Teacher Resource Sale

Are you bitten by the shopping bug?  TeachersPayTeachers is having a sale.  A big holiday S-A-L-E!  

With an additional 20% off my entire store, you will get up to 28% off at checkout---sweet!  

Want to spark some holiday cheer and creativity?  This Christmas Writing Bubbles pack is wonderful for brainstorming ideas, and then creating a bulletin board display that's--well, made in heaven.

With New Year’s coming up fast, here's a HUGE bargain:  It's a ton of New Year’s Fun including an 11-page keepsake book of resolutions PLUS a feather-and-curling-ribbon-ready-party-hat…

PLUS a special bonus: my Chinese New Year Pack.  No, you haven’t really lived till you’ve danced with a flying Chinese Dragon (instructions included)!  And yes, you can dance with your dragon any day of the year.  It’s an unforgettable thrill to hear the dragon tail fluttering as it whirls and zigzags around your head.

 

Martin Luther King’s birthday is only a few more weeks away.  It's not too early to shop for deep conversation starters about brotherhood and kindness—and create a gorgeous display with photo montages of Dr. King and students’ drawings.

 I have a soft spot for this Math Bundle:

It's a fun way to bring math into your class using literacy, music and art.  The number chart robots are--ROBOTS!  Need I say more?  They are so much fun to create and write about.  They're the math centers that run themselves, and have kids begging for more.  

The counting songs--soothing vocals over relaxing instrumentals--it goes without saying, they teach counting effortlessly.  But much more importantly, they work as an instant behavior management, and by the way, are also useful and known as my Teacher Insomnia Pack.   I could write pages and pages of poetry about those MP3s.

The first days of school are long past.  Still, you may want to review this best-selling refresher course on lessons, classroom set-up and behavior management.  The reference guide includes step-by-step teacher scripts, and will serve you well for years to come, no matter what grade you teach.

TeachersPayTeachers is a treasure trove of great resources at reasonable prices.  If you’re looking for me, I’ll be there—and my shopping bags will be full, too.

Many thanks to Glitter Meets Glue Designs for her eye-popping sales banner at the top of this page!

Thanksgiving Writing for Kids

Thanksgiving is a perfect time to launch creative writing for kids.

The pilgrims went on a long voyage of self-discovery and re-invention.  I ask my kids: what if you went on a long voyage...

• How would you travel?
• Where would you go?
• What would you bring with you?
• What would you wear?
• Who would you hope to find? 
• What would you give thanks for?

These are just some of the questions I pose to my kindergarten kids--with creative and unexpected answers.  

It's fun to explore our hidden wishes, then share our stories, display them, and wrap them in ribbons to send home to parents as a holiday gift.

If you'd like to create a 10-page keepsake creative Thanksgiving Book, with divergent thinking that pops off the page, I'll make it easy for you.  Just sit back and enjoy the trip.

Veterans Day Gift

Veterans Day is a good day to show appreciation and respect for our American heroes.  

This beautiful Veterans Day Keepsake Craft Box is a great way to start a conversation about veterans, heroes, soldiers, America, history, war, protection, respect, remembrance, and appreciation.

• What is a veteran?
• Do you know a veteran?
• Why do we need an army?
• How is an army different than a police force?
• Would you want to be in the armed forces?  Why or why not?
• What makes someone a hero?  Can a child be a hero?
• How is America different from other countries?  How is it the same?
• What would you say to a veteran?
• How can you show you appreciate a veteran?

It also makes a thoughtful gift to a veteran.  Kids can leave the top open, to store a veteran’s keepsakes.  This makes a sturdy and handy box for practical items, too.

One teacher wrote:

“Just exactly what I was looking for. My children are putting paper mache hearts inside and giving them to veterans at a local hospital. Thank you.”

I wish I could see those hearts, and the looks on those veterans’ faces.

To our all veterans, including my father, a heartfelt thank you for your service to our country.  Your service is a gift to all of us.  Here's a gift for you.

Thanksgiving Creative Writing

Thanksgiving creative writing is a way to give thanks to your life, as well as to your hopes and dreams.

This 10-page Keepsake Book will record your students' imaginary voyage into their ideal world.  They can compare and contrast their "journey" with the pilgrims' trip to the New World.

What’s a Keepsake Book? It’s made of the unique, unexpected, unforgettable, and priceless, things that kids say—and then write about. 

Amazing things happen when you ask kids (or grownups) about their opinions, dreams, and wishes.  Just try it.

Bon voyage, y'all!

If you'd like this Thanksgiving Keepsake Book--which makes a beautiful display piece, as well as a lovely gift to parents--and a boatload of fun Thanksgiving crafts, too, stop by and take a closer look.