Love Two Teach

Cute, Cute Hoodies, and you could get one for FREE!!!!

2012-03-06T17:12:00.000-08:00

So, as many of you know, I have a little obsession with cuteness! I am not sure how I found out about Evy's Tree, but I did and fell in LOVE!!!!!

I immediately bought a few of her legendary Brilla's and just think they are the cutest slices of heaven!!!!!

Here is what they look like:

My favorite!!! Go WVU!

Love this one!

New for Spring!!!!

I promise I am not getting paid to promote her items, but when I wear one of her creations, I get compliments GALORE! I always have to write down where I got my jacket and how to find it.

What I love, but a little sad that I don't have a little girl, is that they make mini Brilla's for kids. So cute!

Anyway, I just saw on FB that she is giving away $250 this week to promote her new line. She is running cute little contests this week so I figured some of you may want to enter. Just go to her blog each day and see the fun stuff she has going on each day! Maybe if you tell them I sent you, she will do a FAB giveaway on my blog!!!! Whoo Hoo! Go look around, but beware, you will spend some money!

Free Clipart of the Week

2012-03-05T12:49:00.000-08:00

This week's free clipart is all about fish. Don't ask me why?!?

I was in the mood for spring and then we got 4 inches of snow last night and a 2 hour delay.

Click here to download file

Each color is done 3 different ways. I even included black and white line art for you to use.

Again, feel free to use these for your classroom, on items you sell, or anyway you wish. I would love a shout out on anything you make. I am working on a banner/tag for you to post with your items.

Hope you can use them!

New Blog Name and a Question about Learning Clipart

2012-03-04T15:02:00.001-08:00

So do you notice the new, but actually old blog name? I used to be the LoveTwoTeach girl and I owned the name from years ago when I had a website and switched it over to my blog. I feel like it suits my vision better, since I technically teach Kindergarten now, make graphics and clipart, and a variety of other things.

Now, I have a question for you. How many of you would be interested in learning how to design and make your own clipart? How many of you would like to know how to design your own cute blogs?

I learned how to do this myself and had such a difficult time finding out how to do it so I took classes and learned. I was thinking of doing a video class using the platform I use for my lectures when I teach online courses and doing a course on how to use Photoshop and Adobe Illustrator to learn how to create graphics and blogs (I know huge run-on sentence). If you don't own the programs, you can download them for a free trial and decide if it is something you may use in the future.

There would be a fee for the course because of time and I would be teaching you how to design your own stuff. :)

So again, would you be interested in a clipart course, blog design course, and how much would you be willing to pay?

I think each course would be one evening a week for an hour for 4 to 6 weeks and video would be available if you couldn't make it. So think about that with the price.

Thanks for any info!

Learning Resource Winner!!!!

2012-03-04T11:27:00.000-08:00

I am so excited, and yet so jealous of the winner of the $100 gift card for Learning Resources!!!! I could spend that in about 5 minutes!

The winner is.....

Ms.MFeb 24, 2012 10:04 PM

I follow you! I really want one of these.

Ms. M
msk1ell(at)gmail(dot)com
Ms.M's Blog
A Teacher's Plan

I am so happy for you! I think you have won a couple of things from me! I never win a stinkin thing! Ba Humbug!!!

Email me with your info!

Free Shape Clipart!!! Updated with hexagon and trapezoid!!!

2012-02-23T13:03:00.001-08:00

So I couldn't wait! I had to post the shape clipart freebies for you to use. You can use these in your class, for items you sell, or however you see fit. All I ask is you say they were created by me. :) I am going to start selling on TPT, so I would love some free publicity from all of you! ;)

Here are the Shapes that you get in this free download!!!

I would love some feedback from you guys! Is there any other shape that I missed??? Do they look alright?

You can download the shapes here.

I added a correct hexagon and a trapezoid.

Now Board Review and a Giveaway!!!

2012-02-22T16:58:00.000-08:00

I was asked to try out a fantastic new interactive whiteboard that is affordable for teachers. It is called the Now Board. It looks like this:

It is tiny and light weight!
What I like the most about it is the price.
$499!!!!
Can I say Donor's Choose???? Extra TPT money???
I also like that it isn't taking up a huge amount of space in my classroom. I can project it on any surface. What a space saver! The software was so easy to use and came with an excellent library of activities that I could easily use.

Here is a little video about the device:

I also loved the wand that came with mine!

It looks like a pointer! The kids loved it!!!

The only negative was that it was a little more difficult to calibrate on a textured wall. It was much easier to calibrate on projector screen, bulletin board, or whiteboard. I do love that it was portable and I could set it up on a wall and use it as a center for my students. My current Smartboard takes up so much space that it hinders my room organization. This board fixes that!

For reviewing the Now Board, I am able to give my fellow bloggers the opportunity to win a $100 Learning Resources Gift Card!!!! I think I could spend that in about 6 seconds!!!

To enter, you must like the Now Board on Facebook and tell them I sent you!

Now Board on FaceBook

For an extra entry, leave a comment on youtube!
Now Board on Youtube

For another extra entry, follow me here!

I will announce a winner on February 29th!!!

Frames for Teachers!

2012-02-21T16:30:00.000-08:00

Here are some frames that I made for my class and thought I would give them to you guys for free. If you want to use these on anything you sell, feel free to do so! :) I am going to try and upload free graphics each week for you all to use on anything you make for your class or to sell, in addition to things that I will sell on the site.

Just click below to download!

This is nothing major, but I thought someone could use them! Have a great rest of the week!

Next week my freebies will probably be my shape clipart that I made to go in my own class.

Here is a sneak peak!

Life Cycle of a Caterpillar Clipart

2012-02-19T08:07:00.001-08:00

Now for sale is Spring Life Cylce of a Caterpillar book that is not affiliated with Eric Carle. Clipart. It includes both black and white images for you to use on teacher materials. I will be changing the shape of my caterpillar so that it is not assumed that Eric Carle drew this clipart. This unit is $4.00.

March Clipart up on TPT!

2012-02-12T11:46:00.000-08:00

March graphics are done!

You will find this on TPT for sale for $4.00

Included are Black and White and Color Graphics for use in your classroom or materials you create!

Here is a preview of some of the items included!!! Many more are included, but I don't know how to make a preview of them all. :)

Click on the picture to head on over to TPT!

The Winners!!!!

2012-01-30T16:54:00.000-08:00

After an hour and half of Zumba, my legs are jelly, but I remembered to post the WINNERS of the Mark D. Pencil Giveaway!

The first winner:

OOOH! I hope I win! We love to sing in my room! I follow your blog!

Mrs. Wheeler

The second winner:

YAY!!!! What a great giveaway!!! I follow you of course!-RAchelle

Congrats! Just send me your names and addresses to kwalsky@gmail.com and I will

forward your info on to Mark D. Pencil and Friends.

Man, clipart orders are pouring in!!!!!

2012-01-29T17:38:00.000-08:00

So, I was planning on posting everyday....until my email has blown up with clipart ideas and orders!!!! I am busy now drawing, turning my drawings into graphics, and coloring the graphics. I am also taking another advanced Adobe Illustrator class to help me get faster using all the tools and shortcuts in Illustrator.

I also went to the Kindergarten Expo yesterday. All I can say is Fran Kramer at Kindergarten Crayons is FABULOUS! I want to be Fran when I grow up (even though we are probably close to the same age). She had me laughing the entire time!

That Hadar over at Miss Kindergarten is so dang cute! She seems so sweet and her ideas were just as sweet!

Now, I am really going to be on and off blogging. I want to get a lot of clipart drawn and set up for everyone in some type of shop. I think I may just sell on TPT instead of Etsy. I am already too confused on how to set up shop there. :)

So here is some of what I have drawn...

For the Jacket I Wear in the Snow a few items...

Feedback, honest please! Are these any good? It is hard to judge your own drawings. Thanks guys!!!

Also, don't forget to enter the Mark D. Pencil giveaway! They let me know I can give 2 CD's away! Yippee!

Attention Teachers in Need of Clipart!

2012-01-25T15:25:00.000-08:00

If you are a teacher in dire need of clipart that no one else has, then you are on the right blog!!!!

I have recently making graphics for the FABULOUS Deanna Jump for some of her FANTASTIC units. She got my wheels spinning about actually starting a little shop to sell graphics. Here is just a sample of what I made her this weekend.

The coolest thing is no one will ever use these graphics again! I made them just for her. I seriously can't wait to buy her Wishey Washy Unit!!!! My kids love that book!

So I am opening a shop on TPT, Etsy, or via email. You will be able to order custom graphics that I create for ONLY you at a reasonable price or you can buy a set of graphics at a super low price that can be sold unlimited times.

I quit making teacher stuff because I was sick and tired of everyone using the same art. Everything looked the same and it drove me nuts! I decided to just take courses, pay the money to buy some good equipment, and turn my art into graphics so I could take matters into my own hands.

If you are interested in anything, let me know via email at kwalsky@gmail.com, or visit my Teacher Gone Techie site, where I will start uploading stuff for sale.

I am also interested in any ideas you guys may have for much needed clipart!!! I promise that I will also include some free stuff for all of us teachers. We need all the help we can get!

Mark D. Pencil Giveaway!!!!

2012-01-24T15:39:00.000-08:00

OH, yeah... I am back and posting everyday!!! Well, 3 days in a row!

So all of you that checked out Mark D. Pencil the other day, or all my loyal followers from a year ago, you know how AWESOME Mark D. Pencil is!!!!!

Just click to listen to the old CD here

Or listen to the new CD here:

I was actually sitting in a meeting today with one of my special education students with his mom and grandma, and do you know what they said?

"My son loves your class because you guys are singing and dancing all the time, and he doesn't even know he is learning. All we hear at home is...Do you know your alphabet? Yes, I know my alphabet! Now he won't stop with this Mark D. Twist!"

How incredible is that????

Well, you can register to win a copy of their latest CD, Get up!
All you need to do is...
1. "Like" Mark D. Pencil on FB (1 entry)

2. Follow them on Twitter @MarkDPencil (1 entry)

3. Blog about this giveaway on your blog (1 entry)

4. Follow me ( 1 entry)

Make sure you leave an individual message for each entry, so you get counted for all of your efforts!

The giveaway will end on 1/30/12 at 6:00pm!!! I will announce the winner shortly after using a random number drawing from all the entries!
So EXCITING!!!!

A little Kindergarten Math

2012-01-23T12:57:00.000-08:00

I LOVE Kindergarten, but hate Everyday Math!!! I know I shouldn't say such things, but Geesh, it is Blahhhh!

I constantly have to remediate and back track with my Kinder Kiddo's to get any type of long term recognition of ANYTHING MATHEMATICAL! Hum??? I wonder if the county sees a correlation between the use of EM and the substantial drop in math scores.

Anyway, enough of that.... I love math work stations and boy have I created a lot this year and sadly haven't been sharing (insert sad face and sighs). Well, I am now! Here is a little activity that I pretty much use every week with my students. My poor laminated dice are used and abused, but I love them!

Here are just a few ways you can use this file.

Just click on the picture!

I also have a little autistic fellow (yes, he is in regular ed, and it is like pulling teeth to get him any sort of help) that likes to use these to count out playdough balls. He will roll a ball and put it on the circle of the die. He will do this with pretty much any manipulative we have, including teddy bear counters. Love it when he uses them. He says "Ta Da" like they are on stage. :)

Hope someone out there can use them. Stay tuned for more free stuff soon!

Hello and Get UP!

2012-01-22T15:48:00.000-08:00

Seriously?! August was the last time I posted????

I have had a heck of a time getting to the blogging world. I have truly been amazed at all the FANTASTIC blogs that have come around in a year.

OK, so here is what I am LOVING!!!!

My boys from Mark D. Pencil have a fantastic new CD called Get Up!

Click on CD cover to listen!!!!

I love this CD for Teacher Directed P.E. and Indoor Recess. I know our district just passed a fight Obesity initiative and we must teach P.E. at least 20 minutes 4 times a week. With the lack of a gym and snowy weather, Mark D. Pencil has saved me again!!!!

Mark D. Pencil and Friends is also having an XBox 360 Giveaway!!!

Want to win a brand new Xbox 360 4GB Console with Kinect?

Upload a video to YouTube of you, your children, your pets, etc,

dancing to any of our songs from our new cd, "Get Up". Then, notify us

of your video and tell everyone you know to watch it. The best

video/most views will win the Xbox. To get the ball rolling, here is

the link to download to download "The Mark D. Twist" for FREE!!!

Make sure you go over and Like Mark D. Pencil on Facebook. They rock and your students will get their groove on, I promise!!!!

Julius for Scott Foresman Kindergarten

2011-08-15T16:16:00.000-07:00

Here are a couple of ideas to go with Julius this week.

Click on Picture to Download

And here is another to go with "pictures of the sounds" I forgot to save it as a jpg. Whoops! But you can still:

Download that one here!

I am reading this story with lots of books on pigs including:

The Three Little Pigs

Pigsty

My Lucky Day

If You Give a Pig a Pancake

We are going to do a lot of things with Character Studies in the books. I know it isn't a whole lot, but something easy to assess the letter "Mm".

Free Back to School Unit

2011-08-09T16:21:00.000-07:00

So I have been back now for a month with my 32 kiddo's. Good news is we got an overage teacher and she took 6 kids with her!!!! I love my little class this year!

Here is a funny little story from my class:

Two of my students built a car from blocks. One pretended to crash and the other

"played dead". The "live" one runs up to him and was about to give mouth to

mouth, but I caught him. The "dead" one sits up and says, "It's OK, I'm dead, he is

supposed to do it."

I am still laughing!

I LOVE KINDERGARTEN!!!!

Now, here is a unit from about 9 years ago from my old site LoveTwoTeach. I still

love creating, but I am loving all the new stuff from all the new FABULOUS

bloggers. Blogging seriously makes my life easier!!!! Don't you guys just love the

ideas, sharing, and love you get from blogging?

So, with all that said, here is an oldie, but goodie to help you with the beginning of

the school year.

Classroom Tour,32 KIDS, and Blogger Friends STUFF!

2011-07-19T16:38:00.000-07:00

OK, all of you who are bummed about only having a few weeks left for summer can now have a little sympathy! I went back to school on July 5th!!!!! I love year round school, but man ol man, I had a quick 3 week break!

Well, I now have 32 Kinder-Kiddo's! I have 0 chairs and no tables left. I am thinking of just getting rid of all my furniture to make room for all the bodies. :) There is no room at my school to make another Kindergarten, so I am making the best of the situation.

Here is a quick tour of the new room. I was nice and organized, but with all my bodies, I kind of just throw stuff out of the way. :)

I also feel like my room was decorated by all my blogging friends!

Our door into our classroom

Our cubbies: I used my Silhouette (teacher friends, do not by a Circuit machine! Silhoutte does not use cartridges and you can use ANY text or picture made!!!!! So much better!!!!) machine to cut out chalk board vinyl to put on their boxes and used a chalk marker to write their names. Very easy to change names if a student leaves and a new one enters.

You can barely see the Pete the Cat Headbands in the cubbies from Fran at Kindergarten Crayons. Love that book and LOVE her packet. I have used pretty much every activity and they are so easy to use and K friendly.

More cubbies! Excuse the books stacked. I did use some for storage, but as the kids enrolled, I had to make way for more students!

I love my birthday banner from Poco and Pop!

I also love my Colors and Shapes by Poco and Pop.

My crayon artwork is by Honey Bunny Studio. I bought frames at Michael's for $6.00 and used Command Picture Mounting to keep them in place.

Rainbow Names courtesy of Deana Jump!

My cute little chair I got for free and decided to Walsky it up for my reading chair!

I seriously love me some Polka Dots! Mirror from Happy Everything and Love What You do Sign from Porter's Polka Dots.

More cute numbers from Poco and Pop! I also have a sign by Hadar at Miss Kindergarten. I also have a summer countdown picture.

More Poco and Pop letters and my posters from Honey Bunny.

My favorite thing, and I can't believe I didn't take a picture is my EMTanner Designs picture! I found the company from Sydney over at Lesson's Learned, and pretty much bought one of everything. I love this picture. I have one that has me with a blonde bob, green eyes, freckles, and says Mrs. Walsky. Of course, I hung it with pink and green polka dot ribbon.

Love it, and the kids adore it too!

I hope all of you are enjoying your last few weeks. I have a bunch to share, but I had an Macbook emergency, which is where all my stuff was located. I spilled coffee on my mouse pad on the laptop and now it won't work. I am trying to dry it out with rice upside down. I also ordered a magic mouse in hopes that I can use that when it is dry. So until then, I am creating on the iMac. If only I could find my stupid Adobe Illustrator CD to load on this thing! Have a great week. I know I will be passed out every night. We teachers must have kidney issues as we grow older. I don't think I have used the bathroom during the day in two weeks! AHHH!

So excited to be nominated!

2011-06-18T06:14:00.000-07:00

I am so excited to be nominated for Best Blog at Really Good Stuff! Thank you to whom ever nominated me! That just ROCKS!

Please vote for me or your favorite here by clicking on the button. Good luck to everyone! I don't even care if I win, I am just super excited to even get a nomination!
Voting begins July 1st!

Cute Printable Alphabet and other funs stuff for the classroom!

2011-06-15T16:51:00.000-07:00

I found the cutest site today that has some great printable games and flashcards.

It is called MrPrintables.com

Look how cute these are!

I also love the file folder games!

My Version of the Chicka Chicka Boom Tree

2011-06-12T15:37:00.000-07:00

I have wanted to make a palm tree for years, and was inspired by Deana Jump's tree directions to "Just Do It".

Here is my version of the famous Chicka Chicka Boom Boom Tree!

I used a 12 inch Quick Tube from Lowes, which they gave me for being a teacher. It was regular $4.99

I also used magnetic primer by Rustoleum, because I wanted the kids to be able to use it as a Working With Words station.

I spray painted the tube with brown flat spray paint. Lowes told me to use flat which will last longer and clean with a Clorox Wipe if needed. Who knew??!!

For the top, I took Deana Jump's suggestion and used an old umbrella frame. I went to Joann's today and bought green felt for the leaves. It is on sale for $2.99 a yard and teachers get 15% off. Love it!

I cut out the leaves and then hot glued them onto the metal frame. I bent the frame on each spoke downward because I didn't want any kiddo's to get hurt or poked in the eye.

Then I just sat the umbrella on top. I am going to glue the umbrella to the top of the tree when I get to school.

I am so excited that the magnetic letters stick. I love magnetic paint!

I also made this bench today.

I was going to hand paint the letters, but decided to use my Silhouette machine, scrapbook paper, and Mod Podge.

It turned out pretty darn cute too.

Ten Frame Game

2011-05-25T17:30:00.001-07:00

Here is the first of many games that I created, with inspiration from Debbie Miller's new book on Math Workstations.

Click on Pictures to download!

I also included the Math Talk card to help students engage in more math language when working together.

Coming Soon: Math Work Stations!!!!

2011-05-23T16:14:00.000-07:00

I am creating tons of stuff to go along with Debbie Diller's new book: Math Work Stations!!!!

Going to a training today helped inspire tons of new ideas!!!! I can't wait to share!!!!

First, how cool are these?!?

DecaDots!!!!

These are so going in my Ten-Frames Basket!!!!

I am also loving the Ten-Frames Card decks!!!

I also love this Box by Origo!!!!

Everything in the box is AMAZING! If you have a math wish list, add this to it!!! I kind of took it over and I am holding it Ransom from our Title 1 math.

Free Ocean Animal Unit

2011-05-22T08:06:00.000-07:00

I hope everyone is enjoying their last few days of school.

I am excited, but sad.

I was offered a job in "KINDERGARTEN" at my children's school. The school is a block away from my house, so I can walk to school everyday with my own kiddo's.

The decision was difficult because I was going to a brand new school with new everything!

I prayed about it, and decided that I needed to be a mom first and then a teacher. I know...shocking for all of us teachers. We give everything to our students!

I am sad to leave first grade, but kindergarten is my passion! I love it more than any other grade.

So...with that said, I may have to change the title of my blog. Not sure what it is going to be....

Anyways, as a thank you to all of you guys for putting up with my MIA, I am giving all of you my first ever unit I made. It is about 9 years old now, but it has some good stuff in it for K-1 classes. It is black and white, so it will be easier on ink. :)

Download Ocean Unit Here

Serious Hate Mail for Teachers?!!!!

2011-05-09T16:07:00.000-07:00

Sorry guys that I have been MIA. Life always throws you curves, but nothing more than I can handle.

I just wanted to post a little hate mail. :) Seriously...at poor teachers, non the less!

I don't mind publicly displaying her information because she has chosen to attack poor little old me. Unfortunately, it is a strike against all of us in our profession. This comment (I guess) is on my post back in December on how I taught my class (who suffers from generations of poverty, violence, and low economic status) to use proactive and kind words with each other, instead of being reactive and using violence. Silly me for teaching social skills to my kiddo's.

The entire contents of the email are displayed for you laughter and conversation!

On Mon, May 9, 2011 at 11:31 AM, Louise Owens <thewinebabe@gmail.com> wrote:
At least you refrained from saying that your proactive manners lessons would be the funnest thing you are doing from your class.
Do first grade teachers now have to use words that have been distorted beyond all comprehension by mindbendingly dull middle managers to teach manners?
Or would you advise your students to proactively avoid a sticky situation by punching the other kid in the face first.
No wonder kids are so dumb these days

(Comment as I read email: Not sure if mindbendingly is even a word?!

My response:

On Mon, May 9, 2011 at 10:47 AM, kristen walsky <kwalsky@gmail.com> wrote:

YIKES! It sounds like you would benefit from a Covey session. We are a Franklin Covey school and our behaviors have DRASTICALLY reduced and quality of learning has increased due to the use of the 7 Habits. I invite you to our school or even AB Combs in NC to see the proof in action. My kids are not dumb, and we focus on proactive and positive behavior and learning. No child is ever dumb, yet alone called stupid. I am sorry to hear you have had such an unpleasant experience with your education and what sounds like towards children. In fact, Covey Leadership teaches our students to not be so reactive in situations like this. I invite you also to go into a Kindergarten or First Grade class in your community to see how hard all teachers are working with children. As teachers, we must pick up a lot of skills that are not taught by parents. Children are our future, and we work hard to make them leaders, learners, and pleasant respectful citizens.

Dr. Kristen Walsky Ph.D

Her response:

Wow. I am the mother of a 9th grader at one of the top schools in the country and am continually amazed, bemused and saddened at the lack of English skills among teachers.

Teach your children to think for themsleves and not mangle the english language to the point that I wouldn't be able to hire them as a bartender because they sound like backwoods hacks.

Comment as I read email: Notice the grammar mistakes in her response. (I taught middle school English, and could probably teach her a little too. Themselves is spelled wrong and English should be capitalized)

I just had to share! While I live in West Virginia, I have spent most of my life in Tampa, Florida. I am proud to be fluent in Spanish, English, and backwoods hacks. :)

I guess Mrs. Owens you are truly in trouble! I teach college, write books, teach children, and lobby for education reform. What makes me chuckle is that I can't wait for one of my students to become your President! Hee, hee!

Free Everyday Math Apps for Ipods!!!!

2011-04-12T17:51:00.000-07:00

Great news for all of us Everyday Math Teachers!

During the NCTM conference, all EM Apps are free to download!

I love Free!!!!

All of our favorite (well kind of) games are on Itunes!

All you need to do is search Everyday Math in the Itunes store and start the downloads.

Here are the dates of the free downloads

Honey Bunny Studio Winner and Why I have been MIA....

2011-04-03T15:53:00.000-07:00

Sorry for being such a long time to post the winner for the Honey Bunny Studio Giveaway. For the past 3 weeks, my mom has been having health issues.

She got out of the hospital and had been doing great for a week.

Then on Thursday, my dad called me and said,"Your mom is being down right mean. She won't listen to a word I say."

He took her out to dinner and right in the middle of dinner she fell into a seizure (she has no history of ever having a seizure). She had seven seizures in the matter of 2 hours.

It has not been fun. We finally got her stable today. This is the first day she has not had a single seizure.

It is tough to see your mother not know who you are, or who her grandchildren are (she lives for those kids).

It was so sad in the ER. She was like a child. She kept asking when her parents were going to get there (they have been dead for 20 years).

I had to break it to her that her parents were no longer living and she broke down like it was the first time she had ever heard the news.

The only good thing is she doesn't remember the pain of the seizures or anything after each one. God is granting her peace through this ordeal.

So, now you know why I have been MIA, and took so long to announce the giveaway.

So here is the winner....

Briana said...

I "liked" Honey Bunny Studio on Facebook.

mrsfailsfrogs.blogspot.com

Congrats!!! Please email your info and I can pass it on to Honey Bunny Studios. My email is:

kwalsky@gmail.com

More Rock Theme Ideas

2011-03-27T17:13:00.000-07:00

First, thank you to everyone that shared ideas!!!!

I am making some more stuff, but I am sharing what I have done for now.

Click on the rock to download!

Chocolate Chip Excavation

2011-03-27T12:27:00.000-07:00

I did the Chocolate Chip Excavation years ago with my K's, but lost all of my stuff in the move to WV, so I made a little activity to launch our Rock unit.

Click on the picture to download:

Monster Clipart For Teachers

2011-03-27T09:53:00.000-07:00

Here is my try at monsters. Again, let me know what you think... (be gentle...remember I am new to graphics:))

Feel free to use them on your stuff that you sell or share. :)

Click on the picture and you should be able to download the zip file.

Rock Ideas????

2011-03-27T07:44:00.000-07:00

I am getting ready to start a PBL on Rocks for ALL of next week, and I need some ideas on Rocks. I got the fabulous resource form Chalk Talk on Rocks, but I need some more stuff. I am supposed to teach this all day for 5 days.

If you have anything or any good sites on Rocks, would you be willing to share???? I would love it, and be forever grateful!!!! I could then put everything together for all of us in a pdf and share giving credit to everyone.

Thanks a bunch!

You can email me at kwalsky@gmail.com.

Nothing like waiting until the last minute for planning! ;)

Kid Clipart for Teachers

2011-03-26T15:11:00.000-07:00

Here is the first batch of clipart for you to use on your materials for TPT or TeacherEBooks. All I ask is credit by putting clipart by first-grade-teachers.blogspot.com. That is it. All of my clipart is going to be free! I am going to work tonight on some more stuff. I am completely addicted.

I am not sure how to download an entire folder on Google Docs, so I have to do it like this:

Enjoy them!

Honey Bunny Giveaway!!!!

2011-03-24T19:19:00.000-07:00

I just had to order from Honey Bunny since I blogged about her cute stuff!

I got this set today

All I can say is BEAUTIFUL!!!!

This set is so professional and printed on extremely quality paper!

I hope she makes a bigger size alphabet set for us teachers to use on our word walls and alphabet line! It is absolutely the coolest set ever!

I also got my Knock Knock Poster!

LOVE it!!!! It fits perfectly in a frame I got from Hobby Lobby for $.89.

Well, I am so excited that the most AWESOME and talented Nel is doing a giveaway on my site!

You can win.....

A 13x19 alphabet print!

LOVE IT!

All you need to do is head on over to Honey Bunny Studio and take a look at all of her cool stuff!!!! Come back here and tell me what you liked. (1 entry)

Become a fan on FB of Honey Bunny Studio

How cute is all of her stuff???? Next on my list is the Vowel poster and the double alphabet print set. So cute! I can't wait to move into the new school and show everyone my coolest room ever!!!

I will announce a winner on March 31st around 7:00ish EST. Please leave separate posts for each entry. Have fun!

Non teacher stuff

2011-03-23T19:35:00.000-07:00

For those of you who thought I fell off the end of the world, I am here. :)

The past two weeks have been CRAZY! First, my mom was in the hospital (out now, and doing better everyday).

Then, my youngest gets a swollen salivary gland(which he gets at least 2 times a year and no one has a clue what causes it) and then strep.

Then, my husband gets strep, and then me.

Now we seem to be over the storm (except for the swollen salivary gland). I am on spring break and just need to take time for myself (Sharpen my Saw). So what do I do?

Go furniture shopping at my favorite thrift stores of course! Here is what I got and transformed:

I call him Henry, and he was $10. I wish I had taken a picture of the before! I am now doing that. He was in need of help. Mold was all over him and he needed to be spruced and Shabbied up and placed in my dinning room.

So with a new Henry, I had to buy these great chairs and reupholster them pronto with some cute Amy Butler fabric

Here is before:

Love the chair, hate the fabric!

Here is the after!!!

So pretty now! Henry matches the green in these chairs!

Reupholstering chairs is about the easiest thing to do! I got six of these chairs and a mahogany dinning room table with pedestal legs for $100. They just needed a little TLC and now they rock!

Then I was at another thrift store and saw this boy. I just loved it. Not my style, but I knew he had to come home with me.

The price said $40, but I talked them down to $12. I think it was because I had been painting all day and had yucky clothes on and my two kids were tearing up the store. I really think they wanted me to leave in a hurry. :) This could be a new tip for everyone who goes to find cool stuff in thrift shops.

Finally, I had two of these chairs that I got for free and had to do something to spice them up. I am almost done with them. Here is what I have so far, and I wish I had taken a before shot. They were ugly brown wood.

Here is one of them:

Look how happy she is now!

I am planning on doing some more crafty stuff the rest of the week. I bought an old Amish bench for $1, a bunch of old wooden school chairs, a really cool picture frame I want to shabby up, and some other things that are dying for some paint, glaze, and sanding.

I promise to create some cool stuff for the classroom, but I just wanted to let everyone know that I am using my creativity in another outlet this week! :)

Free Turtle Clipart

2011-03-21T14:46:00.000-07:00

Here is the first of many free clipart images that you can use for your teaching items. I will have more this week featuring "Ocean" animals. I know they aren't perfect yet, but I am getting better with each drawing. :)

Just click on it to get the jpg.

All that I ask is you give me credit in the credits section of your work. That is it. :)

Now, be totally honest...Is it horrible? Thanks, and I hope you guys can use them.

Artwork for the Primary Classroom

2011-03-18T17:15:00.000-07:00

I just stumbled upon the cutest site. It is Honey Bunny Studio!

How cute are these?

How about these cute posters to decorate your classroom?

I LOVE these too!

Finally, every First Grade or Kindergarten Teacher needs this poster!!!

I am so buying this for my room in the new school!

Over at Honey Bunny Studio you get 40% off of one poster.

(just mention Swell Swag in the message-to-sender box @ checkout)

Clipart for Teachers

2011-03-12T15:21:00.000-08:00

I am now starting to draw clipart for teachers to use how they please on TPT and not worry about all these legal crazy terms. I am looking for suggestions on what to draw first for everyone. I am going to make everything for free at first, until I get really good (wink, wink) and then reasonably priced.

Let me know what you are dying to have and can't find out there in the market. I am hoping to get some practice and then make custom stuff for people at a reasonable price so they can sell on TPT and not have the same clipart that everyone under the sun has. I think there should be a new option for teachers who sell.

Kindergarten Works Winner!!!

2011-03-11T16:39:00.000-08:00

Congrats to......

Pinks My Ink said...

I follow Kindergartenworks.

Janine

You are the winner of the Kindergarten Works giveaway!!! Please email me at kwalsky@gmail.com.

You are going to love it!

New Winner of the Smart Lesson Stop Giveaway!!!

2011-03-06T17:02:00.000-08:00

Unfortunately, the winner never contacted me for the Smart Lesson Stop Giveaway. So...

The new winner is.....

So, Amy Lynch, please contact me within 48 hours, or I will have to choose someone else!

Email me at kwalsky@gmail.com.

Word Work Center Giveaway!!!!

2011-03-06T16:44:00.000-08:00

How many of you do the Daily 5?

Are you ready for the coolest Word Work Activity for the Daily 5, that will have your students begging to go to Word Work every single day????

A few months ago, I was searching the internet for ways to JAZZ up Working on Words and found (Thank Goodness).....

I could not believe that I had not heard of Kindergarten Works before! I immediately fell in love with the Dough Working on Words Center!!!!

Center direction card

Sight Words!!!!

ABC Order!!!!

Building word families!!!!

These are actual cards that you laminate and let the children work with.

You can use cookie cutters or other alphabet stamps, but I use these from Lakeshore. I have 3 sets for the kiddo's to work with at their seats.

Kindergarten Works has some awesome items they have made. I love everything I have bought, and I am so glad they are letting me giveaway the Dough Set!!!!

Here is how you enter:

Go to Kindergarten Works Blog and follow (1 Entry)

Like the on FB (1 Entry)

Follow me!!! (1 Entry)

Make sure you leave separate entries for each entry so that I know to count you!

This giveaway will end on Friday, March 11th around 7:00ish EST.

You are going to love Kindergarten Works Activities! Your kiddo's will be begging for more!

Teacher Appreciation at Doodlebugs Paper!

2011-03-05T16:02:00.000-08:00

My favorite stationary and cute paper company is having a sale for teachers!

Love just about everything!

First Grade and Kindergarten Smartboard Lessons Giveaway!

2011-02-28T16:07:00.001-08:00

I love my Smartboard, but I didn't LOVE it until recently.

I didn't use it the way I needed to. I can admit it now. I used it with my Elmo, I used it for PowerPoints, and I used it as a glorified computer monitor and overhead.

I didn't LOVE it, and use it the way it wanted so badly to be used. I am so sorry little Smartboard for the time we could have spent together. I know now you were just dying to be engaged with my students. Wanting so badly to be touched with the pen, and interactive with those little minds.

I think I heard you reboot a few times over it.

But...I DO NOW!!!!

Enter the.....

Smart Lesson Stop!!!!

I love them! They have saved my entire Calendar Time! I no longer take up half the room with my calendar wall!!!! I can actually display child centered work! I can have room to put anchor charts! I absolutely think these girls are the most up and coming gals in the teacher world!

Just look at Calendar Time on a Smartboard:

It is interactive to actually keep track of the weather. On the next page, you keep a running temperature graph that is interactive and connected to Weather.com

Money keeps track of the days we have been in school!

Number grid can be used a variety of ways. The next page that isn't shown is a fact family house where we roll die, yes, interactive Smartboard die to determine our fact family house!

I cannot tell you how awesome these programs are! If you use Everyday Math it goes over the same skills!

I also love the games they created. Our classroom favorite is probably:

Long Vowel Speedway!

The kids can't get enough of this game and all that are included. I believe there are at least 8 different games in the Long Vowel Speedway file. Kids love this during Daily 5. I include it in Working on Words.

Enough of how much I love Smart Lesson Stop! Now I get to tell you how you can love them!!!!

Go to their site, look around, and then come back here and just leave a comment about what you think would be of good use to you in your classroom. (1 Entry)

Follow me (1 Entry)

And the WINNER WILL GET..... 4 Smartboard Products of their choice!!!!

YES, I SAID 4!!!!! WHOOO HOOO!

I will announce a winner on Friday, March 4th at 7:00ish EST

I just know you guys are going to love their stuff. I only like the best things out there and items that I just can't make myself, or don't have the time. I LOVE their resources, the kids LOVE them, and it saves time! Not to mention that their products are so teacher friendly priced!

Let the Smartie's Smartboard Contest Begin!

Doodle Bugs Paper Winner!!!!

2011-02-27T16:40:00.000-08:00

I am so excited for this person! I had to go back and count two times to make sure I wasn't messing up! She is seriously my new BFF blog friend and I just love her to pieces!

I couldn't have picked a better number for a hardworking teachin gal like:

Kinderglynn said...

And I LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE, did I mention how much I LOVE her things. I have my eye on those pinks and greens. I am going to wait and keep my fingers crossed b/c I want some things What a fabulous site Thank you so much for sharing it with us!!
Donna

http://kinderglynn.blogspot.com/

Whoo Hooo! I promise Donna I didn't cheat! This is your lucky time! I just know you are the Rock Star teacher that deserves this! Go buy up Doodle Bugs Paper's Pink and Green STASH! I am doin the Happy Dance again for you!

Wink...Wink...

Stay tuned for another FABULOUS giveaway tomorrow for all you high tech Smartboard Lovin Teachers! You don't want to miss this one!

I can't live without it.

Hint: They offer something you do everyday, but you will love the new way to do it. It gives you so much more space...If, you choose to get this one...or maybe another??? You get 4!!!! Hope your not confused! ( I am a little)

See you tomorrow!

A Few of My Favorite Things!

2011-02-27T12:14:00.000-08:00

I was just talking to one of my good friends from Florida, who reminded me that I love shopping and life. :) I decided to do a little post about my favorite things. I am no Oprah, but I LOVE to shop and have pretty good taste. So here goes....

First, I am sick of Vera Bradley. Everyone and their mother has it now. I loved it about 8 years ago, but when I am in Walmart and the toothless lady beside me has one, I just can't look at them the same (I know, sounds stuck up).

So I recently switched to this little Scout Uptown Girl bag for my teacher items.

I love it for $27!!!

I also just got this one from Lilly Pulitzer.

This one runs about $88, but will be instyle for a lifetime!

Lilly never goes out of style.

This is the best darn planner in the world! I buy it every year from Tiny Prints. I love that it puts my name on it, comes with clips, a zipper pouch, stickers, and gift tags inside. This planner is by far the best out there for moms, teachers, and everyone else in between. If I could kiss the person who made it, I would!

I am addicted to address labels, but these are my favorite! I get them over at the Preppy Princess. You get 30 for $4.

Holls Chocolates are the best chocolates in the entire universe! Since moving to West Virginia, I was introduced to these unbelievably good treats! I would rather have these any day over Godiva or any other brand. I highly recommend them and they ship all over the world. No preservatives either!

My camera strap by Cotton Candy. I love this thing! I love the print, I love to wear it on my neck, and it is a great price. Very high quality!

My new favorite artist is Jill's Dreams. I have bought several of her paintings for my "office". They all are bright, cheerful, and pretty to look at. I have gotten so many compliments from friends at my house on these cute paintings.

I am a makeup junkie! I worked behind a Clinique counter to put myself through college. I am an addict! One day I will take a picture of my bathroom and you will just die! I can't get enough of Hourglass Carbon mascara! It is the best for my lashes! It doesn't cake, it defines each little lash, and doesn't come off during the day.

For all of us teachers who get up at the crack of dawn and have NO eyeshadow on at the end of the day, then Urban Decay Shadow Potion is for you! I have had my shadow stay on from 5:00 am to 9:45 pm on conference night with this bad boy! No creases, no smudges, just beautiful eye shadow!

Finally, I love Stila Long Wear Lip Color. I love that it stays on at least until lunch at 12:00pm with my kiddo's (after many cups of coffee and Diet Dr. Pepper). I love that it doesn't cake in the corners or peel like many long last lipsticks. This stuff is moisturizing and has a little hint of mint to it!

I am still on the search for the perfect pen to write with. I like the Sharpie pen, and Flair's are OK, but I am on the quest to find the perfect pen!!!!

I know this post is pretty random, but that is the type of person I am. I keep you busy and thinking!

Now go and join over at Fun in First Grade and share your Favorite Things!

Clipart Coupon SALE!

2011-02-27T07:39:00.000-08:00

One of my FAVORITE shops for clipart, My Graffico is having a 40% off of everything!!!! If you buy for making items for TeacherEBooks or TPT, make sure you read the terms and if you need to, buy the Commercial License.

Oh, if you would like to start selling on TeacherEBooks, shoot me an email and I can get you set up! I have been selling with TeacherEBooks for almost 8 years (way before TPT) and I LOVE them! You get PAID each month!!! There are no FEES, and you can still sell on TPT!!!! Shoot me an email and I can tell you more!

kwalsky@gmail.com

iPods in the Classroom

2011-02-24T14:22:00.000-08:00

One of the best things that I ever did was ask my principal, well beg my principal, for iPod touches. I got 5 for my very own classroom. Then I went, no ran, to the Dollar Tree and bought protectors for the bunch. :)

I love the games and apps that are available for teachers to use with their kids. I use these iPods daily in my Daily 5 rotations. I use them for work on words, listen to reading, and writing. Here are the apps that I use for Reading:

Here are the apps I use for math:

Little tip: arrange the apps to use for Reading on the first page, and math on the next. I moved all those non-student friendly apps to the last page and then put them in their own folder. Kids don't even try to use them at all. I also took everything off the dock at the bottom. This is very easy to do in iTunes.

I use the voice recorder to have kids make math sentences to solve for their partner. They record a problem and their partner solves it on paper. They also create story problems orally which are fun to see them write down. Students also use the apps for math games during math center rotations.

I also have them record themselves reading during Read to Self. They like to hear themselves read and they also critique themselves for accuracy, fluency, and expression.

I also record myself in QuickTime reading books and other faculty and staff in the school reading books to guess the reader. I love this little mechanism for a Listen to Reading Center:

How cool is the Rockstar by Belkin (buy it through Amazon. It is the cheapest)? A little iPod Listening Center!

I recorded all the Scott Foresman CD's for Listen to Background Songs into iTunes, typed out the words and put them together in a book for a listen to reading center. No CD's to loose, not scratches, and super easy!

Here is a fantastic site for more ideas on how to use the iPod in the classroom. I seriously don't know what I did without them. Engagement has increased, time on task rocks, and each student is getting a little personal tutor.

I looked around today during Daily 5 and just smiled! I had kids on iPods, kids on the Smartboard, kids on computers listening to reading, and kids making video's using the Flip Camera of the plays they had written, and kids just reading books.

I love how much fun teaching has become. Who would have thought the classroom would become this??? I remember in 6th grade, our class got our first Atari Computer. It was brown and huge, and none of us knew what to do. My teacher cried at her desk and said in 10 years, no one would need teachers (Chuckle). It took about an hour to write a billion(maybe not that much) code to get a balloon to float across the screen. I remember in college being "high tech" with my Brother Word Processor that weighed a ton in my sorority house and all the other girls were in admiration. I can't wait to see what it will be like in 10 more years!!!!

Doodle Bugs Stationery Giveaway!!!

2011-02-20T17:05:00.001-08:00

I found out about Kacey and Doodle Bugs Stationary from Primary Perspective a few months ago and I knew I just had to buy a portfolio!

Can you imagine how excited I was to get my POLKA DOT PORTFOLIO IN THE MAIL????

You all know how much I love my name on things and Polka Dots.

Well, my giveaway is for a $20 gift certificate to Doodle Bugs Paper!!!!

I would love to win this!!!! I can only imagine all the cool stationary I could buy with my NAME on everything!!!!

Here is what you need to do to enter:

Become a follower of Doodle Bugs Paper (1 entry)

Follow me (1 entry)

That is it! Make sure you leave a separate post for each entry.

I will announce a winner next Sunday evening around 7:00 EST.

I can't wait to see who wins and what they pick out. I know I LOVE my portfolio and all the other teachers are jealous!!!

Dental Health and Teeth

2011-02-20T14:00:00.000-08:00

I am finishing up Dental Health activities this week. Here are some items that I just plum forgot to post. I also have the entire unit on TeacherEBooks and TPT for sale.

Click on the Picture for some fun for your class!

TeacherGoneTechie

2011-02-19T15:24:00.004-08:00

There are some really cute blog templates still left on TeacherGoneTeachie! The price is only $6 for your blog design with a custom title and signature. I will also install them within 48 hours!

Take a look at my latest designs!

I am loving this one! I know I keep saying I have a favorite, but I love this one!

Everyone knows that I love pink and green!

This just reminds me of spring and happy thoughts! ;)

My blog designs do NOT come from a scrapbook kit.

No one else on the web will have a blog that looks the same, EVER!

Now off to take care of my little sick one! I had the temperature down, but it just went back up to 101!

Congrats #33

2011-02-18T17:08:00.000-08:00

Congrats to winner number 33!!!!! You are:

Lindsey said...

I am his fb fan!! I am also a new teacher!! I need this:)

-lindsey
www.theteacherwife.blogspot.com

As a new teacher, I think you absolutely need some Jack Hartman in your life!

You are going to love him!

Please email me within 48 hours to claim your prize!

Thanks everyone for playing! Wait until you see the Giveaway on Sunday!!!!

You are going to LOVE it!

Now off to put my kids to bed, and probably me (So Sad on a Friday night...I am getting so old). I got the littlest one's fever down from almost 103 to 99!!!! Let's hope it stays there!

Cute new Blog Design at TeacherGoneTechie

2011-02-18T16:32:00.000-08:00

I posted a two new premade blog templates at TeacherGoneTeachie. I will be posting a few more this weekend. Get them while you can!

I have had this one for about a month, and couldn't decide if I wanted to keep it for myself. I decided to let it. go to a happy new blog home.

Don't forget to register for the Jack Hartman!

2011-02-18T02:58:00.000-08:00

Tonight I will announce the winner of the new Jack Hartman CD!

Don't forget to register here!

Click Me!

Everyday Math Prompts

2011-02-17T12:46:00.001-08:00

I spent all night at an Everyday Math Training on Tuesday. Our county is really pushing writing in math. We were given these writing prompts already written out for EM. I thought some of you that use it would like a copy. I started today using them and modeling them. The kids enjoyed doing the prompts. I plan to use them at a Math Center next week to see how they solve the problems.

Download Here:

A pretty little organization tip with style

2011-02-15T16:47:00.000-08:00

Some of you know that I decided to take an organizational class in January. I am a bit on the random organization side. I know where everything is, but I just have it in random stacks. Mr. Walsky calls it absurd chaos, and I like to call it creative and unique.

Well, the first day they gave us link to look at organization ideas, and I couldn't get past the first picture! Sterilite containers! After that, I was pretty much done. I had learned all I wanted from the course. This is why....

Notice the pretty white bow bins and the ugly plain red bins!

Seriously!!! I have used these containers for years and hated the holes. Who would have ever thought to put a cute little bow through the holes?

I LOVE it! So this is what I have been doing every day to my reading leveled books, and changing out my bins. I am loving the ribbon and the polka dots. I actually just bought some pink and black zebra striped ribbon for my room next year!

Why didn't I ever do this before. The room is looking so cute with bows tied to everything. The reading section just looks so much more stylish.

I guess I have to take the course over again....Maybe I will actually learn clutter control and not be overwhelmed with cute little decorative suggestions on how to make my clutter bins more attractive. At least at home I am pretty, creative, and unique chaotic clutterfied!

Cute new site with a great Giveaway!

2011-02-13T16:59:00.000-08:00

I just wanted to share a cute new site by an author of a book I just love. It is Erica Bohrer and she is the author of

Just-Right Reading Response Activity Sheets for Young Learners: 50 Reproducible Graphic Organizers That Help Children Write Meaningful Responses to the Books They Read

I love this book! I use it all the time with work on writing and the Daily 5. I was just telling some of my friends at a training about this book. Go check out her blog and register to win an autographed copy!

Accessory Swap

2011-02-13T15:14:00.000-08:00

I think this is a pretty cool thing! I joined the accessory swap at :

I love getting mail, and I truly have to say that I am lacking in the accessories department. I have scarves, but that is pretty much the extent of my coordinating of accessories. I am also tired of wearing the same scarves. I think this is just about the coolest thing ever. I can't wait to pick out something for someone I don't know. I may have some new Blogging Friends after this.

You can sign up over at Miss Delk's Blog.

My biggest problem will be staying below the $20 budget. I have expensive tastes. I guess Tiffany's earrings are out, huh??? This maybe hard, or my person may just love me. Whoever I get, just pretend I spent $20. ;)

A Musical Giveaway!

2011-02-13T10:04:00.000-08:00

This giveaway has a special place in my heart! My first year teaching was as all us Veteran Teachers call it "Survival"!!!!

I had no idea what I was doing. I was stuck in a portable that had a huge hole in the very back lot of the PE court with 36 kindergarten kids and NO AID!!!! We had to walk through 1 foot high grass in mud and rain to get to that stupid thing. I think at the end of the year it was condemned. It was just madness.

I am so grateful for that year, because I can handle anything that comes my way! I didn't know any better, and I thought that was just teaching. :)

Well, I was lucky enough to live in Tampa, Florida and Jack Hartman came to our school to give a concert, one of his very first ones!!! He is from St. Petersburg, Florida which is right across the bay from Tampa. At his concert, I was blown away! He gave us all Shake Rattle and Read and told us to play it, give him feedback, and pass on the word to teachers.

Basically, Jack Hartman saved my first year teaching life that year! I still have my little autographed picture of Mr. Jack Hartman. I made him sign it because I knew he would be famous!

So here is the Giveaway: A brand new CD of his latest Songs

Transition Time!!!!

I was just thrilled that Jack Hartman would give me a CD to giveaway to my blog group!

He rocks in many WAYS!

So, here is what you do:

Go to FB and Like him. (He cracks me up because he will dress up and put on anything to get the kids moving)

Then come back here and post.

For all of you who don't have FB, just tell me you couldn't. But do go to his site and look around and listen. It is sooo worth it.

My favorite CD's are the Hip Hop AlphaBop series.

I will announce a winner on Friday night around 8:00ish EST.

The Preppy Girl Template

2011-02-12T11:57:00.000-08:00

This is probably my most FAVORITE blog design yet!

I call it the Preppy Girl!

You can purchase it for $5 over at TeacherGoneTechie.

I love Polka Dots (everyone knows) and pink and green. I should keep this one for my site, but I love the one I just put up!

This just makes me smile!

I am only selling this template with this color scheme, one time.

New Templates at TeacherGoneTechie

2011-02-12T08:14:00.000-08:00

I just uploaded a few other premade templates over at TeacherGoneTechie. I am only going to sell these templates 1 time so you will be the original owner. :) They are a great deal at $5. I will upload all the code to your site and add your header and tagline too. There are also still a few ones left that look like my site, but in different colors.

Mod Design

Hurray!

Scentsy Winner!!!!

2011-02-11T17:09:00.000-08:00

The winner is #77, who said...

Darci said...

I really like the Art Deco Scentsy Warmer. I have wanted one for a long time - I hope I win!

Guess what my little chicken nugget(this is what I call my students when I am super excited, well that and tator tots).....

YOU WON!!!!

Please email me within 48 hours with your plug in and 3 bar scents or I will choose someone else. Don't make me do that. I just might make myself a winner!

For everyone else, thanks for playing. Remember that the whole Scentsy site is on sale this month. There is also a Walsky link, so whatever is ordered goes back to the site for cool and fabulous GIVEAWAYS!!!!

Another Great Giveaway is Coming SOON!!!!!

Premade Blog Templates

2011-02-11T14:30:00.000-08:00

Over at my blog design site TeacherGoneTechie, I uploaded the first set of Blogger premade templates. Each one is $5 and will only be sold once. If you like my current blog layout, you will love the premade choices!

It is this blog layout with different color options. I plan on posting some new layouts very soon. Customized Blog Title is included in the price!

Sentsy Giveaway!!! One more day!

2011-02-10T05:47:00.000-08:00

It is not too late to register for the FABULOUS Sentsy Giveaway!!! I will announce the winner Tomorrow around 8:00ish!!!! Good Luck!

Make sure to leave your comments here.

Valentine's Day and Dental Health

2011-02-09T06:18:00.000-08:00

So after reading Silverlicious (Thank you, Mrs. Perry) I came up with the idea to give toothbrushes as Valentine's Gifts to my kiddo's. Here is the card I made to go with them.

I am lucky enough to have a dental clinic in my school that gave me free tooth brushes!!! I know you can buy them at the Dollar Tree and Big Lots very cheap!

A nice alternative to candy and sweets! I hope they like it and my fruit!

I also posted this on a WhipperBerry under their link party. There are some of the cutest little Homemade Valentine crafts on that site!

Valentine Class Idea

2011-02-08T14:00:00.001-08:00

I don't know about you, but I love Valentine's Day. I think it is because I love pink, and red, and HEARTS the most!!!

Well, our school does not allow candy of any kind, cupcakes, or cakes. We can only give healthy treats. Great for teeth and hyper activity, but it is hard to find cute little treats that are healthy snacks.

One of my favorite blogs "So About What I Said..." posted this great idea for fruit. I am going to give away fruit to my kids for Valentine's Day! Look how cute these stickers are to put on the fruit.

So cute!

Love this one!

Most of my kiddo's can't afford toothbrushes so I also got them red and pink toothbrushes too. I know it isn't candy, but it is still something sweet from the teacher. :)

You can download the stickers from TwigandThistle (another great blog).

Sight Word Activity

2011-02-06T08:54:00.000-08:00

I have a student that I love to death, but I just can't get her to learn her sight words! One day she knows 40 and the next day 4. I know she is SOOOO SMART!!!!

Well, I started doing this little game with her last week, and Oh My Goodness!!!! She knows all her sight words consistently. Her problem was that she would just guess a word. I made this little game for her and it is WORKING!!!!

I put a sightword on a card and told her to get her mouth ready.

While she looked at the card, I used the word in a sentence. I then made her read the card. I combined get your mouth read and does it make sense.

Why did I never think of this before????

Uh...can we say an Ed.S in reading did pay off.... eventually! :) I was starting to question it and the money I spent....

Here is a copy of the game I made with the sentences, words, and directions.

I just love cherries, not the fruit...hate them...but the graphics!!!

Sentsy Giveaway

2011-02-04T18:36:00.000-08:00

I love Sentsy! I can't tell you how amazed I am with this product. I am so excited that I am giving away a Sentsy Plug-In Warmer and 3 bars to one of my readers.

WHOOO HOOO!

This is the one I ordered!

My anonymous Sentsy Lady is Andrea! She is fabulous. I still am shocked that I never knew about Sentsy before!!!!

So, you get to pick out your warmer and 3 Sent Bars for this AWESOME and good smelling giveaway.

Andrea put a Walsky link on her site. If you buy something and I get any free stuff, I will give it away on this site to one of you guys! I just want to keep paying it forward to other people. I am in love with Sentsy! For the whole month of February, Sentsy is on SALE! The entire SITE!

Don't tell Mr. Walsky, but I just ordered the Large Sentsy for my classroom. Those kids don't smell very good after lunch. :) I have petitioned the cafeteria to stop serving pinto beans, cornbread, and collard greens all in one day!

Sentsy help me stand the SMELL!!!!

Here is what you can do:

Go on over and just look around on the Sentsy site here.

Come back and post something you liked on this page.

THE END

I will announce a winner on Friday, February 11th at around 8:00ish EST PM.

Plum Doodles Winner!

2011-02-02T17:18:00.000-08:00

And the for my Plum Doodles Giveaway the winners are.....

Mrs. Mangham said...

Did both! Such a great giveaway! Hope I win...hehe

HeHe...You Won!!!!

and

Peace and Love said...

Followed her blog!

Sounds like you love recycling. :)

Congrats! Please email with your info so that I can pass it along to Plum Doodles! You have 48 hours to email me, or I will have to choose another winner.

I just love giving away COOL teacher stuff! I have another great giveaway coming up soon!

Last Chance for Plum Doodles Giveaway

2011-02-02T16:22:00.001-08:00

Don't forget to register here for the Plum Doodles Giveaway.

Hurry, you have 35 minutes!!!!

Post Here!

Link Party!!!!

2011-02-02T04:40:00.000-08:00

How much fun is a link party????

I just joined Cara Carroll's link party and I just love reading about other teacher's who have blogs. It kind of puts a name with a face for all of us who are bloggers and um....blog stalkers! :)

OK, here is a little about me....

Mr. and Mrs. Walsky

I am getting older! Let's just stay that I am very close to 40. Not yet, but feeling it every day. :) I have been teaching now for 16 years. I taught 12 of those in Kindergarten, 2 in 6th grade, and 2 in First Grade. I also started the year as a Reading Specialist and went back to the classroom because I missed it soooo much! I will be one of those teachers who never retires. Yep, that is me....I can see it....pushing my oxygen tank around with my class in the hallway!

I also am a Professor of Early Childhood Education. I like changing education from the inside. I really want to prepare our teachers for the "REAL" classroom, not just from a book.

I also am a certified Yoga Instructor!!!! Love me some yoga. If the whole world practiced yoga, there would be world peace! Problem Solved!!!!!

Here are my two cutie pies. Davis (8) and Jackson (5)

I love these kids! One looks just like me and the other acts just like me! I am so glad I have 2 boys. I don't know how to do hair so god knew that when I was pregnant!

I have lived in Virginia, Florida, and West Virginia. I met my husband at West Virginia University!!!! In our minds, there is NO other school. Let's GO MOUNTAINEERS!!!! It is a pretty funny story how I met Mr. Walsky, but we have vowed to tell everyone we just met in the library, studying VERY Diligently! There will be no telling of myself at his fraternity party and Mr. Walsky walking outside to see me using the bathroom outside. Yep...I was the Pi Phi pee-pee girl all night. Charming Huh??? A real fairy tale. Hey, he asked me out, and we have been together every since!

Now for the Q & A

Q: What would you be doing if you weren’t a teacher?
A: I would be a Vet! I love animals, and science.
Q: What are your hobbies?
A:  Graphic Design, painting, refinishing furniture, yoga, learning anything new.
Q: When you were little, what did you want to be when you grew up?
A: The President of the United States. Seriously...Every writing assignment in elementary school, I have me standing on top of the world with the US Flag. I also wanted to disarm nuclear weapons. I think my second grade teacher was a little shocked at that one. It was our Christmas List Project.
Q: What are your guilty pleasures?
A: Diet Dr. Pepper or Diet Dr. Thunder(Walmart Brand, and even BETTER!!!!) Starbucks White Mocha, Vampire Diaries.
Q: What is your biggest fear?!
A: Mice and Rats!!!! If there is ever one in the Walsky house, I will be at a hotel. I WILL NOT come back until I see evidence sent via phone or email of a dead creature.
Q: When you’re on vacation, where do you like to go?
A: Florida to see all of my friends and family. I miss them like crazy! I miss the food in Tampa and the atmosphere.
Q: What’s the best advice you’ve ever received?
A: Live Life to the fullest. If you want to do something, do it. If you want to learn something learn it! You have been given the precious gift of breath in this life. What will you do with it???
Q: What do you value most in others?
A: Smiles and not taking themselves too seriously.
Q: If you could choose one of your personality traits to pass down to your kids, what would it be?
A: To see the good in everyone.  Everyone is a reflection of the divine. God don't make no junk as my mom always says.  Everyone has goodness in them. Sometimes they drive us crazy, but there is something kind, loving, and divine in everyone. Find that in someone and focus on that.
Q: If you could have lunch with anyone in the world….living or dead…who would it
be?
A: I am thinking God. I am so thankful for all I have and all that I can pass on to others. I would buy God lunch and just say Thank You for all he has done.

I think I would also like to go to lunch with Oprah. Can you just imagine the conversations and experiences she has to talk about???
Now tell us one random thing about yourself:

I once won Publisher's Clearning house for $50 for being the first entry from my state. I love to tell people that I won Publisher's Clearning House :) It is just funny...
I one time got stuck in an elevator when I was 7 for two hours. I was in a hotel and ran back up to the room for my mom (we could do that then). These nice guys sang to me the whole time and took care of me. When I got out, my dad thanked the "The 4 Tops" musicians for taking care of me. I had no idea who they were. Pretty Cool

Cute and Fun Valentine's Giveaway!

2011-01-31T15:29:00.002-08:00

This is such a fun and cool giveaway!

How cute are these for party favors or gifts for our classroom that our student's can actually use! I love it!!!

I can't believe how great this company is! Plum Doodles is awesome because it is great for the environment! Listen to this cool little blurb from the owner of Plum Doodles:

They are 100% recycled Crayola brand crayons that I "rescue" from area restaurants, the school where I work, and friends/families that I know who no longer use their crayons. I then remove the wrappers and hand-pour or use silicone pans to melt the crayons and mold them into a variety of shapes. I make both solid colored and swirled (two or three color) crayons. The shapes I currently have available include: hearts, dinosaurs, mini fruit shapes, frogs, ladybugs, butterflies, letters, numbers, snack foods, transportation, sports, flowers, and gingerbread men.

I love that this is helping our environment, they are cute as all get out, and they are made by a teacher! I REALLY like the idea of buying from teachers to help all of us make it in our underpaid jobs!

So my giveaway is for a set of heart custom crayons to 2 winners (they are sooo cute)!!!! I just got my set of dino's and sports stuff for my own kiddo's and they went bananas! They are actually coloring right now with them. Jack the 5 year old said, "I wonder if they can make me as a crayon?" Now that is an idea....I am thinking we should put some lavender essential oils to calm our student's down as they color. Now that is something Plum Doodles should look into!

So here is how you enter:

1 entry, follow Plum Doodles blog (love her header and it is a cute blog)

and

1 entry, Like them on FB (you can see all her cute crayons here)

That's it! So go on and like a fellow teacher! Let's show our support for such an environmentally friendly and genius idea!

I will announce a winner on Wednesday evening around 8:00pm (EST) that way you get your crayons in time for Valentine's Day!

New Walsky's in the House

2011-01-29T16:27:00.000-08:00

About 3 weeks ago my husband was sitting on the couch and felt like someone was staring at him. He opened up the front blinds to see a grey cat looking in our window. It was 12 degrees outside so my husband let the cat inside. I was at Target when all this happened, and he called me to tell me to get cat food too. Uhhh...What???? I am seriously the anti-cat person. Never liked them in my life. Cats run at the sight of me. They hate me. It is mutual.

Well, for the people who have no idea about cats, guess what???

She had 3 kittens under my oldest son's bed, on top of his Pottery Barn Comforter. She pulled it off and dragged that sucker under his bed. Let's just say this is a great excuse to go shopping.... That baby went in the trash immediately.

Aren't these just the cutest things in the world? I have no idea what I am doing, but I feel like the proudest Mommy in the world. I seriously love this stray cat now. She is amazing to pop out 3 babies, take care of them all day, and give them so much love. It is amazing to watch!

President's Day Book

2011-01-29T10:03:00.000-08:00

I am making a President's Day Unit for TPT and TeacherEBooks and wanted to give you guys some of the unit. Be gentle with my clipart. I made it very quickly while working on lesson plans, blogs, and being mom. I figured everyone could use this because there is NOTHING out there for President's Day. Enjoy!

Click on Pic to Download
Make sure you download this copy. Made a little typo!

Also, I think Google Docs changed, because I can't use the embedded Doc option any more. If someone figures it out, please share how to do it again. Thanks!

Another Blog Down!

2011-01-29T07:23:00.000-08:00

I just uploaded another template to a blog! I love the colors! You guys need to check out "The Adventures of Miss. Elisabeth"... She has some very cute stuff on her blog. I know now that since it is even more fabulous, she will love blogging even more, and share her FAB ideas! :) Make sure you go check her out and follow her!

Off to create more blogs and finish my President clipart! I will warn you, they are not the greatest, because I had to hurry to get them done. ;) My Barack Obama though is a keeper! I will share those soon!

Heidi Songs WINNER!

2011-01-28T16:27:00.000-08:00

I am so excited to announce this winner! I have been a website stalker for years at her really OLD site and her newer sites. She is one of the most amazing teachers in the WORLD!

Congrats to:

Kinderpond said...

Unfortunately, I don't own any of her matierals... yet :)

Jennifer

Personally, she is the Frog Lady to me from years of Yahoo Groups and Stalking. :)

I am so glad you won! You deserve it! Just email me your info and I will put your FABULOUS Heidi stuff in the mail.

Stay tuned for another FAB giveaway starting VERY soon!

Heidi Songs Giveaway Ends Today!

2011-01-28T11:23:00.000-08:00

Tonight, I will announce the winner of the Heidi Songs Winner. This is your last chance to sign up and win!

Enter Here

Check back tonight right after 7:00EST to find out who won!!!

Snow Day!!!

2011-01-28T07:43:00.000-08:00

I am home today! Wooo Hooo!!! I had to take the day off, because the students aren't at school because of snow, but teachers still had to go. I was NOT about to take my 2 boys with me to school all day to work in my room! I would get nothing but frustration done! :)

This has nothing to do with teaching, but I thought I would share the coolest thing I just bought. I LOVE CANDLES! I am a candle junkie! In fact, I have a whole closet full of candles from pretty much every candle company in the world. I am always looking for the best candle that will smell the whole house the entire life of the candle. What I find is most candle companies over promise and under deliver. I have NEVER found the perfect candle, and I have tried them ALL and at EVERY price.

This is weird, but I only love candles that smell like something I could eat. Last week I was googling Cinnamon candles and found the coolest thing ever.

Sentsy!!!!

You can click on the picture and it will take you to the site I ordered from. I don't know who this person is, but man I love this thing!

I got it yesterday...This thing ROCKS! Now, I don't have a small house at all, and this little bugger smells the entire house with the best smelling Cinnamon in the world!!!! I can't believe that I have never seen this before or heard of it!

It is the coolest thing. It uses a light bulb to heat scented wax on top. You plug it in and it is kind of like a little light too! Within minutes my house was smelling so good. Believe me, I am not getting paid a cent (even though maybe I should) to say this. I just love this little gadget! I don't have to worry about my 5 year old sticking things inside a burning candle screaming, "MOM, WE HAVE A PROBLEM!"

I was excited too to find out that they aren't expensive either. I bought the mid-sized warmer kit with 3 bars for $40 with $6 shipping. Seriously, this is really all you need. My house is huge, and I am on the 3rd floor right now smelling delicious Cinnamon Bear right now! I don't even know the girl I ordered from when I googled and went to her site, but I am a happy camper!!!

Free Fonts!

2011-01-27T16:16:00.000-08:00

OK, if you are like me, you are obsessed with fonts!!!! I love them. I have more than 2,000 on my computer. Man does it slow it down!!!! But, I can never get enough.

Since I have been taking my blog design course, I am finding the best clipart and fonts that we can use as teachers for free! Love that!

Here is a new font site with the BEST and Cutest fonts!

They are free for personal and teacher use, but if you are planning on selling using them, you must give credit (easy to do a little blurb)or pay a little sum to not give credit.

If you click on the shop section, there is also some very cute clipart that is very inexpensive. If you are a TPT kind of teacher, you can buy the extended commercial license and use the clipart as much as you want and sell it on other sites. This is something I just learned.

Just Learned This: When you buy clipart on a site, you are only buying it for a limited number of times you can sell or use it, unless you buy the extended license. This is something I learned yesterday and we could be opening ourselves up for issues if we don't spend that extra money. YIKES!!!!! Thank goodness I have to take a little intellectual property and cyber law class with this whole graphics and design thing. :) Just thought I would share, because I didn't know this!

Addition Dice Game: Roll the Die

2011-01-26T14:03:00.000-08:00

I don't like boring game boards. We use Everyday Math and the games they give us in the student workbook are just boring. Today we played roll the die and the kids loved it! They asked me if they could play everyday (something that is not often said in our classroom with EM).

I decided to fancy it up (our game board). They are going to love it tomorrow now that it is Walskyfied!

I also use the dice in dice to help with that horrible noise of throwing die across the room. Another tip if you don't have those is to use plastic storage ware to hold the die. The gladware or generic tupperware salad dressing size holds a pair of die fabulously! My kids are experts at shake, shake, drop on top to shake and roll dice. It keeps the die contained. I actually bought my little storage containers at the Dollar Tree, here. I love that you can buy in bulk from the dollar tree and have it delivered! How awesome is that! I used to go to 5 different ones to get enough for my class. I think all of us teachers must own stock in that place!

Fabulous Freebie Giveaway!

2011-01-24T14:59:00.000-08:00

Who doesn't love Heidi Songs?!?

Who doesn't LOVE FREE?!?

Our next giveaway is for the Sing & Spell #5 DVD for Number Words and More Sight Words!

I LOVE Heidi Songs and so do my kiddo's. They love these songs at the end of the day. We always do our plus and delta chart, and then end with Heidi DVD's as we wait for car riders and buses.

Here is what you need to do...

Follow Heidi Songs Blog

Here (1 entry)

Like her on FB

Here (1 entry)

And most of you guys are already doing this because you are SUPER COOL, so tell me how you use Heidi Songs in your classroom! Remember, sharing is how we learn new and fantastic ideas.... (1 entry)

I will announce the winner on Friday, January 28th around 7:00ish EST.

PS: Sorry I haven't been posting much this past week. I had 2 sick kids, husband out of town for a week, snow out the wazooo, a broken stupid new furnace, and blogs a many to design. I am getting caught up and will be posting some cool ideas soon.

Groundhog Unit and Books

2011-01-23T17:57:00.000-08:00

This unit comes from my old website LoveTwoTeach. I made it about 7 years ago, but there are some cute things that you can use for Groundhogs Day.

It is nothing fancy!

I drew only black and white graphics back then because one of our Kindergarten and First Grade benchmarks was for fine motor skills and coloring. I love using color now! I don't think I even had my own printer in my classroom back then.

Click on the Picture to Download