More Good Stuff!

What are you going to do over Super Bowl weekend? I'll probably watch a (very) little bit of the game, but more than likely will do some shopping at TpT. There are some really creative people out there. Both Joan and I have added to our TpT stores, so I hope you'll take a look at our stuff when you're shopping. Have a "Super" weekend!  Karen. http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/Karen-Swihart

My First TpT Unit!

Finally!!! Today I posted my first unit on TeachersPayTeachers. It's a supplemental unit to 'Froggy Plays Soccer' and will be especially helpful as a reinforcement for students participating in AR (Accelerated Reader). Check it out if you get a chance. Now...on to my next endeavor...http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/Karen-Swihart

Karen.

Valentine's Day Linky Party

The month of January has gone by so fast and Valentine's Day is just around the corner. I love looking for new ideas to use in the classroom for this fun holiday and I don't know about you but I enjoy letting the kids celebrate Valentine's day for the whole week instead of just one day. There are just too many fun concepts to cover in such a short period of time. Hop on over to Ms. Lilypad's Littles blogspot and join the Valentine's linky party. There are so many cute products. If you love the book "Guess How Much I Love You" then you are sure to love this Valentine unit I created with an original story "Valentine, Valentine in the Zoo, Guess Who Loves You?"! This unit has tons of cute and colorful ideas for you to use in your literacy centers. Check out this new unit in my store on TPT. Hope everyone gets an early start in preparing for this Valentine's Day.  Joan.

Happy MLK Day

We always loved telling our little ones about Martin Luther King, Jr., and especially loved the way we could lead in to teaching about the many people who are important to know during Black History Month. There are lots and lots of ideas out there for celebrating MLK Day...but check out Joan's unit at TpT. She's so creative and original. I know you'll love her stuff! Karen.

Fun Ideas for Telling Time and Learning to Rhyme!

I know the kids love to hear stories using rhyming words so I wrote a short poem to one of my favorite nursery rhymes "Hickory, Dickory, Dock" that I posted on TeachersPayTeachers. This poem teaches them how to tell time to the hour and learn to rhyme at the same time. You never know what the kids are going to come up with when you let them brainstorm and come up with their own poem. It is amazing to me that they have such vivid imaginations at such a young age and I love creating ideas to fuel their little minds. Hope you enjoy!

Joan

Back to business...

I don't know about everyone else, but around here, school started for almost all the kiddos yesterday. Even though I love having those breaks (and especially love celebrating Christmas!), there's something reassuring about getting back to a normal routine. My normal routine is going to include blogging, creating ideas for the classroom, and some substitute teaching. I also want to be careful to not be wasteful of my time and to be helpful to those around me. I guess, in a way, those are my New Year's resolutions. What about you...does your normal routine include some new resolutions...or will it be back to business as usual?
Karen.

New Year's Resolutions

Checkout Teacher's Cauldron Blog and link up to New Year's Resolutions!

Frankly, I am not one to make New Year Resolutions because I tend to break them as fast as I make them!  But here goes- this year, one on my resolutions is to figure this whole blog thing out.  Karen and I just started, and it gets a little frustrating trying to figure out how to add what we need to get activity and have our blog added by others. Help! It has been extremely fun following others' blogs.  I have a wonderful daughter-in-law who has been so helpful. I think it is time for another lesson, but she is so busy, I hate to ask.

I have a tradition on New Year's Eve.  Every year for the past ten years I spend it with my sisters (I am a triplett) and their spouses. What better way to "Ring in the New Year" than with family and my best friends!

Wishing you all a very Blessed and Happy New Year!
Joan