Do you use Treasures?

If you do, you might have the story Messaging Mania in your textbook.  I made an activity today to go with this story.  You can grab it at my TPT store for $2.   I only teach Reading, but I try to incorporate Math and Science as much as possible.  This is a great activity to do both!

This Little Piggy let the day get away from her!

Following Through on a Resolution and a Freebie

I've been a busy little piggy today!!!  My girl is FINALLY feeling better (she's been sick since New Year's Eve) and I was actually able to work rather than give meds, take temps, do laundry, give  baths and spot clean the carpet - - Moms, please tell me you understand what I mean.

I am participating in my VERY 1st Giveaway. Hilary at Rockin' Teacher Materials (don't act like you don't know who I'm talking about) and her friend Monica from The Schroeder Page are  having a Giveaway to celebrate the New Year.  She's giving away a flash drive full of items for each grade level K-6.  There are a lot of new bloggers who follow my blog and have TERRIFIC resources in their TPT stores. If you're a newbie like me, I think you should go over and link up with Hilary and get your name out there too!!!  After all, a lot of us said one of our goals was to grow our blogs this year.

Click Here To Join Up With Me

Let me show you what I'm putting in the Giveaway.
First, I updated my Hot Cocoa Procedural Text Writing so teachers can use it during the winter months and not just during the Holidays.  It also has an awesome Vocabulary Graphic Organizer that my students L-O-V-E!!

Next, I worked on a cute little Snowy the Snowman Literacy Center.  My students are going to LOVE this!  You use Synonyns and Antonyms to Dress the Snowman and there is a recording sheet as well (directions included).

Finally, if you're still with me, I'm doing a little updating with my Classroom Design.  I use a blue/green/chocolate theme. I made these new signs and if you would you like them, click here for your Freebie!

2013's First Freebie Friday, Go Get Yours

This Little Piggy is hoping for SNOW this weekend!

I'm a rebel I break the rules

I'm breaking bloggie world rules and posting 2x in one day.  It's only because I didn't blog stalk before I posted my Currently.  

Courtney at Swimming is Second is Hosting an Awesome Link

I found a linky I HAD to join!  It's about books that boys like to read.  Not only am I a reading teacher, but I have a 10yr old nephew and a 9yr old step-son so this topic is very real to me.  My nephew is an AVID reader.  My step-son on the other hand isn't.  Now this doesn't mean that we (his mom, dad and myself) didn't try.  We bought him tons of books, his mom even gave him an e-reader for Christmas last year (and a new one this year), I let him order out of my monthly Scholastic Orders and we ALWAYS gave him $ for book fairs at his school.  After the begging and pleading, tears and whining, this year he has finally found books he enjoys reading.

At the beginning of the school year, I set a goal to grow my classroom library.  Enter "Scholastic".  If you don't use Scholastic...you need to!  If you want to but need guidance, let me know.  I also have a code to get you 500 free points. 

First and Foremost, Diary of a Wimpy Kid is a huge "boy favorite".  I think they are pretty funny stories and it doesn't hurt that some of them have been made into movies!    

All of my students seem to love The Magic School Bus Series.  It's written comic-book style so it's very intriguing.  

My first Who Would Win came in a pack I ordered.  Boy, I was shocked...kids fought over it!  Yes, they wanted to read!  So, I bought more.

My nephew really likes 39 Clues.

A new book I've noticed a lot of my boys ordering from Scholastic is Geronimo Stilton.  

This is my newest purchase. We'll see if it's a hit when I return to school.

My boys really like these Science Books too.

My Team Teacher thinks I bribe my kids to read.  She says she's never had to tell kids to put books away.  I do sort of trick them.  When I get a Scholastic Box, I go through each book and do a quick little showcase.  I ooh and ahh over them.  If I've never read them, then I read the back or the first few pages and let the kids know a little about the book.  Of course every one of them starts, "Oh, I just love this book..." or "This one is my favorite..." or "I'm not sure I'm going to put this one in the library because I really want to read it first..."  Then, I put about 5 of them on my chalkboard ledge and don't let anyone touch them for 2 days.  If they ask to read it, I say, "Not yet..."  Then, they somehow end up in my library and the kids devour them!!

This Little Piggy Hearts Scholastic! 

Do you know what a CATFISH is?

Loving: CATFISH Okay, have you seen this show?  I saw an episode of Dr. Phil the other day about a 3 women who had been involved with a guy online who turned out to be a WOMAN!  Yes!  Catfish is what you call the person who puts another persona out there on the internet to "reel" in a relationship with someone.  Weird huh?  MTV has a new show about it and it's pure D-R-A-M-A!

Wanting: I got an iPhone!  Does anyone know if I can make fonts with an iPhone?

Link up with Farley

This Little Piggy has 100 followers!  SQUEEEEEL!

I'm on a Linky Kick!

If you've never visited Making it as a Middle School Teacher's blog, you have to go!  Honey Bunch designed her beautiful blog (mine too).  I L-O-V-E the colors and patterns.  This linky isn't about resolutions, but more about what is to come and your interests.  It reminds me a lot of Farley's Currently and you know you love the Currently...so go link up!

Making as a Middle School Teacher's Linky for 2013

This Little Piggy will shop at a non-plus-size store!  Even if I have to have surgery to do it!! 

Quick Scarf Tutorial Under $10

Since I'm on break, I spend a lot of time looking at blogs and pintrest.  Well, I had a lunch planned for today with 2 teacher friends and thought I'd take them gifts.  They are both pretty crafty so I thought they would like something I made rather than something I bought.

I found this cute scarf on pintrest 

and thought, "hey I can do that!"  

Am I the only one who does that when I find something on pintrest?

So, I followed the tutorial at http://www.simplysalvage.com/t-shirt-ruffle-scarf-tutorial/.  

My first attempt was a bust!  I used a paper plate and it's just simply too small, so I used a regular plate the 2nd time and it worked like a charm!  I bought a 2XL T-shirt from Wally's for under $6.  

Step 1: Draw 4-5 Circles on it (use a regular plate, yes you can use a sharpie or chalk).

Step 2: Cut into spirals (cut smaller than this, about 1.5") 

 

Step 3: Gather Strips with a felt flower.  

  Now, if you've never made these....they are easy peesy lemon squeezey!   

Plus, they are super-dee-dooper cheap so if your my daughter loses them at pre-school you aren't worried about her losing an expensive bow (or even a $1 bow).  

I used a glade candle to trace, you can use a baby food jar lid or something similar in size.  I use a sheet of felt (.29cents at Wally's).  I trace 6ish circles.   

 You'll also need a pony tail holder too.   

 Fold the circles in half.

Then into 1/4's.  Put a little hot glue (in the center) to hold the fold. Then, hot glue down onto the base circle (which I cut a bit smaller so you don't see it).   

Take a look at the pretty bracelet my wonderful hubby bought me for Christmas.

You just glue 4 of these onto the base.  Then, 2 more onto the top to make it look fuller.  Then hot glue a pony tail holder onto the back.  I glue a small oval of felt over the pony tail holder to secure it.  I made 2 black scarves and a red & purple flower.    

This Little Piggy's Friend Loved Her Scarf! 

Do you make resolutions?

  

Teaching Maddeness  and Teaching with Moxie are celebrating 2013 with Linky Parties.  I'm joining up. I often set goals for myself, but I don't normally make New Year's Resolutions.  So, I'll call these my goals for the Spring Semester.      

 For My Classroom, I want to be much more data driven.  I simply feel like I run out of time to track all 64 student's progress.  I'll get things graded, but I don't break down each test by TEKS.  I've got to get this done and tracked.

For My Personal Life, I want to lose 50 lbs. by July 1st.  Last year, I planned to do this and I lost 35lbs. by July 1st.  But, I've gained 30lbs. back.  I've got to conquer this weight thing.  I really need to lose 100 lbs., but I have to be serious and take small steps.  I also want to make sure my husband feels that I make our marriage a priority.  We're in our 7th year and I think that is when a lot of people's marriages fail.  It seems like work and kids always come first and I want him to feel loved all the time.

For My Lil' Blog, I'd like to make deeper connections with other bloggers.  I don't really have a "blog friend/s".  By that, I mean someone I e-mail back and forth on a regular basis.  I have a lot of blogs that I follow and a few that I stalk and I feel like I "know" them, but I doubt they know my name.  Sounds weird, I know.  

This Little Piggy is Setting Goals!!