New Alphabet- Opinions Please

I can't believe that July is almost over and that we will be starting school soon. I don't know about you guys but I have been enjoying my time off. We just returned today from a week at Disney World. We saw A LOT of princesses this past week. (I'll post some pictures after I upload them.) Well, I decided to tweak my Alphabet that I made for my new theme this past week and wanted to get some opinions. Please let me know what you think.

I'm going in to my new classroom on Monday to start working. I'll post pics of it up in my room and also my classroom makeover as I begin the process. I'm off now to redesign my Word Wall letters. Have a good night everyone!

Summer Flash Sale- One Day Only

I was planning on posting about my Classroom Economy tonight but I am having some difficulties uploading the pictures. So, it is going to have to wait a bit.

Today, has been a very busy dad. We had gymnastics this morning, followed by a haircut for my daughter and then I took her for lunch at Chik Fil A. Oh yeah, I didn't mention that we are under a boil water notice for the next 48 hours due to them finding traces of E. Coli from the recent storms in our area. Ugh! I had to tap into my hurricane supplies to use the bottled water for drinking, making ice, brushing teeth, etc. Plus, I had to come home and pack for our trip tomorrow to Disney's Vero Beach Resort. We leave tomorrow and I hadn't even packed until today. Can you tell my brain is definitely on Summer Vacation? Ha!

Anywhoo, I decided to join in on the fabulous Kinderland Summer Flash Sale tomorrow, since I will be teaching Kinder next year! Super excited about that!!!! Click on the picture to go to my TPT store.

 

There are so many wonderful bloggers who are joining in as well. Click here to check out the other bloggers who will be participating.

 

Have fun shopping and I can't wait to return from my trip and share pics with you.

Switchin to Blog Lovin

I know many of you have heard the Google Reader will be no longer as of July 1st. I, along with many others, are making the switch to Blog Lovin'. It's very easy to make the switch, just a few simple clicks. Make sure to follow me at The Teacher's Backpack.

Click on the pic above to follow me. Thanks to Anna at Crazy for First Grade for the pic.

 

I'm off to gymnastics, but I'll be back later for a new post on my classroom economy.

A New Beginning Means A New Chapter

Well, this school year has officially come to a close. It marks a new beginning for me at a new school and a new classroom position. All of this means... A New Chapter. I am so ecstatic for all of it. I hope the new school year brings a lot more exciting things. With that being said if you have noticed to mark my "New Chapter", I have also had my blog redesigned. I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE, it! Alicia at Dreamlike Magic is amazing. 

 

To begin my brand new start, I was able to snap some pictures of my NEW classroom for next year.

Students cubby area.

Bathroom and cabinets

 

View towards back

Back door- the TV isn't mine. It's the aftercare programs.

Front of room

 

Front of room by the front door

Words can't express how extremely excited I am. I have already started planning my theme for next year and can't wait to reveal it to you all in August. I'm going to keep it a surprise! Maybe, I'll drop a few hints, here and there. Well, I know many of you have been waiting to find out what grade I will be teaching next year. Drumroll please....
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What did you think I would tell you right away!
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I
will
be
teaching...
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KINDERGARTEN!!!

Yippee! (insert cartwheels) I ABSOLUTELY LOVE Kindergarten! When I found out, I cried and wanted to tell everyone, but I had to wait. Trust me the wait, KILLED me. My poor husband had to listen to my excitement for many days and nights. Ha! Love him for that! I am truly blessed to be working at an Amazing School with Amazing and Wonderful staff. All I can say is that I am truly blessed to be apart of this team.

Well, I am off for now. Today, marks my First Official Day of Summer Vacation. My days will be filled with a lot of this.

Spending so much time with my little princess. This is her in her new Ariel dress that I got at the Disney Store's Twice Upon a Year Sale. I was able to get this dress for up to 50% off. Score! She absolutely loves it with her Sleeping Beauty shoes. Totally mismatched, but still Rockin' the princess style! Love it!

Oh one more thing before I go, check out my facebook page. I just started it as well. I can't wait to have giveaways on there for everyone.

Take care and enjoy your weekend!

June Currently

Well, this weekend currently seems to be going by fast. Last weekend, we went to Disney World and yesterday was my daughter's First Dance Recital. She looked so precious up on stage. I cried. I can't believe how big she has gotten. Here are some of her dance photos.

I can't believe I am in my last week of school. This week entails me finalizing alternative testing and some more odds and ends. I can't wait to be back in a classroom next year. Woohoo! I sure miss it a lot.

Well, it is that time again to link up with Farley's Currently. I love doing this each month. Stop by and check out what everyone else is up to. 

1. I'm listening to "Sofia the First" which is one of my daughter's current favorite shows. Does anyone else's kids love that show?

2. I'm loving the fact that it's my last week. This has been a year of learning for me and I have come to realize that I am really one who needs to be in a classroom. I'm am so excited that next year I will be back in the classroom. Can anyone guess what grade I will be teaching?

3. I'm thinking about vacation. We will be going to Disney's Vero Beach Resort at the end of June for 3 days. Then, to Disney World for a week at the end of July. We live in South Florida so, both of these places are only a few hours away.

4. I'm wanting to loss weight this summer. This is my number 1 goal.

5. I'm needing to start planning and organizing for my daughter's 3rd Birthday. She wants a Lion King theme. She LOVES that movie and LOVES anything to do with animals. I've bought things here and there at different stores to go with the theme and need to organize them. I'm planning on making decorations as well. I definitely will be sharing pictures along the way.

6. My 3 Vacay Essentials are flip flops. I live in those during the summer.  Family- I will be spending lots of time with my daughter and husband during the summer. I'm lucky that my husband is also a teach so we have the same schedule. Fun- This is what we ALL need during the summer.

Can't wait to hear what everyone else is doing this summer!

Holy Cow It's been that LONG!!!

I can't believe I haven't updated since April. Oh my goodness! Telling you all that I haven't been busy is an understatement.  Between birthdays, dance schedules, testing, tutoring, and some much needed family time, I haven't had a chance to blog much. Let's just say I can't wait until summer for many reasons! 1) It will mark the end of our hectic schedules the past few weeks. 2) I will be getting my NEW blog design. 3) I get to spend quality time with my little girl and husband (who is also a teacher). 4) VACATIONS!!!!!!! Need I say more. 5) I get to make a BIG announcement soon. NO, I'm not expecting! Actually, I'll give you a hint! I'll be returning to the classroom next year. Yup, no more being a pull out teacher. I will be back where I feel I belong, in a classroom full time. Yippee! In the meantime, I'd like to see where you all think I will end up? Take a wild guess. Also, have any of you started thinking about classroom décor for next year? I know I have. If so, share your ideas. I'd love to hear about them.

Product Swap

I’m super excited to be joining in on this product swap. This is my first time. I was paired up with Irene from Learning With Mrs. Leeby. Check it out by clicking on her button.

She has an awesome blog that shares many great ideas to use in your Kindergarten classroom. She even has a cute font that she is sharing with us. (I know I will be sure to snag it.) Anyways, I was able to review her "Spring Has Sprung: Math and Literacy Activities".

There were so many cute activities in this unit that I will definitely be using in my class in next year. I have recently been working as a Resource/Intervention Teacher for Kindergarten to Fifth Grade. I was able to use several of the activities with my Kindergarten students.

The first activity, I used was the "I have...who has..." sight word cards. Since, I many work with small groups. I dealt out the cards to the students and had them play the game like go fish. The students held the cards in their hands and the first person read the card. They would then place the card in the center of the table. The other students had to look at their cards and find the sight word on their card. Once they found it, they read it and then placed it in the center of the table. They really enjoyed playing this game.

Next, we reviewed skip counting with the skip counting puzzles from the set. I placed the cards scrambled up on the table and the students had to place the numbers in order to make the picture. We practiced counting by 2s, 5s, and 10s.

I also, used several of the worksheets that come with this set. I had my group practice identifying CVC words and beginning sounds.

Next, I had my groups practice More and Less Than, as well as, fact families. I practiced the cards on the table with the symbols above the number cards. The students had to place the more than or less than symbol in between the two numbers. We practiced this several times and my students really enjoyed practing math this way.

I did a similar thing with the fact families, except I placed the three number cards and the symbole cards on the table. The students had to make number sentences using the cards.

There are also, worksheets that can be used at a center for assessment.

The Mrs. Leeby's "Spring Has Sprung: Math and Literacy Activities" was very cute and enjoyed by the students I worked with. Be sure to check out her TPT store and blog, as well as, The Magical Product Swap.

April Currently

I always love completing Farley’s Currently Linky. Life has gotten in the way lately and I had to take some time off. I am back and ready to start blogging again. I always LOVE reading everyone else's currently's. You should check them out if you haven't done so already. Well, here is mine for this month.

 

Currently-

Listening- Seinfeld. My husband is watching it and I'm working on my Butterfly Unit.

Loving- This weekend I get to plan and prepare my freezer meals. I do this about every month or 2. I buy a large amount of meats, veggies, etc. and then seperate them into meals in ziploc bags for my freezer. Some of the meals I precook and then freeze. Others I just simply prepare the meals in the bags and freeze in the freezer. Then when it is time to use, I simply thaw them out and either place in my crock pot or cook.

Thinking- I have so much to do. I planned on doing a lot over Spring Break, but I ended up just relaxing and spending time with my husband (who is also a teacher) and our daugther.

Wanting- I need to lose weight. Ever since having my daugther, I have gained weight. I used to make time to work out, but haven't done so since then. I am determined to make time.

Needing- I need to blog more. Since taking the short time off, I will be blogging more. A little bit of teaching, a little bit about family, and my everyday life.

Advice- Don't be afraid to leave comments. I always enjoy hearing from others and I know other bloggers do as well.

 

To check out more of the Currently Linky, stop by

 

Here is a picture of my precious angel in her Easter dress.

 

She had such a blast with us over Spring Break. She especially LOVED the Easter Egg Hunts. We went to one at church on Saturday, one at our house on Sunday Morning, and then one with the family at my husband's Aunt's house Sunday evening. She got a LOT of eggs. I guess that's what happens when you are the ONLY grandchild (for now), since my husband and I are both only children. LOL! Well, I'm off to bed. Have a great Tuesday everyone.

 

 

Educents

I wanted to share with you this site that I found. It's called Educents. It will launching on April 2nd and they are currently having a pre-launch deal where you receive a $10 Educents gift card once the site launches. This site will have daily deals featuring the latest educational products for 30-90% off. They will have items such as e-books, software, curriculum, online learning, and much more. It's worth signing up and checking it out. Mention that you were referred by carabrett04@yahoo.com. Also, a FREE $10 gift card isn't bad as well. Click on the picture above to go to the site. Hurry, only 4 days until the launch then the $10 gift card is gone.

 

Why I have't been around

Hi everyone! I know I have been away for awhile and some of you have been wondering what's going on. Well, I had to make a very tough decision and decided to make a change in my life. The new position I took on was taking a toll on my health and on my family, so I decided it would be best for me to make a change. I have decided to take on a Reading pull out position at another school with shorter hours for the time being. I ultimately want to have my own classroom again and who knows what that will bring at the end of the year when I have to start my job search again. Sorry, I have been away for awhile but I will be back later to share some more things with you. Take care all!

TPT Super Sale

 

So, today's the day! Yup, Super Bowl Sunday! What other way to celebrate to BIG Game than having a sale! I, along with many others are participating in the sale. My items will be on sale through Monday with 20% off. At checkout enter code: SUPER for additional savings. Click below to go to my store.

Enjoy the sale! Stop by and share what you bought! I would love to see what great things everyone got.

Fabulous Feburary Freebie & February Currently

Well, it's that time again for me to link up with "Teaching Blog Addict" for Freebie Friday. Click on the first picture below to snag it. Also, make sure to check out the link below for many other great freebies.

  I will also be linking up with Freebielicious for their Fabulicious Freebies on the 1st.  

 

Here is my Freebie. It is a set of 5 Valentine Counting Worksheets. They focus on counting by 1s, 2s, 3s, 5s, and 10s. Aligns with Common Core Standards K.CC.1 & K.CC.2. Click on the first picture below to snag the freebie.

 

 

It's also that time again for the February Currently with Farley.

 

 

   

Listening: Yup, I'm watching Seinfeld. Well, actually my husband is watching it and I'm sitting at the dining room table working and listening.
Loving: I am loving that it is the weekend. It has been a very LONG week.
Thinking: Man, Oh Man, I have so much to do. I have work to do for school, along with things around the house, errands, and so much more.
Wanting: We're going to Disney World for Presidents' Day Weekend and I can't wait. I just need to get away and take my mind of some things. I LOVE Disney World!
Needing: I need to clean and organize my house, especially my daugther's room. We have a Kids Consignment Sale coming up in March and I need to get rid of some of her things. Why not make some money off of it? I need to tag and load all my items into the computer.
Pet Peeves: Yup, the one thing that really gets to me is when my husband doesn't asnwer his cell phone when I call him, especially when I know he's don't busy and just doesn't answer.

Well, I'm off to comment on other blogs and start putting things in my cart for the sale on Sunday. And, yes I will be participating in it. Have a good night all!