Blogger Exchange Link Up

Okay..so I know I said I was going to start a schedule and today should be Math Monday, but sometimes the blogging world doesn't work out that way.

Instead of numbers, I'm showing you some darling gifts I received this weekend from a blog follower, Amy Patte.  She is so sweet!  The funny thing is - she wrote me a wonderful note saying how sorry she was for taking a little while to get them to me, when I had just sent my gift off that day! AND I forgot to take a picture of it AND I wrote a note, but didn't put who I was...just "Laura".  I'm telling you, when you are in bed for 4 days it totally throws you off for the rest of the week!

Anywho...I don't know if I wrote this on my fact sheet or not, but I am a die hard, true blue Memphis Tiger fan and Amy totally nailed it with the jewelry and lanyard she sent me.

Blue and White (technically Tigers are blue and gray, but we always wear blue and white).  How cute are these!  I wore the white pair to church last night and got a few compliments on them.  Can't wait for football and basketball season!

Thanks so much Amy!  You are too sweet!

Now, if Kim Reece is reading this - I was the one that sent you the post it note holder and canvas with your name on it to hang on your door. Sorry I was such a slacker and forgot to put my card in the package!

Check out the other creative bloggers HERE.

Have a great week! Only 3 more Mondays left for me!!!!!!

Someone New Sunday

Well - today I have no feature.  I honestly forgot earlier this week to email my person who was supposed to be featured today and she never sent me her information.  Because I forgot, I also was too late in emailing my next four on the list to bump them up and have them get their info to me earlier.

I visited the blog that I was going to post today and she hasn't posted in over a month and the name of her blog changed. 

So I don't have anyone new today.  My apologies =/ 

Now, as I said earlier..I only have 4 ladies left.  If you are a new blogger who wants to get a little more traffic, please let me know. 

My email is always open (of course unless I'm busy and slack apparently!)

laurastarnes@ymail.com

Say What You Want Saturday

I don't normally do this....but I'm really trying hard to earn something so I'm gonna =)

You know as teachers we have to sometimes do something for a little supplemental income.  Well, I just started selling Thirty-One and I'm one complete party away from earning the first part of my StartSwell package!!

So if ANY of you lovely teacher friends out there who are interested in some awesome totes..maybe you might want to stop by my website =)

If you spend $31 you can get ANY purse 1/2 off!!!  So go on and get our Organizing Utility Tote ($24) that you know you've been wanting because they make great school bags - get it monogrammed ($7).

Then get that Organizing Shoulder Bag that you've had your eye on. It's usually $42, but you can get it for $21.

So...if you were able to read through my spiel without thinking it's total selfish publicity (I ain't ashamed), then head over to my WEBSITE.  Click Place an Order, then where my name is, Click Shop Now.

It isn't always easy living off of a teacher's salary =)
Have a great weekend and whether you go shop or not..thanks for stopping by =)

3in30

I can't believe the end of April is here!  I am SO excited for May!!!!  19 days left of school and you better believe I am counting down the days!

So here is how my month ended up:

1. Eating out only ONE day each week - I started off the month great.  Then I got sick and did well staying home, but when I got my appetite back...I wanted to eat but was still to yucky to fix anything. At least I made smart choices - it was usually Subway. Maybe a little pizza here or there. So apparently one day a week is not as easy as I thought it would be.  But we did back off A LOT from the usual. Being broke kind of helps that out too =)

2. Changing out my clothes - Ummm....maybe this will be the weekend??!!  It got cold again last weekend so I wasn't motivated to do it then it heated up really quick and I didn't want to go up in the yucky attic. Okay okay I WILL do it this weekend - I have no choice - April is over with after Monday!

3. Keeping up with the weight loss - Sometimes being sick has its advantages.  I lost 3 pounds while sick and only gained back 1 pound when I started eating again.  Not too shabby - working to get back on track now.  It's amazing how a few days off schedule can blow your whole week!

One quick fun thing:
Reason for not blogging yesterday - Crazy busy day, then niece and nephew in town, then I went with some friends to see

It was playing at a local theater to celebrate the 70th anniversary of the movie.  It was so much fun. They did a 15 minute "behind the scenes" and it was just spectacular. 

Sorry I didn't post my Theme Thursday - I was having fun! =)

What I'm Pinning Wednesday

1. Poetry Notebook from April at Wolfelicious.  If you're not following her yet, you should!  I'm not the greatest at keeping up with my poetry notebook.  I usually end up leaving it behind.  I LOVE her ideas and am SO following her next year!

Source: wolfelicious.blogspot.com via Laura on Pinterest

2. This one was found on Classroom Freebies.  We started the quarter this week and this is a great review for ALL coins!

Source: classroomfreebies.com via Laura on Pinterest

3. From K-1 Teaching Besties.  The Tattling Telephone! Genius!!!

Source: k1teachingbesties.blogspot.com via Laura on Pinterest

Those are my Top 3 this week.  So what are you pinning?  Link up!

Totally Reading Tuesday

I found out that I still have my stinkin' cute headers for my posts!  I thought I tossed them when I went through the DJ Inkers debacle..but I didn't! Yay!!

Anywho...I have a freebie today that was actually one of the very first things I ever created that I thought worthy of sharing.  I had to revamp it because of the graphic I was using.  I also took it down during the whole debacle..blah blah blah. 

Moving on...during the last 6-9 weeks of school (it sometimes depends on when I get my act together!) I send home book reports for my Kinder kiddos.  I base the books I send on their reading level and EVERY child takes home a book.  I've only sent a few home this year because some books I don't think I'd ever see again! 

For those kiddos, I've started using teacher time to read and discuss their books with them and help them work on their reports at school.  We talk SO much about setting and characters and main idea that it's a pretty easy concept for them to jump in to.

So if it sounds like something you want to try...please click on the pic for my brand new revised edition!  The frog came from Lettering Delights - Toad-ally School.

And I have to give a special shout out to Kristin over at the Ladybug's Teacher Files!  She did a great tutorial and taught me how to directly upload my documents!  I'm so excited for no longer do I have to mess with Scribd.  I have a love/hate relationship with Scribd and lately, it's not been so nice to me.

Have a great night everyone.

Math Monday

So, I think I've decided to go back to schedule that I had several months ago.  It worked for me and made me feel that I had more content to my blog.  Let me know what you think?

Here is my Math Monday feature:
This follows up with the Greater Than Freebie that I shared last week HERE.

Someone New Sunday

 

I am pleased to introduce 

Mrs. Becky Baxter 

from

 

She teaches Kindergarten in Smyrna, TN.

I got to meet her last weekend and she is so sweet. 

She's not been teaching long and loves her job and loves sharing ideas.

So let's hear what she has to say.

What is your teaching style?

 I teach whole group to introduce a lesson (for the meat of the lesson). Then, I do math centers/ reading rotations, etc... I also have been blessed to teach with a Promethean Board!! We use it ALL THE TIME! It keeps the kids engaged.  They get so upset when they don't get a turn because of behavior! So, they learn quick how to act in order to get a turn at the board.

What is your most memorable teaching moment?

I would have to say my first year, I had a little girl who was very dramatic, and would make a scene about almost anything!!  She got a cut on her finger... well it interrupted class, she was bawling, etc... So, I tried to think of something I could quickly do to get her attention and the class without losing their interest and much teaching time. I grabbed a band-aid and my "magic wand" and told her I was getting a magic band-aid.  Of course, everyone turned immediately (even if they weren't paying attention before), and had the biggest eyes I had ever seen.  They did not want to miss the magic band aid I guess.. lol.  So I put it on her finger and waved my magic wand, and said-- "Magic Band aid, Magic Ban aid, Heal (insert Child's Name)."  She was in awe!!! haha I asked if she was feeling better and she just shook her head yes.  I had just made my most dramatic child speechless! Right after my kids started to clap! It was great!!!  And after that several other students tried to ask for a magic band aid but I told them they do not work if you are lying or not hurt.  They just walked away.  I pull out that trick every now and then, but not too often!

 

Why do you blog?

I have been following sooooo many blogs since I started teaching (3 years now); and I love to create things I've seen, or just on my own!  I also LOVE to share!  So, this last year the teacher next to me kept telling me I could have a blog and share the things I make, etc.. it got me thinking-- I still didn't feel confident enough or like I'd have the time.  But this year, I just all of a sudden decided I wanted to start.  And I thought, if I'm going to make some of this stuff for myself I may as well try to sell it or share it.

 

Where else can we find you?

 

 

 

Click HERE for a freebie from her TPT store.

Please stop by and follow her.  You'll be glad you did!

I'm still here!

This has been my best friend since Tuesday

I am one to NEVER miss work...yet I was sent home Wednesday with a fever.

The fever lasted Thursday and Friday.

Today I've finally felt a little better and got out in the cold weather for a Spring Market that I'd already paid a booth fee for.

I didn't stay long.  Luckily we could park the car by the booth so I spent most of the time in the heat of the car.

Anyway...I'm home, I am still alive and I'm spending the rest of the weekend in bed.

And I will have a new blogger for you tomorrow.

One of my fellow Tennessee bloggers that I met last week =)

So excited!!!

What I'm Pinning Wednesday

I'm up this morning but I feel like I've been run over.  I sometimes detest the weather in Memphis.  Hot one day, freezing the next and that takes a toll on my sinuses.  I'm medicated though and feel a little bit better than last night.  Anywho....moving on...

It's time to see what I've been pinning this week. 

1. The Very Hungry Caterpillar from The Golden Gang Kindergarten. I love this idea!

Source: goldengangkindergarten.blogspot.com via Laura on Pinterest

2. From PreK and Sharing - Kindergarten Interactive Poetry.

Source: prekandksharing.blogspot.com via Laura on Pinterest

3. From Make, Take and Teach - The Cookie Sheet Challenge.  Love this!!

Source: blog.maketaketeach.com via Laura on Pinterest

What have you been pinning?  Come link up with me today.

Under the Weather

I have some great pics to show from a math game yesterday AND our zoo field trip today. But technology is not being my friend and I am sick. 

So to make this short and sweet, I am taking my meds, going to bed and leaving you with this cute poster that I made to help the kiddos with the math game.

= Poster

Meeting my new Best Friends! =)

My Blogging Buddies

Becky @ Teaching, Learning and Loving

Tangelia @ Going Buggy In Kindergarten

Heather D. @ First Grade Rocks

Markeeta @ A Teacher and A Blog

Jessica @ Under the Alphabet Tree

Kerri @ Ms. Kerri and Her Krazy Kindergarten

Asha @ The New Teacher Noggin'

Mary @ Mrs. Lirette's Little Detectives

Jennifer @ The Learning Circle

Shana @ Mrs. Shana's Kinder Kids

Staci @ Going Nutty in Miss Squirrel's First Grade

Heidi @ Swamp Frog First Graders

Heather S @ Mrs. Shelton's Kindergarten

Someone New Sunday

Our new blogger this week is Danielle from 

Have you found her yet?!  Then you should follow her now!

 

What grade do you teach?  

This is my tenth year in 2nd Grade 

 

Where are you from? Town/State:  

South Florida 

 

What is your teaching "style"?  

 I would have to say my teaching "style" is very hands on and cooperative learning based.  I continuously use cooperative learning structures through out the day because I have seen the difference it makes in student achievement, my student's social skills, and their engagement/enthusiasm about learning.  

 

What is your most memorable teaching moment? 

I can't say that there is just one memorable teaching moment or one that stands out from all the rest.  Whether it was a selective mute student I had a few years ago who finally felt comfortable and trusting enough to talk to me or when a student comes running up to me to, excited to show me a vocabulary word they have found in a book they were reading, or students who go home and make their own flashcards to use at recess for playing Inside Outside Circle  (a cooperative learning structure) with their friends, each one touches me. 

 

Why do you blog?  

As a teacher, I don't get to go into other teacher's classrooms to see what they are doing, and sharing time at work is so limited so blogging offers a way for me to connect with other teachers around the world.  There are so many creative and inspiring ideas out there and it's great to read about them and to share them.
 
Where else can we find you? 

 

 

Click HERE for a freebie from Danielle and please go check out and follow her blog!

Friday/Saturday post in one

Sorry for the 2 day hiatus.  I've been getting things ready for our Blogger meet up today AND have been working with my new Thirty-One business.  It is EARLY in the a.m. on Saturday and I'm going to make this quick or I'll be late meeting some great ladies!

Here is my 3in30 weekly review:
1. Eating out only ONE day each week - We did really well with it again this week.  We only ate out Thursday night when my parents asked us to go (so does this really count, since they paid and paying is the main reason I don't eat out?) We grabbed a slice of pizza from our favorite place - it was just one slice.  I think that's okay too right? I know I'm totally trying to get away with a little something this week =)

2. Changing out my clothes - Still a big NO!  I've asked my hubby to go into the attic and bring my box down while I'm out of town today.  We'll see what happens.

3. Keeping up with the weight loss - I did a LOT better than I thought last Saturday.  Today I don't get to weigh in at Weight Watchers, but I got on the scale this morning and it was another .5 lbs lighter.  My scale is usually a little off from the WW scale so I'll have to wait for the official business next week.

That's really all I have time for today!  Please come back tomorrow for Someone New Sunday - and hopefully Monday's post will have some awesome pics from the meet up.  I'm headed out the door!

Have a great weekend!!!

What I'm Pinning Wednesday: Linky Party

Yay!  I posted on time and y'all can link up!!! =)

Before I share my pins of the week I have to share some blog love!  Please go check out Ms. Patterson over at Pocket Full of Kinders.  I just picked up her newest packet with contractions.  It's a skill that I don't usually teach, but I have some higher level kiddos that I'm already thinking of using the activity for.  If you don't follow her...you should! =) You can also follow her TpT store HERE.

On to the pins!

1. From Math Workshop Adventures (which I am now following!). Math Workshop schedule.  However, I'd have to do stations. Same concept..holy rusted metal Batman! I wish I had this idea at the beginning of the year...so glad I'll have it for next year.  It is SOOOOO much simpler than my plan!

Source: mathworkshopadventures.blogspot.com via Laura on Pinterest

2. From Miss Lak's 2nd Grade - writing center organization.  I'm reading through Jennifer Jacobson's No More, "I'm Done!" and this is what I think about for my writing station.  Love!!  I also wish I could put as much paper and posters on my wall as she does.  Sometimes a teacher's life just isn't fair!

Source: teacherweb.com via Laura on Pinterest

3. From Jimmie's Collage - The Ultimate List of Printable Math Manipulatives and Games. It's an 11 point list with TONS of great info and freebies.

Source: jimmiescollage.com via Laura on Pinterest

4. Lastly - this one is not teacher related...but I am totally thinking Mother's Day gift for the kiddos.  Love this idea!

Source: saifou.com via Laura on Pinterest

I have decided that one of my goals for May is going to be to organize my Pinterest Boards. I never knew what it would be like when I first started.  I've got A LOT of work ahead of me!

Share what you're pinning and link up!! And I apologize to those who have linked and I haven't stopped by to say hi...ugh! I'm so behind with some comments!  Please forgive me!