Chocolate Milk, Por Favor! {Book Tour & Giveaway}

Guess what?

Michigan author, Maria Dismondy, has done it again - made the lives of countless kiddos BETTER...and our teaching lives easier!

She has written another book...and I'm so happy for that! 

If you're not familiar with her work - Maria Dismondy focuses on writing stories that help children navigate this social world of ours.  As teachers, we know that there is much more to our job than the ABC's and 123's.  We are also responsible for helping our little ones understand one another as human beings.  WOW - that's a daunting task - but one made easier with the help of Maria's books.

Such rich discussion can take place before, during and after a read aloud.  Chocolate Milk, Por Favor! is about two young boys, Johnny and Gabe.  Johnny loved school until Gabe entered into the picture.  Gabe doesn't speak English and Johnny has a hard time accepting Gabe with his differences.  As the story progresses; Johnny learns a lesson about empathy and he and Gabe become friends who are able to accept and celebrate their individuality.  

After I read this story to my first graders here's what they had to say...

Character education is part of a well-rounded classroom climate. I know sometimes it's hard to fit it all in - I'm right there with you.  That's why I like incorporating it into my daily read alouds.  

Maria's other books {here} can help you with that.

To get you started Maria has offered to give away one signed copy of Chocolate Milk, Por Favor! 

Because my first graders are so invested in this book and the lessons they learn from all of Maria's books, I'm going to ask that you give one piece of advice to my kiddos, in the comments below, that can help them be a good friend to others.  We {my first graders} will randomly choose one winner on April 20th! {Please include your email address with your comment}.

Next up on the blog tour...

Erin Klein at Kleinspiration

&

Andrea at JYJ Counselor Blog

Writing Note Freebie, Pay it Forward & Some Randomness

Hey Guys!

We had today off.  We went to Frankenmuth...

We go every year.  This place is the happiest on earth.  My husband, AKA Clark Griswold...

...was in heaven.  If it weren't so cold outside I'd take a picture of our house.  It closely resembles the one above.  Let's just say, I wasn't able to blow dry my hair yesterday morning because I kept blowing the fuse.  All those lights suck up a lot of energy!

Yesterday was a half day of school for us.  Contrary to what so many people think - it wasn't a half day for the teachers.  It was our records day.  If you can believe it, my cards are actually almost done - now that's a miracle!  It must have been the cozy fire that put me in the mood to get things done...

This "fire" lasted 10 minutes on YouTube - it was our "timer" for our daily 10 minute snack time.

At the end of each writing unit I send a letter home with the "pile 'o writing" explaining what we worked on.  A bunch of you asked for a copy of it on Instagram.  I'm not sure how helpful it will be since it is specific to what I taught this trimester - but if you can use it, it's yours.

Click the pic to grab yours!

If you haven't entered my Pay it Forward giveaway, which I'm pretty sure you haven't since only 2 people have {insert really sad face here} if you could take a moment to do that, that would be great. When you enter, you have an opportunity to give a shout out to a charity that is near and dear to your heart.  You also have a chance to win 50 dollars for that charity - it's all in the name of paying it forward.  PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE consider entering.  It's super easy too - you get one entry by sharing the name of our charity in a comment and another entry if you give someone a hug! Seriously....it doesn't get much easier than that!  Enter {here}.

Alrighty - time to make the mashed potatoes.  HA! I'm totally kidding.  My husband does that.  Time to go see if I can lick the bowl...

Fourth Annual Pay It Forward Giveaway

Happy Sunday!

So, I started this giveaway four years ago.  Making this post for the past four years just makes me smile.  I wish I could give more but every little bit counts. This time of year can be such a blessed & happy time for people but it can also be a struggle.  There are so many wonderful organizations out there to give to and I enjoy learning about new ones during this giveaway. 

Here are the organizations we've given to in the past.  Maybe you'll find a new one to give to yourself! 

Three Years Ago:

Two Years Ago:

Last Year:

So here's the skinny - you enter the giveaway.  One of the entries requires you to leave a comment telling what organization you would like a donation to be given.  If you feel like sharing why this charity is special to you I would love to hear your story and it's a beautiful way to honor somebody special to you.  I know others out there find themselves thinking of others, especially at this time of year, so this might help them find a new charity to give to.  This giveaway is all about paying it forward.

Once I choose a "winner" I'll give 50 dollars in your name to your charity of choice.  

If you are a blogger and you'd like to start a similar giveaway I would be tickled pink to see that happen.  After all, that's the whole idea behind "pay it forward".  That's always been my vision for this - it would be really cool to see this spread!

Enter below!

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Trashy Crafter - Product Review & Giveaway!

Hi All!

I'm pretty sure it's a given that I love to read - have you met a teacher who doesn't? I started reading to my own boys from day one...when they were inside my belly.  Whenever I would read Dr. Seuss to my students BOTH my boys would start kicking like crazy...no kidding.  When Kim emailed me asking if I would be interested in reviewing her jewelry and shared the story behind her love for being a Trashy Crafter I honestly didn't even have to think about it and I knew EXACTLY which set I wanted because of its significance in my life.

This set was made from the story Fox in Socks
Photo Source: Trashy Crafter

This Dr. Seuss recycled bracelet set is made from damaged or outdated library or thrift store books, along with repurposed broken necklace beads. All of our bracelets are 100% recycled, and therefore are unique and one of a kind, once this set is sold it's gone forever. We hand cut, roll, coat and spray all of our book beads we use for our jewelry in sunny San Diego California.  ~Source:  Etsy

I couldn't wait for my order to arrive!

Seriously, could this packaging be any cuter?!?

There's just something about their mission that touches my heart.  I don't know about you, but I have a VERY hard time putting any books in the garbage.  No matter how torn or tattered they are - missing pages and everything - I just can't stand to place a book in the garbage can.  To think....this book and others are SAVED from the circular file!!!!

The silliest story - when I read this story to my own kids and my first grade students I tell them to keep track of how many times my tongue gets twisted.  I always try to beat my record... I've never been able to read that story without making at least one mistake...but I tell you, I'm FAST!!!!!!

I could just hug Kim and her mom for their creativity and love for books!

Kim and her mom do take custom orders if you have a certain book you love you can send it to them in the mail and they can make the jewelry for you from the book, map, sheet music, letter, children's drawing - anything as long as it's paper, really.  They also take custom orders if you don't have the book.  They order the most damaged book with that title from Amazon and use that to make their jewelry.  If you are interested please contact them at TrashyCrafter@gmail.com  

I can't wait to wear it to school and tell everybody the significance behind these bracelets {remember my babies who kicked like crazy in my belly when they heard a Dr. Seuss story?!?}.  

I slyly asked my bestest friend whose birthday was in March what her kids favorite books were...they loved and still love Kevin Henkes.  Guess what I'm going to order for a belated birthday present?  How special will that be?!?  I'm  also thinking end of the year teacher gift for my son's teacher...this just might be my "signature gift"... it's so unique and something I've never seen before.  I just love it and I bet you do too.

Lucky you...because Kim is giving away one 2 piece bracelet set to one of you!!!!  I'm hoping YOU win...but just in case your luck is like mine, she is also offering 15% off good for anything in her Etsy shop for the duration of the giveaway week. Just use this code:  tc2014

If you're wanting to check things out you can find the Trashy Crafter in lots of different places:

Blog

Shop

Facebook

Pinterest

Instagram: Trashy Crafter

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Good luck!  Check back later to learn more about Kim and her Trashy Crafter story!  It'll touch your teacher heart!

HUGE Firstie Friends Giveaway!

Hello friends! Are you ready for a HUGE giveaway? Some AMAZING teacher bloggers have put together a fantastic set of prizes for you. We have 42 bloggers participating, so we are giving away a prize pack of 14 products each to 3 winners! :) You can enter on the Firstie Friends Facebook Page, and you can earn a LOT of entries. Go to the tabs under the header picture and click the tab that says "Giveaway". The giveaway will end on Monday, August 4th at 8pm CST. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Thank you so much for reading! Good luck in the giveaway!

Third Annual Pay it Forward Giveaway

Hi All!

It's so hard to believe the holidays are upon us.  How did that happen?  No, really - HOW did that happen? I feel like we were just setting up our classrooms.

I have so many blessings in my life.  I bet you do too.  I try to remember them as often as I can.  Sometimes life just gets the best of me and I forget to really be thankful for what I have.

For the past two years I've hosted the "Pay it Forward Giveaway" {$50 dollars to one charity of your choice}.  One of the entries is to leave a blog comment telling what organization you'd like for the donation to be made.  I love having you do this because, in the spirit of giving, someone might have their interest piqued and choose to give an additional donation.  I remember this organization from last year...

And this one from two years ago...

I'm so moved and inspired by those wanting to honor others or make the world a sweeter place to be.

So please, go enter.  Each entry to "win" is in the spirit of paying it forward.  I hope this giveaway makes your heart smile as much as it does mine.
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Starbucks Anybody? *Giveaway* *Updated*

Have some of you really gone back to school?  You have, haven't you?  I guess when your last day was in May that makes sense to be going back already.  Me, on the other hand, well I was still teaching mid-June, so thankfully and blessedly I don't go back until the end of August and kids start back after Labor Day.

Here's the problem. MY problem.  We haven't always started after Labor Day.  We used to go back mid-August.  Which meant once the calendar flipped over to August 1st my head was thinking "Back to School". Unfortunately, I can't shift my thinking and I'm already chomping at the bit. 

Can I share an ugly secret with you?

I've been buying, printing and making things all summer and then I hide them behind a chair.  No need to put hubby on high alert.  Really, I'm only thinking about him because that's the kinda wife I am.  

So, while my days of waking up to an alarm are still in the distance...as are my weekly {that's the plan...ONCE a week people, NOT daily} visits to Starbucks...I recognize a ton of you are hearing that wretched buzz of yours.  I thought I would try to make your harried first weeks a little sweeter by giving away two $10 gift eCards to Starbucks!!!!!

I can almost smell the Pumpkin Spice Lattes!!!!!

I'll choose two winners on Wednesday, August 7th, using my boys' as random number generators!

Leave a comment with advice for those who are new to teaching! 

{Giveaway Closed}

{Include your email address}

"Like" me on Facebook

Follow my TpT Store

{Leave three separate comments - for three entries - this girl is "old school" - I'm getting rid of the mall hair next week!}

Winners announced, August 7th...sometime....let's say when it's a freckle past a hair.

Toodles!

Congrats to Barbara {#8 because my "baby" is 8} and Jenalyn {#11 because my oldest is 11}!  My boys thought it would be cool to choose based on their ages!

Check your email in a few...

Enjoy!

Am I the Only One?

Hey Everybody!
I've had some time {It's spring break!} to think about different practices or routines around my classroom.  Then I started to wonder if I'm a little different?

One routine that I found myself mulling over was what my kids do when they first come into the classroom.  I know many teachers do "bell work" or "morning work" but I don't. I don't for a reason.

My first graders have a lot of "jobs" they have to take care of in the morning before they finally sit down at their desks.  They have to...

*Take of all their winter gear - hang it up neatly or should I say "neatly"?
*Put their reading zippies in their bookshelves {They bring home books each night and bring them back each morning and place them in their plastic magazines holders - i.e. "bookshelves"}
*Place their lunchboxes in the lunchbox bin
*Library books in the library bin
*Check their take home folder and put any items for the teacher in the "home notes bin" and any homework they might have had in the "shining work box"
*If they have a "before announcement job" they need to do that {i.e. jobs on our calendar - add a stick, add a dot, add a square {all different visual models for how many days we've been in school}, change the date, check the weather, etc.}

Then they sit down and chat.  Yeah, they chat. Quietly {pretty much} and I have them do that on purpose. 

It's only for about two minutes by the time the get all of their morning jobs done and before I turn on the t.v. to watch our morning announcements - but the quicker you get your morning stuff done, the more time you have to "chat at the water cooler".

I've really embraced the notion of emulating real life in my classroom whenever I can.  From the way it looks {cozy lamp, anyone?} to the way it smells {lavender or green apple...mmmm}, to the way it feels {pillows, couches, wiggle seats...}. Long before we were asked to state our learning goal, I was stating our learning goal.  I've also tried to relate what we're learning to...you guessed it...real life.  I like for kids to know they will actually use what they are learning in the "real world".

I think, after seeing Kathy Collins at a conference where she shared a story about her friend/mentor Debbie Miller, I REALLY embraced fostering "real life" in my classroom.  Debbie Miller had asked how often do you finish a story, close up the book, and turn to your significant other asking for a shoebox and scissors because you needed to get started on your diorama.  Never?

What does that have to do with chatting with your classmates rather than getting right down to business with a sponge activity?  When I get to work I like to chat.  It all starts in the parking lot, I usually will walk and talk with  a colleague...just catching up...what'd you do last night?  Any plans for the weekend?  Small talk.  Then I stop by the office, chat up a secretary or two.  Then I walk past "the kitchen" - that's my second grade neighbor's classroom.  She's "the kitchen" of our school.  Lots of chatting, venting and problem solving go on in "the kitchen". 

After I get all caught up, {my social needs are satisfied} I'm ready to move some mountains. I'm ready to get 'er done!

I figure my students are the same way.  It might only be two or three minutes ...maybe five if you were efficient with those darn snow pants!!! - but at least they were given the opportunity to be social {let's face it - first graders are mighty social creatures}...

...and now you can hunker down.  And they do!

I wonder if I'm the only one?  Am I missing some crucial minutes to get some review under their belts?  Should I rethink my thinking?  What are your thoughts?

On a different note...

I wanted to send you over to a couple of giveaways {after you comment here, of course!}...

Kathy is having a great giveaway - and you could win any item from my store - among other cool stuff!



Leigh is having an awesome giveaway to celebrate her bloggy makeover! You might win my nonfiction writing unit - or, you guessed it, some other cool stuff!

 

You really can't leave until you tell me I'm not the only one.  Okay, I guess you don't have to say that - because you really don't have to agree with me if you don't want to.  I just want to know your thoughts!  When do you allow for chatting - pure, social, for no other reason but to chat - chatting in your classroom?  Do you think it's important?

 

Thanks bunches!

Easy Peasy Paper Monster Duo Trimmer *Giveaway*

Hey Everybody!

Did you know that my husband is a teacher too?  It's so nice to have somebody who "gets it" {mostly}.  He appreciates our blessings, but he always understands my frustrations because, often, he shares in them.

What he doesn't get is my adoration for office equipment - namely my personal laminator & paper cutter.  To be honest, I didn't even know I "needed" them until they made their way into my life.  Now?  Honestly, I couldn't live without them.

I've got my eye on a full size copy machine next....maybe a RISO?!

I was contacted by MyBinding.Com to review one of their products.  I chose the paper cutter.  I thought it was time to beef up my paper cutting prowess at home...so I went from this:

To this:

Do you know how I defend my need for home office equipment?  Time is precious.  Frustrations are abundant.  If I can find something - anything that will make my life easier and less chaotic - I'm ALL for it. 

I'm a person who takes things home with me.  I wish I could get to school super early {okay, no I don't - if I had that option, I'd want to sleep in, who am I kidding?!?}, or stay late {that's more my speed} but I have a sweet family to think of, so I can't.  Instead, I punch the clock for another couple of hours of work once the kiddos are snug as bugs in their beds. 

Tonight I needed to do some cutting from home and finished just. like. that.  Almost as fast as I snarfed down my Vanilla Cupcake Goldfish Grahams {shh - don't tell my boys I inhaled the whole package...have you tried those?  YUMMY!}

So maybe the cutting didn't happen quite like. that.  Between bites, I was able to cut out some certificates and some strips of construction paper without a problem...easy peasy.

 

Some of the features I love:

*It's the perfect size
*It has both the trimmer {slides} and the guillotine
*The trimmer does straight lines, waves and perforates {how cool!}

Here's a little video demonstration from their site...





I'm sure by now you're thinking that you might need some office equipment in your house.  Don't worry - you get used to the eye rolls from significant others or friends; but from one convert to another...you won't regret it!

MyBinding.Com is a company who supports educators - who doesn't like the sound of that?  They offered to give away one Paper Monster Home Duo Trimmer and Guillotine to one lucky follower! 

The name of the game tonight is EASY PEASY...so that's how I'm going to make entering!



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Good luck!!!!!