Last Day of 12 Days Of A Teachers Christmas

Hello Everyone! Can you believe that Christmas is already around the corner? I can't believe that I only have 5 more days of school before the holiday break. Where is the time going? I hope everyone is almost done with their Christmas shopping. I tried to get all that shopping done in November but you know I ALWAYS forget or find something else that is super cute to get.

So... Today is the last day of the 12 Days of a Teachers Christmas. I hope you had a lot of fun blog hopping and finding lots of fun ideas to do in your classroom. The unit that I will be giving away to one lucky winner will be my "There Was An Old Lady Who Swallowed A....... Bundle of Smart-board activities. You will have to have the "Notebook" software to open it. (If you do not have a Smart-Board in your classroom you may pick one thing out of my Teachers Pay Teachers Store that will work in your classroom.

a Rafflecopter giveaway  

The winner of this Bundle and all of the other day prizes will be announced over at "Teachin' Little Texans" tomorrow! Click on the Owl to take you there...

The Freebie that I will be giving away today will be my "Beginning Sounds C or P Sort" I hope you enjoy! Click the Picture to get your Freebie.

Have a wonderful Christmas!!!

Wednesday's Featured Teacher and Freebie... Meet Kim Remmers

Meet Kim Remmers over at

Diving into Differentiation

Check out her Blog:http://differentiationdiving.blogspot.com/
Check out her TpT Store:http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/Kim-R

What do you teach? And where? 

I teach upper elementary.  This coming year it will be fourth grade.  I am the High Ability Learners liaison and this year will be an Instructional Facilitator for our building.

What is one of your favorite memories in the classroom?

My favorite memories always come when a student gets the aha bulb look or realize that I won't accept the easy answer.  The easy answer is on a sliding scale depending on the ability of each student.  In particular, one of the memories that jump out at me happened at the start of this past year.  One of my students who I had the year prior walked up and wanted to read his writing to me.  He started reading then just stopped.  Looked at me and said, "I know."  as if he I had stopped him and he was answering me.  He picked up his paper and said, "I didn't do my best.  I will go back and work on some of my word choice."  I just smiled and told him that if he felt it needed work he should do that.  The previous year my mantra to him was always, "Is this your best?"  I always took his word for it.  Obviously, it had soaked in and he was starting to self-monitor. YEA!!!

What was your hardest experience while teaching? How did you overcome it.

My hardest experience was when one of my kindergartners was diagnosed with a very rare childhood cancer.  She was not given much time to live but beat the odds and made it over a year.  She would come to school when it was possible and I went to tutor her at home when she was not in Omaha Children's Hospital.  I cannot say I overcame it.  I learned to look brave and act normal when she was at school or home.  She needed me to be normal with her.  I use that lesson with all of my students.  They need me to be "normal" no matter what is going on so they can feel okay in our room for 7 1/2 hours.

What advice would you give a new teacher or someone switching grade levels?

Oh...this is a great question!  FLEXIBLITY is my advice. I am actually the third wheel in our building.  I was asked to start teaching a kindergarten class twenty four hours before parents were to walk in the building.  The district decided we needed a third section.  I was not sure I wanted to go back to full time teaching since I still had my youngest in elementary school.  This however was the third knock (all different building that needed a third kindergarten teacher) that summer and I decided God wanted me there.  So, I said yes.  That was the start of 6 years of being flexible.  I taught kindergarten for two years, then fourth, and last year fifth.  Next year I will be back to fourth.  We need to be able to float with the day, the hour, the second.  It maybe learning how to teach in the hallway when you have to evacuate a classroom due to one who has lost control.  Being ready to teach, if a specialist cannot teach your class that day.  Not to even mention the flexibility to stop the merry-go-round when the concept is not sinking into the students' brains. FLEXIBLE is key to survival and ultimate JOY in teaching.

Kim would like to offer all followers a 

Freebie!! 

Five Senses Organizer

Wednesday's Featured Teacher and Freebie... Meet Paul Chandler

Meet Paul Chandler over at

MisterVA Back to School

Check out his Blog:http://misterva.typepad.com
Check out his TpT Store:http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/Mister-Va-Back-To-School

What do you teach? And where? 

I teach Grade 7 Language Arts at Hardee Junior High School in Wauchula, FL.

What is one of your favorite memories in the classroom?

The last day of school this year when two students handed me cards indicating how much they had learned and thanking me.  Since I did not have those students in my classroom that day, they made an extra effort to deliver them to me.

What was your hardest experience while teaching? How did you overcome it.

It was my first year after switching careers.  I was a long term substitute the year before. I guess it is a process to overcome difficult experiences and reaching a kid who does not want to learn is the toughest.  Using my planning period to meet with some of these students to give them some one-on-one help seemed to make a difference, but I am still trying to see how I can be more effective during those class times.

What advice would you give a new teacher or someone switching grade levels?

Ask advice whenever you can.  I did this constantly...especially prior to the start of the year.  Asking about incoming students can give you some good insight.  Especially, in figuring out classroom dynamics.

Paul would like to offer all followers a 

Freebie!! 

First Day Survey Form

Wednesday's Featured Teacher and Freebie.... Meet Dynelle

Meet Dynelle over at

First Grade Fun with Mrs. Dunn

Check out her Blog:http://firstgradefunmrsdunn.blogspot.com/
Check out her TpT Store:http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/Dynelle-Dunn

What do you teach? And where? 

I teach grade one, all subjects, in Calgary Alberta CANADA!! :)

What is one of your favorite memories in the classroom?

My favorite memories are the small moments when a child's little light bulb goes on, or finally shares after taking everyone's' toys for half the year, or starts talking when a peep has never been heard before.

What was your hardest experience while teaching? How did you overcome it.

I had a challenging class last year, and I looked to blogging, other teachers and a changed perspective to work through it.

What advice would you give a new teacher or someone switching grade levels?

Collaborate with as many people as much as you can, focus on small areas for improvement instead of trying to make everything amazing at once,

Dynelle would like to offer all followers a 

Freebie!! 

My Family Tree

Wednesday's Featured Teacher and Freebie..... Meet Tabitha Savage

Meet Tabitha Savage over at

Number Sense- Don't Leave Elementary Without It!

Check out her TpT Store:www.teacherspayteachers.com/store/tabitha-savage

What do you teach? And where? 

I am an elementary math coach in TN. I work with teachers in grades K-4, assisting them in teaching Common Core State Standards. I absolutely LOVE talking about elementary math all day!

What is one of your favorite memories in the classroom?

One of my favorite memories while in the classroom actually occurred during summer school. For the past 5 years, I've taught summer school at the "Social Skills Academy," a summer camp for children with Autism. This isn't an academic summer school- we focus on building relationships with peers and learning social behavior to assist them during the school year. Its an amazing summer program- everyone walks away a winner!

What was your hardest experience while teaching? How did you overcome it.

My hardest experience in teaching is probably not unlike what other teachers experience as well- the sometimes overwhelming responsibilities  outside of teaching duties. Paperwork, committees, and duties can easily put you in system overload, not to mention take your focus away from your students! I try to remain in balance and remember that I can't be on every committee and stay fully committed to my students. Moderation of outside classroom duties is important! Ask for help when you need it- don't allow your classroom to suffer.

What advice would you give a new teacher or someone switching grade levels?

Write down exactly what you intend to accomplish. During my first few days of teaching, this meant writing down my day in 5 minute blocks- and that's okay! This helped me to think through my plans and keep my first graders productive. I used my notes at the end of the day to reflect- what went well, and what will I change tomorrow? Daily reflection is key in making each lesson better than the previous.

Tabitha would like to offer all followers a 

Freebie!! 

Number Posters 0-5 Freebie!

Wednesday's Featured Teacher and Freebie... Meet Melissa Michael

Meet Melissa Michael over at

Teacher Treasure Hunter

Check out her blog:www.teachertreasurehunter.blogspot.com

Check out her TpT Store:http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/Teacher-Treasure-Hunter

What do you teach? And where? 

1st Grade, All subjects :), Washington

What is one of your favorite memories in the classroom?

That's a tough one because there are so many great memories!  A few cute ones this last year were a dramatic little girl who would say these hilarious things like "You did it again!  Another fun thing for us to do!"  Or the time she didn't have a snack and stretched her hands up up to the sky and said "I see the light."  Hilarious!  I had a boy this year who was a model student and took everything so seriously.  I asked questions about a Skylanders figure that he brought for show and tell and shortly after that he wrote a long story in writer's workshop telling me all about the history of Skylanders.  I asked him if he wrote it so I would know more about them and he solemnly said yes.  I had a lot to learn!    Each year is full of memories like these!  I'm so lucky to have a little part in their lives! :)

What was your hardest experience while teaching? How did you overcome it.

One year, I had a class that was difficult and had several challenging students.  One of these students had a parent who liked to text me frequently and get updates on how the day went.  I want to be available to my parents and appreciate that they wanted to be updated.  However, I found out that it was quickly draining my time and becoming unproductive.  I had to learn to say "let's set up a time to talk about it and review how things are going."  There's a balance between communication and monopolization!

What advice would you give a new teacher or someone switching grade levels?

I would tell a new teacher to over-plan, be enthusiastic, be consistent and be thick-skinned.  There will be moments of praise from students and/or parents - store them up!  You'll need them for the rest of the times.  You have to be confident and happy in the work that you are doing and not need validation from others.

Melissa would like to offer all followers a 

Freebie!! 

2 Ocean Themed Language Arts Centers

Wednesday's Featured Teacher and Freebie... Meet Heather Salsman

Meet Heather Salsman over at

Teaching Through Turbulence

Check out her blog:http://www.teachingthroughturbulence.com/

Check out her TpT Store:http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/Teaching-Through-Turbulence

What do you teach? And where? 

I teach Kindergarten Through 6th Grade Special Education for Emotional Disabilities and other kids with behaviors in Indiana - all elementary subjects and Social Skills.  I have some self-contained students, some pull-out for certain subjects, and others that I work with in general education for behavior.

What is one of your favorite memories in the classroom?

One of my most favorite memories has been watching my students grow in Social Skills over the past couple years with them.  When I started, I was not sure what I had gotten myself in to as they were physically fighting a lot.  Now, they consider each other family.  I was able to walk away at the end of this year and let them all figure out how to work though situations and plan things by themselves without any fighting!

What was your hardest experience while teaching? How did you overcome it.

My hardest experience has been being presented with new behaviors on a constant basis and having to overcome the physical and emotional stress that comes with it.  I have been very flexible and learned a lot throughout my teaching about dealing with different behaviors.  Blogging about ways to deal with different behaviors to help others with it and having a great support system of friends, family, and my blogging family has helped me overcome it all.

What advice would you give a new teacher or someone switching grade levels?

Look for ideas and then make them your own. There are so many teaching ideas out there that you can get from colleagues, teaching blogs, books, and more.  Find what you like and then make it work for you by adding in your own ideas and one spice to it.  Then, Be Flexible as you go along and make changes to meet your kids' needs.

Heather would like to offer all followers a 

Freebie!! 

Racing To Learn Game Board