Move Over Drab & Dreary : H-E-L-L-O Modern & Sleek!! My New Blog Design & some FREE STUFF!!

You will not find this sweet Fall leaf in any of my graphics sets, but you are more than welcome to grab it and make it famous in one of your resources! (refer to my TOU )

Hi Everyone!!  I finally put off all of my other projects and hunkered down to get my blog design finished. I still have to complete the website and several of the pages, but I am completely thrilled with the new design!! I am really excited that my new website will have a members only section, although I am still working out the kinks on that one.

If you take some time to check out my updated sidebar here on my blog, you will discover that I have added a few new sections at the top solely for daily deals. The daily deals will be posted several times a week and will include anything from discounts and flash freebies to pin it to win it challenges!! You can check out my blog daily for updates or follow my newest Pinterest Board... I will be pinning the deals onto this board so no one misses out (unless you are not following). Feel free to pin and share the daily deals on any of your social media accounts so your friends can grab the deals as well!!

Today's deal is posted on the new board!!

Below is a picture I received from a VERY sweet buyer who wanted to show me how her board turned out!! With all of the creativity out there, I would LOVE to see more pictures of this being used in the classroom!! 

If you have a picture you would like to share, just email me (3amteacher(at)gmail(dot)com)

There are so many ways to use the resources in this bulletin board set and I can't tell you how much I enjoy tracking the Iditarod. I got into it after watching a series on Netflix. I think it was a Discovery channel series, but I can't remember. After the second season, the series disappeared... or.. I am just oblivious. Watching the series is what inspired me to create this set for my own students one year! I have since added and improved to the set & I hope you all enjoy!!  The set can be modified to fit any grade level, but the few activities within the set are focused for grades K-3. I taught advanced Kindergarten and the resources I created for my students were quite advanced compared to most K classroom curriculum resources; however, anything is adaptable if you are creative!!  At 50% off, this is your chance to try integrating something new into the mix this winter. Who said Common Core can't be fun??!! Actually, this set does not include Common Core references... as it is an adaptable bulletin board set, but I can post some suggestions to cover if necessary. 

For the younger groups, you can incorporate your literacy lessons by focusing on the book Balto (there are quite a few versions of the book written by different authors) during the race. Lessons can include setting reading goals, vocabulary, social studies, animal adaptation, short story writing, math (sequencing, measurement and/or skip counting or counting by 2's) and much more!! I can think of so many fun things you can do with your kids!! There is also a movie version of Balto (that I never did watch), but would be a fun conclusion to any lessons themed around the Iditarod.

Last, but not least.... I REALLY wanted to have a mini giveaway with my blog design reveal, but I am waiting to team up with another blogger that I  recently completed a custom blog design  for..

Do any of you know Jeannie from  Kindergarten Lifestyle?? If you have not yet had the pleasure of visiting her blog, I HIGHLY suggest that you do!! She is working from home this year and doing TpT full time!! 

Continuing right along.... I recently created a custom blog design for Jeannie (with a cute fairy and all) and I will be teaming up with her to offer a HUGE surprise giveaway when she puts together her big reveal.... Click on her new button above to visit her blog. 

Aside from her blog design being TOTALLY awesome (with a little of my help, of course..tehehe), the content of her posts are well worth the visit.  One post you might want to read (one of my favorites from Jeannie) includes her thoughts and input about selling on TPT in response to a not-so-lovely post a little while back that got a few sellers a little rattled. Don't get me wrong... even I had my panties in a bit of a bunch over the criticism, but not enough to warrant a response. Jeannie's post, TpT-What it Means to Me is a  thoughtful post offering some insight into the mind of a seller and I really enjoyed reading through it. 

Keep your eyes open for her big blog reveal and my special giveaway that I will be offering for her celebration!! 

I certainly cannot end this post without giving you all something special, so here is a custom character I created a little while back....

YOU ALL ROCK!!! (Get it?? Rock?? Because it is a graphic of a rock that rocks??)

Here is another oldie, but goodie I created a while back. I created a set of custom classroom signs for an online buddy that I would love to share with you... Enjoy!!

As with any of my graphics, please make sure to check out my Terms if Use document that you can download for free before using them for personal and/or commercial use. All of my graphics can be used for personal and/or commercial use (with a credit) and you are not required to purchase an extra license (You're Welcome..LOL). Also, feel free to grab my new blog button!!

Have a GREAT Wednesday everyone!!! Here is a little bit of encouragement I found floating around on Facebook that made me giggle.... I hope it makes you giggle too!! I made it very large, so you can't leave this post without a smile on your face...

I love you all and I am so blessed by your friendships and your support that allows me to be creative every single day!! 

FRIDAY FIVE!! Come See what's Happening!!

I can NOT believe it is already FRIDAY!! Holy batman!! This week has zoomed by and I have no idea where it went! Thank goodness I have kids....and a teacher meeting tomorrow or else I may have completely forgotten it was Friday!! Is it weird that I am nervous about the parent-teacher conference? I am more nervous as a parent than I ever was as a teacher...maybe because I make a much better teacher??? I work so much that I often feel like I completely neglect my parental duties. I am ashamed to admit it. This is the first year that I have not been in my kids classrooms or been more actively involved, and yet, I am home everyday!!! I feel horrible for his teacher! 

I am hoping the awesome job Broden and I did fundraising gives me some parent effort credits..haha Actually, I would have to give most of the credit to all of you - so THANK you for helping me a more involved parent. For a work-a-holic, I need constant reminders. It is just very scary that both my husband and I are self-employed now. The pressure and stress is definitely a lingering whisper in my ear. My kids are growing up so fast and yet, I know that if I don't force myself into my office, then I am hurting everyone. There is a lot more pressure when the financial responsibility relies solely on my own motivation and work ethics (which are supreme by the way..haha), but I am only one woman and one woman cannot possibly be everywhere at once...or can I? Lately, the kids will hang out in the office with me, which is nice. They like to see what I do and I enjoy having the extra time with them. 

Well, I hope you all had a wonderfully productive week!! I have a lot in store for this Friday Five and I am excited to share some freebies!! Remember, you can grab the button at the beginning of this post, as well as the other title images, and link up with me every Friday. The Friday Five can be ANY five things you are interested in as long at it includes a FREEBIE to share. 

Today's Freebie is something fuzzy & fun for Valentine's Day!! If you are worried about having to find Valentine's cards this year, don't look no more!! I have a free printable with some fun V-Day cards I came up with using my V-Day Fuzzies!! Enjoy this Freebie. Click the image below to download this resource from TpT!!

Here is a cute funny I found floating around Facebook. I am not sure where it came from, but I thought you might all get a little silly giggle!!

I wanted to share something I found that all of you teacherpreneurs out there might fall in love with!! I found a very useful "App" that can be downloaded on your computer or your mobile device. 

This app syncs sales information from your Paypal and Etsy accounts and automatically generates statistical information for tax purposes. 

The app is free; however, you can upgrade to gain access to other helpful services they offer. I am currently using only the free service, and so far, I am really liking this app!!  You can check it out by clicking the image below.

As I get more familiar with this app, I will update you on what I find.

I am sorry - I got nothin' hahaha So I guess this nothin' would be considered my frazzle. Sitting here at 1:15am, trying to think of something clever or amazing to write... LOL!!

This Friday, I hope you don't mind, but I decided to feature one of my own products that I have recently updated & improved. 

Last year, I created an Iditarod Bulletin Board Unit filled with bulletin board words, accents, printables and activities. When I finished it, I was very happy with the result, but after looking at it again recently, I knew that I could do WAY Better!!

I have always loved tracking and watching the Iditarod Race with my students as well as on my own. It was not a popular resource on TPT - in fact, when I looked up the category last year, there was absolutely nothing! I was completely excited!! hahaha

I included bulletin board words, graphics (all created by me), printables, a giant printable outline of Alaska, checkpoint words and resources, as well as many other activities to go along with ANY book or resources you choose to do with your classroom.

I recently designed new bulletin board letters and words, improved the quality of the current graphics, added current graphics to the student book pages &&&&&

Added a zipped file filled with all of the PNG images of the words, letters and some of the accents for the unit. This will give you far more freedom to print a specific size or create extra materials to go along with what you are doing in your classroom.

 The zipped file includes a PDF product file filled with all of the printables and suggestions for use, and a zipped file with over 50 graphics!! I would love for you to check it out. The Alaskan Iditarod Race begins in March and it is a perfect time to begin planning. You can click the image below to check it out.

I created individual letters as well as whole words for the reading bulletin board display. The letters turned out super cute and I love the colors. You are more than welcome to use the "READ" words I created below! 

One of my favorite Iditarod themed books to read is Balto. You can get an eBook version for a few dollars on Amazon! This is for the younger kiddos, but there are a few good books for upper elementary as well.

Upper Elementary

 You can click HERE to get a complete list of the TOP rated books! The Kindle versions are great to use in your classroom, because you can use them on an overhead or set up mobile devices for reading groups. Technology is slowly taking over...you better get with the times or be completely lost!

I hope you enjoyed my Friday Five!! Be on the look out for my Valentine's Card Pack that I will upload sometime later today! I won't leave without giving you one more FREEBIE you can grab right here from my blog!! Enjoy!

Please read my Term of Use before using any of my graphics. Thank you so much for your support & I LOVE reading your comments!!

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50% off Iditarod Unit

    I am offering the Iditarod Bulletin Board Set & Activities for 50% off. All you'll pay is $3.00. You can get the set for 3 bucks until Monday at Midnight! This is a great unit to follow the Iditarod race in your class for the month of March. Enjoy!

Here are some FREE frames I made for another project I am working on. Commercial Use OK - just link back to my blog or my Teachers Pay Teachers store.