0 SUNDAY SMORGIE + BACK TO SCHOOL GOOD MORNING WORK

I have a ton to post about tonight and I am all over the map.  So, when I saw Fabulous in First's new Sunday Series, I knew it was just meant to be.  On that note, I bring you the Factory's version of Sunday Smorgasbord . . . 

A LITTLE BIT OF THIS . . .
Someone shut the front door!  I actually finished TWO packets today.  I promised to have the rest of my Good Morning Work Packets up for grabs by the 1st, and by golly, I am a woman of my word.  I sat in my office all day and cranked the final two math sets out (August and September).  They are posted and ready to go.  I started the LAST collection (August Reading), but alas, my DVR and the hubs are calling (Dexter, The Killing, Restaurant Impossible, and maybe a foot rub . . . oh my)!  However, I plan to have this last packet up tomorrow evening.  

Stuffed with concepts they should know walkin' in your door.
This is going to be a great little assessment tool :)
CLICK HERE to read more.

This rigorous collection challenges your kiddos in a meaningful way!
But, it still eases your babes into the morning routine while making them feel successful :)
CLICK HERE to read more.

**Check back later this week for some Good Morning Work freebie pages.  

A DASH OF THAT . . .
Okay, so life as we know it in the bloggy world be a changin' come tomorrow.  I am sure you have seen it posted just about everywhere, but just in case you missed it, Google Reader is taking the all-mighty golden handshake in a few short hours.  It's been a glorious run, but the old dog is steppin' aside to let the hip rookie take over . . . Bloglovin'.

Old habits die super hard for me (especially when it comes to tech stuff), but I made the transition earlier this week and it was painless!  If you haven't already, simply click on the button below to follow me over at Bloglovin'.  And, while you're there, you can transfer ALL of the blogs you follow in one painless click . . . it's so easy!  I promise it will be worth that extra effort TONIGHT (tomorrow it will be a pain to find all of your favorite blogs again).  

A BIG thank you to A Year of Many Firsts for the cute button.

I heart you Lyndsey!!!

AND A WHOLE BUNCH OF RANDOM . . .

Well, it's been 108+ the last few days.  Oh, and by Tuesday we are looking at a heart stoppin' 116.  With this said, you will understand why we had a little impulse buy yesterday . . . 

Before it was even filled, I got thrown in (white shorts and all) by a bunch of rowdy boys . . . it was on! We had full on wrestling matches in this thing and everyone ended up getting tossed in at some point.  I think I jacked up my right bicep during all the fun, but it was SO worth it :)  

Alright, my friends, I am out of here.  Have a wonderful evening and I'll catch you later this week.  

Detail: SUNDAY SMORGIE + BACK TO SCHOOL GOOD MORNING WORK

0 THE HAPS + PICTURE BOOKS + BME FREEBIE

Alright folks.  It's time to get serious around here. I have been hiding under what seems like a HUGE rock as of late.  I decided to just let myself "be" for a bit.  We didn't get out of school until the 14th and my wheels stopped turning. In an effort to find my "footing" again, I allowed myself to catch up on some things and play a bit.  I spent quite a few days "nesting" and cleaning in my classroom.  Got my toes done.  Began a painful relationship with a trainer at my gym.  Started making actual dinners again.  Oh, and I did this . . .

The hubs was at a bachelor party and I jetted down to San Fran on a whim.
Caught a Giants game, an amazing dinner, and tons of fun with a dear friend.
Did I mention that it was 72 degrees in the city last weekend??!!

Then, I decided to switch my office with our guest room.  We have a Jack and Jill bathroom connecting our master with what used to be our other bedroom. It always made things a little uncomfortable when friends would stay the night. So, we made the switch.  It took me all day yesterday to pull the desk apart and turn this horrid mess . . .

Into this.  It isn't done yet . . . I want a floor lamp, shelving, and some more storage, but I did what I could with what I had.  Shopping is definitely in order soon!  

Now that you know all you ever wanted to know about my life . . . I'll change gears for you.  I wanted to join up with my buddy DeAnne over at First Grade and Fabulous today.  It seemed like the perfect party as I already pulled all of the books I want to read during that first week off of my selves.   

I read at least two books each day for the first few weeks, so I will narrow it down for ya.  Here are a few of my more obscure favorites.  

If you haven't noticed, I always seem to lean toward books that are silly and are guaranteed "giggle-getters."  Chalk this one up to my dippy personality and my nickname around campus . . . The Crazy Teacher.  

Finally today, I figured I would offer up a freebie for you for stickin' with me through all that up there.  I love to roll with beginning, middle, and end activities right off the bat with a new crew.  I have offered up my response sheets in the past, so here's something a little different.  We have copy counts at our school and my teammates and I are always looking for ways to save ourselves from hitting that 12K mark before the end of the year is up.  So, a few years ago, I came up with these . . . B/M/E Labels.  Simply fold a piece of trashy copy paper into thirds and provide a label set to each kid (a fraction of the copies).  Show your babes how to glue these at the bottom of each column and let them go to town with their retell (pictorial only or a combo of pictorial and written).

CLICK HERE to grab these.
Thank you Fonts for Teachers + Cara Carroll for the font support!

Alright, I am off to finish up putting away the last basket of items from the "move" and to attempt to finish GMW today.  Thanks for visiting . . . make it a great one my friends.

Detail: THE HAPS + PICTURE BOOKS + BME FREEBIE

0 BACK TO SCHOOL BASICS - FORMS + LETTERS + CHECKLISTS + MORE

It's a miracle out here in Cali this evening.  I haven't showered (or brushed my teeth), the laundry stayed in a pile, and dinner hasn't even been contemplated, but I finished my first EDITABLE Power Point Packet without throwing my Mac on the floor.  Granted, I came very close a couple of times.  My poor pup witnessed her sweet mother morph into an absolute lunatic on more than one occasion, but I finally got 'er done :)  Dun-Ta-Da-Dun . . . I bring you For Your InFORMation: Editable Forms and More!

KG Fonts + MelonHeadz have reached serious addiction levels.  

Ultimately, I wanted to get all of my own forms/letters/checklists/handouts in order before the school year started.  As I got going, I thought why not drop it in a packet for others looking to save some time.  It turned into a labor of love and so many friends helped me along the way.  I am a WORD girl you see {insert snicker here}.  So, I was utterly lost when it came to Power Point.  A huge thanks goes out to Stephanie, Hadar, Jen, Lori, Lyndsey, Melissa, and the many others for holding my hand and encouraging me to stick with it (told you I needed a LOT of help . . . hehehehehe).   

Here's the skinny on this one (my crazy thought process if you will).  As I started crafting this baby, I tried to make a generic example of each item (one that you could just yank out, copy, and send).  However, if this wasn't possible, I included a copy of my personalized form so that you could see my vision for each template.  I also provided an editable template for each and every document.  Simply open up the Power Point doc, insert text boxes in the desired locations, and type away! 

As I fumbled my way through PP, I tried to think of all the junk that I would need to get me through the year . . . I can't tell you how many mornings I have spent frantically typing up some letter or handout because I spaced it the night before.  On that note, here's what I came up with . . .

• Supply Wish List
• Transportation Form
• Class List
• Birthday List
• Field Trip Checklist
• Meet the Teacher Invite
• Contact Info Form
• Parent Helper Sign Up Form
• Parent Helper Assignment Note
• Back to School Handbooks
• Home Reading Note
• Home Reading Log
• Homework Note
• Sight Word Note
• Share Schedule
• Can You Help Me Notes
• Parent Conference One Sheets
• Weekly Newsletter Templates
• Behavior Reports

Phew . . . that was a mouthful :) To really check this collection out, take a look-see in my TPT Shop!  But, I can't let you leave here empty handed . . . I just can't.  So how about a cute little freebie for taking the time to visit today?  Here's the Parent Helper Sign Up Sheet for ya.  I included my personalized version, a more generic version, and an editable version for you.  Just click on the link to snag it!  

CLICK HERE to snag these Back to School Freebies!

Thank you Moffatt Girls, KG Fonts, + Fonts for Teachers :)

Alright, I really must brush my teeth and think about eating . . . this is getting WAY out of hand over here.  Thanks so much for visiting the stinky Factory today.  I'll see you again with another B2S somethin' very soon!  

Detail: BACK TO SCHOOL BASICS - FORMS + LETTERS + CHECKLISTS + MORE