I'm a Guest Blogger and Other New Things!

Welcome everyone! I want to thank you for visiting and I hope that you'll follow to find out more!

I'm so excited to tell you that I'm a guest blogger for the amazing Jeannie at Kindergarten Lifestyle!!

Come check it out:

 
Also, I've been trying to tap into my techy-wanna-be-side and I hope you'll check out my pages above!

About Me - Where you can find out a little about little ol' me
Guest Blogger - Where you can sign up to be a guest blogger for my blog

Blog Link Up! - Where you can leave your link for others to find :)

Techy Things! - Where you can learn how to create things for your blog!

Happy Memorial Day & The Just Because Giveaway Winner!!

I want to thank all of you that joined my Just Because Giveaway! It was a great success and I can't wait to share the winners with you! So, let's just get down to it!

1st Place Winner (with a $10 donation to a DonorsChoose project of their choice):
Nicole Rios
2nd Place Winner (with the choice of any product from my store for FREE):
Laura
2nd Place Winner (with the choice of any product from my store for FREE):
Susan

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Congrats ladies! Be sure to check your inbox for more details :)

And don't forget about the....

Top Teachers' Memorial Day SALEabration!

Everything in my store is on sale! I'm having a 20% off Memorial Day Sale at my Teachers Pay Teachers store and no promo code is needed.  Please visit the Top Teachers below who will be joining me too.

Rockin' Resources: Things I Couldn't Live Without!

You only have a few short hours to enter my Just Because Giveaway!!
Winners will be posted tomorrow :)

Have I ever mentioned how awesome Kelley from Teacher Idea Factory is?

Well she's having her first linky party and I'm so excited to join!!

1.) DonorsChoose
I can honestly say I don't know where I would be without donorschoose and it's amazing donors! If you are one of the amazing people that has supported my students and their projects, I would like to thank you from the bottom of our hearts! I couldn't do it without you!

2.) Our iPads
Our classroom definitely changed since we have had the iPads! My students are able to skype other classrooms, work on individual skills, and are motivated to work towards their goals!

3.) Our Soundlink Speaker
I love to use our bluetooth speaker in many ways!! I have always been obsessed with Dr. Jean, but now thanks to Kelley I have been using intelli-tunes!! Thanks again Kelley :) My students are also calmed by using iHeartRadios numerous yoga and lullaby stations through my phone.

4.) Sight Word Books
As I just posted recently, these books are lifesavers. My students enjoy them and they beg to read them. I feel that they are truly working on much needed skills and I know what specific skills each child is excelling in!

5.) Last, but certainly not least our ball chairs!!!
I can't say enough about these. They give my students the right to move, they really want to sit, they get their blood flowing to the brain, and they are just fun!! Did I mention you don't have to hear the horrible noisy chairs!! LOVE THEM!! You can pin them here!

Well I could go on and on but I will stop there. Thanks Kelley for the linky xoxo

Until Next Time....

Making Your Own Buttons! And Other Exciting New Things!!

Only 2 more days to enter my easy Just Because Giveaway!! Make sure you check it out :) Also, I will be having a 20% off sale in my TpT store today - Monday! It's never to early to start stocking up for next year :)

Some of you may have noticed the above tabs are new. I welcome you to click them and check them out! Find out more about me, becoming a guest blogger, or simply getting your blog name out there for more people to find :)
I've had a few of you ask how I created my contact buttons to the upper right and I've finally got around t typing up the directions. If you're OCD like me it may take some time, but in all honesty it's pretty easy!

I actually created the button quickly in Publisher and I saved each as a JPEG. I've seen what graphics, buttons, and products you all create so that part is easy peasy for you!

Next, I uploaded the photos into a blog posts. (I originally uploaded them to photobucket, but the photos were blocked under my schools firewall and I couldn't see the side links at school)

So, once  I uploaded them into a post I then found the destination address of each file. (You can do this by individually clicking on each pic in your post and it will open to that address or simply go back to 'edit' the post, click edit HTML and find the web address of that photo)

I then plugged everything into the following HTML:

<a href="WEB ADDRESS THAT YOU WANT THE BUTTON TO TAKE YOU" target="_blank" title="BUTTON NAME HERE"><img alt="BUTTON NAME HERE" src="LINK TO THE ACTUAL PICTURE" /></a>

So since I have 6 buttons I had to do this 6 times. (If that wasn't assumed lol) I then added all 6 HTML codes under Design, Add a Gadget, HTML...

And VOILA! It worked :) I felt very accomplised after that and I really hope you try it. If this is waaaaaaaay confusing let me know and I'll try to help!!

Until Next Time...

I Need Some TpT Love!

Okay okay again, before I get started if you haven't already checked out my easy Just Because Giveaway, make sure to check it out! You could win FREE items from my TpT store or a donation to your favorite donorschoose project :)
I can't thank all of you enough for all that you've already done for me in this short journey! As you all know I'm trying to build my store and make it a place where you can get what you want and deserve (because you're so awesome!!) So this is where you can help me :)

I have free products in my store that I would love for you to check out, download, critique, and rate! As you all know it's all about reviews and I only have a few compared to how many downloads :( I'll even make it easy for you by adding the links below :) (is the bribe working??)

I can't thank you enough!! If you are one of my amaaaaaaaazing friends that owns one of my products and you haven't rated it yet, please feel free to be honest... once again TpT is all about the ratings :)

Until Next Time...

Thematic Units

Once again, before I get started if you haven't already checked out my easy Just Because Giveaway, make sure to check it out! You could win FREE items from my TpT store or a donation to your favorite donorschoose project :)

I'd like to thank everyone that chimed in on my last post (if you didn't and would like to check it out) You were very helpful and I loved your input! So here it is... The list of Thematic Units, that *fingers crossed* will be created for next year!

Theme List:
Alphabet and Numbers (for my summer readiness program)
Colors and Shapes (for my summer readiness program)
Welcome to School
All about Me (senses)
Family (cultures)
Apples
Leaves
Fire Safety
Pumpkins
Spiders and Bats
Scarecrows
Fall Harvest
Thanksgiving
Bears
Happy Holidays
Gingerbread Pals
Quilts
Snow and Mittens
Martin Luther King Day
Penguins
100th Day
Ground Hog Day and Shadows
Valentine's Day
Teeth
Space
Dr. Seuss
St. Patrick's Day
Healthy Eating (Food and Nutrition)
Seasons and Weather
Rainy Days
Farm
Eggs
Flowers
Life Cycles
Insects and Spiders
Pond
Ocean and Sea Life
Camp
Picnic
Ice Cream
Fairy Tales
Transportation
Health and Safety
Earth and Evironment
Community and Career

Each theme will include (and because of my OCD would be uniformed for consistency):
Lesson Ideas/Activities Sheet w/CC
Book Ideas
Theme Vocab Page
Theme Word Wall Words
5 Theme Journal Pages
5 Theme Calendar/Morning Message Pages
Cutable Sentences (thanks Kelly)
Printable Theme Centers
Theme HW Pack (5 Math & 5 ELA) w/CC
Blank Theme Newsletter
Blank Theme HW Sheet
Blank Theme Behavior Chart
Blank Theme Certificates

Also check out April at The Idea Backpack for her Themes Linky!

Ok if you've made it all this way I thank you!! I know, I know that is a loooooong list and waaaaaay more themes than there are weeks in a school year, but I'm trying to pull them all together, somehow. I've been obsessed with themes for my whole career and I'm trying to combine all of my kits, books, and lessons into the smallest list possible, but it's just not working like I want it to hehe.

One last thing... Yes, you are right that was a binkie in Zoey's mouth! And no I'm not crazy! When she was little she used to whine like no other and on one random occasion we were somewhere with someone's baby and my spoiled pup stole it. The rest is history! xoxo

Until Next Time...

Please Help!! I Need Advice!

Before I get started if you haven't entered my awesome Just Because Giveaway come check it out!

I am a thematic nut and would like to create thematic units for anyone interested! I will be selling them on TpT and eventually TN, but I need your help!

Here are my ideas (Please leave suggestions, comments, and critiques in comments so that I can make these the best as possible :] ):

Each theme will include (and because of my OCD would be uniformed for consistency):

Lesson Ideas/Activities Sheet w/CC
Theme Vocab Page
Theme Word Wall Words
5 Theme Journal Pages
5 Theme Calendar/Morning Message Pages
Printable Theme Centers
Theme HW Pack (5 Math & 5 ELA) w/CC
Blank Theme Newsletter
Blank Theme HW Sheet
Blank Theme Behavior Chart
Blank Theme Certificates

Please please please let me know what you think! and/or what I should sumtract or add....

Oh and before I forget...
Happy Belated 3rd Birthday Zoey Pup!

xoxoxo

Until Next Time...

Books for Student Summer Reading

Before I get started if you haven't entered my awesome Just Because Giveaway come check it out!

If you know me well, you know that I am obsessed with absolutely love donorschoose. Thanks to them and all of their wonderful donors my students have many supplies that I could never provide them with.

That being said, last year I was convinced that if I had a variety of appealing books (at the right levels of course) for my students I could create readers that were dying to read all day! And let me tell you it worked!!

(I apologize for the photo dump in advance)

All of these books can be found at Lakeshore in kits :) and they are always emailing a percentage off any purchase coupon! I only took showed one book out of each set so that you could get the idea.

My students absolutely love these books and I can't remember what I did without them!! My students beg to take these home and I'm sure your kiddos will too!! We also tell the students that if they can practice the story enough on their own and read it to us with minimal mistakes we will take a picture of them with the book to post on our wall of fame in the hall!!

(Lakeshore didn't ask me to make this post hehe it's all me)

Until Next Time...

For Those of You That Don't Know and A Linky...

I don't know about you, but sometimes people leave comments and I'd love to share the kindness by following them... but when I click on their picture either I can't find a way to contact them... The easiest way I have found to let people find you is to simply paste your blog link after your name and it's soooooooo simple....
1.) Create the link:
<a href="PASTE YOUR BLOG ADDRESS HERE">TYPE WHAT YOU WANT THE LINK TO SAY HERE</a>

All you have to do is paste your blog address and type what you want the link to say! For example I use this one....

<a href=http://mrsstanfordsclass.blogspot.com/>Mrs. Stanford's Class Blog</a> and I paste it after my comment :)

2.) Keep this somewhere handy!
I keep mine in a post that has not been published so that it's always on hand no matter what computer I am on! When I go to comment on someone's blog I just copy it and paste it after my comment!

You'd be amazed at how many people say "I found your blog from your comment on...."
Hope this helps! If you have any questions feel free to comment or email me :)

Don't forget to enter the Just Because Giveaway where you can win a $10 donorschoose donation or any item from my TpT store for FREE!

*I just created a new button for my blog and added another way to enter into the giveaway, so if you've already entered check back for a chance to add 5 more entries!*

I lovvvvvvvvve linky parties and that is why I'm joining Jennifer at Herding Kats in Kindergarten to tell you how I'm going to spend my summer.

Well it's simple... I'm going to relax.... when I'm not attending something that is already planned!! EEEEEK. Ok deep breath.... We are done June 7 and then I will be volunteering a week at a camp for kids, driving to south carolina for a family reunion, working the summer readiness program for incoming kinders, tutoring every tuesday and wednesday, maybe a roadtrip to visit a college friend in nc, and hopefully in the down time getting my house and classroom organized. OH NO! where does the sun and fun fit in?? Did I mention I go back AUGUST 8th??? Yep you read that right... *sigh* Alright can't be upset before it even starts....

Until next time...

Sight Word Practice with an Awesome Keyboard and A Giveaway Just Because!

I'm so excited to share this new sight word practice with you!

This new unit contains 36 pages:

-sight word practice ideas

-keyboard

-bingo sheet

-mystery bottle tracking sheet

-flash cards of all dolch sight words (pre-primer through 3rd grade)

If you don't already, please follow my store! I appreciate all of your support :)

TpT followers will be informed of all sales and new products! Pinners welcome and greatly appreciated!!

Don't have a TeachersPayTeachers account?

Sign Up Here for FREE!

and if you've made it this far...

A GIVEAWAY JUST BECAUSE YOU'RE AWESOME!!

(it's the first time I've used this fancy pantsy thing, so let me know if I messed up)

There will be 3 winners called next Sunday!!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Until Next Time....

2 Months in and I Feel So Blessed!

Happy Weekend Everyone!!
As I'm looking over my successes (and epic fails) of my blogging journey, I can't believe it's been 2 months already! (I also feel like I've been doing it forever... hmmm) 

Any-whooooo, in the past 2 months I have met a lot of nice people, found a thousand nice blogs, and even won quite a few things!! It all started with the amazing Kelley from Teacher Idea Factory! 's 100 follower giveaway! I won Intelli-tunes CD's by Ron Brown...

Ron was soooooo right! It was the beginning of my winning streak!

Have Fun Teaching where I snagged 27 alpha videos (check them out)

Mr. Brewer 's Put it in Place Giveaway

Ginger Snaps where I won the amazing Easi Speak Giveaway (which I LOOOVE)

Tamara from 2 Crazy Texas Teachers found out that missed out on the Teacher Appreciation freebies because I was at my brother-in-laws commencement from college and she sent me amazing products! Thanks again for your generosity and empathy!

Tori from Tori's Teacher Tips where I won a product from her TpT Store in her 50 follower giveaway!

Soooooooooo if you made it this far I'd like to thank you again for making these first two months amazing and I can't wait to see what else is in store for me if the first months were this amazing!!

THANKS AGAIN! (there I go yelling again)

(PS if I missed giving you a shout out I apologize! Remind me and I'll add you!)

Until Next Time...

One Lovely Blog Award

Thanks to Heather from Kute Kinder Kids, Liliris from The Fourth Grade Garden , and Sara from Miss Elementary for passing on the One Lovely Blog Award to me! They are amazing lovely ladies and made me feel truly special when they passed this award to me. Also, this shows you how much of a procrastinator busy I have been! I should have posted this award a while ago, but I just keep forgetting!!

There are a few simple rules to receiving this award:
1) Follow the person who gave you the award
2) Link back to the person who gave you the award
3) Pass the award on to 15 bloggers (and don't forget to tell them)
So here are the 15 blogs that I am passing it to:

Belle from Mrs. Wills Kindergarten
Mrs. H from Once Upon a First Grade Adventure
Sarah from Kindergarten Korner
Teri from A Cupcake for the Teacher
Little Miss Kindergarten
Julie from First Fabulous Firsties!
Miss Nelson from Run! Miss Nelson's Got the Camera
Misty from Think, Wonder, & Teach
Miss Trayers from Not Just Child's Play
Sara from Sara at School
April from Wolfelicious
Kristin from Little Miss Glamour Goes to Kindergarten
Amber from Adventure of a Third Grade Teacher
Melissa from The Dalton Gang
Amanda from First Time for Everything
Halle from Across the Hall in Second Grade
Mona from First Grade Schoolhouse
Katie from Dirty Hands and Lesson Plans
Jennifer from Delighted in Second
Laurie from Chickadee Jubilee
Andrea from Reading Toward the Stars!
Mrs. M from The Daily Cupcake

Ok, ok, I know that I 'broke' the clearly stated rules from above, but it's truly for something good, right? I mean don't get me wrong I am usually little miss goodie two shoes, but what's better than a compliment on something you have worked so hard at?! So congrats everyone I think you are amazing! (and I hope you don't hate me now, because I know some people hate these...)

Oh and if you aren't already... FOLLOW THE BLOGS ABOVE! Sorry... didn't mean to yell. I was just really excited! ...I get that way sometimes! hehe

(P.S. look for a really loooong post tomorrow giving my thanks for the last 2 months!!)

Until next time....

Mrs. Stanford's First Linky: Good Reads!

**Update...

and www.clutterfreeclassroom.blogspot.com is having a new summer reading linky and I thought I'd join :)

Thanks for stopping by my blog! I can't believe how amazing all of you are and I just wanted to join the linky fun! I've been looking on other blogs and talking about books that I need to read this summer and I'd like to know what you suggest!


 

<center><a href="http://mrsstanfordsclass.blogspot.com/2012/05/mrs-stanfords-first-linky-summer-reads.html"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6zmwNxYwKTQ/T7E8EAHhFOI/AAAAAAAAAQE/MeXDQfSTpaY/s320/good+reads.JPG"/></a></center>

As for my favorites:I currently own, have read, and will probably read again:
Yes, yes, I know it's summer and everyone wants to relax and maybe not think of school for a few days at least, but I recommend all four! Whether you are a new, seasoned, or retired, they will have you laughing and having many "ah-ha" moments. Phillip Done shares his hilarious true life stories from inside his classroom. Both of his books are easy reading and made me think, "Oh my word I do that too!"  Ron Clark, as I'm sure you all know, is another ammmmmmmazing teacher! His books still make me rethink things I do each day (even outside of the classroom AKA at dinner with my friends haha)If you haven't read these already I suggest you grab them! I'm not joking when I say you can read all of them in a week, hence the reason I need your suggestions ;) Now it's your turn.... Don't forget to grab the linky button above (you can even back date the post if you don't want this to be your most recent ... I don't care)and leave your blog post below so that others can find your suggestions too!!