It's a Blog Hop!

I am so excited to join my PA blogger buddies in hosting this Back-to-School Freebie Blog Hop!

  
Good bye July, I'm really gonna miss you.  Another school year is right around the corner.  Panic is starting to set in.

Are you feeling just a little anxious about the end of a beautiful summer the beginning of another school year?  To help rest your worries, each of us has a prepared a little back-to-school treat just for you. 

Wemberly Worried by Kevin Henkes

When I reflect on my own 'first day of school' experiences, I would have to admit that I begin each school year with worries and anxiety.  It seems logical that students may experience similar feelings.  We can minimize these fears with a few carefully planned activities.

I enjoy using the book, Wemberly Worried.  It's a great read aloud choice for launching a conversation about the worries that students have about the first day of school. 

I'm sharing the activities I use with Wemberly Worried as my Blog Hop Freebie.  {Free for a limited time.}

Wemberly Worried Back to School Activities

This Back to School {freebie} pack includes:

• Book Introduction
• Guiding Questions
• Recalling Details
• Personal Connection
• Character Comparison
• Friend Comparison (Partner Activity)
• Craftivity (Two Options)

Writing Topper Craftivity

Paper Bag Puppet Craftivity

Click on the image below to grab your freebie.  This is my very first item in my TPT store.  If you enjoy it, please feel free to leave positive feedback.  Thanks!  :)

Your next stop on the Blog Hop is over at Andrew's blog, Mr. First Grade. 
Have fun hopping!

Monday Made-It

I'm linking up with Tara from 4th Grade Frolics for Monday Made-It.

My daughter graduated from Millersville in May and accepted her first teaching position this month.  Hip, hip, hooray!  One down, two to go.  ;)

Today's projects are for her new desk.  

First I made a trip to Michael's for supplies: washi tape, scrapbooking paper, ribbon, clipboard, pencil cup, and chalk frame stickers (love these).  

Then I used the supplies to create a decorative clipboard, chevron binder clips, clothespins, and a cute cup for "Pick-Me" sticks.  

I haven't used washi tape before, but boy do I love it!  The tape is repositionable and so easy to work with.  

Front of Clipboard

Back of Clipboard

More "Pick Me" Cups and Ribbon Bookmarks

I loved the way it all turned out!  She starts new teacher induction next week.  Eeeek!  

Is anyone watching the Bachelorette tonight?  Can't wait!

A New Look!

Did you happen to notice anything new?  I am super excited to reveal my brand new design.  A big 'Thank You' goes out to the very talented Megan from A Bird In Hand Designs for the new look.  It's so me!  I just love it!

Did you notice those cute little social media buttons?  I finally have a Facebook page linked to my blog.  It would be great if you could show that little page some love.  There's a fan freebie waiting for you.  :)  

I'm linking up with Fabulous in First for the Sunday Smorgasbord. 

I picked up a few school items this week that I had to share.

I just love the oval shape of these little baskets.  They'll be great for organizing supplies.  

Aren't these chevron notebooks snazzy?  The covers are made of a durable plastic.  They were super inexpensive at Walmart.

These little gems might be my favorite 'find'.  I have plans to make a "Tweet Me" board for exit slips.  The little blue and white stickies will be perfect for tweeting.  I think my students will love using the iPad and iPhone stickies, too. 

Does anyone else share my obsession with Flair pens and Sharpies?


What are your must-have items for school?  Leave a comment and share your obsessions!

Guest Blogger

I'm not here today. I'm guest blogging over at Mrs. Thigpen's Kindergarten.

It's almost Back-to-School time. Learning student names and helping them develop positive peer relationships is so important. It helps to create a warm classroom climate and sets the tone for the school year.

Come join me over at Nicki's blog where I'll be sharing a few of my favorite "Getting to Know You" activities.

                                 

Favorite Pins Friday

Is anyone else starting to feel the panic of back-to-school setting in?  My list of things I want to purchase, make, and do keeps growing.  Here are my favorite pins of the week: 

If you haven't seen these yet, you MUST go check them out.  It is an entire pack of Daily 5 products.  Everything you could possibly think of is included for the low, low price of FREE.

I think this poster is a clear, easy way to demonstrate how to fold paper.  It would be perfect for early elementary students.

I want to make this "Tweet Me" board for exit tickets.  Kids will love it!

I would love to try this with our fluency passages.  If you go to the website you'll see the actual microphone and stage area.  So cool!

 

I think this bulletin board is awesome. :)

What did you pin this week?  How are your school preparations coming along?  Leave a comment.  I'd love to hear from you!

Follow Read With Me ABC on Pinterest

Riverside Meet Up

It's a beautiful day and I can't stop myself from smiling.  
Are you humming that tune now?  You're welcome.  ;)

Our first 'officially documented' PA Blogger Meet-Up was held today in Harrisburg at a local restaurant along the river.  

I couldn't wait to meet my blogging buddies in person.  I wasn't a bit surprised when they were all as friendly and sweet in person as they are online.

On the attendance roster for the day:
Andrew from Mr. First Grade
Autumn from First Grade Teacher Lady
Jen from That First Grade Blog
Jess and Kheila from Two Friends in First
Nick from Sweet Rhyme - Pure Reason
Wendy (yep, that's me and you're here)

If you haven't already visited these bloggers, hurry on over and check them out.  

Here are a few pictures of our little deck party.  :)

Jess, Kheila, Autumn

Andrew and his sweet wife 

First Grade and Fab-u-lous!
Jen, Jess, Kheila, Andrew, and Autumn

Nick and his adorable wife, Killer B

Lots of teacher-y treats!

Pocket charts, white boards, calculators,
name plates, note pads, stickers, and sweets.

Nick's new handlebar mustache is just perfect.  ;)

Andrew, Mrs. First Grade, Jess, Autumn, Kheila, me, Jen, Nick, and Killer B

I'm linking this post up with Covered in Glitter and Glue for What I'm Loving Wednesday because I'm LOVING my PA bloggers!

If you are from Pennsylvania or somewhere nearby, I hope you'll join us for our winter meet-up.  

Stop back and visit us next Wednesday as we wrap up July with a Back-to-School Blog Hop.  We'll each have a special treat just for you!

Picture Book Party

It's time for a picture book party!  I'm joining DeAnne from First Grade and Fabulous to discuss this week's topic, favorite rhyming books.  I have so many favorite rhyming books and authors; so this is going to be great fun!

I love, love, love Brian Lies and his bat books. If you haven't read Bats at the Beach, Bats at the Ballgame, or Bats at the Library, be sure to check them out.

Bill Martin and Eric Carle teamed up for a fabulous series of rhyming bear books: Brown Bear, Polar Bear, Panda Bear, and Baby Bear.  

Zin! Zin! Zin! a Violin is great for rhyming, counting, or introducing students to musical instruments.

There Was An Old Lady Who Swallowed Some Books is a great choice for the first day of school.  My students are big fans of the old lady series.

Julia Donaldson is also a favorite rhymer of mine. She's clever and thoughtful.  Have you read Room on the Broom?

The vibrant illustrations are sure to catch your eye in Bubble Gum, Bubble Gum.  You'll wonder which critter will be the next to get stuck in the glob of melted gum on the road.  Ew!

Now hop on over to First Grade and Fabulous and share your own favorite rhyming books!