Out with the Old and In with the New!

Hi Fellow Friends! December was a long, tough month! I'm currently working on my homework packet. I promise I haven't forgotten! For those that I've delayed, please know it was beyond my control. 

I had epic plans for December.  To ensure my students have an authentic learning experience different from our adventures in Kindergarten. I began preparing for a global journey.  By December 5th, my laptop crashed. Lost everything current. Homework packets, Science Journals, Holiday Plans! Ohmiword, the waterworks began! 

My back up plan remains situated on my desk in the home office. This desktop has been my trusty backup for all products for several years until mid December when it crashed. Could this seriously be happening right now? 

With Christmas around the corner, my focus shifted to the ultimate family gift of a new computer. Something that allows THE MR. to play with apps, interactive, possibly touchscreen.  I needed the programing to take my classroom activities the extra magical step.  This will require my other half so the hubby and I took an adventure to the Apple and Microsoft Stores.  

Things were exciting as we explore new technology amongst all the holiday glory.  Carols, Trimmings, and Sales!!! After a few fun hours I fell ill.  It was sudden and violent.  A stomach infection, fevers, and violent vomiting had me in the hospital for the holiday break. 

Did I mention Decmeber was terribly tough?  I thought the worst was behind me until Monday when I realized my URL was purchased from under me by someone in Iceland.  Who knew my blog name since 2011 could be so popular!  After hours working with various delightful people from both Google and Go Daddy, I realized I was fighting a losing battle.  They were concerned, helpful, and caring but we continued to hit road blocks.  I decided to google inspiring quotes and press on with changes!  The New Year is about CHANGES, right? 

Tough times never last, but tough people do.  

- Robert H Schuller

“What lies behind you and what lies in front of you, pales in comparison to what lies inside of you.”

 – Ralph Waldo Emerson

The difference between stumbling blocks and stepping stones is how you use them. 

– Unknown

A problem is a chance for you to do your best.

 – Duke Ellington

If you don’t like something change it; if you can’t change it, change the way you think about it.  

– Mary Engelbreit

I've come to life in the past few days with a sense of urgency to get the next homework packets prepared. The format will be different since all my fonts, frames, papers, graphics, and the unknowns are sitting on the crashed computers. With deep breaths, I continue to plug away at the set. Due to the delay, I will post the packets {upon completion} for free! Until then, I've joined my fellow blog hoppers for a New Years Eve/Day Sale. 

 Click Image to Link

Adjectives {Freebie} and Cyber Deals

Today was fun!  I spent a ton on clipart for Space and Technology Science Interactive Notebook.  I'm thrilled about the organization in my student journals!  This week my skills progression as led my group to Adjectives.  With one of my new purchases, I was able to create a fun freebie.  Link in first graphic!

 We will begin our lesson identifying different ways to use adjectives!  A great way to start the lesson is an interactive song about adjectives!  Link here.

I will share the above poster and read the list of describing words.  When needed, I will explain any unfamiliar vocabulary.  Students will then determine the person who'd wear the pair of shoes.  Also available are ballet shoes, and cowboy boots.

After students color their shoes, partners will work collaboratively to record 4 describing words to make their writing "sparkle".  Independently, students will create a sentence using new "sparkle" words.

The following day, I will use this song to review adjectives. My kids get really excited about music {especially the tunes that sound as though they belong on the radio).  Following the song, I will repeat the steps from the previous day with Whose Feet?  Animal feet represented include alligator, giraffe, and ape.

On the third day of instruction, we will focus on feeling and behaviors.  I will begin the lesson with this song from KidsTV123 (one of my favorite youtube channels).  Repeat instruction steps as previous days. 

Included are three boy and girl options.  To ensure each child's needs are met, I provided a blank doodle kid so that they can illustrate their own hair.  Students will create an expression and describe their feelings or behavior.  If you love the clipart, link through store buttons below.

Outside of the endless clipart (more than featured here), I scooped up a few units.  I just love Stephanie Stewart's Flash Fluency Fall Edition so the Flash Fluency Winter Edition was a MUST have!

I've fallen in love with Anna DiGilio from Simply Skilled in Second.  She has flip flap books that rock my world.  I recently shared her Owl Flip Flap Books from our Nocturnal Celebration.

So naturally, I scooped up another.  I'm like a kid at Christmas awaiting our Dinosaur unit. You can link by clicking the graphic below!

This year I'm Packing a Bag for Holidays Around the World from Hope King of Second Grade Shenanigans.  I'm super excited to try a different concept in teaching a unit that I typically combine with learning continents and landforms.  Her fun spin is sure to make the kiddos smile.  Links to Hope's unit in the graphic below.

As we dive deeper into CVCe, I couldn't resist picking up Cara Carroll of The First Grade Parade's newest unit Do You Hear What I Hear? {The Ultimate CVCE Practice Packet}.  I haven't had one unit that didn't surpass my expectations.  Links to Cara's unit in the graphic below.

I hope you found some goodies today!  If you wish, link over and see all the fabulous finds on Blog Hoppin.  Link in graphic below.