Making an Editable File (How-to Video)

Happy Friday!

What are you up to? Are you neck deep in school stuff yet?

I tried to go work in my room the other day...turns out the cleaning crew wasn't quite finished and they were in there. Instead I opened boxes and boxes of consumables and printed a lot of goodies that I have found this summer. 

Part of me is saying, "Crystal, you don't go back until August 18th! Stop it already!" 

The other part of me is saying, "I wonder what it will look like in there with 7 less desks this year."

I know, I know. I'm completely crazy.

In my defense, I did take June off and I do like to have my room all set up so I can take the last couple weeks (before reporting back) off as well. And I really need to work in the music room this summer too (last year I just ignored the clutter and yuckiness of it, hoping it was a short-term assignment - HA!).

Enough about my obsession with passion for teaching.

As promised, a how-to make an editable file video. My daughter filmed so apologies for not having a great angle, but I think you'll still be able to benefit from me walking you through it. I did tell her to try not to get all my mess around the computer---ha!

I appreciate those of you letting me know the videos helped you out. If you have more ideas for things you'd like to see, be sure and let me know. 

Here's the links to the first three videos (if you missed them):

How I Start a Product in PowerPoint (with tips on credits pages and organizing graphics)

Quick New Product by Swapping Out Graphics

Securing a PDF 

By the way, since making that video I had a question about those of you "securing" in PowerPoint on a MAC without Adobe Pro. I'm *told* that is not secure and someone with Adobe Pro could still make changes. I don't have a MAC so I can't be certain.

If you'd like to see more, be sure to comment with your questions!

P.S. If you've download the free calendars in the videos, please leave us some good feedback! :-)

Securing a PDF (How-To Video)

Happy Tuesday!

I thought I'd pop in to share the next video that I made about making products for TPT or TN. If you missed the other videos, click here and here.

This one is probably the one that a lot of people don't even realize they need to see. 

When I first started making products, I naively thought saving the document as a PDF was all the security I needed. I quickly found that was not the case and went to work adding security to my products and re-uploading them to the sites (talk about a ton of work). Hopefully, this video will save you some time and help ensure you are following your graphic designers terms of use.

This is so important because I am still buying things that are not protected! And sometimes from what I would consider well known bloggers/creators. 

Don't forget to pop in on Thursday for my comments on Chapters 1 and 2 of Guided Math in Action. I'm looking forward to sharing and learning from you too!

Video - What am I thinking?

I'm kind of putting myself out there with this post...literally. It is a little scary.

Up until now I've been a virtual stranger...words on the computer screen. Thinking that you will now hear my voice and how I talk. There is just something weird about that. 

Not to mention you'll be able to make fun of all my mistakes. And believe me there are some...I had to leave my perfectionism at the door for this video. 

Well, after take 25.

Okay, not 25...but probably 5 at least.

Anyway, let's get on with it. This idea sprang from Kristi making the transition from creating in Word to PowerPoint and asking a lot of questions. It is something I had started doing awhile ago - back when I was on a quest to learn how to make a document editable. 

By the way, there are a lot of great tutorials and videos online about using PowerPoint and creating things for TPT and TN. I'm certainly not claiming to share something new, but maybe for another audience.

Kristi is always asking how I am able to work so quickly on a project. I don't really know the answer because I just do it. Maybe it is because before I became a teacher I was in business/accounting so I became very familiar with computers and lots of software. I don't know...but I decided that maybe I've picked up a few tips and tricks along the way that might be helpful to others.

This is my first video (and maybe the last if rotten tomatoes are thrown - LOL). It is how I get started when I'm making a project along with a few tips about organizing graphics and giving credit. If this video is well received, I will share more tips and tricks in other videos. How will I know it is well received? Comments, of course. Hint. Hint.

One last thing...my TPT and TN thoughts. 

Most of my products are created for use in my classroom first (robots may be the exception because our school had already decided on Seuss for next year, but I just love them - maybe next year...). Our position has always been if we can make a little extra money selling things we are making anyway, why not?  I have also made things that were requested (the reason we have so many I Have...Who Has..? games). I love I Have...Who Has...? but I could never use ALL of our games in one year! :-) 

We don't want our blog to turn into an ad page, but we feel occasionally sharing our creations is okay. I don't even follow some of the first teacher blogs I found anymore because it feels like I am being bombarded with advertisements disguised as blog posts. 

I'd love to hear what you think of the video...just don't judge this first-timer too harshly! Ha!

Happy 4th of July Sale and Blog Design Giveaway!!!

We hope you enjoy this Independence Day!

 

We decided to throw a sale like many other shops are doing, so click on the cute little TPT or TN buttons in the sidebar to take you to your shopping preference. I just love those buttons! Barb did such a wonderful job on our design...hey, speaking of that...

 

 

Barb is having a giveaway for a *custom* blog design. Head on over there and enter! You will just love working with her. ;-)

Some Firsts for Me - And a FREEBIE!

First of all, I must apologize. I had good intentions of having a "crafty" Monday Made-It today. I even made it to Lowes and got the "white panel board" cut down...but on my way there, I got my FIRST...

 

That's right... I'm 34 and I got my first speeding ticket! I didn't even know I was speeding. I know, I know...excuses, excuses. I was concentrating on merging and getting out of the "exit lane." I had no idea the speed limit was 40 and I was going 54! That being said, there have been times I have intentionally broke the speed limit, so I can't complain too much. Anyway...$135 later, I didn't feel like spending the money on cute duct tape. Maybe next week, I can show you the completed white boards. :-)

 

On to some more firsts...

 

My FIRST editable document! You may remember last week, I posted some freebies for 2nd Grade Reading Street. I didn't realize they had a new edition, and I had someone contact me about making the document editable so she could add the new words, etc. Good thing I had just pinned the tutorial from A Turn to Learn.

 

Available at TPT or TN.

 

My FIRST completely original idea (maybe - I'm a believer that there is nothing new under the sun - Eccl. 1:9 - Ha)! I usually have to see something to get an idea flowing... But I wanted a cute way to display the essential questions for each unit and each week on my Reading Focus Wall, so I came up with these thought bubbles. Aren't they cute? I can't wait to put this focus wall together so I can show you all how it turned out!

 

Available at TPT or TN.

 



Okay, if you've hung in with me this long...here's a FREEBIE for you. Focus Wall headers! I tried to think of all the headers a person could want, but if I missed something, don't hesitate to e-mail and ask me to add to it.

 

Free at TPT or TN.

 

Well, that's it! Go link up with Tara.  I can't wait to see your Monday Made-Its!!

 



 

 

 

P.S. I almost forgot to announce the winner of our Bloglovin' Giveaway! Josie F. you are the lucky one that gets to pick any THREE items from our store. I already e-mailed you with details!

TPT Teacher Appreciation Sale!!!

Teacher Appreciation Week is here! I hope you enjoy some special thanks from your students, parents, and schools this week. We have already been told some of our goodies coming from our wonderful PTO. Can you say MASSAGE? And yummy breakfast?? Sonic drinks???

 

It is nice to know we are appreciated and our parents do a great job of that!

 

Kristi and I decided to join in the TPT (and TN) sales this week, so head on over to do some shopping. There are LOTS of sellers in on this sale so we'll be doing some shopping of our own!

 

Our TN sale will run May 4th - 10th.

 

 

 

The TPT sale is a TWO day sale May 7th - 8th so act fast!

 

 

Enjoy your week!

 

Crystal and Kristi

Connect Four and Other Ramblings...

Whew!

If you could hear me now, you would hear a huge sigh of relief that this day is over. It was one of those days...if you know what I mean. :-)

I'm also relieved to have conferences over. That always makes for a long, busy week. It is fun to go to my own children's conferences and hear how different they are. All of my son's teachers had the same thing to say: "He is a great student. We just need him to talk more." Then my daughter's will tell me how Harley talks so much more than Chaz (they are only a year apart in school, so the teachers remember him well).

And one other rambling...have you ever lost a horse?

We came home last night to find our horse missing!

My heart just sank for Harley...she has wanted a horse since she was three and just got Cosmo in June. My husband and Harley set out to look for him.

Chaz and I stayed home to cook dinner. I worried and fretted, then finally told Chaz we needed to pray that the Lord would help us find Cosmo. Unfortunately, that is not always my first response as it should be!

Anyway, the phone rang as soon as we were done praying. A neighbor calling to tell us where we could find Cosmo. Praise the Lord!

All was well, but Harley was not too happy with her horse for "running away." Ha ha!

Okay, now to what you are all here for...teaching stuff. Here's my small group table all ready for the first round of Daily 5 tomorrow.

This is a simple game that we call Connect Four. Partners take turns rolling the dice, then they attempt to read one of the words with that number correctly. If they do, they get to put their colored marker in the square. The first person to get four in a row wins. We also add that they can "knock off" their partners sometimes to make it more fun. The kids love it!

Kristi just posted this one on TPT for working on the short u sound and she has several available in our store. Best of all, she sells them for just $1!

Enough ramblings for one day...

Have a great evening!

Crystal

P.S. Does anyone have any behavior modification plans that they just love???

Last WEEKEND of FREEDOM!

Oh, I can't even believe that we report back to work on Monday!

Really?

Where did the summer go?

I was trying really hard to stay away this last week of freedom. Then I found out my son had a youth activity with the church on Thursday evening, so why not go get some work done?

Well, I spent four hours up there and accomplished very little.

This is my 3rd year of teaching and the same thing happens every year. I get overwhelmed thinking about everything I need to do. I start one thing, walk by another and think, "I need to do that." Then forget what I was doing in the first place!

Thursday night I came home and thought I didn't get anything done. I have to focus on one thing at a time. My mind was filled with thoughts of how messy my room looked, parents and kiddos were coming on Tuesday night, and we have no scheduled work time in our room before then.

So what did I do?

I went back on Friday morning. Ugh!

This time I had a goal - CLEAN MY ROOM and GET IT READY for the Back to School Night.

First day activities - NO!

Lesson planning - NO!

Daily 5 launch plan - NO!

Stressing about my new batch of Firsties - NO!

Blog stalking (oh, how I miss the carefree days when I could do this every morning - NO!

Words with Friends (my new obsession) - NO!

I would not be distracted!

Well, maybe a little. I may or may not have spent time making those handy dice containers, lined with felt, and magnetic.

Did they need to be done for Back to School Night?

No.

But, hey, my room is CLEAN and READY.

Now maybe I can focus on those other things - ONE at a time!

Okay, on to some exciting news (as if you haven't heard - HA)! TPT is having a Back to School sale. Kristi and I have put everything in our store 20% off and if you enter the coupon code, you will get another 10% off. Woohoo!

I just listed a Math Skills Pack that you may want to check out. You'll probably notice it is Pack 2. I'm going to try and get the first one ASAP so you can grab it at discount too. I'm just finishing the preview for it. :-)

We'll also have our items at Teachers Notebook marked down 20%!

Enjoy your Saturday!

Crystal

Week 2 Weigh-In Day and Time to the Half-Hour...

Well, last week you may remember that I did not have anything teaching related to add to this post, but I saved something just for today! Hee hee! You will want to read to the end!

First, my progress for the week. After what I call a "cleansing" last week (cutting out a lot of sugar and carbs), this week I focused more on eating only when I was truly hungry and stopping when I was satisfied (instead of full). For me this weightloss challenge is more a refocusing than a diet. I'm not a fad dieter and I don't try things that I know are not going to be long-term in my life. Instead when the scale creeps up, I know I need to pay attention. I believe God designed us to know when we are hungry, when we are satisfied, and even what we should eat. Sometimes I just don't listen to my body!

***Disclaimer - These are just my opinions and beliefs. I know we are all different and there is special circumstances that can cause people to struggle with their weight.

Anyway, I have to say I was sweating it a bit yesterday thinking about posting my progress...I didn't know if I was going to show any loss, but I was excited to see that I had lost inches and weight.

Pounds Lost - 1 (for a total of 5.4 - or 45% of my goal)

**6 more weeks for 6.6 more pounds - I CAN DO IT!

Inches Lost - 2.5 (for a total of 5.5 - or 68% of my goal)

**Most of those 2.5 inches were from my thighs - WOOHOO!

On another note, my son is coming back from Silver State Baptist Youth Camp in Colorado today! Yeah!!! He called me on Wednesday to tell me he accepted Christ as his personal Savior. PRAISE THE LORD! I just wanted to reach through the phone and hug him! He called again yesterday feeling pretty homesick I think...they left on Saturday AM...we are so ready for him to be home!!

On to the teaching related part...Remember those requested I have, Who has? games. Well, I've been busy working on this:

I Have...Who Has...Time to the Hour and Half-Hour

The borders are from Graphics From the Pond and the clocks are from The 3AM Teacher. The pictures are a little blurry (not sure why), but I'm super pleased with how the game turned out!

The first 3 followers to comment WITH their email address will get this game for FREE!

Have a Happy Friday!

Crystal

A Confession and a Money FREEBIE!

Can we make a confession?

We were starting to feel like the "I Have, Who Has?" queens in our TPT and TN stores. We have made A LOT of the games to practice reading sight words, vowel sounds, consonant blends, etc. We were afraid we needed to put the brakes on and try something else (which we are doing and can't wait until they are finished so we can share).

...but then...

Can you guess what happened?

That's right! We had a request for more!

Are you kidding me?

No, there it is in the questions section of our TPT store. You can check it out for yourself if you don't believe me. :-)

So, Crystal got busy and came up with a FREEBIE!

Our math curriculum introduces the penny and nickel first, then we have some time before adding the dime and finally the quarter. We wanted a game to play as each coin is introduced. So check our store if you would also like the games including the dime and quarter.

The coin graphics are pictures of REAL money!  I love that Crystal was able to do this with the real money.  The coins seem to be a difficult skill for first grade and I think having the real deal is really going to help a lot!  Come check them out, I know that she spent a lot of time making sure that each coin was perfect (that is her perfectionism that comes out - LOL!).  If you don't know yet, Crystal is one that will work on something and never give up until it is PERFECT!!  I wish I had that in me - maybe she will rub off on me!

Thanks for all the congratulations on getting the teacher of the year award.  It was a very humbling experience.  I was very surprised when they announced my name and don't really believe that I deserve it. 

Anyways, I was wondering why Crystal was making such a big deal about me going and using the restroom during the awards ceremony.  I was thinking to myself, "What is her deal about me going to the bathroom?"  She continued to try to give me every excuse she could think of to keep me there, but in the long run it didn't work.  I made it to the restroom and luckily made it back to hear my name called. 

Yes, it is true that when my name was announced, I turned to Crystal and asked if I had to go up in front of all those people.  I am not one that likes to be the center of attention, so as I'm walking up I feel my stomach flipping and the sweat starting to run.  I made it through and I thought it was very nice of those that nominated me for this award.  I feel very blessed to be surrounded by people who I not only teach with but care about a lot!  

Hope all of you are enjoying summer so far if you are on break at this time.  If not, hang in there I'm sure it's just around the corner for you!  Have a great weekend! 

Kristi  

Teacher Appreciation Sale!

Yeah! It's Teacher Appreciation Week--finally! On one of my calendars at home, it said Teacher Appreciation Week was last week and Teacher Appreciation Day was on last Tuesday. Each day at work, I thought how quiet everyone was being about it. Usually our awesome parent organization has several surprises up their sleeve and I wondered what was going on...but I didn't want to ask. I didn't want to "assume" that they should be doing something for us. Finally on Wednesday when there was still no snacks in the lounge (I was really hungry that day), I asked someone...and you can figure out the rest of the story. LOL!

Okay, so maybe I am a bit blonde... :-)

Anyway, yeah, it is finally here and we are celebrating by participating in the Teachers Pay Teachers and Teachers Notebook sales. Head on over and check out the great deals!

Okay, so here is hoping you enjoy the REAL Teacher Appreciation Week!

Crystal