Polka Dot Classroom Resource Paradise!

Happy Summer Break, Friends! I don't know about all of you, but this past school year seriously FLEW RIGHT BY for me! I don't know if it's just that we had so much going on with the new Common Core stuff, or teaching a brand new grade, or maybe those tricky clocks did start moving faster. Our last day of school was June 7th and instead of taking some (much needed) time off from ANYTHING school related, I've been a busy bee over here trying to crank out some new and exciting resources not only for my own classroom, but hopefully yours as well!

I'm switching grade levels (again!) and going back down to 1st grade this year! It was a bittersweet move for me because I loved my 2nd grade team, but I also love my (former and now current) 1st grade team! Icing on the cake was being able to work with Cindy again and this time we are RIGHT NEXT DOOR to each other! Wahooo! Let the fun begin! :-)

As I was taking down my classroom stuff to get myself ready for my move, I made myself a list of things I wanted to update: my alphabet line, my word wall, my number line, my jobs chart, my classroom schedule, etc. So I set off on an internet search through Google and found a hodge podge of polka dot things. None of them really struck my attention and captivated me. That's when I had the light bulb moment! Why don't I MAKE the things I'm looking for?! DUH! So I did it. It took me the past two weeks during every minute I could squeeze into naptime while my boys were asleep (thanks AJ and Aiden!), and late into the night but alas, it's done and ready! It's posted in our TPT store, so head over here to check it out. Here is a preview of some of the things you will find in the unit:

The entire unit contains an A-Z Alphabet line, daily schedule cards, Word Wall Headers AND words, Student of the Week poster/book cover, Boggle Board title and letter cards, Numbers 1-20 Number line with word form and ten frame, calendar headers, a job chart, and some others!

If you're just starting out and like polka dots, this is the perfect classroom start up pack. If you already have polka dot resources in your room but want to change them out or update them, check this out! If there is anything else you would like to see, add, change, or include, please please please just leave me a comment! I don't mind changing things and am always looking for ideas to add! :-)

Enjoy your break, friends! I'm going to take a break to go camping with my family this weekend and I'm leaving the computer behind!

Thank You!!!

Hello everyone!!

Just wanted to say thank you so much to all of you that bought something from our little store.  I especially want to thank those that took the time to leave such thoughtful feedback.  You guys are amazing.  I love the teacher appreciation sale.  I scored some great units and I hope you all did too.

Will post soon with some upcoming units but right now I am literally drowning in end of the year assessments.  Ugh I hate this time of the year, wish I could skip these couple of weeks and get on to the fun end of the year activities.


Cindy

Sale Time!!!

Hello everyone!!!

We all need a little appreciation for all the hardwork we do throughout the year and what better way than by having a sale.  Our little TPT store is ready to give you 20% off all your purchases and don't forget to use the Promo Code TAD12 to receive extra savings.  Hope to see you at our store just click on the banner.  Now I am off to buy some items that I have had in my Wish List waiting for this time.

Cindy

It's Earth Day!!!

Hey friends Cindy here!

I don't know about you guys but the week after spring break always seems to be the longest week ever. I missed my pj's. Ha!!!

Well technically its not Earth Day yet but I'm very excited to start our unit this year. The kids learn so much from this unit about not being wasteful and taking care of our Earth. Last year I had a student argue that he didn't waste that much water when he left it running when he brushed his teeth. So we put it to the test. I had a bucket in the sink while he pretended to brush his teeth. The class was astonished by how much water was in the bucket. Then we started talking about how much water it would be if we all left the water running while brushing. Since we live in Las Vegas the students know that we don't get much rainfall and it is very important to conserve water. After that they were monitoring their water usage while they washed their hands or did anything with water.

This year I came up with the Earth Day Patrol. I will pick a couple of students a day and they will have to monitor the other students in our class. I will give them a clipboard with citations and they will write the students infraction and write what they could have done better. The students love the idea of being to give each other citations. They even asked if they can be on Earth Day Patrol at home because their parents or siblings waste energy, water, or don't recycle.

If your interested in the Earth Day Patrol or many of our other activities that we conduct in class please head on over to our TPT to snatch up our 31 pg, Earth Day unit. It includes some of these and much more so just click on the picture to head on over.

Animal Research!

Hey hey all!

Our 2nd grade team is gearing up for an animal research unit next week, so of course I turned to the internet for a search on some organizers to guide my little kiddos through the process. I found a little bit of this that I liked and a little bit of that, but I didn't want to run a 25 page packet for them! I condensed my ideas and came up with my own! If animal research is in your plans, hopefully this little beauty can help you out! If you're an "A-Type" like me, you will love the one with the lines that prompts the kiddos on what to write. For those of you who think that your friends will write more than what's on the lines, feel free to use the organizers with the big open box! (all the open space in the big boxes kinda scared me a bit, so we will be using the lined one!) Check out our TPT store for more details!

Spring Break Sale!!!!

Hello Everyone!

We are on Spring Break here in Las Vegas and my word I have been enjoying every minute of it. I don't know about all of you but I really needed a break. Being almost 8 months pregnant really takes a toll on your body and your brain.

Well enough about me.

Angie and I are working really hard to get some units finished up by the weekend. She is working on a super cute Spring Unit and I am working on an Earth Day and Cinco de Mayo unit.

In the meantime head on over to our TPT shop by clicking on the link. Everything is 10% of until Sunday.

Teaminguptoteach

Angie also made this fabulous writing suitcase to use after the kiddos come back from Spring Break. You can pick that up for FREE at our shop. Just click on the picture.

Units Galore! St. Patrick's Day and Literacy Circles!

Hi Bloggers (and visitors!),

It has literally been forever and a day since I have posted on here. In fact, I ::almost:: had to call Cindy to find out our log-in info! Sorry for my absence, but I've been living in Crazytown, USA these past few months!!

I found myself looking through some of my St. Patrick's Day stuff and couldn't find anything I was too impressed with so I sat down at the drawing board and decided I would make something myself. And Oh-Em-Gee what a task that was. I don't know how some people whip these units out like they're nothing, but after many laaaaaate nights, I finally have it done!

Here is a sneak peek at some of the components of this unit:

There are 43 more pages to this unit, so I promise you won't be disappointed! It's on sale in our TpT store right now, so what are you waiting for? Go snag it and be set for St. Patrick's Day! :-)

And while you're there, be sure to ALSO check out the new Literacy Circle for Primary Grades unit I've put together... (SEE! At least my absence was productive!) I've been wanting to start literacy circles in my classroom and I had a few resources to start with, but I'm very "A Type" and couldn't just use the jumble of stuff I had. So I did some research and made my own! My kids go cuuh-raaazy for these Lit Circle jobs so I'm sure yours will too!

Here's a peek at that one:

Check out our TpT store for the full version. I promise not to leave you all for so long anymore...I'm already in the works for a Spring/Easter themed unit as well and I know Cindy also has some new stuff she is working on, so don't give up on us! :-)