More Great Giveaways...Some Ending SOON!

There are some GREAT giveaways going on right now!  AND what teacher does not like free!  You should really go check these out (I'm sure there are more that I'm missing)!  Some of them are ending SOON!  Good Luck!

Personalized Items from "The Polka Dot Patch"

 

Drawing Sunday, July 31st

3 lucky followers will win a FREE upgraded InLinkz account for 4 months!

Giveaway ends Monday, August 1st at Noon

3 Great Prizes

Giveaway ends August 7th

$25 to Amazon

Giveaway ends Tuesday, August 2nd

Giveaway ends July 31st

THREE Donor's Choose $10 Gift Cards

Giveaway ends August 1st

Reading and Math Power Towers

So I was perusing blogland in-between coats of paint (no, my classroom is finished, painting in my almost finished basement). Anywho I came upon Teaching In High Heels. Gladys has blogged about some cute ideas, so I was checking them out. I came across the Reading and Math Towers.





I wasn't sure what they were, but knew they MUST be fun! (It reminded me of the cup stackers game...my 2nd and 3rd graders used to love it!)  So I went to teachertipster.com (never been there before, but it's great)to find out more! Mr. Smith has some great tips to share, including a video on the Power Towers! He suggests using them for sight words and math facts, but I can see uses for colors, shapes, numbers, letters, sounds, rhyming...the list is endless (well I'm sure it will eventually end). There is also a link to Mrs. Gilchrist's blog that has FREE, super cute labels for the Reading and Math Towers! I can't wait to get my cups and Pringles (just for the cans, of course) and get a some made. I know my lil' love muffins are going to have a great time playing this "game"!

The Little Red Hen Makes Pizza

For "Christmas" I received The Little Red Hen Makes a Pizza and a pizza glyph activity (kidscount1234)from my new teaching buddy Cristy at "Krazy 4 Kinders"! THANK YOU!!! Its so cute! We usually read and do various activities with the traditional story of the Little Red Hen, so this will be a great addition. I know my lil' love muffins will enjoy it!

What did you get for "Christmas"? Link up with me and tell us all about it!

P.S. Cristy has the full description of the pizza glyph activity posted on her blog, Krazy 4 Kinders. Check it out!

Christmas on July Book & Activity Exchange Linky Party

Merry Christmas (in July)!

I'd like to take this opportunity to thank everyone that participated in our exchange! Like I said in my previous post, not only did I receive a great new book and activity, but also a new teacher friend! We can never have too many of those! My partner, Cristy ("Krazy 4 Kinders") wants to be pen pals with my class. I can't wait!!! I hope you all experience the "warm fuzzy" feeling I got!

Here goes...this is my first time at creating a "linky party"! It probably won't work the first, or second try, but maybe by the third try I'll have it up and running correctly. In true holiday fashion don't forget to thank your exchange partner. Not that you needed to be reminded. ;)

O.K., here goes...

Merry Christmas (in July) to me!!!

So I just happened to be outside when the mailman came through...AND guess what???  I had a parcel (aka gift)!  Thanks so much Cristy for the book (yes it came, too) and the activity!  My lil' love muffins are going to have so much fun with this activity!  The rest of you all will just have to wait for the "linky" (guess I'd better get that set up) to find out what I received!!!

Cristy at "Krazy for Kinders" had an AWESOME idea...she wants to become pen pals with my class!  She had a great idea of sharing about our area and even wants to Skype with us!  I'm totally IN!!!! 

Not only did I receive a new picture book and activity for Christmas in July but in the true "spirit" of the holiday, I also have a new teacher friend! :)

To Paint Or Not to Paint...That WAS the Question

So I've spent the last 6 weeks trying to decide whether or not I wanted to was going to paint an accent wall in my classroom. It's a LONG story. Much too long to type and much to boring for those of you reading this.  AND for those reading this (you know who you are) that already know the story, MUCH too monotonous.  ANYWHO, I scored some paint from my buddy Nicole "First Grade O.W.L.s".  Thanks Nicole!!!  She actually bought it for her room and didn't like it.  So yes, it was "sloppy seconds" but I liked it, and Friday was the day. Many hours later, there was a green wall in my classroom (that still needs some touch-ups, but I'm lovin it).

So, here's a view of "the wall" at about 9:30 Friday morning...

5:00ish...almost done.

YES, that is about 7 1/2 hours of painting...and NO I still was not done!  I was told that I was slowwwwwww....

This is how it looked when I left around 6:30ish that evening.

Well a pic of 1 window with the new curtain.  Not sure why I didn't take a pic of the whole wall.  Hmmm.....

I know what you're thinking, but YES, it really is done (except the touching up I mentioned above)!

Aren't my curtains the cutest?!?

(Thank you Target! Only wish they had come from "The Dollar Spot"!)

I'm still going to add a chocolate panel at the bottom and tie back with something colorful!

AND a Giveaway from Fourth Grade Frolics!

How CUTE is this?

Head over to her blog for your chance to win!

Hurry giveaway ends July 27th!

AND just in case you don't win...

If you're perusing your local Target "The Dollar Spot" look for this...

So, I posted last week about some GREAT Target "The Dollar Spot" finds.  Here is one that you need to keep a LOOK OUT for...

It is a book titled This is the Sun: Or is It?

I was VERY excited about this find and knew as soon as I read it exactly what activity I was going to do with it!  (My plan is to reveal the activity to my Christmas in July partner first, then I will share it with the rest of you!)  So if you happen to be perusing your local "The Dollar Spot" pick up this book.  FREEBIES coming soon!

P.S. If you 're participating in the Christmas in July Picture Book & Activity Exchange, remember your package needs to be mailed no later than July 25th!