Monday, July 22, 2013

Monday Made Its, and a 350+ Follower Giveaway!

I have three Monday Made Its today! One for home, one for blogging, and one for school! Then there's a giveaway at the end!

First, home: So, I read a thousand million infinity blogs and I see twice as many good ideas on them. Some are easy because I can just go to the store and buy them. Some I love, but are too intimidating. Many are in my "to-do queue." But this one jumped to the front of the line when I saw it on a crafting blog a while back. 

Killer B and I have the same discussion every single night...

B: "So, what's for dinner?" 
Me: "I don't know...food?" 
B: "What kind of food?" 
Me: "Um...good food?" 
B: "What's good food?" 
Me: "Food you can eat."
B: "Ugh, seriously, what's for dinner?"
Me: "Um...food?"


So I showed her the blog post, she said, "We should make one," and we DID! 

Now, I am the Craft/Hobby King, and could spend hours in Joanne Fabrics, Michael's, Hobby Lobby, etc. Killer B on the other hand has the attention span of a very young child when it comes to all things crafty. So it is a miracle that we actually went to the store and took the time to choose fabric and ribbon that worked well for our kitchen. 

Throw in some hot glue, clothespins, some washi tape, a few drops of super glue, a staple gun and some card stock and there you go! It's our brand new Menu Board! I added a clip for coupons up at the top. It's nice to be able to add new meals to our rotation and not forget about them. The ingredients for the meal are written on the back of the meal cards, which are stored in the little attached box. Here's hoping that our dinner choice problems are solved! I guess we'll see!



Second, for blogging: If you look in my right column, you'll see that my Freebie Stuff Label is updated and actually useful now! I've included links to all of my freebies. Some are free on TpT and some are googledocs. I know...you don't get TpT credits for rating freebies...but you DO get my undying adoration and thanks! So if you like one of my TpT freebies, then please rate it! And if you don't like it...hmmm..I wonder about people like you sometimes...


Yep, too cold for recess that day.
Third, for school: If you're like me you almost certainly dread one thing about teaching more than any other...that's right, I'm talking about the dreaded INDOOR RECESS! Up here in the great state of PA, we have quite a few days of the year where it is just too cold or rainy to go outside. Now, if you're also like me then you definitely have kids in your class who are "fast finishers." And I bet we also have in common that we love the idea of "brain breaks" for kids, right?!

Those three things were what got the gears turning in my brain about my newest TpT product. I call it "My Book of Awesome Tasks" and I am super proud of it.

I've been doing these activities with my kiddos for years, but I've never taken the time to compile them into one handy book until now. I'm in love with the idea of my kids having this book in their mailboxes that they can pull out and "work" in whenever they finish early, or if I think they need a brain break, or even as an option during indoor recess. 

The activities include everything from making and deciphering secret codes, to creating artwork in unique ways, to writing stories, etc. Each activity is unique and includes simple directions.

I love that these activities are educational, call upon their creative sides, and don't seem like work. The activities can be finished simply by younger kids, but allow for more depth and effort to be put in by older kids. To be honest, I already printed a copy for myself to do for fun. 

There are a total of 45 different activities for the kids to do. Of course, pages of math facts, etc. could easily be slipped into the book before stapling it together too! I'm working on a second book that the really industrious kids can get when they finish the first one. The book is in my store for a mere $5.00!  

What?! You can't even get 2 cappuccinos at Starbucks for that, people! And those are gone in less than an hour...this lasts at least 45 days a year for the rest of your teaching career! 

Now, pin it to win it! Just leave a comment with your link and I'll let Killer B pick a number to decide the winner!

Now to the other good stuff...

When I started this blog earlier this year, I have to be honest and say that I was kind of afraid that no one would ever actually be interested enough to read it or talk to me about my thoughts. But instead it has become a way for me to interact with some truly awesome teachers out there in the world that I might not have met before starting this blog. And looking at my stats the other day, I noticed that a few of my posts have over 500 views! It really makes me happy to know that others are interested in reading about my ideas, sharing their ideas with me, helping me with issues I encounter, and just get to know me as a person.

So, all that to say...it's time to celebrate with a 350+ Bloglovin' Follower Giveaway! I have to be frank...I was a smidge overwhelmed with my 100 follower giveaway, and things are about to get real with school prep...so I hope you'll forgive me that I didn't reach out to all my TpT friends out there for help. I promise I will next time! I hope the potential to get some prizes from my store will still be worth your while though! I'll select 3 winners!
a Rafflecopter giveaway

Thanks so much to everyone who has read this little blog of mine, left comments, found something useful here, or participated in a linky with me. You guys rock!

24 comments:

  1. Great MMI. You were very busy. I love your cooking board. So fun that you had some help. My hubby will not touch my crafts. I wish.. he does everything else.
    Love all of your creations this week. Off to check out your book of tasks.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Nick...you are funny! I love readin' your posts. I can just picture you and Killer B in Hobby Lobby because it's probably like Jerm and I. I keep showin' him the picture thing of the menu. I too want it made for him to make dinner. Yep, you read that right...I'd blow up the kitchen just by walkin' in there!
    I pinned, I pinned! http://pinterest.com/pin/45387908717613916/
    Alison
    Rockin' and Lovin' Learnin'

    ReplyDelete
  3. You're pinned! Awesome unit Nick!
    http://pinterest.com/pin/358176976585072783/

    ReplyDelete
  4. I am intrigued by the awesome tasks book. I pinned it here - http://pinterest.com/pin/300544975103644367/

    Diane
    Fifth in the Middle

    ReplyDelete
  5. The dinner conversation sounds just like the conversation my husband and I have every night. I love the menu board!

    Also, I LOVE the book of awesomeness... I mean the book of awesome tasks! :) I hope Killer B picks number 5!

    http://pinterest.com/pin/65654107040957739/

    ReplyDelete
  6. I LOVE your book and can't wait for the second. I'm crossing my fingers and hoping to win b/c I'm not allowed to buy anything for awhile (spent way too much recently). I've put it on my wishlist though and will definitely put the 2nd one on my wishlist too.

    http://pinterest.com/pin/390054017697704004/

    ReplyDelete
  7. Same conversation occurs in our house every night. Now its to the point where my autistic 6 year old joins in the conversation and talks for one or both of us (he even tries to lower his voice to sound like my hubby). It could be a sign that we also need a menu board. :-)
    Well thanks for sharing!
    ~Amy
    The Teacher Next Door

    ReplyDelete
  8. Love the idea for these tasks on indoor recess days. Thank you
    Toni Nicholson
    chief9937@Yahoo.com

    http://pinterest.com/pin/199565827211010038/

    ReplyDelete
  9. You are pinned! Great ideas today Nick! :)
    http://pinterest.com/pin/4362930862109985/

    ~Brandee
    Creating Lifelong Learners
    Follow me on Bloglovin'

    ReplyDelete
  10. http://pinterest.com/pin/316096467566766969/

    cheriemae@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  11. Great idea! We have tons of indoor recesses in the winter here in Northern Ontario too! Pinning to win!

    http://pinterest.com/pin/285556432596082872/

    Krista
    p.s. i love that I have found your blog!

    ReplyDelete
  12. Excellent post my friend. That indoor reccess packet looks killer. I know quite a few students that would go nuts for it.
    Any you freebie section is very nice.

    All you have to do is add a green and red tint to those icicles and you've got yourself some lightsabers.

    matt
    Digital: Divide & Conquer
    Follow me on Bloglovin'

    ReplyDelete
  13. I love you rainy day activities. I will have to add it to my TpT store. I can't wait to read more post. Thanks for sharing.

    Jamie
    teachingtidbit.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
  14. I'm loving the menu board...I've pinned several of them, but have yet to make one. Maybe I'll be motivated to make it for an MMI?!? And the title of your 'Book of Awesome Tasks' is...well...awesome! I want one! http://pinterest.com/pin/42995371415609184/

    ReplyDelete
  15. http://pinterest.com/pin/279786195573577621/
    I love the Book of Awesome Tasks. I live in PA too and understand how you feel about indoor recess!
    Thanks for sharing.
    ugamler@boyertownasd.org

    ReplyDelete
  16. I love the cooking board! Can't wait to see you and Killer B this week!

    Wendy
    Read With Me ABC

    ReplyDelete
  17. Love the menu board, especially the place for coupons!

    Jess
    I {Heart} Recess

    ReplyDelete
  18. Your menu board looks great! Maybe you should sell those! I hate dinner time and thinking about what to make/eat!
    Pinned! http://pinterest.com/pin/147070744054163840/
    Great giveaway!
    Joanne
    Head Over Heels For Teaching

    ReplyDelete
  19. I just adore your Book of Awesome Tasks! Awesome, indeed...it's in my TpT shopping cart right now (waiting for approval from the hubby before checking out and downloading!) I really enjoy your blog ~ your ideas are quite inspiring!

    Pinned!

    http://pinterest.com/pin/102527328990037768/

    ReplyDelete
  20. http://pinterest.com/pin/256001560041356849/

    love your blog!

    ReplyDelete
  21. Pinned it! Looks fabulous!

    http://pinterest.com/pin/179018153910928627/

    Dawn

    ReplyDelete
  22. Well now, I just love your blog! And your ideas are super. I wish I had had a teacher like you in third grade!

    ReplyDelete
  23. Congratulations on 350 Nick! I'm proud to be one of them. Thanks for all the fabulous ideas & resources you share.
    -Jen
    Tropical Teacher

    P.S. - here's the link to my pin. I hope I win!
    http://pinterest.com/pin/96616354479161861/

    ReplyDelete
  24. I was one of your first followers and yes I am still reading and following. I love your blog, and your products I even have the book of awesomeness in my cart on TpT! Here is the PIN of it too...really looks like a LOT of fun!
    http://pinterest.com/pin/148759593914957924/
    Sidney
    Teachingisagift

    ReplyDelete

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