Another Liebster Nomination --triple smiles :)

Wow-- My third Nomination! :) thank you so much Pam over at Moments to Teach
This is really thoughtful and now I am even more surprised that so many are starting to follow my blog!

The Liebster Award is given to up and coming bloggers who have less than 200 followers. So, what is a Liebster? (I failed to mention this the first two times so here we go--  The meaning: Liebster is German and means sweetest, kindest, nicest, dearest, beloved, lovely, kind, pleasant, valued, cute, endearing, and welcome.  Welcome is my favorite of them all :) Blogging is about building a community and share ideas and it's a great way to connect with other bloggers and help spread the word about newer bloggers/blogs. I could not be happier to share my thoughts, ideas and pop of color with you all!


So this time around I am just going to answer Pam's questions!

1. How many pets do you have? I have 2 dogs (well they are really my parents) but I considered them my own :) Riley is a 13 year old Havanese Poodle Mix and Charley is a 4 year old Cocker Spaniel Poddle Mix :) Love them to death!

2. What memory from this past school year makes you smile? I smile everytime I think about my one student who joined us in January and came in with a "Bad attitude" and before you know it he was part of our classroom community and didn't want to leave.

3. What television show would you recommend for someone looking to start a new show? I would have to recommend Homeland...I believe it is on Showtime, but it is absolutely amazing! Can't wait for season 3!

4. How are you spending your summer? I am actually spending my summer home at my parents house...if I were to stay in my apartment near the school I teach, I would have to pay 1,000 a week...not happening haha.

5. If you were to do something other than teach, what would it be? Hmm....I have no idea, I have always wanted to be a teacher!! I would probably have to say something in fashion or design (personal stylist?!) haha

6. What is your favorite quote? "style is a way to say who you are without having to speak"

7. Do you have a favorite recipe? If so, what is it? Yes! Mexican Lasagna. No bake noodles, ground meat (cook first) , french fried onions, mexican cheese, Picante sauce, jalapenos... layer over the noodles and baked for 30 minutes at 425 degrees. Delicious and easiest recipe ever.

8. What makes you smile? Thinking about the impact I make on my students

9. What is your favorite grade to teach? 4th!

10. What are you looking forward to in the upcoming school year? Trying out co-teaching for the first time for ELA in 5th grade

11. What is your favorite thing in your classroom? I am obsessed with my Classroom Library!!

Ten Pin Linky, Win Loss Cost Linky

Today is officially my TWO WEEKS of blogging. WOW! Therefore I am linking up with 2 different linkys today :)

I am linking up with Ashley from Just Reed for Ten Pin Linky--I LOVE this linky party because of how obsessed I am with Pinterest. I can find so many amazing things for my classroom, wardrobe, and home! Today is all about Science and Social Studies!! Now as I was looking for pins--I realized I didn't have many on these topics--I have an overload for ELA and Math.  I am SO glad we are doing this linky--so that I can learn more and find more great ideas for Science and SS!!

Okay so here we go with my 10 favorite pins for these subjects! I tried the best I could to link back to the original source--hope it worked!! If not--check out my Pinterst HERE to find EVERYTHING I pin.

1

http://www.swaps-a-lot.com/product/mini-my-pet-cloud-swaps-kit-for-girl-kids-scout-25

This can be used for weather unit!! Adorable craft and may get the students motivated to learn about weather :)

2

How cute is this for early elementary Social Studies?!?! Check Out Primary Practice
for more information on this!

3

Earthquake Ideas!-- Check out everything over at The Homeschool Den

4

Check out Funky Fresh Firsties for her TpT store to find this great unit!!

5

Here is a Pin i found about the Best APPS for kids--geography and maps. If you have an ipad in your classroom you definitely have to check this out!! I found this over at Kid World Citizen

6
Now for older students--I have Who Has covering elements, molecules, atoms and the periodic table. Go over to TpT-- it's not too expensive!

7

Now who doesn't LOVE brainpop--especially for a special education classroom these are perfect to teach harder concepts in both social studies and science!Curcio Connects pinned this below--there is always a featured movie you can watch if you do not have a subscription!

8

Now this pin said-- Best Elementary Science Apps. So I had to check it out!!  Igamemom 
has a great resource for free and low cost science apps! You should really check it out!!

9

Wow-what a fun science experiment! I may have to do this with my students for the science fair! Check out Mom to 2 Posh Lil Divas for more information!

10

Now this last pin I am definitely making this summer. Last year trying to teach my students all the 50 states was a challenge...I think this could help!!! I couldn't get the link for it, so if anyone has it please let me know!

I LOVE this next linky-- Win, Loss, Cost with Jeanette from Third Grade Galore and Matt from Digital:Divide and Conquer

WIN

My win for today is the fact that I was nominated TWICE for the Liebster Award for new blogs! This was such a complete honor and I could not be more thankful :) I would love the support of many more of you to follow me on bloglovin!


<center><a href="http://www.bloglovin.com/en/blog/8808477"><img src="http://i1064.photobucket.com/albums/u378/designbychristi/fultz/bloglovin.png" alt="Follow on Bloglovin" border="0" /></a></center>

LOSS
My loss would be that I still haven't started up with my TpT store. That is my goal for the rest of this week and into next week (before next Wednesday haha) Gahhh It is now on my MUST Do list.

COST

okay-- so I bought this at Home Goods yesterday on SALE and I am so excited to fix it up and use it next year near my door. I have 2 cubbies figured out "No Name" papers and "Return" papers to students for their mailboxes. Any suggestions for the 3rd?!

Once I fix it up-I will blog about it under Monday Made it :)


okay--  i think that is all for now :) Happy Wednesday!!

Second Nomination Liebster Award-- thank you!!

As soon as I posted the other one, I got an email from First Grade with Ms. Dawley and I smiled from ear to ear! Thank you Carrie-- that really made my night! I love your blog and all the ideas you have about Daily 5! Everyone should go and check out her blog!!

There are a few rules for this before I can pass it on, though.

1. Link back to the blog that nominated me.
2. Answer the questions posted for me by my nominator.
3. Share 11 random facts about myself.
4. Create 11 questions for my nominees.
5. Nominate 5-11 blogs with fewer than 200 followers.
6. Contact my nominees to let them know that I nominated them. 

Now--I'm not sure if I am supposed to nominate 5-11 more blogs and give another 11 random facts?? So...just check out my latest blog post here  if I have to nominate more I will..does anyone know how that works?!?!

Here are my 5 Nominees:

1. Julia @ Lattes and Laughter
2. Sara @ The Aspiring Teacher
3. Rachel @ Learning to Teach in the Rain
4. Mr. G @ Teaching 3rd with Mr. G
5. Amanda @ My Shoe String Life





The Questions I have to answer:

1. Why did you decide to start blogging? I started blogging because I was constantly looking on pinterest and TpT for ideas and materials..and everytime I clicked it brought me to another amazing blog. I wanted a place that I could share my thoughts and ideas!
2. Have you always wanted to be a teacher? Yes-- without a doubt. I have known since I was in 2nd grade...and haven't turned back!
3. What is your favorite non-teaching website? My favorite non-teaching website would be another blog called cupcakes and cashmere OR a piece of toast...both of these are fashion blogs and I love them!!
4. Do you have pets, children, or both?  How many? I do not have any children..or pets of my own. Except I considered my parents 2 dogs my own haha. They have a cockapoo and a havanese!
5. What goals do you have for summer? My goals for this summer are to organize my curriculum work for the modules we are teaching next year and to get my TpT store up and running...I'm so nervous about it!!
6. What was the year, make, and model of your first car? I don't remember the year somewhere in the 2000s...but it was a jeep grand cherokee..fire red. LOVED IT!!
7. Have you always taught the grade that you teach now? This was my first full time teaching position this year...4th, 5th 6th special ed...last year I had a part time teaching position teaching 4th grade...so the answer is pretty much yes. haha
8. What do you like to do when you aren't teaching/grading/lesson planning? i really like to cook or read or SHOP haha and spend time with my family/dogs.
9. Out of all of the places that you might have lived, which is your favorite? my hometown, pittsford, ny. I love it there.
10. What is your must-have accessory for your work outfits? My vera bradley lanyard that holds my ID badge..I have a different one for every season (colors are different).
11. What has been your least favorite vacation destination?  Why? I don't know if I have a least favorite!! But anywhere with snow...i don't ski or snowboard haha

Okay-- now 11 random facts about me :)

1. I am a twin! I have a twin brother ( No we are not identical)-- we used to get asked that all the time!! haha. He lives in buffalo, ny. One crazy story--when he pulled is hip, I felt it at the exact time it happened! (Crazy twin thing right?!--only time that has happened though!)

2. I LOVE Essie nail polish-- I have a bit of an obsession and always have to have my nails painted.  I even take those classic nail polish pictures and post them to instagram, twitter and even pinterest haha (see it is an obsession)!

3.  I am super organized and have to have everything is a specific place...I even know when something is out of place or missing (OCD a little). This goes for school stuff, clothes, papers, anything and everything! My teaching assistant would laugh at me for some of the things I did throughout the year...all in good fun of course!

4. I absolutely hate mashed potatoes (un-american) YES I know--my family has told me this for years. But the Texture! Eww can't stand it haha My Thanksgiving plate consists of turkey with ketchup , corn, StoveTop stuffing only, and jello ha. No gravy and obviously no mashed potatoes.

5. I will only eat red meat if it is med-well or well done. I usually make a comment that says "I don't want it still mooing on the plate!" I will take chicken or fish over anything else!

6. I have probably close to or over 100 dresses-- for every occasion. I LOVE dresses at all times, in the summer with a maxi or in the winter with tights or leggings. Can't go wrong with a dress! 

7. I love Country Music and find any time to listen to it. During the summer I go to as many country concerts as I can!! This year I will be seeing, Zac Brown Band, Dierks Bentley, Brad Paisley, Toby Keith, Luke Bryan, Jason Aldean, Florida Georgia Line, John Mayer, Maroon 5..and a few more that I forgot!

8. I speak Spanish-- I'm actually certified to teach Spanish 7-12...I studied abroad in Valenica, Spain for a summer. It was amazing and I would go back in a heartbeat. 

9.  As I said before..I am super neat and organized, except for my bed (my mom always yelled at me to make my bed growing up--I never did) I still sometimes don't haha.

10. I am addicted to Pinterest..I probably am on it 10 times a day if not more. 

11. I played Field Hockey in Highschool and College and was even a coach for a few years! I love the sport...The funniest comment I get about field hockey is that it is a very confusing sport to watch--the whistle blows ten thousand times a game and they don't know why! haha 

Questions for my nominees:

Now the questions for you (my nominees) !!

1. How long have you been teaching?

2. What technology do you use in your classroom?

3. If you could go on a dream vacation where would you go?

4. How many items do you have on TpT or TN?

5. What is one piece of clothing in your closet that you could never ever get rid of?

6. If you could change one thing about teaching what would it be?

7.  Iphone or Droid?

8.  If you were stranded on a desert island and you could only bring 3 things..what would they be?

9. Have you ever been abroad to another country? 

10. What was your favorite children's book OR if you had to choose one favorite book our of your classroom library now--what would it be and why? 

11.  When did you decide to become a teacher and why?

Thanks again Carrie for the nomination :) I am truly blessed! 

Liebster Award-- a million thank yous, so honored!

Wow-- tomorrow will officially be TWO WEEKS since I started Blogging...and it has probably been the best two weeks ever (I am definitely not over exaggerating here)!!! I love all the blogs I follow and every single one of you have inspired me to keep creating and keep learning. I LOVE the fact that I can be reading a blog or joining a linky party--and then I find 5 more blogs to follow. AMAZING. I couldn't have asked for a better introduction to the blogging world and all the feedback and support from all of you! I can't even put into words how thankful I am!!

I can't even begin to thank Rachel over at Senorita Creativa for nominating me for the Liebster Award. I am so new to blogging that this is an amazing honor and I am so thankful for it :) This award is for new blogs to be welcomed into the blogging community!  It means a lot that her and all of you read my blog and hopefully one day I can have many more followers!!


To accept this award I must:

1. Link back to the blog that nominated me

2. Nominate 5-11 blogs with fewer than 200 followers

3. Answer the questions posted for you by your nominator

4. Share 11 random facts about yourself

5. Create 11 questions for your nominees

6. Contact your nominees and let them know you nominated them

 Thank you Rachel again over at Senorita Creativa! I love your blog-- especially because I am certified in Spanish as well (so many great ideas) Gracias! Check out her blog its awesome :)

I am nominating 5 blogs for this award as well :)

Mrs. Z @ Mrs. Z and Company

Lindsay @ Just Keep Teaching

Amanda @ Teacher at the Wheel

Vanessa @ The Educated Crown

Susan @ Happiness is Watermelon Shaped in 3rd Grade (Pink Watermelons)

 Here are my responses to Rachel's Questions!

1. What is your must-have teacher tool? My must have teacher tool(s) are my post it notes. I am obsessed with them! I love all colors, shapes and sizes! I use them for to do lists, observations notes. etc. Can't get enough of them! (just ask my students!)  
2. What is your favorite age to teach? Favorite age to teach 4th graders!
3. If you had to eat one food/dish every day for the next year, what would it be? I would eat SUSHI or Buffalo Chicken --both completely random but LOVE them equally haha
4. What is your favorite subject or topic to teach? Favorite subject to teach... LITERACY -- that includes reading, writing and word work--I have a bit of an obsession with books. I have a classroom library of over 250 personal books!
5. What is your favorite place to buy teacher clothes? My favorite place...that's a tough one...NOT. LOFT is my absolute favorite place to shop in GENERAL--teacher clothes, work out clothes, lounge clothes, anything! (Plus it doesn't help that I work there AND have a wonderful discount!)
6. Chevron or polka dots? Chevron ofcourse! Except I do love polka dots too
7. What is your best teaching-related memory? When one of my students picked up a book ( he is a 5th grader and cannot read even at the first grade level) He picked up Goodnight Moon and read the whole thing!!!! I almost cried.
8. What is the funniest thing a student has said to you? (This is a hard one!) I was talking with a student and he was telling me about a sale that was going on at a store over the weekend. He told me that I should check it out. I said okay I will. And then he pauses and goes..."nah the sale is over Miss O'Leary, I just wanted you to say you would go"  (guess you had to be there! haha)
9. What is your favorite organizational tool (teaching-related or not)? I am obsessed with my new Classroom Library Organizer (booksource) it categorizes all the books, scans the ISBN number, and students can check out books through it as well...simply amazing!
10. If you could talk to yourself before you started teaching, what would you tell yourself? To not sweat the small stuff and enjoy the simple things in life.  
11. What is your favorite movie or tv show? Bachelorette or any reality tv AND Law and Order SVU!!  

Okay-- now 11 random facts about me :)

1. I am a twin! I have a twin brother ( No we are not identical)-- we used to get asked that all the time!! haha. He lives in buffalo, ny. One crazy story--when he pulled is hip, I felt it at the exact time it happened! (Crazy twin thing right?!--only time that has happened though!)

2. I LOVE Essie nail polish-- I have a bit of an obsession and always have to have my nails painted.  I even take those classic nail polish pictures and post them to instagram, twitter and even pinterest haha (see it is an obsession)!

3.  I am super organized and have to have everything is a specific place...I even know when something is out of place or missing (OCD a little). This goes for school stuff, clothes, papers, anything and everything! My teaching assistant would laugh at me for some of the things I did throughout the year...all in good fun of course!

4. I absolutely hate mashed potatoes (un-american) YES I know--my family has told me this for years. But the Texture! Eww can't stand it haha My Thanksgiving plate consists of turkey with ketchup , corn, StoveTop stuffing only, and jello ha. No gravy and obviously no mashed potatoes.

5. I will only eat red meat if it is med-well or well done. I usually make a comment that says "I don't want it still mooing on the plate!" I will take chicken or fish over anything else!

6. I have probably close to or over 100 dresses-- for every occasion. I LOVE dresses at all times, in the summer with a maxi or in the winter with tights or leggings. Can't go wrong with a dress! 

7. I love Country Music and find any time to listen to it. During the summer I go to as many country concerts as I can!! This year I will be seeing, Zac Brown Band, Dierks Bentley, Brad Paisley, Toby Keith, Luke Bryan, Jason Aldean, Florida Georgia Line, John Mayer, Maroon 5..and a few more that I forgot!

8. I speak Spanish-- I'm actually certified to teach Spanish 7-12...I studied abroad in Valenica, Spain for a summer. It was amazing and I would go back in a heartbeat. 

9.  As I said before..I am super neat and organized, except for my bed (my mom always yelled at me to make my bed growing up--I never did) I still sometimes don't haha.

10. I am addicted to Pinterest..I probably am on it 10 times a day if not more. 

11. I played Field Hockey in Highschool and College and was even a coach for a few years! I love the sport...The funniest comment I get about field hockey is that it is a very confusing sport to watch--the whistle blows ten thousand times a game and they don't know why! haha

 Now the questions for you (my nominees) !!

1. How long have you been teaching?

2. What technology do you use in your classroom?

3. If you could go on a dream vacation where would you go?

4. How many items do you have on TpT or TN?

5. What is one piece of clothing in your closet that you could never ever get rid of?

6. If you could change one thing about teaching what would it be?

7.  Iphone or Droid?

8.  If you were stranded on a desert island and you could only bring 3 things..what would they be?

9. Have you ever been abroad to another country? 

10. What was your favorite children's book OR if you had to choose one favorite book our of your classroom library now--what would it be and why? 

11.  When did you decide to become a teacher and why?

I hope I did okay with all the questions! It was very fun :) Thanks again Rachel and I can't wait to read the responses from the nominees!! Keep Blogging with a pop of color!


 

Tried it Tuesday--trying a few new things!

I am linking up with my coworker and blogging buddy Holly at Fourth Grade Flipper for her every amazing Tried it Tuesday!!! I absolutely LOVE this idea and the fact that it gives me a reason to try new things for my classroom!!!

I don't have anything specifically that I have "completed" but I am working on a few different projects for my classroom. So I am trying a bunch of different things to see what works....we shall see! Fingers crossed (I am so inspired by pinterest and all the blogs that I have been reading and love--I can't stop crafting!)

I just purchased at A.C. Moore Washi Tape! I have seen on many blogs that this stuff is amazing...you were all right!! I LOVE IT! I scored big time--Each one cost only $1.00 (plus teacher discount!- SCORE!)  I also as you can see picked up many more supplies from the Dollar Store, Target, Michaels, Target, The Christmas Tree Shoppe. (Just a heads up-- Back to School stuff is starting to come out in stores!!  Can't wait, I will be checking every week now haha.) Probably my favorite time of year-- more than Christmas :)


I also have my handy dandy Laminator that I bought last year-- best purchase in the ENTIRE world. If you do not have one-- I suggest you go get it (I got mine at Wal-Mart).



 I also have my Teacher Craft box--with all of my necessities for crafting:) Hot glue gun, scissors, tape, WASHI Tape, stickers, labels, markers, paint (my new chalkboard spray paint!) All things necessary fit right into that little box and away we go!








Okay first I wanted to a create homework club chart for my students. Last year, one of my biggest problems in my special education classroom, was getting my students to complete their homework. I want to try something new this year as an incentive for completing homework each day-- you get to be in the Homework Club!

 SO I found this at the dollar store--but it is very boring! Welcome---- Washi Tape and Sticker Letters! I am not sure exactly how I want to put on the homework club (numbers, names, pictures, etc). But they will have little magnets on the back!! I will also tie a ribbon to the top of it and hang it from my wall.
Those of you that are using this or something similar--how are you using it in your classroom?!

Okay-- Next Tried It Project is my new obsession with Chalkboard...loving it!! It is so funny because I have chalkboard in my classroom--and really refused to use it this year. But now that I have Pinspiration--I have found so many useful and creative ways for chalkboard! Look what I found at Marshalls (love that store by the way!)

This was a framed chalkboard (yellow) and it was adorable--but plain. Sooo I added a little touch of chevron and came up with the picture below! I LOVE yellow and grey together! I am going to use this on the front of my desk for a daily inspiration quote for my students :) OR a "Did you know?" board where we can write one interesting fact a day. See I'm still trying things out to see what I like best. Any suggestions?!

I do have other things I am trying..but I will save those for another post!

What have you been trying lately?! What is on your summer to do list for school?! I would love to hear some more ideas!

Monday Made It- Behavior Chart, Candy Jar and STUTELAGE INNOVATIONS (Hobby Horses)

 I am SO excited for this Monday Made It. I am linking up with Tara from 4th Grade Frolics today

My first MMI is my behavior chart for next year. I decided I needed to change up my program in my room and I came across this from PINTEREST (of course!!) Here is the behavior chart. I LOVE the idea that all the students start at Ready To Learn and they can move up and down depending on their behavior. The first picture shows ribbon I used to connect them all. The middle picture is the final product :) absolutely LOVE. I don't know if I am going to use names or numbers yet for their clothespins to move up and down. The far right picture is the individual bookmarks for each student to take home (parent communication!!) as well as to keep at their desks for personal reference. The Hall of Fame is for the end of each week if a student was in "good choice" "great job" or "super student" for all 5 days will be placed in the Hall of Fame :)

I did laminate each indiviudal page so that it would last all year long!


My SECOND MMI is my desk candy jar. I found this year that I had a candy jar on my desk (not for students) but for teachers! The only problem I had with it was...it was a SNOWMAN (and I kept it up probably until March)--yikes! I wish I had a picture of it to show you! It's super cute...but we already get enough snow I didn't want to have a snowman in my room too! But I didn't find another jar that I loved..I looked everywhere!

I was at Michael's the other day to get those little chalky clips which you can find HERE and I found the jar that I wanted--It was on SALE. All I had to do was add the pop of color that I wanted and Presto a 4 season candy jar!

 My THIRD MMI I am SO excited about! On Friday I went to help my friend who started her own business called Stutelage Innovations (check it out its amazing!) If you live in Buffalo, NY or surrounding areas you should REALLY look into this. Stutelage is a center that provides tutoring, community programming, party planning, summer camps and MORE! I helped out with a summer camp called "A Horse is a Horse of course"  You can find all the other community programs HERE for the rest of the summer. Not just for children, there are programs for young adults and adults too (especially teachers!! Since my friend is a teacher too---her philosophy is that you learn something new from everything they offer!)

SOOO..A Horse is a Horse of course Stutelage description said-- "Come learn everything there is to know about horses in this week long camp.  We will read stories about horses both wild and tame.  We will learn what is needed to take care of a horse and the many different jobs that a horse can have.  We will even learn important information about owning, riding, and caring for a horse." How exciting right?! A whole week to learn about

Friday was the last day for the camp and I was soooo glad it was the day I went. For the end of camp craft they were making Hobby Horses. HOW CUTE RIGHT! I thought this would be a perfect Monday Made It for all sorts of different reasons ( to use at school, at home or just fun for your own kids!).  Now you are probably thinking...how are they going to make Hobby Horses without it costing a fortune! Welll....Think. Pool Noodles, Felt, Twine, Sharpie Marker and DONE.


Pool Noodles-- $1.00 at Five Below
Felt- $0.29 at A.C. Moore
Twine- $2.99 at A.C. Moore
(then use your teacher discount!!)

Here are the materials that you need!!  Make sure you draw on the felt the mane and the ears for the horse!!

Fold the noodle at the top to make the head for the horse.           Cut out the felt for the mane and ears!

 Have an adult help tie the twine around the noodle. This helps to keep the folded part down as well as makes the reins for riding!In the picture below you can see the reins hanging!!

After that you will want to hot glue gun the ears and mane to the noodle. Put the ears on first like above!

 Now it's time to add the mane to the back of the noodle! Hot glue gun it down . Look at all the pictures :) How cute!!!

 Now...your horse cannot be a horse without some eyes. Use a sharpie marker or googly eyes to make your horse stand out!!

Aren't these Hobby Horses adorable!?! It is a quick and easy craft project that you can make at home or at school! Here are the 5 Final products

Bright SUMMER COLORS and a FUN Summer Activity! Now after you make the Hobby Horses--the best thing to do is have a horse race right?!?!

On Your Mark Get Set....GO!!! The campers had such a great time the whole week learning about horses and then being able to ride a "horse" on the last day!!

Don't forget to Check out Stutelage Innovations for more fun this summer and into the school year!

Hopefully you found something fun for Monday Made it! Don't forget to Follow me on Bloglovin!
Also don't forget to check out my new pages Trending Closet and Trending Classroom