Back To School Yummy Treats & Some Coffee Too!!!

My son went back to school today.  He is growing sooooo fast!  These first few years of school have flown by.  I better be careful, if I blink he will be heading to college.  I need to bottle my kids up and keep them the ages that they are now.  They are just perfect age wise! 

Well...  with that said (tears wiped away)...  I am glad so many of you liked the edible crayons I made!  I found a few other back to school treats online that I wanted to share too.  I already shared some on the facebook page and wanted to post them too.  They are fab for back to school!!!  File this post away in your favorites for next year!

Aren't these super cute?  They are from Pen and Paper Flowers.  They would be a fun fall treat too!  What a cool, cool website!  You have to check out the Chutes and Ladders party there too!   

Then, I saw these back to school pencil treats....  So creative, easy, and fun!!!  You could even use them as a birthday treat for a school celebration.  Teacher appreciation too!!!  Can you tell I am excited???  They come from the Blackberry Vine, just another awesome blog!!!

Time to wash all this down with some yum!!!  Now, I have wanted to share this coffee post for a bit!  My girlfriend makes some yummy iced coffee.

Enjoy some yumminess on Back To School!!!!

Don't Eat the GLUE But Go Ahead and Eat the Crayons...

I'm a freak...  I see something and I have to make it.  I saw these edible crayons and thought, I am trying these...  They are way too cute not to.  I used them as cute favors for the back to school scavenger hunt and relay I put on for some of my friends and their kiddos.  They were so easy to make, I'm making them again for my son's open house at his school.  They were yummy too!

You need:  The twistable honey wheat pretzels. 

Various colors of the Wilton candy melts.

This printable & colored printer paper.

I bagged mine with this free printable from executive homemaker! 

All you do is melt the chips, roll the pretzel around in the chips, let them harden, and then wrap them with your printable.  Super easy.  My kids even got in on the dipping action and had a blast with it.  Here is little monkey dipping the yellows.  She would dip them using a regular spoon and then lay them on wax paper to dry.

Ta-da!  All done and I am in love with these.  CUTE!!! 

These would even be fun to put on students desk on the first day of school.  Or they would be a fun snack to have out during conference time.  So many ideas of ways to use these.   

You Know it is Back to School When...

I posted the question on the Teaching Heart Facebook Page… http://www.facebook.com/pages/Teaching-Heart-wwwteachingheartnet/111345987534 Finish the sentence, “You know it is back to school time when…” I loved many of the creative responses to this and wanted to share my favorites here!!!

Moooo.... It's Monday!

If you are new to Moo...It's Monday, click here to see all the Moo... It's Monday posts.

Probably thought I gave up on my fitness/weight loss mission, didn't you?  Nope, still here and maintaining the 20lbs I lost...  Still have thirty pounds to go.  I took a summer break from counting calories & a couple weeks off of my awesome boot camp. Ready to come back strong! I tried to keep it clean eating most of the summer.  I did exercise a lot this summer.  I averaged about 12 - 15 miles a week in running.  I had a nice break from counting calories and feel like I am ready to hop back on and try to start loosing this weight again.  Biggest motivation is the 10K I am running at the end of September.  If I could loose 6 - 10lbs by the race... that would be less to carry during the race thus making it an easier run and plus I could FINALLY get into this shirt that stares at me in the closet every day.  It sure is taking me long enough. 

Sunday in church our priest (whom I love and who just left our church and was assigned to another - this Sunday was his last mass) gave a homily on discipline.  He talked about how if we want to have any type of goal in life we must have discipline to get to that goal.  He talked about how if you are in a job you don't get promoted and then work hard; you work hard and the promotion often follows...  You don't become a great athlete and then decide to work out.  You work out and then become a great athlete.  In order to get to a goal you need discipline to work towards what you want.  Christians need discipline to make it to the goal of eternal life in heaven with God.  They must have moral discipline (which I am always trying to work on) among other types of discipline.  Discipline is defined as training expected to produce a specific character or pattern of behavior, especially training that produces moral or mental improvement.

Anyhow, this homily got me thinking about the discipline I have in my life...  It's there in many places and lacking in some.  Related to diet...  I don't have enough discipline or I would have been at my goal by now.  So I am working on that part of me and it's a long road, but someday I will get there. 

What goals do you have and how do you discipline yourself?

Interesting Links:

-Can overweight people be fit?
http://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/health-and-families/health-news/how-fat-people-can-be-fit-people-562835.html

-Cool Site - Kitchen Table Medicine
http://www.kitchentablemedicine.com/category/diet/page/4/

-A Daily Dose of Dieting Shares Sugar Soda!http://adailydoseofdieting.blogspot.com/2010/08/sugar-soda.html

To Motivate You & ME!:

"The miracle isn't that I finished. The miracle is that I had the courage to start."

John Bingham, running speaker and writer

Failure is only a fact when you give up. Everyone gets knocked down, the question is: Will you get back up?

Are you Ready to Go Back???

Teachers:  Are you ready to go back to school? 

Parents: Are you ready to send your kiddos back to school?

I feel like I accomplished all most of the things on my summer bucket list.  There are 1 or 2 things I did not get to, but all in all...  I am ready for back to school.  Ready for more routine.  Ready to move into fall (my favorite season, by the way!!!)  I asked my kids today what so far was their favorite part about their summer and they both said, playing with friends at the park...  hmmm?  You mean it wasn't the soccer camp I paid an arm and a leg for or the various Little Gym Camps they attended?  Nope, if they could do one more thing it was a toss up between going to Chuckee Cheese (which somehow never got checked off the summer bucket list) or spending time with friends just playing at the park.   Our summer has about a week left and we have a few more days to check off a few more items on the bucket list...  We will get in at least one more summer fun day at the park back to school style and maybe we will do a few more things!!  I'll update soon.

Teachers...  Some of you are already back at it doing what God wished for you to do (THANK YOU)!!!  Those that aren't back at it...  I am sure you are stressing and wondering if you will get it all done and ready for the most important time of the school year... THE FIRST 3 WEEKS!!  Yes, those first three weeks set the tone for what the rest of the year will be like.  It is so important to work on transitioning from activities, teaching and reteaching and reteaching and reteaching classroom procedures!  PLUS don't forget to model, model, model how to do even the smallest of tasks.  Yes, it is the first three weeks that will make or break the rest of the year.  Here are some links from Teaching Heart to help you do that!

My first week plans:

http://www.teachingheart.net/firstdaylessons.html

Ideas of what to read those first few weeks, plus many ideas to match...

http://www.teachingheart.net/backtoschoolreading.html

http://www.teachingheart.net/classhunt.doc

Free Printable:

Treasure Hunt

Send the new students of your class on an adventure and help them get to know your classroom!

Back to School Ideas and So Much Morehttp://www.teachingheart.net/ultimate.html

B2S Party - Recap #1 - 15 Giveaways - 6 MORE TO COMe!

I so hope you are having fun at the back to school party.  Sunday is your last day to enter, don't forget to enter in as much as you can and for the items you would like to WIN!.  Winner will be announced on Monday!

 

Here's a recap of what we have so far!!!

 

1.) http://teachingheartmom.blogspot.com/2010/08/b2s-party-giveaway-fancy-nancy.html  

Fancy Nancy Book



2.) http://teachingheartmom.blogspot.com/2010/08/b2s-party-giveaway-2500-to-kohls.html

$25.00 Gift Card to Kohl’s!!!



3.) http://teachingheartmom.blogspot.com/2010/08/b2s-party-teacher-thank-yous-giveaway.html

Teacher Thank You’s!!!



4.) http://teachingheartmom.blogspot.com/2010/08/b2s-party-are-you-facebook-fan-25-to.html

$25.00 Gift Card Amazon for Facebook Friends Only!!!



5.) http://teachingheartmom.blogspot.com/2010/08/b2s-party-giveaway-centers-in-bag.html

$20.00 Gift Card to Centers in a Bag



6. & 7.) http://teachingheartmom.blogspot.com/2010/08/b2s-party-giveaway-choice-of-2-teaching.html

2 Teaching Teaching Heart Packets (2 winners)



8.) http://teachingheartmom.blogspot.com/2010/08/b2s-party-giveaway-leap-frog-dvd.html

Leap Frog DVD



9.) http://teachingheartmom.blogspot.com/2010/08/b2s-giveaway-starbucks-gift-card.html

Starbuck Gift Card!!!



10.) http://teachingheartmom.blogspot.com/2010/08/b2s-party-glitterful-felt-stories.html

Glitterfelt Stories and more.



11.) http://teachingheartmom.blogspot.com/2010/08/b2s-party-teachers-only-graphing.html

Graphing Pack Giveaway for TEACHERS only!!



12.) http://teachingheartmom.blogspot.com/2010/08/b2s-giveaway-customers-only-reading.html

Reading Pack Giveaway for Teaching Heart Customers only!!!



13.) http://teachingheartmom.blogspot.com/2010/08/b2s-party-abbys-alley-giveaway.html

Abby’s Alley Giveaway!!



14.) http://teachingheartmom.blogspot.com/2010/08/b2s-party-wooden-treats-and-froggy.html

Wooden Treats and Froggy Giveaway



15.) http://teachingheartmom.blogspot.com/2010/08/b2s-party-giveaway-teachers-wood-crafts.html

Teacher Wood Crafts




Coming soon…. 6 More Giveaways and one is worth over $150.00

B2S Party -Free Winter Printable #4

You don't need your mitten yet... but unfortunately you will in a few months.  Here is something to use when the mittens come out.  It comes from our awesome Winter Warm Up Packet!

Mitten Match Center – Grades Prek, K, 1, 2, 3 -


CLICK TO Print PDF FOR FREE

Mitten Match Center: Student must match the number mitten (sum) to a mitten with the math problem on it. You may print, laminate, and cut the pieces below. Have the student place the matching mittens in a pocket chart next to each other.

You can change the mittens to any skill below by clicking on the white squares and typing in the skill you wish (colors, shapes, multiplication, subtraction…)

The printable above is awesome and so are the other printables found in this packet.  The one below is also part of it!

Don't delay, click here and order this packet today!!!!

B2S Party - School Board Game Printable #3

Learn about and print this printable by clicking here!

This come from our board games CDROM!!! 

B2S Party - Clifford Free Printable #2

A Lift The Flap Book (k-1)
This is a great activity to use with the book CLIFFORD THE SMALL RED PUPPY. Have your students illustrate each page. Then have them cut each box out. Place each page on top of the other. The largest page is at the bottom and the smallest page is at the top. Help them staple the pages together to form a lift-the-flap book.  Click here to print!

Want more Clifford Ideas?  Click here.

This printable come from our Teaching Reading CDROM, click here to learn more!!!  - This would be great for any k-3 teacher that likes to do an activity that  matches books they read to their students!!!!  One of our most popular CD's!

You will see so many printables like this one and the one seen below!

Clifford!

B2S Party - Chicka Boom Boom Free Printable #1

Maybe not be today; but sometime this week we will be giving away some awesome Chicka Chicka Boom Boom Products.  To get you excited here is a free printable mini counting book for your students to match the Chicka Chicka Boom Boom giveaway!!!  Have your students write the missing number in their Chicka Books. When they have finished, help them cut apart the pages and staple together to form a mini book. Have them share this book by reading it to a friend and an adult at home.

 

This printable comes from our Teaching Reading CDROM!!!  Check that out here! 

 

Here is a must have song if you love Chicka Chicka Boom Boom:

What do TEACHERS make???

Check out our Teacher Appreciation Packet at
http://www.teachingheart.net/teacherappreciation.html

Back To School Teacher Swap - First Week Books!!!

Check out the Following the Footsteps Teacher Swap.

She asked us to share our favorite back to school children's books.  That is right up my alley...  LOVE a million back to school children's books and I even have many ideas to match some of my faves.  I have listed all my faves with ideas to match here.  Click here to see what I love to read at back to school!!

But right now my two faves are:

Recently Lisa Himle the author of Hands as Warm as Toast sent me a copy of her book to review. Hands as Warm as Toast is a heartwarming story that any kindergarten teacher, parent, or student can make a connection to. According to Ms. Himle this is a true, yet slightly embellished story about an event that happened when she was a Kindergarten teacher. The teacher is Ms. Himle’s book is Miss Darling. Everyone knows a kindergarten teacher that seems to have a magic touch with young children. Miss Darling is one of those kindergarten teachers with that magic way of making children want to be at school. In fact, when Libby, the little girl in the story, does not want to leave the side of her mother to attend the first day of school Miss Darling appears with cold hands and a job for Libby. Miss Darling’s magic touch and way with Libby make school a place Libby wants to be a part of. This is a great story for back to school. It would make a good gift for a favorite kindergarten teacher that touched your child’s life. The illustrations beautifully match the text. The story held the attention of my very own kindergarten student. I enjoyed reading this book to my son and he found many parts in the story that reminded him of his first day of school. There are many opportunities to make a text to self connection. Lisa Himle has written a wonderful story that I am sure will touch the hearts of many students, teachers, and parents.




***An activity guide to match this book can be found at:

http://www.mittenpress.com/promo/62982-guide.pdf  - Ideas and printables to match this book!!!


I love Amelia Bedelia books and read all of them as a child and as a teacher, I was sure to share them with my students. This book is super special because haven't all Amelia Badelia fans wondered what Amelia Bedelia was like as a child? I know I have and this book shows Amelia as a first grader. This is the first time Amelia Bedelia has been shown as a child. With this great story we now know that Amelia started out silly and that is just the way she will always be. Ordinary first grade happenings become extraordinary with Amelia Bedelia's literal take on all things first grade. Teachers can see themselves in Miss Edwards. She is patient but knows when enough is enough and tells Amelia, after she has gotten out of her seat many times to, “Please glue yourself to your seat.” If you know Amelia Bedelia, you can guess what she does when Miss Edwards just wants her to stay in her seat. Students get a look at a fun filled day and will laugh out loud when Amelia Bedelia does what she is told. The pictures by Lynne Avril really compliment the text and make the story even more exciting. My son loved seeing Amelia Bedelia try to put her nose in a book because he hears me tell him to do that often. This would be a great first week of school read or a special book to share with your child the night before they start school. This would also be a fantastic gift for a new teacher. I love Amelia Bedelia and enjoyed seeing her as a child in this terrific picture book!

Finish the sentence... You know it is back to school when.

Parents, do you have this feeling yet?!

Teachers, have you had any back to school dreams? 

One of the Teaching Heart Facebook ( http://www.facebook.com/pages/Teaching-Heart-wwwteachingheartnet/111345987534 ) Page Members had this quote I loved...

"You know that it's back to school time when you feel like the scissors are permanently attached to your hand!!" - @Sherrie S B

Parents and teachers...  in the comments section please finish this sentence.  You know it is back to school when...

Vera Bradley Cake!!!

Who doesn't love Vera Bradley?  How about their new pattern?  It is called Night and Day, what do you think???














Pretty huh,  you can get some Flip Flops to match your new purse!














Put them on and walk on the matching area rug!














Make yourself a cup of coffee in this lovely mug!














If you have some coffee, you may need some cake!!!  Check out this Vera cake my cousin made last night for my Aunt's birthday!!!  She used the Night and Day Pattern!

Little does the Birthday girl know that she is getting this pattern in a purse for her Birthday!!!

What's your favorite Vera pattern?

Back To School Bulletin Boards!

Be sure to check Teaching Heart for my ideas... 

Teachers are putting up a few bboards today to get ready for back to school!!!  Here are a few ideas for your boards!!!

Class Bus


Create a large school bus and put photos (or drawings) of your children's heads (in the windows. Add your classes name or the teachers name to the side of the bus.

Cut pieces of paper (one for each child) to look like popcorn and put a picture of each of your children's heads on kernel. Next make a popcorn popper and put it on the board. Title the bored something like: "Just Popping By," "Look Who Popped In," etc


Let's Kick Off a Great Year

Write individual students' names on tennis shoes or have kids draw shoes resembling their own.


A New Twist

For a beginning of the year bulletin board, use the game board for a twister game as the background. Put the spinner on as well, with the words "A new twist to a new year." Add cut-out feet and hands with the students' names on them. It is very colorful!

Who's the Teacher?

This bulletin board is about you, the teacher. Choose a background and border that represent your personality. Collect pictures, clip art, book covers, etc. that show your interests. Laminate them and post them on the bulletin board. Let your students ask you questions about the items on the board.

School's In!

-Ask each child to draw their face with a fish body or a fish with their name on the body. Use a blue paper back ground with waves, bubbles and other sea creatures drawn on.

Our Class Comes In ___ Flavours

-Cut a cone out of brown butcher paper, then add a coloured construction paper scoop of ice cream on top. Add a picture of the child on the ice cream scoop and put the child's name on the cone

Need more ideas???  CLICK HERE!

Be ready to teach with all of these printables!!!