Monthly Math Q&A and a GIVEAWAY!

I am thrilled that so many of you are just as excited as I am about my month-by-month math centers! I know that you have had lots of questions, so I decided to do a little post and try to answer those that have been most common! Then…stay tuned for a little giveaway!

How do these centers meet the needs of students’ grade levels 1-5?

These centers as designed to allow students to work towards mastery of a basic, yet specific, math skill. The actual practice sheets are blank…meaning they do not include numbers. This is perfect because not only does it allow the students to complete an activity as much as needed, but it allows them to advance at their own pace. For example, if the whole class is still working on one digit addition, yet you have a student ready to move on, he/she can begin creating two digit numbers and so on. That is why I love them so much. They do not have to be switched out, the students are always working with new sets of numbers {so they do not just memorize the answers}, and it allows for the students to feel a sense of ownership….like they created the activity on their own. On that same note, remember…you do not have to implement each center. I typically used 6-8 in first grade and more in second.

How do you implement these centers?

I have used the centers in both first and second grade. I intend to implement them into 3rd as well for my early finishers and possibly some homework assignments.

First Grade: Since these youngsters are not quite independent at the beginning of the year, I like to take it a little slow. I will usually introduce addition, subtraction, and Can’t Top It at the beginning of the year so that they can practice these concepts when they have extra time.  Another little tip just in case the the cards aren’t enough of a visual: I allow students to have a bag of manipulatives in their desk {counters, fruit loops, etc.}. They can use these at any time when trying to solve problems. This is an excellent way to really develop number sense, one-to-one correspondence and helps students visualize what is going in their math problem. First Graders LOVE these centers. It makes them feel so grown up!

Second Grade: At the beginning of our second grade year, I introduced three centers each week. {Trust me, they pick up on the concept very quickly}. At the end of each week, I would allow the students to work independently as I walked around and monitored. During this time I made sure that each student thoroughly understood how to complete each activity. Then, once all centers were introduced, the students were allowed complete activities as early finisher stations. On occasion, we would have a choice day and they would always run to these activities first!

How do you keep your color ink usage to a minimum?

First of all, I do NOT print everything in color! HOLY ink bill! I run a master copy and place it into a notebook. Then I just make regular copies on the copy machines at school. When printing a master copy, you can also choose the grayscale option prior to printing. Either way works fine! The only thing that I print in color is the cover sheets for the folders and their cards {which I choose to laminate so that I can use them for the next couple of years}.

Do you just use these activities for early finishers?

Primarily I do use these for my early finishers. Let’s face it, part of mastering basic math concepts is a lot of drill and practice. It is just a fun way that allows students to engage in such work without the “bored out of my mind” factor. They truly enjoy them! However, I have used them occasionally for homework. For example, when working with rounding numbers this year, we practiced rounding two and three digit numbers. So the students could easily take home the activity, create their numbers and go to town rounding.

Are each set of centers exactly the same?

Yes…and no. Each set of centers is formatted the same way for a reason. Here is how I view early finisher activities. They must be engaging for the students, focus on a skill that students are familiar with, and meaningful. They are not “I need to ask my teach a trillion questions so I am sure that I am doing it right” activities. {You feel me??? We have all been there!} When my students complete these activities,  I am usually working with small groups of students reinforcing concepts taught during my instructional time. It is difficult to give them the attention that they need when 10 students are running up to you every second. So…yes, they are the same activities…BUT…remember, the students are always creating new numbers. Therefore, they are practicing the same skills {remember that drill and practice thing I talked about earlier}, but always with new numbers ensuring that they truly understand how to problem solve.

How do you monitor their progress? Do you assign specific activities?

This really depends on the student. In first grade, I would have a basic outline of a checklist and would individually create each student a list of centers that they needed to complete for the week. They kept them in a little notebook and would check off the activities that they completed. This still provided choice {which activity they wanted to complete when} but with a little more focus. Then each week, I graded a different group {2 groups} to check for mistakes here and there. This also helped me as I structured my instruction for the next week and would occasionally throw in a little mini lesson here and there on our weak areas. In second grade, I specifically used them for early finishers and would quickly check them before they turned them in. I really prefer the way that I structured this in first and will probably return to that method in third. It’s all about trial and error people….right? RIGHT! Really, it is all about what works for you!

I hope this information was helpful to you! If not, feel free to let me know and I will help in any way that I can!

Now, for the giveaway! I will be giving one lucky winner a set of my math centers. You can click on any of the pictures to check them out at TPT.

Slide146[1]  Slide147  Playing-Card-Math-Centers3

Slide13  Slide149  Slide152

Slide151  Slide153  Slide148

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If you would like to enter into the giveaway, you can follow the steps below. I will choose a winner on Saturday evening.

To Enter:

1) Follow My Blog

2) Follow My TPT Shop {HERE}

3) Follow My Facebook Page {HERE}

You can leave a comment for each entry in my comments section below. Please do not leave any additional comments {3 is the max}. Best of luck!

I hope that everyone is lovin’ summer as much as I am! What’s not to love? ;)

376 comments:

  1. Now you know I follow your blog, Hope! lol

    ReplyDelete
  2. I follow your blog- LOVE your stuff! :)
    Tori
    Tori's Teacher Tips
    treb21@comcast.net

    ReplyDelete
  3. I follow your TpT store :)
    Tori
    treb21@comcast.net
    Tori's Teacher Tips

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  4. I follow your TPT store and always get excited when the e-mail comes that you have something new. I teach 2nd grade and these would be PERFECT for me next year!

    ReplyDelete
  5. i follow you on fb!!
    ashley.e.thurston@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  6. I follow your tpt store!

    rmariemuniz@hotmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  7. I follow you on facebook!
    becky.bacon@cox.net

    ReplyDelete
  8. I already follow your FB page!

    rmariemuniz@hotmail.com

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  9. I follow you TPT store!
    becky.bacon@cox.net

    ReplyDelete
  10. So exciting! I already bought the Rock and Roll ones and they are absolutely amazing!
    I follow your blog.

    Swimming into Second

    swimmingintosecond@att.net

    ReplyDelete
  11. I follow your FB page.

    Swimming into Second

    swimmingintosecond@att.net

    ReplyDelete
  12. I follow your blog.
    becky.bacon@cox.net

    ReplyDelete
  13. Thanks for the Q&A! I follow your blog :)

    Kate
    EduKate and Inspire

    ktbailin@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  14. I follow your blog and LOVE these centers!
    brynne.zachow@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  15. I follow your TPT store and your centers bundle is currently on my wishlist!
    brynne.zachow@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  16. I've been a follower of your FB page for quite some time, too!
    brynne.zachow@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  17. I follow your blog! Love these centers
    Jessica
    langjjess@gmail.com

    Apples and Papers

    ReplyDelete
  18. I follow your TpT store and have these on my wishlist (not that that was part of the requirements but it should show my excitement lol)

    ReplyDelete
  19. And I now follow your facebook page :)

    ReplyDelete
  20. I follow your blog!! :)

    kristenkennedy5@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  21. I follow your blog! :)


    Elisabeth
    edelk@allonselementary.com

    ReplyDelete
  22. I follow you on TPT :)

    kristenkennedy5@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  23. I follow your TpT shop! :)

    Elisabeth
    edelk@allonselementary.com

    ReplyDelete
  24. I liked your facebook page! Love these centers!

    kristenkennedy5@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  25. I follow your wonderful TpT store.
    Jessica
    langjjess@gmail.com

    Apples and Papers

    ReplyDelete
  26. I follow your blog!

    Kimberly
    thelearningtreeblog@gmail.com
    The Learning Tree

    ReplyDelete
  27. I've been following your blog :)

    Christine
    cutekids2.cj@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  28. I follow your TpT store!

    Kimberly
    thelearningtreeblog@gmail.com
    The Learning Tree

    ReplyDelete
  29. have followed your TPT store ..and purchased quite a few things :-)

    Christine
    cutekids2.cj@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  30. I like your Facebook!

    Kimberly
    thelearningtreeblog@gmail.com
    The Learning Tree

    ReplyDelete
  31. and now I'm following you on FB. Thanks for the opportunity to win these fabulous math centers!

    Christine
    cutekids2.cj@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  32. I follow your blog!

    Elizabeth
    liz_lovelace@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  33. I follow your TPT store!

    Elizabeth
    liz_lovelace@yahoo.com

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  34. I follow you on Facebook!

    Elizabeth
    liz_lovelace@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  35. I follow your blog!


    Lorena
    Little Treasures

    lorena.delgadillo@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  36. I liked you on FB!

    Lorena
    Little Treasures
    lorena.delgadillo@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  37. I follow your TpT store!

    Lorena
    Little Treasures
    lorena.delgadillo@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  38. I follow you on facebook.
    Jessica
    langjjess@gmail.com

    Apples and Papers

    ReplyDelete
  39. I am following your blog. :) Andrea Kubach

    ReplyDelete
  40. I am following you on TPT. Andrea Kubach :)

    ReplyDelete
  41. Thank you for sharing your center idea. It is very helpful.
    I follow your TPT store (and I've pointed others your way too!
    Amy
    Where Seconds Count 2nd grade blog

    ReplyDelete
  42. I follow your blog. Love the open-ended idea of your centers!

    tokyoshoes (at) hotmail (dot) com

    ReplyDelete
  43. I follow your blog ... who doesn't :) Your ideas are Amaaaaaaaaaaaaazing!
    Amy
    Where Seconds Count 2nd grade blog

    ReplyDelete
  44. Also a TpT follower!

    tokyoshoes (at) hotmail (dot) com

    ReplyDelete
  45. I also follow your facebook page :) I must confess that I don't often open facebook because I'm too busy blog stalking!
    Amy
    Where Seconds Count 2nd grade blog

    ReplyDelete
  46. ahh Hope!I would LOVE to win! I follow your blog!

    ReplyDelete
  47. AND I follow your FB page! Wahoo! Fingers crossed!

    ReplyDelete
  48. I follow your blog!! (and I'm very happy about that ;)
    misselementary@gmail.com
    Miss Elementary

    ReplyDelete
  49. I follow your TPT store!
    misselementary@gmail.com
    Miss Elementary

    ReplyDelete
  50. I follow your blog!
    lisa_sardinha@hotmail.com

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  51. I follwo your TPT store!
    lisa_sardinha@hotmail.com

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  52. I follow your blog!
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  53. I follow your TpT store!
    kwelnicke@hotmail.com

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  54. I liked your fb page!
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    ReplyDelete
  55. I follow your blog.

    Heidi
    My (Not So) Elementary Life
    mynotsoelementarylife@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  56. I follow your blog.

    Lindsayhill62@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  57. I follow your TPT store.

    Lindsayhill62@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  58. Thanks for this awesome giveaway! I follow your blog and love it! :)

    delightedinsecond@gmail.com
    Delighted in Second

    ReplyDelete
  59. I "like" you on fb.

    Lindsayhill62@gmail.com

    I teach 2nd and your centers would be a perfect addition!

    ReplyDelete
  60. This comment has been removed by the author.

    ReplyDelete
  61. I follow you on TPT!

    delightedinsecond@gmail.com
    Delighted in Second

    ReplyDelete
  62. Hi Hope, I follow your blog.

    Jenna Weinert

    ReplyDelete
  63. I follow you on Facebook.

    Jenna Weinert

    ReplyDelete
  64. I follow your blog. meredith.mitchell@nhcs.net

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  65. I follow your blog!

    Katie
    smileykate52@hotmail.com

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  66. I follow your TPT store!

    Katie
    smileykate52@hotmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  67. I am now following you on Facebook, TPT, and your blog!

    Mallory
    powersm@ucboe.net

    ReplyDelete
  68. And now your TPT and on facebook!

    ReplyDelete
  69. We follow your blog!
    Katie & Lisen :)
    wearesecondgradesmartypants.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
  70. I follow your blog.

    kimberlycollatos@comcast.net

    ReplyDelete
  71. I follow your TPT store.


    kimberlycollatos@comcast.net

    ReplyDelete
  72. I follow you on Facebook.


    kimberlycollatos@comcast.net

    ReplyDelete
  73. I follow you on TPT! Love all your stuff!
    peters_ac@hotmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  74. I follow your blog!
    peters_ac@hotmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  75. I also follow you facebook! Yay!
    peters_ac@hotmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  76. I follow your blog
    Liz

    langhoff.elizabeth@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  77. I follow your TPT store
    Liz

    langhoff.elizabeth@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  78. I liked you on Facebook!
    Liz

    langhoff.elizabeth@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  79. I follow your blog and love it!
    Amy
    amyjperry@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  80. I follow your blog!
    amlopac{at}gmail{dot}com

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  81. I follow you on TPT!
    amlopac{at}gmail{dot}com

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  82. I follow you on facebook!
    amlopac{at}gmail{dot}com

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  83. I follow your TPT store and love all your units!
    Amy
    amyjperry@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  84. I follow your blog :)

    ~Stephanie
    3rdgradethoughts@gmail.com
    3rd Grade Thoughts

    ReplyDelete
  85. I follow you on Facebook.
    Amy
    amyjperry@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  86. I follow your blog : )
    Lindsey
    lmburto@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  87. Just moved to 2nd after 12 years in1st! LOVE your stuff! Do you think you could move back to 2nd please? Follow your blog and TPT.

    ReplyDelete
  88. I follow your Facebook page : )
    Lindsey
    lmburto@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  89. I follow your blog! Oh, I hope I win! These look perfect!
    April
    ajohnson45039@yahoo.com
    Johnson's Jungle

    ReplyDelete
  90. I follow your blog!
    Staci

    ☞Go NuTTY with ME!

    misssquirrels@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  91. I follow your Tpt!
    Staci

    ☞Go NuTTY with ME!

    misssquirrels@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  92. I follow your TPT! I all ready have purchased one of your math centers and will be buying more! Love them! Hope I win one!
    Debbie.hurst@birdvilleschools.net

    ReplyDelete
  93. I follow your blog too! :)
    Debbie.hurst@birdvilleschools.net

    ReplyDelete
  94. I follow your blog! :)

    Paula
    thndrlghtnng2@aol.com

    ReplyDelete
  95. I follow your TPT store! :)

    Paula
    thndrlghtnng2@aol.com

    ReplyDelete
  96. I follow your Facebook page. :)

    Paula
    thndrlghtnng2@aol.com

    ReplyDelete
  97. I follow your blog! I have the Love me Tender Centers, and they were FABULOUS!!!!

    Meg
    buzzaroundinsecondgrade.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
  98. I follow your store! :) :)

    Meg
    buzzaroundinsecondgrade.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
  99. I follow your facebook! :) I hope I win!! :)

    Meg
    buzzaroundinsecondgrade.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
  100. I followed your TpT store long before I realized you had a blog! I just love your stuff!
    anolson@eldoradoschools.org

    ReplyDelete
  101. I now follow your blog:)
    anolson@eldoradoschools.org

    ReplyDelete
  102. I follow your blog and love all your ideas!
    Brittany
    Birdie97@aol.com

    ReplyDelete
  103. I follow your TpT store and love everything I have purchased so far!
    Brittany
    Birdie97@aol.com

    ReplyDelete
  104. I follow your lovely blog!! :)
    Bforbes89@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  105. I follow your TPT store too! :)
    Bforbes89@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  106. &&& I follow your Facebook page! :)
    Bforbes89@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  107. I follow your blog! :o)

    Jennifer
    jennkeys @ gmail . com

    ReplyDelete
  108. I follow your store! :o)

    Jennifer
    jennkeys @ gmail . com

    ReplyDelete
  109. I liked your FB page :)

    Haley - lusigma04@gmail.com (should be 04 in previous comments...ooops!)
    Following Optimism in 2nd Grade

    ReplyDelete
  110. I follow your blog! I get so many good ideas from you!
    Pam
    My Second Home

    ReplyDelete
  111. I follow your blog of course :)

    Jamie at 2nd Grade Stuff
    jamie_rector@att.net

    ReplyDelete
  112. I also follow your TPT store!

    Jamie at 2nd Grade Stuff
    jamie_rector@att.net

    ReplyDelete
  113. I LIKE your Facebook Page too!


    Jamie at 2nd Grade Stuff
    jamie_rector@att.net

    ReplyDelete
  114. I follow you blog through email.

    prec0ci0us@bellsouth.net

    ReplyDelete
  115. I follow your TPT store as well.

    Christina S.
    prec0ci0us@bellsouth.net

    ReplyDelete
  116. I also follow your FB page as Christina Marie.

    Christina S.
    prec0ci0us@bellsouth.net

    ReplyDelete
  117. I follow your blog (and LOVE keeping up with it)!

    -Renee Gregg

    ReplyDelete
  118. I follow your TPT store (and have this very set in my wishlist to get ready for my 2nd graders this year)! :)

    -Renee Gregg

    ReplyDelete
  119. I now also "liked" your facebook page! Thanks for sharing such great information and resources for fellow teachers! :)

    -Renee Gregg

    ReplyDelete
  120. I follow your wonderful blog. I'll be on vacation for a week, so I'll see who the lucky winner is when I return. Crossing my fingers it's me when I open up my email upon my return!


    Yearn to Learn Blog
    taskcard123@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  121. I follow your blog and it's one of my favorites!

    Kristy
    kristyteach@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  122. I follow your TPT store!

    Kristy
    kristyteach@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  123. I follow your FB page!

    Kristy
    kristyteach@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  124. I am excited to follow your fb page!

    ReplyDelete
  125. I have been following your blog!
    Headleyfamily@comcast.net

    ReplyDelete
  126. I am now following your TPT store!
    Headleyfamily@comcast.net

    ReplyDelete
  127. I follow your blog
    Brooke
    b_beynon@hotmail.com
    aTeachable Moments

    ReplyDelete
  128. I follow your TPT store
    Brooke
    b_beynon@hotmail.com
    aTeachable Moments

    ReplyDelete
  129. I follow you on facebook :)
    Brooke
    b_beynon@hotmail.com
    aTeachable Moments

    ReplyDelete
  130. I follow your blog!

    Shanyn
    Coffee, Kids and Compulsive Lists
    coffeekidsandcompulsivelists@hotmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  131. I follow your TPT store!

    Shanyn
    Coffee, Kids and Compulsive Lists
    coffeekidsandcompulsivelists@hotmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  132. I follow you on Facebook!

    Shanyn
    Coffee, Kids and Compulsive Lists
    coffeekidsandcompulsivelists@hotmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  133. I follow your blog!

    sunburst541@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  134. I follow your TpT store :)


    sunburst541@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  135. I like your FB page!

    sunburst541@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  136. I follow your blog!
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    ReplyDelete
  137. This comment has been removed by the author.

    ReplyDelete
  138. I follow your TpT store!
    steph_backus@hotmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  139. I just "liked" you on Facebook.

    ReplyDelete
  140. I follow your blog!
    Deirdre.Bachar@fairfieldsfuture.org

    ReplyDelete
  141. I follow your tpt store.
    Deirdre.Bachar@fairfieldsfuture.org

    ReplyDelete
  142. I liked you on Facebook.
    Deirdre.Bachar@fairfieldsfuture.org

    ReplyDelete
  143. I am now following your blog - I am changing grade levels next year so thank you!

    ReplyDelete
  144. I am also following your TpT store and excited for some new ideas!

    ReplyDelete
  145. And, I also liked your page on Facebook.

    ReplyDelete
  146. I follow your TPT store and it's amazing! I've bought many of your activities! Thanks so much for sharing!

    ~Kristi
    @kristilynne4@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  147. I stalk...I mean follow your blog! Thanks for sharing so many incredible ideas and activities! :)

    ~Kristi
    @kristilynne4@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  148. I "LIKE" your FB page! :)

    ~Kristi
    @kristilynne4@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  149. I follow your blog! Love all of you ideas:)

    ReplyDelete
  150. I happily follow your blog!
    - Amanda {avphilli@gmail.com}
    Inspired in Second

    ReplyDelete
  151. Hello!!! Would LOOOOOOVE those Math centers! They're currently sitting in my wishlist box on Teachers pay teachers! :) Thank you for everything you create; when I have alerts on my pinterest app from you I can SO excited!!! :)

    ReplyDelete
  152. I follow your TpT store, too.
    - Amanda {avphilli@gmail.com}
    Inspired in Second

    ReplyDelete
  153. Oh and I follow your blog;)

    ReplyDelete
  154. I like your facebook page.
    - Amanda {avphilli@gmail.com}
    Inspired in Second

    ReplyDelete
  155. ....and I follow your TP store!! You are one followed lady!! :)

    ReplyDelete
  156. I follow your blog by email so I never miss a post!
    Teachin' First
    krisspradlin4@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  157. I follow your TpT store!
    Teachin' First
    krisspradlin4@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  158. I follow you on FB too!
    Teachin' First
    krisspradlin4@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  159. I follow your blog!

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  160. I follow your tpt store :)

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  162. i follow your TPT store!
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  163. i liked your facebook page!
    katie.neustadter@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  164. I follow your blog!
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    ReplyDelete
  165. I have been following your TPT all year :D Love what you do Hope!
    bethbily@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  166. I follow your TPT store too!
    shanolsen@aol.com

    ReplyDelete
  167. This comment has been removed by the author.

    ReplyDelete
  168. I Follow your blog! :D
    bethbily@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  169. I follow your fb page! :D
    bethbily@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  170. I follow your TpT store too.

    SM

    ReplyDelete