A Rocking Chair Makeover...plus some school supplies!

Happy Thursday, folks!! Kerri here...
Oh my word. I am TIRED, and my kids aren't even coming until Tuesday!! We have been officially back in our classrooms for the past 2 days (well, I have been back in for a couple of weeks couple of months now, but I'm just a tad bit obsessed with school! Who's with me??) and I am already sooo darn tired! I don't think it helps that I have been staying up WAY TOO LATE watching my Big Brother (How AWESOME was last night's episode?? That Dan is something else!)

I did one final project for my classroom this week and I just have to share...my old ratty rocking chair that I have had FOREVER (I rocked both of my babies in it...awwww) has been in my classroom for a few years now and was looking pretty tore up from the floor up! Here it was in all it's fugliness...

That TOMS sticker is the ONLY redeeming thing about it, poor thing. 

So, I seriously got all DIY, and I did it all by myself, without ANY help from the Hubs, which is HUGE because usually I am whining and asking questions, and in general, begging him to do these types of painting projects for me! 

First, I sanded her lightly and then spray painted her a BEE-YOU-TI-FUL turquoise color (Note to self... never spray paint whilst wearing your wedding ring without gloves. My hand and my wedding ring turned turquoise-DARNIT!!)

After she dried, I painted on white polka dots and a giant B (no, the B does not stand for butt, although mine will be sitting on it regularly. It stands for my last name!) 

Finally, I... wait for it... MOD-PODGED her with SPARKLY mod podge (naturally... I can't live without my Mod Podge!) I'm so proud of myself!!!
Tada...introducing, "Blue Betty" the rocking chair!

Isn't she so purdy?? She looks muy fabuloso next to all of my Dots on Turquoise accents!

In other news, the sweet folks at MPM School Supplies allowed me to shop for some back to school items through their website! They were so easy to work with, the products came in a timely manner, and they have a HUGE selection! Here are some items I picked up...

For writing colorful anchor charts!

So I can call on those kids who NEVER FREAKING RAISE THEIR HANDS!! Grrr...

I LOVE LOVE LOVE this! Magnetic for my white board!

To practice our 1 minute fluency passages!!

These are triangle pencils for easier gripping!

They are also offering a 10% discount for the first 10 people who order supplies through their website! Here is the code if you are interested in checking them out and getting some back to school goodies!!
http://www.mpmschoolsupplies.com/redeem/S1208M054EZ6K

Well, that's all I got tonight, Peeps! Hope school is going well for ya, and that your new bunch of kidlets are fabulous~! I cannot wait to meet mine on Tuesday. Lindsay and I will be back this weekend with our classroom photo tours, so stay tuned!!

XOXO Kerri

Friday Freebie link up!!

Happy Friday, Friends! Kerri here...
I am FINALLY linking up with Blog Hoppin' for their Friday Freebies for Teacher Week. I know, I know! What a loser I am for missing the other 4 days! It has been SUPER busy this week for some reason!
Today I'm here to talk to you about Calendar time. Do you loathe LOVE it as much as I do?? I always start out strong in September, but by January/February I am DYING of the boredom and monotony of it all. Anyone with me??

Let me walk you through my routine...Disclaimer: I am one MEAN teacher and I don't let anyone lead it but ME! I know, gasp in horror, right? I just do not have that much time (or patience) to let my little ones lead the calendar time. I just gotta plow through and GET 'ER DONE, FOLKS! 
Because we have Math Wall to do (see here for that post) and Accelerated Math to get to (another one of my loathes loves!), so there is just NO time for shenanigans!

Obviously, we count how many days we have had in the month, talk about Today, Yesterday, and Tomorrow, and sing the months of the year and days of the week (Dr. Jean is my best friend!).

We also count the days in school and add straws to our place value chart to represent the days...blah, blah, blah. See?? I'm bored just thinking about it!! Sigh...

One thing I DO actually legitimately LOVE is my Magnetic Flip and Learn...

Just gaze in awe and wonder for a minute...This thing is AMAZING, Peeps! But, not cheap. I think it cost me $100, but it has been well worth every penny! You can flip over the numbers to show different counting patterns and it is a FANTABULOUS visual for the kids to see, especially for odd and even, counting by 2's, 5's, 10's, even 11's (they especially LOVE counting by 11's!!) Counting backwards, adding on 10, it does it all, and the sound that it makes when I flip all of the numbers back to their original place is AWESOME!! My kids are enthralled every time!

Anyway, onto your FREEBIES~the one thing I DO let my star of the day do is tell us the weather, using my...wait for it... microphone! oh yeah, I said it!! I also have this little baby, and it is EVEN BETTER that my Magnetic Flip and Learn Chart!

This thing is THE BEST-Super loud, wireless microphone, tape player (what the heezak?? Why? Who uses tapes anymore!),  and my kids can hear me from any place in the room! Best part is, only $129 on this website: www.wireless-microphones.net. Well, my little star of the day gets to use this to tell the class the weather, and it is a HIGHLIGHT of their day, let me tell you! ESPECIALLY if the weather is anything other than sunny, which it is 90% of the time in So. Cal!!

After my weather reporter does his or her job, we graph the weather and keep the graph up the whole month long. I am sure many of you do this! My old monthly weather graphs were fugly, so I made some new ones that are good for the entire year! Even July, but who is really teaching in July? That's just plain WRONG!

Click on the weather girl to get your own set via Google Docs!!

We also keep track of the teeth we have lost (Did you know I am an expert teeth puller outer?? It's true! Which is weird, since I have a horrible fear of my teeth falling out and recurring nightmares that it is actually happening! Anyone else have that weird dream??)

Here is a little graph that I keep up all year long to track the teeth we have lost. I think Lindsay actually made this one, and I just prettied it up a little! Click on the tooth to download!

Alrighty, I'm off to Soup Plantation with the fam!! Yumminess! Hope you can use these FREEBIES in your classroom. Let me know how you feel about Calendar time, teeth falling out, OR accelerated Math! Thanks friends!! 

XOXO Kerri

http://imbloghoppin.blogspot.com/2012/08/teacher-week-freebie-friday-with-kinder.html

Classroom updates, and an APPLICIOUS FREEBIE!!

Good evening, Peeps!! Kerri here...
First of all, a BIG OLD GINORMOUS THANK YOU to all of you who purchased items from Lindsay and I during the fabulous TPT sale! We are truly overwhelmed and so so blessed by all of your support! :)

In other news,  I am feeling quite domesticated tonight! I made homemade strawberry jam today and homemade vanilla pudding (currently chilling in the fridge!) tonight! YUMMY! My husband is on a wheat free kick (AGAIN-the guy lost 20 pounds last time and he wasn't even overweight AT ALL-what a turd!) so I am trying to be creative with my sweet treats, while silently kicking and screaming "NOOOO! Bread is my only reason for living!!"

I have been going into my classroom a little here and there, and I am so excited about my new classroom purchases/updates! Check them out...

revamped crate seats with vinyl covers! ME LOVES!!

Cutesy cute hanging file folders from Mardel!

Pinterest inspired eraser cap dispenser and chimes to quiet my chitlins!

New carpet squares, ala IKEA. $3 each!

Super shaggy carpet, also IKEA! Only $5, folks!!

Sidenote-my husband just claimed I have a "bagel butt", coined from this book Wheat Belly that he is currently reading. DUDE! That guy is soooo busted! (He was just kidding me, don't worry! My butt is ROCK HARD! HAHA-yeah right~)

Here's a little FREEBIE for ya that goes along with my newest unit...

I have been graphing apples for years with my kidlets-We learn about good ole Johnny, my kids all bring in an apple to class, and then we sort them, graph them, and make applesauce in the crockpot using this AMAZINGLY WONDERFUL tool-TADA!!

Have you heard of this apple peeler/slicer/corer?? I got mine at ACE hardware but they also sell them on AMAZON. This thing will rock your faces off, seriously! I can peel/slice/core all 24 apples my kiddos bring in in like 10 minutes-no joke! It is also AWESOME to have at home when you want a quick apple but you hate the peel (like me!)

I usually peel them at home and then peel just one in class as a demonstration, just for the entertainment value of seeing my kids faces. The kids are AMAZED, and of course, I give them all a little taste because this contraption cuts the apple really thin and spirally so you can break off pieces really easy. (Dude, I feel like this is an informercial-sorry!)

Anyway, back to your FREEBIE. I was using the old apple graph from AIMS FOR-EV-AH and it is just so old and ratty that I had to make a new one, which you can download for free on TPT! Click the apple to head on over and download!

Last thing, I promise...
My baby brother, whom I love and adore, was visiting from Seattle. He is 11 years younger than me, which make him just 10! (Just joshing-he's 27, which is so weird, since I'm only 29!)
Anyway, my mom is always bugging us for a picture together, so we obliged her...

And then, he busts out the shakey face. What is that, you ask??

SERIOUSLY!!! What the heck is wrong with that guy?? Is that not the most HIDEOUS thing you have ever seen?? I think it JUST may have to become a tradition, because he also did it when we visited him in Seattle! That kid kills me, and I just LOVE him to bits!!

Alright, I'm out, Peeps! Gonna walk my pooch with the fam!
XOXO Kerri

P.S. My husband changed my nickname to "Bagel Bowels", which is TOTALLY true. I have SERIOUS issues, if you know what I mean? Anyone else with me??

Back to School SALE!!

Hiya, Blogging Buddies!! Kerri here...
Lindsay and I are SUPER DUPER excited for the Teachers Pay Teachers Back to School SALE! TPT hardly ever offers a discount code, and this one ROCKS! You will be able to get all your favorite products for almost 30% off! I have a WHOLE BUNCH of goodies in my cart as we speak, and I cannot wait to get my SHOP on tomorrow!

Here are some of my new products you might be interested in...

                                      

                        

Have fun shopping and I hope you snag yourselves some killer deals! We hope you know how very much we appreciate your support!

Here's Lindsay with some of her latest creations... 

Happy Saturday folks! 

I can't believe some of you are already back at school - Holy Guacamole!!  I know that my first day with my kidlets is right around the corner too, and I just finished a brand new Nifty Numbers Unit that I can't wait to use with my class!  Click below to check it out in my TPT store!

Mastering beginning numbers is as easy as 1-2-3 with this Nifty Numbers 0-10 pack. This bundle of math-o-liciousness contains all the resources you need to introduce the beginning numbers 0-10 to your students. They will practice properly forming and writing each number, identifying various forms of each number (numeral, ten frame, tally marks, sets of pictures, number words), counting, reprensenting numbers by forming sets, and using the number line.

The hands-on, ready-to-print activities in this pack include:

1. Number printing posters 0-10
2. Forming Nifty Numbers Play-doh/Wikki Stix mats
3. Furry, Fuzzy Number Dash board game
4. Nifty Number Match-Up/Concentration
5. Number Worksheets 0-10
6. My Little 0-10 Number Book printable

This Nifty Number pack will help your kidlets master their beginning numbers and become Mighty Mathmaticians in no time!

While you are adding items into your carts for the upcoming TPT sale (yahoo!!) you can also check out some of my new products from over the summer, such as . . .

The Wee Ready Writers Pack - a great addition to your writing workshop!

There's No Place Like Space Literacy Centers

And don't forget about my Symbols of America FREEBIE!!

Well, that's it for now folks.  I am off to shower and get ready to head out for . . . (drumroll please!) Jack's FIRST HAIRCUT!! 

Sigh.  He is just a little shag-a-muffin and as much as I am gonna hate to see any of his little locks get lopped off, we want him to be looking as studly as possible for his first birthday that is right around the corner (tear!!). 

Sidenote: Nobody told me that one of the hardest parts of motherhood would be how fast the time goes!  How am I the mother of a (practically) one year old??!!

Sidenote #2: Are you still allowed to use the excuse "I just had a baby" when rationalizing your muffin top even when your "baby" is over a year old?  Input please! :)

Enjoy the rest of your weekend and don't forget about the TPT sale starting tomorrow!!!!

Lindsay

Johnny Appleseed!!!

Good evening, Friends! Kerri here...
How friggin AWESOME is it that Kerri Walsh and Misty May won the gold medal for the 3rd time tonight!! That was SWEEEEET!

I am so excited to share my newest creation with you...my Johnny Appleseed Lit and Math Centers!

Here's what's included...

Literacy Centers:

-Johnny Appleseed’s Juicy Rhymes-

-Johnny Appleseed Sentence Scramble-

-Johnny Appleseed ABC Order-

-Applelicious Short Vowel Sort-

-The Life Cycle of an Apple-

Math Centers:

-Apple Pickin’! Bar Graph-

-Apple Cider Addition Sort-

-Johnny Appleseed’s Number Order-

-”Apple Season” Missing Numbers-

-Perfectly Ripe Apple Patterns-

I ABSOLUTELY LOVE doing all kinds of apple activities with my kidlets in September! We graph apples, make applesauce, do all kids of apple art, and I cannot wait to incorporate these centers into my Apple week!! I also show my kiddos this absolutely DARLING video...

Do you know it? The Johnny Appleseed portion is classic Disney at it's best, and it really tells his story so well! Guess what?? You can buy it on AMAZON! Click on the picture to get your own copy of this DVD...

Of course, I also uploaded the companion Johnny Appleseed writing center as well, which my kiddos will use to write about Johnny after we learn about him...

Well, it's midnight here in Cali, and I AM BEAT!! I will be back soon with a Johnny Appleseed art project FREEBIE and another fun Johnny FREEBIE, so stay tuned!!

XOXO Kerri

Writing Packs Bundled!

Good afternoon, friends! Kerri here...
Okay, I promise to keep the spandex photos to a minimum today (although I certainly wasn't complaining about that Phelps/Lochte picture that Lindsay posted-hee hee!) 


This is gonna be a quickie post today because I am off to watch my daughter receive an award for having the best in class AND division winner photograph entered in the OC Fair!! Whoo hoo, SB! Way to go!

The photographer with her winning photo!!

I have had many requests from our faithful followers to bundle together the word mats from my Monthly writing packs, so that is just what I finally did! Presenting...

This bundle includes the word mats, writing paper, book covers, and lined paper for all 9 of my Monthly Writing Packs!


The extended versions of all 9 writing packs can still be purchased separately, and includes a variety of different literacy and writing activities each month. Here are sneak peeks of my latest 3 writing packs (extended versions)...

I'll leave you with this funny little pic...yesterday, we introduced our puppy Roxy to our Bearded Dragon Beaker. Roxy was in HEAVEN, and Beaker wasn't scared AT ALL of that 10 pound poodle!!

Enjoy the last bits of your summer, friends!!

XOXO Kerri B