My Favorite Things Blog Hop

December is one of my favorite months of the year! I love preparing for the holidays, seeing snow on the ground (not too much), cooking and baking, and just spending time with my family.  And to top it off this year, I am teaming up with some great bloggers to provide you with some AMAZING giveaways!!! I am talking some serious stuff here!!! There are SOOO many great things you could win!!! Thanks to Laura Graham from Where the Magic Happens for putting this together!  

Since this blog hop is all about our favorite things I would love to share some of my favorite things with you!!

First, my favorite restaurant!!! Ugh- this was definitely a tough one because I love to eat!!!  There are so many restaurants in the North End of Boston that I love, it was so hard to choose from.  So I thought about all of the places I've been and there are plenty more to try, but I narrowed it down to this restaurant called Prezza!  I can't say a bad thing about it!  I have always had delicious meals so I am giving it an A+ vote! One of my favorites!  If you ever head to Boston, you definitely have to check out the North End restaurants.  

Next up... my favorite store!!  Again, when it comes to picking favorite things I always have such a hard time because I like A LOT of things for different reasons. And shopping, I love it more than going out to eat!  I could shop for hours and hours! But I'd have to say right now...The Loft is my favorite store.  I feel like I shop there for my teacher wardrobe (haha), to just get a fun going out shirt, or a dress for a wedding!  I also love buying necklaces, scarves and fun belts from there!  I'm all about the accessories, they totally complete an outfit! The Loft is also a favorite among my work friends, so there has been several days where we are wearing the same outfit! haha the kids think it's hilarious, "Are you sisters??!!" They always ask!

My favorite beauty item has to be my Bare Essentials eye shadow.  I used to love two colors called "Grace" and would combine it with "Whisper" but they no longer make it. I must of missed that because I would have stocked up!!! So I had to move on to some other colors and found "Top Notch" (a duo pack).  You can pretty much wear it anytime!  Plus, I also love their bronzer so I'd recommend any of their products really! 

I know I mentioned earlier that December was one of my favorite months so this brings me to my favorite tradition. Every year on Christmas Eve my family has a big party at our house.  It's been going on for like 30 years now and pretty much the same people have come for years! It's such a fun (and somewhat stressful) day getting everything ready for the party.  I have the best time listening to Christmas songs and cooking in the kitchen with the fam!  This year is going to be even more special because my little one will be on the move, walking all over the place along with her little cousins! Ohhh how the times have changed!!!  My big contribution to the party food is my deviled eggs... my signature dish...hahah! Random right, but everyone loves them!

  

Lastly, I would love to share with you my favorite teaching item or items.  I have to go with my grid line post-it easel paper and Mr. Sketch markers.  I just love them and I use them daily!  I used to write on easel paper with lines but one year I discovered grid easel paper and never looked back.  I know it's expensive so a big thank you to my district for always making me happy and supplying the first grade team with this newly amazing paper!! My team has gotten so spoiled that one year we got all lined paper because of a mix up and we just had to send it back! haha are we serious?!! There's just something about the grid that makes it easier to write on and it's post-it! Nothing beats it!  

And lastly... the best part...it's GIVEAWAY time!! I will be donating a Dunkin Donuts gift card to this amazing blog hop giveaway!!! I know there are some Starbucks lovers out there, but my vote goes to Dunkin D's!  I just love my coffee and wake-up wraps! 

Also, my featured items will be 50% off in my TpT store this week, so please check them out!!! I hope you join in on the giveaways, win big, and check out some amazing new blogs!!!  To make your search easier type in #myfavoritethings2014 in TpT and you will find some great deals!

GOOD LUCK!!!

Because we value our followers and wanted to treat you to our favorite things Oprah style, we have put together the best giveaway of the season! My bloggy friends and I welcome you to the best, biggest, most cheerful event of the season:

7 winners for 7 prize packs!

Come and enter the giveaway and check out my bloggy friends' favorite things:



a Rafflecopter giveaway

An InLinkz Link-up

December Linky Party

I'm excited to be linking up with Lisa from Pawsitively Teaching and Inspired Owl's Corner.  I just love this linky idea! 

Here are my 3 pinterest finds for the month of December:

I always like to change up my activities from year to year and I loved finding this gem on pinterest! 

I just thought these Q-tip snowmen were simply adorable, and I really think the kids are going to enjoy this activity!  These will be perfect when I read all of my favorite snowmen books to the kids.  If this is successful I hope to do more crafts using Q-tips!  Such a great find!

Also, every year I try to come up with something different to give to my kids before winter vacation.  I usually give a book or a little goodie bag with a pencil, stickers, erasers, etc.  But then I found this!

This reindeer idea is super cute! Plus, everyone loves a delicious cup of cocoa!  I'm going to have to pass this idea along to my team.  

Each year, we have our winter holiday party and the parents come in and do 4 crafts with the kids.  One of my favorite crafts one year was, "Stained Glass hearts" for Valentine's Day.  I was so excited to come across this tree activity because they were just like the hearts my class made. 

These are going to be perfect for our class party and they will look so pretty in the windows.   Love these Christmas trees! Sooo cute!

I look forward to reading everyone else's posts! Just link up below to share your ideas!

An InLinkz Link-up

Liebster Award

Happy Day!!!  I was so excited to see that Misha Frander from Fran'tastic 2nd Grade, Michelle from Dabbling in Differentiation, and Reading Recipe Pal nominated me for the Liebster Award.  I saw this award on other blogs and was wondering if I would ever get nominated! And now 3 at once! Thank you, thank you!  You made my day! Below are my answers to the questions and then I will be happy to pass this award along.

1.  Why and how long ago did you start blogging? 
I started blogging in October of 2012.  I always loved reading other blogs out there and they inspired me to start my own.  I had thought about it for a while and never got around to it. Then we had 2 days off in October in a row because of a big storm so it was the perfect time to begin!

2.  What one word would sum up the heart of your blog and why?
Sharing!  I love to share and welcome any ideas.  It makes me feel so good when someone comments on a post that has helped them in the classroom.

3.  Is there something you learned late in your blog journey you wish you knew before? 
That blogging takes a lot of time!!  I definitely need to work on scheduling posts so I get more out there.  It's crazy when I look at my blog sometimes and haven't posted in over a month or more!

4.  What is your favorite pastime other than blogging?
Relaxing on the beach and spending time with my family.

5.  How many hours a week do you dedicate to your blog?
Not as many as I should!  Probably about an hour or so. Spending more time on it will be my goal for the new year.  I feel like I get wrapped up in reading other bloggers posts instead of working on my own!

6.  What category of blog posts do you enjoy the most?
I love getting new ideas for the classroom.  There are so many amazing ideas out there!  I especially love hands-on activities.

7.  Where does your blog inspiration come from?
My inspiration comes from my classroom and those little first graders.  

8.  Which post (that you've written) are you most proud of? 
I enjoyed writing my post about my math task cards.  My students love these cards! I think it makes them feel very independent!  I worked hard on creating task cards that cover a variety of concepts.  I think they are a great review for the kids.

9. Is there any post you've been planning to do but have postponed to do for a while now? 
For a while I thought about doing "Technology Tuesdays" so each Tuesday I would post something new in the technology world.  However, I've only done one post so far, oops! but it was a pretty good one on BrainPop Jr.  Love that site!

10. What is your favorite aspect about blogging? 
My favorite is connecting with other teachers!  It's so nice to read about similar experiences in the classroom and to get to know other bloggers.

11. Which idea on my blog would you most likely try? 
I love Misha's classroom doorway valences and the curtain under her sink.  Such a good idea and so cute! And Michelle- your sight word folders look great! I will have to try these with my class!

Thanks again girls for nominating me!!! It's greatly appreciated! Now that you know a little more about me I would like to nominate the following blogs:

Shoelaces and Sugar Cookies

Countless Smart Cookies

Adventures in Teaching

Mrs. Renz' Classroom

Theresa's Teaching Tidbits

A New Box of Crayons

Classroom Confetti

The Lesson Chef

One Sassy Teacher

The Neat & Tidy Classroom

A Spoonful of Learning

Here are the rules for the nominees:

1. In your post, link back to the blogger who nominated you as a thank you and "shout out." (Follow their blog if you haven't already!)  

2. Answer the 11 questions given to you (the ones I answered above).

3. Nominate 11 blogs of your choice that each have less than 200 followers. Provide them with 11 questions to answer or have them answer the questions above.

4. Let your nominees know that they've been nominated and provide them with a link to your post so that they can accept.

5. Send your nominator a link to your post so that s/he can learn more about you as well! (You can just put your post link in the comments below!)

Thanks again!

November Currently

What a day!  We had to change the clocks back, so that means it's going to be dark at like 4:30...boo! The wind is howling and I am already seeing flurries! I am so not ready for the cold!  But I am excited to link up with Farley for this month's Currently!

Listening: It is nasty outside! It's like 36 degrees, the wind is howling, and there are flurries! New England weather is crazy! The leaves are everywhere, my husband is going to love that after he raked on Friday...oops!

Loving:  I just love spending time with my almost 14 month old! She is absolutely hilarious!  She has been walking for about a month now and she is just all over the place!  She especially loves opening all of my drawers and taking out all of my clothes! Looks like I need to get some more locks!

Thinking:  We had some friends over last night and I definitely need to clean the house, but I just can't find the motivation.  With the storm, it seems like a better day for a nap!

Wanting:  I would love to be one of those people that have their Christmas shopping done early.  Some of you right now probably are thinking it's already November this isn't early! For me it would be!  But no matter the year I always have last minute shopping!  

Needing:  We didn't get many trick or treaters, therefore our house is full of candy. So next year I am buying candy I don't like! :)

Reading: The Daily Five- I have read this a couple of times, but I always like a refresher! I still have about a Daily 3 in my classroom because I feel like there isn't enough time to fit it all in.  

Happy Sunday!  Have a great week!

Math Task Cards

I hope you had a fabulous weekend! It was quite busy!!! The weather was perfect yesterday so we took our little one (13 months) to pick out a pumpkin! Well... it was more like me taking lots of pictures while I sat her in the pumpkin patch or on top of pumpkins, but it was so fun!  And, we did come home with a pumpkin!

I just love Fall!  It's my 2nd favorite season after the summer of course! The trees are just so pretty with all of the different colored leaves! Plus, this weekend I also bought my daughter's Halloween costume! Squeak, squeak, yes she's going to be a little mouse! Eek!!!  It just looked so warm and cozy.  I can't wait to dress her up with all of her little friends!  

Soooo...after our fun day, it was time to get down to business. I'm excited to say that my new math task cards are complete! Yes, 124 of them with answer keys!!! 

Here are the topics covered:

Numbers & Operations (20 task cards) 
-Place Value (Tens & Ones)
-Addition/Subtraction
-Ordering and Comparing Numbers
-Solving Addition/Subtraction Word Problems
-Missing Addends
-Fact Families

Patterns (20 task cards) 
-Counting Up & Back
-Before & After
-Skip Counting by 2s, 5s, 10s
-Shape/Letter Patterns

Money (24 task cards) 
-Counting Coins (P,N,D,Q)
-Word Problems

Measurement & Data (20 task cards) 
-Telling Time to the Hour & Half-Hour
-Word Problems
-Comparing Times
-Reading Bar Graphs
-Comparing Lengths

Geometry (20 task cards) 
-Counting Number of Sides
-2-D & 3-D Shapes
-True/False
-Fractions 1/2, 1/4

Challenge Problems (20 task cards) 
-Time
-Money
-Word Problems
-Place Value
-Addition/Subtraction

You just have to print, cut, and laminate and they will be ready for many years to come! I know 124 is a lot to think about cutting out, but you could always just start out with one or two sets and do the other ones at another time!  Also, included is a color version and a black and white version in case you want to save on ink! 

I love these task cards because they are great for extra practice and review of math skills. You can use them during math centers, independent work time, RTI, and/or for your fast finishers. 

When creating this pack I had first grade in mind along with the Common Core Standards. However, these task cards would be great to challenge Kindergarten students and they are a good review for second grade. My students really love doing these.  Especially my fast finishers, they love to go over and grab a few cards to complete!  And of course they are loving the challenge cards!

I have included a variety of recording sheets.  The first one has individual blank cards where the students fill in the task card number and then answer the problem.  See below!

The next one is a recording sheet for all of the task cards in a specific set.  For example, if you want students to do all 24 money task cards then this recording sheet might be easier to use.  Again, there are options so it's what works best for you! 

I have included a free sampler for you, so you can learn more about my math task cards.  Just click on the link here or on the picture below to grab a copy.  You will find 4 Numbers & Operations cards, 4 Pattern cards, and 4 Measurement & Data cards.  A recording sheet is included too so students can record their answers for these 12 cards.  I hope you enjoy!!!

Happy Monday!!!

Fall Fun, a Freebie, and a Giveaway!

It sure felt like Fall today! It was 48 degrees when I woke up..brr! Well not really brr... but seeing it was 90 last weekend, it's quite the change!  I love fall though! Apple picking and pumpkin picking are always so much fun and I love bundling up in jeans, boots, and scarves! But I wish it would stay like this though, the winter is just another story!  

Anyways, I'm excited for Fall and to share some of my new morning work packets, observation booklets, a FREEBIE and a chance to win a TpT gift certificate! Yay!

My morning work packets contain daily Math and Literacy printables that support the Common Core Standards. You can use these for morning work, assessment, independent work, or even for homework. There are a variety of printables for your students to keep them engaged. Many skills are covered on each page! Just click here or on the images below to check out the previews.  

     

Here are a few sample pages:

I do use both packets with my first grade students so I can reach all learners!  If you want the bundle click here and check it out. You can get both packets (100 + pages) for $12! Plus I'm hoping to save you a lot of time!  

Since Fall is pretty much here, I wanted to share with you a few more ideas. I created this Fall Math packet to give my students more practice on certain math concepts. While Everyday Math is a good program, I feel like some concepts just aren't presented as often as they should be.  So I'm always looking for supplemental activities.  My hope for this packet is for extra practice!  Some skills covered include: counting to 100, addition/subtraction, word problems, counting money, tally marks, telling time, plus more! I like to use these as morning work, homework, or even as a quick assessment. 

If you click here or on the image below, you can grab a few math freebies from this packet.  

Okay... a little more because I love observing apples and pumpkins in my classroom! My students always love anything to do with science.   My favorite part of the apple booklet is when they have to guess whether or not apples float.  You would think after about 8 trials with each apple, they would predict that no matter the size...apples float!! But NO, we must test all 20 apples, just in case...I love it! I also love how they all cheer when the largest apple floats! Ohh...it's the little things!  That's why I love first grade and those adorable little faces! Seriously, too cute!! 
Here are a few examples, sorry they aren't so clear! A new camera is on the list of things to buy!  

So here are my booklets! I recently updated them so if you are interested check them out! It's always fun for the kids!

Well that was a lot!! But if you keep scrolling a little more, I would love for you to enter my giveaway! I am super excited that I have over 200 TpT followers now!! I know it doesn't seem like a lot but I'm so grateful!  I truly appreciate the support. It means so much to me!  Please enter below for a chance to win a $10 gift certificate to TpT! Thanks for stopping by! a Rafflecopter giveaway