Silence for Sandy Hook

Late Night Freebie!

I have had a couple of people ask for the templates for the Popsicle Stick Manger craft so I went ahead and uploaded it to mt TpT store....For FREE!  It is quite simple and you don't even really need templates, but if you are like me, it just makes it easier sometimes if its already done for you!  Just a little FYI:  I hot-glued the Popsicle sticks before hand to save time, but your kiddos could easily do that themselves too!

Enjoy!

Click HERE!

Night-
Lindsey

Short and Sweet!

I'm going to keep this post short and sweet because baby boy is sick with RSV! He's napping now, and I have a ton of things to get done during this time frame...fellow mommas ya get what I'm
Saying!? I'm trying to prepare for our State Kindergarten conference (Mon-Tues), get my house in order, coordinate with my room mom for our Christmas party, and make sure to reminder parents to turn in money for our field trip this coming Friday. My head is spinning! I was SUPER excited about my SDE Kinder conference, but with everything else going on, I feel like its the last thing I should be doing...only thing is, I can't back out! December really can get super crazy!!

Ok, so here are a few pictures of what went on in room 602 last week!!

Monday, the kiddos made their own advent wreaths and I was oh so proud, I definitely did not think they would be able to do as much on their own as they did!  My assistant and I pre-wrapped the pipe cleaners with tulle, which made it much easier for the children to work with.  Here is a completed one, done by one of the students.

 And we were also greeted by our sneaky classroom elf, Elfie!  Original right!??  But hey, that's what they voted for :)

 And Tuesday came around, and our poor little elf had to be hospitalized! Can you believe it, a little booger sweet heat touched him while I was lining the kids up to leave, and made the mistake of telling my assistants son, who then told me! Let's just say there was GUILT written ALL over the kids face the next day as I read the email from Santa about how HE knew what happend and who had touched him!

Thank goodness he made a quick recovery, because he was back in action playing the the Fridge :)

They really got a kick out of this one!  And YES, I did leave poor Elfie in the fridge overnight :(  He was stuck to the frost Thursday morning when I checked on him!  Oops...

Thursday, we found him playing with our games!

And Finally Friday, he went fishing!  That crazy elf!

We made these sweet little mangers with tongue depressors! {I have a million}

We studied the letter V this week and with it we did the "V is for Vixen craft" with a writing activity!  Take a look at some of the examples {This is my Reindeer Games Packet but I made it to Vixen by changing the red nose to brown}

he said he would go to Knox's house!

She was going to stop at her friend Mackie and Parker's house.

Yes, she is not a neat freak and needs a little work on spacing, but she is going to stop at her friends house!  I am so proud of her for getting this down on paper. 

And this little friend is going to go to the water park!

I am really enjoying pushing and watching these little ones grow with their writing skills!  It's amazing to see the growth so far, I can't wait for the end of the year!

And here is my favorite activity {thanks Pinterest!}that we did last week!  We started RACK'ing people! Random Acts of Christmas Kindess....that is!  I found a picture of the Grinch on Pinterest and tried to incorporate it into a classroom and home thing for the kids.  When they do kind things at home they write it down on the heart and bring it to school so we can make the Grinch's heart grow larger with a love for Christmas!  They loved it!  Our first RACK, was sneaking into the teachers lounge and taping a dollar bill to the vending machine....I'm sure I wasn't supposed to bring 26 kids in there, but hey! they had fun!

Here is the man himself!

The saying on the chevron posters came from a picture I saw and wish I could give credit to the original person, but the pin took me to a random place and apparently not the right blog.  I made up the little poem so that passer-byers would know what we were doing with a 6 foot tall Grinch stapled to our wall!  And yes, toot toot, cause I'm tooting my own horn....I DID draw this guy free-handed.  I even impressed myself and totally made my kids think I am an artist.   I am thinking of uploading the poems with the parent letter and hearts to TpT as a freebie....Leave a comment if you think it is something you might be interested in and I will go from there!

So, I know I forgot somethings from last week, but I am running out of time and need to get to my house!
Lots of Christmas love- Lindsey

And Happy Holidays from our family to yours!

December...Really!!??

Wow! December.  I can't believe it's that time already!  Three full weeks and then two weeks off.  Only three weeks to squeeze in lots of fun and get some report card testing done.  I have so many things that I want to do with my Kinders that I am afraid I won't have enough time!

I spent Monday through Wednesday of last week at a technology conference learning about all sorts of fun things that can be done with an iPad and Android tablets.  And let me tell you, IT'S AMAZING!  Too bad I don't have one for my classroom :(  But I am definitely putting it on my wish list.  I also got to play with the ActivTable...It's like a Promethean board but a table!    Have any of you seen these?  Or even luckier and actually have one!?  They were running a special and they were only $6,000 ;)  But goodness they were oh so cool.  I could totally see my kiddos fighting over that hunk of a machine!

Two of my co-worlers and I admiring the ActivTable on the Promethean bus!  LACUE  technology conference 2012, New Orleans, LA. 

When I returned Thursday, I was so afraid of horror stories that my assistant was going to tell me about how the kids were crazy,  so-and-so did that, or this mom called and needs you to call her back etc...  But my kids were very well behaved form what I understand. Kiss my brain, I was a happy happy teacher! 

At naptime, my principal came to inform me that while I was out, I missed the pinning of the Teach of the Year nominees and that a student or parent had nominated me.  I was so touched!  I have never been nominated for anything like that before.  It was a very sweet feeling knowing someone else out there, especially a student, appreciates me for what I am doing :)

We started our "Santa Claus is coming to town countdown." I grabbed this for 50% off @ Hobby Lobby and I am going to pick a student each morning to change the number outside in the hall.  Its a dry erase canvas...who knew!?  They SO enjoy pretending to be the teacher and writing on things like this.  And to be able to go and do it outside in the hall...You would swear that is like being student of the year! 

We also were able to start and complete our Elf Yourself glyphs!  They came out so stinkin' adorable!  I LOVE how they each have a little character and they loved getting creative with the the glyph part of it.  I always have a few who like the push the limit of following directions, but this time it worked and they were able to show off their creativeness!  Check out these cuties!

This was the writing activity that we decided to put into the body part of the Elf!   We talked as a whole group  about what you needed to do to be an Excellent Elf!  The stuff they came up with! Hilarious.

I absolutely LOVE this time of the year, especially teaching the younger kids.  They have such a wonderful innocence that I enjoy being around and it makes for a happy environment.  

On the Agenda for this week are our mini pip cleaner advent wreaths, "V" is for Vixen, and "J" is for Jesus candy canes.  

Click here for the original post

This is a sample wreath I made and we are going to make them as a class tomorrow!

Max {My Elf on the Shelf} will also make his grand appearance into room 602 this week.   I can't wait to see their faces when they find him!  I also found the HOLY GRAIL {well not really, but almost} of Elf tricks and printables!  I am just going to pray {REALLY HARD} that I can keep up with Max's shenanigans!

Here is the site where you can download the Elf on a Shelf Printables! 

FREE, yep, FREE Elf on the Shelf Printables

And here is a Currently Link Up with Farley at Oh Boy, Fourth Grade!

Please go by her blog is you would like to participate and link up!

I would love to hear what you are doing in your classroom this week if you have time to share!  I enjoy reading your comments!  

Night-

Lindsey 

Liebster Award and Happy Cyber Monday and Tuesday!

I was SO touched and completely taken back when I logged on today and saw that I was nominated by two new followers for the Liebster Award!  

From what I understand, the Liebster Award is given by bloggers to up-and-coming bloggers who have less than 200 followers.  I could definitely use some help in that area :).  It is to show new bloggers that they are appreciated and to help spread the word about new blogs.

I was nominated by two sweet teachers.  Bren from The Teacher Diaries and Colleen over at Fun and Fearless in First  Please take a second and check out their blogs!  They are adorable!

So here are the rules:
-You must post 11 random things about yourself
-Answer the questions the nominator has set for you
-Create 11 questions for the people you nominate
-Choose 11 blogs you love (200 followers or less) and link them in your post.
-No tag backs {But please leave me a comment on this post with the URL to your Liebster so I can learn more about you!}

11 Random Facts about ME:

1.  I absolutely LOVE Dr. Pepper.  I shouldn't drink it as much as I do, but I just love it.
2.  I am pretty sure I am addicted to coffee....We brew Community Coffee in our house.  It's a delicious local brand. 
3.  I love to cook, but hate the clean up.
4.  I wish Ellen was my real friend...I really do. 
5.  If I wasn't a teacher, I would have been an Early Interventionist {I still think about it ALL the time, everyday actually}
6.  On top of my coffee addiction, there is a Chic-fil-a obsession too.  I could eat those nuggets and fries a few times a week I swear!
7.  I enjoy getting dressed up for a night out, but truly appreciate a night at home with my family too.
8.  I am married to my High School sweet heart. {We met in 6th grade}
9.  I am running my first 10K this coming March in New Orleans. Something I have wanted to do for years now! {nervous because I am not an avid runner}
10. I love my camera, even though I am not a great photographer.  I try :)
11.  I used to want about 3-5 kids.  Now, after having 1 and teaching 26 all day.  We are thinking maybe one more, eventually ;)

Questions Colleen sent me:

1.  What is your favorite subject to teach?

-Reading...I see the most growth there and it makes me oh so proud.  Not to mention, who ever would have thought that babies are reading in Kindergarten now! Amazing.

2.  Favorite holiday tradition?

-Can't say I have one??

3.  Favorite book to read to your class?

-The Cajun Night Before Christmas {I have the natural built in accent that I don't always like to admit that I have}

4.  Favorite guilty pleasure reality show?

-Anything on BRAVO or TLC

5.  Favorite movie?

-Sweet Home Alabama

6.  What is your best childhood memory?

-My summers of Softball.  Traveling around the US playing and making friends!

7.  What is your least favorite household chore?

-Puting the clothes away, ugh!

8.  What are you afraid of?

-Messing my son up!  It was easy to critize the parents of kids in my class, but until you have one and see that unconditional love...then you finally understand.

9.  Salty or sweet?

-Little bit of both

10.  Where is your ideal vacation spot?

-BEACH, hands down.  

  1.  What sparked your interest in blogging?

-I loved reading about how similar we really all are.  Teachers are special people whether we are in New York or LA.  We are awesome and some of the smartest and most understanding people I know.  Most of us have a true grip on reality and what it's like to work everyday and make a difference :) 

Questions for my Nominees:

1.  How long have you been teaching?
2.  If you weren't a teacher, what would your profession be?
3.  How long have you been blogging?
4.  Do you have kids? Pets?
5.  Coffee, Soda, Water?
6.  What do you enjoy doing on the weekends?
7.  How many students are in your class?
8.  Favorite place to take a quick get-a-way?
9.  Do you have to eat lunch with your students or is there a duty teacher where you get to eat in peace? 
10.  Afraid of anything?
11.  Do your grade level teaching partners share with you their ideas and thoughts?  Team players?

 Here are my 11 Nominations:
And if you were already nominated....Please do not worry about re-doing the questions.  I am just thankful I came across your blog :)

1. Coast to Coast Kinder

2. Teacher Spice and Everything Nice

3. Terry's Teaching Tidbits

4. Saddle Up for Second Grade

5. Teach Pray Love

6. 1st Grade Hip Hip Hooray

7.  My Little Kinders

8.  Mrs. Jones's Kindergarten

9. Miss Martins Classroom
10. Kinder Karla
11.  A Teacher Without A Class

Dont't forget to leave a comment with a link back to your blog with the questions answered so that I can get to know you a little better!

And Don't forget to check out my store for Seasonal Crafts and printables!

You can receive up to 28% off using the coupon code CMT12

Keeping Up With Kindergarten

Happy Shopping!

Lindsey 

My Black Friday...Flash Sale!

I have neglected my little blog for the last week and a half but it's been for good reason!  First of all, my week off of school has been consumed with family time!  And it felt oh.. so.. wonderful!  My sweet hubby's football team lost out of the playoffs a week ago which means we had him all to ourselves!  That has never happened on Thanksgiving break...and boy did we need that!  We got to spend quality time with Thomas and we even had coffee together...not out of our own coffee pot either...shopped a little and had a few lunch dates together too! (These things NEVER happen when you are married to another teacher, so I enjoyed them to the max)  I was very grateful and thankful for his presence this Thanksgiving break. Being a coach's wife can get pretty lonely!

Here is a picture of our little Turkey on Thanksgiving day!

And here is what I have been up to school wise!

Reindeer Games! Click here to Visit my TpT store!

 Excuse the little water marks on the sweet Reindeer!  My little guy left his cup of water on top of my work and I did not have an extra copy on hand at home to completely re-do the craft!  

Elf Yourself!

Visit my TpT Store!

Take a look around and download the previews of these packs and see if they could add to your Holiday Hoopla!  I know my kiddos LOVE glyphs and I hope yours do, too!

Here is the best part, if you do like them, I am having a BLACK FRIDAY FLASH SALE!!

20% off my two new Holiday Packs only until 5pm Central time today!

If you do decided to purchase them, please consider following my blog and leave a comment as to how you came across it!  I would LOVE to hear from you!  It makes me smile and reminds me I am not talking to myself!

Happy Shopping!!
Lindsey

Reflecting!

Hellllloooooo Saturday!

Oh, how I have longed to see you all week.  As I reflect back how last week I can't help but think....some things could have gone a little smoother.  I feel like my kiddos are starting to pick and poke at one another constantly, they are having a very hard time focusing overall AND all they want to do it chit chat while I am attempting to teach!  What happened to my sweet babies...I know they are in there somewhere,!!!?? I was hoping for a calm *normal* {ha} week before the mass chaos begins next week {Spirit Day, Thanksgiving Feast with Parents, and Grandparents Day} but I had no such luck!  And I know for a fact this week was crazy when I went to upload pictures this morning and realized I only took 80 or so pictures...which isn't very many for me!

So here is a little wrap up of how our week went:

Monday and Tuesday were ALL election and President talk.  We read Duck for President and we also took an online Tour of the White House via TIME magazine for Kids, among other things. I have a class subscription that we read together.  They LOVE these magazines.  Just like a weekly reader, but a little more in-dept and magazine like.  Then of course we VOTED!

Kiddos brainstormed qualities of a good president!

I whipped up this little White House {we were studying the letter W} craftivity to go along with a Elections packet I had from Gladys Election Packet.  We made a 3d white house to hang outside.  I loved hearing about what they would do if they lived in the white house!  This little girl would "invit Emma uofra" {invite Emma over}.  Don't you just love to see them using the strategies you teach them!  Even though she was a little off with *over*  you can definitely tell she is trying and stretching out sounds! Proud moments :)





We made Hot Dog H's for our H letter study!

Thankful Sight Work Turkeys more previews at the bottom of the post!

And here are some of our Thankful Sight Word Turkeys that the kids worked on in the Art center this week.  Some look like they are in distress while others are looking like perky little turkeys!

We wrapped up our week with a trip to visit our school priest.   In early October, our class made rosaries and we walked over for him to give them a special blessing...It was a perfect way to start our Friday.  Calming!  How beautiful if this church?

We talked with Father, the kids listened and laughed, and we walked back to school {a parking lot away}.  Now I am going to brag because they we REALLY REALLY good. BUT you know there is always little Johnny who is ALWAYS in the front who tends to make your teeth clinch because he was swinging  his rosary around in the air BY THE CRUCIFIX and as Father was talking I could just see it flying and hitting him smack dab in the forehead.  But thankfully, I was able to make eye contact with him, and my aide was able to kindly go and remind him where we were and what he was supposed to be doing.  So all was good :)

We were also working on Solid and Flat shapes this week so we had a fun Math lesson wrap up where the sorted flat and solid shaped foods!  They enjoyed it!

I came across this quick and cute idea on Pinterest and thought it was an easy way to assess who was really understanding solid and flat figures.  And it worked!  I still have 2 or 3 who really just don't get it.  So I now know who needs a little re-teaching!

And Finally, next week!

We will be using my Pilgrim Pack and Gobble Gobble Pack throughout the week.  I am not introducing  new letters or new Math concepts...This week will be all Pilgrims, Native Americans, Turkeys and Family!  Oh, and I am giving them {and their parents} a break from homework too!  I truly think they need it.

Hop on over to my TpT Store

Pilgrim Pack!

Click here for the Turkey Pack!

I would love to hear any feedback if you do purchase any of my packets!  I enjoy hearing form you or even if you just stop by, let me know what you think!

As always, thanks for Keeping Up and Happy Saturday Y'all!
Lindsey