Makeover Madness!

 

I am so thankful for these four, sweet ladies who started this amazing challenge!  

At the beginning of the challenge, I recorded my stats.  

Even though I started in 2013, I still feel like a newbie.  It takes me FOREVER to find the time to perfect a product.  I'm excited for this challenge to give me the boost I need.

The first challenge was a MAKEOVER!  Too much fun!  I have some products in dire need of a makeover.  When I first started creating for TpT in 2013, I used word and had a limited knowledge of clip arts and fonts.  Now that I use powerpoint, I am blown away with how easy is it to create!  

I have two completely redone products to share with you.  

First up, my Handprint Calendars.

My Handprint Calendars have been COMPLETELY redone!  I kept the main font the same {how can you go wrong with Cara Carroll???} but added a few other matching fonts.  I also redid the look of the calendars.  Before I only included black and white for Canada and US.  Now there are color versions, too.  I also included some with holidays, some without, some with the premade calendar numbers, and some completely blank.  And, the best part is, they are now EDITABLE!!!  

Next, Counting with Cookies.

My second makeover was one of my very first products, Counting with Cookies.  I converted everything over to powerpoint, redid the cover, fonts, and graphics.  I also added a couple more independent practice pages.  

Both of these products are on sale in my TpT Store for the rest of the week!

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Christmas in our Classroom

It's only December 2nd, but I'm not wasting any time getting in all our Christmas activities!

Check out what we've been up to, and what we still have planned!

 

 

Today I had a parent volunteer come and help finish our Snowmen Ornaments.  These ornaments hang on our classroom Christmas tree until the end of December.  On the day before the break, I send them home with a note as a gift for their parents.  I LOVE the way they turn out.  They are quick, easy, and very cheap!  I always buy the blue ornaments after Christmas when they are on sale, and save them for the next year.  You can grab the FREE instructions and notes here.

 

 

We are hard at work on our Handprint Calendars.  My goal is to finish all the handprints this week, so we can bind and decorate!  I love these so much.  I've done them with my class every year for the past 10 years.  I only missed the year when I was transitioning from a new state/grade.  That was WAY too much stress to even go there.  You can grab my Handprint Calendars here.

  

Our High School has a goal to send 10,000 snowflakes to soldiers overseas for the holiday.  I thought this was an amazing opportunity for my kiddos to show some appreciation and give some service.  They loved it!  Our 25 are finished, turned in, and on their way!  Only 9,975 left to go!  :) 

 

 

We typed up our Gingerbread notes to send home on Friday!  On the day before our winter break, we invite parents to come in and build gingerbread houses with their child.  This is one of their favorite activities in all of 2nd grade.  On the first day of school, they all talk about how they can't wait to make the gingerbread houses!  It's always such a special event!  I'll do a more detailed post about those soon, but here's a sample note for you to get started, if it's something you want to do.  We make our gingerbread houses around milk cartons.  We collect them from the lunch room to use.  Parents bring in all the other supplies, so it's cheap and easy for the teacher!  :) 

 

 

 Today was day 2 of our time with Elfie.  We are having a great time with him!  My class definitely calmed down from all the excitement of his arrival yesterday.  You can grab my Elf in the Classroom packet here.   

 

This week we are working on persuasive writing.  We are writing letters to Santa, convincing his to hire us as an Elf. We are still in the planning stages, but well on our way! 

 We are using this packet. 

When they finish their good copy, they get to "Elf Themselves".  I love that Corinna has the templates all ready.  So simple!  (And free!)  :)

 

Next week we will begin learning about Holidays Around the World.  This is another one of my favorite units to teach.  I use a combination of Rachelle and Stephanie's packets. 

 

 

They are both excellent!  My students learn a ton, and have a great time doing it! 

 

Only a few more hours left in the big TPT Cyber Monday/Tuesday Sale!  I'll be back later this week to post about what I bought!

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What the November???

How on earth did it suddenly become November!?  Let alone, the end of November!  But, I'm really glad it's here, because that means December is just around the corner.  Some of my most favorite classroom activities happen during this special month.

 

Handprint Calendars

I've got the calendars copied, the cardstock purchased, and the paint ready to go.  We are starting this adorable Christmas Gift tomorrow!  I can't wait!  I started making these calendars during my first year of teaching.  But I took a break from them the last two years, as I adjusted to the new state, district, grade level, and school.  Now I am ready and raring to go! 

 

Elf on the Shelf

Last year was the first year my classroom ever had a little Christmas Elf.  It was more fun than I could have ever imagined!  I really hope we get another one this year.  ;) 

 

In case we do, I prepared a little Christmas Elf in the Classroom packet. 

It is FULL of activities and ideas to use with your classroom Elf. 

 

Included in this packet are:
-Two Calendars to fill in for the daily Elf Activities
-Worksheet for students to decide on the Elf’s Name
-Tally Chart and Bar Graph for choosing the Elf’s Name
-30 Suggested Activities (with original matching poems) for your Elf to do
-Two Versions of A Daily Elf Journal
-A Weekly Elf Reflection Page
-A note to leave if your class is too naughty
-A note to leave on your Elf’s last day

 

Lucky for you, it is ON SALE today and tomorrow. 

Click here to check it out! 

 

Gingerbread Houses

I LOVE the tradition of having parents come make gingerbread houses with their children.  At first I thought it would be too chaotic, but it was definitely a controlled chaos.  :) 

 

Pretty soon we will be sending a note inviting parents/families to this special event.  When we do, I will upload a copy of the note here for you to use. 

 

Have a great week!  :)

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Handprint Calendars!!

The 2014 Handprint Calendars are HERE!!  

I just posted *my first paid product ever* to teacherspayteachers.  

Included in this packet are:

-At least two poems/pictures for each month

-A Canadian and US version for each month

-Step-by-step directions for each month, complete with pictures

And the best part is....  I will update this packet each year, so you will only need to purchase it once!

Click here to see all my past posts on the Handprint Calendars.
Click here to see my Handprint pinterest board.

Click here to see this product in my teacherspayteachers store!

This packet is HALF OFF for the next 24 hours!  

And last but not least...  I will give this packet to the first two people to comment on this post!!  

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Christmas in July!

{Click here to purchase this product.}

Due to OVERWHELMING amounts of questions regarding the Handprint Calendars, I have decided to post a detailed packet with descriptions and lots of pictures onto Teachers Pay Teachers.  My friend offered to let me use her sweet children tomorrow for this project.  I'll be working on it this weekend, and hope to get it posted next week.  

That being said, I would love to hear your feedback or questions you might have or specific things you would want in this packet.  For example, are there many teachers that would like a Canadian version?  Would you like different fonts for each month, or one consistent throughout?  I was planning on providing two different hand-print options for each month.  Do you want more?  I have a bunch posted on my Pin Board.  

So please take a look at the past calenders here, my pin board, and let me know how to make it easy for you!  

Thanks!

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2013 Calendars!

{Click here to purchase the updated version of this product.}

I am SO sorry for taking so long to get these calendars for you all!  I have to admit, I was a little overwhelmed with all the emails and comments looking for the 2013 Calendars.  I planned on doing it earlier this summer, but I haven't had much of a break yet.  Then I realized I didn't have Microsoft Publisher on my computer anymore (my favorite calendar making program).  But thanks to Thinking Mama I found this site and whipped them up for you!  

Cover

2013 Calendars

Poems 1-10

Poems 11-12

I print the poems on 2x4 labels.  Much easier to assemble and they look a lot cleaner.  :) 

An anonymous blogger said:  "We do a Kissing Hand unit, we paint the child's hand and put a heart shaped sticker in the palm. It comes out perfect with a heart right in the center. Just an added idea for the Valentine page."

Enjoy!

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2012 Christmas Calendars

{Click here to purchase the updated version of this product.}

So I've had a ton of comments/emails about the Christmas Calendars we make.  So here is an updated post with answers to your questions and free downloads for you!  

I make these every year for my class to give to their parents for a Christmas gift.  It is a lot of work, but it is SO worth it!  I have been lucky enough to have a friend come in every year and help me do it.  That way I don't waste too much class time.  :)  It takes about 2 full days to have them paint all the months.  I print the poems on 2x4 labels, and then I spend a full day {Saturday or Sunday} assembling them.  We wrap them at school, and then send them home.  I would suggest making two for the children who have divorced/separated parents.  One year I didn't, and it caused too many problems.  It's way worth it to double it up!  Please let me know if you have any other questions about them.  Have fun!  :)  

Cover

Poems 1-10

Poems 1-12

2012 Calendars

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