A Bright New Year

I am slowly but surely slipping back into reality. I still have until Wednesday and believe me, I am soaking up every last second of this wonderful break! {a.k.a. stayed in my pajamas all day long!!!!}

Even though I stayed in my pajamas, I still managed to pull myself up for a while to get some work done and try to start preparing my brain for the 5 a.m. "WAKE UP CALL" on Wednesday morning! {That one's gonna hurt!} Although I do not love mornings, I am excited to get back and see my 16 little darlings. I really like to get them excited for second semester so I have a few things that I am going to use to get them back in gear! If you haven't started back...maybe you can use these little gems as well! If you are already back in school mode, it's never too late to "pretend" that it is on the lesson plan! :)

My kids love glow sticks. I have them in a cup and pass them out to "shining authors" during writing time. They are really something serious in our classroom. I thought about giving all of my kids one for Valentine's Day, but then I saw this little number on Pinterest.

So, why wait? Maybe this will cause some "bright" thoughts to process through their brains since they haven't done anything have studied and read ALL break...right?!? {Please tell me I'm right} Ha!

Here are the tags that I am going to attach. I have made several versions just in case anyone else would like to encourage bright thinking! You can download the tags {HERE!}

If you are looking for a New Year's Resolution writing, I posted this freebie a few days ago. You can click on the picture below to check out that post!

And if you need some engaging centers to whip those little brains back into shape, you can check out my Winter Wonderland Math Centers on TPT. These are wonderful for the month of January because they require minimal prep. work for teachers {Do I hear an AMEN?!?} and they review all of those basic math skills. You can check out my post {HERE} or you can check them out at my TPT shop!

Wishing you a wonderful return! Oh yes...and don't forget to enter in my giveaway for your chance to win 11 time savers wonderful units that will totally engage your students during the first few months back to school! It will end January 6th! Click on the picture below to check it out!

Now, I must prepare for The Bachelor. Is anyone else excited??? Are there any Ben fans out in the teacher blogosphere???

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! :)