tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-82321897406554873212024-03-19T01:48:32.753-07:00Crayons and WhimsyChristy {Crayons and Whimsy}http://www.blogger.com/profile/11056120066853580750noreply@blogger.comBlogger272125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8232189740655487321.post-76209337248887716422015-11-29T05:00:00.000-08:002018-01-21T22:40:47.001-08:00Quick Holiday CentersA while ago I shared how I use placemats to make centers for my little friends {That <a href="http://crayonsandwhimsy.blogspot.com/2015/10/placemats-for-easy-to-make-centers.html" target="_blank">post is HERE</a>}. Today I am going to show you a slight variation to that...just in time for December!<br />
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Basically we are swapping placemats for plates.... and Halloween for Christmas.<br />
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The idea is to just keep you thinking how many possibilities there are to make personalized centers quickly for your class.<br />
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These centers I use for early finishers OR to reinforce a skill my class is struggling on. These may not be a main "job" for the kids, but instead are disguised as fun, mainly because I don't require them to record anything with my placemat or plate centers.<br />
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All you need to create your own are clothespins, a Sharpie and some holiday item... in this case a Christmas tree plate from the 99 Cent Store:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLZ31LZfQ4sP_voAmahs4A-RzH17gftaGC01h7c5CsGoE6O6G3Awuz-b8sW72tu2hyphenhyphen1V1UhWfJDhd0cjtE65FLXj3ClcxnXAJWjuTBrsU2vmE4JSDj2fT8y-RukJC_2XJstBqZnmsUpRM/s1600/Screen+Shot+2015-10-18+at+11.16.23+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="440" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLZ31LZfQ4sP_voAmahs4A-RzH17gftaGC01h7c5CsGoE6O6G3Awuz-b8sW72tu2hyphenhyphen1V1UhWfJDhd0cjtE65FLXj3ClcxnXAJWjuTBrsU2vmE4JSDj2fT8y-RukJC_2XJstBqZnmsUpRM/s400/Screen+Shot+2015-10-18+at+11.16.23+PM.png" width="348" /></a></div>
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<span style="text-align: left;">As you can see above, I wrote numbers around the edge of the plate with the Sharpie. The students are to match the correct number of dots to the numeral.</span></div>
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When they are done I ask them to share with a friend. Then leave it ready for the next player like this:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx4GvJG2tg-4YvEcu5U4fpKmjFuaCaMKZtxYyC4IfNudVuHTmuNymkEYRjYKQmmegYYI8JfXZYdRY-Ha-6Lnt5dBQXYrABNXHsaacPoPLdz7aAiQNFZtFjNM_4_fv69nvbR3dbalp63EA/s1600/Screen+Shot+2015-10-18+at+11.16.46+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="430" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx4GvJG2tg-4YvEcu5U4fpKmjFuaCaMKZtxYyC4IfNudVuHTmuNymkEYRjYKQmmegYYI8JfXZYdRY-Ha-6Lnt5dBQXYrABNXHsaacPoPLdz7aAiQNFZtFjNM_4_fv69nvbR3dbalp63EA/s400/Screen+Shot+2015-10-18+at+11.16.46+PM.png" width="307" /></a></div>
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Sometimes I will use the same plate for two centers....or rather, for two different skills.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSnVIgVhNJDQt1S9m9fj41OB2YHlVHchzz_eEX4R8h051w0f56RCDznAhTceN8HVz6nvgAiUPq7aVNOrAZOLi1Pvqv9ckIwBEZuaksFB_cKHpQunxzrxKQZKnb8xtUhcoC1jwYdnemRyc/s1600/christmas1.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="440" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSnVIgVhNJDQt1S9m9fj41OB2YHlVHchzz_eEX4R8h051w0f56RCDznAhTceN8HVz6nvgAiUPq7aVNOrAZOLi1Pvqv9ckIwBEZuaksFB_cKHpQunxzrxKQZKnb8xtUhcoC1jwYdnemRyc/s400/christmas1.png" width="345" /></a></div>
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The numbers are the same, but I swap out the clothespins. This group is working on adding one to a number.</div>
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To keep things straight I will tag the back of the clothespins like this:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9H7LaS0Bm2wW3z3wm0Hr71sjeCVj93X12Z2URGNTHlpRtEu6PtrrQ56W6bpYomIDIsfhq_ynGLBUX7RO9fP0QM-IxroUXB2xt6FqDI9PFWwzWtejdeVx3mHVogquLgZsis3PtJqyitAY/s1600/Screen+Shot+2015-10-18+at+11.22.13+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="272" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9H7LaS0Bm2wW3z3wm0Hr71sjeCVj93X12Z2URGNTHlpRtEu6PtrrQ56W6bpYomIDIsfhq_ynGLBUX7RO9fP0QM-IxroUXB2xt6FqDI9PFWwzWtejdeVx3mHVogquLgZsis3PtJqyitAY/s320/Screen+Shot+2015-10-18+at+11.22.13+PM.png" width="330" /></a></div>
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Just another way I have found to use washi tape. I just stick a little piece on the back of each clip. This helps me if I only want to take one version of the game out. But sometimes I will have both versions out and I tell the kids you can do the red one or whatever the case may be....although sometimes that can be tricky.</div>
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The point is you can adapt and change to meet the individual needs of your group.</div>
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If I am shopping and see a themed placemat or plate available I will usually get it even if I don't have a plan for it at that moment... that way, it will be waiting for me when I need a quick center.... and yes, clothespins are Sharpies are always in my room too.</div>
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I hope this is an easy idea you can use!</div>
Christy {Crayons and Whimsy}http://www.blogger.com/profile/11056120066853580750noreply@blogger.com59tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8232189740655487321.post-79193363535884872582015-11-17T03:30:00.000-08:002015-11-17T03:30:02.518-08:00An Old Favorite: The Thanksgiving PlacematThanksgiving is right around the corner.<br />
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So I'm here today to share my take on an old old favorite craft for this time of year: the woven Thanksgiving placemat.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO0b2OxR7CAGOylTkbD4u9Y8xtsdc9hMRykoHPGU38SUOppm2HJnlMAUdM9XcjeoMGO1y7xKzS7IUKP5xBWFAiVytZPY1GCZ85qnwFuEA_u9LyQjamKVH8feI1DNevsvWy_va0lsvmkYI/s1600/Screen+Shot+2015-11-16+at+7.34.25+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Kindergarten Thanksgiving Placemat Craft Crayons and Whimsy" border="0" height="271" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO0b2OxR7CAGOylTkbD4u9Y8xtsdc9hMRykoHPGU38SUOppm2HJnlMAUdM9XcjeoMGO1y7xKzS7IUKP5xBWFAiVytZPY1GCZ85qnwFuEA_u9LyQjamKVH8feI1DNevsvWy_va0lsvmkYI/s400/Screen+Shot+2015-11-16+at+7.34.25+PM.png" title="Kindergarten Thanksgiving Placemat Craft Crayons and Whimsy" width="400" /></a></div>
This is great for pre-school, kindergarten, first grade or second grade. The kids need to be using their hands to weave and figuring out the patterns of weaving and build on that spacial awareness.<br />
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Another reason I love this activity is because some of your little ones who are last to finish a writing lesson may find that they are first to get their mat done...and boy, is that a fun feeling for them!<br />
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To prep this I fold orange- or whatever color you like- 12x18 inch construction paper in half. Then I use a pencil and ruler to draw these lines:<br />
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The lines are all 2 inches apart and the top line is 2 inches from the edge of the paper.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmFt2jiLjnjs1wcspOMpZ7eg8UDa6JGaLcCdbhTFf1LrXaeUNzyeqZyqr1seTw_8haAQKGUwlTrrC6cXebvqsDQoiK73bRWlnq-YfehtP9zxF3AqR6v2QInyvMd2mmi3M9OWgqhMYmby8/s1600/Screen+Shot+2015-11-16+at+7.35.27+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="301" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmFt2jiLjnjs1wcspOMpZ7eg8UDa6JGaLcCdbhTFf1LrXaeUNzyeqZyqr1seTw_8haAQKGUwlTrrC6cXebvqsDQoiK73bRWlnq-YfehtP9zxF3AqR6v2QInyvMd2mmi3M9OWgqhMYmby8/s400/Screen+Shot+2015-11-16+at+7.35.27+PM.png" width="400" /></a></div>
It is important the straight line across is on the open end of the fold. The bottom is the folded side. In other words- like this:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGGhpNh-6AFNtPY7MsWQs7maU72Ao0uo4nu0UN1w1ev2fNxPtIXCd0jhAomWvUNMdKNO3TZIz9JdMlnmxCbPUWTdDH36wuYOAqqZRUhfglQ1Z2XTbWdbjeMpP9xQaJSKMvAkonYuyQQFM/s1600/Screen+Shot+2015-11-16+at+7.35.06+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="288" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGGhpNh-6AFNtPY7MsWQs7maU72Ao0uo4nu0UN1w1ev2fNxPtIXCd0jhAomWvUNMdKNO3TZIz9JdMlnmxCbPUWTdDH36wuYOAqqZRUhfglQ1Z2XTbWdbjeMpP9xQaJSKMvAkonYuyQQFM/s400/Screen+Shot+2015-11-16+at+7.35.06+PM.png" width="400" /></a></div>
But leave it folded.... no unfolding... even though some of the kids want to do that! They need to cut on the straight lines AND then unfold it to start weaving....<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikXhd4SrDhAsT2csl6r-KZKLMjdzPaH6QG-3st4OgNjIGD6IIF2wuz5yRT-6dvzFmFWIqyeuHhbBw8q1Ip5IMY2qBRSGPT7uL1eXsdckDtLAZxxhyphenhyphenAKBvSNmKVPsFYgxfLNHy4MA3ebKU/s1600/Screen+Shot+2015-11-16+at+9.13.27+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikXhd4SrDhAsT2csl6r-KZKLMjdzPaH6QG-3st4OgNjIGD6IIF2wuz5yRT-6dvzFmFWIqyeuHhbBw8q1Ip5IMY2qBRSGPT7uL1eXsdckDtLAZxxhyphenhyphenAKBvSNmKVPsFYgxfLNHy4MA3ebKU/s400/Screen+Shot+2015-11-16+at+9.13.27+PM.png" width="293" /></a></div>
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The strips they weave with are 2 inches as well. They will measure 2x12 inches.<br />
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And just a tip... I wouldn't try this whole group with little ones. It is hard and they need a bit of help.<br />
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Here is how they look at our kindergarten feast:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimRP3N5iRLKi0U9TiarAI_X5Cte_TkHk_kZsOEbvy6PZ8qZSo8pY_rIdS-jI20llvf91DAVwyTRLB6SIzWFXNISaMgjFidKXjxzQauHLJlMAybPe8ANFmU1NrVN_20nqlusfptDcVi-zc/s1600/Screen+Shot+2015-11-16+at+7.51.45+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Thanksgiving kindergarten feast placemats Crayons and Whimsy" border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimRP3N5iRLKi0U9TiarAI_X5Cte_TkHk_kZsOEbvy6PZ8qZSo8pY_rIdS-jI20llvf91DAVwyTRLB6SIzWFXNISaMgjFidKXjxzQauHLJlMAybPe8ANFmU1NrVN_20nqlusfptDcVi-zc/s400/Screen+Shot+2015-11-16+at+7.51.45+PM.png" title="Thanksgiving kindergarten feast placemats Crayons and Whimsy" width="302" /></a></div>
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I purposely have chosen to have the kiddos write their names on the back of the mats and have not left a name line on the title cards below. However if you would like their name on there I suggest using the generic one that doesn't have the year listed and will give you more room for a name.</div>
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<a href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B7RwpXSUSThMbVJaY2dncUVOR1k/view?usp=sharing" target="_blank">Here you go:</a></div>
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<a href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B7RwpXSUSThMbVJaY2dncUVOR1k/view?usp=sharing" target="_blank"><img alt="Thanksgiving Placemat Craft Title Page Freebie Crayons and Whimsy" border="0" height="303" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyvPEGGzm3xfGCZlL0v5vHt_54uZl-AaRnukw-1IX-QB5UEWDpjayIpIlCpmqK6CwJaew5YyHYaVcUrTr7u88qfLgdOPTdMDR-R6DBm8UU5PNNvGIqL1mQI8pN4AZTnJuUrk0WxSdypgk/s400/Screen+Shot+2015-11-17+at+12.16.37+AM.png" title="Thanksgiving Placemat Craft Title Page Freebie Crayons and Whimsy" width="400" /></a></div>
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And here is another fun Thanksgiving freebie from my TpT store.... and <a href="http://crayonsandwhimsy.blogspot.com/2013/11/the-night-before-thanksgiving.html" target="_blank">HERE is a blog post </a>telling you more about it, too!</div>
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<a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/The-Night-Before-Thanksgiving-972978" target="_blank"><img alt="Night Before Thanksgiving Crayons and Whimsy Freebie" border="0" height="302" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhU6QVrUZxuUky0Vm5yhCg4oJdxTJXe57JNd_Ao7V9h7WHehlNKZVzb5nOvqEmygYaU0fME-Kls_xHuCgHxUpPFGMqScvgoPw68hQ_EEj11Q4dohB1iI07CGG0KkRL0YFY3gSRsp6nu39A/s400/Night+Before+thumbnail+1.jpg" title="Night Before Thanksgiving Crayons and Whimsy Freebie" width="400" /></a></div>
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And these are also fun in November!</div>
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<a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/We-are-Thankful-Cornucopia-Craft-and-Emergent-Reader-955679" target="_blank"><img alt="Thankful Cornucopia Kindergarten Thanksgiving Craft Crayons and Whimsy" border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdWpXCt331zV5KfFRn8MC31jizCal-OghDoOXpM9j6VrItGV7zb_VprC9k-MOtRwtnxkEU6Xc1uVLPmWBL_7-yNOPilPKudKGyqa1M-R1ISpQuKUwZ7H_HRhLplYSRU18sMv0ha7SCloI/s400/Screen+Shot+2015-11-16+at+8.02.52+PM.png" title="Thankful Cornucopia Kindergarten Thanksgiving Craft Crayons and Whimsy" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Thanksgiving-Dinner-Math-962237" target="_blank"><img alt="Thanksgiving Math Activity Crayons And Whimsy" border="0" height="306" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0ramxdw2e06N54HCXMuypFGpKJiL-lSZaTkeIsgZ7TBif9U2TqWjwZVlL__z4DiTjS-UdhwTYOz2ex_ICjfcI3YNqWTMRjy0WLamJvEbaGAa2vTKwrlQ43JG-wgi_0C02G5WeioOi5o8/s400/thanksgiving+math+thumbnail+1.jpg" title="Thanksgiving Math Activity Crayons And Whimsy" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Pattern-Block-Math-Fall-Edition-1457475" target="_blank"><img alt="Pattern Block Math Fall Edition Crayons and Whimsy" border="0" height="306" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9-WNf2JSePJ3I0pN0_byJtrK8bhz9Pl5gihVX9Tg2tki4wkyMISC79JZcuAkJYTY16U263hhryOBDUkOCFSrOinp61bzqenAvmJeJp7VfwPGtg3ciyAU1wSP7kVWkC44E0QrRAny-mZI/s400/thumbnail+1+199.png" title="Pattern Block Math Fall Edition Crayons and Whimsy " width="400" /></a></div>
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And one more Freebie:</div>
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<a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Pattern-Block-Math-Teepee-Freebie-1535475" target="_blank"><img alt="Pattern Block Teepee Freebie Crayons And Whimsy" border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxk_ckjd7R4vrPBSG72lYIJ_eb3eieaq3kx-Ep16wb4t7GKWBKY_jId2GZ5DKujaRdYZilItL8ExFxidO7izuCJBsRVg06j7i0oxRKqsVX1KVijJssF29kgbLbMfqoJoi-sgRGaZ2PZI0/s400/image-52.jpeg" title="Pattern Block Teepee Freebie Crayons And Whimsy" width="400" /></a></div>
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Christy {Crayons and Whimsy}http://www.blogger.com/profile/11056120066853580750noreply@blogger.com62tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8232189740655487321.post-57009606970609407672015-11-01T03:00:00.000-08:002015-11-01T03:00:01.451-08:00Halloween Costume Ideas for TeachersYep... it's time for a review of some Halloween Costumes from my school and our creative staff. This is my 3rd year in a row doing a post like this....<br />
A. because I am proud of my school and our Halloween spirit<br />
but...<br />
B. because I want to give you some ideas for EASY costumes that are great for teachers.<br />
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You can see the <a href="http://crayonsandwhimsy.blogspot.com/2014/11/halloween-costume-review-2014.html" target="_blank">2014 review here </a>and the <a href="http://crayonsandwhimsy.blogspot.com/2013/10/halloween-costume-review-2013.html" target="_blank">2013 is right here</a>.<br />
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But let's move on to this year...and I also want to say that I work with some creative people, but also some people who are resourceful....so it is possible a few of these ideas are from Pinterest or another blog and I am not able to appropriately credit them because I just don't know.<br />
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My kinder team has two very preggo mamas... one of which is me... so we tried to incorporate that into our gig this year. Meet the "K" Basketball team:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNpXwvxY71g400Kz7Z-VPRiFdeXWIcNNYMuNrWIHY72A7m7nJLB0-ojuYzwItK6TlMVP6YRchkUaIQP_q1BDW_ANDXav09jMLnFAXU-wRK32YUK0dqx6831QGuouXm2aysns2y_t3xako/s1600/k+for+blog.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Basketball Adult Easy Halloween Costume Idea Crayons and Whimsy Pregnant Costume" border="0" height="387" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNpXwvxY71g400Kz7Z-VPRiFdeXWIcNNYMuNrWIHY72A7m7nJLB0-ojuYzwItK6TlMVP6YRchkUaIQP_q1BDW_ANDXav09jMLnFAXU-wRK32YUK0dqx6831QGuouXm2aysns2y_t3xako/s400/k+for+blog.png" title="Basketball Adult Easy Halloween Costume Idea Crayons and Whimsy Pregnant Costume" width="530" /></a></div>
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The first grade team did a simple Sesame Street theme... but look, these are too much fun:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZQAGsj1SROmLiyaD_MNoZfTzN-qQLUptkxhdQbt5vZW6w4prwLSxoYn7VhdzxUMXSKfvj8GYZNoAz9Q1cWOS6bmEFknD3Jq0PcBpw34oP86ThzAAEjfPMw2g2tTnTBkJv0gxPMGWs-CA/s1600/first+for+blog.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Sesame Street Adult Easy Halloween Costume Idea Crayons and Whimsy" border="0" height="387" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZQAGsj1SROmLiyaD_MNoZfTzN-qQLUptkxhdQbt5vZW6w4prwLSxoYn7VhdzxUMXSKfvj8GYZNoAz9Q1cWOS6bmEFknD3Jq0PcBpw34oP86ThzAAEjfPMw2g2tTnTBkJv0gxPMGWs-CA/s400/first+for+blog.png" title="Sesame Street Adult Easy Halloween Costume Idea Crayons and Whimsy" width="530" /></a></div>
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Second grade went more traditional with Goldilocks and the Three Bears:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj9qwr4eqR-mPm1yyA4ZXRzO8fy31KVIMYUbZGjkpNPvJ_VMLE5vuqE7MSO72pNsSzuweYpjh_i6rBK_BslVtU_GLWcBKmWKi6wmsWcdW4CjXtaHDd9_56e45cZwtB-s__qlBsbmRdzbI/s1600/Screen+Shot+2015-10-31+at+11.59.49+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="500" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj9qwr4eqR-mPm1yyA4ZXRzO8fy31KVIMYUbZGjkpNPvJ_VMLE5vuqE7MSO72pNsSzuweYpjh_i6rBK_BslVtU_GLWcBKmWKi6wmsWcdW4CjXtaHDd9_56e45cZwtB-s__qlBsbmRdzbI/s400/Screen+Shot+2015-10-31+at+11.59.49+PM.png" width="400" /></a></div>
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And the most classic costume this year was third grade's ghosts:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-9WGo9L_A9MCWdRwpLKq0f_U2lJ2_aduqwdbqJRZ_FHdIcPlawZ0vtxjaHpioIBlalbYMyit1wprSKpwvzVx_fGhOMQNSMLUuH1p3Lgc8TYMjVB8eJs8WinB72crmb0AyoQeYIduvYjo/s1600/Screen+Shot+2015-10-31+at+11.58.20+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="387" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-9WGo9L_A9MCWdRwpLKq0f_U2lJ2_aduqwdbqJRZ_FHdIcPlawZ0vtxjaHpioIBlalbYMyit1wprSKpwvzVx_fGhOMQNSMLUuH1p3Lgc8TYMjVB8eJs8WinB72crmb0AyoQeYIduvYjo/s400/Screen+Shot+2015-10-31+at+11.58.20+PM.png" width="530" /></a></div>
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Fourth grade made me laugh with the mouth chasing the M&Ms:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYcoNf0Wc9Ro7H7XwFoQ3Ab9JUT04xzAmEFWM-SDOHpSZAPo3JSaVpJNdhzUAHasKMWI9o7doYSxz-ztEBFQpjJWzR_vansgzy4zrW1yF3W7fEWvzfmc97ZWStdm2imjFy4mpksLtNHak/s1600/Screen+Shot+2015-10-31+at+11.58.50+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="387" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYcoNf0Wc9Ro7H7XwFoQ3Ab9JUT04xzAmEFWM-SDOHpSZAPo3JSaVpJNdhzUAHasKMWI9o7doYSxz-ztEBFQpjJWzR_vansgzy4zrW1yF3W7fEWvzfmc97ZWStdm2imjFy4mpksLtNHak/s400/Screen+Shot+2015-10-31+at+11.58.50+PM.png" width="530" /></a></div>
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Fifth grade won the award- literally, they did win... for best team costume for Operation.... I never would have thought about dressing up as a board game. Love this idea:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2bsXoitiAhX8PMyi3t7tm7Asz-_bad3x4XDwIXrg7ubyyKl4CTCJ5GthywfzizNlRbrPcMuPReEsMjOW88exxnptfg4L8SGmKGMiG_jvbKCpQ4Regk7GG4xBUzONKWNUD4b2kpSZ3vdU/s1600/Screen+Shot+2015-10-31+at+11.59.26+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Operation Costume Idea Teacher Costumes Crayons and Whimsy" border="0" height="500" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2bsXoitiAhX8PMyi3t7tm7Asz-_bad3x4XDwIXrg7ubyyKl4CTCJ5GthywfzizNlRbrPcMuPReEsMjOW88exxnptfg4L8SGmKGMiG_jvbKCpQ4Regk7GG4xBUzONKWNUD4b2kpSZ3vdU/s400/Screen+Shot+2015-10-31+at+11.59.26+PM.png" title="Operation Costume Idea Teacher Costumes Crayons and Whimsy" width="401" /></a></div>
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And how about an action shot of all of them showing off this creative team Halloween costume to the whole school at our parade:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYIRW6kjZPRdk_ZnBeffgY8dFAV3sKyXq-2V1fLKtkCDRWao3jy-6nZXWAKZP8ki4_cHWET_H5dOee1SYgpdvfLPgDWu1MefZYQfjOog__TEuKjSOKKoDKlfJWSgCM5Gi5wZkGP3AxT1s/s1600/Screen+Shot+2015-11-01+at+12.02.25+AM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Operation Costume Idea Teacher Costumes School dress up ideas" border="0" height="500" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYIRW6kjZPRdk_ZnBeffgY8dFAV3sKyXq-2V1fLKtkCDRWao3jy-6nZXWAKZP8ki4_cHWET_H5dOee1SYgpdvfLPgDWu1MefZYQfjOog__TEuKjSOKKoDKlfJWSgCM5Gi5wZkGP3AxT1s/s400/Screen+Shot+2015-11-01+at+12.02.25+AM.png" title="Operation Costume Idea Teacher Costumes" width="400" /></a></div>
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And funny enough while creating this post I found an old picture of my kinder team...I think this is 2011 when we did The Very Hungry Caterpillar. I am the strawberry and if you are wondering.... yes, we are almost all wearing colored tablecloths..... that means our costumes were less than $5. The stems are brown butcher paper twisted up and glued on 99 cent headband.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8vGRuUomIODQUGTl-j4uZQqlSM8Vb6xo-rhZBTvQhoy-XU56MyBAmWTx6Ftn6kJ0sR6e1vEj9taI8dtkROcyzMQcxzvcQAFCPhVeYYhmvdODFBdAJWCiJYHEmBexHB9wkTE_HfeZg6d8/s1600/Screen+Shot+2015-11-01+at+12.03.22+AM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Hungry Caterpillar easy to make Halloween Costume Kindergarten Teacher" border="0" height="387" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8vGRuUomIODQUGTl-j4uZQqlSM8Vb6xo-rhZBTvQhoy-XU56MyBAmWTx6Ftn6kJ0sR6e1vEj9taI8dtkROcyzMQcxzvcQAFCPhVeYYhmvdODFBdAJWCiJYHEmBexHB9wkTE_HfeZg6d8/s400/Screen+Shot+2015-11-01+at+12.03.22+AM.png" title="Hungry Caterpillar easy to make Halloween Costume" width="530" /></a></div>
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<span style="text-align: left;">And just for fun I will share what my hubby and I did for Halloween this year. So at about 3:00pm on Halloween....we actually decided to talk about what we should be.... oh, the party starts at 6? We better get on it. That is so us....for better or worse.</span></div>
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The debate was...do we make a "pregnant Halloween costume" or just a regular one.....after a quick Google search we decided on the "pregnant skeleton costume"- I can't credit just one source, there are countless tutorials and awesome looking ideas for this... so even though it isn't the most novel idea, we liked it.... and decided to try the QUICK one hour version!!!</div>
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We ran out and bought some cheap black shirts and sweats, white fabric paint and blue felt.</div>
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And then we got back and my hubby was doing this:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYsfpdTpxF8mcqqUu7hvPs27nchDQ3plHsEF0OoYfcVef8kNfw22xn5LY2tIqSEUXcpEVADI_OQ1-VrXLGdtTwbKNJjm5Co3p6A3-2wCe-jp1FRv7rZlr5PhyphenhyphenqkvXaNLcIX6zKP3b506k/s1600/Screen+Shot+2015-11-01+at+12.17.00+AM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Halloween Pregnant Skeleton Costume" border="0" height="410" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYsfpdTpxF8mcqqUu7hvPs27nchDQ3plHsEF0OoYfcVef8kNfw22xn5LY2tIqSEUXcpEVADI_OQ1-VrXLGdtTwbKNJjm5Co3p6A3-2wCe-jp1FRv7rZlr5PhyphenhyphenqkvXaNLcIX6zKP3b506k/s400/Screen+Shot+2015-11-01+at+12.17.00+AM.png" title="Halloween Pregnant Skeleton Costume" width="475" /></a></div>
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And and hour later we had this:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgabknVe6fOwKB5T37kIS8Y58aFJY3mDEktBLgu1znUXOPRQtt19mHtkm1p8urUU4RMuqxQc5DFrlylkXuBfaaxJyHnRaRz2z-HyDnGR0xV4vO_kd9jQH9Ml3puEI8AyxvWyec4O2SCheU/s1600/Screen+Shot+2015-11-01+at+12.19.59+AM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Halloween Pregnant Skeleton Costume" border="0" height="540" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgabknVe6fOwKB5T37kIS8Y58aFJY3mDEktBLgu1znUXOPRQtt19mHtkm1p8urUU4RMuqxQc5DFrlylkXuBfaaxJyHnRaRz2z-HyDnGR0xV4vO_kd9jQH9Ml3puEI8AyxvWyec4O2SCheU/s400/Screen+Shot+2015-11-01+at+12.19.59+AM.png" title="Halloween Pregnant Skeleton Costume" width="337" /></a></div>
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{Sidenote: Don't you love our friend's chalk paint covered surfboard for message writing?!}</div>
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And one more with a close up of the "baby"</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicj94VbUnUcEJuK2o_0-LHaffqaFl0rsUGSDo-IENyXtHYIkNf2TWgzAJ1yGGf05_N50eEG3RSvaw1-jT0aXagST-AJAv5iq49YrCrhUyyLWaMHqi8Og4n5sbhICUvR7eWqSKUUacgbG8/s1600/Screen+Shot+2015-11-01+at+12.18.59+AM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Halloween Pregnant Skeleton Costume" border="0" height="385" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicj94VbUnUcEJuK2o_0-LHaffqaFl0rsUGSDo-IENyXtHYIkNf2TWgzAJ1yGGf05_N50eEG3RSvaw1-jT0aXagST-AJAv5iq49YrCrhUyyLWaMHqi8Og4n5sbhICUvR7eWqSKUUacgbG8/s400/Screen+Shot+2015-11-01+at+12.18.59+AM.png" title="Halloween Pregnant Skeleton Costume" width="510" /></a></div>
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And that is all my friends.... hope you got a few useful Halloween costume ideas for school, home or wherever you may need to be dressed up!</div>
Christy {Crayons and Whimsy}http://www.blogger.com/profile/11056120066853580750noreply@blogger.com36tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8232189740655487321.post-19958847730431732172015-10-24T11:55:00.000-07:002015-10-24T11:57:32.127-07:00Classroom Tour {October Style}Today I am just here to take you on a quick tour of my classroom in October.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirmw01OfT9H0z2LSGvEm8F7WA11sP7PrZC2b-aj9DOmBGJpzqg3O5ZCHg5URrUuJd27rYMWNammqn4Z2n6z6NhcRe5SaK5FdciHIt3M4ZqIjlZzJnzUasXPXoyyOQ9fACLfjLAr1NCK7M/s1600/october+classroom+2.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="October classroom Crayons and whimsy" border="0" height="338" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirmw01OfT9H0z2LSGvEm8F7WA11sP7PrZC2b-aj9DOmBGJpzqg3O5ZCHg5URrUuJd27rYMWNammqn4Z2n6z6NhcRe5SaK5FdciHIt3M4ZqIjlZzJnzUasXPXoyyOQ9fACLfjLAr1NCK7M/s400/october+classroom+2.png" title="October classroom Crayons and whimsy" width="510" /></a></div>
Let me be honest and let you know that my desk is never empty on top... EVER! I jut "cleaned" it real quick...which means stuffed things in the drawers.... for the sake of this picture. To the left you see the Deanna Jump inspired palm tree.<br />
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Missing from the above picture is one of my favorite features of this classroom... the windows!!!!! So here they are:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijArkDmVve7Sc-9-A12Tl1JY0h_2wuKVqmVTjaBCFPI1vqGccrjrn4bxUPVonE3aa0pM6cMvp7A9IplSva3jalFKBTp6EhucbpzyDAN-tiU6wFfwcEtuXeDRWsTcqq89I_rb8lrynUQ5o/s1600/october+classroom+1.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="October classroom Crayons and whimsy" border="0" height="373" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijArkDmVve7Sc-9-A12Tl1JY0h_2wuKVqmVTjaBCFPI1vqGccrjrn4bxUPVonE3aa0pM6cMvp7A9IplSva3jalFKBTp6EhucbpzyDAN-tiU6wFfwcEtuXeDRWsTcqq89I_rb8lrynUQ5o/s400/october+classroom+1.png" title="October classroom Crayons and whimsy" width="520" /></a></div>
Those "stained glass" jack-o-lanterns are one of my favorites and you can find the directions for them <a href="http://crayonsandwhimsy.blogspot.com/2013/10/stained-glass-pumpkins-well-sort-of.html" target="_blank">HERE</a>.<br />
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Next, here is a close up of my teaching area:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRoU4lXf0Zvg6VeI_8Wbj_iOg9OQPDoD0s3aH5Fc8AHh8UsjORnc58eXas7Mwjv-CA9MmrPmzINcHZx-U_HBgaZbI7VYLiL1RA_oX5TXF3a20Z1J6GBstjMyWLCwVJsNaLU-gZqVoz6pI/s1600/october+classroom+5.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="October classroom Crayons and whimsy" border="0" height="366" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRoU4lXf0Zvg6VeI_8Wbj_iOg9OQPDoD0s3aH5Fc8AHh8UsjORnc58eXas7Mwjv-CA9MmrPmzINcHZx-U_HBgaZbI7VYLiL1RA_oX5TXF3a20Z1J6GBstjMyWLCwVJsNaLU-gZqVoz6pI/s400/october+classroom+5.png" title="October classroom Crayons and whimsy" width="500" /></a></div>
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And then my computer is tucked back there and that is my other desk...where actually I spend a bit more time. I got that <a href="http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/80213074/" target="_blank">desk from Ikea</a> because it was small and compact and just worked better than any of the school furniture options.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirpeT-Iyol-3YyTWyd3IcwwpY-DyqdLVLse3y456A0M61mOg2bL85c47WDv4Ons03wgEjkPHECUjqC_NysSzFTRuzE1z4OrKeeM43uPI0XqXa9Ss9Ap6dA2DnPibTs_xDtIwuFTKFlNqk/s1600/Screen+Shot+2015-10-24+at+11.02.41+AM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="October classroom Crayons and whimsy kindergarten" border="0" height="333" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirpeT-Iyol-3YyTWyd3IcwwpY-DyqdLVLse3y456A0M61mOg2bL85c47WDv4Ons03wgEjkPHECUjqC_NysSzFTRuzE1z4OrKeeM43uPI0XqXa9Ss9Ap6dA2DnPibTs_xDtIwuFTKFlNqk/s400/Screen+Shot+2015-10-24+at+11.02.41+AM.png" title="October classroom Crayons and whimsy kindergarten" width="500" /></a></div>
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<span style="text-align: left;">Zooming in a bit more... you can see that 1. the desk and my "tablecloth" don't really match. And 2. that really is just a piece of fabric that I am calling a tablecloth. And underneath are many things that I need, don't fit in a filing cabinet and are ugly to look at...so voila... a piece of fabric it is!</span></div>
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Scooting on over to the right, here is my library area:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFuxxGPmR2PJEVat8WLm936-NWWV1M0mBfnbvPeT60almFrsBZCN0kXGgby0CzmtDh26E2-sSA331QJpurkPSKpI1-IejcDOfR-eL9deTSWDWdyjRqQWv0-zJeRjCtlHV5bCNjtCDsNso/s1600/Screen+Shot+2015-10-24+at+11.22.47+AM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="October classroom Crayons and whimsy kindergarten library" border="0" height="362" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFuxxGPmR2PJEVat8WLm936-NWWV1M0mBfnbvPeT60almFrsBZCN0kXGgby0CzmtDh26E2-sSA331QJpurkPSKpI1-IejcDOfR-eL9deTSWDWdyjRqQWv0-zJeRjCtlHV5bCNjtCDsNso/s400/Screen+Shot+2015-10-24+at+11.22.47+AM.png" title="October classroom Crayons and whimsy kindergarten library" width="500" /></a></div>
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For more on library organization you can see<a href="http://crayonsandwhimsy.blogspot.com/2014/10/classroom-library-organization.html" target="_blank"> THIS post</a>. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIM_JXTUyx0WHkHgrsu4R6R5Un_0qTZqt611G8WGSWeIh9GrktGWfVrzwPEwoY35SNSMKeeO0lg-YI_v5MKw3TJdEbmaPzMi4wDXeiHlluENzrez16rFPJmetKo1JSX2oIMLvUWjji7B0/s1600/october+classroom+4.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="October classroom Crayons and whimsy kindergarten" border="0" height="365" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIM_JXTUyx0WHkHgrsu4R6R5Un_0qTZqt611G8WGSWeIh9GrktGWfVrzwPEwoY35SNSMKeeO0lg-YI_v5MKw3TJdEbmaPzMi4wDXeiHlluENzrez16rFPJmetKo1JSX2oIMLvUWjji7B0/s400/october+classroom+4.png" title="October classroom Crayons and whimsy kindergarten" width="500" /></a></div>
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When I first moved into this classroom and saw the HUGE, UGLY trashcan I thought it was ridiculous....why? But it actually comes in handy because we have a ton of trash in kindergarten. Although it is on my to-do list to make it a bit less of an eye sore!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZXWTNe6s9q4XfQz3xyKCjuZbztrCuQ7zhkWEDxKsuJijETlLsMz4owd46eobCKIFhWmJ_bOsb2Tk_K0MRqRVuHBq-9mtz_wv5ovEPPjUghMdXwYN11Iz15Q7iOQ1R67N4XVZxNBH1nOA/s1600/october+classroom+7.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="October classroom Crayons and whimsy kindergarten" border="0" height="500" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZXWTNe6s9q4XfQz3xyKCjuZbztrCuQ7zhkWEDxKsuJijETlLsMz4owd46eobCKIFhWmJ_bOsb2Tk_K0MRqRVuHBq-9mtz_wv5ovEPPjUghMdXwYN11Iz15Q7iOQ1R67N4XVZxNBH1nOA/s400/october+classroom+7.png" title="October classroom Crayons and whimsy kindergarten" width="413" /></a></div>
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Above you see the back corner of my room. This is where volunteers and my aide work on prep. You can see my monthly tubs are under there too {usually for the current month and either the previous or future one} This is also where the kids get pulled back to do any crafts that are one on one....such as those orange clay pumpkins you can see.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-PimNtBpvlKf6QQqcAqR4QanRk5EPlcfiSbQDENPfuU-W5GnoKgAkopPWZfu-tkUxKd9Hfw4FtW8RW7gj16ane4qyr0yHaiIP4nArNLk9E8H47bUKdAms9bssOgkb_aSo_MyjDPnQGSo/s1600/october+classroom+3.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="October classroom Crayons and whimsy kindergarten" border="0" height="323" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-PimNtBpvlKf6QQqcAqR4QanRk5EPlcfiSbQDENPfuU-W5GnoKgAkopPWZfu-tkUxKd9Hfw4FtW8RW7gj16ane4qyr0yHaiIP4nArNLk9E8H47bUKdAms9bssOgkb_aSo_MyjDPnQGSo/s320/october+classroom+3.png" title="October classroom Crayons and whimsy kindergarten" width="420" /></a></div>
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<span style="text-align: left;">I love love love love having bathrooms in my room. For a kinder teacher it just makes life a bit easier. ..sorry if you don't have them. I also love these scuba kids I got from Spring Hill Graphics {which sadly I can't seem to find her store anymore!} I just added some text and had them blown up nice and big! {And I also include this picture to show you that my book shelf isn't as neat and tidy as others... sorry, that is just how I roll}</span></div>
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The picture below is taken from the same spot... I just turned around 180 degrees:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifCzr0h5w1guOgM-OnSWpyTFlGGFTViA0P3ArjXwM7J9QMBYxcihQj58gNFja7dHxFirC7dffRHvrpbWazfSTBWN7TCqqPFZ-I5XBocbztxH0PBkxf3eGE3sjql2AaXF0huJ3aQSKrA80/s1600/october+classroom+6.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="October classroom Crayons and whimsy kindergarten" border="0" height="420" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifCzr0h5w1guOgM-OnSWpyTFlGGFTViA0P3ArjXwM7J9QMBYxcihQj58gNFja7dHxFirC7dffRHvrpbWazfSTBWN7TCqqPFZ-I5XBocbztxH0PBkxf3eGE3sjql2AaXF0huJ3aQSKrA80/s320/october+classroom+6.png" title="October classroom Crayons and whimsy kindergarten" width="373" /></a></div>
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The turquoise bucket is there for the kids to drop off their "briefcases' as the come on in the room each day. I talk about that more in <a href="http://crayonsandwhimsy.blogspot.com/2014/03/the-kindergarten-briefcase.html" target="_blank">this post</a>. </div>
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And that, my friends, is all for today. It's been showing you around my kindergarten world.</div>
Christy {Crayons and Whimsy}http://www.blogger.com/profile/11056120066853580750noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8232189740655487321.post-39979836165848060422015-10-19T05:00:00.000-07:002015-10-19T07:01:44.595-07:00Placemats for Easy to Make CentersSometimes I need a center or an early finisher activity that is specific to a certain skill... well, not just sometimes... all the time. But sometimes what I need for a particular group or class may be unique and not what I already have.<br />
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And I will usually turn to <a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/Crayons-And-Whimsy" target="_blank">TpT</a>, of course, to remedy this issue.<br />
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But occasionally I am in a rush and don't have time to print, laminate and cut a cute new center.... and when that happens this is what I do.....<br />
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I make a quick center...usually seasonal.<br />
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Here is the one I am going to show you today:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWauLzuXkvoD0CgbyYIGpg8N164Hg6np3nhtWUV4SHBtf1oeB6Et9GLqqCJ4xmYsAdA-uBJ0aanvvTROWaGAiliU22qRJfGdv7VTzuF2aceUrd3hvgoxLc5ejFVoNKe8fWHVuYezkG2fo/s1600/abc+match.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="342" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWauLzuXkvoD0CgbyYIGpg8N164Hg6np3nhtWUV4SHBtf1oeB6Et9GLqqCJ4xmYsAdA-uBJ0aanvvTROWaGAiliU22qRJfGdv7VTzuF2aceUrd3hvgoxLc5ejFVoNKe8fWHVuYezkG2fo/s400/abc+match.png" width="440" /></a></div>
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I just made this. I have a ton of upper and lower case letter recognition and matching activities for September. But typically we simmer it down in October usually, moving on to sounds and other skills. This group needs more practice recognizing letters... so I needed a quick fix.<br />
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I buy random placemats like these whenever I see them on sale....yep, that is a placemat.<br />
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I think I got this one last year... probably on November 1....and it gets thrown in my October drawer. I also will buy themed plates or really anything that is on clearance that I think I can use later.<br />
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So could this be any easier?<br />
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Here are all my materials: placemat, clothespins and a Sharpie:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpty-tfJY7F2un0IuJEOGJO_4kBj21Spw3vzoyG9ccJSZsqa_kE9F3uXDOaFonbv6NGoBLCCOEItMlINfeeFUsIzzd-KD7oJDU5M0_RcpRPOTUDVU2UC3T6xo0vxMDGtcLuRlJzGJyKTg/s1600/materials.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="285" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpty-tfJY7F2un0IuJEOGJO_4kBj21Spw3vzoyG9ccJSZsqa_kE9F3uXDOaFonbv6NGoBLCCOEItMlINfeeFUsIzzd-KD7oJDU5M0_RcpRPOTUDVU2UC3T6xo0vxMDGtcLuRlJzGJyKTg/s400/materials.png" width="400" /></a></div>
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I see how many clothespins I can fit... in this case it worked to get 26, which was perfect!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZt3IM6vGYpKp6GQPP0AifU8ByAtNjnCxbwkXcJbhqPSxT9dHi6W42wSy02ReA8LPOva9jgBGIu0Au7to6nThTd3d1bJ7N_VRivsNeNZvBU7kmO27O9WIs3R5XhGB4KJQRtFoW06McYRc/s1600/set+up.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="290" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZt3IM6vGYpKp6GQPP0AifU8ByAtNjnCxbwkXcJbhqPSxT9dHi6W42wSy02ReA8LPOva9jgBGIu0Au7to6nThTd3d1bJ7N_VRivsNeNZvBU7kmO27O9WIs3R5XhGB4KJQRtFoW06McYRc/s400/set+up.png" width="400" /></a></div>
And then we are ready to write... and yes, I realize it isn't 100% equally spaced and some of my letters aren't perfect.....but what is perfect is the part where it took me only ten minutes to make an engaging center my littles NEED and will love!<br />
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I tell the kids to leave it just like this when they are finished:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCJKjze7JQvVjw6z7TpLQSM10cctv7OmfUwOqH8gLlKtJ7-sq0NOOFPgQfVrpZBp8HF5H29uztkHO5uXQ5RsKjn5Z6ZfXmqt1RmkjDEh_VuCnebSb07xWAW32FdFMqm-YI0VH5v_TcKsM/s1600/put+away.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="297" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCJKjze7JQvVjw6z7TpLQSM10cctv7OmfUwOqH8gLlKtJ7-sq0NOOFPgQfVrpZBp8HF5H29uztkHO5uXQ5RsKjn5Z6ZfXmqt1RmkjDEh_VuCnebSb07xWAW32FdFMqm-YI0VH5v_TcKsM/s400/put+away.png" width="400" /></a></div>
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As for me, I will put those clothespins in a Ziploc and clip that onto the placemat. And once in a while I will raffle these off for one friend to take home... usually strategically chosen to be a friend who still needs practice. And I only do that if I don't think I have the room to store it and it won't be needed year after year.</div>
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I use placemats for math centers and other literacy skills.... anything where matching happens will work!</div>
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So the next time you see some holiday themed placemats on sale...grab them! </div>
Christy {Crayons and Whimsy}http://www.blogger.com/profile/11056120066853580750noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8232189740655487321.post-69787509539397302512015-09-26T06:00:00.000-07:002015-09-26T06:00:04.845-07:00Weekend Warriors: Sight WordsSight words is a topic I could go on and on about. It is also something that I love reading about and grabbing new ideas....so this linky is sure to be a good one!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkTEf4ZjDvOyhrXn_Le07kSII4P-0yqdq9HkvDcQBCPg3QSIOU3qMNnHXbhNaEtZ06jHTxz3m5mZZfU15j5U16esuYmrS_aq3AflJh0dwjwAVV0UYcje_uzx5WcBg83_fzgE6sLwpLMEA/s1600/12002095_10204414902805473_1057443626181984435_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkTEf4ZjDvOyhrXn_Le07kSII4P-0yqdq9HkvDcQBCPg3QSIOU3qMNnHXbhNaEtZ06jHTxz3m5mZZfU15j5U16esuYmrS_aq3AflJh0dwjwAVV0UYcje_uzx5WcBg83_fzgE6sLwpLMEA/s400/12002095_10204414902805473_1057443626181984435_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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So I am going to share 2 of my favorite sight word tips... and I have to be honest...these tips came from two older posts I have on sight words that gives even more ideas and info...so I will leave you links to them too.<br />
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But here we go.....<br />
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This is my favorite. It is a game to use to practice sight words. I introduce this in a small group and will fine tune the words to the needs of that particular level of students.<br />
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The main reason I love this game is that it is easy to prep....Sometimes you don't have time to color print, laminate, and cut out some cards to make the cutest sight word game ever! Right? Don't get me wrong, I am all about cute, but sometimes I am all about doing it FAST and meeting the exact needs of my kids.<br />
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So...first up... Gobble Gobble Sight Word Game:<br />
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Target Dollar Spot is my BFF. That is where I got the felt turkey purse/container thing .... then I used my school's die cut machine to die cut turkeys.<br />
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In this case I used the top 10 Fry words... and then 3 cards say, "Gobble, gobble."<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirg0H_FQICKB9ixppcgWezulAUZOi5I-Ak19SUZnE_jR3Dg4yPS6-T3MHT4HCXc_z-AaM4oT6GS72gdvrhX-vq3R0NTQ3RbfuhmQ-st935K6X2qbCNMehUdr-RMb2wiQOkUaXBZHhsSe0/s1600/0001jf.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirg0H_FQICKB9ixppcgWezulAUZOi5I-Ak19SUZnE_jR3Dg4yPS6-T3MHT4HCXc_z-AaM4oT6GS72gdvrhX-vq3R0NTQ3RbfuhmQ-st935K6X2qbCNMehUdr-RMb2wiQOkUaXBZHhsSe0/s400/0001jf.jpeg" width="308" /></a></div>
Here are my little ones playing it:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmKjkCkVibPgEIWiKdL4sj6_UjDdffZ3WaStj0ZZ60hqukH4D5NRe4Y3wR66slFizZ5TH3Ayin2CW81hTQdrivEIRVAl_dH6nkL5RcgWUBbDd8Ulcalb4IN_r0xUi3zj3Qevg1V4QdDBY/s1600/0001k4.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmKjkCkVibPgEIWiKdL4sj6_UjDdffZ3WaStj0ZZ60hqukH4D5NRe4Y3wR66slFizZ5TH3Ayin2CW81hTQdrivEIRVAl_dH6nkL5RcgWUBbDd8Ulcalb4IN_r0xUi3zj3Qevg1V4QdDBY/s400/0001k4.jpeg" width="308" /></a></div>
Here's what you do. A group of 3-5 kids can play at once:<br />
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1. Pull out one turkey. Read the word.<br />
2. If you can't read the word then have a friend help you read it.<br />
3. If you read the word on your own, keep the card. Otherwise, put it back in the turkey purse.<br />
4. If you draw, "Gobble, gobble!" you have to say, "Gobble, gobble" in your best turkey voice...and sadly lose all of your cards you have collected from previous turns.<br />
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The winner is the person to have the most cards when the purse is empty... but to be honest, this little game can last a long time with those "gobble gobble" cards in there.<br />
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One reason I don't laminate the cards is because these words were chosen for this year's class... or maybe just this reading group - sometimes different groups have their own words.... So these aren't for use year after year after year... because I have no idea what levels those kids will be.<br />
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The best part is that I re-use this game for many many months.....<br />
In October I use ghosts and it is called the "Boo Game" ... In December we play the same game called the "Ho, Ho, Ho Game".....In January with snowmen we play the "Brrr!!!!! Game."<br />
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The kids don't realize this is the same game and really enjoy it! You can see my original post <a href="http://crayonsandwhimsy.blogspot.com/2013/11/sight-word-games.html" target="_blank">HERE</a> for a few more pictures and details<br />
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This next idea came from a post with oodles and oodles of ideas that you can find <a href="http://crayonsandwhimsy.blogspot.com/2013/01/high-frequency-words.html" target="_blank">HERE</a>.<br />
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I like to use these "magic tubes" (they are test tubes I order from <a href="http://www.stevespanglerscience.com/product/test-tubes" target="_blank">Steve Spangler Science</a>). I've seen other teachers do this same concept with sand instead of water. Can you "see" the word "see"? Why is there glitter floating in that water? It's a short answer: because glitter is fun!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_8LHZ3xJDl8iwFzWewAG1Klt6anIuv4xDlGGfbhQPfSvVxeqcyPcEYWQloWXWs3rsBykT1lDwKEr5sH1t0mjtLl3lXsabPh-5BHSVh3yzgnOvCOxKHqEYuRkQH-WooqCAS4l7lNDdQ0E/s1600/0001zI.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="308" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_8LHZ3xJDl8iwFzWewAG1Klt6anIuv4xDlGGfbhQPfSvVxeqcyPcEYWQloWXWs3rsBykT1lDwKEr5sH1t0mjtLl3lXsabPh-5BHSVh3yzgnOvCOxKHqEYuRkQH-WooqCAS4l7lNDdQ0E/s400/0001zI.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div>
I sort the letter beads in a box I got from Michaels. There are 2 letters per section, although I will say that putting "E" and "F" together wasn't the best choice I've made:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4C5ICyPyZQT5oSMcQ18DTRlhRpgLtzvwCktka9HwEZrDFwTJcVHwpmL8NCQY__tlj5pTxAk-Ud_GplgtNrMhpgyBZK7MeyOnjs4ICX5U0Xz3mBrUnGw20x5r99Pd-GsTkVIr8qggq-_Y/s1600/0001kB.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="308" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4C5ICyPyZQT5oSMcQ18DTRlhRpgLtzvwCktka9HwEZrDFwTJcVHwpmL8NCQY__tlj5pTxAk-Ud_GplgtNrMhpgyBZK7MeyOnjs4ICX5U0Xz3mBrUnGw20x5r99Pd-GsTkVIr8qggq-_Y/s400/0001kB.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div>
So I will have between 5-10 tubes out at a time and the kids get to go to this center to just figure out which words are on display.<br />
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{P.S. This is also a super fun idea to use with their names at the beginning of the year too, but that is different post}<br />
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Lastly, I like to have the parents help me in teaching their children sight words. I have lists I send home throughout the school year. You can <a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Sight-Word-Lists-for-Kindergarten-and-First-Grade-758271" target="_blank">check those out here:</a><br />
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<a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Sight-Word-Lists-for-Kindergarten-and-First-Grade-758271" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCA9IdsMskiqYiPqpL2lTq2eddqqO1s3RonPS-t-bgpB_NP30PwclwXh_dZr7FccNijNgudqQ3PzKZSCsuHLOY8Q7UL4TW_jI9kkDheks9Gne_OIamO3wZGge3ZqmM637DD0FirDXL-Xw/s400/Screen+Shot+2015-09-25+at+11.05.37+PM.png" width="308" /></a></div>
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Now it's time to check out all these other great sight word ideas:</div>
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<!-- end InLinkz script -->Christy {Crayons and Whimsy}http://www.blogger.com/profile/11056120066853580750noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8232189740655487321.post-33394566468504613372015-09-23T05:30:00.000-07:002015-09-23T05:30:00.740-07:00Book Boxes: For the Home<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja1eGMaMRwd0VpQgyMkjAf0YGJJ_MSR1ZB3uJitgiFHjs3o2v85pKhVdL7bfZ8xpTnd3R1stGymxP6P1Dm9Oxd0QqdqMNDi0HzupJDnUIGaT8xR9tDuSItv8km0-VTJn8xlO_BgurwpYw/s1600/Screen+Shot+2014-10-12+at+8.47.11+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /><img border="0" height="281" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja1eGMaMRwd0VpQgyMkjAf0YGJJ_MSR1ZB3uJitgiFHjs3o2v85pKhVdL7bfZ8xpTnd3R1stGymxP6P1Dm9Oxd0QqdqMNDi0HzupJDnUIGaT8xR9tDuSItv8km0-VTJn8xlO_BgurwpYw/s1600/Screen+Shot+2014-10-12+at+8.47.11+PM.png" width="400" /></a></div>
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Many of us use book boxes in class. Whether you rock the Ikea magazine holders or some other box for the purpose of holding books......... but I want to talk about book boxes for the home.<br />
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We make so many fabulous {if I do say so myself} books in class all year. I send these home and say, "Please read these to your family at home." And then I just cross my fingers that they do.<br />
<br />
And not promising the home book box completely solves the problem, but it is a way to help families organize and make reading a priority.<br />
<br />
At the beginning of the year I ask the kiddos to make a book box with their family. The note which you can see here {and just click on the letter to<a href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B7RwpXSUSThMNUpmRUtkYkxjMXc/view?usp=sharing" target="_blank"> download</a> if for yourself!}<br />
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asks them to use a box no smaller than a shoe box and as large as they like....but the kid must be able to carry it on their own. I really can't be carrying 27 boxes all on my own :)<br />
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I tell them to be creative.... include your favorite characters....or your favorite colors and just have fun with it. At the end of the month the kids bring the boxes to school and we have a "Book Box Parade" around the school.<br />
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We pop into a few classrooms of older students, we zoom by the office and the principal and just make sure everyone is super proud of their special box. And of course we all take pictures...I mean we want to make this box the BEST thing ever!<br />
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The boxes head back home with the instruction to put the box somewhere accessible to your child and use it to collect all the books your child makes in the classroom. So as they come home with little readers such as color books or whatever it may be...they have one place to put it all. And the best part is that these are ALL books {we hope} that they can read.<br />
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<br />Christy {Crayons and Whimsy}http://www.blogger.com/profile/11056120066853580750noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8232189740655487321.post-7504508870116757362015-04-21T05:00:00.000-07:002015-04-21T05:00:01.294-07:00Alphabet Printing PracticeToday two strange things are happening....<br />
<br />
1. I'm blogging<br />
<br />
and<br />
<br />
2. I posted a new product on <a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Alphabet-Printing-Practice-1821766" target="_blank">TpT</a><br />
<br />
What is going on?<br />
<br />
I haven't been around here as often and I apologize. But I wanted to make sure I shared with you my new little product.<br />
<br />
Nothing earth shattering, but still a very useful tool....<a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Alphabet-Printing-Practice-1821766" target="_blank">alphabet printing practice.</a><br />
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Each of these pages asks students to practice both the upper and lower case version of the letter. I purposely put a traced letter half way across the row. As in they trace two times....on their own three times... then TRACE AGAIN, followed by three more on their own....<br />
<br />
Why?<br />
<br />
Because research shows that little ones rarely look ALL the way back to the beginning of a row to reference what the letter SHOULD look like- they just look at the last letter they wrote. So as they progress from left to right their letters get messier and messier as they go...... sound familiar?<br />
<br />
So I like a little mid-line refresher to get them back on track.<br />
<br />
I also have included 2 or 3 pictures on each page of an item that starts with the letter. I know some people separate their phonics instruction from their handwriting instruction and for that reason I haven't asked the students to identify which items start with each sound - just in case that isn't your focus. So ALL of the pictures are just a reinforcement...or maybe an introduction....to that letter sound.<br />
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As you can see above, I like to bind mine into a book and then I am set for the year....or a few months... but better than making 26 trips to the copier! A cover is included in the set if you want to do the same.<br />
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This is one of the few things I do as a whole group - because let's be honest...we can't be in small groups all day... I WISH we could. So this is something that we can tackle as a class. And I love that once the kiddos learn the pattern of the steps required of this book they are set to go.<br />
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They even know to put their writing fingers in the air as soon as we open these puppies up. The first thing we do is "air write" the letters every time. I love seeing their fingers ready to go.<br />
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I hope to be back around here soon...and I super appreciate YOU are here reading :)<br />
<br />Christy {Crayons and Whimsy}http://www.blogger.com/profile/11056120066853580750noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8232189740655487321.post-68724393461454720242015-03-28T04:00:00.000-07:002015-03-28T10:57:54.781-07:00Weekend Warriors: March Stress LESS<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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My Weekend Warrior friends and I are coming at you with tips and tricks to help life be "stress free."<br />
<br />
If I could plop you down on a beautiful beach on your own private island well, that may just do the trick to get rid of that stress...<br />
<br />
BUT I guess we will come back to reality.<br />
<br />
Before I embark on my sharing what works for me let me tell your this:<br />
<br />
I have been teaching for 16 years. When I started I was at school until 6pm every single night...maybe later. Despite the long hours, I still brought work home with me.<br />
<br />
I took myself a bit too seriously. I was stressed every day. I worried about each and every lesson.<br />
<br />
I was 22 years old when I landed my own class and I wanted it all to be perfect. I doubt it was, but I do think it was good and I was worrying too much. I was too critical of myself.<br />
<br />
And now flash forward to today.<br />
<br />
I still get stressed.... I still spend more money than I should on my little ones. I still request the help of my family to prep with me {especially cut out lamination} and I still stay late, but only two days a week.<br />
<br />
I have found <span style="font-size: large;">BALANCE.</span><br />
<br />
I am not a pro at it by any means. But I try... I try to remember to think about ME. I think that if I look after myself that in the end that makes me a better teacher than worrying, stressing, color coding, over planning and freaking everyone else out around me.<br />
<br />
I try to prioritize all the things that can potentially cause stress. I *try* to make a list and stick with it. I'm still really good at procrastinating especially when super stressful things are on the horizon {for example: report cards}<br />
<br />
I also try to make a<span style="font-size: large;"> SCHEDULE</span> and stick with it. So my plan is that I will stay late two days per week. But on the other days I aim to leave by 4:30 so that I can go to the gym or do the things I like to do. This is hard for me because I am queen of last minute and I still like to operate that way in certain areas of life.<br />
<br />
I think another important piece is <span style="font-size: large;">FRIENDS</span>! The older we get the less we have time to catch up with an old friend or to just hang out. We're too busy- demands of your family, work and just life. But I think finding that time to talk with friends allows you to relax and maybe vent and just helps! If we just eat, sleep, work.... well, that just allows the stress to keep growing.<br />
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I also just put it all in <span style="font-size: large;">PERSPECTIVE.</span><br />
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I remember when we found a few years ago we were going to have 29 kids in each kindergarten class. Talk about the stress-o-meter going up. People were complaining. People were scared. People were mad.<br />
<br />
But I just thought- at least I have a job....believe me, I wasn't thrilled, but A. I can't change it and B. it's better than having no job........ When my school district went from 20 kids in all K-3 classes to 24..... many teachers lost their jobs. And again, when we went from 24 to 29 another big group of talented people were let go. So I had to find the <span style="font-size: large;">POSITIVE </span>side.<br />
<br />
I'm going to skip the exercise tip. We all know that exercise combats stress and we should do it- I go in spurts with exercise and have no business sharing that as a tip that works for me.<br />
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I think I will also skip the get sleep tip... it's one I don't follow. I am up late stalking blogs and rewriting my lesson plans for the next day because I just read the best new idea....and I am okay with keeping those habits for now. Because that is what keeps me fresh and having fun in my classroom. Others would find last minute lesson plan changes stressful- then don't go that. And that leads me my very last tip: Do <span style="font-size: large;">WHAT WORKS FOR YOU</span>. And if you aren't sure what works for you then invest in you and take the time to dabble with different things to see what helps you regulate stress and keep you calm.<br />
<br />
You are awesome! Don't forget that....having a good feeling about yourself also curbs that stress.<br />
<br />
So ENJOY your weekend. Do at least one thing that isn't work related no matter how much is on your to-do list.
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Christy {Crayons and Whimsy}http://www.blogger.com/profile/11056120066853580750noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8232189740655487321.post-20263257189543898802015-03-01T17:03:00.002-08:002015-03-01T17:25:44.050-08:00March CurrentlyAnd so a new month begins...already? I haven't done a Currently Post in a while. Not sure why... I just haven't! But I am happy to be joining<a href="http://ohboy3rdgrade.blogspot.com/2015/03/march-currently-2015.html" target="_blank"> this linky</a> for all the March fun.<br />
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<br />
<u>Listening</u>: I can hear the wind outside. It means rain is on the way..... and although I am not a big fan of drops coming down from the sky....<br />
A. We need it here in Southern California and<br />
B. After I hear about the winter so many others are having, I need to not complain about a little precipitation going on.<br />
<br />
<u>Loving</u>: I am head over heels in love with the Target app Cartwheel. Now if you have known about this for a long time why didn't you tell me? I just learned about it.... and it's basically just an app full of great coupons for Target. You load them up and then just scan a barcode when you check out.<br />
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Apparently each week something will be 25% off- but otherwise they range from 5% to 20%. But you could just be checking the app as you pop things in your cart. I am not good about carrying coupons, cutting them or remembering I have them, but I am hoping I remember to use this.</div>
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<br />
<u>Thinking</u>: I know I should be starting my report cards so I can't stop thinking about them. I also can't seem to actually motivate and START them!<br />
<br />
<u>Wanting</u>: Every single new wrap design in the new <a href="http://christyd.jamberrynails.net/profile/" target="_blank">Jamberry catalog</a>. TODAY is the big day...the release of the new Spring/Summer Collection. I just got my hands on a new catalog and I am dying.<br />
<br />
Makes me wish I had more than ten fingers and ten toes! Because in case you didn't know, <a href="http://christyd.jamberrynails.net/" target="_blank">Jamberry </a>are vinyl, heat activated nail wraps that replace or are used with polish.<br />
<br />
If you want me to send you a new catalog AND a free sample I would be happy to just email me at christyann@gmail.com. I am addicted to these little nail wraps {as silly as that sounds} and as a consultant I love to spread a little Jam love.<br />
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These blue and black wraps are some of my new favorites.....<br />
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Um, Farley.... if you read this have you seen <a href="http://christyd.jamberrynails.net/product/oh-deer-#.VPLbllqQegE" target="_blank">THIS DESIGN</a>? It just came out today.... Were these made just for you? Let's talk...because I would love to get these for you!<br />
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And can we back up and talk about this blue/black vs gold/white thing....I know....it's over played. People are sick of it..... But really, it is so weird that I am still thinking about it....maybe I need to edit my "Thinking" answer above!<br />
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<u>Needing</u>: Coffee with caffeine in it. I gave up caffeine for a bit..... for a couple of reasons. I'm still treating myself to decaf, but it isn't making the cut! And right now- I NEED a venti, if not bigger, extra shot, bring on the caffeine latte. {however, I will not actually be getting it!}<br />
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<u>Spring Break Plans:</u> Who knows? My break isn't until April and well, if you know me, you know that I am on the last minute side. Maybe I'll stay home and get stuff done...or maybe a trip is on the horizon!<br />
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Hop on over to <a href="http://ohboy3rdgrade.blogspot.com/2015/03/march-currently-2015.html" target="_blank">Farley's blog</a> to read other Currently Posts!<br />
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<br />Christy {Crayons and Whimsy}http://www.blogger.com/profile/11056120066853580750noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8232189740655487321.post-91667127715101615862015-02-21T05:00:00.000-08:002015-02-24T19:28:42.381-08:00Weekend Warriors: February Favorite BooksMy Weekend Warrior Friends and I are here again..... and this time we are having a giveaway, too!<br />
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Favorite books is a HARD thing to do just one post about, right? I mean we are all teachers and we all have a MILLION favorites right?<br />
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First up, is <a href="http://www.amazon.com/One-Kathryn-Otoshi/dp/0972394648" target="_blank">One by Kathryn Otoshi</a>. Here you can see my principal reading it to our school last spring. As she read the story I just sat there and fell in love with everything about it.<br />
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Have you heard of it?<br />
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It is about friendship and bullying and let me just share the final sentence, "Sometimes it just takes one."<br />
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Next up...........<br />
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Who doesn't love Mo Willems? You may be thinking....um, Christy, haven't you shared this one before. Yes, I did... but I can't help it... LOVE it.<br />
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So this book "<a href="http://www.amazon.com/That-Is-Not-Good-Idea/dp/0062203096" target="_blank">That is NOT a Good Idea!</a>" is hilarious.<br />
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I love how it is set up as a silent movie... and see those cute little goslings? They are the audience watching the interaction between the sneaky, but dapper, fox and the goose.<br />
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It seems to be a lesser known title in Mo's repertoire {or is that just me?}... but you know who he is... with his famous pigeon stories! My favorite of his may be Goldilocks and the Three Dinosaurs.<br />
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This isn't a long story....in fact it is pretty short, but is very entertaining. I won't give away the ending because, well, That is NOT a Good Idea!<br />
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I will say I heard someone say this book seems a little "violent" Um, okay I guess I can see that, but have you read The Gingerbread Man, Hansel and Gretel or a million other children's classics that have a slightly disturbing plot when you think about it?<br />
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Mo Willems does a great job of playing off the typical old fashioned children's story {some of which I just listed above} ..... And what a great chat you can have about prior knowledge.<br />
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And it may be a lot of fun to take predictions of what the ending will be just before flipping to that last page!<br />
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This is what one of my little ones wrote after reading it... I don't think I would be giving away much, but I covered up some of her words that give away the ending.... although I guess the picture is somewhat telling!<br />
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In case you don't read kindergarten it says, "My whole entire class thought that the fox was going to eat the goose." And true that.... they did.<br />
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Now moving on to the good stuff!<br />
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Would you like to win $10 to TpT? Just enter below and then hop around to the other Weekend Warriors because we are ALL doing a giveaway.........<br />
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<br />
<a class="rcptr" data-raflid="38abcf9719" data-template="" data-theme="classic" href="http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/38abcf9719/" id="rcwidget_q2xnpc7b" rel="nofollow">a Rafflecopter giveaway</a>
<script src="//widget-prime.rafflecopter.com/launch.js"></script>
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Oh and before you go..... I just want to show you these fabulous and exclusive<a href="http://christyd.jamberrynails.net/" target="_blank"> Jamberry nail wraps </a>my friend Jen at <a href="http://tongassteacher.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Teaching in the Tongass</a> created..... we are placing the order this weekend.... so if you would like some or want to know more about it just email me or comment below {email: christyann@gmail.com}<br />
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Time to see the other WW posts....<br />
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<!-- inlinkz code end -->Christy {Crayons and Whimsy}http://www.blogger.com/profile/11056120066853580750noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8232189740655487321.post-29927214178755206402015-02-10T07:22:00.000-08:002015-02-10T07:22:31.977-08:00Classroom Loves Linky<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhN-3IjrZOwrtMPfg_TOQGy4kD7R7Qj7GrN9g1YUCaofMtFLKgjG8MVxP-_htkTyA0rj23oQ4Y75Qz6PUG-51R0-rTFzq7181ZS6NSx-6hrkbIVod1B8R5yA6Fd5qunRiLQMU9XyQm6yRM/s1600/10942325_10106068642488684_5559772990965586092_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhN-3IjrZOwrtMPfg_TOQGy4kD7R7Qj7GrN9g1YUCaofMtFLKgjG8MVxP-_htkTyA0rj23oQ4Y75Qz6PUG-51R0-rTFzq7181ZS6NSx-6hrkbIVod1B8R5yA6Fd5qunRiLQMU9XyQm6yRM/s1600/10942325_10106068642488684_5559772990965586092_o.jpg" height="388" width="400" /></a></div>
I'm linking up with my fellow heroes at<a href="http://primarypowers.blogspot.com/2015/02/classroom-loves-linky.html" target="_blank"> Primary Powers</a> today to bring you our classroom loves.<br />
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First up....One thing I love.<br />
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It's hard to pick just one..... But I'm going with coffee. It may not be something I love... perhaps "need" would be a better word. But when I get to my classroom in the morning, which is arctic because of the huge windows...which I love having and yes I am in Southern California so you may think "arctic" is a bit extreme....<br />
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point is...<br />
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it's cold in there.<br />
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Anyway..... It is my ritual to get that heater going and sip my coffee as I warm up and prepare for the little ones to arrive.<br />
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{Other classroom loves are cute fonts, adorable crafts and my <a href="http://christyd.jamberrynails.net/shop" target="_blank">Jamberry</a> nails which can hold up in a kinder classroom.... just to name a few.... but I am trying to follow the rules and just tell you one!}<br />
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Next up....something WE all love.....<br />
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First of all.... "anything alive" can also include each other.... and I think that my kiddos and I all are happy to be together all day.<br />
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But more specifically... I love the time of year that creatures of some sort get to join us in our learning... and the only people who like it more than me are the kids.<br />
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I've had silkworms, butterflies, ants, ladybugs, chicks and ducklings. I actually even worked at a school that had a full farm on the kindergarten playground. Now that experience may not fit in this love linky.... that was a lot of work and cleaning year round.... we are talking several chickens, a rooster, geese and more.... ALL. YEAR. LONG.<br />
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But currently I usually have butterflies, silkworms and chicks each year for about a month - which is about how long each unit will last for.... perfect timing! And those chicks are in their eggs for 21 days of their visit.<br />
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The above picture I pulled from my Instagram and was taken the 2013 school year when we got a bunch of eggs from a nearby farm and it wasn't until they hatched that we learned some were ducklings!<br />
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I can't tell you how much the kids LOVE having guest animals in class. LOVE!<br />
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It shows in their writing and their attention span when we are learning about them. Never mind the sheer joy on their faces.<br />
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And last up.....<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgw6es5ikDfkhZPZq0iJhwEgUi-mmWLzR0qKsSjU7EXQ07FANHYgK9EyINrwPGaVHkKY3WMw9cGj3EHxQ27Dr5j4c2CueyS6qEmNeptr67W5UJAeLU91fMriERfTdZ7GiE5Eb9osrVryUs/s1600/Screen+Shot+2015-02-09+at+3.24.54+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgw6es5ikDfkhZPZq0iJhwEgUi-mmWLzR0qKsSjU7EXQ07FANHYgK9EyINrwPGaVHkKY3WMw9cGj3EHxQ27Dr5j4c2CueyS6qEmNeptr67W5UJAeLU91fMriERfTdZ7GiE5Eb9osrVryUs/s1600/Screen+Shot+2015-02-09+at+3.24.54+PM.png" height="385" width="400" /></a></div>
I know this isn't rocket science.... 5 year olds love recess... imagine that?<br />
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I know that recess is a word that some schools can't even use anymore and I know that recess times and even inside play times are getting to be shorter and shorter.<br />
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The kids love recess and I think the social development piece is sometimes forgotten. They love it and it is important for them.<br />
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That's it my friends! Thank you for stopping by.... Head on over to <a href="http://primarypowers.blogspot.com/2015/02/classroom-loves-linky.html" target="_blank">Primary Powers</a> to see who else has linked up and is sharing some love!Christy {Crayons and Whimsy}http://www.blogger.com/profile/11056120066853580750noreply@blogger.com20tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8232189740655487321.post-2008010586589170672015-02-03T04:00:00.000-08:002015-02-03T04:00:01.692-08:00Abraham's Hat.... in Pattern BlocksIf you follow my blog you may know that creating pattern block activities is something I love to do.<br />
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So I decided to add Lincoln's hat to my <a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Abraham-Lincoln-Mini-Unit-1106971" target="_blank">Abraham Lincoln Mini Unit.</a><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4AE1lXHQHrK4cdP3kvsLMRnadIpAJnb_aKnSQJZ7b7ReunfyPP48EmIo3IYpjG_7-_aqysevRV1eq2aHDKbQjv-_zSPh8eB51kgcYbVJQ2XpzqCdYyh4sIZ2jqRUjUDk28cfUXuOYXv4/s1600/Screen+Shot+2015-01-29+at+10.45.19+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Abraham Lincoln Pattern Blocks Crayons and Whimsy" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4AE1lXHQHrK4cdP3kvsLMRnadIpAJnb_aKnSQJZ7b7ReunfyPP48EmIo3IYpjG_7-_aqysevRV1eq2aHDKbQjv-_zSPh8eB51kgcYbVJQ2XpzqCdYyh4sIZ2jqRUjUDk28cfUXuOYXv4/s1600/Screen+Shot+2015-01-29+at+10.45.19+PM.png" height="400" title="Abraham Lincoln Pattern Blocks Crayons and Whimsy" width="297" /></a></div>
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The hat comes in two versions - both are shown above {and also available in black and white}...... Plus a recording sheet which also comes in 2 versions.... a total of 6 pages of pattern block related items have been added to the product.<br />
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So if you already own this then just go re-download it!<br />
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Speaking of Abraham's hat.... do you think it is true that he kept notes and reminders in his hat? For some reason I'd like to believe it is.<br />
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Here is a preview of the whole unit:<br />
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<a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Abraham-Lincoln-Mini-Unit-1106971" target="_blank"><img alt="Abraham Lincoln Mini Unit Crayons and Whimsy" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLIbQLFprswuSDC14GWzlDRyRVrWEm7HBgoXcEsRHNJLQFA27e7AynWhUqXlqPf86Qsx9Ifu72rUkNiFJu-mHVLIpXNN5BsNroOG2LKVdEwB85kM0IlbpnUxijTCQSb6IA0LBdYJTFP10/s1600/newest+p.jpg" height="408" title="Abraham Lincoln Mini Unit Crayons and Whimsy" width="500" /></a></div>
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And before you go....if you like doing directed drawing...<br />
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and I bet you do because the results are amazing and not only is it great for teaching drawing skills....it's good for following directions!<br />
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Go to <a href="http://crayonsandwhimsy.blogspot.com/2014/02/lets-draw-president-lincoln-and-abe.html" target="_blank">THIS POST</a> from last year to snag a great Lincoln Directed Drawing Activity for FREE.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRDEE_PvQXOex8En_ahtM6lkHO0Paf4lHZ9ieWJzw29wwVELOwWRtIWTmsNrBALvgpWusPwi6qbVZapxPjB-KTx7VP70UtccWpBIGjFi3fG4tj7iWeggikwik0ROzK_7s9OSCLi-r9mPQ/s1600/0001Dg.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Abraham Lincoln Directed Draw Crayons and Whimsy" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRDEE_PvQXOex8En_ahtM6lkHO0Paf4lHZ9ieWJzw29wwVELOwWRtIWTmsNrBALvgpWusPwi6qbVZapxPjB-KTx7VP70UtccWpBIGjFi3fG4tj7iWeggikwik0ROzK_7s9OSCLi-r9mPQ/s1600/0001Dg.jpeg" height="500" title="Abraham Lincoln Directed Draw Crayons and Whimsy" width="408" /></a></div>
<a href="http://www.pinterest.com/pin/create/extension/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.blogger.com%2Fblogger.g%3FblogID%3D8232189740655487321%23editor%2Ftarget%3Dpost%3BpostID%3D200801058658917067%3BonPublishedMenu%3Dallposts%3BonClosedMenu%3Dallposts%3BpostNum%3D0%3Bsrc%3Dlink&media=https%3A%2F%2Fimages-blogger-opensocial.googleusercontent.com%2Fgadgets%2Fproxy%3Furl%3Dhttp%253A%252F%252F1.bp.blogspot.com%252F-J6Lfpv729i8%252FVMsoTuU7FYI%252FAAAAAAAAFQQ%252FHf4y4Oe-H5Q%252Fs1600%252FScreen%25252BShot%25252B2015-01-29%25252Bat%25252B10.45.19%25252BPM.png%26container%3Dblogger%26gadget%3Da%26rewriteMime%3Dimage%252F*&xm=h&xv=sa1.35&description=Abraham%20Lincoln%20Pattern%20Blocks%20Crayons%20and%20Whimsy" style="background-color: transparent; background-image: url(data:image/png; border: none; cursor: pointer; display: none; height: 20px; left: 204px; opacity: 0.85; position: absolute; top: 90px; width: 40px; z-index: 8675309;"></a><a href="http://www.pinterest.com/pin/create/extension/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.blogger.com%2Fblogger.g%3FblogID%3D8232189740655487321%23editor%2Ftarget%3Dpost%3BpostID%3D200801058658917067%3BonPublishedMenu%3Dallposts%3BonClosedMenu%3Dallposts%3BpostNum%3D0%3Bsrc%3Dlink&media=https%3A%2F%2Fimages-blogger-opensocial.googleusercontent.com%2Fgadgets%2Fproxy%3Furl%3Dhttp%253A%252F%252F1.bp.blogspot.com%252F-J6Lfpv729i8%252FVMsoTuU7FYI%252FAAAAAAAAFQQ%252FHf4y4Oe-H5Q%252Fs1600%252FScreen%25252BShot%25252B2015-01-29%25252Bat%25252B10.45.19%25252BPM.png%26container%3Dblogger%26gadget%3Da%26rewriteMime%3Dimage%252F*&xm=h&xv=sa1.35&description=Abraham%20Lincoln%20Pattern%20Blocks%20Crayons%20and%20Whimsy" style="background-color: transparent; background-image: url(data:image/png; border: none; cursor: pointer; display: none; height: 20px; left: 204px; opacity: 0.85; position: absolute; top: 90px; width: 40px; z-index: 8675309;"></a>Christy {Crayons and Whimsy}http://www.blogger.com/profile/11056120066853580750noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8232189740655487321.post-84005010342087007742015-01-31T05:00:00.000-08:002015-01-31T05:00:03.987-08:00Weekend Warriors: I {Heart} JanuaryThis month my Weekend Warrior friends and I decided to share our favorite Valentine ideas. Can you believe that it will already be February tomorrow!?! Crazy!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe3Kp4PXRLk1BJAjBmgrWMYut_63N_cz34x9IIoXmwldPzGB2ld7a4-aBZnFdUp4n2a6z5OOhJjrYPsdmJTfAgSrfO3HbVwETxF6lg62AGp-2QY4QbAxgxSj6GY_l1QvsA9IbwMRpWqfc/s1600/10827955_10206009395609176_1976248573959355064_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe3Kp4PXRLk1BJAjBmgrWMYut_63N_cz34x9IIoXmwldPzGB2ld7a4-aBZnFdUp4n2a6z5OOhJjrYPsdmJTfAgSrfO3HbVwETxF6lg62AGp-2QY4QbAxgxSj6GY_l1QvsA9IbwMRpWqfc/s1600/10827955_10206009395609176_1976248573959355064_o.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
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And I will admit I did share this idea one other time... but it's my favorite Valentine project... and a favorite of the kids and their families....so I just couldn't help but to tell you about it once more.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiW3hID9zUpSsuwKbdaf_odfLV3hIEcitsRQLDqntNe0JeedV1zwd4kTICwUJO0Y_gj8EFE-DQPlctZQ4jGkz6T7E-dzIprYmC8f8l-G4ta-v5OEvKKVTUu5bZeP51RDcddQ4HPGqQdUxA/s1600/Screen+shot+2014-01-28+at+6.31.20+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiW3hID9zUpSsuwKbdaf_odfLV3hIEcitsRQLDqntNe0JeedV1zwd4kTICwUJO0Y_gj8EFE-DQPlctZQ4jGkz6T7E-dzIprYmC8f8l-G4ta-v5OEvKKVTUu5bZeP51RDcddQ4HPGqQdUxA/s1600/Screen+shot+2014-01-28+at+6.31.20+PM.png" height="290" width="500" /></a></div>
There you have it.... it's them! The kids!<br />
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It is those cute faces that I can't show you.... but believe me they're cute.... dressed up as the actual Valentine!<br />
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It is a vest/ sandwich board/ poncho style valentine!<br />
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In the middle is this poem:<br />
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I'm giving you a Valentine<br />
Don't put it on a shelf!<br />
It's one that you can hold and love,<br />
I'm giving you myself!<br />
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Just <a href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B7RwpXSUSThMNE8yZTZBcWdkNU0/edit?usp=sharing" target="_blank">click on the image</a> below for your FREE copy:<br />
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<a href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B7RwpXSUSThMNE8yZTZBcWdkNU0/edit?usp=sharing" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglOQ55FOgdVR-NQ-v-anMtdMuLggIb4Lx8Wi5rjSXiZ-HQe81EfbX53dbzipzoIr1GiNknTWgmbtFkg0x8Z-r0kihhqQyWCFlbiM8ARU5kSUOxpEMi9hVb_zp1nsLGs2LkdtjbxwhtqXs/s1600/0001pm.jpeg" height="428" width="520" /></a></div>
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For the "vest meets poncho" thing you need to draw a giant heart template. I used to cut two hearts out separate and tie them with yarn at the top.... more like a sandwich board.<br />
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I have more recently stream lined the process so that the hearts are connected as one....faster and easier!<br />
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Since the hearts are so large {I don't have the exact size, but they cover most of the child from the waist up} I use butcher paper. The kind on a big heavy roll {that I am lucky to have access to at my school.... hope you do too!}<br />
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Then I fold the pieces and trace.... sorry that I can't just let you borrow my tracer.... it's just a bit too big for that.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKwfjDM72MbNnaicHpnU0UwDE3_Y8kr9w4lrApgo64naVDXNDirG9PyA02ZqHqcw6_ebk3oxc2mtfN9i1LDWKvPh7t8Q-1uCkfhWZmpG-F3riJQiOorkiXCu6ETzp992K9dX89jn6mbE8/s1600/Screen+shot+2014-01-28+at+7.06.46+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKwfjDM72MbNnaicHpnU0UwDE3_Y8kr9w4lrApgo64naVDXNDirG9PyA02ZqHqcw6_ebk3oxc2mtfN9i1LDWKvPh7t8Q-1uCkfhWZmpG-F3riJQiOorkiXCu6ETzp992K9dX89jn6mbE8/s1600/Screen+shot+2014-01-28+at+7.06.46+PM.png" height="502" width="520" /></a></div>
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I pre-cut them.... it's too big for the kids to cut!<br />
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And now is the fun part.... decoration time!<br />
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This year we are doing a sponge paint - string paint combination.<br />
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Sponge painting you saw above and let me just tell you... I don't buy heart shaped sponges.... they are out there, yes, I know... but ain't nobody got money for that... it's called...buy sponges at the 99 cent store and cut them yourself. Super ghetto... but they work just fine!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6EVGc1nVysmCUhjYFrm1ZQnLckmKXUcRfVJWN_Sk5VwbaUfyBVMyh2RaD3reMEUujrg0MRhwv6H0GP8RrOwFUBWwQGWEYyPK0QaVZo6-tnwWNyw4oq3EYKJB_-sRmRybtR_SpfdbZpg0/s1600/0001Xx.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6EVGc1nVysmCUhjYFrm1ZQnLckmKXUcRfVJWN_Sk5VwbaUfyBVMyh2RaD3reMEUujrg0MRhwv6H0GP8RrOwFUBWwQGWEYyPK0QaVZo6-tnwWNyw4oq3EYKJB_-sRmRybtR_SpfdbZpg0/s1600/0001Xx.jpeg" height="520" width="428" /></a></div>
We started the string painting side today. They L-O-V-E it! I feel it is one of those old school kindergarten activities that you don't see all the time, but it is great for fine motor skills, plus it is FUN! {It does take a while since they have to do it one or two at a time.... but worth it!}<br />
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Here's an action shot:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6kv_4bchbz-pPnWudkGV1bjWqt1Cu_YCegPen19gFAKDJurapPsOgF5fUulqyOE5lx5bAlLN84CXzIgoSBA_DZ3SCYCjZY5vDAIf5lpxS-FS8gRvlnxq3B0hBcMVG7Fntg3FY2LEHpTw/s1600/Screen+shot+2014-01-28+at+7.32.43+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6kv_4bchbz-pPnWudkGV1bjWqt1Cu_YCegPen19gFAKDJurapPsOgF5fUulqyOE5lx5bAlLN84CXzIgoSBA_DZ3SCYCjZY5vDAIf5lpxS-FS8gRvlnxq3B0hBcMVG7Fntg3FY2LEHpTw/s1600/Screen+shot+2014-01-28+at+7.32.43+PM.png" height="400" width="350" /></a></div>
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Here's a finished one {minus the poem}... which may go on the other side with the sponge paint...</div>
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If you are new to string painting.... I think the trick is to have "handles" on the string that can't go in the paint.... although let's be real... they do {I end up changing the string every 3 or 4 kids} And to have a paint brush that can help get the string covered in paint....</div>
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Need more Valentine's Day fun? Check out my <a href="http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Valentines-Day-Literacy-and-Math-Mini-Unit-Aligned-with-the-Common-Core-498903" target="_blank">Valentine Mini Unit on TpT</a>!</div>
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And P.S. It's on sale right now... in fact my <a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/Crayons-And-Whimsy" target="_blank">entire store is on sale</a> through Monday.</div>
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And of course stop by and see what all the other Weekend Warriors have in store for you!</div>
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Christy {Crayons and Whimsy}http://www.blogger.com/profile/11056120066853580750noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8232189740655487321.post-89863355139387577172015-01-28T06:00:00.000-08:002015-01-28T06:00:03.427-08:00Classroom Organization Blog Hop<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWRSqs3iEuH08jGqn1GuBe-Eyc4mLtlMqKLisMlGGXvpCkNlTjwSgBuhuUJ3D3Wrwk4EMyTZWfQ0XTX8LFNLoFeu6Zt1KEHdzqPI40-tpwAlUN2a1ms4ctUUzFNHEGH9cRuLd7qkorXEM/s1600/10409699_10103132954091741_8492759826998772205_n-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWRSqs3iEuH08jGqn1GuBe-Eyc4mLtlMqKLisMlGGXvpCkNlTjwSgBuhuUJ3D3Wrwk4EMyTZWfQ0XTX8LFNLoFeu6Zt1KEHdzqPI40-tpwAlUN2a1ms4ctUUzFNHEGH9cRuLd7qkorXEM/s1600/10409699_10103132954091741_8492759826998772205_n-2.jpg" height="338" width="400" /></a></div>
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As a proud member of Primary Powers I am excited to be part of this Organization Blog Hop.<br />
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That being said... I am not organized.<br />
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What saves me is having systems. As many systems as possible that help me fake being organized.<br />
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One other little piece of advice I learned somewhere in my 16 years of teaching is the phrase "O.H.I.O"<br />
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I don't know where it comes from. I did happen to visit Ohio, as in the state, this summer for a bit... but otherwise have no connection.<br />
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In this situation it stands for "<b><u>O</u></b>nly <b><u>H</u></b>andle <b><u>I</u></b>t <b><u>O</u></b>nce"<br />
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I TRY..... not always successfully....but a true effort is made. If I get something in my hands that I have to deal with I do it and have closure.<br />
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Don't just walk it from one pile to another and then write it on your to-do list.....which gets longer and more intimidating.<br />
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This silly tip does truly help me.... but it isn't my main event here today.<br />
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Effective communication with the parents is a crucial.<br />
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I have had a "Take Home Tuesday" a "Friday Folder and even a "Weekly Wednesday Update" The weekly communication worked for upper grades - I sent home classroom work and updates from me.<br />
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But in kindergarten I feel that a weekly folder isn't enough.<br />
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Have you ever sent home that project you were so proud of. The one you prepped for over an hour and then you watched it get crunched down into the backpack :(<br />
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Or you see it on the field as litter after everyone has gone home.<br />
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I want my kids to get all their hard work {and mine} all the way HOME.... so they can read it, share it and celebrate it.<br />
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I want the parents in my class to get any notes, forms or homework assignments that I send too!<br />
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So I have a take home folder... that goes home EVERY.SINGLE.DAY.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJyxiNPzpazCgsLMofCTQ-aSyV3Wm2ozShLEGJm5JemhnFphlVSo8i1kIbiK0LF9CmZOGzUbjlrSO7DPgOOYSmFeQT27HB1Q7uBeto-GghPatijG1Wn6bj6IyIqhu0lWygmiyzQEbDL90/s1600/000217.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJyxiNPzpazCgsLMofCTQ-aSyV3Wm2ozShLEGJm5JemhnFphlVSo8i1kIbiK0LF9CmZOGzUbjlrSO7DPgOOYSmFeQT27HB1Q7uBeto-GghPatijG1Wn6bj6IyIqhu0lWygmiyzQEbDL90/s1600/000217.jpeg" height="500" width="408" /></a></div>
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At first every day sounds like a hassle. BUT I have found that a daily folder makes it ROUTINE for the kids and for ME. </div>
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I call it a briefcase... and I tell them that just like their mom and dad may have a briefcase that they take to work EVERY day... so do they. Now I will say the word "briefcase" is becoming similar to the word "typewriter." Right? But it isn't obsolete yet and it lends itself to a fun discussion when the briefcases are first introduced.<br />
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The top reason I love having these...organization!<br />
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I don't wonder if things get into the hands of the parents.....The parents are also part of this routine and they know to look in and empty the briefcase daily.<br />
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I am lucky to have several parent volunteers who help to keep this process working. Their number one job - empty any incoming paperwork and put these puppies in number order {you can see the number in the top corner of the side with the opening.<br />
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I explain to the parents that this "briefcase" is to come to school each and every day. If they have a note, money, order form, etc for me it must be in the briefcase as I will not be checking bags or lunch boxes.<br />
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The kids walk in class and put them here:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO1nphtbmhBSkEQcjtL48v_ac2rxopiBkmIUunb3_3F35z_EOvT5DlIjIzUt2gH7Siy0oMGctsgetGXkW700uhN96KDG1m2L_aMpLWE3X66ACJUtEYdNCzOGlaoklHbiqB0InrUskqD54/s1600/00025n.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO1nphtbmhBSkEQcjtL48v_ac2rxopiBkmIUunb3_3F35z_EOvT5DlIjIzUt2gH7Siy0oMGctsgetGXkW700uhN96KDG1m2L_aMpLWE3X66ACJUtEYdNCzOGlaoklHbiqB0InrUskqD54/s1600/00025n.jpeg" height="400" width="308" /></a></div>
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After the parents or aide {or ME...during my lunch} empty them and put them in order the fill them with anything ready to go home. I also have 5th graders that sometimes pop in my room during their break to help out.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgG5-JIxJwvz908oNbvqS_ZBup1RoAmUaez8A7LxFswQjhY0aihj1lTuj6sDa1cSmTdCewZ3g1LI0klS8KPAwDruhAZFKvosOziYi0umn-Om9azaqBlKnR-jVgW_RaNY2DBSJg3OfUF0d8/s1600/0001nk.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgG5-JIxJwvz908oNbvqS_ZBup1RoAmUaez8A7LxFswQjhY0aihj1lTuj6sDa1cSmTdCewZ3g1LI0klS8KPAwDruhAZFKvosOziYi0umn-Om9azaqBlKnR-jVgW_RaNY2DBSJg3OfUF0d8/s1600/0001nk.jpeg" height="500" width="408" /></a></div>
Or a close up shot:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuw5K-AKh5TQt03XQC0twlcjl-AGoQioDd8i8lHabGrrC47VadjhBR6-hwYG5D1aYOYD9pNSEbBQUcBkzpH27sQeMXFsj79W03Woejb-GSerLVID48sTZefS-p6GmUdElUXklaahrT2Zg/s1600/0001au.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuw5K-AKh5TQt03XQC0twlcjl-AGoQioDd8i8lHabGrrC47VadjhBR6-hwYG5D1aYOYD9pNSEbBQUcBkzpH27sQeMXFsj79W03Woejb-GSerLVID48sTZefS-p6GmUdElUXklaahrT2Zg/s1600/0001au.jpeg" height="408" width="500" /></a></div>
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I have tried this a million ways, but I am happy with just my three tabs in back... my favorite is "extra copies."<br />
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You know when a parent says... do you have another picture day form? or who knows what they need... and I think... hmm, I probably have that in one of my 18 million piles... well now... all I do is....<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiosXyZAFDxriinkcL6E8qBixnPZtuybR6lnrJJ9HX8NzqjU40IQbh8UKeENWZbAuHxAgpV_Gq1xz_KeV43-f-uTuHSP0gTbfc-aflAU813s1LbE4C1FLzGu4uXdKKx47IMrFRro3E2PEM/s1600/0002dp.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiosXyZAFDxriinkcL6E8qBixnPZtuybR6lnrJJ9HX8NzqjU40IQbh8UKeENWZbAuHxAgpV_Gq1xz_KeV43-f-uTuHSP0gTbfc-aflAU813s1LbE4C1FLzGu4uXdKKx47IMrFRro3E2PEM/s1600/0002dp.jpeg" height="408" width="500" /></a></div>
take a peek in Extra Copies.. and it saves me time and makes me appear a bit more organized.<br />
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The daily folder may seem like a lot of work, but I have found it much more effective than a once a week type of thing with the little learners.<br />
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So that is how I organize my home to school connection!<br />
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Now hop on over to my friend Jaime at <a href="http://brightconcepts4teachers.blogspot.com/2015/01/get-organized-perfecting-parent.html" target="_blank">Bright Concepts 4 Teachers</a><br />
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Christy {Crayons and Whimsy}http://www.blogger.com/profile/11056120066853580750noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8232189740655487321.post-36512805913413069532015-01-03T05:00:00.000-08:002015-01-03T10:22:44.358-08:00Winter Pattern Block MathAre you strapped in and ready to go? I don't know about you, but vacation ends in 48 hours for me.<br />
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It was fun while it lasted.... and although I'd be lying if I said I wasn't a little disappointed, I am also glad to see my class and get back in to the routine.<br />
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For the last 2 months I had the same item on my to-do list. Sitting there... and never getting done.<br />
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And finally today it is crossed off :)<br />
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<a href="http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Pattern-Block-Math-Winter-Edition-1628057" target="_blank"><img alt="winter pattern blocks crayons and whimsy math kindergarten" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgErJIZclL3P4zEanw3y1-RYsy7msVRkw7AUV_xzcqtbjjpzuzz7l5bt4X1XxG4IOGTUT-XX2W7rYzPRwU69GVaqiyjEczjcFNcf0_oG8wnuhtOII44TTuM2HyyiyBdMlWl2cBeg0KNRIc/s1600/winter+pattern+blocks+blog.JPG" height="500" title="winter pattern blocks crayons and whimsy math kindergarten" width="500" /></a></div>
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Yes- finally the <a href="http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Pattern-Block-Math-Winter-Edition-1628057" target="_blank">Winter Pattern Block set</a> is done. And yes, the Spring set now will sit on my to-do list!<br />
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Why do I do this? Why do I let it linger for so so long? I started these forever ago. Really... I mean, I even posted 6 weeks ago on Instagram saying I was working on them. So....here we are just 2 short weeks officially in the winter season and they are done! I'm sure we will all sleep better tonight, right?<br />
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This set includes the following winter items:<br />
*hot cocoa<br />
*igloo<br />
*mitten<br />
*penguin<br />
*scarf<br />
*sled<br />
*snow angel<br />
*snowflake<br />
*snowman<br />
*snow shovel<br />
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And don't even talk to me about a pattern block polar bear. Oh it was attempted.... remember the part where I have been working on this for a while. He just never really looked like a polar bear!<br />
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What is new this time is that I made them all available in black and white too.<br />
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This had been a request for some time..... so I made it happen {And yes, I do plan on going back in my other sets including <a href="http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Pattern-Block-Math-Fall-Edition-1457475" target="_blank">Fall</a>, <a href="http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Pattern-Block-Math-Ocean-Animal-Edition-1180640" target="_blank">Ocean</a> and <a href="http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Pattern-Block-Math-Zoo-Animal-Edition-762285" target="_blank">Zoo</a> and adding black and white pages.... but at this rate, you may be looking at 6 weeks until I get to it!!!}<br />
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I printed out one of my black and whites today. I had thought it could be good to have the kids each get their own copy this way and they can trace in the shapes after they complete the item... but that is on the difficult side!<br />
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However, I also thought you could print it out and laminate them just like the color ones. I may mount them on a color piece of construction paper to group the cards by difficulty - just like the color ones already are.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1tTqPR4WdMTGeqzMwYJaNSnpfqQDyGN2TzvGWJ2j-K8qeCk4PIY5gOAaPqxhW12kO7evU7JEUN5bg0kEWbaUVtdEmZno7LY-6Pzy436lnpr_9b0TzD_6qmDZSWmROL68JBry664_4WJQ/s1600/Screen+Shot+2015-01-02+at+11.35.30+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Pattern block penguin winter shapes crayons and whimsy kindergarten math " border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1tTqPR4WdMTGeqzMwYJaNSnpfqQDyGN2TzvGWJ2j-K8qeCk4PIY5gOAaPqxhW12kO7evU7JEUN5bg0kEWbaUVtdEmZno7LY-6Pzy436lnpr_9b0TzD_6qmDZSWmROL68JBry664_4WJQ/s1600/Screen+Shot+2015-01-02+at+11.35.30+PM.png" height="500" title="Pattern block penguin winter shapes crayons and whimsy kindergarten math " width="412" /></a></div>
And I went ahead and just colored in the pattern block shapes before laminating!<br />
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I still prefer the color version.... I like me a little color and design.... but I get it... color ink is pricey! So it's your call.<br />
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I also want to point out.... which if you are thinking, um, Christy, I already know that- sorry.... but it is just important for me to make sure people take into account that most of these designs can be done in many, many different ways.<br />
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So although I offer an "answer key" - it is only just one possible answer.... And my key matches the "use" section that I provide.<br />
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So maybe you want to use these instead:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFEUjuvj0ITPj5HPX8DPOp0ljcQYVMfrAo2YQXSDbD2jbMlRcMLbk7pX5n0XOcb0bZm_Ow2ptOKWRV9nA7y8JsjzcQtICZBMczJcrHKJYHVC8ISQ5r4ccL4tIBIoL9QTVyKqVtOtVPsYU/s1600/Screen+Shot+2015-01-02+at+11.43.17+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFEUjuvj0ITPj5HPX8DPOp0ljcQYVMfrAo2YQXSDbD2jbMlRcMLbk7pX5n0XOcb0bZm_Ow2ptOKWRV9nA7y8JsjzcQtICZBMczJcrHKJYHVC8ISQ5r4ccL4tIBIoL9QTVyKqVtOtVPsYU/s1600/Screen+Shot+2015-01-02+at+11.43.17+PM.png" height="400" width="286" /></a></div>
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With my pattern block sets you always get 4 levels of difficulty... the lavender one shown above is the hardest... just the outline and no clues!</div>
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Another idea is to use one of the easier versions, but when they finish each item the student is to remake the penguin or whatever it may be again- while looking at the one they already did.</div>
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This is perfect for early finishers!! </div>
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Oh, you are done... great! Let's make that penguin yet again!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB9W2AeM5LYY-laMPZQo2jJPDtQQsllfAOsicv-YTO3SpHwqbaPsck6m32g7S-K-XOxhPxgyMXU-r0pkqrejzX4athFzSo-ol5sM24JymVgVL5RfqNKFstDnrUjDM_DBIm1uycp0g0S_k/s1600/Screen+Shot+2015-01-02+at+11.51.55+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="penguin pattern block crayons and whimsy kindergarten math" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB9W2AeM5LYY-laMPZQo2jJPDtQQsllfAOsicv-YTO3SpHwqbaPsck6m32g7S-K-XOxhPxgyMXU-r0pkqrejzX4athFzSo-ol5sM24JymVgVL5RfqNKFstDnrUjDM_DBIm1uycp0g0S_k/s1600/Screen+Shot+2015-01-02+at+11.51.55+PM.png" height="400" title="penguin pattern block crayons and whimsy kindergarten math" width="361" /></a></div>
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And you know what....this is good for them to see and understand how the shapes fit together in different ways.</div>
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And real quick....while we are on the subject of early finishers. Do you know how you have those same 3 kids that are ALWAYS the first ones done? </div>
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Well, what I find when using pattern blocks is that sometimes you will be surprised who you are early ones are. Yep, spatial awareness skills are a bit different than other math skills and so your "usual suspects" may still be working and 3 new players will be the ones to finish first....and very proudly, I might add.</div>
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And last thing... not sure if you can tell in my pictures above.... but I have wooden pattern blocks. I also have the plastic ones which I assume are the more common way these days... but I inherited a set of wooden ones and I LOVE LOVE LOVE them.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQIV5PGmTBNdg_9Al7k9S1swzQxk6r1S_BRzKGcwW58Tmb-FzqJoC-ysZqoFXmCbkzhqwn6TL7JZLR8t2Y1AFle7NIvR2E7Nk3C7aOYBVMJutyFj8BvNzYUOtzmp2Lu2s_muYYXntVTNc/s1600/Screen+Shot+2015-01-03+at+12.12.43+AM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQIV5PGmTBNdg_9Al7k9S1swzQxk6r1S_BRzKGcwW58Tmb-FzqJoC-ysZqoFXmCbkzhqwn6TL7JZLR8t2Y1AFle7NIvR2E7Nk3C7aOYBVMJutyFj8BvNzYUOtzmp2Lu2s_muYYXntVTNc/s1600/Screen+Shot+2015-01-03+at+12.12.43+AM.png" height="210" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="text-align: left;">Look how thick they are.... if I had a plastic one here I would take a picture to compare the two. But on the off chance you are in the market to get new pattern blocks you may want to go wooden. I found some </span><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Learning-Resources-Wooden-Pattern-Blocks/dp/B000F8T8U0" style="text-align: left;" target="_blank">HERE</a><span style="text-align: left;">, but I can't be sure these are the same as mine. What I like, is how sturdy, thick and easy they are for the kids to use. The plastic get the job done too... </span></div>
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And yes, those are <a href="http://christyd.jamberrynails.net/" target="_blank">Jamberry</a> on my nails... and you probably already know... but yes, I am obsessed<br />with them and yes, I am a consultant and yes...<a href="http://christyd.jamberrynails.net/"> I can help you if you want to try them out</a> or learn more :) <br /><br /><br />Anyway, <a href="http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Pattern-Block-Math-Winter-Edition-1628057">this little pattern block ditty </a>is on sale until Sunday night for 20% off!<br /><br />If you are heading back to the trenches on Monday morning like me. I wish you luck and I wish you the time in the morning to make a Starbucks run... you'll need it! Or I guess I am speaking for myself.... it is better for everyone if I have my coffee!</div>
Christy {Crayons and Whimsy}http://www.blogger.com/profile/11056120066853580750noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8232189740655487321.post-79879059131552126442014-12-30T10:16:00.003-08:002014-12-30T10:18:50.818-08:00One Word Resolution LinkyOne word resolutions.... I like this.<br />
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It is short and sweet. And I can stop with my yearly, "Drink more water" resolution that I never seem to actually do.....which makes me think I should run and get a glass of water right now!<br />
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Ok so it was easy for me to pick my word....<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2BnPi19lO7vfhnhnw57qLiYl82eTLzeKF5_zhjGuLAeo1ge4yfdS4vsxxzfad3ouA4FxGOpqzIHKocF6HurEPIveGD77XCJE9SQPtK7zOpRjzfr3sHIQLO5YH5aRu1eOH9egVh5Cq8pE/s1600/Screen+Shot+2014-12-30+at+9.59.29+AM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2BnPi19lO7vfhnhnw57qLiYl82eTLzeKF5_zhjGuLAeo1ge4yfdS4vsxxzfad3ouA4FxGOpqzIHKocF6HurEPIveGD77XCJE9SQPtK7zOpRjzfr3sHIQLO5YH5aRu1eOH9egVh5Cq8pE/s1600/Screen+Shot+2014-12-30+at+9.59.29+AM.jpg" height="397" width="400" /></a></div>
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Yes, prioritize my life and find balance......<br />
Sometimes I know what my priorities should be, but somehow I find myself using my time for a variety of other random things.<br />
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I also want to make myself a priority. If that happens, well then it is possible that I may actually exercise, drink water and read.... again, those are all things that normally feature on my resolution list. So if I say them year after year I know I want them to happen.<br />
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So here is to 2015! I hope to prioritize my classroom life with my personal life.... plus a find a nugget of time for blogging and creating... and keep selling my<a href="http://christyd.jamberrynails.net/" target="_blank"> Jamberry nails</a> that I love.<br />
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I hope to cut back on Candy Crush and volunteering for random duties and commitments.<br />
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There you have it! Stop by the lovely collaborative blog, <a href="http://primarypowers.blogspot.com/2014/12/one-word-resolutions-linky.html" target="_blank">Primary Powers</a> for more 2015 inspiration!Christy {Crayons and Whimsy}http://www.blogger.com/profile/11056120066853580750noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8232189740655487321.post-59338779015847791772014-12-05T00:35:00.002-08:002014-12-05T00:37:12.979-08:00Come Say Hi to Me at Primary PowersOnce again it my turn to blog over at<br />
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<a href="http://primarypowers.blogspot.com/2014/12/a-christmas-carol-graphing-freebie.html" target="_blank"><img alt="Primary Powers" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHxe3xYamDxgJnPCmwKJmcOUY5vft5_lF11JsTZLfz6DbRS_fgtVp3mRfMRqRNUmVesnaOIGDNYNBNk1dO2RWSk31wOZLw3rDssEkf6UD7yKzytdIiYY4uCz8cSql2Ixy06-JDA7pb-SI/s1600/Button.png" style="border: none;" /></a></div>
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So I would love if you could come visit me!<br />
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And there is a freebie...<br />
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Want some clues about the type of freebie?<br />
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*It's for math<br />
*It is holiday themed.<br />
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Enough with the clues....... you gotta hop on over!<br />
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<a href="http://primarypowers.blogspot.com/2014/12/a-christmas-carol-graphing-freebie.html" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhouJEqr7m9-ZazJFRLVNx3OMEqXKkCbPSrrQey-mREYEgA_VKS4DzpHOV7brEsChDKeQTKm26gA0K7XDxeQK_TU2myEWXpP08PHdPf8IGOxlvHQ0NfRZjJSIx9DAInoik1QVp-2ewYC9E/s1600/Screen+Shot+2014-12-05+at+12.32.58+AM.png" height="332" width="400" /></a></div>
I spy "too good of a clue" in that screen shot above..... uh oh! Just <a href="http://primarypowers.blogspot.com/2014/12/a-christmas-carol-graphing-freebie.html" target="_blank">hop over!</a><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgATS8EWVQz4JgfAX1jpFyafBYMHcOLiX04qokp5uv7ZmaBMET6OaHyLwOYAi5lRIlH7YuPVHbG8Rrd8SANArEUwjs2LKIdqH0vU8-jlW9ZagUsiymwpYyh8aFRfHfd2ovZ6ih5UpO7rTs/s1600/Christy.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgATS8EWVQz4JgfAX1jpFyafBYMHcOLiX04qokp5uv7ZmaBMET6OaHyLwOYAi5lRIlH7YuPVHbG8Rrd8SANArEUwjs2LKIdqH0vU8-jlW9ZagUsiymwpYyh8aFRfHfd2ovZ6ih5UpO7rTs/s1600/Christy.png" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
Christy {Crayons and Whimsy}http://www.blogger.com/profile/11056120066853580750noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8232189740655487321.post-39633300123130010012014-11-29T05:00:00.000-08:002014-11-29T09:47:54.370-08:00Cyber Monday Blog Hop Stop Nineteen<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Today my friends at <a href="http://primarypowers.blogspot.com/2014/11/cyber-monday-blog-hop-final-stop.html" target="_blank">Primary Powers</a> are joining super forces with <a href="http://www.gonoodle.com/?ref_id=primarypowers" target="_blank">GoNoodle!</a> </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEJZDlG04OCnvWXbS_hZGlrEPdx4QtHysoHzyD5aEM2QkpS7X9D_UwGTlkCISCHFS1KvNw26iZJgB3rPOICOLouuV1P3_6AnLt-0KH8jW3ztYcOg2zgN-0CWhsi-bVeqCz77tzVHldAZU/s1600/Screen+Shot+2014-11-22+at+4.10.09+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEJZDlG04OCnvWXbS_hZGlrEPdx4QtHysoHzyD5aEM2QkpS7X9D_UwGTlkCISCHFS1KvNw26iZJgB3rPOICOLouuV1P3_6AnLt-0KH8jW3ztYcOg2zgN-0CWhsi-bVeqCz77tzVHldAZU/s1600/Screen+Shot+2014-11-22+at+4.10.09+PM.png" height="335" width="500" /></a></div>
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<span style="text-align: center;">You have landed at Stop #19.</span></div>
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I'm sure by now you have heard of GoNoodle. I first heard about it last school year and am so glad to have it featured in my classroom.</div>
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At first I just threw it on from time to time... when I remembered... when we had a few extra minutes or when both me and the kiddos were about to pull our hair out that we needed a break from it all.</div>
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This school year I decided to make it more of a staple. Why not? The kids beg for it... it helps them refocus themselves... it's FREE {I should have mentioned that one sooner... but yes, it's FREE} and easy.</div>
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So I have made <a href="http://www.gonoodle.com/?ref_id=primarypowers" target="_blank">GoNoodle</a> a part of my calendar routine. This may shock some of you, but I don't do my calendar first thing in the morning.... that will need to be a whole different post to explain the why and how of that and how it was even controversial with myself {if that sentence even makes sense!} when I first moved my calendar chunk.</div>
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But I did. </div>
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And now we do calendar in the afternoon on some days and on other days it falls between recess and lunch. {Yes, even crazier that it varies day to day depending on our other obligations and specials}</div>
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Anyway, back to GoNoodle. I wanted this awesomeness to be a regular occurrence and not just arbitrary mainly because when you are five years old a week is like a lifetime and each day is even so darn long. So when the kids would ask me, "Mrs. Donnelly are we doing GoNoodle today?" and my answer was, "no, but maybe tomorrow" that was just a lifetime away for them...and note the key word, "maybe."</div>
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Now, we will come in from recess- have our writing lesson and then back to the carpet for calendar. The kids are dying at this point... dreaming of lunch {as their teacher dreams of how she will be making a mad dash to Starbucks} and wishing they could tell time in order to be informed of how much longer they have to sit still and be still.....</div>
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That's the cue for GoNoodle. We're up, shaking it and having fun. Then we can calm ourselves and resume our learning.</div>
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GoNoodle videos range from 2 minutes to about 10 minutes. I would say the ones me and my kinders view are usually about 2-4 minutes. Just long enough to be silly and give our brain a break. Other bloggers in this hop are going to tell you about all the skills you can reinforce using GoNoodle and more... but me and my little guys...we use it to dance, wiggle, and be silly.</div>
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And guess what... after we do that... we are ready to learn once more!</div>
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Same deal on the days that we have calendar/GoNoodle after lunch.... only difference is they are hoping for dismissal. In kindergarten, I get the old, "Is it time to go home yet?" as we are walking in from lunch. </div>
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Um, no.... the poor things have no memory of how the last 50 days of school have been...or they are in denial. But no, it's not even close to going home time.</div>
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I allow my "Catch of the Day" {my special helper of the day} to choose which GoNoodle video we are doing. </div>
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This choice I made in September is haunting me... okay those words are extreme... but let me say it has a pro and a con.</div>
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The pro is that it eliminates a lot of complaining from the others - they just know the pattern - and they know when it is their day then they can pick. But today... Shh! Not your decision! {and in the end they love every second of every video!}</div>
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So the con... the part "haunting me" as I may have exaggerated earlier is that I have found we only do a total of about 4 videos... they have their favorites as I am sure you can imagine.</div>
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And no one seems willing to choose a risky new video. So sometimes their teacher perhaps is wishing for variety and maybe I will have to stop the the part where they get to choose or I will let them choose from a select list. </div>
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Now please know this isn't GoNoodle's fault- oh no... they offer so many different choices and genres ....... from the silly, to the ones helping to teach vocabulary or other skills to Zumba and seasonal favorites and more and more and more... </div>
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Most of my class GoNoodle time has this guy: </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqlyttPHRxT9hc1q58G9lM7NwI_qZPh9A6C6mGkx6SZLL93fMc5_k7fkJ9QF8B0_R_6N-ucjf1GQLsk70YmjVy5mdYWzp-5rLs8dt-5IFui4wipryO-TUp5lPa7cOn2Y3Y2nwSJ08KoTQ/s1600/Screen+Shot+2014-11-28+at+8.50.17+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqlyttPHRxT9hc1q58G9lM7NwI_qZPh9A6C6mGkx6SZLL93fMc5_k7fkJ9QF8B0_R_6N-ucjf1GQLsk70YmjVy5mdYWzp-5rLs8dt-5IFui4wipryO-TUp5lPa7cOn2Y3Y2nwSJ08KoTQ/s1600/Screen+Shot+2014-11-28+at+8.50.17+PM.png" height="302" width="400" /></a></div>
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They love him....and yes, usually his eyes are open. And if it isn't him you see Maximo with his accent and different colored shoes.</div>
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Personally my favorite one right now is the most random cat video ever: Kitty High Five! </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcGOH1Fytw2UWDg3qHXrDbGgAFdLSnZyW4SMkklyz5DDH8JK4Ihc9LVQoFiEqqKiAJ9OSFuKZKyQpUiiWg_jvtP5cCk_FCu3_Q-rpx2aLp0IPS7VZk5yf0bN-rCvTmHbeMiZHempZRUtw/s1600/Screen+Shot+2014-11-29+at+9.47.15+AM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcGOH1Fytw2UWDg3qHXrDbGgAFdLSnZyW4SMkklyz5DDH8JK4Ihc9LVQoFiEqqKiAJ9OSFuKZKyQpUiiWg_jvtP5cCk_FCu3_Q-rpx2aLp0IPS7VZk5yf0bN-rCvTmHbeMiZHempZRUtw/s1600/Screen+Shot+2014-11-29+at+9.47.15+AM.png" height="221" width="400" /></a></div>
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Why are cat videos so popular? Who knows... but apparently they work on me and my class too. {I secretly want to keep writing about this cat video and how the the cat is in a casserole dish and more... but that is odd and not the point....}</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihNDGUK1Ky9giuPdganTjawcB-WrAe0MSA1vrtGjF8jQIw2Sxnl7tyP0ddLWI9b166UJHNzApSGAoMZZeK2tSUo-MKCETbB97R-rQUESQ2gNTT04vbOuOjGVLkGq4x-_Y7Do25i6dwr4c/s1600/Screen+Shot+2014-11-29+at+9.47.31+AM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihNDGUK1Ky9giuPdganTjawcB-WrAe0MSA1vrtGjF8jQIw2Sxnl7tyP0ddLWI9b166UJHNzApSGAoMZZeK2tSUo-MKCETbB97R-rQUESQ2gNTT04vbOuOjGVLkGq4x-_Y7Do25i6dwr4c/s1600/Screen+Shot+2014-11-29+at+9.47.31+AM.png" height="226" width="400" /></a></div>
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If my littles are having an awesome day OR if it is raining then I will fit in a second GoNoodle mini chunk of time where I get to choose.....and yes, it is always a time for me to promote something brand new- hoping it will then be added to our kid-picked repertoire. </div>
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But even without variety- GoNoodle has done wonders for my class. It truly is a "brain break" and the kiddos are truly ready to jump back in to learning after these magical few minutes!</div>
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My most recent GoNoodle "A ha moment" was to use it during nap time!!!</div>
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Do you have nap or rest? We do for the first few months of kindergarten....aka NOW! There is one GoNoodle<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"> video called "Safe and Calm" that I all play now to kick off nap time once in a while. In this case I don't even show the video, I just play the audio for them since they are lying on their mats and I need their little heads to be calm and not twisting all around to see a screen. It's been just another great way to use GoNoodle in my room.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="text-align: center;">Starting on Cyber Monday, </span><span style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.gonoodle.com/?ref_id=primarypowers" target="_blank">GoNoodle</a></span><span style="text-align: center;"> is also offering all Primary Powers readers 30% purchases from the </span><u style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://shop.gonoodle.com/">GoNoodle</a></u><u style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://shop.gonoodle.com/"> Shop</a></u><span style="text-align: center;"> through December 8! Use the code </span><span style="font-weight: bold; text-align: center;">POWERS30</span><span style="text-align: center;"> at checkout to receive the discount PLUS a special gift from </span><span style="text-align: center;">GoNoodle</span><span style="text-align: center;"> and Primary Powers. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="text-align: center;">In addition to new t-shirts, tumblers, and other goodies for </span><span style="text-align: center;">GoNoodling</span><span style="text-align: center;"> teachers, you can purchase affordable, pre-wrapped gift packs for students to bring a little </span><span style="text-align: center;">GoNoodle</span><span style="text-align: center;"> love to your classroom this holiday.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">So - before you go I have some GoNoodle swag. Yep, that right.... you can win 5 GoNoodle Lanyards!</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbnI7lkmmdGH_ZuHX65cl_mhtpdaslmZj0Xr1snhvbFpKVM5Cc_-Q88CPpTN0e2zHu2Wl-PMkryU8PtUw32uW2HgzQRj-M9I_D4ribUgzKaJ_yhT9YjzZ8uIacBesL7NNGmwRpbVyJv3k/s1600/Screen+Shot+2014-11-23+at+7.26.49+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbnI7lkmmdGH_ZuHX65cl_mhtpdaslmZj0Xr1snhvbFpKVM5Cc_-Q88CPpTN0e2zHu2Wl-PMkryU8PtUw32uW2HgzQRj-M9I_D4ribUgzKaJ_yhT9YjzZ8uIacBesL7NNGmwRpbVyJv3k/s1600/Screen+Shot+2014-11-23+at+7.26.49+PM.png" height="400" width="235" /></a></div>
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<a class="rcptr" data-raflid="38abcf9718" data-template="" data-theme="classic" href="http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/38abcf9718/" id="rcwidget_kvmr9m31" rel="nofollow">a Rafflecopter giveaway</a> </div>
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Next up, my friend <a href="http://mysillyfirsties.blogspot.com/2014/11/cyber-monday-blog-hop-stop-20.html" target="_blank">Haley at stop 20</a> would like to share with you how you can use GoNoodle to review skills! </div>
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And yes....she will have a giveaway too! And don't forget to stop by <a href="http://primarypowers.blogspot.com/2014/11/cyber-monday-blog-hop-final-stop.html" target="_blank">Primary Powers</a> for the BIG giveaway!</div>
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<a href="http://mysillyfirsties.blogspot.com/2014/11/cyber-monday-blog-hop-stop-20.html" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjq2JuKfJlqYkpi07f6ArLsP-wQYRLkTWVA_Qz8OkwEGjhUVH8WUOPCCOs8B9r9sH3iET2Kqw5xl4Kh95LY4Q8ZNPrA0sEFTxdS6yg5KPK0h9U_0pIm8QDBDbiKUyqgq4HnboPobzXxnLo/s1600/Screen+Shot+2014-11-22+at+4.19.54+PM.png" /></a></div>
Christy {Crayons and Whimsy}http://www.blogger.com/profile/11056120066853580750noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8232189740655487321.post-41051845880543431642014-11-24T13:45:00.001-08:002014-11-24T13:45:57.086-08:00Introducing Colvie Creations {plus a Giveaway!}Today's post is 100% not school related. <br />
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I guess that is my way of celebrating Day 1 of Thanksgiving vacation... and if you aren't on vacation...sorry, but why not pretend you are.... and stick with me for a fun giveaway....<br />
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I'm teaming up with a super talented friend, Renee Koschnick, who makes the most amazing wooden decorations for your home...or your classroom!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0arm_Odbp3ni5vtzMZQuVc4Ei_gnetBnB01AvUnXmoPC_at7kWSgotW21vaQexq5gcertU2skrDcLc1cBP1rKHVLEJ5HR_evRYw2kV8iPjcM7fNBUc1ajFo52JiB-iAGVbg1k_vuqpgg/s1600/Screen+Shot+2014-11-24+at+12.03.51+PM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0arm_Odbp3ni5vtzMZQuVc4Ei_gnetBnB01AvUnXmoPC_at7kWSgotW21vaQexq5gcertU2skrDcLc1cBP1rKHVLEJ5HR_evRYw2kV8iPjcM7fNBUc1ajFo52JiB-iAGVbg1k_vuqpgg/s1600/Screen+Shot+2014-11-24+at+12.03.51+PM.jpg" height="370" width="400" /></a></div>
She used to be a kindergarten teacher.... but now stays home with her little ones.<br />
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Renee is beyond talented and creates adorable cuteness for her shop, <a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/ColvieCreations" target="_blank">Colvie Creations</a>! The name Colvie is the darling combination of her two little ones.... Colton and Sylvie.<br />
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You can find her on <a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/ColvieCreations" target="_blank">Etsy</a>, <a href="https://www.facebook.com/colviecreations" target="_blank">Facebook </a>and <a href="http://instagram.com/colviecreations" target="_blank">Instagram</a> and RIGHT HERE on Crayons and Whimsy. And yes, you can WIN one of her holiday creations!<br />
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This lady has products for all 365 days of the year... but today I am focusing on some of her holiday ones. But first, let me share a few others....<br />
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<a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/207778703/i-love-you-signwooden-sign-for-loved-one?ref=shop_home_active_20" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixz7OUnrSvU0eBU83rrkUkcGIWvT12eJYmIg8ck_jhAw2ux6rZdurViFeK2ZLHQC2SoCoE_QYnZ5dhqlVnzaHDh6J4nR-2DzOIeVGh8NHT5GKha3lREWCyv8C6qRDqhoEA6mg-EDUck1M/s1600/Screen+Shot+2014-11-24+at+12.16.47+PM.jpg" height="234" width="320" /></a></div>
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And how great would this be as a gift? {just click the image for more information}</div>
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<a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/191827318/first-we-had-each-other-then-we-had-you?ref=shop_home_active_15" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuTH5xOEIqk86xtXRQztC0uSCZ2P1Q7OfgNnx8sUIuMgN_FPmJk1iJcvyoiWUO_rkWA6UJqmnFmC3vJJp0ZFuSMpOrF5Gg-usocIPM1V_gDJ_w0-JmJChon-lvvIaMsWvDkVWPSdwAr7Y/s1600/Screen+Shot+2014-11-24+at+12.25.00+PM.jpg" height="400" width="233" /></a></div>
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Renee explained to me that creating all of this is her new outlet and helps takes the place of the creative fun she used to have in kindergarten. But let me tell you that if I were to stop teaching kindergarten I would not be capable of creating this goodness...</div>
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and probably some type of injury would occur... we are talking wood...and saws and well, injury!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6GVkDwymiwpLN0GFIobskErpGau-GdPOCkQmRUwFySmlzCoHHSSUabr_3Mr-3ilGWa-7wqOX9CPoqw2lAhkBO1djXThj3ll9NJ0jl7Esp6tF9ushFQuk4YrtKECLIkWQx_3OfeT2vEz8/s1600/Screen+Shot+2014-11-24+at+11.54.08+AM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6GVkDwymiwpLN0GFIobskErpGau-GdPOCkQmRUwFySmlzCoHHSSUabr_3Mr-3ilGWa-7wqOX9CPoqw2lAhkBO1djXThj3ll9NJ0jl7Esp6tF9ushFQuk4YrtKECLIkWQx_3OfeT2vEz8/s1600/Screen+Shot+2014-11-24+at+11.54.08+AM.jpg" height="320" width="275" /></a></div>
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Please take a look at those antlers! I LOVE LOVE this trio!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSLtTRIbZcKg3t92KWwHRb4oZuIl96aW6QD9OnHB54Rx4KVGuDfvScFlxcCFPkhWkB9NqJtd7wRyIQfLi1jtF06RkFWGUdXD2Ffyv379J8x0jxrGQT9mcN-te8OSw10ni5jHALqPfNQoQ/s1600/Screen+Shot+2014-11-24+at+11.53.29+AM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSLtTRIbZcKg3t92KWwHRb4oZuIl96aW6QD9OnHB54Rx4KVGuDfvScFlxcCFPkhWkB9NqJtd7wRyIQfLi1jtF06RkFWGUdXD2Ffyv379J8x0jxrGQT9mcN-te8OSw10ni5jHALqPfNQoQ/s1600/Screen+Shot+2014-11-24+at+11.53.29+AM.jpg" height="201" width="320" /></a></div>
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It may be nearly 80 degrees today, but I would still love a snowman sign!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaM4zD_TdU8X1a9Rv7SgxzrZSQYByL84BwGJeV3Vh52DaHHKv7hG8Y-TN0_470Z6z068rIZPwXwSSHAtbsH_XYnKswxT9BlQn208hCvyUAvleBHR15FSc1aFtFMEF6V_omt3Cg0u0Y_t8/s1600/Screen+Shot+2014-11-24+at+11.54.28+AM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaM4zD_TdU8X1a9Rv7SgxzrZSQYByL84BwGJeV3Vh52DaHHKv7hG8Y-TN0_470Z6z068rIZPwXwSSHAtbsH_XYnKswxT9BlQn208hCvyUAvleBHR15FSc1aFtFMEF6V_omt3Cg0u0Y_t8/s1600/Screen+Shot+2014-11-24+at+11.54.28+AM.jpg" height="255" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjedVxsvtK31csaMBnhrMhd7kgvqqdf7ouf_A-__JfY_49_nPtrzWFoJFy5RqA8i4-YoK9rKl6Qj17_LVsYHf7qu2gHO8ZXT91aqwMKzHd_fbtCRsG_RgB0XO2phIQtCoI3vUBj4fpigdA/s1600/Screen+Shot+2014-11-24+at+11.54.48+AM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjedVxsvtK31csaMBnhrMhd7kgvqqdf7ouf_A-__JfY_49_nPtrzWFoJFy5RqA8i4-YoK9rKl6Qj17_LVsYHf7qu2gHO8ZXT91aqwMKzHd_fbtCRsG_RgB0XO2phIQtCoI3vUBj4fpigdA/s1600/Screen+Shot+2014-11-24+at+11.54.48+AM.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
I personally own this countdown sign... yes, that's a chalk board for you to be doing that counting.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicvnyfeNbbn6l8nFs52swPOkvOkwaOAmujcaoWklr7_TrWMxBAs3GqRUZlInElHcKxogDHqolAP9O8opCGCPVys2OBEOQ-W8GeSswP053unwx1Vz_SdrEFeLDlNCaJCFDwmSva_cdV8Zw/s1600/Screen+Shot+2014-11-24+at+11.53.51+AM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicvnyfeNbbn6l8nFs52swPOkvOkwaOAmujcaoWklr7_TrWMxBAs3GqRUZlInElHcKxogDHqolAP9O8opCGCPVys2OBEOQ-W8GeSswP053unwx1Vz_SdrEFeLDlNCaJCFDwmSva_cdV8Zw/s1600/Screen+Shot+2014-11-24+at+11.53.51+AM.jpg" height="217" width="320" /></a></div>
So it's giveaway time. Renee and I are excited to send this Jingle All the Way sign to one lucky winner. And yes, that's a real jingle bell on there. Although I can't promise it is straight from Santa's sleigh Polar Express style.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWpczcKOCyHnbMq42Ryry9VFkthIxPOM8bYly_TDOmGzhEi6c3jGGcnKye3lzg8spDBgYI_m-4XluVy8w0mtGn5PXHJcObKP22eqs4MRl67bLoSVa96QM1ewGvXmu1CTB_17fEsaowDcw/s1600/Screen+Shot+2014-11-24+at+11.53.07+AM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWpczcKOCyHnbMq42Ryry9VFkthIxPOM8bYly_TDOmGzhEi6c3jGGcnKye3lzg8spDBgYI_m-4XluVy8w0mtGn5PXHJcObKP22eqs4MRl67bLoSVa96QM1ewGvXmu1CTB_17fEsaowDcw/s1600/Screen+Shot+2014-11-24+at+11.53.07+AM.jpg" height="231" width="400" /></a></div>
Want this? Of course you do.... just enter below.....<br />
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And if you want one of these other holiday creations you may not find them in her store- but just send her an email at colviecreations@gmail.com and let her know you saw them here and she will be happy to help you out!<br />
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<script src="//widget-prime.rafflecopter.com/launch.js"></script>Christy {Crayons and Whimsy}http://www.blogger.com/profile/11056120066853580750noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8232189740655487321.post-79084454320592841352014-11-23T04:00:00.000-08:002014-11-23T04:00:02.610-08:00Weekend Warriors: Sunday Edition<br />
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If you read <a href="http://crayonsandwhimsy.blogspot.com/2014/11/weekend-warriors-november-necessities.html" target="_blank">my post yesterday</a> I did a huge shout out to TpT and I got a little defensive. I couldn't help myself. Once in a while I hear some negativity about TpT and well... I gotta defend things I LOVE.<br />
<br />
So today I was back to the drawing board... what is a "necessity" in my life? And not only that...but one that maybe you can benefit from as well.<br />
<br />
And then my husband chimed in with his two cents........balance!<br />
<br />
It takes the help of my hubby to have balance in my life because I am not good at it....so although I do feel it is a necessity.... it is also a goal I am constantly aiming for.<br />
<br />
As teachers we put 110% of ourselves into our classroom and I have learned over the years that I need to make sure to make time for me.<br />
<br />
I am a better teacher {and person overall} when things are balanced. When I have made time to hang out with friends, just sit and watch TV and when I actually exercise.<br />
<br />
Between teaching, blogging, <a href="http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/Crayons-And-Whimsy" target="_blank">creating teaching products</a> and selling<a href="http://christyd.jamberrynails.net/" target="_blank"> Jamberry nail wraps</a> I sometimes find myself working, working and ...........more working.<br />
<br />
But when I am exercising, sleeping more than 5 hours and having ME time I think that makes me better when I am actually working. And I think it makes for a healthier lifestyle.<br />
<br />
So you may see the word balance pop up here again as I set my New Year's Resolutions...because maintaining balance doesn't come naturally to me... but I believe in its importance.<br />
<br />
<br />
Hop on over to some of these blogs below to see what is on their November Necessity list!<br />
<br />
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<!-- inlinkz code end -->Christy {Crayons and Whimsy}http://www.blogger.com/profile/11056120066853580750noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8232189740655487321.post-69617790715789606042014-11-22T04:00:00.000-08:002014-11-22T04:00:03.982-08:00Weekend Warriors: November Necessities Weekend Warriors are back.....<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTmvvWQKTf_ON8IZB23Tulgnb84s4mkzcY0nyAM3OHYJ60nZl1jaskbVbss7Z_3ErptB1wv9SUE7OgMBak-23_3gvMK5Vokmh97E9SLwibB2A6-X739G0JlOcbfcHKlkpq7hSPgTt8MF0/s1600/weekend+warrior+november.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTmvvWQKTf_ON8IZB23Tulgnb84s4mkzcY0nyAM3OHYJ60nZl1jaskbVbss7Z_3ErptB1wv9SUE7OgMBak-23_3gvMK5Vokmh97E9SLwibB2A6-X739G0JlOcbfcHKlkpq7hSPgTt8MF0/s320/weekend+warrior+november.jpg" width="519" /></a></div>
So I am not sure why, but this Weekend Warriors theme stumped me at first.<br />
<br />
What do I need?<br />
<br />
There are obvious answers like...coffee, love, weekends..... and then there are other answers that are "so me" and if you stop by here often you may be able to guess what they are.... TRAVELING, <a href="http://christyd.jamberrynails.net/" target="_blank">Jamberry</a> and shopping...so... no need to expand on those.<br />
<br />
Then I thought...what do I truly rely on...what makes my life easier???<br />
<br />
And although this answer may be a bit obvious too, I decided it had to be the winner! That response would be... TpT!<br />
<br />
Yep, I MUST have <a href="http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/Crayons-And-Whimsy" target="_blank">Teachers Pay Teachers</a> in my life! And I have wanted to share my opinion on this topic for a while.<br />
<br />
With new curriculum maps and Common Core being implemented in every subject area I often find that TpT is my life saver!<br />
<br />
I create so many of my own things, but I really like using materials from a variety of teachers..... I feel like everyone has their own style and it is good for the kids {and me!} to be exposed to a variety of authors and creators.<br />
<br />
There are also only so many hours in a day. Sometimes after planning for my reading groups I need just one more extension activity for my high group or low group.... or one more craft for my social studies unit.... and how great that I can search, buy, then download something awesome.<br />
<br />
I am sure you work LONG hours in your classroom, like me....like all of us. And TpT has allowed me to have just a little bit more of my own time back....I am still slightly overwhelmed and perma-stressed from September to June.... but TpT is helping a little!<br />
<br />
I know there are some people out there who criticize TpT - or at least the idea behind it. They think each teacher should create all their own lessons. They feel that teachers are "cheating" or being lazy by using this amazing resource. They say that each class is unique and you should create your own lessons to match exactly your classroom.<br />
<br />
And, let's be real about it.<br />
<br />
The Common Core standards are the same across the board. The kids are all very different and as a professional it is my job to deliver the instruction in a way that is appropriate for my particular students....but the instruction itself can be the same.<br />
<br />
In most cases teachers also have a text book or some type of official program from a publishing company. Why hasn't anyone criticized the fact that some teachers just follow the text book page by page by boring page? I could argue that perhaps the "lazy" teacher is the one who does only that and not that the teacher out there trying to find a hands on way to illustrate a new concept. Or the one willing to take a leap and try and new approach?<br />
<br />
I use TpT as a place to get cute bulletin board ideas or crafts as well...... I have my own style- but sometimes I like to spice it up and use someone else's clever and cute idea. To me, it is exciting that I can find adorable-ness from someone half way across the world. And just a few short years ago that wasn't possible.<br />
<br />
As both a seller and buyer on TpT I know that someone can create a unit that meets standards and they have their particular students in mind. Another teacher can purchase that unit, meet standards, but adjust what is necessary to meet the needs of her little ones.<br />
<br />
The Common Core curriculum asks the kids to work collaboratively and I believe that TpT allows teachers to do the same. I become a better teacher by creating and sharing my own lessons as well as buying from the many talented teachers out there.<br />
<br />
I love that technology allows TpT to exist.<br />
<br />
For those who don't love TpT, I just want to point out that 15 years ago the idea of "being lazy or cheating" existed in the form of going to your local teacher supply store. And getting a magazine called "Mailbox" which I actually had a subscription to my first few years of teaching. I would be so excited to see what new ideas it would have for me. I really looked forward to getting that puppy in the mail because I craved stimulation and new ideas...not because I was lazy, but because I wanted to provide the best overall experience for my students.<br />
<br />
My goal is still the same. I am just so excited to have TpT to help me out.<br />
<br />
I didn't really mean for this post to turn into a rant.... but as you can see...I went from not being sure what my November Necessity was to being very passionate about what I believe to be one of the best resources of our time.<br />
<br />
Thank you<a href="http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/Crayons-And-Whimsy" target="_blank"> TpT!</a><br />
<br />
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Christy {Crayons and Whimsy}http://www.blogger.com/profile/11056120066853580750noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8232189740655487321.post-5501474473265344022014-11-18T20:25:00.000-08:002014-11-18T20:25:05.039-08:00Corn Counting FreebieJust a short post with a lot of freebie goodness!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEje6sDYz0I54XCMZJ4Qyu2r6rHBj7igaF-xthhCLOXNBnMUhGFepovIkzoe5Q9rZrqC4xxWTvJdZQzIR-CHNZ_55JRQcFlARWXfe5ULVWWzLDFQt7v7WwPh5FwAg7zRs9tklxOxYG61sLA/s1600/Screen+Shot+2014-11-18+at+8.20.25+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Crayons and Whimsy Corn Counting Kindergarten Math Freebie" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEje6sDYz0I54XCMZJ4Qyu2r6rHBj7igaF-xthhCLOXNBnMUhGFepovIkzoe5Q9rZrqC4xxWTvJdZQzIR-CHNZ_55JRQcFlARWXfe5ULVWWzLDFQt7v7WwPh5FwAg7zRs9tklxOxYG61sLA/s1600/Screen+Shot+2014-11-18+at+8.20.25+PM.png" height="405" title="Crayons and Whimsy Corn Counting Kindergarten Math Freebie" width="420" /></a></div>
Stopping by to share a little freebie that was fun to use as we learned about Native Americans and the first Thanksgiving.<br />
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Our math program has been hitting numbers 1-10 hard these last two months. I wanted to give them independent practice that was hands on....and also practicing our glue rules... you know,<br />
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"Just a dot...not a lot....put it in the right spot."<br />
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And then somehow the entire bottle of glue is on the table? Does that sound familiar?<br />
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Actually that didn't happen this time. It has happened, it could happen, but luckily, it didn't happen!<br />
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So in case you need a little number/fine motor/how to use glue practice then <a href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B7RwpXSUSThMbUtDejhDMThOQWM/view?usp=sharing" target="_blank">here you go</a>...oh and I included the version shown above {numbers 6-11} as well as one with numbers 12-17.<br />
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<a href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B7RwpXSUSThMbUtDejhDMThOQWM/view?usp=sharing" target="_blank"><img alt="math kindergarten corn counting crayons and whimsy" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVIw3YsNGIRLYSJMhS5HQfQthMgebUnTWs8JEC6bzqMw7yvXiMm_IAftPVFlkRVvw7hj5tHP7RGJMden_SFUOEMlyzWkq90Fgxb6JL-bakxJ9rbqmZRuUcJs3OP8tQisZ6oQWnZXnGVf4/s1600/corn+counting1.jpg" height="400" title="math kindergarten corn counting crayons and whimsy" width="500" /></a></div>
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Speaking of FREEBIES... my favorite November story I use in class is a FOREVER FREEBIE in my TpT store. It is <a href="http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/The-Night-Before-Thanksgiving-972978" target="_blank">The Night Before Thanksgiving </a>and it is a great little retell for this time of year. Hop on over to my store and snag it today! And <a href="http://crayonsandwhimsy.blogspot.com/2013/11/the-night-before-thanksgiving.html" target="_blank">RIGHT HERE</a> you can find an old blog post to tell you even more about it!<br />
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<a href="http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/The-Night-Before-Thanksgiving-972978" target="_blank"><img alt="Night before thanksgiving Crayons and Whimsy" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxjHBmhNMdFbVQ2p_n2BnrvsXxcTqgJznrKTr50LFKESufJzzfrAR3fOXPK83Qe0QtdTdp5pahmh6PnkMrSD46a-_HPt0B3AcL28JNLzA5yprXq0PyinwVAOcX6EVmZ6Wou7vvKPhATiA/s1600/Screen+Shot+2014-11-18+at+8.22.23+PM.png" height="500" title="Night before thanksgiving Crayons and Whimsy" width="498" /></a></div>
Christy {Crayons and Whimsy}http://www.blogger.com/profile/11056120066853580750noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8232189740655487321.post-88424247585820102014-11-13T06:00:00.000-08:002014-11-13T23:20:26.990-08:00Super Thankful Thread<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://primarypowers.blogspot.com/2014/11/super-thankful-thread-linky.html" target="_blank"><br /><img border="0" height="500" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCNiM0jExOn_c2TKtKfcbZOLpUxFi_roowo_hd8xUq8NeIrb4NbNzdSGEuFK70A_K0H2cnNSKSL-82HDc2NmNV7vPtNervbxoJQpaDA3KpTboAk1J1kXsB2bIOXydl9qJOJ0bO5aGZCcw/s400/super+thakful+button.jpg" width="500" /></a></div>
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I am proud {and thankful} to be part of the new collaborative blog, <a href="http://primarypowers.blogspot.com/2014/11/super-thankful-thread-linky.html" target="_blank">Primary Powers</a>!</div>
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We are linking up to share what we are all SUPER thankful for! And we are also inviting other bloggers to link up too... let's all be thankful together!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX8gXKN0Vgg9__y2L23e6nacA1royYbyT6WmmmXOlyM-IGyc_p5qOJZFErSL-X-8JFdJWuSEEJ2gELGje8Wm3E_4v5LFFbk3EK6L3_k6Sk0F2jiha8HnXX7MYaKMcg99P1jCOgS6CUJgo/s1600/pic+1+thanks.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX8gXKN0Vgg9__y2L23e6nacA1royYbyT6WmmmXOlyM-IGyc_p5qOJZFErSL-X-8JFdJWuSEEJ2gELGje8Wm3E_4v5LFFbk3EK6L3_k6Sk0F2jiha8HnXX7MYaKMcg99P1jCOgS6CUJgo/s400/pic+1+thanks.jpg" width="519" /></a></div>
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This doesn't showcase my whole family who I love, but just a few....especially since that little baby inside my sister's tummy is now one month old!!!</div>
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And as for friends.... let me share this quote from Hello Kitty Con 2014 {P.S. Also thankful I was able to attend!!}</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNY3DckqBcCp0mkYxp43R7CiFXc9vTtAI2sFdw7lgcnygVdxmnqIHHoyFme11eajhYClYPimqw5cUu-x8osQiwDWDUiqeGXReznL2eN1Q-aEgmY7PsgOkqRc5Kih04uR_uN0wNGwWeheM/s1600/Screen+Shot+2014-11-11+at+7.44.28+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNY3DckqBcCp0mkYxp43R7CiFXc9vTtAI2sFdw7lgcnygVdxmnqIHHoyFme11eajhYClYPimqw5cUu-x8osQiwDWDUiqeGXReznL2eN1Q-aEgmY7PsgOkqRc5Kih04uR_uN0wNGwWeheM/s400/Screen+Shot+2014-11-11+at+7.44.28+PM.png" width="519" /></a></div>
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Wise words from HK...don't you think?</div>
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Overall...I have a life that is good. I wake up healthy and happy each day and that should be enough... done! That is what matters.</div>
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But that wouldn't be fun... to end this post here.... no, so I have more for you....</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTiKaI_UxsRpKPWahqKvxLy2tnjeyfCpHzLpWdR2qvDQucYnQ0IhkkGbVmNhs2HX0goOS_tAnrr4hYkNgss9Th_9QJDxbpUphBcEm7Dl-Mdo929OzGuTFPAqc7h8eMsj5GmWi1HXOPUiQ/s1600/thanks+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTiKaI_UxsRpKPWahqKvxLy2tnjeyfCpHzLpWdR2qvDQucYnQ0IhkkGbVmNhs2HX0goOS_tAnrr4hYkNgss9Th_9QJDxbpUphBcEm7Dl-Mdo929OzGuTFPAqc7h8eMsj5GmWi1HXOPUiQ/s400/thanks+2.jpg" width="519" /></a></div>
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<span style="text-align: left;">Yep...I am thankful for vacations and traveling and airplanes and maps and friendly people who help you when you are lost.</span></div>
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This is my friend and I in France just a few months ago. My poor hubby had obligations all summer, but this girl and I have seen so many places around the globe together - we hadn't done a REAL trip in many years but Summer 2014 was our year to do Iceland and France. Amazing.</div>
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Moving on.....</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKBJsKbM21LOAo9g6Bq5rIT-1YSefkhyPStY97IKGw6T_aadxQUtAYzZuVkzE-Z8w3lPSM-oBteeI5lCMGh0H-T07n77WnQxk3vkrapzm9hvuyb4wVhuFteKf-a1mqbqDf2nADKbEOMw4/s1600/thanks+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKBJsKbM21LOAo9g6Bq5rIT-1YSefkhyPStY97IKGw6T_aadxQUtAYzZuVkzE-Z8w3lPSM-oBteeI5lCMGh0H-T07n77WnQxk3vkrapzm9hvuyb4wVhuFteKf-a1mqbqDf2nADKbEOMw4/s400/thanks+3.jpg" width="519" /></a></div>
How did I survive "BHL" before the home laminator? And how did anyone live with just Comic Sans?<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVvHeJno7r5Ez42NVEG7q5Ew2FAWKKZ3ag6Bp0QREq2y9BLqPweTwq16u_rH1VclKOthqz7KvMyqQMLtAbU_0-IKNdEqCapuMdkv7l7wzwkKHmTFviCAqekMqNhDl7VMAqVZd1Pu_ucto/s1600/thanks+5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVvHeJno7r5Ez42NVEG7q5Ew2FAWKKZ3ag6Bp0QREq2y9BLqPweTwq16u_rH1VclKOthqz7KvMyqQMLtAbU_0-IKNdEqCapuMdkv7l7wzwkKHmTFviCAqekMqNhDl7VMAqVZd1Pu_ucto/s400/thanks+5.jpg" width="519" /></a></div>
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I adore soup....365 days of the year regardless of the fact that I live in a fairly warm place. Just love it! From French Onion to Chicken Tortilla.... bring it on!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxpOUH4PYue0eA-b23STLEYyqUc59wJeIMwR3HlOk0R8YBPymFIjv0Agyzx4jktjXqcXI7kIHUHE63uV6A-1NQlLFYmsfTLG2i7r5jh7Hc8uF4tqZ6c0FF66MDQ5B7QpX_hJEHZIU9aEc/s1600/thanks+jam.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxpOUH4PYue0eA-b23STLEYyqUc59wJeIMwR3HlOk0R8YBPymFIjv0Agyzx4jktjXqcXI7kIHUHE63uV6A-1NQlLFYmsfTLG2i7r5jh7Hc8uF4tqZ6c0FF66MDQ5B7QpX_hJEHZIU9aEc/s400/thanks+jam.jpg" width="519" /></a></div>
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Ahh, yes I am thankful for <a href="http://christyd.jamberrynails.net/" target="_blank">Jamberry</a>. You may think it is cheesy... but it is the honest truth. I love trying so many different combos, I love how many people ask me about my nails and I love the team of people I have met by becoming a consultant. </div>
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I am shocked I am selling them..... I don't think I am good at sales- but I am good at liking and obsessing over cute things... and these puppies sell themselves. So if you ever wanna chat about<a href="http://christyd.jamberrynails.net/" target="_blank"> Jamberry</a> I am your girl... whether you have questions, need tips putting them on, or want to join my team. You can read about <a href="http://christyd.jamberrynails.net/join/" target="_blank">joining here</a> or email me christyann@gmail.com} You may end up like me...shocked you tried... but happy you did!</div>
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Now...</div>
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I just said ready, set, type...and this is what came out in the first 15 seconds:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3XuG1cexb8yG1BVV4Z4qsLBoXa55XLGH_igy0JOGZTsUgvUEOyNyQ9XFCrfdBWwAcJCTFWCE36BXUDFFOQL9rxPmdFIWz5vP6JwxUXljI22zKM3eCoG_an6Epbl1N3z08TrCoQL6SH4w/s1600/thanks+4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3XuG1cexb8yG1BVV4Z4qsLBoXa55XLGH_igy0JOGZTsUgvUEOyNyQ9XFCrfdBWwAcJCTFWCE36BXUDFFOQL9rxPmdFIWz5vP6JwxUXljI22zKM3eCoG_an6Epbl1N3z08TrCoQL6SH4w/s400/thanks+4.jpg" width="519" /></a></div>
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{Try that game "The 15 second Thankful Game"... it's kinda fun!}</div>
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Last, but REALLY not least.....</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjChkXpa9BgJXq86C2rRpQ9eSehRV9Mh5to04nLYBQaesEOIdZ8isj72KZbVBuCoSYqBwADIbX1J2HosfE2X55soUqz_DQ0KXcuMtEc-kf36bzfPsLUbqHX-ifNL43CYIKkum9HW7iu1qo/s1600/thanks+4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjChkXpa9BgJXq86C2rRpQ9eSehRV9Mh5to04nLYBQaesEOIdZ8isj72KZbVBuCoSYqBwADIbX1J2HosfE2X55soUqz_DQ0KXcuMtEc-kf36bzfPsLUbqHX-ifNL43CYIKkum9HW7iu1qo/s400/thanks+4.jpg" width="519" /></a></div>
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<span style="text-align: left;">You can hop on back to </span><a href="http://primarypowers.blogspot.com/2014/11/super-thankful-thread-linky.html" style="text-align: left;" target="_blank">Primary Powers</a><span style="text-align: left;"> to see who else is linking up and get into that festive thankful mood!</span></div>
Christy {Crayons and Whimsy}http://www.blogger.com/profile/11056120066853580750noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8232189740655487321.post-31647976564318281332014-11-09T03:00:00.000-08:002014-11-11T17:13:57.754-08:00Giveaway Updates!I'm just popping in to share about 2 giveaways I have going on.....<br />
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First up...<br />
Last week I shared about <a href="http://www.esgisoftware.com/ESGI/?promo=%20B7722" target="_blank">ESGI</a>.... in fact I rambled on and on because there are so many reasons I love it! You can catch that whole thing<a href="http://crayonsandwhimsy.blogspot.com/2014/10/esgi-my-assessment-life-saver-giveaway.html" target="_blank"> HERE.</a><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQDTCnP7AGsU-1qPrGMOUcqo9BNPV29iEMcMcwRVNNuzomO-07e9LIX3tVuGR_A_R73aY9b0-2XJq0MlmbtVioRbXESzLZz7Os26BIBdhB8_OFyrKrM43NNGV_tVuqJxepthbdj9jpqe4/s1600/Screen+Shot+2014-11-08+at+5.34.35+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQDTCnP7AGsU-1qPrGMOUcqo9BNPV29iEMcMcwRVNNuzomO-07e9LIX3tVuGR_A_R73aY9b0-2XJq0MlmbtVioRbXESzLZz7Os26BIBdhB8_OFyrKrM43NNGV_tVuqJxepthbdj9jpqe4/s1600/Screen+Shot+2014-11-08+at+5.34.35+PM.png" height="328" width="400" /></a></div>
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Otherwise.... here is the summary. This program will shorten the time you need to give those difficult one on one assessments. I used to set aside so much of my small group time to instead be for assessing.... and now I can get through them so much faster!! If you need more info check<a href="http://crayonsandwhimsy.blogspot.com/2014/10/esgi-my-assessment-life-saver-giveaway.html" target="_blank"> this post!</a><br />
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So I am just sharing about this one more time because it is such a great opportunity and want to make sure you have had a chance to get in on this action. <a href="http://www.esgisoftware.com/ESGI/?promo=%20B7722" target="_blank">ESGI</a> and I have teamed up to give away a full year subscription to a new user!<br />
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Although the giveaway is only for new users.... people who are renewing a subscription can still get $40....no contest.... just enter code B7722 to <a href="http://www.esgisoftware.com/ESGI/?promo=%20B7722" target="_blank">ESGI </a> for a full year of ESGI wonderful-ness for just $159 {instead of $199} This also applies to people who have a free trial in progress.</div>
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If you click the image below you can watch some videos of teachers using the program to make it make more sense for you.<br />
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<a href="http://www.esgisoftware.com/ESGI/?promo=B7722" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="http://s3.amazonaws.com/esgiwebfiles/Images/BloggerAdvertisement_Small.jpg" height="320" width="313" /></a></div>
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Good luck! I wish you could ALL win because every kindergarten teacher needs this!!!!!<br />
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Those of you who are brand new to all of this.... please enter below. You need to <a href="http://www.esgisoftware.com/ESGI/?promo=%20B7722" target="_blank">GO HERE </a>to get that trial set up as part of your entry below:<br />
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<a class="rafl" href="http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/38abcf9716/" id="rc-38abcf9716" rel="nofollow">a Rafflecopter giveaway</a>
<script src="//widget.rafflecopter.com/load.js"></script><br />
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Second giveaway...<br />
I am a <a href="http://christyd.jamberrynails.net/" target="_blank">Jamberry</a> girl if you didn't know.<br />
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Yep, I am obsessed with these nail wraps that are adorable, last longer than polish and are so easy to apply. I even surprised myself when I decided to become a consultant because sales is not my gig!<br />
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But here I am several months later and I just LOVE it and I think that is because I truly love the product and the company. So I am happy to talk <a href="http://christyd.jamberrynails.net/" target="_blank">Jamberry</a> with anyone who wants to. Although I am still not good at being sales-y.... and I am okay with that.<br />
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I am giving away 2 FULL sheets of these adorable <a href="http://christyd.jamberrynails.net/product/gobble-me-up#.VF7Hlb6QegE" target="_blank">Gobble Me Up Thanksgiving wraps</a>! Dear me...they are so cute!!!<br />
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They are juniors... meaning for kids! I get this question a lot...can an adult use the kids ones? And the answer is - usually no! I sure can't.... about 3 of them work on my fingers... but it does seem that some adults can use them!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHjM0AcwZARte_bSRpMrwda51fNanacK2p5_0iJ372O9x2EOHgf26mdasJA4TYEAKIv9MdGX2iCEZ8uoxOKfF-I3TKcM-hfYmsLWyRP1QR_My7D4L9lsrD0mi6xNhck8AOVK2gS0Umm54/s1600/Screen+Shot+2014-11-05+at+10.45.15+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHjM0AcwZARte_bSRpMrwda51fNanacK2p5_0iJ372O9x2EOHgf26mdasJA4TYEAKIv9MdGX2iCEZ8uoxOKfF-I3TKcM-hfYmsLWyRP1QR_My7D4L9lsrD0mi6xNhck8AOVK2gS0Umm54/s1600/Screen+Shot+2014-11-05+at+10.45.15+PM.png" height="393" width="400" /></a></div>
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So hop on over to my <a href="https://www.facebook.com/ChristyDJamberry" target="_blank">Jamberry Facebook page </a>to enter! <strike>HURRY today is the last day...and as of now... you have some pretty good statistics for some of these cuties to be in your mailbox soon!</strike><br />
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OK so the giveaway is done...<br />
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But if you like my Facebook page and send me an email with your mailing address and tell me your Facebook name then I will mail you a FREE GIFT!<br />
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Just go <a href="https://www.facebook.com/ChristyDJamberry" target="_blank">HERE</a>! and email me at christyann@gmail.comChristy {Crayons and Whimsy}http://www.blogger.com/profile/11056120066853580750noreply@blogger.com0