All Good Things Come To an End

 Yikes.. What happened to one of my favorite spots?

 superteacherworksheets.com

They now are charging an annual fee of $20.00
 Here is what they said: (taken directly from their site)

What about the FREE worksheets?

There are still many free worksheets on the site. Click on any page and you'll find some free ones. Addition, multiplication, reading comprehension, writing, spelling, handwriting, holidays - each section still has some free worksheets. However, if you want full-access to the site, you will need to be a member.

How much does membership cost?

Twenty bucks for an individual membership.  Well, $19.95, actually. 
 That's a lot less than any other teacher membership site we've seen, and we like to think our worksheets are higher-quality too.

Don't you know that teachers don't make a lot of money?

Yes, I sure do.  I was an elementary school teacher for over ten years. We are trying to keep the site as affordable as possible. That's why the price is only $19.95. That's about $1.67 a month. A nickel a day. 


They really are one of my favorite spots! ugg...
I guess the twenty dollars will be well spent!

join teaching fashionista on facebook

Like Teaching Fashionista on facebook..
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Teaching-fashionista/152558641496456?ref=tn_tnmn

In my school the classroom teachers- teach GYM..yep we do!..It was kind of challenging at first since, I'm not the athletic type, don't really know how to play sports and have NO cute outfits to wear for teaching GYM..
(nor I want to buy any)! lol..But I've grown to love it..
It's so nice to watch my students work together and see their strengths in different areas outside of the classroom. Since its been freezing in NYC we've been forced to play inside, I've decided to share some of my 3rd grade all time favorite things to do during our gym period.
(playing Island has been the best so far!)

Ghost Buster Tag

  Set up square created with gym cones.  This is the Haunted House.  
You are going to pick 5 students to be Ghost busters. 
The rest of the class are ghosts.  
The game starts with the Ghost busters inside the haunted house. 
When the music starts, the Ghost busters run and try and tag the ghosts.  
The Ghost busters will use the small gator balls to tag with. 
 Make sure they don’t throw the balls.                                                   
 When a ghost gets tagged they go to the Haunted House.                                                                         
To get free, another ghost must come and give them a high five.  
Try and give everyone a chance to be a Ghost buster.  


Musical Hula-Hoops
Musical hula-hoops are just like musical chairs.  
You keep taking hoops away until you’re down to 2 players.  Then put 1 hoop in the middle and tell the 2 players that they have to walk around center circle.  
When the music stops, the first person in the hoop wins.




 
This game is called Island or Cross The River: (our favorite)  
The object of the game for all team members to get across to the next island, with out falling in the water.
   First: Set up 3 square mats for each team. 
   Then:Give the team a scooter, hoop and jump rope
   Next: All team members try to get each other to the next island without touching the floor (water). 
   Last: Enjoy watching your class work together as a team to try and get everyone safely across to the next island.  
           The cheers,laughs, and good sportsmanship is priceless!

                             

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I've been eyeing all of these things..I know, I know, the holidays are over but.....

These items are just so perfect-ly adorable.  

I've tried on each and every one a dozen times, went home thought about it, slept on it and guess what I still want all of them!  I think my favorite have to be the Tory flats...They look so CUTE on! I know I can't get them all but if you had to choose,
 which one is your favorite? 
( i could probably buy the PuraVida bracelets too.. lol)
I  should save my money & gift cards from Christmas gifts for Spring,..but I have such ocd !

jcrew.com -Lattice Pea Coat

Nora Flap Clutch Tory Burch 

Tory Burch Eddie Bow Flat
toryburch.com

Puravida.com - bracelets 

jenniferzeuner.com

Riding Boot Tory Burch

tiffany.com

lil blue boo..a blog I enjoy stalking, had such a great tutorial!
I had to share and try this myself..
A composition notebook ipad cover! Here is her tutorial:

Photo 1 & 2: I took a razor blade and cut out the pages…..this composition book was on its last leg so they basically fell out.
Photo 3 & 4: I removed the plastic insert from the box that the iPad came in and marked the height of the notebook for reference on the side.

Photo 5: I continued my height measurement all the way around the insert.
Photo 6 & 7: Using a razor blade I carefully cut out the top of the plastic insert.
Photo 8: I cut off one side of the remaining plastic.

Photo 13, 14, 15 & 16: I took 2 black elastic hair bands and sewed each onto one corner at two points using needle and thread. Make sure to sewthrough the elastic to keep the band in place and you’ll have to stretch the band enough so it is pretty taught over the edge as shown in photo 16.

Photo 17: I cut off the excess hair band once it was attached securely.
Photo 18 & 19: Using a black elastic headband I sewed one end near the inside of the spine and the other end opposite to it (you’ll have to stretch it tightly so it will keep the iPad in place when you insert it).
Photo 20: Lastly, I cut off the excess band.

An iPad cover for $2.99.  Can’t beat that.

All photos and steps are from lil blue boo's blog (which is fantastic) a must read BLOG!

I finally found the perfect birthday book!

Many of my blogging buddies gave me amazing read-a-loud suggestions for  my daughter Isabella's 8th Birthday!  (a million thank-yous)
Today I ran into Barnes and Noble to choose the perfect book to read to Isabella's 2nd grade class. I stumbled upon the book
     "My Name Is Not Isabella" by Jennifer Fosberry.
In the story Isabella turns an ordinary day into an extraordinary adventure! Through her imagination, Isabella, exposes the young and the young at heart to some amazing women who changed history. Isabella learns about strength and science, history and honor,      determination and discovery, and of course, unconditional love.      

The story is too cute for words...the absolute perfect Birthday Book! In the end Isabella learns a little bit about how these remarkable women changed the world, in turn knowing that she possesses the best parts of all the women she looks up to and has the opportunity to become remarkable herself!
                    (also a perfect book to spark students interests for women's history month)
                                          
I was just searching around and found a cute little clip of the author sharing her book with a class:

And a cute activity to do with your class:
http://www.sourcebooks.com/images/stories/docs/Spotlight/IsabellaActivity_Inst.pdf
http://www.sourcebooks.com/images/stories/docs/Spotlight/IsabellaActivity_DreamCards.pdf

resolution time

As the first day of the New Year begins,  I have to reflect on so many of the overwhelmingly beautiful     and bittersweet memories of ~2011~
The celebrations ( turning 40 ouch) , the wins,  the losses and the in-betweens..
 I'm so blessed with a healthy happy family, sweet encouraging friends, but most of all I'm so fortunate to meet and continue to be inspired by all of my blogging buddies !
As one of my personal resolutions, I will try to make the best of each day in this beautiful world, dream big and appreciate all life has to offer!
Professionally, on the other hand my list continues to grow..
I will try to have more patience,
use the smart board more, play more math games, read the 3 Daily 5 books sitting on my nightstand,
 and continue to encourage my class to LOVE reading!
Not so bad....Happy New Year everyone! Wishing you the best of everything in 2012!

2012

I want to wish you all a very 

      HAPPY NEW YEAR! 

Let’s make 2012 amazing!