Happy Thanksgiving

Happy Thanksgiving y'all!

I have to say, I am thankful for so many things - my hubby, my family, my friends, my teammates, my school, and that God gives me second chances (and third, fourth, etc.)  I'm also VERY thankful that there are people that keep us safe and fight for our freedom while we are enjoying time with our family and friends.  Every year that's one of my first thoughts because although my hubby isn't in the military, he has to work sometimes on holidays.  Any time I start feeling a little sorry for myself, I think of the people who don't see their spouses for months at a time and it's a good reminder that I shouldn't complain.

In other news, I have two things to share that I think will make you guys SO very happy!

First of all, TPT is throwing a sale on Monday and Tuesday next week.  I will be joining it with many of my friends.  So, if there's something you've had your mind on for awhile, this will be a great time to grab it.

Now, the other news I have is still a bit of a secret.  If you aren't following my Facebook page yet, you definitely want to be following tomorrow.  Some friends and I have a pretty great surprise for you starting at midnight tonight!

Alright, I hope you have an incredible Thanksgiving!

November Fun

Do you ever have one of those days or weekends that you can't focus?  That would be me the last two weekends.

I am full of ideas, especially blogging ideas, but I can't seem to organize it all in my mind.  So, another day passes without blogging - oops!

Anyway, I am certain that if you are anything like me you are hitting that mode where you realize that you HAVE to have some fun, teachable moments ASAP because it is November and November brings Thanksgiving.  So, here is a freebie and pictures of some pretty easy, last minute November crafts.  I know some I put a few items you may have to buy, but if you are like me when it's the last minute, a few dollars is worth not having to dig around.  Oh yeah, I also included two fairytale tests because everyone needs a good fairytale test.

November Freebies:
1. Fairytale Tests
The last two weeks we have been doing fairy tales in first grade.  These two tests go with the stories that we covered.  Week 1 covers Jack and the Beanstalk, Little Red Riding Hood, Goldilocks and the Three Bears, The 3 Little Pigs, and Rapunzel.  Week 2 covers The Frog Prince, Hansel and Gretel, and Rumpelstiltskin.  The first test goes great with my Fairytale Bundle if you are looking for a few extra resources.

2. Pilgrims
I bought this packet from Holly Griffith for the Pilgrims, but ended up using a good chunk of the packet.  It is full of a lot of ideas and is truly an incredible packet.  Here's a picture of what I ended up doing with her awesome Pilgrims.  Below is the graphic organizer I created to use with our writing.

3. Hidden Turkeys
Our Kindergarten sent home a pattern of a turkey and had students come up with a way to hide their turkey.  This would be a great hands-on activity for K-2.  Plus, you could use it to lead into a writing activity.  Here are pictures of a few of my favorites.

4. Save the Turkey Writing
Several of my teammates have been doing "Save the Turkey" writings.  This one was one of my favorites.  I'm sure that it came from an incredible blogger since I know how closely my sweet teammates follow some of you, but there wasn't a name on the bottom, so I have no idea who created this turkey.  If you know, leave me a comment and I will make sure you get credit.

5. Number Sense Turkey
I saw this on a K wall and grabbed a picture.  I believe it came from Susan Moran Jones - TGIF, but I could be wrong.  I saw a picture on Pinterest awhile back similar to the one I saw in our Kindergarten, so I tried to track it down.  Check out how Susan used it on her blog.  Definitely a cute idea!

6. Painted Corn
Our art teacher at school comes up with some of the neatest projects.  This is one of the ones in the hallway right now.  She just gave the kiddos Q-Tips and let them decorate their corn.  Well, not actually sure about the Q-Tips, but pretty certain.  The other half were done with construction paper squares (I think).  I just saw this in the hallways and liked how each kid worked as individuals and then when you put the kids' individual works together, you get a whole new creation.  I also liked that this would be a quick, cheap project.

Alright, that's it for now.  No promises, but I have a couple of little freebies that I will try to post tomorrow.

A Whole Lot of November

Alright, so if you read my November Currently you know I am back.  Since I haven't missed blogging for over two weeks since I started blogging, let me fill you in on where I've been.  Oh, and yes, it is okay to laugh at me.  I laughed at me, so I promise it is allowed.

So, a little over two weeks ago we were having a bonfire for the fourth and fifth graders at our church.  We do this every year at a volunteer's house that has plenty of room for one hundred extra kiddos.  At the bonfire we do different games, a small Bible study, S'mores, and at the end of the night we play a huge game of Capture the Flag.

Well this year after Capture the Flag, we decided to play Hide-and-Go-Seek.  The adult leaders had to hide in the dark with glow sticks around their necks and the kids had to find them.  Two of the teenagers and I found the perfect spot.  It was behind really big bushes (The ones that are 3 feet tall and 3 feet wide).  I told the two teens that we would hide there, wait for the kids to run up on the porch, and we would push ourselves through the two bushes.  If we did that, we would easily make it to base.

The plan was perfect... almost perfect!  The kids came like I knew they would.  They ran up on the porch and I took off running.  Two steps out of the bushes and I am tripping and falling.  I trip over the ledge of the sidewalk that goes to the front of the house and come down hard on my left hand.

Fast forward a few hours, three x-rays, and a trip to the emergency room and I have a sprained hand that's wrapped up in a massive cast for a week.  Friends, that was the longest week of my life.  The only person that had a longer week was probably my hubby who had to shuttle me everywhere.

Did I mention I'm left handed and it was my left hand in a cast?  Well, that was the end of ponytails, dress pants, and most of my favorite foods for the week.  It also meant having to learn to write right handed and how to walk away from a few things for a week or two including blogging.

Now that I've told you my "Woe is me" story, feel free to leave yours in the comments below.  Oh, and two more things.  I have my new and improved November Book Reports ready.  Feel free to click on any of the pictures below to go get them.

Also, I am in a Facebook Hop for the next couple of days.  If you click on the button below, it will take you to my Facebook page.  Once there, like my page, click on the Fall Freebie button, and grab my freebie.  All of the teachers in the hop are all first grade teachers, so enjoy!  I know I'm about to go load up.

Have a good night and I will see you guys tomorrow!

November Currently

It's finally November - one of my favorite months.  November is full of family birthdays, Thanksgiving, shopping trips, and Pumpkin Spice lattes.  The time changes which means I finally do get an extra hour in a day and the weather cools down just a little.  I would say November is definitely one of my favorite months.

Now, it's time for Farley's newest Currently.  This is a fun one to me!  I think you guys will like it, too.

Listening - Nashville
I am way behind on some of my favorite shows, one of them being "Nashville".

Loving - November
Yes, I know... I already told you how much I love November above, but seriously it's such a good month.  Oh, and we have the school Can-a-thon this month (I HAVE to win it friends).  Plus, I get a week off at Thanksgiving which equals sleep, movies, lunch dates, and a new packet or two.

Thinking - What's for Dinner?
We are eating smoked sausage on hot dog buns tonight.  I just have to get up and go get it ready (or beg my sweet hubby).  I may throw in potato skins to go with them.  Can you tell it's football season?

Wanting - My Grades to Magically be Done
I hate grading papers and paperwork in general.  The sad thing is I hate it more right now.  Long story (will blog about later), but I had to have my TA write my grades down for the last two weeks.  That means that now I want to redo my grade book because I like everything to have a certain order.  Will probably take an extra hour, but definitely a must.

Needing - Time with Friends
It sounds silly, but this time of year I always miss my friends a little more than usual.  I get to see my teammates every day, but outside of that group of friends, there just isn't a lot of time.  Between my schedule and my friends' schedules everyone is just crazy busy.  Hopefully, soon at least a few schedules will slow down.

A Yummy Pin
My yummy pin is pizza... well, mini pizzas.  I found the recipe at Dashing Dish.  grown up kid food, and quick.

You take Pillsbury pizza crust, cut it up, and put it in the bottom of muffin tins.  Add tomato sauce, cheese, and whatever toppings you want.  Turn on the oven, and ten to fifteen minutes later you have mini pizzas.  This is easy, a fun