Long Vowels and a SUPERBOWL SALE!

Hi everyone!  I can't believe it's already Superbowl time.  My favorite thing about Superbowl? The party munchies!!!  There's something about that one day of all those delicious finger foods that makes my mouth water days in advance.  While I usually go over to one of my sister's houses for a party, this year we are staying home.  So for fun let me share the secret to my Superbowl food success - guacamole mix.  I've tried several mixes and most are pretty good.  I favor the ones that are labeled "spicy" for that extra kick.  Add 2 avocados and about 1/4 cup sour cream and it is like a piece of heaven I tell you.  If you like guacamole give it a try!  You can find the mixes in the produce section at most supermarkets. (Sorry for going on, I just realized as I write this that I'm really hungy!)

Aside from the food, there is a NEW reason to love Superbowl Sunday - in honor of Superbowl Sunday I am joining up with Tpt's Superbowl Sale!  This Sunday all items in my store will be 20% off plus an extra 8% off when you enter the code: SUPER at checkout. Here are a few of my latest units you may want to check out.  They are all activity packs focused on the magic e pattern for long vowels.  Click on the pictures to get the details on my Tpt store.

Here are a few pics from the Long I and A units in action!

My Team Knows How to Throw a Party!!!

I started this little blog last Spring and had wonderful plans to take it full speed ahead last summer.  My plans changed last Father's Day when my husband and I learned we are expecting our first child this February - a girl! All those units I planned to make and blog posts to write last summer were put on hold due to that unpleasant all day long morning sickness.  I had just began feeling better when I started back to work in August. With the craziness of work and taking care of myself, my blog and Tpt endeavors have gone much more slowly than planned.  I still check my email daily, love reading YOUR blogs, and have an enormous amount of units on my wish list :).  I am also slowly but surely continuing to make more units and hope to have a some completed in the next few weeks.  (They've been about half way done for a month, yikes!)

So back to my title post!  My wonderful first grade team threw me a FABULOUS baby shower just before Christmas break and I had to share it with you.  They went ALL OUT.  I was speechless with how thoughtful and generous they were.  I work with 6 other first grade teachers and they know how to throw a party!!! Check out these pics from the party:

Can you believe this cake?!?!  It was like something from Cake Boss.  It was so pretty I didn't want to eat it,  but I totally did and enjoyed every minute of it! I love chocolate :) 

 These M&Ms were specially made at the M&M factory in Vegas by one of the first grade teachers.  She picked out the colors and graphics especially for the party.  Thanks Jean!

 Our staff lounge never looked so good, well last years Christmas party is a close second (again, organized by one of our first grade teachers!).  I love how they hung the purple and white butcher paper to hide the copy machine.  Look at all those balloons and paper pom poms!  I don't know how well you can see it but they put baby confetti and vases of lavender on the tables.  Notice a theme? They did a lavender theme because that's the color we picked for the nursery.

 Just another look at that cake.  It was amazing - I wish there was more!

 The party begins!  Look at all those fabulous educators :)

 Here I am opening up some gifts.  I LOVE this outfit!  Puppies and Mary Jane socks - how could it be any cuter?

As if the cake wasn't enough, these cupcakes were delicious as well!  They were so pretty!

Not only did they have treats but they also had super yummy food from a local restaurant.  Just thinking about it makes me hungry again...

Thanks again to my wonderful team/friends: Amy, Cris, Debbie, Jean, Jil, and Mike.  I enjoy working with you all and I am so happy to be part of this team!!! P.S. - Charlie thanks you too!

Silence for Sandy Hook Elementary

When I Was in 1st Grade....

Second Grade Sparkle is having a fun linky party and I've decided to join up.  To join the party I'm sharing a picture of myself when I was in the grade I teach now and a current picture of myself.  

Here I am in my 1st grade school picture.  My 1st grade teacher still teaches first at the same elementary school :)

Here I am last summer on vacation.  Now you know my hair isn't naturally this light! hehe

Want to join in on the fun? Here are the rules:

1. Post a picture (or two!) of you from when you were in the grade you teach (or around there).
2. Post a picture of you now! :)
3. Be nice and visit others to comment.
Have fun!!

Click on the picture below to head over to Second Grade Sparkle and get started!

Long A a_e & SALES!!!

With a few extra days off I had a chance to finish up my Long A unit.  It focuses on the a_e pattern for Long A.  I may do another unit with other spelling patterns for Long A in the future, but next week we are just teaching a_e so I focused on that.  I went with a baking theme and looking at all those graphics gave me a sweet tooth!  It has more activities than the other recent units I've done - I was feeling extra inspired :)  Here is what looks like:

For more info on what's included head over to my Tpt store or TN shop!

While you're there download my latest Christmas FREEBIE ~ Elf Hat!

Thank you Ashley for the ADORABLE button!!!

SALE TIME :)

As you've probably heard, many Tpt stores are participating in a Cyber Monday + Tuesday sale.  I am too! So if you are interested in the above unit, or any others, you can grab it at a discounted price Monday and Tuesday.  Don't forget to enter the code: cmt12 at checkout to receive 28% off products in my store. 

Tpt isn't the only one having a sale.  Teachers Notebook is having a sale RIGHT NOW, no waiting until Monday!  Their sale started Saturday and ends Monday at midnight.  Many shops are participating, me too!

Click on the links below to grab the deals!

My store on TPT

My shop on TN

Happy Shopping :)

Elf Hat ~ FREEBIE!

I hope everyone has had a nice Thanksgiving holiday and you are enjoying a few extra days off.  I had Thanksgiving dinner at my parents' house and it was great to see the family.  My pecan pies were a hit and I have been voted the official pecan pie maker in the family.  Taking over pecan pies are BIG shoes to fill.  My grandma has always made them, but at 95 she was happy to pass on the recipe and just enjoy them.

Now it's time to start thinking about Christmas!  I was looking through my Christmas files on Tuesday and came across the elf hat template I made when I was teaching kindergarten.  I really don't think the picture does it justice, the students look SO CUTE in these hats!  So, I had to share with you.  Click on the links below to get your FREEBIE!

On TPT click HERE

On TN click HERE

*UPDATE- I have linked up this post with Fabulicious Freebies on the First.  Click on the link below to head over to Freebielicious and grab more fun freebies!

Mr. Turkey

We have been having a lot of fun with all of our November activities.  It's amazing to me how many times students will sing a song and not get tired of it :).  One of the songs I enjoy teaching them in November is called "Mr. Turkey". It's simple and fun, check the poster I made below.

 Hand Movements:

"Big and fat" - hold arms out in a circle in front of you

"I am going to eat you" - pretend to be putting food in your mouth

"Just like that" - "Just" right hand out palm up, "like" left hand out palm up, "that" clap hands together

Along with some fun turkey songs, we made some fact family turkeys.  These fact family turkeys came from Erica Bohrer's unit Thanksgiving Art, Literacy, and Math Activities.  This is a great unit with many fun activities for November. 

 For the turkey eyes I used some self adhesive googly eyes I found at the Target Dollar Spot in August.  Now I'm asking myself 'WHY did I not buy more of these?!?!'  You know how students can't resist touching a googly eye that has not completely dried....well you don't have to worry about that with the self adhesive!  The eyes won't move once put on, so now I'm on the look out for more!  

This week is a two day work week for us and then a few days off for Thanksgiving vacation - yay!!!  I wish everyone a wonderful time with family and friends this Thanksgiving.