A Splash of Color: Turquoise

I'm linking up with my sweet friend Melissa at A Teaspoon of Teaching for her Splash of Color Linky Party.

Each day you get to post fun things that you love in a certain color. I'm always asked by my 2nd graders about my favorite color. I don't really have a signature or favorite color, it just depends on my mood. This linky is perfect for me because I love all the colors.

Today I'm going to feature all things turquoise. Living in the Southwest makes it easy to find cute turquoise jewelry, but I love to add turquoise clothing to my wardrobe. I rarely dress up but if I did, I'd love a dress like this.

 I'm pretty casual and my jeans are my unofficial uniform. These accents make the jeans look a little nicer.

Next up, some items for the home. I have a very neutral palette in my home so adding a pop of color is easy.

I don't know of any naturally occurring turquoise foods, but prepping anything would be more fun with one of these (this is really on my wishlist so I can make homemade pasta).

 I also love both of these room themes! Turquoise and black is a great combo.

by Shannon Allison

by Bright Concepts for Teachers

That's all for today. Make sure to check back on Melissa's blog for more colorful fun all week! 

Five For Friday: Busy, busy and a FREEBIE!

I'm linking up with Doodle Bugs!

 This is a C-R-A-Z-Y week for me. I might actually be busier than during a normal school week.

 I'm running Camp Invention at my school this week and the kids are having a blast taking things apart, creating amazing inventions and learning amazing and cool stuff.

 My daughter got her braces off on Tuesday. She said she really didn't mind them, but now that they're off, she can't stop smiling.

I think I may have You Spoke Too Soon Syndrome (YSTSS) or maybe it's Foot In Mouth Disease. Just when I think everything is going great, I decide to open my big ol' mouth and say something that will jinx it all. Today I mentioned how much I just love being a director for Camp Invention. I get to do the fun activities, see former students get to shine with their creativity, give out scholarships to deserving families, and I don't have to worry about teaching! Right after that, all heck broke loose. Let's just say there was puke involved. Don't worry, I won't show you a picture.

My buddy (and fellow NM blogger) over at a Teaspoon of Teaching has a fun and fab linky idea for next week. It's called A Splash of Color. Each day there is a color and you get to upload pics of all things fun and fab in that color scheme. I can't wait! Check out Melissa Cloud's blog post for details. BTW, did I mention there's a giveaway?

I haven't had the time to do any creating this week, but I'm going to continue my summer Five for Friday tradition by offering one item from my store for free for 24 hours. I don't have anything new, but I'm going to do a pretty awesome product that my kiddos did at the end of the year instead of homework. It is the Flip Flap Book Report Project. Here's a pic of one of the finished results: 

Take a look at the preview page:

This is normally $5, but it's free today!

Have a great weekend everyone!

Two for Tuesday: Math and Lit and a BOGO.

I'm linking up with The Teaching Tribune for Two for Tuesday. Today is the day we offer two products for 50% off. Get your carts ready, set, go!

Last week I asked my readers to tell me what to put on sale. Here's what they wanted:

Only $1.75!!!

and...

Only $3!!!

The first set is a bunch of flip flap books for students to respond to fiction texts. For some reason, my kids are much more motivated to complete one of these flip flap books than a traditional graphic organizer. I often copy several sets of each to keep handy as an impromptu assessment, sub activity or exit slip.I also use them in my guided reading groups. Click here for the Literary Elements Flip Flap Books.

The second set is a bundle of 4 sets of multiplication task cards. I don't teach multiplication in 2nd grade, but my 3rd and 4th grade friends love these. They can be used multiple times throughout the year or for differentiated instruction. They include QR codes (which you don't have to use) so kids can get instant feedback about their answers. I normally sell each set for $2, so not only do you save $$$ by buying the bundle, you'll save even more by getting it for half price today! It's like buying one set and getting two and a half for free! Click here for the Multiplication Madness Bundle.

Are you ready for your BOGO? Thanks for sticking with me so far. Here's how it works:
Step 1: Purchase either of these items from my store by 6/18/14 at midnight.
Step 2: Leave a comment on this post with your email address and which item you bought.
Step 3: I'll email you one math task card set (your choice) from my store for FREE!

Yup, it is that easy! Happy shopping!

Monday Meet Up: Dear Me-Advice to myself

I've been having a blast linking up with The Teaching Tribune for their Summer Bloggin' series of link ups.

This week we're writing a letter to ourselves. It is an excellent opportunity to reflect on the growth I've made in the past as a teacher, blogger, mentor and TpTer (is that a real word? should be...) and how to find a balance to spend time with family and friends.

I have taught for 10 years and have only been blogging/selling on TpT for 6 months. I can honestly say that I have learned more in the past year than in several previous years combined. I don't always know what I'm doing or why, but I keep chugging along and trying to learn from my mistakes. Here's the letter I wrote to my past self, but I think it still applies:

I know I still have tons to learn and many goals to reach, but I am so thankful for these opportunities to grow. I can't wait to read what everyone else has written. Click the pic below to head back to the linky! 

Five for Friday and a FREEBIE

I'm linking up with Doodle Bugs!

I've been a busy bee all week long! One of the things I'm dealing with this week is a beehive in the roof of my house. I'm not afraid of bees at all but many people are and this hive is located right by my front door. I guess it will keep the solicitors away until it can be removed, ha!. After the hubs was stung (and chased half way down the block) by a bee, he's finally calling the "bee guy" to come and take it away.

Just kidding, it isn't that bad. 

 I've been working like mad on some new products for my TpT store. Honestly, it doesn't feel like work because I just love to create. Here is the latest cutie called Easy Cheesy 3 Digit Addition with Regrouping Activities. My favorite part has to to be the task cards. I think they turned out so cute! Because I love my new product and I love all my followers so much, this little baby is FREE for the next 24 hours. Please just leave me some feedback love!

Check out all the goodies in this product!

My sister invited me and my daughters over Tuesday night for a girls night in. It was so fun! She made the.best.dinner.ever. The official title (from Bon Appetit magazine) is Rigatoni with Spicy Calabrese-Style Pork Ragu. We renamed it Spicy Ragu. After the very first bite, my daughter said, "Mom, can you make this?". My contribution was a stupid salad from Costco. I will definitely be trying this recipe soon.

click the pic to get this recipe

We've been doing so much yard work the past couple of weeks. When we bought this house we fell in love with the yard, even though it means so much work. We finally tackled this U-G-L-Y structure that was over the Jacuzzi. It was fun to watch my daughter use power tools with such confidence. I'm trying to teach my daughters as many "life skills" as possible before they fly out of the nest.

Next week, I'm running Camp Invention at my school. This is my 2nd year as director and now that all the hard work in preparing for the camp is done, I can have fun, take pics and check out all the fun things the kiddos make. Here's a quick video on one of the new modules we're doing this summer:

click the pic to watch

Have a super weekend everyone! 

Worksheet Wednesday

I'm linking up with The Teaching Tribune again today for Worksheet Wednesday. Last week I got some fabulous resources to use with my class next year. I can't wait to see what I'll get today. The theme this week is math worksheets.

This worksheet is part of my new Monster Math: Place Value Activities pack. It allows students to practice putting numbers in expanded form and then changing numbers in expanded form to standard form. It can also be used as a quick assessment. It is aligned with CCSS 2.NBT.A.3 (read and write numbers to 1000 using base-ten numerals, number names, and expanded form). Click here or on the pic to get it.

Have a great Wednesday! 

Two for Tuesday-and a GIVEAWAY!!

I'm linking up with The Teaching Tribune! Since the theme is 2, I have 2 awesome products on sale and 2 winners will be chosen to win them! 

This week, I'm putting two of my best selling products on sale for 50% off! First up is my 3 Digit Addition and Subtraction with Regrouping and QR codes. My students loved these task cards!

Only $1

 Second, is my Subtracting Across a Zero task card set. This is a difficult skill to master and I know I used this as a center several times this spring.

Only $1

Even if you don't have access to the technology (iPad, iPod, tablets) to scan the QR codes, you can still use these task cards just like any other task cards. I often set up one or two iPad scanning stations so students can scan when they're ready or I include an iPad/iPod in the center when I set it up during math stations. The kids really love it! It is super easy and this sale is a great way to check out using QR codes with little risk.

So, are you ready for the giveaway part? It's easy, I promise. Leave a comment with which item from my store you'd like to see on sale next week, along with your email, and tomorrow I'll choose two winners to receive both sets of task cards! Don't forget to follow my blog and TpT store so you'll be the first to know about my newest products. Ready, set, comment!