Back To School YouTube Par-tay + a Huge Giveaway

Friends!I am SERIOUSLY excited (and a little bit nervous) about this post. You see, my blogging friends and I at the Primary Chalkboard wanted to do something BIG for back to school for you.BIG I'm talking, BIG.  We decided to throw a par-tay.

Here is a hint.  YES.   It is a YouTube Partaaaaay!

We are here sharing lots of tips -- organizational, DIY, helpful ideas-- lots of things you can do RIGHT NOW to make your back to school a little easier!  AND .....We are having a huge giveaway!

Would anyone like a....$100 Amazon Gift Card

or

a $100 TeachersPayTeachers Gift Card

or

a fabulous Michael Kors bag (you know, the one you want but can't justify spending the money for)?  

I thought so.  So what do you need to do?

Did you see that?  You can EVEN gain EXTRA entries in the giveaway by watching our videos and entering our SECRET WORDS into the Rafflecopter (but I know you were going to do that anyway, so... 2 birds, 1 stone).  We will be linking up 5-6 new videos every day this week... so you can come back, watch, and enter every day!


My tip is a quick one about organizing your desktop...  my desktop was a HOT mess last year and I finally figured out a way to make my OCD happy!  Be sure to listen out for my code word :)

And don't forget to head over to the Primary Chalkboard to watch more tip clips and gain more entries to the giveaway!

Good luck, peeps... talk to y'all soon!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Tough Time With Transitions? There's a Go Noodle For That!

Surely you've heard about GoNoodle by now?  Right?  Oh my goodness... I just found this website a few weeks back and my kiddos BEG for it!  Let's be real for a few minutes {can we?}...  there are 20 days of school left and the kiddos KNOW IT.  The teachers KNOW IT.  My first graders are not doing well... and I have great classroom management if I do say so myself (I do say that! bwhahaha}.  My tricks are getting old and I have even almost lost my cool!   Last week the older grades took the state standardized test and we had to stay in our classrooms ALL morning...  no leaving!  All I'm saying is... we needed some inspiration, some motivation, SOMETHING to rescue them {from me!}.  Enter GoNOODLE!

So, what is GoNoodle exactly?  Glad you asked! ;)  GoNoodle is a FREE {that's right, free} brain break resource for teachers to use in the classroom.  It is open to teachers all across the world.  Their website is a one-stop-shop for brain breaks, offering a variety of activities (dancing, running,

deep breathing, etc.) for anytime of the day.  Research shows that bursts of physical activity help kiddos perform better in the classroom.  I think we all know this...  can you say inside recess?  These small humans need to WIGGLE and MOVE!  

My kiddos are OBSESSED with Happy by Pharrell right now and the GoNoodle version has the minions from Despicable Me.  Oh my goodness! They beg for it!  "Mrs. D, can we PLEASE dance to Happy?"  ... and I'm all like, "Well, maybe if we can get our work done well and our noise is pretty low for the next 15 minutes... I'll think about it!"  Or... as we are coming in from our 930 group trip to the restroom {trust no one at the end of the year to go alone...} I will play it as soon as we come in.  They don't have a chance to get off task and in trouble because they are supposed to be moving and laughing.  

Check out the video of my firsties ROCKING out to Happy on the SMART board.  I wish I had a video of them after the song... they went right to their seats and got busy working and it was amazing!  Be strong friends... the end of the year is in sight.  Be sure to check out GoNoodle today.  I suggest looking around on the site at home.. then introducing it to your kiddos!  

PS...  want to see how my Primary Chalkboard peeps are using Go Noodle?  Click HERE to check it out!  We are giving away a PREMIUM membership... so RUN over and check it out!!!  

I Should've Worn My Elastic Waistband Pants

There... I said it... I should've worn my elastic waistband pants to dinner yesterday.  I maybe ate too much.... twice.  I love carbs...and they love me!  I hope that y'all had a very Merry Christmas.  I enjoyed the day with my peeps and watching them squeal with delight as they opened their gifts.  I have been collecting their presents since September... so I was pumped to watch them all be opened in like 2 minutes! They are efficient... what can I say? :)

My kiddos are off playing with their new tech devices and I am starting to think about taking Christmas stuff down.  I know it seems soon, but we go back to school on the 6th and I don't want the decorations looming over my head...  I also thought that the 2 days of planning were going to be so awesome.  I was picturing myself chillin' in my classroom... organizing, writing lesson plans, cleaning, getting materials together, etc.  Well, we got an itinerary in an email and it looks like I'm going to have approximately 1 hour to myself.  Sigh.

Ok... enough about me... how was your Christmas?  Do you leave all your decorations up for awhile... or do you go ahead and start dismantling early?  When do you go back to school?    What was your favorite Christmas present that you received OR gave?

If you're in a shopping mood... my peeps and I from over at the Primary Chalkboard are all doing a sale.  You can visit any of our TpT shops and receive 20% off... starting today and running through the 29th.  I am shopping for 100th day things, reading comprehension packs, persuasive writing help, and some seasonal type things... OH... and clip art {always the clip art!}

Well, I'm gonna head out to grab some Starbucks (yesterday was hard w/o my "fix") and see what deals I can find at Hobby Lobby, TJ Maxx and some boutiques here in town!  I will talk to y'all soon!

Summer in December... A FB Hop

Oh holy night...  there's a new FB hop and I'm so excited to be a part of it.  Me and my Primary Chalkboard peeps are doing a Summer in December hop over on Facebook.  You can start on my page and hop all the way through... scoring a summer-ish themed freebie on each page.  Click the picture below to get started in on the fun!

I hope that y'all had a super fab Thanksgiving and that if you stayed awake all night getting ready for Black Friday shopping... that you have made it back home safely.  I'm more of a buy it on Amazon and have it shipped to the front door kinda girl.  I am also busy adding stuff to my wishlist on Teachers Pay Teachers because the Cyber Monday sale is almost here!  Have you heard about this yet?  I am so excited!!!  It will last for 2 days (December 2nd and 3rd).  Most shops will be discounted up to 28% off... WINNING!

I have many Christmas packs that I have been eyeing... and a TON of clipart that I need want to scoop up! What is the top thing on your list?  Be sure to leave feedback for any purchases you have made recently... because feedback = credits to use towards new purchases.  Combine credits and a sale...  I'm in TpT heaven!

I have been enjoying this week off... maybe a little more than I should.  I could really rock this stay at home thing {just sayin'}.  The laundry is caught up, I have time to read, dinner has been made, etc!  I have brewed a pot of coffee each morning and it is so stinkin' calming.... much different than my sprint out the door at 630am thing I normally have going on!  I'm so excited that you're here and I hope you enjoy the FB hop... before you go... be sure to enter below for my Starbucks gift card giveaway...

a Rafflecopter giveaway OHHHHH... and don't forget to check back soon for the December Currently {I get to sponsor this month and I am so very ecstatic!}...
Talk to y'all soon!

Oh Snap... It's Currently OCTOBER {and also HUMP DAY!}

Surely I can't be the only one who LOVES the Geico camel hump day commercial.  I maybe watch every Wednesday with my class.  My own personal kidlets also love it!  Ok... let's be REAL...  I feel like I have developed adult ADHD since school has started.  Some days I am honestly impressed that I even get all of us to school, in clothes, bathed and back in bed.  All the stuff that happens in the middle just seems like a blur.  I mean... HOW the heck is it already October?  That being said... please indulge me on this ADHD ride!  This post is going to slightly random, but showcasing LOTS of different things including a MASSIVE amount of giveaways and prizes.  First thing first... I'm linking up with Farley for this month's currently!

Listening: the the kiddos laughing while watching Cartoon Network.  Our school day is over, their homework is done... I have signed their planners, checked their papers, etc.  No soccer today {and the congregation says AMEN!}.

Loving: that we are on fall break next week.  That's right... we have been in school almost 50 days and we have NO school all next week.  I don't even have plans, but I am excited about the prospect of laying around in my pajamas, scouring Pinterest, eating late breakfast, grocery shopping leisurely... you get the point!  It's still warm enough here that we might even head to the beach for the day...

Thinking: that adult life sure is complicated.  I think I've been watching too much news.  It is hard to find a balance between knowing what's going on with the world and our country... and just needing to turn it off.... and tune out!  My life feels very complicated recently... hoping to slow down and regroup next week!

Wanting:  a laundry clone.  It isn't even that we have a crazy amount of laundry... it's just that it never feels DONE!  Soccer 3x a week means constant stinky socks {bleh}.  I don't even mind washing and drying the clothes, but MAN... I hate putting the laundry away.  Anyone else struggle with that last part?

Needing: to refill my stash of candy corn.  I sure do love this candy.  A lot of people don't really care for it.... and I don't eat it any other time of the year, but it screams OCTOBER to me!  Do you love it or hate it?

Treat:  I just discovered Stitch Fix and I am in love.  I will certainly have to do a blog post about it soon, but in the meantime... If you're in the market for some clothes to come straight to your door... that are handpicked for YOU... then check them out HERE!  Here's some of what came in my Stitch Fix box this month!  Eeeek!  :)

OK... so are you ready for the ADHD part and all the giveaways, etc. that I mentioned?  Me, too!  First up... I am so excited to be a part of the MONSTERous giveaway over at the Primary Chalkboard.  Seriously... there is a 1st grade bundle, a 2nd grade bundle, a fire safety bundle... then clipart, pencil sharpeners, and a bag that is to DIE for.  Oh... and a chair pocket and BUNTING!  Who doesn't love bunting?  Right?

Seriously... isn't it GORGEOUS?  I'm jealous {in advance} of whoever wins this tote!!!   from Ooh Baby Designs.  Check out all the cool stuff she has in her Etsy store.

I am also teaming up with Tara (my real life friend) over at ...and they all fall down to do a fall giveaway.  We are both donating fall products and including a $20 Starbucks card ... perfect for filling up with Pumpkin Spice Lattes (we both indulge often... notice the coffee in our hands below in the rafflecopter?!?!  Tara is giving away these 2 products:

and... from me:

a Rafflecopter giveaway
Last, but not least... have you checked out the 1st grade Educents deal going on?  It is 18 different products made just for firsties (or advanced kinders... or struggling 2nd graders).  The whole bundle is only $24.99... but it ends soon {Friday night} so don't delay... Check it out HERE... or click the picture!!!

Thanks for going along with me on my ADHD adventure.  I hope that you will have an evening of fun checking out all the links and giveaways... and good luck!  I hope one of my readers will be lucky enough to win that bag {did I mention how jealous I am already?}  Talk to y'all soon!

Follow the Yellow Brick Road

Happy Saturday!!!  If you're reading this... you have survived the week... and that's exciting!  Yesterday we had a Wizard of Oz celebration at school with our firsties... all 6 classes... and it was a-mah-zing!  I can't wait to share our day with you (mostly in pictures), offer you a freebie, and a chance to win 4 units and some Starbucks money {be sure to read all the way to the bottom!!!}

Since the first full week of school we have been reading The Wizard of Oz aloud to our students... and doing lots of character analysis, writing, graphing, etc.  I used my Melonheadz Wizard of Oz pack and blew them up poster sized to use in the classroom and finally out in the hallway with our student work!

I used the same Melonheadz graphics to create tshirts for the first grade teachers using Avery transfer sheets.  Here we are (minus 1) out at recess duty!  Wait,  where are all the kids? :)  I also bought some sparkly red Toms this spring and have been saving them especially for this unit!  I printed invitations to send home to the parents asking them to come join us and we had 49 first grade parents come yesterday and that was really cool to see!  One parent even showed up with Oz goodies to share.  How cute is that poem that she stapled to fun size bags of Skittles!?!

For snacks: bugles (cyclones), animal crackers (lions, tigers, & bears... oh my), & rice krispy treats (w/ yellow sugar).  Drink choices: blue Hawaiian Punch (munchkin punch) or green Hawaiian Punch (Wicked Witch's Brew). Shout out to my friend Tara for helping with some last minute creative name generating!

Even our librarian wanted in on the action.  She dressed up and visited each classroom after the movie for pictures.  When she left my room... she stole my stuffed Toto and I had to go retrieve him at the end of the day!  The kids and the parents really loved our day...and I have to say... I had the best time putting it together in my room.  Our next unit read aloud is Charlie and the Chocolate Factory!  Guess who is already scheming planning!?!?!
You guys already know that I have a few Wizard of Oz packs in my TpT store and obviously we just used those in my room the last few weeks.  If you keep scrolling to the end of this post... you will have the chance to win both of them... and MORE!  Want the party printables for FREE?  Thought you might say yes.  You can find them by clicking on the picture below!

I am joining forces today with one of my blogging besties {yes, it's a thing!} Katie from Teacher to the Core and we are posting together over at Primary Chalkboard.  We decided to do something fun(ny) and fabulous to introduce ourselves.  I have loved Katie for a long time... y'all wouldn't believe how sweet and diligently she prayed for me when I lost my sweet Frances.  We're talking page long prayers, y'all!!!  She is the real deal and I am lucky to call her my friend!  So...  check out our post and be sure to leave us some love!  We decided it would be really fun to do a giveaway to celebrate!  Check out the rafflecopter to win 4 FREE packs from us... plus a $10 Starbucks gift card.  She is doing the same giveaway on her blog so you have double the chances to win.  Here is what she is giving the winner!!!

 {click the pictures to view descriptions on TpT}

The rafflecopter will end on Monday at 6pm (Eastern time) so enter NOW for your chance to win.  I hope that y'all are having an amazing weekend so far and that it will go by SUPER slooooooooow!  Remember to check out our Primary Chalkboard post {there are freebies on our post there, too!} and good luck on the giveaway!  Talk to y'all soon!  

a Rafflecopter giveaway

OMG... The Primary Chalkboard is LIVE

I am so very excited to announce the launch of a new collaborate effort with some of my bloggy besties.  Today is the launch of the Primary Chalkboard!!!  We are a collaborative blog focusing on first and second grade... and man on man... do we have some exciting things up our sleeves!

Are you looking for a quick print resource?  This eBook has 20 quick print sheets for the first few months to ease your transition back to school.  Seriously... open the eBook and all you have to do is click PRINT.  OH... and it's FREE {what... what!!!}

While you're there tomorrow... be sure to enter our giveaway.  We're giving away gift certificates to TpT and also to Erin Condren!  You'll also be able to find each one of the Chalkies and read each one of our BLISSFUL Back to School tips!

I hope that you are having a great Wednesday so far... but let's be real... how many more days until Friday?!?!  Oh... and I also started a FB page for Funky Fresh Firsties.  I've been blogging for a year and not sure why it took me so long to do it {promise I don't have commitment issues}... You can find me easily by clicking HERE!!!  One more thing... in other fabulous news... I have decided to do laser hair removal on my entire body!  Bwahaha... just joking!  Although I did start the process on my underarms!  I am so pumped that soon... very soon... I will never need to shave AGAIN!  Also... they put you in a cool, quiet room where there are no children... that was an added bonus and I didn't even have to pay extra for that!!!  Have you ever done anything like that for yourself?  OK... really... go check out the Primary Chalkboard and let me know what you think!!!  Talk to y'all soon!!!