Wednesday, February 29, 2012

Alternate Universe? or Have I been deprived???

Honestly, friends, I'm trying to get better on my blog. Maybe I've just bitten off too much???   It seems that I've fallen into an alternate universe!  (Anyone else feeling this way?)  Just a few days after Christmas, I had a friend invite me to pinterest.  Ok, I started that...as you know, it can really suck you in.  All of a sudden I was seeing great ideas about the classroom.  I clicked and OMGosh!!  I must have been living a deprived life, because all of a sudden I discovered...BLOGS!!!!!  Well, I admit, I became a bit stalkerish and decided I HAD to do this!!!!  As I'm stalking, I stumbled onto Amy Lemon's blog (stepintosecondgrade.blogspot.com) and ANOTHER eye-opener.   All of a sudden, I found out there was more than I ever imagined when I found TPT!!!!  I immediately became smitten and started asking Amy some questions.  She was SO sweet to answer all of my pestering questions and I knew, FINALLY, I had found the place of my dreams...(Yes, I am one of those weird teachers who absolutely ADORES writing lesson plans and thinking up cute and fun ideas to teach something.  I've never enjoyed relying on the "next page.")  So, I started my own TPT store.  This past weekend, I stumbled into yet another venue...having an education page on facebook.  So, I'm trying to learn to balance my evenings between blogging, pinning, facebooking, and my true love...designing my ideas to share with others.  Please be patient with me.  I've seen others doing it, so surely I can too!!!  (Did I mention that I'm pretty headstrong about that concept???  hahaha)  I appreciate all of you hanging in there with me and hope you will become followers of my other places, also. 

Now, that I've unburdened myself...let's move on to other things!

We're working on quotation marks in 2nd grade right now.  We did a cute assignment that the students loved today.  After reviewing quotation marks, I put the students in groups of four.  Each student had a different color of magic marker to use when writing.  I also gave them each a number 1-4.  #1 wrote what #2 said, #2 wrote what #3 said, and so forth so they all had a chance to write.  (You know how they all are about fairness!)  Each student got to say one thing...whatever they wanted to say.  The student who had to write about it could choose to start with _____ said, or end with , said ______.  After all students were finished, we played "Scoot Around the Room."  They moved as a group and as a group whisper read each poster.  They had so much fun doing this!  Here is a picture of one of the finished products (although I'm sure you can "see" it in your mind...hahaha).  Needless to say, I'm proud they are doing so good with quotation marks.  Tomorrow, it's MACARONI quotation marks...the kiddos are going to love it!!!  :-)



 I've seen where some teachers called today "Wacky Wednesday" based on a Dr. Seuss book. I haven't even heard of this book before, though like all of his, I'm sure it's very interesting. I hope your Wednesday hasn't been too wacky! lol

Sunday, February 26, 2012

BIG Leap Day Sale on TPT

There's going to be a big Leap Day Sale on TPT. 

ONE DAY ONLY!!!

I'm also going to be having a sale in my store so you will get another 20% off.  Go start making your wishlist now!  :-)

Saturday, February 25, 2012

Hi everyone!

I've been blessed to be on vacation in warm, sunny Florida this past week.  The little town (village) we were at kept us pretty much cut off from phones, internet, tv, etc.  What a wonderful, relaxing week it's been.  Now I'm home and all the laundry, unpacking, etc. has been caught up.  I've even had a chance to make a facebook page (check it out here at www.facebook.com/2ndGradePad - be sure to "like") and a FREEBIE that I've posted as thanks for selling 50 items on my TPT store.  Go check it out here!

http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Lion-or-Lamb

I would REALLY appreciate it if you would be a dear and give me a rating!
I'm looking forward to the up-coming week.  Hopefully, I can start taking some pictures in my classroom and post on here.  I'm getting a little bored myself with this blog!  lol

Hope you all have a FANTASTIC week!
Cynthia

Wednesday, February 8, 2012

Join my site and receive a FREEBIE!

I made myself very happy today when I realized that after this week we only have 12 more school weeks until summer!  This unusually warm weather has really gotten me to longing for summertime, gardening, swimming, etc.  I had a funny today when I heard two of my students arguing about China.  One little boy said it only took an hour to get there and the other was saying a day.  I stepped in and asked the first why he thought it only took an hour.  His reply was that it only took his daddy an hour each week when he went.  I showed him on the globe where China was in relation to Georgia and explained it would take a long time to get there.  He said, "Well all I know is my daddy drives to China every week and comes back home with hot food!"  lol  Kids can be so funny!! 

I am continuing to be excited to put my ideas into units for TPT.  Because you have all joined my blog, all you have to do is comment on here giving me your e-mail address (or send to my e-mail -cvautrot@gilmerschools.com), become a follower of my TPT store and I will give you a free activity from my latest unit.

Thanks for being a follower on my blog (and hopefully soon on my TPT store!)

Cynthia

Monday, February 6, 2012

TPT

I'm wondering how many of you are also seller's on TPT?  I just started in January and got really excited this weekend when I got in on the half off my products on the Super Bowl Half-time show.  Even though my prices were cut REALLY deep, I made several sales and picked up a few new followers.  I've seen where people do some "linky" parties with each other also.  I would LOVE to be part of that.  If any of you know how to do that, please include me! 

This blogging & TPT world sure is a lot of fun!!!

I posted 2 new products to TPT.  The first is developed for people that have einstruction CPS for Power Points (student response systems also known as "clickers").  If you have this or know someon that does, check out the one I made for adjectives.




The 2nd one is a a supplemental unit for SRA Reading Mastery 2 Plus (lesson 110-112).  This is also known as Direct Instruction (DI).  If you've ever taught with this series then you know how extremely boring   redundant these stories can be.  I jazzed this one up and turned the 3 stories into a Reader's Theater that we read everyday for a week.  I also made centers that revolved around the circus theme.  If you use this series check it out.  It can also be a stand alone unit without the series.


As always, let me know what you think!  :-)


Sunday, February 5, 2012

It's been a week!

Monday was just a slight preview of my week to come.  It seems to have been mayhem in 2nd grade this week.  Several teachers (including myself) have been battling colds and sinus infections. One got some bad news concerning her daughter's MRI, one has some personal things happening, then we had to call an ambulance for another with possible heart attack!!!  Admist all of this, teaching and learning has continued.  It's just been one of those weeks and I haven't felt like blogging...  :-(

However, as I learn more and more about TPT and continue to learn more about making my units to sell and share with others, I realize teachers truely are the most sharing, nicest group of people you'll ever know.  It just amazes me how many are willing to answer my silly questions.  Thanks to all of them, I feel that I am learning something new everyday!!!

The newest thing I have learned and would love to share for those of you who might not have seen it on other blogs is the great idea that Kelli Shrewsberry had to have a TPT Half-time Super Bowl half price sale.  Many people (myself included) have gone ahead and started the sale so they do not have to do it just during half-time.  Once the game is over, the sales will be over so go check it out now at:

http://pinterest.com/connect2tlc/tpt-half-time-superbowl-sale/

Have a SUPER Sunday!

Today,
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