Curious About Our Top Five Selling Products???

I have confession to make. 

I pretty much only shop on Teachers Pay Teachers during a sale (which the BIG one happens to start tomorrow). 

I know. I know.

You're thinking, "You're a TPT seller!"

Yes, I am. We are. Kristi and both are pretty similar in this area. In all honesty, both of our districts provide great curriculum and we only buy (or make) things that supplement it. Hence the reason we have so many "I have...who has...?" games in our store. We aren't looking to rewrite curriculum or make millions on TPT. We have just made some things over the years that we like and thought other teachers might like too. :-)

Neither of us spend a lot of money on our classrooms either. Some might call us cheap...or wise...or both? I've purchased only 1 thing all summer, and that was mostly because one of my teacher friends needed someone to split the pack with her and I knew I needed another one for all my "I Have...Who Has...?" games. Ha!

I love these things... I now have 3 of them! :-)

Anyway, since the back-to-school sale is upon us, I thought I'd share the five top selling products from our store.  

Drum roll, please. 

#5 - Diphthong oi and oy Game Pack

#4 - -r Controlled /er/ Sound Game Pack

#3 - Vowel Digraphs /aw/ and /au/ Game Pack

#2 - Diphthong OU and OW Game Pack

#1 - I Have Who Has - Time to Hour and Half Hour

In my role as a reading specialist, I use the vowel diphthong and digraph games A LOT. Those more difficult vowel patterns take lots of repetitions for my kiddos. Even if we've moved on to another skill, these games are a quick and easy review for my readers. 

In the classroom, Kristi and I both love to immerse our kiddos in the "sound of the week" from our curriculum. I mean if we are working on the /oi/, /oy/ sound, we will play songs during transition times with that sound. Students will read decodable stories with that sound. Word work activities will be centered around that sound. The Connect 4 games from our packs with that sound make a great partner activity either during word work or as an option when work is complete. We use the "I Have...Who Has...?" in small groups or as a whole class when there was a few minutes to fill. The last year I was in the second grade classroom, I would put the "I Have... Who Has...?" game out as a morning tub activity as they trickled in after breakfast. I loved seeing my kiddos practice that sound by choice! :-)

If you're shopping the sale, have fun! Watch out for those sellers that raise their prices during the sale--ugh! That happened to me last year, and of course, I decided I did not need that product after all...because I'm cheap, you know. ;-)

P.S. I report back 2 weeks from today!!!

We Are Laughing So Hard...and a Freebie :-)

Hey there! Kristi and I are actually together right now. We haven't seen each other since Christmas break, and we are having such a good time. It seems that we just pick up right where we left off...which, of course, explains why we are teaching besties.

What brings us together? 

Other than spring break, I mean.

Well, we actually reached a TPT milestone recently. We can hardly believe it! THANK YOU to those of you who have supported our store. We are humbled to think that there are teachers who enjoy our resources as much as we do.

So...we have a FREEBIE for you! Hooray! 

This is one we have been thinking about for awhile. We always introduce sounds one at a time and love the targeted practice that our games offer. However, this year I've been working with Kindergarten and they are now ready for something that covers all of the short vowel sounds in one game. Kristi thought this was a great idea and plans to use it at the beginning of first grade for review.

Click on the picture to grab this forever freebie!

We hope you are enjoying a wonderful Saturday! 

 

Outdoor Fun, Painted Shoes, and Games Galore!

Hey there!

I just got back from a little day trip with my family. 

My daughter made it to state vocal competition and sang at Baker University. That was only an hour from City Market in Kansas City which may be one of my new favorite places. My husband and I had been wanting to take the kids there, so today seemed like the perfect day.

So I'm linking up with some very random things for Five for Friday...a little school and a little real life. That's how it is this time of year as I count down the last 15 days of school!

(Yes, I am secretly counting down the days. And no,that does not make me a bad teacher. Just want to clarify after I recently read some nonsense about that.)

 

1

This week we used one of our I Have...Who Has...? games in small group. My kids love to play and wanted to teach our new friend who started with us on Monday. 

  

And because you may be needing some games or even a little HOTSHOTS to finish out the year, I decided we're having a TPT sale! Head on over to snag some things at 20% off now through Tuesday. 

2 

My daughter is playing softball...first time since 2nd grade. She's doing pretty good and has been alternating between catcher and 2nd base. 

 

My son and I watch from the concessions stand.

3

Speaking of my daughter...she's pretty artistic. In art class, she made herself a pair of Captain America: Civil War shoes--one Iron Man and one Captain America. Then she decided to make some for me! Love these!

 4

In an attempt to put new art supplies away in our teacher work room, I have began a major clean out process.

I can't even begin to describe it, but I think I will need to take some before and after photos...

Anyway, I found this grid paper. LOTS of grid paper. The high school math teachers were pretty excited about it and called dibs as soon as I sent out the picture. Ha! 

5

 Our brilliant first grade teacher took her kiddos outside to practice spelling this week. Now why didn't I think of that?

Maybe this week...

6

Ahem...too many photos? Who is this person who has taken over the blog post? 

Our kids are loving the newly painted four square box? areas? games? What do you call these things? 

7

Last one, I promise. 

My hubby is a car guy... He can fix any vehicles, but he definitely prefers Chevys and we have quite a few "project" cars which I call toys. Anyway, each time I've been to the City Market, I see this tag art and think I need to get it for him.

 Today was the day! 

If you like it, the company, KC Tag Art has a lot of choices and I think even does custom work. Check them out!

Okay, that's a wrap!

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!

An Eventful Day!

We had quite an eventful day and I have to say that I am pretty tired right now!  The day started off with it being crazy hat/hair day.  The students in our school raised money for Jump for Heart and had a goal of $1,000, but they ended up raising more than $6,000.  Pretty Awesome!  So, they were allowed to do a crazy hat/hair day since they raised all this money.  Here are some of them today:

Some of it is hard to see in the picture, but we had spiked hair, several ponytails, hats, a bird in the hair, Easter eggs in hair.  As for me, well one of the wonderful kindergarten teachers helped me with my hair, she put some colorful string in it. 

The second eventful thing that occurred today was that it was the homework club luncheon.  My co-teacher came up with a great idea of the homework club and if the students do all of their each month, at the end of the month we all eat lunch together.  So today was the day and we all (total of 19 kids) came into the classroom and ate and talked.  They get very excited for this and had been asking about it all week.  One of my kiddos even said to me one day, "Homework club is so awesome and I am going to be in it all of first grade!"  :-)  (Sorry, I forgot to take pictures)

Finally, we had our extra fun thing today and had one of our parents come in and do a science experiment with the first graders.  It was really cool!  They put a skittle in warm water and watched the S float off the skittle and to the top.  All of them were saying that they were going to go home and show their parents this one.

Needless to say it was an eventful day and I am tired, but I am also very excited and will have to get some extra energy because if you haven't heard, Teachers Pay Teachers is have a Spring Cleaning Sale!  YAY!!  So , I will have to do some shopping and then get some rest.  Don't forget to go check their sale out!  All of our items will be 20% off as well on March 29-31.

Have a great weekend!

TPT Finds, Rainbow Editing and the BEST Folders

 

I had to get in on this fun linky over at Blog Hoppin' to show what I picked up at the TPT sale. I'm pretty excited about my finds. Unfortunately, as I'm checking out the linky I'm finding more things to put on my wish list! Ha!

 

So take a look:

 

Can you tell I'm thinking about taking the leap into interactive notebooks next year?

 

It's all because of these Grammar Flippers that I got this summer as a freebie from Teacher's Clubhouse. (I'm sorry, but I don't think they are a freebie--or for sale--anymore--can't seem to find them.) I've been using them all year long with our grammar skill for the week. We do them and the kids take them home never to be seen again...and that grammar skill (unfortunately) is forgotten or confused with the next thing... So I had this bright idea that next year, I could use them in an interactive notebook that the kids (and I) could refer back to as needed.

 

Anyway, these Interactive Science Journals (bundled) by Primary Graffiti have been on my list for awhile. I haven't had too much time to look them over yet, but I am so excited to use them next year!

 

The other one...2nd Grade Interactive Reading Notebook by Nicole Shelby seemed like the perfect choice to go along with my grammar notebooks. I'm planning to use them together in one notebook.

 

Okay, moving on to Listen Up! by Fluttering Through First Grade. I knew I wanted this as soon as I saw Christy and Tammy blog about it. My kids could definitely use some help in the area of listening skills! I'm going to try one (or two, or three, or four) next week. ;-)

 

And finally, Building Skills at Home Parent Handouts by Primary Junction. No need to wait for a sale on this one. It is only $1.00 regular price.

 

Now for a TPT find that I purchased awhile ago...

 

Rainbow Edit Writing Process from Emily at I Love My Classroom.

 

I finally got around to putting it to use and my only regret is that I didn't start sooner! We went through each color and looked through our most recent story as a whole class. Now I realize I should have had a story on chart paper and modeled it first, but I can definitely tell that it is going to help my kiddos check their over their own writing. And next week, I'll be modeling the rainbow edit on chart paper (duh, right?) as we go over it again.

 

One last thing...if you are looking for some folders that will hold up all year, you need to check out Nicky's Folders. The Teachers...Parents Communicator is perfect for a homework folder. I'm going to be using them in my GO Books next year. The intermediate school has been using them for years (since I was the secretary there). They are AMAZING!

 

YAY! IT IS ALMOST HERE!

I don't know about you but I look forward to the big TPT cybersale every year!!! I already have my eye on some of the great products!  I will just have to make sure I stick to my budget!  LOL!

Everything in our store will also be a part of the cyber sale and you will receive 20% off and TPT is offering an additional savings.  Just make sure you put in the promo code CYBER when checking out.

Thank you to Meredith Anderson for this cute banner!

I hope all of you had a great Thanksgiving and enjoyed time spent with family.  As for me, I know that I ate way too much.  I always tell myself that I am going to be disciplined but there is something about having all that good food in front of me.  I just can't resist!  I need more willpower!

Have a great week and happy shopping!

Take a Peek at My Purchases...

As you are reading this, I am at my first "real" day of staff development at my new district. Friday was new teacher orientation, but all teachers will be back today. I'm so excited...by the end of this week I will have had two days of staff development, a work day, Meet the Teacher night, and two days with my new class. I can't wait to meet my new bunch!

 

Anyway, I thought I'd show you a few things I bought at the TPT sale. I'm pretty excited about them.

 

The first one comes from Emily over at: 

 

 

I spotted her Rainbow Edit poster in her classroom pictures here.

 



When I saw that she had it in her TPT store for a great price, I immediately added it to my wish list. It is a simple--but wonderful--system to help kiddos be able to look for and identify errors in their own writing.

 

Next up...this started with Pinterest.

 

 

This Bloom's Buttons pack comes from Colleen at:

 

 

I love this idea! Colleen explains it really well in this blog post. I'm hoping it will help me do better asking those higher level thinking questions. :-) 

 

And finally, this one I debated (I'll explain below) a bit...but I'm really excited about using it. It comes from Hope at:

This is Hope's P.S.A. (A Math Problem Solving Strategy) pack. She explains it in this blog post.

I knew this product would be great. I've always felt like I could improve at teaching problem solving to my kiddos. I love the way this breaks it down into three easy to remember steps. 

My hesitation came from the price (anything over $5 on TPT makes me hesitate - does that mean I'm cheap?) and the amount of colored ink it will require to print. In the end, I decided to purchase and I am going to e-mail and ask Hope if it would be possible to get a less color option... We will see.

 

I hope you were able to get some goodies at the sale too...well, if you're at home reading this, you could still be shopping! :-)

 

Have a blessed day!

 

 

It's HERE! The TPT Back-to-School Sale!

 We're going shopping!!! You should too. ;-)

 

We hope you find a lot of goodies (not just from us)! Click the pic to take you to our TPT shop to get started. 

 

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!