Fall Break Is Over? Please Say It Ain't So!

And all of a sudden it is Sunday Eve and that means there's one day left of my weekend before our Fall Break is officially OVER! Well, as personally promised, I tried to spend MOST of my break actually taking a BREAK from all things work-related this year.  It helps when you're unplugged, don't head back into the classroom, or check your school email for one to actually resist the temptation of using vacation days as catch-up days!!  (I hope I can only have as such strong willpower when our 2-week Christmas vacation rolls around.) 

This was made much more easier for me while spending Sunday - Wednesday in Laguna Beach, CA which is only a six-hour drive from home.  If you haven't been, I highly suggest visiting the beach at Treasure Island Park which connects to the Montage Beach Resort which is SOO BEAUTIFULLY landscaped because it's a five-star resort and you know they've got to make it look picturesque!  If you don't believe me, check out my pics below:

Treasure Island Beach Park - Laguna Beach, CA

Mickey Ghost Decoration for the Halloween Bash

My sis, Minnie Mouse and I - Disneyland, CA

Halloween Haunted Mansion (I do enjoy the familiarity of the regular ride better)

Also, when not enjoying the sandy digs of Laguna Beach, my baby sis (a Kinder teacher on Fall Break as well) and I ventured off to Disneyland with all of the other happiness-seekers on vacation too!  Although it was much more crowded than I would have preferred, Mickey and his crew sure know how to decorate for Halloween; all of the jack-o-lanterns and autumn foliage decor were gorgeous!!

Since returning from the joyous road trip and getting my much needed ZZZs, I am now plugged back into the hustle and bustle of the teaching blogisphere, and I'm glad I returned when I did because TpT is celebrating with a quick sale this weekend.  (Now I can grab those darling items I just added to my wishlist, hopefully you can do the same too!)

Thanks to Shuna of Pocket Full of Kinders for this cute image!
Did you hear? The Teachers pay Teachers Facebook page received 100,000 likes! To celebrate, they are giving an extra 10% off until 12:01 am Oct. 14th! Here is their message:

"100,000 likes on Facebook? Yes, we're celebrating right now! Enter code FB100K at checkout for 10% off including sale items. What's on your wish list? Ends when the date flips to 10/14."

Don't get too caught up with this sale-a-bration.  Remember to savor your Sunday, after all it's always just 24 hours away from the mayhem of Monday!!

Meet SIR Remainder! (division freebie)

Happy Labor Day Weekend!

In my attempt to make division more appealing to 4th graders, I have invented a new Remainder mascot who we will refer to as SIR Remainder in my class!  He's a cute lil mathematical mascot to help students remember the three strategies of interpreting remainders.  These interpreting remainder strategies are:

1. Share It (as a fraction or a decimal)
2. Ignore It (don't include it at all)
3. Round It (add 1 more to the quotient)

I've also tapped into my inner lyricist and have penned a couple of songs to go along with this fun new friend!  Knowing that this concept is probably something all my upper grade teachers could use, especially those of the 4th grade variety, I have offered it up as my new, primary free download on TpT (the other one was over a year old and I feel my product-making talents have improved - so time to switch it up a bit)!!

If you enjoy this freebie, please let me know by commenting on my TpT product page or sharing your love with a blog post comment!

This is a perfect companion to my latest TpT math product: Division and Interpreting Remainders (basic division practice pack).

Also, I'm eagerly waiting to join up with the September Currently (for once, I'm ready to go on the first day of the month)  I haven't seen it go live yet, so I will post a revision as soon as Farley's ready with the new monthly graphic!

Here we go: I actually made it on the first day of the month this time - I think that's a first for me!!  September is going to be a great month!! Currently I'm feeling not so hot because those back-to-school germs and crazy monsoon weather have coupled together to attack me with a cold.  I hope to be over it in the next few days or so!

Also, I'm looking forward to the Hispanic Heritage D-backs baseball game where I hope to score a Miguel Montero bobblehead (will be handed out to the first 20,000 fans inside)!  This month, I am going to make a point of treating myself and I do enjoy treats - I already have plans for peanut butter promise cookies, Nilla Wafer Southern Banana pudding, and strawberry lemonade poke cake.  Just have one week of dessert unplanned for.  Luckily, I have tons of mouths at home and work who will help me consume these delish desserts!!

Finally, the adjustment period is over and I'm getting used to the new school / new district / new curriculum and am able to leave an hour after the students go home and meet up for happy hours with my gal pals.  I plan on making this a weekly commitment as soon as I'm fully recovered!  So it's September and we know the holiday rush is soon about to creep up on us, so enjoy this time pre-Halloween and cherish each moment! :)

Flash Giveaway - When It Rains, I Get as Busy as a Bee on TpT!! [multiplication freebie]

This weekend was a gloomy, rainy weekend so I carved out time to shut out the outside world and develop some fun new products for my store.  Here's a quick overview of the latest items I've added to my TeachersPayTeachers store.  (Click the headings to be taken to the product pages for more info):

1.  4th Grade - ELA CCSS "I Can" statements (polka dot framed borders)

2.  2nd & 3rd Grade - Main Idea & Details practice pack

3.  Factors, Multiples & Arrays Unit (Multiplication Practice Pack)

While I was fast at work on my laptop, I also watched the complete first season of ABC's Nashville online and am now ready for the upcoming second season!  I think it's amazing how you can become a fan of a TV show all in one weekend without ever before seeing a single episode.

As a treat to my blog followers, I am offering a flash giveaway of your choice to one of the new items posted above but you must abide by these rules:
1-Leave a comment below ANSWERING CORRECTLY whether I'm on Team Juliette or Team Rayna (Nashville reference)
2-Let me know which item you'd like me to send you if you're a winner
3-Include your email address

[p.s. - I will allow 8 winners - since August is the eighth month of the year!!]
:)
Take Care, and may the 50-50 odds be in your swift favor!

But if you don't win, take advantage of the week-long sale I'm having on all my NEW items thru 8/31/13
Multiplication FREEBIE: Box Method Strategy poster

(download link here)