0 Let's Read...Book of the Month Linky

I am so excited – I have a great linky to share today!! 1…2…3…Teach with Me is having a Book of the Month linky. What a great idea to gather new holiday book ideas for your classroom. 

 Here are a few of my favorite books for December… 

I use these with my Nutcracker unit. 

And, no one could resist the Grinch! I love using this with To Make the Grinch Grin I Would (Class Book) by Mel at Suesstastic Classroom Inspirations. Get it free at TpT. 

and

I use these with my gingerbread unit. 

 Happy Tuesday friends!! Hope you’ve had a fantastic week so far!

Detail: Let's Read...Book of the Month Linky

0 Blogging for the Classroom & Great Giveaways

This will probably be my last Wednesday blog for awhile! I am heading back to school tomorrow – it’s track-in time! My time off has flown by, but I’m ready to go back knowing that next month we’ll get a little time off for the holidays. 

This next track-in does seem to be my longest stretch though – getting through the winter months is just as hard for a year-round teacher.  I remember teaching traditional and thinking knowing spring break would never arrive!!  On a more serious note, I have some questions for my bloggy friends…

Do you have a blog for your class?  Do you use your personal blog as a classroom blog? 

I’m thinking about starting a blog for my students and their families. I know, really?! like I need one more thing on my plate. I already have my Blackboard site, but I don’t use it that much. I find that blogging is way easier. Please let me know what you do because I’m curious and would love your opinions before I start something I shouldn’t…or start something that would be fantastic!! I know I can count on my virtual teacher friends :)

Here are some great giveaways that I am excited to be a part of right now. You know I love a great giveaway!!

Mrs. Jones Kindergarten is hosting a Primary Holiday Giveaway! This is her first giveaway, so make sure you head over there and give her some bloggy love & support!!

From my store you can win…one of my holiday favorites…The Nutcracker station and activities unit!!

And…First Grade with a Twist(love the name of her blog) is having a giveaway too!  She has reached her 100 follower goal!!  Yayyy!! 

From my store you can win…Diary of a … {A winter writing unit}.  I can’t wait to use this next month with my kids! As soon as we do, I’ll snap some pictures & post the results!!!

Don’t procrastinate!  Make sure you head over to these amazing blogs and enter their giveaways today…and give me your opinions…to blog (for my classroom) or not?

Peace out peeps!

Detail: Blogging for the Classroom & Great Giveaways

0 Cyber Monday & My Favorite Things

I am so excited – next Monday and Tuesday is the Cyber Monday and Tuesday TpT Sale!! That is up to 28% off most stores!!

Here is how it works – most stores are already offering 20% off.  If you enter promo code CMT12 you receive an additional 10% off.  That makes it –  forgive me because I’m not a math major, but I do know that 20+10 is 30 – 28% off the regular price.

Here is the real break down because, like I said, I'm no math major – I needed remediation! You get 20% off the price, so if you have a product for $3.00 – you are paying $2.40.  And then you take 10% off the $2.40 – you are now paying $2.16.

Shut the front door! Like my Dad always says, “that’s almost free!”  This Daddy’s girl can’t pass up anything that is “almost” free – you can double check with Mr. Realistic or VISA for verification!

I’m also linking up with The Hands on Teacher in First.  Did you really think I would pass up a party this close to the holidays – not a chance!! 

One of my favorite things to do in our class this time of the year is Holidays & Traditions around the World.  Now, I can’t remember where our grade-level gathered ALL of our materials – we have a metric TON – but I that some of what we use came from Christina Bainbridge’s Christmas Around the World (yes, I’m a HUGE fan!!) and her adorable Christmas Around the World Scrapbook freebie on TpT!! One of my all time favorites! We switch classes for writing so we implement this in during our writing time!! Yayyy!! It means I get to do more fun stuff with my kiddo’s in addition to the other projects we do this time of year.

This probably goes without saying because I think everyone loves The Grinch!

The Nutcracker– it’s a long story and I won’t retell it – but if you’re curious, check out my Nutcracker post!

Reindeer!!  I love the book Olive, the Other Reindeer!!

Gingerbread

Okay – seriously?! I could go on forever & I know you don’t have that much time!! I’ve covered a ton of school favorites & I won’t even get into my personal favorites list, no one has time for that!

Enjoy your Turkey Day tomorrow all!  I know I will be snuggled up sitting next to my boys and enjoying some family time!!

Love, peace & chicken turkey grease! ~Realistic

Detail: Cyber Monday & My Favorite Things

0 5 for Five & Manic Monday

Whoa – I can’t believe it is Monday again, already! It seems like November has zoomed by!!

One of the great things this week is that my son and his girlfriend will be home from college for Thanksgiving break on Tuesday evening! Yayyy!! I’ve missed the oldest Realistic son and girlfriend. Of course, they will have to leave again on Sunday, but that means 5 days with him! Youngest Realistic has already signed up for his “time slots” so that he can get some video game time. Seriously!?! Boys!

I’m linking with Jenn & Jessica's 5 for Five list again this week.

Here is how last week turned out…

1. Finish the Nutcracker Unit – Check, done! It turned out great and I can’t wait to use it!! I won’t go into all the details again so if you’re curious check out my blog post here.

 2. Go to the gym…um, not so much. It is going on the list again this week. Since I have been tracked out I’ve found it hard to fit my typical workout into my routine.

3. Focus on the growth of my blog and Facebook pages – Check, done!! I have a few new followers this week and I have posted quite a few times. I’m not done growing, but can say I’m happy with the progress I made this week!

4. Start & possibly finish my Christmas Eve Pack – Check, done! I am so excited about the way it turned out!! I can’t wait to give it to my kiddos before break. It is always amazing that when I give them “extra” work they race to do it – like it’s a holiday treat! You can check out my post & get it for FREE here!

5. Eat breakfast everyday… nope, didn’t make this one either. Like I said before, my routine is totally off since I’m tracked out. I feel like a traditional teacher in the summer, except I still have to get up early to get youngest Realistic to school I just eat what I want when I want. Not a good thing…

This week’s goals…

1. Check out a new – non-teaching – library book. And READ it! I need to take some time for myself this week.

 2. Get oldest Realistic his new phone – for his birthday! Yayyy – I can’t wait to get him the new i-phone. He needs a new phone for sure!!

3. Get to the gym at least twice this week – today for sure!! I can’t miss Monday Zumba!!

4. Continue to grow my little slice of cyberspace… a repeat from last week, but important to me right now. 

5. Take time to enjoy my family and friends. Maybe we can make some time to see the new Lincoln movie – no, not the one with vampires, the other “historical” one. I have to convince the kids to go with me…I might have a plan!

 Okay – I know I’m long winded today, but don’t leave yet – I have a Manic Monday freebie for you!! A creative writing freebie – If I Had Magic Shoes…

Have a great Monday all!!

Detail: 5 for Five & Manic Monday

0 Terrific Tuesday Done List

Even though I am currently tracked-out (on a mini-summer – three week – vacation to traditional teachers) I have spent the last few days working on a new project. I know – I should probably be cleaning my house, organizing the house, grocery shopping, or folding laundry, but I am trying to avoid that at all costs, so I accidentally got “caught” up creating a new unit.

Let me explain how it all started...cue the music...

I remember seeing The Nutcracker ballet every year as a little girl. My mom would take me; it was a special mommy & daughter day. I alwasy felt very grown up. It was also a treat because I knew a few of the girls in the ballet and LOVED to watch them dance.

This is probably because I tripped over my feet just walking with gum in my mouth as a child - ah, some things never change...but on with my story...

 

I loved to watch the story of Clara's dream world - it was always amazing to me that the stage could change so quickly.  This year, while thinking about something special to do with my students in December, I came up with a brilliant idea!

I'm planning on reading different versions of The Nutcracker books in class nad having a "Nutcracker" day (Yes, I might have to change the name - it sounds a little, um, well...) I thought I would do something similar to what we do on "Gingerbread" day.  I've created 8 stations (activities) for students to complete. I assign them small groups.  Then I am going to host a hot cocoa bar and we'll watch the ballet - on You Tube since I don't think we can know we can't arrange a fieldtrip at this late date.  So, without further ado - here is my new unit...

 

Now, instead of cleaning, I think I'll update my Christmas Eve and Gingerbread files so I can have them ready when I return to work in December.  Hopefully, Mr. Realistic won't notice that the house is still just as disorganized as it was this morning...keeping my fingers crossed.

Detail: Terrific Tuesday Done List