Run run as fast as you can

I'd like to tell you that I was one of the fastest kids on the playground. You know, one of the ones who only got caught when they wanted too? Yeah. That was not me. I was more awkward then that. ;)

I got tagged twice. I've been tagged by Loving and Learning in Pre-K and Third Grade Teacher Files.

The Rules:
1. You must post the rules.
2. Post 12 fun facts about yourself on the blog post.
3. Answer the questions the tagger set for you in their post, and then create 12 new questions for the people you tagged.
4. Tag 12 people and link them on your post.
5. Let them know you've tagged them!


12 Fun Random Facts About Mrs. L


1. I love fast paced card games. I have to tone it down when I play with new people or they won't play with me again. I once beat my husband at Nurtz using my left hand because my right hand was in a cast.
2. I lived in Japan for over 15 months. I learned the language, developed a love of vegetables, and broke two bones
3. I met my husband in Japan. We like to talk in Japanese when we want to keep a secret from our family.
4. Despite my mother encouraging me to dance, I am the most ungraceful person you are likely to meet.
5. I devour books. I read a book or more a day in the summer time.
6. I love pinning recipes on Pinterest. I now need to start making them. 4 down a million to go.
7. I am a Worrier. Notice that capital W. I worry about anything and everything.
8. I have been to 49 states. Last one on the list? Alaska.
9. While I have a relatively average immediate family, my extended family is huge. I have over 50 first cousins. I know all their names, and I have met them all several times.
10. I love to find a good deal. I am a coupon addict and have a hard time spending money, unless it is on food.
11. I am a Christian.
12. I am working on organizing my office this next month. I'm hoping I won't regret it. It's a giant project.


Julia asked:
1. What is your favorite subject to teach?
I love to teach reading!
2. Do you have a SmartBoard in your classroom?
No. :(
3. How often do you use songs in your class?
Every day. At morning circle, story time, goodbye time, and often for transitions.
4. Are you married/single/engaged/etc.?
I am married.
5. What type of music do you listen to?
Some of this and that. I listen to alternative, soft country, classical, and pop.
6. How long have you been teaching?
Officially? A year and a half. Unofficially, since I was six.
7. What is your New Year's resolution?
I had a lot. See my list here.
8. If you weren't teaching, what would you be doing?
Being a mother.
9. If you create your own materials for TPT or TN, where do you get your inspiration from?
Other bloggers, books, and movies.
10. What is your favorite TV show?
I watch a lot of shows. I love home improvement shows, the cooking network, some scifi, and a lot of crime shows. I think it is a toss-up between early Bones and Castle.
11. Do you have any pets?
No. And I don't think we will ever get one.
12. What is your favorite recipe website? 
Pinterest


Katherine asked:

1.What is one food/drink you could eat every day? Fresh fruit. Strawberries, bananas, or pineapple.

3. If you could have a shopping spree at one place, where would it be? Costco or a book store

4. What is a pet peeve of yours? Being late.

5. Where is the best place you've ever been on vacation? Hawaii

6. What is your favorite thing/subject/lesson to teach? Reading

7. How do you balance the demands of teaching with your at home, personal/family life? I leave as much as I can at school

8. What is a memory you have that is linked to a specific song? Hey Stephen - Fresno, California

9. Where is one place you'd like to visit before you die? Alaska

10. Who has influenced you the most as a teacher?  My students

11. What is the most worn piece of clothing in your wardrobe? My converse

12. If you could trade places with one person for a day, who would it be and why? I kind of like being me.

My 12 Questions

1. What is one thing you wished you had for your classroom?

2. What is your favorite professional development book?

3. How would your students describe you?

4. Where do you get your clipart?

5. What is your favorite concept to teach?

6. What is one things you wish you knew before you became a teacher?

7. How do you stay organized?

8. What do you do when you are on break?

9. How many blogs do you follow?

10. What is your favorite band/artist?

11. What is the last movie you saw?

12. What are you currently reading?

I tagged:

• Queen of the First Grade Jungle
• The First Grade Parade
• The Art of Teaching: A Kindergarten Blog
• First Grade A La Carte
• Kindergarten Crayons
• F is for First Grade
• Step into Second Grade with Mrs. Lemons
• Fourth Grade Frolics
• What the Teacher Wants
• 3rd Grade Gridiron
• The Teacher Wife
• One Extra Degree

If you have not yet been tagged and wish to be, please feel free to use my questions. I will gladly add you to the list. ;)

If you were tagged and would rather not participate, I can understand that as well. Just know I was thinking of you. :D

 

Picking a favorite book

Happy Dally is having a giveaway. All you have to do is blog about your favorite picture book. Easy right? Wrong. My favorite book changes daily. Don't hate me. I love to read  and my local library is kind to me.

Since picking a favorite picture book is so difficult for me, I am going to take a deep breath and just tell you my favorite book today. Don't worry it only took me an hour to decide. I love The Missing Piece by Shel Silverstein.

I love this book because it reminds me of dating my husband, change in my life, and the importance of having the right perspective in life.

I love that reading can change the way you see yourself and the world around you. Over Christmas break my grandmother gave me a couple of books to read.  I read the first book she gave me this last week. Miss Adams Country Teacher tells the story of a young girl who is employed to teach in a single room classroom during the 1930's. It discusses her challenges, triumphs, and growth. It was a nice to remember how blessed I am to work with a smaller group of children who are closer in age and development. It also reminded me how important it is to tie learning into every day life.  Miss Adams tried very hard to connect learning to what her students knew and were interested in. I need to do that more.

This week I also finished The Night Circus and One for the Money. I liked both of them, but enjoyed  The Night Circus most. It produced such vivid pictures in my mind that it changed my dreams. Which is significant because I hardly ever dream. One for the Money made me laugh out loud, race to finish the book, and get excited about seeing the movie soon.

What are you reading? 

Easy as Pie

I am currently on an eight week challenge with my best friend from high school. Which means that pie and all other sweets are off limits. This is incredibly difficult when you love food as much as I do. So many interesting foods to try and so many ingredients to gather for the next Pinterest recipe.
Like this pie that I really want to make:

But I can't. So instead I will focus on this kind of pie. 

The kind you can't eat but will still bring a smile to your face. That's right. Author's Purpose Pie. 

Ali, my grammar angel, kindly went through it and made it perfect. So now it is ready for you to enjoy it. 

This packet includes a detailed lesson plan, a poster about persuasive, informative, and entertaining writing, examples of each type of writing, a leveled center activity, and writing prompts. I am selling it on Teachers Pay Teachers and Teacher's Notebook for $2.50. Use your store of choice. 

I am so excited about all my new followers. Thank you and welcome to my blog. Keep telling your friends and soon I will have a "sweet giveaway." Don't forget to check out my Facebook page as well. 

Someday

I am the Queen of Someday.

Someday I will redo my blog button, someday I will start a Facebook page, someday I will post about my new products, someday I will get off the couch and actually exercise. This week I remembered a poster that hung in my classroom last year. I can't find it to take a picture, so I recreated it for you. Just in case you needed a reminder too. And because I am nice, I made it in four different colors so you can print the one that makes you happiest. But because I like to tease people I am not going to tell you what colors. So you will have to download it yourself. :)

Download it by clicking on the picture above.*

Friday I created a new button. If you are one who likes to accumulate buttons, please feel free to grab it and post it on your blog. If not, just be proud of me for figuring out the kinks all by myself.

Saturday I created a Facebook page. I decided if I had a Facebook page then I would not be tempted to break the "sacred blogging rule" of blogging once per day. I could share all the awesome things I find with you all day long. If you use Facebook, please head over and like my page. I fear if no one likes it I might have to go buy some worms. "Nobody likes me, everybody hates me, I'm going to go eat worms..." (Of the gummy variety, because lets be honest, I am a wimp when it comes to trying new things. And eating worms, fried or covered in chocolate sounds a little disgusting.) And then you can be kept up to date on all the amazing things I find and create. ;)

This week, I also finished two products that I would love for someone to read over. Anyone have any interest in checking a Movie Multiplication Madness packet or an Author's Purpose Mini-Unit?

I will email both to the first 2 people who comment as long as they promise to read it, critique it, and send it back as soon as possible. Brownie points if you leave your email. Otherwise I might not be able to send it to you because my ESP is still a little fuzzy.

Next on the list? Make a Facebook button for my blog, get ready for a giveaway, post about the book I got for Christmas, and start on a sight word game for work.


* I love Dropbox and how easy it makes to share things. If you have not heard of it, take a second and read about it here. And if you want to join up please use my link so I can get some more free space. ;)

Managment Mania 1-3

This month I posted 12 amazing management ideas on my Teachers Notebook store. I promised to upload them to my Teacher's Pay Teacher's shop for those of you who do not use Teacher's Notebook. (Though I really think you should check out Teacher's Notebook because you get points for shopping, and really who doesn't love that?) I finally got around to it. Guilt is a powerful motivator.

First up is my freebie! Management Mania 1 features four awesome resources with a total of 30 pages. It includes Good News, Love Notes, Reach for the Moon, and Hero of the Class.

Management Mania 2 features another four resource packets with a total of 32 pages. It includes March Money Madness, Monkey Business, Beeutiful Beehavior, and April Fools. This packet will be free until the end of the month. is now listed in my Teachers Pay Teachers Store. If you want to buy the packets separately please visit my Teachers Notebook Store. Thank you!

Management Mania 3 features another four management packs with a total of 21 pages. It includes Spooky Behavior, Turkey Tactics, Christmas Kindness, and Ticket to Management. This packet will also be free until the end of the month is now updated and sold in both my stores.

Enjoy! And look forward to seeing some new products soon.

Raise your voice!

I'm not sure if you are aware, so I wanted to clue you in on a big change that might happen if we do not do something. On January 24th the Senate will begin to vote on two bills. If these bills pass it could change the internet forever. While the bills are intended to stop piracy they will shut down a lot more. Take a minute. Join me and ask Congress not to pass these bills. Learn more about the bills here.

A Promise

One of my favorite books is Horton Hatches the Egg. He is such a great example for me.  I love his conviction. He knows that people think he is ridiculous, he feels uncomfortable, but he remembers his promise.

"I meant what I said, and I said what I meant. An elephant's faithful 100%."

Sometimes I have to remind myself of the things that I promise. Like when I said I would upload the 12 Days of Management to my TPT store. I meant it. I just haven't had the time or energy to accomplish it all quite yet. But I did manage to scrape together four of them. So in case you missed it, click here for your copy of Good News, Love Notes, Reach for the Moon, and Hero of the Class.

I am working on compiling the rest. Maybe the end of the week? (Notice the lack of commitment there. I know myself too well.) Ok. I will do it. I will have all of the posted to TPT by the end of Sunday. (Darn it. There I went and promised. Guess it will have to be done.)

I am sure none of you run into this problem. Right?

All You Need Is Love

I am joining up with bloggers from across the country to show some love to Joplin, MO.

Joplin suffered a major tornado in May and is still recovering. A teacher in that area is asking for donated units to give to teachers in her district on Monday. Imagine the love you can share. Want to participate?

Email your unit to: edoennig@joplin.k12.mo.us

Link up with Mrs. Wills Kindergarten

I wonder if we can completely flood her email box? I sent her my Tacky the Penguin Unit and Pirate Text Feature Treasure Hunt.

I also wanted to let you all know that now is the time to join Sarah and Caitlin in the Be My Valentine Exchange. I loved participating in the Christmas Exchange and recommend it to everyone. Hurry your application must be in before January 18, 2012. 

12 Days of Management - Day 12

Welcome to the twelfth and final day of the Twelve Days of Management

Decembers's idea is Christmas Kindness. Click on the picture below to get your own copy. It features complete instructions, a planning guide, and four pages of stationary for your students to write their goals. This product will only be free until the end of the week, so grab your copy now.

Missed a day?
January
February
March
April
May
June
July

August
September
October
November

12 Days of Management - Day 11

Welcome to the eleventh day of the Twelve Days of Management

Novembers's idea is Turkey Tactics. Click on the picture below to get your own copy. It features complete instructions and turkey certificates in black and white and color. This product will only be free until the end of the month, so grab your copy now. This product has been updated and put in both my stores.

Missed a day?
January
February
March
April
May
June
July

August
September
October

12 Days of Management - Day 10

Welcome to the tenth day of the Twelve Days of Management

October's idea is Spooky Behavior. Click on the picture below to get your own copy. It features complete instructions and a behavior management chart. This product will only be free until the end of the month, so grab your copy now is now sold in both of my stores.

Missed a day?
January
February
March
April
May
June
July

August
September

12 Days of Management - Day 9 and Currently

Welcome to the ninth day of the Twelve Days of Management

September's idea is Bee-utiful Beehavior. Click on the picture below to get your own copy. It features complete instructions, a management chart, and two reward certificates. This product will only be free until the end of the month, so grab your copy now.

Missed a day?
January
February
March
April
May
June
July

August

I couldn't let one of Farley's Currently Parties go by without linking up, so see what is happening in my life below.

Join the party too and you might win a wicked pencil sharpener!

12 Days of Management - Day 8

Welcome to the eighth day of the Twelve Days of Management

August's idea is Ticket to Management. Click on the picture below to get your own copy. It features directions and materials needed to build your own ticket tub for management rewards. This product will only be free until the end of the month, so grab your copy now is now sold in both of my stores. Enjoy!

I love using short movies and technology in my lessons. It engages the students and teaches them in a fun and informative way. Check out my packet to see how you can use these movies as rewards.

Missed a day?
January
February
March
April
May
June
July

12 Days of Management - Day 7

Welcome to the seventh day of the Twelve Days of Management

July's idea is Monkey Around Management. Click on the picture below to get your own copy. It features four monkey mini-posters, and two pages of directions and ideas. This product will only be free until the end of the month, so grab your copy now be updated and available in both my stores by the end of the week.

Some questions for all my readers:

Can you believe I am half way done? I can't believe it. 

What do you think of the series so far? 

What have you found to be helpful? 

What would you like to see changed or improved? 

Let me know. I LOVE comments and I always try to pass the love on.

Missed a day?
January
February
March
April
May
June

P.S. I know I am breaking the rules by posting twice in one day, but you will just have to bear with me for the next five days. After that I will do my best to keep it to one.  :)

Liebster Award

I find blogging highly therapeutic. It is a way for me to share some of the things I have created and connect with teachers around the world. I love when people recognize my hard work and compliment me. WHo doesn't? Imagine my surprise when I received the Liebster Award from two different people.

Thank you Lori and Jessica! Check them out by clicking on their names or their buttons below.

For those of you who have not heard of it, the Liebster Award is for blogs with under 200 followers. Here are the rules:

1. Show your appreciation to the blogger who nominated you by linking back to their blog.

2. Nominate five blogs (200 followers or less) by posting a comment on their blogs. (Holly Hananah was this difficult. So many great blogs to nominate.)

Mrs. Russell's Class

3. Post the award on your blog.

12 Days of Management - Day 6

Welcome to the sixth day of the Twelve Days of Management

June's idea is Good News. Click on the picture below to get your own copy. It features one set of directions and eight cards to write on.

This product features artwork by the beautiful and talented Nikki of Melonheadz Illustrating. Can you tell she was the one that inspired me to start this whole series?

Missed a day?
January
February
March
April
May

12 Days of Management - Day 5

Welcome to the fifth day of the Twelve Days of Management

May's idea is Hero of the Class. Click on the picture below to get your own copy. It features one set of directions, colored hero cards, a bucket label, and black and white cards in two sizes. This product features artwork by the beautiful and talented Nikki of Melonheadz Illustrating.

Missed a day?
January
February
March
April

12 Days of Management -Day 4

Welcome to the fourth day of the Twelve Days of Management

April's idea is April Fools. Click on the picture below to get your own copy. It features one set of directions, three posters, and four pages of jokes. This product will be free until the end of the month so make sure you download it now  is now in both of my stores. Enjoy!

Missed a day?
January
February
March

12 Days of Management - Day 3

Welcome to the third day of the Twelve Days of Management

March's idea is March Money Madness. Click on the picture below to get your own copy. It features one set of directions, three posters, and sample money. This product will be free until the end of the month so make sure you download it now is up in both of my stores. Enjoy!

Missed a day?
January
February

I realize that not everyone has a Teacher's Notebook. At the end of the 12 days I plan to post all the packets to Teachers Pay Teachers. They will remain for free until the end of the month.

12 Days of Management - Day 2

Welcome to the second day of the Twelve Days of Management

February's idea is Love Notes. Click on the picture below to get your own copy. It features one class chart, three individual student charts, and a page of ideas. This packet was also inspired by Melonheadz Illustrating.

Missed a day? Find January's idea HERE.

12 Days of Management - Day 1

Welcome to the first day of the Twelve Days of Management

For twelve days I plan to share one management idea that you can use in your classroom for a particular month.  I decided I would follow tradition and begin with January.

January's idea is Reach for the Moon Management. Click on the picture below to get your own copy. It features two colored charts, two black and white charts, an inspiring quote, and directions. I was inspired to create this after visiting Melonheadz Illustrating. Check her out! She has a lot of really cute clip art.

Happy New Year!