Friday Freebies

I wrote about student incentives for a different post that didn't happen, but I didn't want to waste everything I had written and linked. 

Since I have so many new followers since last year, I am adding this to the recent Friday Freebies at TBA. 

This is my incentive program for positive behavior in my classroom. 

I give tickets for good behavior. I pass these out like crazy. I want them to have as many in the bucket as possible. Each class period has a bucket. These are last years buckets.

I plan to revamp them before school starts this year.  I draw between 4-6 names each week and  they are able to choose reward coupons. 

These are my tickets. 

Get them FREE here. 

These are the rewards I use. 

Last year I copied them on colored paper. I keep them in index box holders. 

Get them FREE here. 

My students' favs: Homework Passes and Electronic Passes. The bonus points was something new near the end, they liked that too. 

Happy Friday! 

My head is spinning

Okay, so you know the "to do" list we all have for summer? Mine just got all jacked up! 

I swear I get nothing from posting about this. I am just one happy girl who stumbled upon an incredible deal and want to share. 

I found LiveLoveMath's Blog recently. At first I didn't realize the gold mine I had stumbled upon. Then I saw a post about her entire store being up for sale. I have seen this a few other times and thought, are they crazy? But, for some reason I checked it out, well, I know the reason... it is a GREAT, no SUPER GREAT deal. 

Anyway, as I am looking at her products when I realize she teaches 6th and 7th Math and in TEXAS!!!! (I think my heart skipped a beat)

That's EXACTLY what I am teaching next year and I am IN TEXAS!!!  We didn't adopt the common core, even though honestly, what we are changing to next year is almost identical!!! We just have to be different I guess. 

Our state test is called the STAAR. It's fairly new and right now, nothing is out there to help us with it. 

She has task cards for each recording category!!!

She has games, task cards, vocabulary, foldables, everything I L-O-V-E!

Its a lot to buy at one time, but seriously, could I pass on this opportunity? 

Before bed, I kept thinking about it. I was day dreaming. My husband said, "Whatcha thinking about?" I couldn't tell him, he wouldn't get it. No offense to him, but he just doesn't have that 'husband of a teacher gene.' 

So, I slept on it. 

When I woke up, seriously, it is the first thing I thought about. Not sure why I even waited. I purchased it first thing in the morning. 

She was super fast and I got everything within minutes. I was waiting my computer like the Mervin's commercial. "open, open, open". I was just excited, I didn't expect it so soon. 

I have been exploring and I swear my head is spinning. The possibilities are endless!!!! 

I am planning my printing party over at Office Max and then I will be having my very own laminating party. 

I will also be purchasing task card holders. Those great dollar spot coupon holders from Target will be perfect!!!

Seriously... do you teach Math? Middle School? Not just Texas either. Her stuff is common core aligned too! 

Check her out. Her sale goes through July 31st. Click on the picture above or her blog name. I don't want you to miss out on this great resource!!! 

If I go missing for a few days you will know why. 

AND.... I printed my planner out today. I am THRILLED!!! Except, its so pretty, I don't want to write in it. 

I decided to keep it in a binder so I could include pages as the year we went on. I LOVE LOVE LOVE how it turned out!!!! Think I will save pictures for Monday Made It though! 

Here's the cover as a tease! 

Liebster Award X 3

I am so behind in the world of blogging! I love vacation, but being gone a week has me very discombobulated!!! 

Right before I left and while I was gone, I was nominated for the Liebster award THREE times. I truly appreciate this award. I received it last summer too and was thrilled. 

The rules of the award: 

1. Link back to the blog(s) that nominated me
2. Nominate 5-11 blogs with fewer than 200 followers
3. Answer the questions posted by my nominator
4. Create 11 questions for my nominees
5. Share 11 random facts about yourself
6. Contact my nominees and let them know I nominated them

I loved reading about those who nominated me and even though I am late I want to honor the award and answer their questions. 

First 11 random facts about me: 

1. I watch more Sportscenter than the average man. Not athletic in the least though. 

2. I have a love/hate relationship with running 

3. I love pink in a house full of boys 

4. I am starting my 20th year of teaching. (I started at age 10 of course!) 

5. I failed math in 8th grade, but teach  middle school math now! (no, I don't share that info with my students) 

6. I am married to an OCD hoarder. That's an organized pack rat!!! 

7. I am obsessed with Candy Crush. 

8. Washing dishes is my least favorite chore

9. I love Fantasy Football 

10. I absolutely love sleep, anywhere, anytime. 

11. I read books ridiculously fast, which sometimes takes the enjoyment out of reading. 

Since I was nominated three times I just randomly answered some of each of their questions. Not particular reason, guess these were easy for me to answer. 

ENJOY! 

From Digital: Divide and Conquer 

2. If you had to work on only one project for the next year, what would it be? Basic math training for middle school math parents 

3. Have you ever been mentioned in a newspaper? yes, for teaching kindergarten at the school where I actually went to kindergarten

4. What songs are included on the soundtrack to your life? Shots (LMFAO- hey, don't judge), I Will Survive (too cliche'?), Crazy (Gnarles Barkley), Part of Me (Katy Perry), Livin' on a Prayer (HA!) 

8. What made you laugh the hardest in your entire life? my kids! 

10. What was your favorite Halloween costume and why? My husband and I went as a pregnant nun and priest when I was 9 months pregnant. Why? Cuz that is funny! And people had the nerve to ask me if I was really pregnant. Seriously, I couldn't have made that up, I was HUGE!!!!

11. If you could have dinner with any three people from any time, fictional or non-fictional, who would they be and why? Christian Grey (again, don't judge!), Mark Wahlberg, Faith Hill 

From Elementary Endeavors 

1. When did you know that you wanted to become a teacher? I took a semester off from college early on, and substitute taught. I loved it, so I went back and changed my major from "general studies" to education.  

3. What is your favorite "teacher" item? my laminator

4. Do you have a classroom theme? If so, what is it? polka dots

5. What are three things you always must have in your teacher bag? papers to grade, markers, paper clips 

8. What is your best organizational tip for teachers? put stuff away immediately, don't make piles "touch everything just once"

10. What is your favorite memory from the last school year? a candy gram from a student for teacher appreciation 

From i is a number

1. What subjects have you taught? Kinder, 1st, 2nd-5th Math, 6th Math 

3. Where are you in Common Core implementation (if it effects you)? in Texas, we do our own thing.... 

7.  How would your students describe you? strict, mean, nice, crazy, loud (whole gamete)

9. Why do you blog? to keep me from being an alcoholic. seriously, it keeps me motivated 

10. What lesson/topic do you look forward to every year? circles!!!

11. What lesson/topic do you dread every year? algebraic expressions... its new... its hard for kids....

My nominees are

The Teacher's Desk 6 

Fabulous Finch Facts 

Shenanigans in 6th Math

The Babbling Box 

Middle School Math Madness 

My 11 questions: 

1. Why do you blog? 

2. Do you have a TpT/TN store? If so, which did you do first, blog or store?

3. How long have you been teaching?

4. What songs would be on the soundtrack of your life? (Stole this from Divide and Conquer, but I love it!) 

5. Do you have a favorite teacher from your days in school? 

6. How would you describe the morale at your school? 

7. Favorite decade? (80's, 90's etc...)

8. Do you speak a second or third language? Which one? 

9. Favorite sport? Favorite team? 

10. Ever said "never" and then had to eat your words. (Ex: I will never teach middle school. HA! I am there!) 

11. Dog or cat lover? 

I know this was a long post. Thanks for hanging in there! 

Giveaway WINNERS!!!!

I feel like this giveaway has gone on forever! Because my vacation was planned and my blogiversary landed on that date, I put the giveaway together early, so in my world, it has been going on for a while. 

But, I am back from a fabulous week in Vegas with my husband and friends and it is time to get down to business! 

The winners are: 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

This is how it will work: 

Winner number 1 (Carla) will get the first four prizes, Winner Number 2 (Jennifer), the next 4, Winner 3 (Wendy), the last 4. The generous bloggers will be in touch soon! 

And Winner Number 4 (Mindy), will get the Teacher Planner!!!! 

Congratulations to the winners and thanks for all the participation. It was so awesome. I did check email in Vegas and it was fun to read your comments. 

Not  many of you have been to Vegas though. This was my 5th time. We LOVE it there!!! 

I did take your advice and had a blast! I also went to Kahunaville at Treasure Island suggested by Danielle. It was actually my second time there. Their food is great. The atmosphere was great too. Plus, their drinks were really strong. Not sure if that was good or bad at the time. 

Another suggestion was the zip line across downtown. We actually did that last year. We were planning on doing it again this year, but it was closed. Bummer, but still so fun! 

We went for a full week. That is super long. We have never stayed that long before. My husband would stay longer, but we still have young kids at home, so that is max for us. Me, it was too long. It didn't fly by which was a good feeling. 

We took in three shows, Jabbawockee, Carrot Top, and Tournament of Kings Dinner Show.  We experienced the top of the Stratosphere and the Eiffel Tower. We ate, drank, shopped, drank some more and I played a lot of video poker. I won a few times, but nothing big. My husband played craps everyday and enjoyed himself immensely. We went with two of our couple friends and us women have become blood sisters due to all the secrets we told each other throughout the week! We are now sworn to each other for eternity. 

Mostly, we walked! If you ever go, be prepared to walk and walk and walk and walk some more! Seriously people, we walked non stop! 

I highly suggest this as a getaway if you are looking for one. It is a whole new world there! 

There was an SDE (Staff Development for Educators) conference going on while I was there. No, I didn't go. This trip was pure fun, no work involved (except checking emails). I did see a lot of teachers with their "teachers' bags" though. I giggled a lot because, seriously we stick out like sore thumbs!  

I won't bore you with every detail, there was a lot! But here's two 

Best thing: Carrot Top Comedy Show: Seriously, so freaking funny! 

Worst thing: I wore these super cute shoes. LOVE LOVE LOVE how they look. 

And this is what I wore next: 

I had to spend $8 on these band-aids! Seriously never, ever wear anything but flip flops while in Vegas!!

Again, thanks for participating in my giveaway and congratulations to the winners! 

Time to get back in the swing of things around here. It's Monday, I didn't get a Monday made it in, so I have some catching up to do! Off to get my craft on! 

A Great New Giveaway Going on

I am just getting back from vacation and trying to get back in the swing of things, which has been very hard today. 

But, I did read a great blog post and holy moly, you gotta check out this great FREEBIE and PRIZE giveaway going on from 20 bloggers who are collaborating. 

I'll be be back tomorrow to announce my winners from the big Blogiversary giveaway while I was in Vegas! 

Blogiversary Giveaway- One more Chance

There are a just a few days left to enter this giveaway. I will be returning from Vegas tomorrow (boo hoo), and choosing winners Monday morning, after smothering my kids with hugs and kisses and laundry.

I want to reward YOU!!!! I have TWELVE fantastic prizes from FANTASTIC bloggers that have generously donated to my celebration. Click on each picture to view these blogs. 

There will be THREE winners. Each winner will get FOUR PRIZES. 

Then a GRAND PRIZE WINNER!!!! You will receive a custom made teacher planner. Here's an example I made for myself. 

Enter to win! and Good Luck! 

You can enter more than once, so come back and enter as much as possible. 

Since I am celebrating in Vegas for the week, winners will be chosen Monday, July 22nd. 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Blogiversary Giveaway

This week, I am celebrating my one year Bloiversary. One great year of blogging and developing blogging relationships.

I want to reward YOU!!!! I have TWELVE fantastic prizes from FANTASTIC bloggers that have generously donated to my celebration. Click on each picture to view these blogs. 

There will be THREE winners. Each winner will get FOUR PRIZES. 

Then a GRAND PRIZE WINNER!!!! You will receive a custom made teacher planner. Here's an example I made for myself. 

Enter to win! and Good Luck! 

You can enter more than once, so come back and enter as much as possible. 

Since I am celebrating in Vegas for the week, winners will be chosen Monday, July 22nd. 

a Rafflecopter giveaway