Brain Breaks!

Yes, that emotion you are feeling right now....is love ;)! Aren't they beautiful. I had to share. Famous Footwear was having their "Bogo" days, and I got the bf a pair of Sperry's for his bday. I couldn't let the half off go to waste right? Thus, here are my brand new, very fun, pair (which I got for only $30 I might add). Ahh...I love a good shoe bargain. That cute heart above was created by The 3am Teacher, btw!

Speaking of the bf's bday, I thought I'd share my gift giving table with you all that I set up for dinner last night, as it actually turned out pretty cute.

I always call him "Handsome"...as like a name, not an adjective. (Take a moment to judge ;))! Anywho, the whole theme of his presents were things a "handsome" man needs/is. So for instance, the first one says "A handsome man is "Sperry" fashionable". This package contained his shoes! The next one said, "A handsome man gets his beauty sleep"....containing some new comfy pj pants. And so on...you get the drift. I found a very fitting photo to go along with each quote as well. The "fashionable" photo is one of us from Halloween where he decided it was a good idea to by a ridiculous looking mullet and wear a big puff vest as a shirt. Super handsome!

Now for the legit post content...

I have also been busy creating some "Brain Break" sticks of my own. I have seen a few versions of these from some other folks, and I thought I'd create some that were a.) bilingual and b.) went with my classroom colors a little better. So here is what I came up with:

All of the labels for this pack come in English and Spanish. Therefore, you could make English sticks, Spanish sticks, or bilingual ones as I have done! It's up to you! Click on the image below to snag yourself a copy! And if you like what you see, I would love for you to leave me some feedback at my store! Special thanks to my lovely friend Laura @ Mrs. Castro's Class and her hubby for double checking all of my translations :)!

On a final note, don't forget to link up to my Destination: Summer Vacation linky! Some of you have already shared some seriously drool worthy locations, and I would love to see more! Click here to see the details:

Destination: Summer Vacation Linky

Hey all....so I have finally arrived...

...at 300 followers that is!

I feel so honored and blessed to have all of you here to swap ideas with!

I thought about hosting a 300 follower giveaway to celebrate, but I have been contemplating hosting a new linky party for a few weeks now, and thought what better way to celebrate than to have a PARTY (linky style). 

I have seen so many of you post this summer sharing that you have been a little MIA because you went on some fabulous vacation, and frankly, I want in the fun ;)!

I absolutely loveeeeeee traveling (as I am sure many of you do), and the easiest time for most of us to do it is during the summer months! Thus, I thought it would be fun to share our favorite travel experiences so that we can learn a little bit more about one another as well as gather some ideas in order to book our next vacay! I don't know about you....but I am always looking for new destinations to try out to relax and have some fun after a long, learning-filled school year! 

So here are the "rules" if you will:

1. Post the linky image below into your post.

2. Share your "TOP 3" (3 because we are celebrating 300 followers ;)) summer travel destinations (pictures are always a bonus...so we can drool over where you've been ;)). And seriously...if you love traveling to your local beach, park, neighbors backyard...own it!

3. Link up your post below so that others can check it out!

Looking forward to seeing all of your summertime destinations!

My "Top 3" Destinations: 

1. International:

Tivoli, Italy

I went here on a side trip when I was studying abroad in Rome during college one summer, and it was just so quaint, peaceful, and gorgeous. We took a bus there; I believe it was only about 1 hour each way. It is known for its spectacular gardens and Roman temples.

2. National:

San Francisco, CA

San Francisco is just such a unique city in my opinion. I could just walk the streets for days taking it all in (not to mention it would be a killer work out). There are just so many things to do and see! My favorite thing that we did was bike across the Golden Gate bridge, and then ride the ferry back to San Fran. Great views! If you have never been there, I would highly recommend it!

3. Close to Home:

Door County, Wisconsin

I love all of the little shops and bed and breakfasts in Door County. Not to mention you can just hang out at the beach if you'd like -or- participate in a vast array of adventure activities like parasailing, mopeding etc. We have been there as a family several times in the summer time!

Alright...now it's your turn. Where do you go to recoop and have some fun when schools out for summer?!

"Super Five" Bookmarks

Another "Monday Made It"...gosh I love these days! The ideas you all come up with are just so much fun (...and at times detrimental to my checkbook ;)). 

So this past week I finished up "Super Five/Súper Cinco" Bookmarks for my kiddos next year. (Super Five is my version of "The Daily Five" based on the book "The Daily Five" by Gail Boushey and Joan Moser).

Here is the finished product...with a little explanation for everybody:

I am hoping since my kiddos have never done the "The Daily Five" before (they are used to centers), that it will give them (...and me for that matter) a little more structure in starting the process, while still having some choice in the matter as well. 

Here are the bookmarks in English and Spanish for "Super Five" or "Súper Cinco" if you'd like to make your own copy. (You will need to add an accent to the Spanish version on "Súper" as the font I used would not allow it, and for some reason I just could not get a line small enough to suffice.) The font is Kevin & Amanda and Graphics are from Scrappin' Doodles.

Here is also a version of the bookmarks for "The Daily Five" or "Diariamente Cinco" if you prefer this over the super themed ones.

Must Have Picture Books!

Linking up with Lindsey @ The Teacher Wife for some book idea swappin! I absolutely love reading (...and buying) new picture books, so I couldn't resist!

So here are some of my faves...

(If you click on any of the images it will take you to Amazon to check out more about the text and/or buy it...I know...I am making it way to easy to spend money ;)

1. "Are You Quite Polite?" and "Smelly Locker" by David Catrow.

These are great for the beginning of the year when establishing rules, routines, and talkin' about good manners. The books are made up of a variety of familiar song tunes (like She'll Be Comin' Round the Mountain, ABC's, etc), but the words have been changed to reflect the theme. My kiddos think they are hilarious and so do I! 

2, "The Student from Zombie Island: Conquering the Rumor Monster" by Michael J. Moorehead

A elementary school student actually wrote this book, which is one of the main reasons I love it. What a great way to show students that they can be professional authors. Also, the text is all about the dangers of spreading rumors and gossiping. Great community building text!

3. "The Giving Tree" by Shel Silverstein (English/Spanish Available)

Anyone can come in to my room and ask my students what their teacher's favorite book is and all in unison will tell you it is this one. I just think this book can be used in so many ways, from teaching how to be selfless and give to others to all about natural resources and how we can use them to an author study text. I just love it so!

4. "Miss Nelson is Missing" by Harry Allard (English/Spanish Available)

One of my favorites to remind my kiddos what an amazing teacher they have ;). I like to bring it out during those times when I just feel like no one is listening!

 

5. "Smelly Socks" by Robert Munsche (Available in English/Spanish)

Hands down one of the funniest stories I read all year. I could read it ten times and my kids would still laugh after each one. The main character is so dramatic that is makes a great story for utilizing expression, and its' a good one to work on building fiction retelling.

There you have them. Top 5....it was tough to choose! Anyone use these picture books in your classroom as well? And love them like I do? I would love to hear how you use them!

Monday Made It!

I think this may be the first time I have actually posted a "Monday Made It!" on a Monday....(insert pat on the back).

This morning I finally finished up my supply organizer! I know you all have already seen a ton of these puppies...but it's fun to see how everyone adds their own unique twist, right?

So here is my spin on it...

First, here is a supply list. By no means do you have to use these supplies, but this is what worked for me.

I wasn't the biggest fan of the gray, so I bought a cheap-o can of spray paint, and made mine white! Post painting, I began cutting my scrapbook paper. I literally just measured around the drawer frame for each size and then used the first piece of paper I cut as a template for the rest. Worked perfectly fine. 

Then I set about creating my labels. Here they are for your viewing and downloading pleasure:

I glued my labels to the scrapbook paper I had cut with a glue stick. You could most def. use your Mod Podge as well. Finally, I Mod Podged the paper to the front of each of the drawers. 

Here she is: 

A beaut, right?

Made It...Thursday ;)! (Better late than never!)

Linking up with Tara @ 4th Grade Frolics for another "Monday/Thursday Made It!"! 

I was inspired by all of those adorable "READ" letters to create a custom set for my classroom in my color scheme.

So here goes...step by step...with visuals. I am all about the visuals.

The Supplies...

The Process...

Optional Additions...

The Finished Product...

Let me preface this with...I know how to spell READ ;)...Leer is the Spanish word for READ. Had to add my own dual twist to it!

Now to figure out where I am going to put them...:).

It's time for an award...!

It feels good to be back! I have been somewhat MIA lately, as I have been gone at the lake for the week to celebrate and relax over the 4th! Back to reality I suppose...

While I was away, I was nominated by several lovely bloggers (seems like you all bombarded me at once with this award love!) with the following award: 

 So thank you again to: 

The Polka Dotted Teacher

Super Pig and Tyrant King

The Quirky Apple

Turtley Loving Teaching

Miss V's Busy Bees

Teachin' Little Texans

Glitzy in 1st Grade

Totally Terrific in Texas

1..2..3.. Teach With Me

Dirty Hands and Lesson Plans
Please visit their quite versatile blogs as well!

So here are the rules and regulations for this puppy:

1. Thank the blogger who nominated you.

2. Include a link to their site.

3. Include the award image in your post.

4. Give 7 random facts about yourself.

5. Nominate 15 other bloggers for the award.

6. When nominating include a link to their site.

7. Let other bloggers know they've been nominated.

Alright...1..2..3...check...now for my 7 random facts:

1. I am obsessed with ice cream...in any form- sundae, soft serve, sandwich, cup or cone!
2. I studied abroad in Spain for a summer during college at the University of Salamanca. Lived with a family there who only spoke Spanish- great practice for this career of mine :)!

3. I am a sucker for reality tv. I love the Bachelor/Bachelorette, American Idol, any home improvement show, the list goes on...it's bad.

4. I performed in musicals, choirs, etc. for nearly my entire life. I love singing and acting and try to incorporate this talent into my classroom w/ my kiddos.

(in Oliver!)

5. I love being outside. Walking, running, hiking, swimming, you name it...I'm there!

(the bf and I at Starved Rock)

6. I have a collection of sock monkeys in my classroom. It started as one that each of my kiddos got to bring home for a week, and it grew into a slight obsession. My students just keep bringin them to me!

7. I am an organized scatterbrain. I like everything to look and be nearly perfect, but seem to lose track of and forget everything! Is there anyone else like this? It's awful!

Enough about me...

Time to unveil my nominations...

The following 15 blogs are full of some great and unique ideas!

                

               

                                             Multilingual Multiage

There they are folks. Fifteen fantastically, versatile blogs that you all need to take a look at :)

On a different note, just wanted to fill everyone in if you haven't already heard....there is finally a blogger meet up scheduled for all of us Chicago-landers! Click on the link below if you would like to check it out...I'd love to meet you all in person and put a face with your blog ;)!