"Cookin' Up Numbers" Giveaway Contest

I have just uploaded my "Cookin' Up Numbers" Math Center Activities. I love to share, so I am hosting a giveaway that will go through Friday until midnight. Here's how you can win. Click here and follow my TpT Store and leave me a comment on my blog here saying you are a follower. Or, follow my blog page, and leave me a comment saying you are a follower of my blog. Be sure to leave your email so I can send the packet to the winner.  Contest ends Friday (2-3-2012) at midnight.  Winner will be announced Saturday.

Here's a sneak peak of what I'm "Cooking Up!"

I am creating a packet of strictly Math Centers.  This packet will follow the common core standards and will be packed with lots of fun centers for your kiddos.  I always like to give away one of these to a lucky winner.  Keep checking back for my giveaway.  I hope to have them completed in a week or so!!

"Hearts Forever" Common Core Math and Literacy Centers

I just heart Valentine's Day!! It seems to put me in better spirits with all the reds and pinks flying around. I just uploaded my "Hearts Forever" Common Core Math and Literacy Centers to my TpT store. I am giving one of these away for FREE! All you have to do is click (here), become a follower of my TpT store, then leave me a comment below saying you follow my TpT store. Please leave your email address in your comment so that I can email you the free product. Good Luck!! I'm also giving one away on my Facebook page (here). Thanks and Good Luck!

"Heart Attack" Behavior Punch Cards!!

I am always trying to find ways to reward GOOD student behavior.  I sometimes feel like those good students get left out because you are focusing on bad behavior.  I just finished creating my "Heart Attack" Behavior Punch Cards for February.  All you have to do is print them on card stock and cut out.  Place student's names on the line provided and punch away.  Each time you catch a student being good, punch one of the hearts out.  Once he/she has all hearts punched, they can pick a prize.  The teacher of course can choose what prizes they want to give.  Examples might be:  candy, free 100% on spelling test, pencil, etc.  You could even make it a competition to see who can get the most behavior cards punched in the month of February!!!  Just click here to download your FREE copy.  Please be sure to go back to my TpT store and provide feedback.  Thanks.

Back to School I Go!

So, I am taking two ESL courses to get my endorsement.  Also, our district pays us for these course, so I figured why not.  I teach at a school that has a high ESL population, so I figured hopefully I can gain more knowledge to better serve them in learning.  However, I am quite apprehensive when it comes to doing classes myself.  I haven't had to write a paper, or post a discussion, or research stuff since I finished my master's degree in Reading three years ago.  As I was reading my first chapter about linguistics and the study of how people communicate and why we use words for specific meanings, I came across this comment that I will leave you to ponder:  "Why do we park in the driveway and drive on the parkway?????  LOL!!

St. Patrick's Day Freebie!

You are probably thinking, St. Patrick's already!!!  I know, I know, but I wanted to give myself plenty of time to get this product created and out by early February so that you have time to print it off and get it ready for March.  So, until I post my entire product, enjoy the freebie.  Just check my Free Downloads to the side and click on "St. Patrick's I have who has."  Enjoy!!  Be on the lookout for a chance to WIN this product!!

Love to Joplin!!

Follow the link below to help teachers in Joplin, Missouri.  They are trying to rebuild their town and schools after the devastating tornado that ripped through their community.  Please help if you are able.
http://www.mrswillskindergarten.com/2012/01/love-to-joplin-linky-party.html

Dr. Seuss FREEBIE!

Do you love Dr. Seuss as much as I do?  I just downloaded a free product for your Dr. Seuss unit.  It contains one math and one literacy center.  Hop on over to my TpT store and get it now.  All I ask in return is that you follow me at TpT and check back for more great products that are in the making.  Thanks and enjoy!

http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Dr-Seuss-Centers-Math-and-Literacy

Bookmark Freebie

I created these bookmarks to help with organization with my kids when they go to library.  My kiddos go to library from 10:35-11:05, and we go to lunch at 11:06.  I was having to pick them up from library and take them directly to lunch, (lunch is something you never want to be late to).  Anyways, my kids would just leave their library books in the library on the table and I would take them back to the library after our lunch recess.  Well, let me just say it was not an ideal situation.  So I asked our wonderful librarian if we could just bring one of those milk crates down and the kids could stack their books in there so I can just take them straight back to our classroom and not have to bring them back so they could get their books.  She was completely fine with that, but was worried how we would keep track of which book goes with which child.  So that is why I ended up creating these bookmarks.  Each child will get two bookmarks, because they are able to check out two books.  Each Friday, they will get their bookmarks before library time, and once they have checked out their books, they insert one bookmark in each book.  That way when we are back in class and I am passing their books out to them, I will know which book goes with which child.  Yep, pretty boring blog, but just wanted to share the meaning behind why I created these.  You are welcome to use them any way you see fit.  If you would like me to type your student's names in them, please shoot me an email at:  sarahmackey2@yahoo.com.  I will be more than happy to type them in for you and send them back through email.  Thanks. 

A BIG THANK YOU!!

A big "Thank You" goes out to, Diane and Kelly, from Made for 1st grade.  These are two lovely ladies who among many others have inspired me.  They are also the number one sellers on TpT in Kansas.  I can only hope to become at least as half as successful as they have become.  Check them out here, many great products that are great for primary grades.  Thanks for the shout out ladies!!!  It means the world to me!!

That was rough!!

O.K. my blogging friends!!!  After being off of work now for two weeks and then going back today to 21 first graders, I am exhausted.  I forgot how much energy it took to get through a day and keep things running smoothly.  But, they were excited to be back and I guess now looking at it, I am too.  They keep me young and smilin.  We did a project where we brainstormed ideas about New Year's Resolutions.  Wow!!  O.K. after we got through figuring out what "brainstorm" means and then what a "resolution" is, they finally came up with some great ones.  My favorite was "I am going to drink more milk in 2012!"  You go girl!!! 

I myself am brainstorming ideas for some lucky St. Patricks day packets or possibly Easter packets with math/literacy centers.  So if you have any suggestions on what a great center would be, let me know.  I can see what I can come up with and include it in my packet. 

First Day Back and Centers!!!

Well I survived going back to work after our wonderful two week vacation.  Granted, we didn't have kids yet, but hey you have to start somewhere!!  So here's what I need help with from all you wonderful fellow teachers, how do you incorporate centers into your daily plans?  I have acquired many wonderful center activities from TpT authors like:  Erica Bohrer, Rachelle Smith, and MrsMc and now I'm trying to figure out if there is a more logical/organized way to plan them. 

So here's my question to you!  How do you use centers in your classroom?  Do you have a special time set aside each day strictly for center time?  Do you use centers as activities for kiddos to do when you are doing guided reading?  Do you do Math and Literacy centers at different times of the day or at the same time?
Thanks!!!

Oh Dear!!!

Well my Christmas vacation is over now.  I have loved spending time with my two daughters (ages 8 & 2).  I don't know if I will be ready to rise tomorrow morning or not.  At least it's a work day, but I have to get my report cards all ready to be sent home and figure out what I am doing when the kiddos arrive on Thursday!!!!  How did you feel about going back after break?  Were you ready? 

Calendar Printables with monthly math pattern activities!!

This is my new 71 page document for the new year.  Do you need to spruce up your calendar.  Follow the link below to see my new calendar printables.  Each month follows a pattern such as ABAB, ABBABB, etc.  Activity pages are also included so students can also fill out the patterns for each month.  I couldn't get the thumbnails to work so please click on the "download preview" to see sample pages.  Thanks.

http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Calendar-Printables-with-monthly-math-pattern-activities

Christmas Activities in First Grade

 My students were so excited to take this home and spread the reindeer food on their lawns so Santa could find them.  The label in the bag came from Erica Bohrer's Teaching Resources. 

These are some photos of my word wall.  I love my polka dot labels from Erica Bohrer!  She has some amazing products.

This is what my first graders made for their parents for Christmas.  This idea came from a good friend and teacher in my district.  I painted their foot to get the reindeer's head and painted their hands to get the antlers.   A wonderful parent volunteer made the Welcome sign from sponges.  They loved making these and I hope the parents liked them too.

Happy New Year!

I can't believe it is already 2012.  Where does the time go?  Do you make New Year's Resolutions?   My resolution this year is to be more creative, and of course, try to become more organized in my home life and for sure at school.  Organization is hard, I know what I need to do, but just finding the time to do it is the hard part. 

What do you do for a New Year's Resolution?  Do you have one?

Here's to wishing every one of my wonderful followers a wonderful and blessed New Year!!