The title of this should scare you. This might be bad news bears for some of you and your wallets, but I think it's a great idea and there are already teachers who are excited to participate. Introducing..... drum roll...... The Monthly Shopping Cart Linky Party  I created this graphic from scratch and it may not be copied and altered in any way. You may only use it for linking back to this linky party. Thanks. |
Let me give you a little run down of how this will work. Each month, I will provide a blog post where teachers can link up and share.
What will they be sharing Ashley? Free stuff? Crafts? Starbucks Gift cards? Money? Love?
No. Well, maybe love.
Everyone who links up will write a post sharing only things that they purchased from other people or stores.
[Aaaaaah. Gasp. You're requiring teachers spend money to share?]
Yes, in a sense. All of us already spend tons of moolah on great resources, so why not share what we got and tell how we use it? I know that most of the things I buy are (a) ones that I can see previews of and (b) products that I read about through others.
Also, wouldn't you like to know that a product you've been eyeing on TPT is totally worth it?
| Ok. Rules. If you want to link up it's easy:- Write a post featuring at least 3 things that you've purchased (doesn't matter when). They MUST be from other people or a store... not your own stuff. No 'Me Monsters' allowed.
- Tell who or where it's from, why you bought it, and provide links to it if it's possible. Prices are ok, but remember they change. You can put a price range if you want.
- Tell how you use it in class (or your plans for it) and your thoughts on why it's such a great product. Photos are bonus points.
- Grab that little cart image above (Isn't he cute? He just screams 'addict'.) and put it in your post somewhere.
- Link up with me here at The School Supply Addict sometime each month. It will be open from the 1st to the 31st. I'll post the shopping cart in the sidebar so you can easily find the party.
- You're done!
- Check out what other teachers are buying and go shopping!
- Explain to your significant other why your PayPal account is way over budget.
So, here's my first post for the Monthly Shopping Cart: Gumball Machine Craftivity {$2 range}  2 are missing in action. I love, love, love this gumball machine from Amy Lemons. You can use it for anything! I first learned about it and saw it on her blog post.I bought it in the Spring and just had to use it by the end of the year with my EFL kiddos. We wound up working it into our animal unit. Each student got a template, we worked on verbal directions to put it together, and they then had to think of 10 animals to put on their gumballs... draw and spell each. They turned out super cute and the kids were obsessed that it was gum. I even brought in gumballs to share at the end of class. When I say that you can use this for anything... you can. Math, vocabulary, grammar, spelling, colors, science, etc. Amy has several great ideas on her TPT listing. The template is large, all black and white, and well designed. You just copy it onto colored paper and voila! You're ready to go. Easy prep work and a fun craftivity. Thanks for a great product Amy! Click to Shop! (on TPT) | | Laura Numeroff Author Study {$8 range}  I am so totally sad that I didn't find Erica Bohrer's Laura Numeroff book study until after I needed it last year! Laura's books are great for my language learners because they're repetitive, predictable, and set a foundation for a ton of different activities. I found this pack and just had to have it. You can see lots of details and photos in Erica's post. After I bought it, I spent some time going through it... and then kicked myself for not finding it sooner. I could have used a ton of things with that little trouble-making-mouse. She includes something for each of Laura's books... even the new dog version. It's 86 pages and includes crafts, writing prompts, ideas, graphic organizers, math activities, sorting, mini word walls (da bomb.), book templates, class book covers, phonics activities, book reviews, and even fact/fiction sorting. I plan on using the 'If You Give Mouse a Cookie' wen we return to school... and will definitely be whipping out some of Erica's activities this time.
Click to Shop! (on TPT)
Ice Cream Social {$5 range} | | Omiword. I am so glad I found this (and got it during Susan's flash sale)! It is perfect for back to school and I'm going to put it to use... ...in exactly three weeks. Yes, I have 3 more weeks of summer. [Insert witch laugh] It's by Susan Moran and is 74 pages of absolutely adorable back to school activities... literacy & math. She did such a great job! I actually found out about this on Katie King's 'Product Swap' post. She and Susan swapped products, so I got to see and read all about it before I clicked 'buy'. You should definitely check it out if you're interested in seeing all the parts of this pack. Thanks Katie... and Susan! Click to Shop! (on TPT) | Ready to Link up? Write your post, publish it, and link it below! Note: All submissions that link to a single product, a store, or are clearly just ads will be deleted. This is intended for real teachers to provide feedback on items they've purchased and actually use. Please play fair. This post was long, but next time we won't need all of the explanations. Have fun feeding your addiction... if you happen to have one like me. :)
Hi everyone! It's been a while! I'm excited to be back and in the swing of things again. Just let me tell you... I've been a bizzay girl. I was on vacation for almost 3 WEEKS and it was amazing. My sister got married, we had a ton of family in, there may have been a traumatizing spray tan incident, and I got some precious time in with the crazy nephews and some friends.
Also, on a more career-related note: I applied to grad school. Yikes. I found this awesome program (at my alma mater... UK!) a week before I left and scrambled to get all of my stuff together.... and study for/take the GRE. Yes. Two weeks of studying=no blogging. I think most normal people take time to think about these kinds of decisions and plan for plenty of time to study, write essays, etc. Didn't work out that way. It's an online program and would be perfect to do while I'm over here. I'd like to be a little more efficient and try to get the bulk of my Masters out of the way during our last year here. Anyone have experience with online programs? Like it? Hate it? Should I start drinking now?
Anyway, home for us is Kentucky, so it was H.O.T. We lived in Phoenix for three years (still have our house there) and it was much worse than anything Phoenix ever threw at us. Terrible. I forgot that it was possible for my knees and elbows to sweat. Gross. Hope the heat wave is over for any of you experiencing it! B
The wedding girls!!! I'm to the left of the gorgeous bride (my sista).
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Me & the Hubs in the Photo Booth
| Onto some blogging things. Omiword (as Babbling Abby would say). I'm blown away you all. Katie, from Queen of the FIrst Grade Jungle, did a little Sunday Safari over here on The School Supply Addict and I got a ton of hits, emails, messages, followers, etc. Thank you so much Katie! I think we might have to meet up when I move back... she's a Kentucky girl too! :) Also, I've gotten an overwhelming amount of hits from some Pinterest link... anyone know how to find out which one!? I've only pinned a few things from my own site, so that means someone else did it. That's awesome! Thanks to whoever you are! It's a link that's directing people to my 'Room Setup' page. It's a good little collection of links and ideas for setting up your room, which many of you are already doing or are having nightmares about right now. Check it Out for some great ideas!
Thanks Katie!
| | Anyway, just thought I'd drop a little post and let you know I'm still around! I have a long list of things I'm working on right now, but I did just post something that I'm totally in love with...
Lowercase Letters
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Uppercase Letters
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Lower & Uppercase Letters
| Maree Truelove is one of my absolute favorite graphic artists, so I snagged a TON (like 21 sets) from her sale she had going on. I think it ends today. These little popsicles were one. Aren't they precious!? My previous classrooms were beach themed. Even though I don't have a big ole classroom to decorate now, I'm saving these puppies for when we move back home. :) The 28-page pack includes three sets (lowercase, uppercase, and both). I also made a cute little matching sign to go with. Some previews are above. You can grab it from my TPT shop for 2 bucks, but.... I'll pick 1 winner... leave a comment for doing each of the following (each is one entry): - Follow my TPT shop
- Like The School Supply Addict of Facebook
- Follow on Twitter
- Comment and tell me what your favorite flavor of popsicle is... mine are those 'Real Fruit' bars... strawberry. Oh, Yum!
Entries close on Sunday, the 15th, at midnight. I'll announce the winner on Monday morning! :) Winners will receive... | My Popsicle Alphabet Pack | Candy Graphics by Maree Truelove
(Commercial Use) | Popsicle Graphics by Maree Truelove (Commercial Use) |
My blog reading list is out of control. I've got to check in on all of you lovely ladies (and guys)! I've seen some posts that mention a trip to VEGAS?!?!? Sounds amazing. I am so excited about moving back next year, not only because we'll be closer to family, but because I'll be closer to some of you and be able to shop at Target, Michael's, and Hobby Lobby. Trust me, I still managed to do some damage on this recent trip. The hubby had to fly back to Geneva early, so I loaded him up with cardstock, laminating pouches, and some other goodies. I'm a nut.
Thanks for all of the amazing support. It makes me just love doing this all the more. I'll be doing some serious blog-stalking tomorrow and linking up more amazing resources on here!
| | I'm a little under the weather today. A few of my kids came to class last week with horrible colds... now I have it. I've been laid up in bed all day. Luckily, my two 'dogtors' have kept me company. I'm just praying it clears up by this weekend. We have a full day wine tour on Saturday with some friends... so. excited. I've become a major wine-o since moving here. The TPT sale was (still is for a few more hours) a huge hit! I'm joining up with Erica's Linky Party to share what I got! I'm so excited about all of the great products I purchased (and the ones I sold too). I'm trying not to go crazy at this point because I teach EFL and not kindergarten anymore. I have to stay away from all of the cute and amazing materials for K-2! However, I did succumb to Abby's Kentucky Derby Mini Unit. I'm a born and raised KY girl. Also, my husband and I met at the University of Kentucky... so, I basically HAD to get it! Is the Derby over? Yes. Will I teach it to my Swiss, French, German, Russian, Dutch, Spanish, and Bosnian students? Absolutely not. I'm holding on to it in hopes that one day I'll be able to whip it out. Here is a rundown of what I just HAD to have: | Calendar Companion  I've been eyeing this for a while. It's Cara's 'Calendar Companion.' I could have definitely used this bad boy when I taught kindergarten, but now I think I'll be able to work it into my EFL classes starting next year. See her post to learn more. It's such a great idea! See on TPT
Comprehension Activities  I also had to have Lindsey's pack of reading comprehension sheets & activities. Since I teach multiple levels, these are perfect and easy to adapt! Yay! See on TPT
| KY Derby Unit  This is the Derby Unit that I didn't necessarily need, but I LOVE it. Abby did such an amazing job. Even if you don't teach about the Derby, you can still use it for a little horse unit. See on TPT
Gumball Machine  I am so totally excited about this. I got Amy's gumball craftivity and I have so many things I can use it for! Behavior, vocabulary, blends/digraphs, math, and on, and on, and on. This is so cool! Thanks so much Amy! See on TPT
Head on over to TPT if you haven't yet!!! | Numeroff Author Study  Europe + Laura Numeroff = ? Has anyone over here heard of any of the Laura Numeroff books? At least none of my students have. Anyway, I introduced them to the mouse/cookie one and they went C.r.a.z.y... with a capital C. I decided to snatch up Erica's author study to use more of the books! Thanks Erica! Check out her post to see photos of it in action! See on TPT
| I'm writing this post while the hubby goes and picks up a couple of pizzas for us. I'm sick and absolutely not stepping foot into the kitchen. Unless it's for hot tea or a tranquilizer gun. Last time we ordered pizza in Geneva, we wound up paying $40 for an 'American small' size pepperoni and a tiny bottle of diet coke... and delivery. With gas hovering around $8/gallon, we should have known. No more deliveries for us. This time it should be about $30 for two small ones (Dominoes). What a deal huh?
Have a great week everyone!
P.S. If you've been browsing through some of the pages on this site, sorry if they look odd. I adjusted the width of the site and it messed a lot of text/picture alignments up. I'm making my way through and fixing them. :)
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