It's a Celebration!!!! 2012...Here We Come!!!

I know it's a little early...but it's 12:00 somewhere...right?!? So...Happy New Year! I am so excited to see what 2012 brings for me and all of my blogging buddies! I hope that you all have a very blessed New Year! I know that most of us will be out super late tonight, but when you manage to pull yourself out of bed tomorrow, don't forget to stop by and enter into a giveaway that you will not want to miss out on! Wishing you all the best in 2012!

TPT New Year's Celebration Sale!!!!

Go get your New Year's shopping on and stop on by my little TPT store for all of your teaching needs! Ha! :) Happy New Year! 

AND THE WINNER IS...

AND THE WINNER IS...

Thank you SO MUCH to everyone who participated! If you are new to my blog, I am so glad that you stopped by! :) If you didn't win...don't worry...I will be back in a few days {January 1...to be exact} with one more giveaway before we return to school! Believe me...you won't want to miss out on this giveaway that includes so many of your favorite blogging buddies! See you then!  

I will also be having a little New Year's Celebration Sale until January 1st over at TPT. You can click {HERE} to find all of the units included in this giveaway!!! Happy Shopping!


Last Chance to Enter...

Hi Friends...Today is the last day to enter my big holiday giveaway. I will announce the winner tomorrow morning. Click {HERE} to enter!

Here is What YOU could Win!

Two New Units: 

 And All of the Old School Stuff Too! :)

Good Luck!!!! I'll be back tomorrow to announce our WINNER! :)

A New Year's FREEBIE!

Yes! It is seriously almost that time!  You know...2012! Before we know it...it will be summer vacay...at least we'll keep telling ourselves that over and over again before SPRING BREAK! :)  

I always get super excited about a new year. It's kinda like a fresh start and I love making new resolutions and goals to work towards in the coming year. This is also a wonderful activity for students as we return to school in the next few weeks.

Every year, my students write about the things that they would like to accomplish in the new year and they really do an amazing job. They always take this little assignment super serious and are so sincere about their goals...even if it is to become a professional football star! Ahhh...I love the heart of a child! After we write about our goals, the students cut their face out of a large photo and we glue a celebration hat on top. {Sorry...I don't have any pictures...I totally wasn't planning on becoming a blogaholic last January!}

I have created a little freebie that includes writing paper and party hats to place on your students' pictures. You can click on the pictures below to download a copy for you and your kiddos!



That's all I have for you today. Don't forget to stop by my new Facebook page! I am off to our first rec league basketball scrimmage. I am helping coach our 6th graders and it has been so much fun. I just wish I could get back on that court for a game! :) Competitive much? Ummm....totally!!!

I hope that you are all continuing to soak up the rest and relaxation of this much needed break! 

Oh Wait...before you leave...I would love for you to enter in my giveaway to win my entire TPT store! Click on the picture below! ;)

Ok...Ok...I am gone! For real! :)

Facebook Official...

I have exciting news...Second Grade Shenanigans is now FACEBOOK OFFICIAL. Click on the link below {or on my sidebar} to follow my little teaching parade over on Facebook! This can also qualify you for one more chance to enter into my little giveaway! So, if you like my page...let me know {RIGHT HERE}! You still have a few days left to enter to win it big! ;)

Find out more about my giveaway by clicking on the picture below!

So, how was your Christmas? I blinked and it's gone! A little sad but what a wonderful day it was! :0) Now...on to bigger and better things...the New Year!


A Few of My {Non-School Related} Favorite Things...

Happy Holidays, friends! I just want to say that I am so thankful for all of you. You have all been such a blessing with your sweet comments, emails and ideas. You have all inspired me and challenged me to become a better teacher everyday in the classroom. Y'all are awesome! I hope that you and your family have a very blessed Christmas as we all remember the true reason for the season!

One of my favorite parts of the holiday season is the holiday decor! I have had way too much fun looking at all of your decorations that you have posted out in blog land! So, I decided to join in on all of the fun! :)


                           Here are a few of my {non-school related} favorite things!

Glitter, Ribbon, and Lights
{Oh yes...and burlap bows! Lovin' on me some burlap this season!}

Red and Green
{AND more burlap}
Not really sure how I felt about the sticks with lights {it's the best name I could come up with} BUT I just went with it. It may be growing on me!
Our little tile hanging on our door was painted by a student and her mom! Isn't it awesome?

Snowmen...
I LOVE Snowmen

Ahhh...yes...and Pottery Barn

Y'all when I say I love snowmen...I mean I LOVE snowmen!
{Those adorable wine glasses...came from one of my students...with super cool parents! ;0)}


Snow Villages....
Just so darn cute!

And Finally...My most favorite thing of all...

FAMILY TIME...
Which I am going to do RIGHT NOW...
AND for the next couple of days...

See you on the 29th to announce my winner!

Happy, Happy Holidays, Friends!
Many, Many Blessings!

Math Centers and a Sale and a Holiday Giveaway...OH MY!!!!

Winter Wonderland: January Math Centers are ready to go! Head on over to TPT to pick up your copy. Here is a look inside and if you would like to read more about these centers, check it out {HERE}!

The Centers






The Sale


The Giveaway...OH MY!
Click on the picture below for your chance to enter

Merry Christmas Eve...Eve, Friends!

Second Grade Work Work CENTERS!!!!!!

What should I be doing right now?!? Maybe finishing up my holiday shopping or enjoying a nice hot latte BUT I am babysitting...my poor mother! {Bless her heart...she is having a rough time right now with three surgeries in two days!} So instead, I am getting ALL, yes I said ALL of my work done for the first week back at school. I told my mom that I don't know whether to hug her or kill her. She was totally OK with that comment and proceeded to remind me that this is nothing compared to what she put up with during her 26 years {and counting} of raising me! I don't understand that a bit...I was a complete angel! ;)  Anyways...this whole being prepared early thing is SO NOT me. Seriously...I am the BIGGEST procrastinator that you will ever meet when it comes to paper work and things that I do not particularly love! Wait that didn't come out right... I LOVE teaching, just not over the holidays! Better!

So, on today's agenda....2nd Grade Word Work Centers! Y'all...I am SO SUPER PUMPED about finally having the time to create this or BEGIN creating this {I guess this is a hug her moment?!? Ha!} I feel like I have been drawing at straws for my weekly phonics instruction and frankly...my straws...well...they're gone! I am so excited about having everything in one place, pressing print, and making copies for those sweet kiddos of mine!

It is in the beginning stages, but I am going to be working on mini-units for all of the 28 units that are included in 2nd Grade Word Work. First up...Unit 10. Why not start with unit 1? It's all about meeting them where they are at...and we are currently on Unit 10...so that is where I shall begin. Don't worry, I will play catch up and get back to units 1-9.

Here is a little look-see!
This little 37 page mini includes skill posters and seven centers including the words from both the weekly and challenge lists. All centers can be used for whole group, small group, or individualized instruction or center activities. I can't wait to play The Amazing Race and Candy Land: The Game of Plurals when we return!


You can click on the pictures below to take you directly to TPT to pick these up! They are both currently on SALE!!!!


Also...there is still time to enter in my BLOWOUT GIVEAWAY! Click below for details! Thank you to all of you who have already entered to win it big! Happy Holidays!  


Can I get a shout-out for not being a procrastinator this time?!? Whooohooo!! :)

You've Got Mail

Hi Friends! I have been trying to work through all of my emails in my spare time. {Ha! For Real? I think spare time is only in a fantasy world!} ;) I want you to know that I truly value each and every one of you and all your comments and questions. HOWEVER...y'all I am being totally serious when I say that my inbox is a HOT MESS! I truly want to reply, so if you have emailed me in...oh...say...the last two months {yikes!} please, please, PUH-LEASE email me again and I will definitely respond. As for me, I am deleting all of my emails in my inbox so that it is not so frightening! {Just a little FYI about me...my voicemail inbox is almost as bad...I am TERRIBLE at returning phone calls and obviously emails! Maybe a new years resolution????} Don't hate me! :) Ha!

On a happy note, I have been working on several new units. On a not so happy note, the reason I have had all of this time is that my poor mom has had three surgeries over the break and I am on call 24/7. What can I say...she is a crazy lady and wanted to get it all over at once so it would be over in a hurry! I can't blame her! So, I have put all of my hospital time to good use. 

I am just about finished with my Winter Wonderland January Math Centers. I wanted to get these posted ASAP so you would have time to get them all together before we return {whoever said teachers get a break....is totally NUTS!}. These centers are super cute and I have added a few new centers for some of you upper elementary peeps!


This little unit will also be included in my GIVEAWAY, so click on the picture below for YOUR CHANCE TO WIN IT BIG!!!!!! 

And for all of the requests...COMING SOON!!!!


Happy Holidays Bloggy Friends!

Magic Santa Keys

I hate to say it, so I am going to say it FAST...kinda like ripping off a Band-Aid....I know that SOME of you are still in school....OUCH! Sorry! I pray for you daily. OK, OK...hourly!   Maybe this will make it a little better. If you are looking for a fast and easy peasy idea for a last minute classroom gift, I've got it all figured out for you.

Raise your hand if you totally fell in love with the little magic Santa keys popping up all over pinterest. Looks so easy...right?!? Um....well...that is if you don't have to search for those darn skeleton keys. I mean, I thought to myself...how easy could it be to pick up some skeleton keys and attach Cara Carroll's adorable poem?!? WRONG! Those pesky little keys were absolutely NO WHERE to be found! Well, we are all teachers....so....how does that saying go??? Oh yes...MODIFY AND ADJUST!  Since I couldn't find those crazy antique looking keys, I just had to come up with something a little different...however...not profound. I am most certain that this idea is probably somewhere on that little lover that I call Pinterest, but this is one time that I actually did not call in the troops and send out a search party to locate it! ;)

Here are those adorable skeleton keys!
SUPER CUTE! RIGHT?
{You can pick up Cara's version of this poem HERE! It's perfect!}

Although the skeleton keys would have been nice, this little version will do in a pinch! ;) AND...the kiddos absolutely fell in L.O.V.E.
{I promise...the glitter was sparkly and beautiful in person!}

The alternative version:

1. A collection of old keys...big/little, dirty/clean...you get the picture.
(Send out a faculty email...EVERYONE has keys that they need to get off their key ring!)
2. Tacky Spray or any spray adhesive
3. Gold Glitter
4. Hairspray

How It's Done:
1. Give those keys a good spray of adhesive.
2. Dip in Glitter and allow time to dry.
3. Spray a little hairspray for a top coat so the glitter won't "shed".
4. Attach Poem.

There you have it. A magical gift for all kiddos {especially for those without a chimney}!  

Hopefully this will save you a little time and/or frustration if you too are jumping on the magic key bandwagon!

ALSO...

Don't forget to enter in my giveaway. You can check it OUT by clicking on the picture below!


Ho! Ho! Ho! :)

BLOWOUT HOLIDAY GIVEAWAY

If you follow me, you know that I am HORRIBLE at giveaways. I mean, it's not that I do not L.O.V.E. a great giveaway, but I am terrible...JUST terrible at keeping up with them. {On that note, if someone could  let me know how you get your blog to number all of those sweet little comments that would help a sista out oh so much!} So now that I am out of school for a few weeks, I thought I could do it up BIG and host a nice BIG giveaway! Here's the deal. I am giving away my ENTIRE TPT STORE to one lucky winner! That's right....you get EV-ER-Y-THING! Just call me Santa...{definitely kidding...I WOULD HATE to wrap all of those darn gifts...BUT...am super grateful to people who do love holiday wrapping!} ;)

Here are the four easy ways that you can enter to win it big!

Giveaway Closed
(Thanks for participating!!!!)
Please make sure that you leave me a separate comment for each entry. ALSO: DON'T FORGET to leave me your email should I need to contact you with all of your goodies!

AND...
As a BIG THANK YOU to all of my sweet followers {y'all are the absolute BEST!} who have been so generous with all of your sweet comments and emails, {that I am still trying to read...ahhh...SORRY!} I am hosting a holiday sale at my lil' TPT store from now until Christmas. Everything will be 20% off!

The contest will end next Wednesday, December 28th at MIDNIGHT...SHARP! So...what are you waiting for?!? :)
Here is a look at what you can win:


Currently....

I am so excited to finally be able to hop on the band wagon and participate in one of Farley's currently. I absolutely love Farley's blog and it never disappoints. If you are ever in need of a good laugh, you must pay her a visit!

Introducing my very FIRST currently:

Another Must: Visit Reagan at Tunstall's Teaching Tidbits! I seriously do not know where these ladies come up with their stories, but they are TOO MUCH!

Come back and visit me tomorrow! I have a HUGE giveaway up sleeve!


Happy Sunday Funday!!! Why is it a funday you ask?!? Because there is NO SCHOOL TOMORROW!!! Holla atcha girl if you can sense my excitement!?!