Giveaways!

So I start my second maternity leave and got a chance to sub there today...it was rough.  I've subbed in what seems like quite a few classrooms and never had a day this tough before. I'm really going to have to beef up my strategies for management apparently after I was so spoiled with my last class.  

Any help for controlling a class at the end of year would be appreciated!!! or just general well wishes!

So I'm so excited to show off my new product.  You know from reading that my last class had some trouble with writing so this was a project that we did- Mystery Writing!  It was so fun! 

They loved getting to be creative and getting a chance to put the clues together!  Check it out....

Don't forget to like my Facebook page to have a chance to win yourself a copy! I don't have too many likes - so you have a good chance ;)

Next, Mrs. Rios is having a fabulous giveaway and you have a chance to win my Static Electricity Stations!  It runs through Saturday with some SERIOUSLY great prizes!

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To do....to do.....

Well if you are anything like me and have 86 million things going on right now you will definitely appreciate this post! I am very Type A, possibly the most Type A person I know, hopefully I'm not the worst though - I just have to stay organized or I feel like my life falls completely apart. 

How do I do it?!  My favorite tool has to be a to do list.  Yes this may seem oldfashioned in some ways but I seem some benefits:
1. Writing it out helps me remember
2. Crossing things off feels good (as oppose to deleting or checking off on computer!)
3. I can fit it into all parts of life and not just teaching!

First I'm very fond of my monthly calendar from Staples - it is a life saver as I'm always planning weeks and months ahead but from day to day I like to rely on a to do list as oppose to planner.  Lately, I've been looking for more resources and decided to share what I have found.  Since my to do list now has categories (wedding, grad school, regular school, personal, monthly....)  I'm searching for better organizing.  Take a look at what I found and see what works for you.
 

AWESOME To Do lists -  FREE and it has categories!! One of my faves!



       

Great FREE lists! 

   This list I made awhile ago but LOVE because of the categories and cuteness (as you see, I've had this problem for a long time).  Click the picture for a FREE copy. 

 

Great for post-its (who doesn't love those?!)  FREE download from a great blog!

 

 

How do you stay organized??! What is your best tool for keeping everything together?  

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Looking for Friends

Ok so I'm branching out and jumping on the bandwagon (metaphors much?) and getting a Facebook page for my blog!  It just started yesterday but I would love it if anyone would "like" my page!  It feels like starting over :(

I plan on running sales/giveaways separately on that page- so you definitely want to be in the know! :)

Since this is so new- I'd love to have some new FB pages of yours to follow! Leave me your link in the comments and I'll be sure to "like.  

I also just finished another pack for TpT.  These awesome exit slips for ANY grade! I'm really proud of them, my students really love the creative prompts and they really help me assess my teaching and their learning as well!  What do you think?

Click the picture for more info!

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April Currently

I'm linking up with Farley again for Currently!  Click below to link up yourself :)

listening: I always have to have noise when I sleep!!

thinking: the maternity leave I'm covering for ends in 7 school days :(  I've grown close to this class and it will be sad leaving them but I'll be on to another leave shortly. 

needing: I feel like I'm always making piles and to do lists and now I need to act on them....perhaps tomorrow can be that day ;)

Advice: Blogging, gaining followers, TPT - all take an incredible amount of time and like you'll see on so many people's posts, DO NOT compare yourself! It always makes me feel worse.  If you are yourself, people will follow you for that!

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New Pinterest Tracking- MUST READ!

So...I was all "why do I have to get new Pinterest??!!" This is like the whole Facebook updating all the time and I have to get used to it...boo!

UNTIL

JUST TAKE A LOOK AT THIS!!

If you are anything like me, and track your pins using the whole pinned from your blog site:

http://pinterest.com/source/sssteaching.blogspot.com/

(Just change that to your blog site and WA-LA!)

Did you notice at the top: "Most Repinned" and "Most Clicked" - all such valuable tools for trackers like me! This is site heaven! So glad I got the new look.  What are you waiting for?! 

 You can also search by a certain date to see what was activity for that date?!  This is insanely awesome for any bloggers! Below is the view of stats, I just got it today so I'm hoping it was just my stats for today (otherwise - YIKES!)  but with graphs and everything  - NEAT!

You can click on the little question marks by each thing (impression/click/repin/ etc...) and it will explain it all - revolutionary if you ask me!

Let me know if you plan to use the new Pinterest or if you track like me and how you can use this!!!

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Makeshift TpT app?!

Ok- I'm breaking the rules because I saw this awesome pin on Pinterest that all TpTers HAVE TO SEE!

It is how to make your own app from a website?!  LIFESAVER!  If you are anything like me, TpT might be one of those website you tend to check frequently and although there could be an app sometime in the future (hopefully)  I just found this iPhone trick (new to me anyway) and at least I can quickly get to my Dashboard and it even has the little TpT icon!!!

Here's the How-to:

First, go to desired website- then click the middle button (box with arrow coming out) 

You should get options like below: 

(I have iPhone 4S so yours might look a little different)

Click add to Home Screen 

Fill in the name you want and WA-LA!

I'm so excited about this- hopefully others find this helpful!  How easy is that?!  

I was inspired by the pin here:

Source: gimmesomeoven.com via Shelly on Pinterest

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PREZI and New Bloggy Friend!

2 SUPER HUGE announcements!!!

1) My cooperating teacher has a blog- and yes she made this next Prezi that I'm sharing and friends I'm not lying - it's blowing me away.  We absolutely cannot wait to break it out for science next week!  Just take a look below!

You should follow her- check out all the FREEBIES she has already!

CHECK OUT HER BLOG!!

Show her some love and tell her I sent you - it would be so cool!

If you've never heard of Prezi - it's like Powerpoint on steroids online - pretty cool stuff.

This is one my teacher made on the scientific method with some crazy funny GREAT videos!

Scientific Method on Prezi

2nd- if you want more resources- I've been working on another unit, I sure love teaching science! Check it out below!!!

You can download this FREEBIE by clicking on the picture above then download preview

This is our recording sheet for our launchers but could be easily adapted for other experiments!

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Newbie Blogger Link UP

Newbie bloggers! Yay!  I'm so excited to find some new bloggers....I'm linking up with Grade Three is the Place for me.  I still consider myself a newbie blogger because I don't have 100 followers so I hope it still counts :)

Questions to Answer: 

 1.  what state you are in

    2.  your current teaching position

    3.  your teaching experience

    4.  when you started blogging

    5.  share a blogging tip / blogging resource

1. I'm in Missouri

2. I'm student teaching starting in August in second grade :)

3. I've done my practicums in 2nd grade and 1st grade, but subbed in K-5, music, art, and counseling classes numerous times

4. I started blogging in March! Its fantastic to share all my ideas and find so many more!  

5. Use Pinterest, you can pin images from your blog...that's where a lot of my traffic comes from.

You can track who pins images from your site by using this and just changing the red part with your website!  Hope this helps!

http://pinterest.com/source/sssteaching.blogspot.com/

Also, look at your stats- they can really help see what posts are getting read the most and what your readers might want to see more of! 

Go check out more newbie bloggers- we've all been there, show them some love!

Remember....my 100 follower GIVEAWAY!

Spin on the classic giveaway- everybody wins in mine!  I'll put my Static Electricity Stations on sale for FREE so everyone has a chance to grab it!  Tell your friends and spread the word.

Click the button the left (under followers) to join!

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Kid-ism and a Great Blog

Clothes packed, nails painted...feeling productive! Now only if my headache would go away :(

Not ready for Spring Break to end!  Thought I'd share this amazing website I found! Well its a blog really....BUT ITS AMAZING! Basically my whole Kid's Crafts (ideas for camp) is devoted to it!  By the way..if you aren't following me on Pinterest you should!

So onto this amazing website....E IS FOR EXPLORE!

I have found a TON of science ideas!!!! But they have ideas for other subjects as well, all in one place!!! It is worth checking out for sure!   Whether you are looking for activities for kids or new exciting ways to introduce material in your classroom, I'm telling ya there is something for everyone!

By the way: I'm in no way compensated or anything like that for this....I JUST LOVE IT THAT MUCH!!!!


So I thought I'd end the weekend with a "kid-ism" one of my kids said the other day (just in case you might need a laugh)

(talking about glasses)...."Ya, I think I might need glasses too,  when I close my eyes....my vision goes black."   In that case, I think everyone might need glasses.  Tee-hee :)

I Love "kid-isms" they crack me up!!! Hope your weekend ends well! I'm off to do more planning.

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Currently, Learning, crazy blog life

First, I am linking up with Farley at Oh' Boy 4th Grade for Currently....my first one! How fun- I loved creating it. 

Second, my presentation is over- and it went well! Thank goodness- thanks for all the good vibes guys, they definitely helped!

Third- being a new blogger and all, I've been just roaming around trying to find tutorials to make my blog cool and awesome so I thought I would share some with you.

Check out this website to get cool multi-colored font if you hover over my blog titles or titles of blog on the side!  If you didn't know I love rainbows so this is perfect if you ask me!!!!

Also, Ladybug Teacher Files has some amazing tutorials for anything from threaded comments....to so much else.  Click her button below to check it out for yourself.



Finally, The 3am Teacher just posted about the cool heart sharing thingie (for lack of better words)CHECK THE LEFT BOTTOM CORNER OF MY BLOG!
I would love for you to test it out by sharing something of mine :)  
I'll keep you updated on any awesome tutorials I find, peek around my blog and ask any questions as well.  As a newbie blogger, I'm just trying to figure it all out myself :)

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Whew...getting it going...

So I've been non-stop working on getting all the cool things on my blog just like all my other favorite blogs...but wow has this been some work.  For a person who has never heard of JavaScript before I feel like I'm a quick learner. I've found tons of great tutorials (don't you just love Google?) so I could create all the fun little things :)

Leave a comment telling me what you think!

What's your favorite blogging/tech tip?  I know I could use some.  Check out my signature below---->

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