Batty Freebie

Just a quick post to share a little something...

We've been working on bats this week. Of course, I haven't taken any pictures... but, I do have a little freebie for you!

In addition to bats, we started learning about how to find words in a dictionary. We created a little book to tell about the parts of a dictionary, and then we did some practice searching for words. This skill seems harder for my kids than in years past. So, this week we are doing some additional practice with this during literacy centers.

 

Each little booklet gives three practice words. I've also included blank booklets so you can come up with your own words too. You can get all of this in my TPT store for free. Just click here or the pictures above! 

Have a great week! 

Currently in August

I can't believe summer has come down to this last day... for me! I'm back at work this week-- not seeing the kiddos until Wednesday though... so I have a little time to breathe!

A day late for currently, yesterday was a day FULL of school! It started with an event my school does at the beginning of the year called Neighborhood Knocks. Instead of just posting classes online or on the front door, our staff and a partnering church come together and visit every student's house and tell them who their teacher will be. It only takes about 1.5 hours and most kids are very excited about it!

I rushed home for my kids to get their knock too! It kicked off some major excitement in my house.... to the tune of trying on their school clothes! ha!!

I ended up back at school to get some organization done in my classroom BY MYSELF! I usually take the kids with me daily, but only so much gets done with them.

When I came home we ran out for more school clothes! Oh, and I stopped at Home Depot to get some composition books cut in half.... if you don't mind a few jagged edges this is a free solution to cutting composition books (as opposed to that paid option at staples).

Needless to say.... I slept like a baby! 

 

Mornings have seriously been my jam this summer.... the kids are sleeping in, the husband has usually already left for work (today he is sleeping in), and it's just me and the coffee (which I just realized I could use another cup!). Usually the TV is on for some background noise, today the background noise is House Hunters Renovation. It started with George Stephanopoulos- but listening to politics this early in the morning bodes for a bad day, HGTV saves me this morning!

Loving and appreciating my parents this morning! Tonight I'm going to take the kids to their house for a couple nights before the first day of school. I have inservice for 2 days and the hubs has to work, so their help is very appreciated... plus they get to spend some quality time with their grandbabies. 

This week we met with the builder to finalize the architectural plans for our new house... which means.... this week could be the work they start on the foundation! Praying to get in by Christmas!!! So, of course, now I'm wanting to drive out there and take a look at the land and re-visit the model home. 

I left everything at school yesterday so I wouldn't work on anything today. It would be nice to go this last day without thinking about what needs to get done at school! I'm excited to have a student teacher come this week, so some of that last minute labeling stuff will get done- so no worries!

B2S RAK: I should have taken a picture of what I've already done! I just made a little happy for my wonderful team mates. Here is the pinspiration:

Instead of hand-picking a perfect teacher, I put: I couldn't have hand picked a better team!

Which I couldn't have! They are awesome! I got soap from the dollar spot at Target. So easy!

And, now for some relaxation today!



oh! I almost forgot!!! There is a big sale going on TPT this week!!

Button credit: Second Grade Math Maniac

My wish-list is already full! I can't wait to see what you buy! I will share mine later this week ;)

Tell YOU about Me Tuesday!

I am one lucky girl... I'm sure you can see why:

Here is my girl, my sweet 6 year old who might think she is 16.. but she is 6. We have gotten a couple of girl's days this summer.. pedis, the American Girl store for her bday, and time at the lake. She is growing so fast... especially intellectually... I am so proud of her!

And here is my sweet boy! He will be 10 this year... the double digits have arrived! He is so smart-- almost too smart for his own good! Constantly reading and building legos. If only I could get him to stop pestering his sister... I know he loves her, even if he won't admit it! Lucky him.. He has gotten to visit a few church camps this summer to enjoy some of that independence he is longing for.

Here is our crazy family at Christmas. Each day they give me something else to work for while exhausting me all at the same time. I couldn't live without them...

Especially this one... After 10 years of marriage, I feel like we have made it. Through the thick and thin, this guy hangs around. He has given me the best thing I will ever produce and he works hard everyday to support our family... and give me things I dream of!

I told you I am a lucky girl! Each day I get to wake up with these people!

Other things you might care to know about me:

1. I've taught 1st and 2nd grade. This is my 7th year teaching... and I might possibly be working with the BEST team imaginable!

 2. I am about to start a doctoral program...I might be busy this year... Just a little!

 3. I have recently become obsessed with pinning home ideas, as we are in the process of building a house! It is so exciting!

4. I have a small yorkie poo. She is lovable, but not so much fun living with in an apartment. Every noise makes her bark!

 5. I have 2 sisters and a brother.

6. I have 1 niece and 1 nephew. Another niece coming in January!


ok... I'm making this 2nd post in... right under the wire!

{late} monday must-haves

I am slightly tardy for this linky party, but I'm going to catch up... right now!

There are a few must-haves that I must have for school!

First, planning is the MOST important part of my year, so I always invest in some kind of planner. I usually buy one on TPT and spend lots of time printing and binding

and it looks beautiful.... but.....

this year I did something a bit different, and a little more expensive but I can't wait to get it in the mail!

I bought an Erin Condren.. from all the reviews I read, I'm pretty sure I won't regret it!

I'll be sure to post pictures, once I've gotten mine in the mail! 

Another planner I bought this year (that might be the best thing I've EVER bought on TPT) is a year-long planner. 

Being able to give myself a year long idea of skills and topics is extremely helpful! Once I filled this in and saw everything I was amazed!! You can click the picture above to download my year if you want to check it out!

A few more things I must have include:

Um... these magazine files from Ikea are amazing!! I love them and the price! I don't actually have an Ikea close by to Nashville (although Atlanta is just a day trip away!), but shipping is only about $10, which is totally worth it (if your ordering a few packs!) If you have an Ikea close by, run there to get these!!! You will not regret it.

When my room is finished, I'll show you how I will be using them this year!

One more thing you need:

I just got this flip book and I can't wait to use on Open House night! Less paper and no cutting and pasting! Love it!!

I'm going to try to catch up with this linky... so look for a 2nd post (oh my!) from me this afternoon! 

CURRENTLY July!

 It's blah, rainy day and I haven't even gotten motivated enough to get out of my pj's! It's summer though... that's my excuse! 

Something exciting has happened this week though... We finally closed on our house! So, one of my "dare to dream" dreams is on its way...

Tomorrow I get to meet with the builder to get the process started of building our house! 

I am so excited!! 

I suppose I'll throw a load of laundry in... at least no one can say I didn't do ANYthing today! :)

hello makeovers

In the spirit of distraction, I've been working hard on updating quite a few of my ORIGINAL products. I've takent them from that old Word format (which was miserable to edit!) to an updated Powerpoint format. To celebrate... I'm having a sale:

 

All products made with vowel teams are on sale! Click on the picture above to go to my store.

Also, did you notice my new and improved blog? I am in love with the design! Thanks to Kassie by Designs by Kassie. I couldn't have worked with anyone easier and FASTER! 

Anyway, just wanted to drop a quick note! Have a great night!

the plan has gone arigh

 Sometimes you have to keep telling yourself that there is a plan. And when I say there is a plan, I don't mean the plan I've come up with....

• the plan for a relaxing summer
• the plan for selling my house and finding a place to live
• the plan for vacation
• the plan for birthday parties
• the plan for the upcoming school year
• new house plans
• and the list goes on...

 My plans mean nothing. God is in control of the plan.  Deep in my heart, I know this. Then something happens... something exciting or problematic and I go into survival mode. You know, that mode where you rack your brain for plan B, C, and D. The plan that you've made up to get out of that situation. I've always thought of it as flexibility, but it's not flexibility. It's fear. My backup plan is me not trusting God's plan. And, we all know, He has a plan.

So, this is me- telling y'all I am going to stop coming up with my plan... and TRUST His plan!

That doesn't mean that I can't dream and follow the plan to make my dreams come true. So, I do have some dreams...

 Dream #1: Focus on the Family
* This is kind of more of a goal than a dream. I think sometimes I get sidetracked by life.. school life, friend life, adult life-- those things can sometimes exclude family. I want to make sure my kids have the memories of childhood and the feelings of a connected family as they grow. I want my husband to always feel supported by me. I think this is a daily goal I have to work towards.

Dream #2: Build my dream home
*This is my current dream that I am hoping to fulfill. I was on track to do so... until that bump in the road came today. We sold our house in April (yes, you are reading that right, APRIL!). We had a long contract because of the buyer's loan. It was suppose to close last Monday. It got postponed to last Friday. Then it got postponed to Wednesday. Then today, I got the call that now... we don't know when it is happening. The FEAR kicked in. Immediately, I am scared out of my pants. Last week (since we thought we were closing), we moved into an apartment because we are going to build a house. We can't make any final decisions with the builder until our house has closed. My anxieties are getting the best of me. So... I hope in the next week or two I can blog about this dream again. And share all my home pins. And be really excited about this dream.

Dream #3: Become a Doctor!
*This is one dream God has put on my heart. It wasn't something I had really thought about until this past year... and now... it's happening. Beginning in August, I am starting a doctoral program at Lipscomb University. I am so excited about it, and nervous, but more excited than nervous! One day you'll be able to call me Dr. Davis!

Right now, that's what I've got. Just like your daily/weekly/monthly goals/dreams these things change and adapt because the plan changes. Put your trust in Him... God will not disappoint. A few thoughts I will leave you with today...

challenge time

So, it's been a while. A loooonnnggg while! This TPT Seller Challenge is going to be my motivation to get back into the swing of things. Here I am starting out this challenge:

I haven't been paying much attention to my numbers... and that is probably because I haven't been paying much attention to:

1. Blogging
2. Instragramming (for teacher purposes)
3. Don't even have the twitter app on my phone or ipad! 
4. Have not posted anything new to TPT in a few months! 

I have, however, been pinning up a storm... which is a whole other story! 

This morning I accepted the TPT Seller Challenge, and I've completed the first challenge: Makeover Madness!

This was my first freebie to get started on TPT and it looked super BORING! I have a few products (that are from the beginning) that look like they need an update. This morning, though, I realized why it might be a few weeks before that update occurs. My computer is super sssslllllooowww. It took me at least an hour and a half to get through this 8 page update. Granted the original was made in Word, so I had to start from scratch, but it took forever! I need to seriously clean up my Mac (or possibly, get a new one!!).

Anyway, I would love for you to download this updated version and let me know what you think... It's FREE! You can download it here. While you are checking it out, I would love for you to follow me on TPT. Over the next few weeks I am going to be adding to my shop with some exciting games and I seriously plan on keeping you posted. :)

Have a great Tuesday!