Snow Science: Giveaway & A Sale!


Teaching about the seasons in Northern California is a bit of a challenge!  Our leaves don't really change into vibrant colors in the fall, we don't get cold enough for snow, and we loving call summer weather "June Gloom."  Ha!  Luckily, the snow is just a few short hours away and most of my students have experienced it at least once or twice.  But for those who haven't, and even for those who have, I love to bring the elements into the classroom.  The best way to do this is through hands on science investigations!  

So why not bring a little snow into the classroom this winter?!

This unit includes 5 hands on science activities and differentiated journal pages for each one!  All you need is to add a few household items and you're good to go!


There are half-sheet and full-sheet page options.

Here are the activities that are included:





How'd you like to win a copy!?!  Enter the rafflecopter below!
Congratulations Deborah!  Check your email!


Don't want to wait for the giveaway?  Snow Science is 20% off December 31st - January 2nd!

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New Year's Resolutions 2016

I'm so excited to link up with some of my favorite bloggy buddies, Teach Talk Inspire & My Day in K, to share my New Year's Resolutions for 2016!  2015 has been quite a year.  I started this little blog of mine, opened a TPT shop, and I found my tribe at The Primary Punchbowl!  I know it can only get better from here.


School - Get reorganized!
I usually use part of my summer to get into my classroom, clean things out, reorganize, and get ready for the next year.  I like to do it just after school lets out while things are fresh on my mind.  But due to over a year of construction, our campus was off limits for the last two summers!  I am hoping that 2016 will give me more time to get reorganized so I can find things and work smarter, not harder!

Personal - Get moving!
I have two very active girls and now that they are both in elementary school, it's time to focus more on getting myself moving, too!  I'm hoping to find time in my week to get my heart pumping and get some exercise.  Though I'd love to get in better shape, my main focus is to increase my energy level.  I always feel better when I'm more active!

Blog - Get a schedule!
I feel like I started this blog with a BANG and did pretty well keeping it going through the summer.  However, since this school year started, I've had a really hard time finding time to write and post!  This is going to change in 2016!  I have some fun things to share and I'm going to get myself on a schedule to be more regular with my blogging and creating.  Thanks for sticking with me this far!

Want to join in on the fun!?!  Grab the image below and link up with the rest of us to share your resolutions for 2016!  (Don't forget to link back to this post!)  Then hop around to see what the others have planned for the year ahead.

Happy New Year!


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Avery & Austin: December Box 2015

I am absolutely in love with the Avery & Austin subscription box!  At the beginning of each month, it arrives at our door with 2 complete craft kits and snacks for two kids, plus a host gift for me!  December's box did not disappoint and kept my girls busy all month with THREE different winter themed crafts.

Craft #1: Snow Globe Ornaments

This craft was so much fun and so pretty!  The girls filled their globe ornaments with snow, sequins, and jewels.  All materials were included in the box!  The ornaments were plastic and the activity was great for building fine motor strength.  And what girl doesn't love sequins and jewels!?!

Craft #2: Paper Snowflakes

A winter classic!  These fun templates were easy to cut out for even my littlest crafter.


Craft #3: Snowman Pin

Another adorable and easy craft.  My girls loved painting and putting together these snowman pins.  Everything needed to create the pins was in the box, including the paint and foam brushes!  It doesn't get easier than this.

This month's snacks were also delicious and gobbled up by even my pickiest eater!

Mom Gift: Wine Glass Writer

I absolutely LOVE this month's mom gift!  These pens can be used to label wine glasses at a party and much more!  They work on all glass and glazed ceramics and wash off with a soapy sponge. 

Want in on the action???  Sign up for the Avery & Austin newsletter and receive 50% off your first box!  But hurry...offer ends December 31st!






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December Currently

Wow....that's really all I can say to the fact that it's December.  The holidays are here and I'm looking forward to time with family and friends!  The beginning of the month also means that it's time for Farley's Currently...


Listening:  It's all quiet in my house.  The hubs and the kids are sleeping.  And while I should probably be in bed, I really enjoy this time of night and having the peace and quiet all to myself.  It feels good to reflect on the day and prepare myself for tomorrow.

Loving: How can you not love this time of year?!  Although you can get caught up in the hustle and shopping, and all, it's really all about time with the people you love.  That's what I try to focus on.  And I love Christmas lights....like, love them!

Thinking:  I'm having a really hard time figuring out what to get my girls for Christmas.  They don't really need much.  Any ideas?  They're 5 & 8 and I'm taking suggestions!

Wanting:  A peppermint mocha sounds so yummy right now!

Needing:  Many of you know that one of my sisters moved to the east coast this past summer.  And just this month, my other sister also moved away.  I'm missing them something fierce.  The time difference makes it tough to get ahold of them in the evenings.  I'm sitting here wishing I could pick up the phone but I don't think they'd appreciate a call at 2am (their time)!

My tree:  REAL!  Always real.  I just don't think it would be the same without the smell of a real Christmas tree.

Thanks for checking out what I'm up to!  Now head on over to Farley's blog and check out what others are up to Currently!
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Weekend Warriors: Holiday Gift Ideas

Can you believe it's almost December!?!  It's amazing how quickly each year seems to fly by.  Just when you think you won't make it to October, it's suddenly time for the holidays and you're worried about fitting it all in before the end of the year.  

I work with a very diverse population of students and so many different holidays are celebrated this time of year.  I like to invite families to come in and teach the class about their own holidays and family traditions to honor the different cultures represented in my classroom.  The common theme throughout has always been the symbol of lights and how they are used in each celebration.

For the past few years, I have focused our holiday gifts on the celebration of the Winter Solstice.  We start by reading the book
by Wendy Pfeffer.
The book lends itself well to many science and social studies standards, too!

Then we create a symbol of light to give our families as a gift!
The Winter Solstice candle...

Here is what you will need:
1) Tree Rounds:  I get them from a Christmas Tree farm!  These are the pieces that are cut off of the bottom of the trunk.  They are usually more than happy for me to take them off their hands.
2) White school glue and a paint brush
3) Tea light candles
4) Star shaped pasta
5) Glitter

Paint the tree round with white glue.

Add glue to the bottom of the tea light candle.

Place the tea light in the center of the tree round.

Sprinkle star shaped pasta around the tea light.

Add glitter!

Once the glue is dry, we add a a gift tag.

You can grab these tags for free here!

What holiday gifts do you give each year?  Comment below or link up with the Weekend Warriors (don't forget to link back to this post!).

Then, hop on over and check out what the other Weekend Warriors have to share about Holiday Gifts below!  

Happy Holidays!

This post contains affiliate links for Amazon. By purchasing an item on the Amazon site using these links, I will receive a small commission on your purchase. 

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Avery & Austin: the #perfectplaydate


Being a mom and teaching full time is a lot of work.  Add blogging, creating, and managing multiple social media platforms and you wonder when you will find time to sleep!  Yet, the thought of giving up any of it would be letting go of something I really love or enjoy so what's a girl to do?  Then I found it.  A way to get some work done and give my kids some quality fun time together!
Avery & Austin is a monthly subscription box and it has totally rocked my world!  Each month, the box arrives at our door with two complete craft kits and snacks for two kids, plus a host gift for me!  (Wait, I get a present, too?! Yes, please!)

This month, I was struggling to find time to get my report cards done in time for conferences.  I tried working on them once the girls went to bed but by that time I was just too tired.  So one afternoon, I pulled out our Avery & Austin box and viola!  I had over an hour of nearly uninterrupted time to work and the girls got to do what they love (create!).  The best part, I didn't have to come up with the craft or gather the supplies.  It's all there!


This month's box included THREE different crafts!  My girls love to paint and I don't let them do it at home nearly enough.  So the camera craft from Woodshop Wizards was perfect!

                     
Look at that concentration!

The other two crafts were perfect for Thanksgiving.  A frame and photo prop for our Thanksgiving decor!


 

I can't wait for next month's box!  It will be great to have something for the girls to do during Winter Break!

Want to get in on the action?!  Sign up for a subscription by December 1st to receive the Winter Wonderland box!  You can get 50% off your first box by visiting the Avery & Austin website here!












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