Five for Friday: Multiplication Mania

Good Friday evening! We did it! We made it to another weekend. Whoop whoop! ;)

I am teaming up with Doodle Bugs Teaching for another installment of


1. I am going to Disney World!!! ...well, I will be anyway, come next Summer. I am so excited, you don't even know it. My family planned the time out perfectly so that my boyfriend and I can go during Star Wars Weekend, because they rock! One thing you may or may not know about me is that I LOVE to plan things! I am definitely looking forward to planning this vacation out. It's been two years, people!

2. iOS 7. Well, like most people out there, I joined the bandwagon and updated my iPad. Can I just say that I adore it! It's like getting a brand new iPad. Seriously, I found myself thinking, "wow this is so much faster! ...wait...I didn't actually get a new iPad. Just a new operating system." I know there are some people out there that are waiting, for various reasons, but trust me, you'll be happy with it! (By the way, I am by no means the type of person that has to have the latest and greatest. Point in case: I don't have a smartphone. In fact, I had the same phone for nearly 4 years before I had to trade it in because the battery went loopy.)

3. Christmas stuff is starting to roll out in some stores. There are definitely some people out there that will groan at this notion, to which I say, "bah humbug!" Christmas is amazing! In fact, I start listening to Christmas music in October. shh...I'm not crazy...Plus, it helps me get in the mood to spread out all the Christmas cheer aka presents that must be bought into three months instead of 1 or 2. Food for thought, people. ;)

4. Did you talk like a pirate yesterday? I was kind of sad to miss out on the fun, but my sweatpants were calling my name more than doughnuts. ...however, today I could totally go for some. Isn't that just how life works? Ha! Oh well.

5. Multiplication Mania! Multiplication Mania! I have a bad case of multiplication mania. This is the first year that I will teach it, so I think I've gone a little crazy with products for TpT because of it. As promised, I gave you a sneak peak of my latest product, so here it is:

 Multiplication trading cards!! I have several boys that are totally into Pokemon cards, so that got me thinking. As a grade level, we decided to have an ice cream party for all of the students that learn their facts at the end of the year, which is going to be awesome. However, there are some kiddos that need a little more here and now kind of reward. So here is what I did:

When a student learns his or her fact, he or she will get the trading card for the next fact. So, I started with 1 instead of 0. After he or she learns 0, he or she will be given the trading card for the 1 times table. On it, there is a trick to help the students learn/study the tables. Once he or she passes the times table timed test, he or she will be given the 2 trading card, an so on. It all leads up to the final card. And this is where I leaned on the knowledge of the stinkin Pokemon card excitement. After the student learns his or her 12 table, he or she is given the final card, which is no ordinary card, my friends. It will be the only one that is laminated, and where the number would be, I will put a shiny, sparkly star sticker. The last card is the holographic card! That's right! Holographic! Who wouldn't want to earn that? I plan to have this set up no later than Tuesday to my TpT shop! Can't wait! ;)

On top of the trading cards, I have also been working on task cards for each table. They are almost complete! I need to edit the last batch, 9-12, and then they will be up for sale, along with the 2-8 already in my shop. Hopefully I can figure out how to create a zip file. If so, I plan to have them bundled for a discount!

Enjoy your weekend!!

Five for Friday 9/6

I am linking up with Kacey from Doodle bugs teaching for



1. If you didn't gather it from my Currently post, I heart Supernatural! My boyfriend and I have been going a little crazy with Netflix marathons. I don't think we'll watch all the seasons prior to the new one airing, though.
2. Inspiration. It's amazing when inspiration hits! I am super pumped to unveil a new tool for teaching multiplication that I created. I was inspired by the fact that one of my students loves Pokemon cards. More on that one later. :) Here's a sneak peek:

3. Living life on the dangerous side. Well, folks, I have been very bad about making my to do lists, which is very out of character. Result: not completing very important things. Whoops!
4. I heart this blogging community. I have never felt more welcome before! :)
5. I want to go shopping. Like really badly. Too bad I am trying to save money... (Birthday is coming soon, though!)

Okay! Happy weekend, friends!

Five for Friday: What I've been up to

Wow! It has been far too long since I've been on here. What a wild and crazy past two weeks it has been!

As my official "I'm finally back," I will be linking up with Doodle Bugs Teaching for

Here is what I have been busy up to:

1. New Teacher Orientation. Wow! I am so excited to be a part of a new county, well new to me as a teacher. I actually grew up here, so I'm super excited to be home!! Best news: I finally feel like I've arrived at my school home, too. I've been praying for one, and God delivered! :)

2. Setting up my new room!! Seriously if I wouldn't miss the kiddos, I would so set up classrooms for a living. I think it feeds into two of my favorite things: planning and decorating. Here are a couple of pictures:

And here is probably my most favorite wall. It has several combinations of products from my favorite teacher ladies: A Year of Many Firsts, The Teacher Wife, and Second Grade Shenanigans. 

 

3. Meeting my sweet darlings: My first day with them was probably one of the best first days that I have ever had. I really have been blessed with this group! They are sweet, inquisitive, and respectful. Seriously, other teachers dream of having this kind of class. I know I have at certain times of my life.

4. Let's add 5 more students. I had a ridiculously small class to begin with, 16 third graders. T-I-N-Y! All of our third grade classes were kind of low, so the powers that be decided that we had to collapse one of the classes. :( I hate to see one of my teammates go, but at least a position was opened up at our school for her to take. Whew! So, on my second day I had to get things ready for 5 new sweethearts to join the mix. I'm nervous but excited to the added dimension. I have had the pleasure of spending a full day with the new kiddos, and quite honestly, they fit in beautifully. In fact, I think we're going to be an even better class (and I'll be a better teacher) because of them. In the wise words of Ashton Kutcher, "Opportunity looks a lot like hard work." It was kind of hard to be in the class until 6 and 7 to get things ready for them, but this hard work has definitely opened us up for a wonderful opportunity! (Seriously, if you haven't seen Ashton's speech at the Teen Choice Awards, check it out! It's amazing how motivational that speech was!!)

5. And last, but certainly not least, I am teaming up with other TpT sellers for their fabulous Back to School sale on the 18th and 19th! My products will be 20% off, and if you use the code: bts13 it will take an additional 10% off for a grand total of 28% off! :)

Thank you ZipADeeDooDah for the graphic!