Made it Monday: Freebie!

I don't know about you, but I think making it through Monday is a fete in and of itself. Mondays in a classroom full of young people with nothing else on their minds but Halloween is crazy. If you can't beat them...and you do KNOW I mean that completely figuratively...join them!

We took a walk today to a local favorite bakery. We looked for signs of Halloween on our way. However, the sole purpose of our trip was to celebrate my birthday! No one knows how to celebrate birthdays like first and second graders! We had a great time and once we had counted thirty one pumpkins and four spiders we quit counting and played "I Spy Adjectives" for a while! Do you know how long it takes to herd a class of 1st and 2nd graders four city blocks? I didn't time it, but we almost didn't make it back in time for the dismissal bell! I was a little worried we'd be spending the night on my pull out couch together!

It was a beautiful day in West Michigan. We won't have too many more days warm enough for walks like this. The best part of our walk is crunching through the leaves of our woods.

So I really did make something to show you. I am so thankful for so many of you! Today I'm especially thankful for Barbara at Grade Onederful. She shared some cupcake liner owls on her Facebook page that I had to make. I'll make them with my class on Friday, but I couldn't wait that long! 

I was able to find many different varieties of liners at Joann's on Saturday all clearance priced.

I just used cardstock for the beak and talons. Fold and glue the wings to the middle. Fold down and glue the top. Add some wiggle eyes and glue on the beak and talons. I'm going to use my owls for some homemade Halloween cards.

Need an emergent reader and game to help you through the week? Click HERE for a fun FREEBIE! I'd love some feedback if you have the time. 

My donut of choice? Top left...Maple bacon! Donut worry, be happy!

SSShhhhh! I have a secret and a FREEBIE!

Can you keep a secret? If you can then read on...I have a couple to tell you. If you can't keep a secret please stop now and visit my friend Kimberly over at First in Maine. You'll be refreshed by her blueberries and get some great ideas for what you may want to read next.

Now that I know I have your attention and you have pinky sworn not to tell a soul what I am about to tell you, I'm ready to reveal a secret.

The information that you've seen, heard, and read about "that" pencil sharpener is absolutely true. It is really that amazing. I'm not sure I want word to get out because I'm planning on ordering some as Christmas gifts and I don't want to have to wait too long. If everyone knows what I know, about this pencil sharpener, several things will happen. The price will go up because it is worth far more than it is currently priced at. They will sell out and mine will be the ones that are on back order.

I had to hide the sharpener from them and
have them cut laminated stuff instead!

I have to tell you that it is NOT the quietest classroom sharpener. When ever anyone sharpens a pencil all I hear is, "WOW!" or "Oh my gosh! Look how sharp this pencil is!" or "My turn!" There is nothing to be quiet about when it comes to this pencil sharpener. Everyone is begging to use it and I can't hear the sharpener over the excitement of the faculty as they crowd into my room to wait their turn to use MY sharpener. I should have kept this a secret. As I'm trying to get my room ready for school teacher after teacher shows up to borrow my sharpener. Now I'm begging you... don't tell a soul.

My daughter and her BFF came to school to help me. They almost ended their friendship fighting over who would get to sharpen pencils. I had to come up with some other creative things for them to do to preserve their friendship.

Please don't tell anyone about "that" pencil sharpener.

Ready for secret number two? I made labels for my shared supplies to help my owlets know where they belong. To help us tell which items are community items, I've put some matching mustache duct tape on each item.

Now, because you are a dear friend and a follower, I'm sharing these labels with you. If you want to go to TPT you can buy them, but why not just click here or on the picture below and get them free?

You can go ahead and pin if you'd like, but please don't tell anyone my secrets. Remember we pinky swore!!

Go here to see "that" sharpener! Shhhh!

 I'm linking up...Go check out more great freebies!

Words of Wisdom!

I'm late to the party, but I like writing to a prompt and I liked this prompt! You can link-up, too, or go see other wonderful words of wisdom. Even a veteran teacher will enjoy the gems of wisdom given by fellow warriors!  The host of this party is Deb at 

Even better is talking to the wisest person I know!  I hope you know Him, too! I place each student in His hands every day. Some of my firsties have seen more life in their six years than I'll ever see in mine.

If I want real true wisdom I think about O.W.L.S. I like to hang them around my room to remind me everywhere I look that God is with me every step of the way. Philippians 4:13 happens to be my favorite verse because it's helped me through some tough times. Feel free to grab your own OWLS and put them around your room, house, purse, to remind you of a strength greater than your own!