Tuesday, May 8, 2012

TpT shopping spree

After loading up on some fab.u.lous Teacher Appreciation goodies, it was time to buy a few of my favorite things that were loaded up placed on my TpT wish list.

Link up at Erica's blog and check out all the other treasures found in the sale!

Don't say I didn't warn you. I kinda went on an online spree. I can't wait to share my newest purchases with you (click on the pics to grab these goodies for yourself).

The Handwriting Fairy from What the Teacher Wants
These super cute ideas are going to help my little darlings improve their handwriting not just for me, but for the Handwriting Fairy :)

Awesome Words for Inspiring Authors from Kindergarten Smiles
This great word wall pack will supplement our classroom word wall and help my kiddos with their writing and spelling.

Zero the Hero from Kreative in Kinder
How fun is this guy?! My kids are going to love every 10th day of school!

Pirate Communication Folder by Fun in First
I had to get this...after all, it goes with my theme :)

Spelling Activities by Fun in First
Another great item from Jodi...a year's supply of spelling activities that goes with my reading series...are you kidding?? What's not to love :)

Fix it Up! by Growing Kinders
This is going to be great for my young ones that need additional support. I can see using these as a Daily 5 choice and keeping in their student portfolio to track their progress throughout the year.

Meet the Bossy R Triplets by Fun in First
My kiddos always struggle with "bossy r" words. What a cute and fun resource for helping to differentiate them :)

Writing Portfolio by Second Grade Shenanigans
I like the organization of this resource. I also like that the students will reflect on their own writing each month.

I'll still have plenty of shopping left to do with 16 items still on my wish list {sigh}...oh yeah, it's good to have a summer birthday :)

Saturday, May 5, 2012

The Ultimate Legoland and Pinterest Experience

Hi, friends. I have been dying to share my Legoland experience with you! My first grade class of 22 (along with the rest of the first grade team of another 66 kiddos) visited the newly opened Legoland. Since it is located approximately 30 miles away, we got to enjoy the "whole" field trip experience, including a joyous bumpy school bus ride and a quick highway view of the nearby Six Flags amusement park (amid ooohs and aaahs).

my new classroom mascot

The first stop for my class was the 30-minute Tall Towers Workshop, followed by an introduction to the Lego Factory (with a complimentary Lego brick for every student), the Kingdom's Quest ride, a tour through Miniland, a short Lego movie in 4D, rompus play in the Lego City Play Zone, the Merlin's Apprentice ride, and ended with time in the Lego Racers Zone and Princess Parlor...can you say karaoke machine...

ode to the Mavs

It was an amazing stress-free experience for me and completely hands-on experience for my kiddos. They were kept busy entertained from the time we arrived until the time we left. I can't wait to return!

What's more, at the end of the day, one of my boys turned to me and said, "Ms. Talley, thank you for taking us to Legoland." How sweet!!

In other news, I participated in yet another Teacher Blogger Exchange hosted by Caitlin and Sarah. These are so.much.fun!

We were to take our best Pinterest find and create something wonderful for our partner. I Pinterest-stalked Elizabeth from Fun in Room 4B and found my idea on one of her boards:



fabric-covered mousepad and coasters
I was so excited that my sweet exchange partner, Stephanie (I couldn't find a blog for her) made me these:


How did she know I was (secretly) wishing for a personalized clipboard?! My kiddos went crazy over the personalized hanitizer (don'tcha just love firsties)! The pens are almost too cute to use :)

My students participated in the class Valentine's exchange, so they hear me talking all the time about my 'teacher blogger friends'. They're probably going to be disappointed next year when their teacher doesn't participate in all these exchanges :)

What Pinteresting things have inspired you? Do you have a list of craftivities you want to work on this summer?

Only 18 days left of school, but who's counting???