Five for Friday (On Saturday)

Oh my goodness!  So, I never know how to start when I write.  There should be a book that tells you 500 different sentences to start a blog post with.  Once I get going, I'm good, but every time I go to blog I think for at least five minutes about my opening.  Sad that I'm admitting that, but it's true.

Anyway, now that I've gotten that out of the way, how is your summer going?  Mine has been pretty uneventful.  So far, I've spent the majority of it working on my laptop.  I know I'm out of school, but there is so much to get done and when it is something you enjoy doing, it doesn't feel like work.  Plus, if I put the time in now, then during the school year I will have more time to create and plan really fun lessons.

Alright, now for my Five for Friday.  Click on the button to go see more fantabulous link ups!  I'm also linking up to Classroom Freebies.


Classroom freebies
#1 - Erasable Pens
As you already know, I got an Erin Condren lesson plan book.  Since I want to start working on lesson plans this summer, I figured I would have to use a pencil to do my work.  Well, a friend of mine introduced me to erasable pens.  I went to find them at Office Depot because they should definitely have erasable pens, right?  Wrong!  They didn't have any brand or type.  After a little investigating, I discovered that the best place to get them is Amazon.  I ordered them last Sunday and they arrived by Thursday.  I didn't think I'd like them, but they write pretty smoothly and to top it off, the erasers are made differently than your typical eraser.  They erase great, but the best part is they don't leave little eraser pieces everywhere.


#2 - Freebies
Since you read this far, I created freebies for the ones of you that are still in school.  I know you are throwing daggers at me right now, but keep in mind that I go back in August and you are out until September.  One of you requested word problem pages, so here you go.  Hope you enjoy!



#3 - Chevron Paper
I hated chevron at the beginning of the year, but it has quickly grown on me.  Now, I can't get enough. Well, I told you last week that I ran to Michael's where I got tons and tons of Washi tape.  Sadly, I still haven't used it.  Well, I also found Chevron card stock.  It is around the size of a large note card.  The front has different colors and then the back is white.  It is pretty much useless, but it's pretty so I'm using it to make To Do Lists and lists of other things.  Oh, and if you do get it, it's best to write on it with a Sharpie.


#4 - My Cute Graphics
Well all of you know how much I love to collect clip art.  This morning, I was searching for a specific type of clip art and a friend sent me a link to My Cute Graphics.  People, her clip art is cute.  The best part is all of her clip art is free.  The only thing she asks is that you don't use it as is (Include it in a product) and that you give her credit (Which you have to do for 95% of people anyway).  So, if you are needing clip art and you are trying to not buy right now, then check her out.   I'm certain you won't be disappointed.  All you have to do is right click on the pics and hit download.

#5 - Calendar Math
Calendar Math is why I didn't have time to blog yesterday.  Except for eating breaks, I worked on it ALL day and night.  I do my Calendar Math differently than most teachers.  I make it standard based and I use my Activboard.  I had it two years ago, but this year I never made it to fit the new standards.  My test scores were still good, but I noticed that my kids missed some very basic things and I realized it was probably because they needed more repetition.  So, below are pictures of what I created.  One of my favorite things I did is I went ahead and added Harry Kindergarten songs where I could.  Then, I added the pencils and erasers so if the kids click on them, it immediately allows them to write or erase.   It is probably one of my favorite things I've created.  I thought it may give you guys some ideas for how to do yours.


















Hope you have a great weekend and if you haven't checked out my About Me section or my Freebies section lately, I've been working on them.  Also, if you have a blog definitely take some time to put your blog on my Blogger Friends page.  Alright, off to eat lunch.  It's a little past 12:00 (2:45), so probably need to get on that.

15 comments

  1. Faith, Oh my goodness! I LOVE My Cute Clipart. I too stumbled upon it when searching for something, then I read her TOU & was even more excited, that it's free, & all you have to do is credit her. And the graphics are so cute. I use it for everything.

    Stephanie
    PolkaDotPalace

    ReplyDelete
  2. I found My Cute Graphics seveal months ago! She's fantastic and her graphics are really cute! I love you math calendar board. Are you going to sell it on Tpt?

    Karen
    An Apple a Day in First Grade

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I'm not 100% sure yet. I want to do it, but a lot of the clip art artists have rules about their clip art being used in flip charts. I'm going to try to put it into a Powerpoint and make it editable. If I do that, people should be able to move it into a flip chart themselves or be able to write on it.

      Delete
  3. Hi :) my name is Koy and I really love your blog :) I check it everyday! I just finished my freshmen year of high school and I plan on majoring in elementary education in college, because I'm pretty sure teaching is my passion. Anyways, I just wanted to say thank for having an awesome blog :)

    ReplyDelete
  4. Oops. I meant to say "thank you for having an awesome blog." I hate typos!:)

    ReplyDelete
  5. I just came across your blog from the Second Grade Nest Giveaway. I'm super excited I did, because I am now one of your newest followers. I'm always excited to find new bloggy friends, but I especially like finding other first grader teachers. I'm super impressed with the Calendar Math activities you created! You are very talented!

    ReplyDelete
  6. OK--this has been the BEST post! I am totally ordering those pens. My Erin Condren planner should arrive tomorrow! I added My Cute Graphics to my favorites list. AND I'm planning on redoing my calendar file for my SMARTboard and I got some great ideas from you! Thanks for making my morning!

    Lisa
    Always an Adventure in Kindergarten

    ReplyDelete
  7. Love, love, love your Calendar Math! If you ever make this in a format that is compatible with a SmartBoard, I will pay generously for a copy! :)

    ReplyDelete
  8. Thank you so much for sharing My Cute Graphics! I went over and looked at the site and can't wait to create using these images. As a recent graduate, hoping to get a teaching position, I'm always looking for ways to make my products cute without spending a bunch of money. Also, I love having your freebies. They are a great resource to have!

    Sami

    ReplyDelete
  9. Cute chevron paper! Could you print on it (in your printer) and then use it for game cards? That way the kids can't see through it. By the way we don't get out of school until June 24 but we go back August 26th. I WISH we didn't go back until September! :-)

    ReplyDelete
  10. I just started following your blog! I also teach 1st grade. I had to laugh at your chevron comment. When I first started seeing it EVERYWHERE I was not impressed. I really didn't like it at all. Well, you can tell I've come around since it's the background for my blog! :) I'll have to check out that paper. :)
    ~Melissa
    Teacher Treasure Hunter

    ReplyDelete
  11. I just found your blog & would also love to know if you would be willing to share your Calendar Math? I have been wanting to create some different ideas but I am not creative AT ALL! Let me know if you have it for sale or however, but these monthly calendars would greatly improve our math skills & change them up from month to month.
    Thanks, Jackie
    jmcmanam@w-sioux.k12.ia.us

    ReplyDelete
  12. Do you have this calendar for sale? I would love to buy it! Thanks SO much!

    julie_a@onsholm.com

    ReplyDelete
  13. LOVE, LOVE, LOVE your Calendar! There aren't a lot of resources out there for us Active Inspire users. I have been told that I need to sell my calendar flipcharts as well but I am not sure about all the clip art and youtube songs/videos that I link to them. I would love to know how it works for you if you decide to put it into a Powerpoint and sell.

    ReplyDelete
  14. I LOVE the calendar! Wish I could purchase!

    ReplyDelete