Saturday, December 29, 2012

Graphics {I Heart}

I have had more time to peruse through graphics and fonts since our winter break from school.

I get so excited to see the variety of choices available. So many more artists are selling graphics, since I first started creating teaching products on TpT.

I thought I'd share some of my all time favorites and newest finds.

One of my all time favorites is KPM Doodles.

Kirsten Peters McGrath is the artist. First of all, I LOVE her artwork! I first found her art on Etsy, but she now also has her own website.
She created the graphics on my blog design. She was able to capture exactly what I wanted. She sells most of her graphics in color and black and white. If you are as obsessed with digital backgrounds as much as I am, you'll have to see the new ones she recently created.

Scrappin Doodles is another graphics site I use a lot. I like that they have such a large assortment of graphics from which to choose. Click on the here to visit Scrappin Doodles.

Miss Tiina not only has adorable graphics, but also creates just as adorable fonts. She is AMAZINGLY creative, and it shows in her work.

Click on picture for fonts.


Click on picture for graphics.

I've been wanting to use this graphic since I first saw it. 

Click on the picture to download for FREE!

It was created by Mel {so talented} from From the Pond Graphics. I {heart}TpT, because not only does it have great teaching resources, it also has artists who sell graphics and fonts that can be used for teaching resources. 

I've lost count of how many of Mel's graphics I've acquired. She's a teacher and knows what teachers use and need. Visit her store, and you'll know exactly what I mean.


Click on the picture to visit From the Pond Graphics.

Fancy Dog Studio is also selling graphics on TpT. I've been using her graphics for a long time, but I'm so excited that she's now selling on TpT. Her borders and frames are some of my favorites. She hand draws many of them. 


Click on the picture to visit her store.

And now for a couple of my newest finds . . .

Little Red's Schoolhouse


Click on the picture to see the store.

I wish I could buy all of her graphics. They are so unbelievably cute and so professionally done. She frequently adds new ones to the store. So, you'll want to check back frequently. Most of her graphic images are in color and black and white. 

And another store that's growing by leaps and bounds is Zip-a-Dee-Doo-Dah Designs


Click on the picture to see the store.

First of all, don't you just love her store name? Her graphics are so realistic and have such a professional look about them. She has digital scrapbook packets, clip art, and graphics. And . . . she does custom listings. 

These just scratch the surface. What I love is that each artist has a personal style and so offers something unique. 

I would love to hear about some of your new graphic finds.

Saturday, December 15, 2012

Christmas "Toed" Stockings

The students in my class create Christmas stockings with a "toed" twist.

The children trace a stocking pattern onto two pieces of 12" x 18" red or green construction paper.

They cut out a snow-melting pattern for the tops of the stockings.

The stockings are glued together {on the edges only} for a two-sided stocking that can be stuffed and filled with a {SURPRISE} treat or two.

I give scraps of colored construction paper to the children and then the real FUN begins.

Snowflakes are a must on this stocking.


Love the snowman's big carrot nose.


Don't forget the snowman's hat.


The lights shine brightly on the top of this Christmas tree.


I'm amazed at the tiny details on this stocking.


And now the stockings adorn our classroom walls.

I don't have a space large enough for a stocking bulletin board, so the stockings are scattered here and there on the classroom walls. It's quite festive that way. And it's as close as it gets to snowing in our part of the world.

The insides of the stockings are stuffed with tissue paper. I put surprise gifts in them for the students before they take them home for winter break. {By way, they just giggle and LOVE that the toes are showing thru the stockings}.

I would love to hear about some of the activities you have planned for your last week before winter break.



Sunday, December 9, 2012

Behavior Charts

I have a behavior chart that I use daily in my classroom.

Lakeshore® Behavior Management Pocket Chart 

Each student has his or her name on the chart. Everyone starts out on green each day. 

Green is good behavior.
Yellow is a warning.
Orange is a consequence {usually lose 5 minutes at the beginning of recess}.
Red is action taken {a call home to parents}.

I keep track of the students' behavior on my attendance sheet grid. I highlight {with yellow, orange, or red} any students who have had to turn their cards over to a different color. It's an easy way to quickly mark students' behavior progress at the end of each day.

I also want parents to be informed of their child's progress. I have been using this form to tally student progress.


I tally the number of times students' cards move to a specific color. I comment on any specific behavior I want to inform the parents about on the lines at the bottom of the chart. The box at the top right hand corner is for a student number. All my students have numbers to help with management. I can quickly tell if I have completed a form for each student. These forms go home at the end of the day each Friday.

I'm starting to use a similar chart that students fill out themselves. This idea came from a parent of one of my students who is also a teacher.

The students complete this chart themselves. They keep the charts at their desks and color in the color of their card at the end of each day. I like this form, because the students take responsibility for completing their own charts. 

All the parents of students in my classroom know that the forms go home on Fridays. I don't require parent signatures, unless I set up a special contract with specific students to have the forms signed and returned.


You can download the Weekly Behavior Charts HERE.


Sunday, December 2, 2012

Lucky Day Giveaway

The lucky number is 12 at The Resourceful Apple. Tammy is having an exciting giveaway! She is giving away 12 teaching units created by 12 blogger friends. I am so EXCITED to be contributing to her giveaway!

I am contributing Winter Math Story Problems Addition.


Stop by The Resourceful Apple to see all 12 teaching units. Find out why the number 12 is so LUCKY, and sign up for the giveaway.