~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!

November Currently

It's been too long!

Wow! I feel like I've been gone for a LONG time! It is high time I updated my blog! This school year has been 1909890945984 different kinds of crazy! I can't believe it is already November! That means it is time to link up with Farley from Oh'Boy 4th Grade and share what I've been up to. And today, the topic is tasty pin...so don't forget to scroll to the bottom for my Pinterest recipe! Mmmmmmmm!

And the yummy pin goes to......

~Butterfinger Blondies~

Yes, I have actually made these and YES they are 45453459080234 shades of FABULOSITY!!!!!! Highly, highly, highly recommend! Feel free to pin this from my pinterest board or visit the awesome blog it came from: http://www.sixsistersstuff.com/2011/08/butterfinger-blondies.html

Wanna link up, too? Head on over and share 

what you are CURRENTLY up to!

Click Here: Oh' Boy 4th Grade!

~*Five for Friday*~

Woo Hoooooo! Can I get a TGIF from someone? I am so happy that it is Friday (**happy dance**) and that I have two entire days to catch up on some napping, school work, and relaxation! Right now it is raining outside...so the drowsiness is already kicking in (and it's only a little after 4:00). Phew! What a week it has been! For this Five for Friday, I am linking up with Doodle Bugs Teaching to share some things from my classroom, as well as an item I recently listed in my TpT store! Let's get to it!

Number One

I found this idea on Pinterest last summer and am lucky enough to have an awesome mom who loves a good "craft challenge." She made this out of an old night stand. All she did was paint it red (which matches my class theme of red and white polka dots). My dad made the wire "burners" and cut a hole for the sink (which is a cheap metal dog food bowl from Wal-Mart! My brother made the knobs on his wood lathe. My dad also affixed a piece of plywood to the back to give it that "vintage look." And the faucet? $10.00 clearance faucet at Lowe's! I absolutely love my little stove and it is always a hit in my classroom. It sure beats the 30 year old housekeeping furniture that I had! Maybe I'll have to come up with something cute for a housekeeping fridge for next year! 

Number Two

Meet my "mini-me!" I wanted to share this because my students adore reading to "Mrs. Melton" in the reading center! I found this adorable little doll and polka dot outfit at Cracker Barrel! I already had the "All About Mrs. Melton" book in my reading center and thought that this baby doll was perfect to go with it! I made the book as a way to introduce myself to the class. To introduce my kids to writing we start the year by doing "Student of the Day" in which a different student's name and picture is added to our "Name Wall" each day. They get a special crown, sit in my rocking chair for an interview and every child draws a picture for the student of the day's special book. The Student of the Day colors the outside cover. After, all the pages are combined into a special book that he or she gets to take home. At the beginning of the year I add my name to the name wall and read them this book while holding the doll. The book talks about everything (my family members, house, pets, favorite foods, colors, etc) and has pictures of me throughout my life. They love seeing my kindergarten picture!

Number Three

Our letter of the week was Ff this week! Usually during our center block my assistant and I are pulling guided reading groups, so I am always very excited for "Fun Friday" because that means my kiddos get to play fun ELA games and make a letter craft. Today was a letter Ff frog. They also practiced writing their sight words for the week: I, see, and a. They enjoyed the craft and I enjoyed helping them with it!

Number Four

I'm not sure if it is the hot weather or what, but I am desperately willing it to be colder. This is probably why I went ahead and got busy with my October lesson plan/center game/writing prompt packet! I am ready for fall so bad that I can barely stand it! This cute packet has quite a bit of fall/halloween themed centers, lesson plans, and more--over 80 pages to be exact! I am excited to print it all out and laminate it for my classroom! If you're interested in checking it out, click on the picture above or visit my TpT store!

Number Five

And last, for my number five I wanted to share with you all my little front door wreath I made for fall! I went on a shopping extravaganza (that's what my husband gets for ditching me for golf on a Saturday) and bought all the supplies to make a new fall wreath. Now, it was my first go-round with the burlap, so that was quite an experience. I looped and swooped it through until I was blue in the face! Next came the little flowers and I had to add the buttons to spruce it up a bit. The orange bow screams "fall" and my project wouldn't be complete without some type of bird on it! So, imagine my delight when I stumbled across an adorable owl that was not only cute, but said "fall" on it! Yes, he was mine immediately. And Voila...an adorable fall wreath!

Thank you so much for reading my Five for Friday! Did you do anything awesome or exciting this week? I bet you did! If so, head over to Doodle Bugs Teaching and join in the linky party! 

Here's to a fantastic weekend!

*Chirp, Chirp!*

~*Currently*~

And Currently...

I am so excited to link up with Farley from Oh' Boy Fourth Grade and share my "Currently" for the month of September! I was so busy last month that I completely forgot (eek!), but I am back on track and ready to share this time! Here we go!

Let me explain a few of these!

Listening

Currently, I am sitting in my living room listening to nothing...no tv, no music, no students, no husband (he is golfing...instant babysitter), nada and it is fabulous! All I hear is the hum drum of the fan and I couldn't be more content!

Loving

I am loving this day off from school! Labor Day rocks! However, it is kind of tricky when you return to the classroom because the little ones get a bit out of their routine. They just got started and then get a long break...it can be a little confusing, but I'll take that confusion for an extra day to prepare for the week!

Thinking

Am I the only person who has to "be in the mood" to go to the grocery store? I hate it on Sunday (or Monday in this case) when you realize you have nothing to pack in your lunch. And the grocery store just seems so. far. away! The ONLY thing forcing me to go is the fact that I am all out of my "go to" breakfast item. I need my Greek yogurt about as bad and I need my planning period, so I am sure I will be heading to Publix sometime this afternoon! Maybe I'll get the "tweethearts" a little treat? Maybe.

Wanting

Ok. I live in Charleston, South Carolina, and to be completely honest with you, I am sick and tired of this heat and humidity. I am fair skinned and freckled (aka pasty)and I get sunburnt during our 20 minute recess! Fall is my ultimate favorite season! I love football, the smells, pumpkins, Halloween, and especially the weather! Fall is so pretty around here and once the temperature drops into the 70s, I am a happy girl! I am ready for it! If only it stayed that way all year...

Needing

It has been a while since I have made something crafty for my house. I have been so busy with the start of school and classroom crafts that I haven't had time to make anything. So, I plan today to get my craft on. I am thinking a new fall wreath for my front door? At least that is the plan! 

  My Three Goals

1.) Exercise- I haven't exercised all summer. My muscles have seemed to congealed into nothingness (not that there was very much to start with!)With the start of school and other things life throws at you, I need to exercise in some way to de-stress. I am a constant worrier and I feel as though this only makes me MORE stressed! I use to do Zumba on a daily basis and loved it, but since my family moved to a new town, it is too far of a drive to go to my normal Zumba class. There is, however, a YMCA right around the corner and I am interested in possibly signing up and taking Zumba through them...or maybe I'll try yoga. My flexibility is not too stellar, but hey, it's worth a shot!

2.) Stay patient- I have so much patience for my little kindergarteners, so this doesn't really apply to them. They make me happy, but I seem to start losing patience with other grown ups these days! I guess sometimes I have to remember that adults behave like children from time to time...and everyone deserves a second chance.

3.) Be thankful--Sometimes I get so caught up in the "what I need to do" or "what I don't have" that I forget all of the blessings that I do have! I have so much to be thankful for and I don't want to lose sight of that!

Alright everyone! Now it's your turn to head over to Farley's, Oh Boy Fourth Grade, link up and share what you are doing currently! We all like to be nosy...so what have you been up to? 

Enjoy these last few hours of Labor Day Weekend!,

Tracking

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