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December!

December really came quickly this year!  Maybe it was because we spent the past week in Florida celebrating Thanksgiving with my family!  :)  Baby Reed had such a fun time at Grandma's house!  
Most of these are self explanatory.  However, I must explain my favorite tradition.  Every year, I make cinnamon applesauce ornaments with my students.  They sound edible, but they are not.  They are sparkly, festive, and smell DELICIOUS.  I have so many on my tree at home!  I always let the kiddos wrap them up in tissue paper and Christmas wrapping paper to give as "gifts" to their parents.  It's a fun tradition that I plan to continue with my son at home! 
Find the recipe for Cinnamon Applesauce Ornaments here!  

I must share a Pinterest success story!  You know how you always find super cute ideas on Pinterest?  Then when you try and recreate them, they go OH SO BAD!  Well, here is a TRUE success story!  I created these adorable Christmas light name strings with my kiddos.  They looked darling in the hallway.  So bright and festive!  



Note:  I took these pictures while the glitter was still drying so that's why there is no yarn stringing them together.  Hehe.  {Original Source}  I have a pattern for the light bulbs that I created.  It's nothing fancy, but if you'd like the blackline that I made, e-mail me at TheHappyTeacherTPT@gmail.com and I'd be glad to send it to you ASAP!  

If you're looking for a math FREEBIE to use during the holiday season, check out my Word Problem Task Cards.  They are perfect for "Problem of the Day" or math centers.  Best part is they are FREE!

Happy December from TheHappyTeacher and The Happy Baby!  :)

Currently October

Time for Currently with Farley!
Listening: Fox News was doing a special on infant sleep so they came to our house and got some footage of Baby Reed!  If you are interested, check out the clip!
Loving: My new blog design!  I still have some work to do on it, but the design is so fresh and new!  
Thinking: We had a little cold front last week, but then the 90 degree heat returned this week.  I'm all about fall and ready for the cool, crisp air!  :)
Wanting: Mama lives in Florida, but we would do anything to have her in Texas with us...Maybe I'll hit the lottery so I can buy her a house, hehe.
Needing: I'm struggling to keep up with my blog and baby right now.  I'm hoping my fresh new blog design will keep me motivated!
Treat: I heard up the "Head's Up" app on Ellen.  It's 99 cents, but that's a cheap treat for all the fun this game will provide you.  Serious fun.  :)

Currently September

I love linking up with Farley from Oh' Boy 4th Grade for her Currently linky party!  
It's a rainy, hot day here in Texas, but I'm off to enjoy the holiday with my hubby and little one!

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Inside Recess Fun

I don't know about you, but it seems like there are so many days each year where we are stuck INSIDE for recess.  It's either rain, snow, temperature, or ozone alerts that prevent us from going outside.  Sometimes I let the kids have "free time," but honestly, that can be very loud and messy!  :-)

When we are stuck inside, I KNOW my kids need to expend energy and exercise!  I came up with some fun physical activities for the kids to do.  I set it up like stations.  I hang posters around the room, and kiddos rotate with a partner to each "station."  None of the activities require any equipment so it's fast and easy to set up.  The exercises are all common, and kiddos are familiar with them from PE class so they really have a ball with it.
Check out a few example posters from my Inside Recess Fun product:
 
 
 
 
As always, set your behavior and noise level expectations before beginning!  Have fun!

Comment on this post and let me know what you think.  Don't forget to include your e-mail.  I'll choose a few lucky winners, and send you Inside Recess Fun for FREE!  

Currently August

Time to link up with Farley for Currently August!
Listening: To all my Dallas friends...Do you love Urban Taco as much as I do?  Can't beat free Wi-Fi and a delicious taco.
Loving: I LOVE going to the mall to shop for new outfits and ACTUALLY finding things that fit and look cute!  Such a happy feeling!  :)  These are my two favorite dresses I found  yesterday...One is for a baby shower on Saturday and the other is for my brother's wedding in a few weeks.

Thinking: My girlfriends and I are baking and decorating 100 sugar cookies tonight for the baby shower on Saturday.  Hope they are AWESOME!  
Wanting: I'm such a bag of emotions...I'm so lucky and blessed to be able to stay home with my sweet baby boy, but I'm also super sad I won't have a classroom of my own.  I plan to substitute and volunteer all year, but it won't be the same without a classroom of my own.  I'll up for helping decorate anyone's classroom that needs my helps in DFW.  :)  
Needing: Still need to lose that baby weight, LOL.  I'll be more motivated when the weather is cooler.  
B2S Must Haves: Sharpies make my heart beat a little quicker.  <3
Yes...I wear heels to school on most days so I'm always in need of a new, comfortable pair every year.  These are my absolute favorites...I can wear them ALL DAY and not hate myself...They are a little spendy but totally worth it!  
Teaching rules, routines, and procedures is THE MOST IMPORTANT thing about Back 2 School!  This is a sample of the PowerPoint I use in my classroom every year.  It comes in so handy the first few weeks and then again throughout the year as students need a review of my expectations.  It's completely editable too!  
 
 
  
That's all for now!  Must get home to my little man!  :)  

Classroom Management FREEBIE!

Do your kiddos have a hard time differentiating between noise/volume levels like mine always do?  It often seems like kiddos only speak in their OUTSIDE voices.  I designed these **free** voice level posters to help students understand the different voices that are used at different times.  I spend A LOT of time teaching voice levels during the first week or two of school.  {I also spend a lot of time REVIEWING these voice levels throughout the year, hehe.}  These posters are an easy way to remind students of your expectations for volume based on what is going on in your classroom.  
 
 
 
 
 
I created similar posters in a BLUE, GREEN, and WHITE design.  You can download those for free HERE:
 
 
 
 
Do you use "secret hand signals" in your classroom?  My kiddos love learning and using my secret hand signals during the first week of school.  It's our special way of communicating.  :)
  
 
I created the same hand signals in a green, blue, and white version as well!  Check it out! 
Classroom Freebies Manic Monday

Guided Reading Question Cards

One of my sweet readers asked me to create question cards for her Guided Reading groups.  I had so much fun creating this product, and I wanted to share it with you here.  

There are questions to ask BEFORE reading, DURING reading, and AFTER reading.  The cards are color coordinated for easy organization.  I also created different cards and questions for fiction and nonfiction texts.  Take a look at a few examples:
Before Reading:
 During Reading:
 After Reading: 
The nonfiction cards are similar in color and design, but the questions vary.
I created the question cards in two sizes (two/page or four/page) so you can decide which is best for your classroom.  I had some leftover straws from my little one's Sip & See Party last month, and I thought they looked darling with these question cards.  You could also use popsicle sticks or craft sticks.  Another idea is to put the question cards on a metal ring.  

I also included editable blank templates so you can add your own questions!   YAY!
If you are not currently doing Guided Reading groups, these question cards would be perfect for whole-group ELA instruction, in your classroom library, or for use with Daily 5!  

Leave a comment and your e-mail below and let me know what you think...Two lucky readers will WIN this product.  WooHoo!
Last but not least, I wanted to share a recent picture of my little one...It's hard to believe but Mr. Reed is already 3 months old.  He's sleeping through the night, smiling, and rolling over....PROUD MAMA!