Currently September

Linking up with the wonderful Farley for Currently September



SERIOUSLY....where did the summer go.....June was spent under water here in the Midwest, and NOW we need rain, and it is 4th of July weather in September...Welcome to IL weather!! Ok, here we go....

Listening......

Finally got our 30 year old TV antenna fixed and now watching shows of my youth...

Loving......

When one has dogs from classroom left over reuse them in the garage

I have started and stopped the garage many times before, but this time I did it.....

Wanting......I was so enjoying not having the air on and the windows open.....

Needing......

So this summer someone dumped 2 cats, neighbor took one, the other here was preggers, 4 kittens later, momma moved babies into my nice clean garage for safety sakes.(live in country where coyotes and owls are numerous) 

3 Goals....1. Starting to get my mojo back and it felt soooooo good to organize the garage (oh like a cabinet hung from Grandparents home that sat since 1998)

2. At this point in my life, I am still helping but I am doing it on MY TIME, when I choose so

that it doesn't consume me again.

3. I need to get back on this, I did well and then ....walking the dog 

There you go, go forth and link up and Thanks for stopping in ....

Currently May 2015

I love love Farley ....way back when she started these Currently's I had high hopes of doing them every month.....but life is crazy so now I aspire to do it AT Least 3 times a year :) So without further ado ....Come and join in below



Now on with the show 

Listening .....Here in IL finally getting crops into the fields (live in farm community) 
Loving........We had a few freeze warnings last week .....
Thinking....Yard work....plus plant garden center buys from yesterday....before it starts raining

Wanting.....Dear mojo where have you gone? I have GRAND plans then .....nada......need to start planning a daily to do and sticking to it .....

Needing....I am in a book study HERE and read the current week and now need to put my thoughts into words.....Loving this book study! 

Summer 

Yes: My nieces from Maryland who I see twice a year will be here for their annual  summer visit....Love seeing them (and their parents too)

Hope: Been going to Vegas around Blogger meetup time for last two years, this year the trip and TPT conference is up in air due to budget (fingers crossed, guiding prayers spoken)

Dream: SHE-SHED Long story short need a space all mine own .....

She shed is really a women's version of a man cave.....

IDEAS.....

There you have it ....thanks for stopping by :) 

VIP Grandstand Ticket Holder

As you know I have a TPT store, it is one of the side shows at the Circus called "Labby's Lounge"
I am wanting to have a group of educators who will be my VIP Grandstand ticket holders here. This will give you my reader (if chosen) a chance to try out my product for free in your classroom. Like I have said in the past I used these in computer labs, but I am wanting to branch out!! Sound interesting? Fill out the form below and I will get back to you ! Thanks

What's New and Blog Freebie

As you know I worked in Computer Labs for 9 years, and over those years I collected ALOT of websites to use with K-3rd grades.

 I would put into folders as needed this picture shows the "holding" folder of ones that I changed out depending on the theme/topic each class was doing .....

This shows how many times my links were used

I've decided to share them via a TPT store. They are great for labs, computer centers in the classroom. 

For my loyal blog readers I have created a freebie based on my latest product. This freebie is only available on the blog.

 This was used when the students were studying Space in their classrooms. This is K/1 level BUT I used it K-3rd labs as we all know not everyone is AT Level .......The whole product can be found HERE....

.Below is the K/1 page along with the checkoff cards. The checkoff cards are great as you print, laminate them and give to the student as they work on that page, they check off (with a dry erase marker) as they complete a star. You can be doing RTI with ones that need the one on one work, while your other students do this. I hope you enjoy this, and let me know if you have topics/themes you would like me to do .....as you can see I have QUITE a few links I have used!!!  Thanks for stopping by!!  Let me know what you think! Make sure to follow my store HERE !

Dr Seuss Week Freebie

Just stopping in during one of my FAVORITE times of the year .......Dr Seuss Week....Now due to State testing in IL, my school is celebrating this week, while others are celebrating next week with Read Across America  and Dr. Seuss' actual birthday!! For year's past posts click HERE ......(there is a reading log freebie there) HERE is my Seuss Pinterest Board :)

For this year, I am working on editing my files from what I did in computer labs. As you can see above each year we did themed days....Below is a freebie I used in computer labs on Cat in the Hat day. My Kindergarten thru 3rd Graders all played the same file, some were easy, some where harder but in the spirit of the week they all enjoyed!

Click HERE to download this freebie 

While you are at TPT downloading this freebie, please follow my store, I am getting things organized still, but then you will be able to keep up with new products and freebies!

What the Teacher Wants!: Hearts for a Heart Warrior: A Fundraiser for the Family of Little Ryder Cannon

Wanted to stop in and share a fundraiser going on......


What the Teacher Wants!: Hearts for a Heart Warrior: A Fundraiser for the Family of Little Ryder Cannon

Currently January 2015

First let me take time to wish everyone A Happy Healthy New Year! Now on with the show

Linking up with



For Currently

Listening : 

Got this new fan for Christmas (I am one of those people who'd rather have what I need ) The light is not very bright at all! But that gave me an excuse to get more table lamps :) 

Loving :

I am hard on computers, I use them for everything...but I found that the HP one I have was known to have overheating issues and it kept shutting down on me (I was out of warranty) so I conquered my fear of Windows 8 and got this one..... Now if I could get used to touch screen (I use the mouse most of the time but at times it goes ninja on me and touch screen only) 

Thinking:

I have so many to do's I have to make a master list then break it down to daily to get things done....

Wanting:

I have gone 110% at life for so long, now that I have taken a step back, I have found that I am exhausted mentally and physically so taking things day by day. But I sure wish that my motivation or mojo would come back soon.

Needing:

There are so many things that went wayside and slowly but surely getting them done, but I need to get more done. (For example had an electrician come out to put fan in (so not DIY'er in that department) and his list was so long he was here for 3 hours to complete it all. 

Yes, Maybe, I wish

I will walk more, so need to get back in the habit with my puppers we both have too much junk in our trunks :)  

The basement....while I am getting the rest of the house in order, the basement has always been a dumping ground, some what organized but not quiet there..

.I need to find a good how to for time management skills, I get working on projects and lose track of time and get farther behind!! 

There you have my Currently ...click on Farley's button above to see her's and others and to join in!

Back with more soon (that is an item on my to do list I swear) 

9/11 Freebie and Reminder

Just wanted to share a post with a freebie that is timely : Set this Circus Down: 9/11 Freebie:

Also reminder the below giveaway is ending soon:

Set this Circus Down: Survey Says : Survey and Giveaway

Reminder Survey Says

 Don't forget .......For a minute of your time you have a chance to win $25 to either Amazon or TPT....

Set this Circus Down: Survey Says : Survey and Giveaway:

Survey Says : Survey and Giveaway

One of the gals at the school likes to say I think with a computer. If they wanted something on the computer they came to me to make it, find it.......

So in my best Richard Dawson imitation ...Survey Says:  I am asking you my readers (and their friends) to answer my survey below ...... If it doesn't show on your screen below click HERE for the survey !!



These results are ONLY going to be seen by me for research purposes. After doing so please come back and enter the Rafflecopter below where when it ends one winner will win a $25 Gift  Card  to Amazon and another winner will win a $25 Gift certificate to TPT ......(give it a minute to load) Thanks for stopping by ! Good Luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Organizing TPT Purchases

Since school got out in June I have been on a MAJOR overhaul.......Cleaned out the closets, garage, Den......I am FINALLY getting around to the computer files......I have 2 computers ....2 External Hard Drives (1 & 2 TB) and a billion (not joking) flash drives! Life got busy and well it is going to take a while! I thought I'd share some things I have found that have been helping along the way. These may or may not work for you.

First of all a product share

SOURCE

This is the bomb........This is perfect for having all your purchases in one place! Ashley goes into depth HERE.

For mine, I did do the images a bit different than she shows. I went to the TPT product and downloaded to a file the product image directly to my computer(right click save image). Sometimes I had to find the link from blog posts. Then when I am done I just delete the files....

Also for my graphics files (clipart) I do it a bit different ....I print contact sheets of each product.
On windows go to the product folder click on one of the files and then click ctrl +A to select all of them.....

Then I hit the print button

TIP: Unclick Fit Picture to Frame (this makes entire image print)

And select contact sheet. Now I print my using NITRO PDF to save them as pdf''s but you can just print each one to your own printer.  I keep the pdf within the file as a back up .....These contact sheets I file in the binder above under graphics so I can see what each one has.

On my computer I use a program I've had from my digital scrapbooking days called ASDSee
(this is awesome product, but I am just sharing one component)

I mark each graphic with a label (Graphic) then a category (Seuss) ......I love that I can mark a file (in this case graphic) with multiple categories. I can then search all my files for Seuss and find them in hurry. I am not going to lie I am WAY behind on this. It is labor intensive in all aspects but at the end of it will my life that much easier!

There you have it! I will back soon with more!

Countdown to Vegas

 Hello I got out June 6th and have hit the ground running on getting things organized around home before Vegas.....Only 20 days until we fly out ! My friend Andrea won tuition to I Teach 1st (read more about that HERE ) I LOVE Vegas....(All things Vegas HERE )

For more information on the Blogger Meetup (the whole reason I am going) click the link to my friend from IN Holly's blog below.....Let me know if you are going so we can meet!!!





Mrs. Ehle's Kindergarten Connections: National Teacher-Blogger Meet Up -- Las Vegas -- July 2014

Tales from this TPT buyer

Oh TPT, how I love you

From my very first purchase

SOURCE

To my 408th Purchase ....

.So here is a tip for everyone .....I get in a buying frenzy when I see

But BEFORE I do I go back and add feedback to get credits for said sales.....(I mean who doesn't love free $$$) Sometimes I forget to add feedback on items ....so I always do this

Go to your purchases and sort by "Needs Feedback" ....now some are no longer on TPT......but this keeps you on track.....Hope this helps!!! Go Forth and prepare and

SDE & Blogger tips !

Welcome new followers, and my already following hello again. Thanks for joining in on our blog hop!

Don't forget SDE is giving away a chance to go to National Conference HERE .....You must like SDE's FB page to enter ! I entered did you?

I am techy thinking person (one of my coworkers says I think with one) so I will be trying to pass along things that are useful. (I found some great tips on the blog hop this weekend too)

But speaking of the Blog Hop, when I went to reply to my comments some are set up with no reply email......So thought I'd share how to fix that! Click the link below (why reinvent the wheel) 


the tattooed teacher: what?! I’m a no-reply blogger!? the google+ fix

Rachel shows how to fix this! HERE are some blogging tips I have shared before. Thanks and be back soon !

Spring Blogger Meet-up Blog Hop & Giveaway

I am linking up with 

Join the fun from the start HERE

So back in January, Holly from Mrs. Ehle's Kindergarten posted this on her Facebook

I was home recovering from surgery, and hurried to google the directions. Hmmm.....only a 4 hour drive.....easy peasy :) Then I forced recruited my friends/coworkers to go with. (Thanks Sue and Andrea)

Going to be honest, Google maps said 4 but it was 5+ (forgot the time zone difference there Google) but we made it.......First of all, if any of you have a chance to go to French Lick...........The place and staff is WONDERFUL!!!

Now, I can't say enough about Holly. She went above and beyond to make sure all of us enjoyed ourselves.

Here is a peek at some of the goodies she lined up for us

Wonderful name tags from Schoolgirl Style
Bags for each of us from Vera Bradley
Hot off the press (not in stores yet) Markers and pens from Scentos
(that was JUST the tip of the iceberg, let me tell you) 

Here is my table mates :

L to R: Em, Amanda, me, Sue, Andrea, Hilary

Just at our table clipart, uno were topics of discussion :)

Now, we were asked to bring an item to exchange with each other .  Here is what we got :

me: Easy Button (ideas found HERE) Sue: Base Ten Pool Noodles 

(Greg did a post HERE) and Andrea :Ink Joy Pens

This was so much fun! I met a fellow container hoarder (we won't say what she called herself, but we were in stitches) I am known to have my own container store in my basement :) 

Then Holly not only line up the goodie bags she also had door prizes.

Andrea and I won great prizes from Crayola (See Holly's post HERE)

My friend Sue won a gift certificate from Crystal Springs (she snuck by Greg w/o getting her picture taken)

So, if you follow you know I am anxiously awaiting returning to VEGAS....my poor friends and coworkers

have been hearing about it since last year.  Holly had mentioned she was giving away a certificate to one of the SDE National Conferences....... Woohoo!

Now I am not a classroom teacher, so I kept telling everyone that would listen at school, that I hoped one of the gals going with me would win. As I was already going for the annual blogger meetup and they would LOVE the conference. Well that was a separate drawing. When Greg was about to pull the name......I said (of course everyone was quiet so it was heard) "Hey Greg do you take bribes" (jokingly I swear) ......Guess what 

My friend Andrea is going to Vegas with me! She is a 

first grade teacher, so she is going to I teach 1st! 

There is not a more deserving person to win this! Thanks to SDE and Holly! Andrea and I have braved new territory lately (we BOTH got our gallbladders out weeks apart) and so many road trips we call ourselves Thelma and Louise ..... LOL.....

When you go to a blogger meetup, you meet so many talented and wonderful people. We talked about clipart, ways to use uno cards for sight words. The other two learned about blogging and powerpoint, clipart.....We are STILL decomposing what we have learned! 

Now the GIVEAWAY ...... one winner (pictures below) will win all of these prizes and MORE(follow the hop and enter at the rafflecopter at the end of the hop)

Head over to my table mate Hilary's Blog for the next stop  (Thanks again Holly! Thanks Greg for sharing your pictures....as for that bribe.....LOL)

What's Working Wednesday (Finally) and catch up

I have been meaning to blog but life has been so crazy.....

A few years back I started using this in computer labs with my 3rd Graders ......

Math Magician

Then the days of print restrictions hit, and I wanted a way to keep track of their scores ......Found THIS on TPT......

When the students get 100%

I have them fill out the level and I sign off

Then I decided I wanted to motivate them to pass so I created this:

When students pass Addition, Subtraction, Multiplication and/or Division (1st grade thru 3rd) they get a hat on the board along with a certificate !

 The kids love it, (Thanks Krista and Mel for great clip art !!)

In other news went to THIS conference ......OMG the ideas and things I learned ......

Eric Litwin , Kim Asdit, Deanna Jump, and Deedee Wills

I learned soooooooo much, my coworkers and I are still planning out how to incorporate everything. That goes to show what a great conference it was! 






Hope to be back sooner next time!!!

Spring Blogger Meet-Up at the French Lick Resort!

You all know how much I LOVE Blogger meetups ......here is one coming up. While I am in IL, this is only 4 hours away ....so working on going.....anyone else? Click Link below for more details....


Mrs. Ehle's Kindergarten Connections: Join me for a Spring Blogger Meet-Up at the French Lick Resort!

What has been happening

At the beginning of this school year back in August, there so many changes. New boss, new class room, new duties. 2 weeks in I caught a cold, and my health finally hit rock bottom. (every school break last school year saw my mom (whom I am sole caregiver of) run into major medical issues) So I was not surprised that this all hit. Soon it turned into something else and I have been fighting it every since. Well here I am recovering (finally) from all it after having my gallbladder out last week. The surgeon said he thought I'd be one that after surgery would feel so much better.  He was right, so now I start the reboot (techy in me) of work, home and life in general. Thanks for hanging in with me....Hope to be back soon....

Currently November

Linking up with the wonderful Farley

Listening.....After Red Ribbon Week, PBIS celebration, then Halloween it is so nice to have quiet

Loving....That while I should be going somewhere I am just staying home ...

Thinking.....Casey & Draco ....our community lost them this week to a drunk driver.....while I did not know him as well as some of the other police, he was a great guy. Please Please take time to thank your police officers.......

 

 SOURCE

Wanting ......A cleaning fairy ....things are LITERALLY piling up .....

Needing.....Lesson Plans done, just found out that I need to redo my schedule due to Title funding bumped up ....sigh....happy more funding but means juggling around lessons and times .....OY

A yummy Pin......

I am CONSTANTLY pinning to my Food and Drink Board HERE.....but here is one I actually made and it is WONDERFUL and easy peasy .....

HERE is the recipe (read the comments for alternate ways) this is soooooooo good!

Til next time......Thanks for reading.....

Just keep swimming ......

SOURCE

This school year has been rough. New boss, new classroom, new job duties,  common core....I got so worn down that I got a simple cold that lasted a month.....and I am rebounding slowly. On a personal note, I said goodbye this weekend to:

17 years and he had been thru it all with me.  Now I have known he was declining, but he was holding on, here is my status last week on fb......Thankfully he did

I apologize for my lack of posts, I will be back .....but remember Just Keep Swimming and Be Silent So We May Hear the Whisper .......