Let's Get Acquainted Linky

I *think* my computer is back and running.  I can't say it's just like before, but it's pretty close.
For my first post back, I'm going to link up with Latoya Reed at Flying into First Grade.
Come Link up, it's fun;)

Border/Frame By: Mercedes Hutchins at Surfing to Success (it's free, go get one)

Shhhh...there's a Giveaway Coming!

CRASH goes my laptop

Yes, the title says it all.  My laptop crashed earlier this week.  I have an iPad but I've only had it for a few weeks and I don't really know how to it all that well.  I took my laptop to Office Depot and they were able to salvage my files (thank goodness) and restore my laptop.  Good news, but I am nervous about figuring it all out.  I haven't blogged this week:(

My bloggie friend, Andrea at Reading Toward the Stars is having a Clipart Giveaway!   Are you a Clipart Junkie?  Hop over and join in!

Nicole Rios' TpT store was probably the first store I ever visited!  She's celebrating 1,000 followers!  I'm psyched to get 100 TpT followers -- haha.

Giving my Fonts Away on Manic Monday

I made some OOOOHHHH SOOOOO cute fonts this weekend!  I just love making fonts.
My husband says, "Are you making your ABC's?"  Needless to say, he doesn't understand my font addiction.
I love thin ones, fat ones, tall ones, shorts ones and even the crazy ones!

I thought I'd link up my two new favs at Manic Monday!

Leave me a comment and let me know your favorite font!!

{STAAR} Test Prep Linky

My Classroom is in full test prep mode.  How about yours?
This is Texas, we teach TEKS and our students take the STAAR test.
It's relatively new (okay, not new), prior to being named STAAR it was TAKS.  Yes, I still call it TAKS about 50% of the time.
The difference?  Rigor & it's timed.

I remember being a first year teacher (I was THE Reading Teacher for 6th & 7th Grade in a Jr. High), very green and I did not understand the impact of test scores.
Oh to be green again!
Now, I teach 3rd Grade Reading in a Title 1 School.  STAAR Scores are sadly my life.

I've used these strategies in my classroom since I began teaching.  They've been tweeked over the years, but I've used these for 3 years now and I really like them for STAAR.  I made the posters in 3 different colors so they will match any decor.  This year, I also made my strategies into a song that is included in the file:)

My students this year are very nervous about testing.  I made these cute Good Luck Notes for them.  They are FREE at my store...stop by and pick them up!  They are included in the Strategy Pack as well.

I'm joining in with Sidney from Teaching is a Gift  for her Test Prep Linky.  

Do you have a test prep product you'd like to share?  Link up too!

Let's link this up with Elementary Matter's May Link Up.

 This Little Piggy had a great Saturday Night!

Five for Friday on Saturday in Pics

I'm late (what's new?) to the Linky Party.  Every Friday, I try to collect my pics from the week and get ready to write out a blog post...then somehow I get distracted.

#5) We took a Field Trip to Lego Land this week.  It was a fun field trip.  If you teach in the DFW area, I would highly suggest this trip from 1st Grade - 4th Grade.

#4) We have a PK3 Program on our campus this year.  This is their oh-so-cute activity for the letter V.  Since I have a 4 year old, I knew this something that the kids would enjoy making - scissors, glue and markers in one activity...my daughter would love it!  

#3) Look, I found this ah-mazing rug at Big Lots.  It matches my room perfectly!  I have apple green, turquoise and brown in my classroom.  I got it to replace a rug I HATE in my room.

#2) I PASSED!  I PASSED!  I passed my driver's test;)  If you read my Currently, you know my license expired and I had to re-take my driver's test.  Yes, both written and the actual driver's test!  I had to parallel park - yuck.  I did that perfectly, but I barely passed the written test.  I made a 77 on it.  

#1) I'm helping Mrs. Rios Teaches Second Grade Celebrate 1,000 Followers!  She has a ton of products to giveaway!  If you're feeling lucky...click below!

.
This Little Piggy loves her followers!

Currently and a Freebie for Testing

I know you love Farley's Currently as much as I do,  So you understand why I have to post twice in one day!   Forgive me please, there is a freebie at the end:)

I'm not even going to defend letting my license expire.  

Okay, well just a little.  I haven't had a ticket in over 10 years or an accident in over 12 years. 

No one EVER asks to see my license, so I didn't even realize it had expired. 

Plus, I thought it renewed when I got married...it didn't!  Now, I've got to do some studying.

Why, oh why did I plan a Field Trip on Tuesday?  

We're going to Legoland and although I know the kiddos will LOVE it and learn from it.  

I'm just not up for a Field Trip this close to testing.  

Testing.  Testing.  Testing!  Yes, I want 100% of my students to pass their Reading STAAR Test this year.  I know, big goals.  But, I think they can do it;) 

Speaking of Testing, I've got a GREAT Testing FREEBIE!

Click here to grab it!

This Little Piggy can't wait for Summer!

Favs and Blogger Ettiquite for Dummies?

Have you ever joined up with LaToya over at Flying through First Grade for her "Let's Get Acquainted Linky"?  I enjoy linkies- can you tell?  I feel like I post atleast 1 or 2 a week!  

I'm almost to 150 followers and I want to do a giveaway.  However, I only want people to participate whom I either like their blog and/or like their products.  So, is it "bad blogger behavior" to e-mail people and ask for a donation?   Is there a book called "Blogger Ettiquite for Dummies?"

This Little Piggy loves Tiffany Blue!