Blogiversary Giveaway

It's my BLOGIVERSARY! 

Well, it looks like I really made my first post on the 29th but I'm not sure anyone read it. I got my first comment on the 30th so that is when I felt like it was real.

Besides, I'll tell you a little secret, I am terrible with dates. I am notorious for missing birthdays and my own anniversary. My girlfriends always text me a few days before my wedding anniversary to make sure I remember. They always say that my husband is the girl in our relationship and they are so right. Romance, sappy cards, gifts based on how many years we've been married. ALL him. The first anniversary is paper so he bought me season tickets for musical theater and was HAPPY to go with me. I have to do the math quick to remember what year we are on.  See, I AM the guy. This date problem is only in my personal life though. As a teacher I am anal pretty organized.

Anyway, to let you know how much I appreciate all of you taking the time to read my little ol' blog,  I thought I'd host a 

Blogiversary Giveaway! 

I'd like to give 12 followers (yep, that's one for every month of blogging)  

any item in my TpT store.

You can earn 8 entries. Leave a comment for each you complete.

1. Become a follower of my blog or let me know you already do (thank you!)

2. Like me on Facebook or follow me on Twitter (icons on my sidebar)

3. Spread the word about my Blogiversary Giveaway by posting it on your blog, facebook or tweet!

4. Add my blog to your blogroll or tell a friend about me.

5. Pin something of mine you like on Pinterest (I am a recent convert-OBSESSED!)

6. Become a follower of my TpT store.

7. Leave feedback on one of my TpT items.

8. Tell me which item in my store you are hoping to win and leave your email.

You can submit entries until next Wednesday, Dec. 7th at midnight. Did I get that date right? ;-)

I SO admire and appreciate all my blogging buddies. You are an AMAZINGLY talented group and I know my teaching is better for "knowing" you. I wish I could meet you in person! Thanks for a wonderful year. 

Reindeer Readiness

 I seem to be behind many of you in the Christmas cheer department. Anyone else get seriously tense in December?? Although I love the holiday, the extra stress of present shopping and a houseful of expected guests does put a damper on it for me a little. If only I had an elf who would do the shopping and cleaning for me, then I could enjoy it to the fullest! I had insomnia Sunday night. I didn't fall asleep until 5:30. My alarm went off at 6.  Yep, 30 minutes of sleep for this girl. I kept thinking I should just get up and fold the laundry I didn't finish but then I was afraid I would miss any slight possibility of falling asleep. Instead I made lists in my head. Anyone a list maker?

SO, to try to catch up to all of you who have the cheer already in full gear (oh no, watch out, I'm rhyming now) I dragged my December box out and started looking through to see what my parent helpers could start prepping. I shared this after the holiday last year so I thought I would repost it early for those of you who may have missed it. Click HERE to read my original post with step-by-step-directions and templates. 

Thanks so much to all of you who shopped in my TpT store this weekend. It looks like I accidentally left the sale on today too so if you thought you missed it you have until midnight!

Lots of Thanks

Raise your hand if you have been busy as a beaver adding things to your TpT wishlist in preparation for tomorrow's big event. I know I have!!

Thank you SO much to the many of you who couldn't wait and have already bought my new Sight Word Superstars program! 

I've also been getting some really sweet comments on my Daily Editing Word Problems. I know I have seen improvement in my students' editing and ability to solve math problems but it feels great to hear that I am helping so many others. Thank you for taking the time to leave feedback, it is SO appreciated!

I'd also like to say thank you to Lori,  Kimberley, Jen R. and Mrs. Mac for sending me the Sunshine Award!

I finally had a second to try to answer the questions:

• Favorite color?  Seafoam green
• Favorite animal? Cats! I LOVE when they come snuggle in my lap!
• Favorite number? 3 (# of guys I love)
• Favorite drink? Iced Tea
• Facebook or Twitter? I have both although I am not on either as much as I am visiting the blogging world!
• Your passion? Teaching! I get teased quite a bit that I can never turn off my brain and I'm CONSTANTLY working on something for school.
• Giving or getting presents? I am not a big fan of presents. Is that weird? I'd rather no one give presents and we spent the money and time doing something fun together instead. Everyone in my family makes a craft together at Christmas. For the last few years we have only given the kids in my family presents.
• Favorite day? Sunday. Even though I spend it doing laundry/cleaning it is the one day I can stay in my jammies longer and MAYBE watch a movie while I do it!
• Favorite flowers: Tulips though any flower make me happy.

 It looks like many of my favorite bloggers have also gotten the award. Maybe instead I could help out a newbie? If you are newish to blogging leave a comment with your link and maybe I can send some sunshine your way in the form of some traffic. True blogaholics love to discover new blogs to follow. Just look how long my list is!

Clubbing & Clipart

I had a request for more book club packets so I made some new ones that I will using this week.

My above level reading group will be reading That Fat Hat which has a great message about being your own person {or cat ;) } and not doing things because "everyone" is doing it.

 I also made a packet for Fantastic Mr. Fox by Roald Dahl for my way above reader.

If you are interested they are part of my 20% off sale thru Monday in my TpT store.

I also had an email asking where I get my cute clip art. My favorite site is Scrappin Doodles and they are having a great sale that ends tonight. Click on their cute logo in my sidebar to go shopping!

Sight Word Fluency & Romance Ruined

Do you have a systematic way to make sure your students can read the sight words fluently?

I noticed that many of my students were still trying to sound out these words so I came up with a program I call Sight Word Superstars. I typed all the Fry Words up (6 groups of 100) and broke them into 5 lists of 20. I color code mine to make it easier for myself.

All of my first graders start on the 1st 100. If they can read the first list (20 words) in 20 seconds or less  then they earn a sticker for their star. I have them practice with their whisper phones in guided reading while they are waiting to read with me. {You may want to set a different time requirement or start on a higher list based on the age or ability of your students.}

 
When a student's star is filled the class cheers for them and they receive a certificate. I send the completed star home and they start on the next list (2nd 100) with the matching colored star.

My students are much more motivated to practice their sight word fluency since I started this program. This is also an easy way for me to differentiate for my advanced students.

I also made a game that focuses on reading sight words quickly called

I color code these cards as well so I can quickly pull the words I want a particular group to practice. When I have students stuck on a particular list I will only give them that list (20 words) so they practice them over and over. My district also requires my students to be able to spell the first 100 words so later in the year I will change the rules of the game. Player 2 will read the card and Player 1 will have to spell the word. These cards can also be used as flashcards.

I have posted this program to TpT and included it in my 20% off sale if you are interested.

In other news, I saw Breaking Dawn with my girlfriends. I am a big fan of the books. Own them all. Read them all more than once. Team Edward here. So,  I could have done without the guys yelling out comments and young kids loudly calling for their mommy in the middle. Kinda ruined the fantasy world I was trying to lose myself in. Now I am l counting the days until The Hunger Games. Not sure if I will like the guy they cast for Peeta. I may have to switch and root for Gale because Liam Hemsworth is a cu-tie.  If you haven't read that series you need to. Seriously good. Anyone have any other must-reads for me?