers...even better!

Shape Bingo

My kiddos and I just finished up our unit on 2d shapes. I actually made these simple bingo cards for a Fun Friday math activity. They are so simple and my kids loved reviewing their shapes through a fun game. Basically, each child gets a game "board." I put the printed pages in plastic sleeves to preserve them. In this product there are 3 variations. All are winners! We don't want any tears, now do we? To extend the activity, this file also has a center game for your math center in which students roll and record shapes using a wooden block. They simply roll the "dice" and color until they reach the top for the winner! 

   

                         

The Five Senses

This school year I have really been trying hard to incorporate at least 25-30 minutes of science instruction into my day--aside from integration into other areas. It has been a challenge, but my students absolutely love it and I enjoy it, too! I have been busy making products to go along with our science units and FOSS kits and came up with this Five Senses Booklet. It never ceases to amaze me how certain products are "hot." I created this little student authored book as an independent work component to go along with our study of the five senses. It has been my most popular product to date! The kids enjoy making their five senses booklets and there are two variations for differentiation--one version that is fill in the blank and one version that has the prompt written at the bottom for them. It also comes with Five Senses unit word cards for your writing center or simply to help you introduce the five senses. If you're interested, this is available in my store and you can get there by clicking the polka dot banner on the right of the screen. And the best part...it's only $1.99!

                   

 

                    

 

Isn't that "Tweet?"

So, my big thing this year is trying to contact my students' parents on a more regular basis. I have started sending home monthly "tweets" which are basically little announcements to parents letting them know how their child is doing. They are based on positive behavior, so I praise their child for what is going well. I also have a section that I add academic updates based on their child's growth. Below is a miniature version of what I send home. I haven't uploaded the larger version to my store yet, but like this one below, it will be free! This little note is easy to print and it comes in different versions. As you all know, I like birds and dots....so....

Thank you for reading my posts on this Magical Monday! Take a peek at my TpT store and see if anything strikes your fancy! Hang in there...Friday is right around the corner! 

*Tweet Tweet*

Happy Halloween!

Boo Tidings to You!

Wow. I feel like a complete failure. Has it really been since May that I have updated this poor pitiful blog? I must admit, my summer was fun! And I must admit that going back to school was a bit painful. There are a lot of new initiatives this year in my district and they are a little time consuming. Excuses aside, I am very excited to announce that I will be dressing up this year for Halloween...Guess who I will be...

Elsa!

Anytime I see her face I can't help but sing "Let it Go!"

I am, of course, a slightly larger, less modelesque, frumpier version of her, but who cares! 

Let it Go!. 

Keep Calm....

I know I'm not the only one who needs to see this reassurance right about NOW!

~Five For Friday!~

Five for Friday....FREEBIES?!?

It's that time again! And in pure Natalie fashion, I am a day late, as usual! There's just something about Friday nights that I just can't seem to keep my eyes open past 9:00. Hmmmm...I have NO  idea why that might be...haha! However, I LOVE linking up with Doodlebugs Teaching (even if I am habitually a day late) and sharing some cute ideas. My favorite part is linking up with others and seeing their even CUTER ideas!

Let's get this <linky> PARTY started!

Cookie Monster CRUNCH!

I am so excited to share with my followers a cute new game that I have uploaded to TpT! It is a super cute and fun sight word game to use in a small reading group or to teach your kids how to use in a literacy center. It is called the "Cookie Monster Crunch!" game! Basically, each cookie card contains a kindergarten sight word. There are 6 cookie monster cookie cards and 3 milk cookie cards. To play the game, all cards are turned over and students take turns turning over a card. If they get a sight word card, they read the word and keep the card. BUT...if they turn over a cookie monster card, they lose all of their cards. If they turn over a milk card, they get to "steal" a friend's card. It is a super cute game that I have been playing for a while now and I want to share it. I have made a kindergarten version AND a first grade version! This game is for sale in my TpT store for $3.99 (both versions included)! 
Here is a sneak peek! (More in-depth directions are included in the file packet).
BEST PART OF THIS LINKY: THE FIRST 3 FOLLOWERS TO LEAVE A COMMENT ABOUT MY LINKY WILL GET IT FOR FREE!<----Make sure you leave your email address! 

Keepin' It Warm with Unit Words!

I have also been working on some unit words to revamp my thematic unit chart! I keep a pocket chart in my writing center of theme words for the kiddos to use in their writing. I also refer back to these as a way to stimlate ideas during Writer's Workshop! I made some January/February word cards to use. Both months contain eight theme words. I can't wait to see the look on my kids' faces when they see the ooey gooey words I chose for February--I LOVE Valentine's Day! The best part about these words...they are in my TpT store FOR FREE! If you would like them, click the first pic below and get you some FREE STUFF!

             

Keepin' It Warm with My Fur Baby!

Is anyone else still lamenting the end of Christmas break? I know I am! For me, it wasn't really the whole "going back to work" thing, because I love my job. It was more the "waking up at 5:15 and pressing snooze for 30 minutes" thing. I don't think ANY human should have to wake up before 6:00 AM. No, scratch that...9:00 AM. I slept until 10:30 or AFTER every glorious day of Christmas break! Ha! One thing that made getting up so early not SO incredibly bad? Snuggling with my fur baby, Oliver. Yes, yes, I know. He is A-D-O-R-A-B-L-E. And yes, that sweet face makes peeing on my favorite rug not so bad.

Was Santa Nice to You?

My fourth tidbit to share for the linky is one of my favorite gifts I was given for Christmas. Who knew that my 19 year old little brother could be so sentimental? I got my very first Willow Tree Angel. And the best part...it was the teacher one! How sweet and cute!

Wanna Laugh?

My last post today is a collection of hilarious pins I made on Pinterest over the past few days. I love a good laugh and these certainly deliver! Enjoy!

                        

Wanna link up and share and *steal* some great ideas? Head on over to Doodle Bugs teaching and do it! And don't forget that the first three commenters get my Cookie Monster Crunch Game FOR FREE! Yippee!

Keep Calm and Blog On!

*Fabulous, Fun, and FREE!!*

Feeling Frisky

I finally had a burst of energy! Maybe it is because I had so much wonderful rest over the holidays...Or maybe it is because we had a two hour delay yesterday due to the "POLAR VORTEX"...Or maybe it is because my class was so well behaved today. Either way, I came home and made a freebie for TpT. I keep a unit word chart in my room for my students to use during Writer's Workshop and journal writing time. Usually I do monthly themes and decided to me a file for January and February. I have it listed in my TpT store and it is FREE! If you're like me, you'll take anything free! Here is a preview below! Click the title slide to go to my store!

Yippee and happy blogging!

                           

*Happy New Year!!!!!*

2014 = New Beginnings

Wow! I am stunned that 2013 is OVER! But, I must say, I am glad it is over! It wasn't my best or most memorable year and I'm happy that it is time for a new beginning! So, like so many of you have done, I have come up with a list of some,...er...resolutions? They aren't the most exciting, but they are on my list.

Drumroll please.....

1.) The obvious--get healthy. Wow, hasn't this been my resolution for, oh, the past 15 years? So, let's skim over that and go to number two---

2.) Stop cursing--as it turns out, this kindergarten teacher has quite the filthy mouth. It isn't one of my best qualities and honestly, I am surprised that in my six years of teaching I haven' let something slip in front of my kids. Thank God I haven't! 

3.) Go to church--this is a sad resolution, and one that I am kind of ashamed to admit, but I haven't been to church in....well, we will just leave that part out. I need to go. I need to give thanks for many, many things.

4.) Update my blog more often--I am not too good at this! I love my blog, I love updating it, but this thing called *LIFE* happens and honestly, sometimes I like sitting on the couch and zoning out to Netflix movies after a long day of teaching five year olds.

And this brings me to the rest of my blog post today: CURRENTLY! I am excited to post my January currently and link up with Farley over at Oh'Boy Fourth Grade! And in true Natalie fashion, I am a day late with it! So...here goes!

Want to link up and share what you are CURRENTLY up to? Head over to Farley's awesome blog by clicking the icon below!