Winter Wonderland So Cal Blog Hop

Hi!  I am so excited to be a part of my very first blog hop!  I’ve linked up with a bunch of amazing Southern California teachers, and we’re sharing a ton of awesome freebies…and a giveaway, too!

California winters are pretty much what you’d expect.  When it gets in the 60’s, I pull out my Uggs.  {I realize you’re probably laughing at that, and I’m aware that it’s pretty sad.}  But this winter, I found it HILAROUS that it was colder on Christmas than some east coast states!  It’s about time!

 

{Photo courtesy of my iPhone.}

 

Southern California will always hold a special place in my heart.  What I love most about living here is how close I am to my family, but since they aren’t really relevant to you, I’ll share some other things.  I love LOVE the beach.  We have some really pretty beaches here!  I’m lucky enough to drive past it on my way to work, so I get a nice view every morning.  Huntington Beach is one of my favorites, but when I was little, I loved the fancy shmancy Balboa Bay Club {We had friends who were members, and the only thing I cared about was that it had a boardwalk with shaved ice.  #priorities.}  Laguna Beach is also gorgeous.  And yes, that whole area looks just like it did on the TV show!  Another place I've loved to visit is Crystal Cove.  It's a pretty popular place for weddings.  It's also the location where they filmed the beach house scene in Beaches! 

 

I live in a pretty amazing location, because I’m no more than two hours away from Los Angeles, San Diego, lots of awesome beaches, and snowy mountains.  I love that we have so much to do here, and there are all kinds of museums, shopping centers, and fun places to visit.   Also, we have In n Out.  In the winter, when I was little, I used to love driving around to see all the lights in my neighborhood.  Now, as an adult, I really love seeing all the Christmas decorations at the mall.  {Any mall, really.  Let’s be clear, I just like shopping.}  Another one of my winter faves is going to Disneyland!  Once upon a time, I had an annual pass and I would visit all the time.  Those guys are basically a million dollars now, so I haven’t been there in forever.  My favorite time to go is between Halloween and Christmas, because it is super decked out for the holidays, and they turn the Haunted Mansion into a Nightmare Before Christmas theme!  So fun! 

 

Now, it's freebie time! 

 

 

One of my favorite things to do in the winter with my students is read alouds.  We're usually stuck inside when it rains, so I read aloud like crazy this time of year.  Winter and holiday books are so much fun!  Some years, I’ve even wrapped up books for the kids to have a surprise read aloud…I'll do anything to keep the reading excitement going, I tell you!  One book that I love to read is Snowmen at Night by Caralyn Buehner.  This book lends itself to so much creativity!  I’ve used it for writing and oral storytelling with students from kindergarten to second grade.  I created some story starters with writing paper for your students!  {Stay tuned: These writing pages will soon be a part of a TpT pack of writing pages, graphic organizers, and task cards that I am currently creating!}  Click on the photo below for your freebie! 

 

And now, for even more winter fun and another freebie, click on the photo below to hop on over to Anchors Away in First Grade! 

 

 

Be sure to enter the Rafflecopter below by January 26th for a chance to win an Amazon gift card! Good luck, friends!  Happy Teaching!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

December Currently

Hi guys!  This is my second blog post in a week.  Whoa.  

Here’s my Currently for December!  Thanks to the awesome Farley for hosting this linky party every month! 

Listening: Adele.  All of the feels.  {I’m pretty sure I don’t need to add any further explanation to this.}

Loving: My students’ reaction to our gingerbread friend from the North Pole!  I did the Elf on the Shelf thing last year {his name was Sneaky Bob}, and I’m kind of over his creepy little face.  Ha!  I have some students who don’t celebrate Christmas, so I was on the lookout for something a little bit different and wintery.  My friend told me about these cute stuffed gingerbread toys from Walmart, and they smell like gingerbread, too!  I totally love the idea of hiding a holiday visitor around the room for the kids to find, and you better believe my little gingerbread friend will be up to the same shenanigans that my elf did!  This time of year is always so much fun!  I love their sweet innocence and excitement.  And the weird, random names they always come up with for our visitors.  This year’s suggestions were: Ginger {of course}, Gingey, Con {what?}, Superman, Supergirl, Little Cute Girl, and Rose.  We voted, and it was a toss up between Gingey and Supergirl.  It was a close one.  They finally decided Gingey Supergirl was a good compromise.  I’m so glad that’s over.

Thinking: “TpT Sale!  I have 50 minutes left.  How much did I spend already?  What else can I buy before the time runs out?  Do I really need a March unit right now, it’s only December.  Who am I kidding, I love leprechauns!  Oh look, there’s another cute one for back to school…”

Wanting: More time!  I'm so excited, because I just put my first paid product on TpT this week!  I have so many ideas in my head right now, but I wish I had more time to create.  I’ve been feeling super excited and inspired about this new journey {see my last blog post!} and I can’t wait to add more products to my store!

Needing: A fancy pencil sharpener for my classroom, more glue sticks, and white construction paper.  {Teacher problems}

Real or Faux?: Faux!  Ours is super pretty when the lights are on and it smells like fake pine, too!

I hope you get a chance to link up with us this month and share your Currently!  Have a great rest of December!  Happy Holidays!

Happy Teaching!

My New TpT Journey!

Hi, friends!  I know I’ve been absent from my blog for quite some time, but now I’m back!

I’ve finally uploaded my very first paid product to TpT this week!  I’m so excited to begin my new journey!  I’ve been a member/seller for over a year, but never got up the courage to put my ideas out there {it’s scary, you guys}.  I went to the TpT Conference in Vegas this year, and I left feeling SO inspired!  And just when I was ready to get to work, life became incredibly busy, because I started a new job!  I’m in a new district and I’ve moved down from second grade to kindergarten!  I’ve taught kinder before and I love LOVE the littles, but it’s a lot of work and prep!  Sadly, I didn’t have any of my teacher stuff from my prior kinder years, so I had to start fresh this year.  I’m soooo thankful for TpT for saving me in the prep department this year!  Greg Smedley-Warren, Deanna Jump, Deedee Wills, and Marsha McGuire have been total lifesavers!

So anyways.  I love pirates.  My students last year loved pirates {and they are totally my inspiration for this new product!}  I went to the Bahamas earlier this year, and I was super sad that there weren’t any hanging around.  

Also, I love this guy:

In honor of all of this pirate love, my newest product is called "Surrender Your Booty!", mostly because I just love saying that!  I created it for my second grade littles last year, and they had so much fun with it!  I’ve broken it up into three parts: an ELA edition, a Math edition, and a discounted bundle with both. 

Arrrrgh you ready to see what’s included? {Sorry, I had to go there}

ELA Edition:

Click on the photo to see it in my TpT store!

Surrender Your Booty! Sight Word Game

(Alternate version: Surrender Your Loot!)

First Mate Fact or Opinion? Scoot, Write the Room or Task Cards

(There are 24 cards and a matching worksheet)

Under the Sea Synonym Matching Game with worksheet

Pirate’s Cove Contractions Matching Game with worksheet

(Includes not, will, and is contractions)

Landlubber’s Lore Writing Task Cards and two types of writing paper

Math Edition:

Click on the photo to see it in my TpT store! 

Surrender Your Booty! Subtraction Game

(Alternate version: Surrender Your Loot!)

Walk the Plank Word Problems Scoot, Math the Room, or Task Cards (24 cards with double-digit addition and subtraction problems, with and without regrouping; Includes a matching worksheet)

Treasure Trove Telling Time Matching Game with worksheet

(Time to the hour, half-hour, and 5 minute increments)

Mermaid Multiplication Matching Game with worksheet

(One-digit problems, numbers 2-5)

Anchors Away Addition Task Cards with worksheet

(Two-digit problems that include regrouping)

The Bundle:

Click on the photo to see it in my TpT store!

Since I'm now teaching kinder, I decided to make a version for those guys, too.  That will be coming up next!  I had so much fun making this one, and I am excited and anxiously awaiting my first TpT sale.  Speaking of sales, I will be participating in the Cyber Monday sale going on November 30^th and December 1^st!  I have so many other ideas that I can’t wait to get started on, too!  Thank you so much for supporting me on this journey, and I hope all of you have an amazing December!

Happy Teaching!

I Am So Thankful!

Hey, kids!  I was nominated waaayyyy back in November for the Liebster Award by the lovely Teaching With Smiles {Thank you, again!}!  I am so thankful for every single one of you who have visited my little corner of the blogging world.  I love my blog, and I wish I had more time to dedicate to it.  This has been a truly amazing and invaluable experience, and I love love LOVE that I’ve been able to make connections with other teachers around the world!

I love the idea behind the Liebster Award.  {Partly because the word “Liebster” is German, meaning “dearest” or “beloved”.  I grew up speaking German with my grandparents and I am, in fact, fluent in the language of “Germlish”.  Ha!} 

The Liebster Award is awarded to new bloggers with less than 200 followers, and it is an AWESOME way for us to find new bloggers and get them noticed.  You’ll have a chance to get to know me better, too, because I was asked to answer 11 questions!  And at the end of this post, I’ll choose 11 blogs to nominate for the award, too!

1.) Why and how long ago did you start blogging?

This month, I celebrated my one year blogiversary.  There was a huge party {of one} involving pajamas and chocolate.  You should have been there!  I started blogging because I really wanted to be a part of the online teaching community, and make some new friends along the way.  I’ve been so inspired and I’ve become more creative because of the teachers I’ve met through blogging, Instagram, and Facebook.  I love collaborating with other teachers in general, and this just feels like one huge Professional Learning Community!

2.) What one word sums up the heart of your blog and why?

Inspired!  I’ve been so grateful for all I’ve learned from others, and I hope to become an inspiration to all of you, as well!

3.) Is there something you learned late in your blog journey you wished you knew before?

The one thing I’m STILL trying to figure out is how everyone keeps up!  I’m pretty sure Dumbledore visited some of you with his Time Turner.  That’s the only possible explanation I can come up with as to how everyone seems to find time for blogging, TpT, family, and teaching! 

4.) What is your favorite past time other than blogging?

Something I absolutely cannot live without is music.  Well, aside from country {#sorrynotsorry}.  A few years ago, I had an hour and a half commute to work {one way!}, and I reeeeally looked forward to my drives with Radiohead.  Love them!

5.) How many hours per week do you dedicate to your blog?

To this one, not enough!  I do have a classroom blog for my littles and their parents, and I post there 1-2 times per week.  I dedicate way more time to my Instagram! {You can find me there as glitteratschool}

6.) What category of blog posts do you enjoy the most?

Oh gosh, this is hard.  I really love to see what other classrooms look like, and I am a sucker for organization.  It’s also awesome to see when teachers showcase their favorite TpT products! 

7.) Where does your blog inspiration come from?

Everywhere!  I am constantly thinking to myself, “I should blog about this!” {And then I don’t…}

8.) Which post that you've written are you most proud of?

This may sound silly, but I am actually most proud of my first post!  I had been thinking for about a year that I wanted to start a blog, and I never had the courage to do it!  I’m so proud of myself for taking the chance!

9.) Is there any post you have been planning to do, but have postponing it for a while now?

{You mean aside from this one?}  In December, I planned to create a post about the holiday happenings in my classroom.  We were having so much fun, but it involved a ton of prep time, and then I was away from my computer for the two weeks of Winter Break.  I blame our class elf, Sneaky Bob.  He was keeping me on my toes all month.

10.) What is your favorite aspect of blogging?

Again, I love the collaboration!  It’s important to me to stay current with what’s new in education, and I love the opportunity to see what everyone is up to!  I also think it is so cool that I’ve found so many bloggers around the world.  I wish I could visit all of your classrooms!

11.) Which recipe, project, or idea on my blog would you most likely to try yourself?

Teaching With Smiles nominated me, and she has so many great ideas!  I love her “We Read It Wednesdays”!  I think books are an amazing tool for teaching, and I use them all the time in my classroom.  They are so easy to blog about, too!

Now I have the chance to give a shout-out to some new and new-ish blogs!  I have so many favorite blogs, and a lot of my faves were already nominated!  {I apologize if you’re on my list and you’ve already been nominated!}  But I cheated a little and added more than 11, and some have 200+ followers.  What can I say, I just love sharing the love!  I hope these awesome teachers will take the time to answer the 11 questions that I answered above, and share the love by nominating 11 more teachers! 

Here are my nominees for the Liebster Award:

1. Applejacks Teacher

2. iTeach Second

3. Learning in Wonderland

4. On the Go Teacher Mama

5. Polka Dot Firsties

6. Sniffin Around in Education

7. Sweet Life of Second Grade

8. Teacher’s Lounge

9. The Lowdown in Miss L’s Class

10. The Pink Pineapple

11. A Special Sparkle

12. Creative Undertakings

13. Educating Children with Disabilities

14. The Pawsitive Pencil

15. Learning to be Awesome

16. Klassenkunst (This one is in German and I love it!) 

 

I hope all of you have a fantastic week!
Happy Teaching!

Hello there, Internet.

I love March.  I love leprechauns and Irish accents.  Do you remember when you were little and kids would threaten to pinch you for not wearing green?  I used to use my charm and green eyes to get away with it.  Every. Single. Time.  It was awesome!  I wish I could use them to get away with other things now, like paying taxes, but I digress…

I’m super excited for this month!  I love celebrating St. Patrick’s Day!  My second graders are still at the age where they kinda/sorta believe in things like Holiday Elves (ours was named Sneaky Bob…he certainly lived up to that moniker), The Tooth Fairy, The Desk Fairy, and leprechauns.  {Well, sort of, except now some of them are too “cool” for things like that.}  I’m planning to take their coolness down a notch this month, because my class leprechaun is going to force them to keep believing until June.  Mark my words.

Here’s my Currently for the month of March!  A huge shout out once again to the lovely Farley, she’s pretty amazing! 

Listening: I finally convinced my mom to watch Grey’s Anatomy!  So I’m now on my second round of watching Season 9.  I love this show!  My memory is horrible, so it’s almost brand new again, too.  Miranda is my favorite character.  She’s so sassy!  Who’s yours?

Loving: If you’re a Mac person, I don’t have to explain myself here.  If you’re not a Mac person, I still don’t have to explain myself.  Because they’re awesome!!!

Thinking: The California cold kind of snuck up on me today, and I was freezing.  I know, I know.  Most of you have been stuck inside practically all of February, due to the mountains and hills of snow on your driveways.  I would rather have that over hot weather, honestly.  But I also don’t like any weather to sneak up on me. 

Wanting: I’ve heard of teachers who have a two-week Spring Break!What is that? How do I get one of those?

Needing: This could apply to so many aspects of my life, really, but for now I will just focus on blogging and TpT.  I need to get my act together in those areas.  At least I’m a really good Instagramer!

Spring Break Plans: I love sleeping in. And I love working out. Also, I love pizza. I think I’m going to try to make it the whole week without including pizza. Wish me luck.

I hope you all have an amazing month!  Let me know what your leprechauns are up to! 

Happy Teaching!

And I’m Back :)

I’m finally back with another post!  All day today, I’ve had Everybody (Backstreet’s Back) in my head.  I blame Halloween, and their obviously awesome dance skills.  Once upon a time, this song was my LIFE.

(Maybe this was a sign that I should return to blogging?)

Here’s my November Currently!  Thank you, Farley!

Listening: I was soooooo excited when I found out House was on Netflix.  So excited.  I love him and how sassy he is.

Loving: Fall is here!  Starbucks red cups are here!  Leaves are trying to change color in Southern California!  The sad news is that it’s still going to be in the 80’s this week.  I just bought a bunch of gloves this weekend, hoping that maybe it will give the weather gods a hint…

Thinking: I love the holidays!  This year, I’m spending Thanksgiving with some family members I don’t get to see very often.  I’m so excited because love LOVE my family so much!  And this year, I’m holding my family so much closer than before.  My aunt passed away in September, and it was an extremely difficult time for me.  She was one of the strongest, funniest, most amazing people I’ve ever known.  She loved the holidays, so I’m celebrating in her memory and honor.  It’s going to be a great day!  And plus, I really love those cans of jellied cranberries that look like something people probably shouldn’t be eating.

Wanting: I love boots.  I have way too many pairs, but I still need them ALL.

Needing: A car wash.  I work at a school with a bunch of trees and birds, so you can imagine what my car looks like a week after I’ve washed it.  I kept hearing that rain was coming “soon”, so I put it off for far too long.  Of course, it didn’t rain here until Friday night…and my car was parked in the garage. 

Reading: This might be my 9th time reading this series from start to finish.  I think maybe I’m hoping that J.K. will write book #8 if I read hard enough.

I hope you all had a happy and safe Halloween!  Stay tuned for a blog post about a fun Halloween activity I did with my students!  And…some freebies are coming your way, too!  <3

Happy Teaching! 

Oh, hello, August.

It’s August.

(I’ll just let that sink in…)

Happy Almost Back To School Time!  I am sure all of you are frantically trying to get yourselves ready for school to start.  I’ve been trying to prepare myself all summer.  The problem is, most of the preparing has been done in my brain and I haven’t actually been productive.  Oops.  I keep reminding myself that I aced so many college papers by writing them at the very last minute, so hopefully this will also apply to classroom stuff as well.  I doubt it, but I am remaining optimistic.  Or, I could just stop procrastinating.

Here’s my August Currently!  Thank you to Farley over at Oh, Boy Fourth Grade!  I hope you all take the time to join in on this fun monthly linky party! 

Listening:  It has been cloudy all day and I was really hoping it would be raining tonight, because I adore the sound of the rain!  I turned off my iTunes and the fan near me, hoping to listen to outside my open window.  But no, the crickets are out there just mocking me right now.  I’ll get my sweet revenge next week.  They’ll all get a nice shower, because we’re supposed to have thunderstorms!  I am beyond excited.  And maybe I can get a free carwash, too.  Love it!

Loving:  A few years ago, I discovered teaching blogs.  It was a completely foreign notion to me that other teachers (who I assumed all taught in some magical teaching land together) created their own worksheets and activities AND that these worksheets and activities could be incredibly adorable.  Prior to that, I was relying on T.E.’s and making up my own supplemental activities off the top of my head.  Oh, and buying teacher workbooks for just one page that I absolutely needed.  My whole teaching life changed after I discovered those first few blogs (special shout out to The First Grade Parade, Oceans of First Grade Fun, and What the Teacher Wants!), and I was so inspired and excited to use all of these amazing things I found on the internet.  The problem was, at the time, I was transitioning from having my own classroom into becoming what I referred to as a “classroom tenant”.  For these past few years, I have been a sub/floater/support teacher/co-teacher at several different schools, with no classroom to call my own.  I literally had a library in the trunk of my car, you guys! (Please comment below if you read that sentence in your head as Chris Trager.)  I’ve been very sad about not having my own room, and a big reason for that was I was never able to organize or decorate the rooms I used (…not to mention establish rules and procedures that worked best with my teaching style, but that’s another blog post!) I was getting all of these amazing ideas on blogs and TPT that I couldn’t wait to use one day.  But I am so happy that I will have my own classroom once again, and I am super excited to start fresh and basically try everything.

Thinking:  I am NOT a summer person.  I loooove fall and all of its scarves and holidays and pumpkin spice things.

Wanting:  A teacher can dream, yes?

Needing:  I had to upgrade my ancient iPhone 4 (Four!!!) recently, and I am all kinds of in love with my 5c.  But I’m pretty disappointed in the charger cord that comes with it, which is much flimsier than my last one.  My cat can easily chew through it if I leave it lying around somewhere.  That may or may not have happened already.

1st day:  I start the staff development excitement right after Labor Day, and my kids start on the 8th.  That’s a Monday.  A MONDAY.  (How did that happen?)  I’ve never started school on a Monday before!  I can only imagine how tired the kids and I will be by Friday.  I’m already ready for the epic nap I will be taking after school that day.

 

I can’t wait to read what everyone is up to this month!  Best of luck to all of you starting school soon! 

Happy Teaching!