#poolpartyhop

It's summertime! What better way to celebrate than a bloghop filled with ideas, recipes, FREEBIES (my fave) and GIVEAWAYS! Major props to Celeste from The Education Highway for organizing for her own birthday! Happy birthday, Celeste. :) 

Do you have bored kids at home over the summer? See how many activities they can check off their lists! If you would like the PDF version, click here.

I'm thinking all teachers need this recipe for the summer..a delicious Mai Tai! I fixed this drink for a get together with family and friends. It was a hit! The only difference was that I froze instead of adding ice. 

Summer Writing Journal FREEBIE- Download now!

This is the perfect journal to use during summer school or if your school year goes into the summertime months.  20 prompts are included in this freebie!

* If you enjoy this writing journal, I currently have June-September writing journals available in my store. :) 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

a Rafflecopter giveaway

a Rafflecopter giveaway

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Take a look at the stores from the awesome TpTers that are donating in the giveaway through this EBOOK!

Check out the other bloggers! Remember- FREEBIES! 

Blog code for inlinkz

An InLinkz Link-up

One last currently

WHAT??? IT'S MAY, GUYS. I'm not sure where this year went, but let's keep it going until summer. amiright?

Huge shoutout to Farley for her dedication to her blogger followers and providing us with a fun linky party every month. :) 

LISTENING: The show Fixer Upper is getting my ready for my new place! I'm moving at the end of May, so I'm loving this inspiration. 

LOVING: MAY. Wow. I cannot believe summer is so close. I'm QUITE excited!! 

THINKING: yikes... that's self explanatory, right?

WANTING: mmmmm I've been craving sushi all weekend!

NEEDING: I'm in a wedding next weekend, and I am going to blind the guests! Please sun come out soon!

TRUTH: My kids this year are seriously awesome. They are definitely ready for 3rd grade and I'm ready for them to get going. :) hehe oops

Who would like to participate in a Reading Workstation linky party this summer?? This could be a place where teachers can go to see how they can successfully implement centers. If you'd like to take part in this, make sure to take pictures before you start packing up your classroom!

Center Organization

How do you organize your centers? After MANY attempts at trying to stay organized and sane, I have finally found something that works. 

I bought the nifty rainbow drawer from SAMS which was only $25! Woohoo! 

I made labels that fit the drawers for each reading skill. I use Journeys reading series, so the skill always comes back a few weeks later in a different story.

 I simply store task cards, center activities, games, songs, etc. all in the specific drawer. 

Everything fits so nicely and whenever the skills rolls around again, I simply go to the drawer to pull activities for whole group or workstations. Look how great Forman Teaches Cause and Effect Literacy Activity looks!

Guess what? You can download the labels NOW for free! 

Enjoy and happy teaching! 

Lucky to be a Teacher

Why are you lucky to be a teacher? Many of us this time of year would respond, "Ummmm I'm not." The lesson plans, paperwork, progress monitoring, standardized testing, professional development, grading, conferences, and stress, stress, stress can completely overwhelm us.. Are you stressed yet?

Without a doubt, there is no other career that is more exhilarating, rewarding, and downright demanding than that of a teacher. Instead of dwelling on the negatives, what if we focus on the positives? Let's reflect on the GOOD we have done (and will continue to do). 

What have you learned from your students? How many students felt proud of themselves because of your motivation? How have you grown as an educator?  How many funny stories do you have that have come from your crazy classroom? How many students have you believed in when no one else did? How many lives have you changed? Think about it for a second... WE. CHANGE. LIVES. Maybe some of these questions can help you answer the question- Why are YOU lucky to be a teacher?

So, super teachers- let's celebrate us. Let's celebrate ourselves by this giveaway! 58 other AWESOME teacher authors have donated to help throw this major giveaway. Who is feeling lucky??

How does this work?

Enter the giveaway(s) through the rafflecopter. The more stores and pages you follow the better your chances are to win! The TpT sellers are either giving away Winner's Choice or a Specific Product. Note: For Winner's Choice items- It is ultimately up to the seller, but generally, you should pick only ONE item that is $5 or less. They will contact you when the winners are announced

a Rafflecopter giveaway

a Rafflecopter giveaway

a Rafflecopter giveaway

a Rafflecopter giveaway

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Enjoy this FREEBIE in my store. Let's let our students tell us why we are so lucky to be teachers. 

Good luck!  Please comment on why YOU are lucky to be a teacher! 

And if you still need inspiration...

Catholic Schools Week

Catholic Schools Week is here! To celebrate, my wonderful mentor teacher from Miss P's Pre-K Pups and I are throwing a quick giveaway. She teaches Pre-K in an incredible Catholic school and has many useful resources! Although I do not teach in a Catholic school, I learned so much from attending one throughout my education.

 The giveaway will end TUESDAY NIGHT. You will receive 2 Catholic resources for your students and a $5 credit to my store. 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

You can linkup with your Catholic school products (does not have to specifically be for Catholic Schools week) through the link below. Link up your FREE AND PAID resources now!

Milestone Celebration + Sunday Scoop 12-27

I am SO excited to announce that I have hit the first TpT milestone! To celebrate, I am throwing a sale- 10% off EVERYTHING from Monday- Monday. So, browse my store , get your wish list ready, and don't forget to save $$$$ starting tomorrow! 

If anyone reading this is debating on whether they should open a store- stop the debating and open one right this second. :D I never in a million years thought I would ever hit the first milestone when I opened my store (about) 19 months ago. 

If you have reservations, questions, or need some help -- email me: 

Brooke.L.patterson@gmail.com

I am excited to link up with The Teaching Trio for Sunday Scoop again! I haven't had a chance to in way too long. 

HAVE-TOs: The major have-to on the list is to work out.. Those holiday pounds have GOT.TO.GO! Who else is with me?!  

HOPE-TOs: I officially have one more week of Christmas vacation. AH! I want to spend this week relaxing and gearing up for the second half of the year. 

HAPPY-TO: As a HUGE thank you to all of you- I am so happy to throw my milestone sale!

I hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas and holiday season. I also hope that many of you still have another week or so to relax! 

Thankful for YOU linky!

Well friends, we survived the week before Thanksgiving. If that isn't something to be thankful for- I don't know what is. Other than that major accomplishment, I have so many other things to be thankful for. I owe a huge thank you to the teachers out there that have shown support through TpT, Facebook, instagram and my blog! The kind words and feedback you have given me have not gone unnoticed.  I am just oh-so thankful for you! 

What's free from my store: 

December Writing Prompts- My Decemeber writing prompts are the perfect addition to your writing center or early finisher work. These are normally $3.00!

Story Structure Posters and Graphic Organizers- I use these posters constantly during small groups throughout the year. 

Thanksgiving Activity and Writing Prompts- Even though most of us are out of school until Thanksgiving is over, I wanted to throw in a festive freebie. :) 

Here's how it works for TPT sellers: 
1. From NOW until Thanksgiving Day make one (or more!) of your products FREE! 
2. Add your link below. This can be a link to a blog post or directly to TpT. 

**If you are downloading- please follow and leave feedback on the downloaded product of the TpT seller **