Teaching Heart Mom

Just a Mom With a Teaching Heart. Find fun activities to do with your kiddos and students (infant to age 10). www.teachingheart.net blog

Monday, January 31, 2011

Vday Printables Shared on Teaching Heart Mailring!!!


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One of the Teaching Heart Yahoo Groups has been sharing some great printables.  A big thank you to the Teachers on the mailring with the "Teaching Hearts"!  Below you can download some of the items shared to use at school or at home.  If you do use an item make sure to leave a little Thank you in the comments to the sharing teachers!

You too can share files and ideas on our yahoo group.  Go to http://groups.yahoo.com/group/teachingisaworkofheart/ to learn more.  Over 7,500 teachers and learning and sharing there! 

Kristie Turner Shared this Power Point File for Beginning Sounds on the Teaching Heart Mailring. You may download the file by clicking here.
Debi Goodman Shared a great link and a few printables on the Teaching Heart Ring -
http://www.cryptogram.com/hearts/ - Check this site out.  You can make candy heart graphics say anything you want.  Very cool!

Debi also shared this activity. Click here to download.

murphyp01 shared a word file for making sentences. Click here to download
deboraha.burns shares a rhyming hearts game. Click here to download.

teachdreams1 shares a pocket chart activity. Click here to download.  She also kindly shares a cute love bug pocket chart activity. Click here to download!

These printables and more can be found at:

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

Thanks again to the teachers who shared these great files! 




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Wednesday, January 26, 2011

Groundhog Day Fun!!!


Looking for some Groundhog Day Ideas? He's about to come out to tell us the News about Spring!!!   Here are some of my faves.  Click here to see even more at Teaching Heart. 

Just noticed this cutie Groundhogog Pancake at Superheroes and Princesses. 


Hey, check out these little guys!!! They are cupcakes from Family Fun!

Skip to My Lou Blog shares this cute ground hog puppet craft.
and they share this meatloaf ground hog...

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Tuesday, January 25, 2011

S is for Super Bowl and Steelers...

I often get requests from visitors asking for Football themed ideas to use during the weeks before Super Bowl.  Here are some of the treats I came up with or found out there in the bloggy wbby world... and you can view the rest at Teaching Heart!!!

Just for fun... Check Out This Party seen below. Looks like some fun!

And look at these cupcakes. O, so cute!!!

I love cake pops. You can see how to make the ones below, here.

How about making some football sandwhiches. Mmmmm!

Learn more
here!!!

Football Rhyme Activity
Teacher Directions and student
activity sheet included!!!



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Thursday, January 20, 2011

Creative DIY Valentine's that I LUV!

I have never been a fan of the boxed Valentine's Day cards.  I love all the ideas shared on blogs and websites about creative Valentine's Day Cards.  In 2009, I shared some here.  Here are our 2010 cards for the Princess and Batman fan.  You can print them for your child by clicking here

They print four per page.  If you buy postcard paper to print them on, they will print on those and you will not have to cut them. 

The Princess one you need to attach an edible wand to it with scotch shape.  I purchased the wands in packs of ten at Walmart.  I wrote the little poem on the card to match the treat. 

The Batman one, you will need to attach a heart lollipop to it.  Your kiddos can sign the card on the line and you are done!

The issue of Family Fun last year had some very cute and easy creative Valentine's too.  They have a
ton of creative and inexpensive ideas here.  I love this one below, my son said, "No way mom!"


Below is a candy bar wrapper from the Teaching Heart V-day packet found here.  http://teachingheart.net/vdaypack.html


Chek out these cute hugs and kisses jars at Trey and Lucy

How about these chalkboard Valentine's from Out of the Crayon Box???


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Monday, January 17, 2011

Sorry, I do not bleed black and gold... & Steelers Balls!


I moved to the Pittsburgh area at age five and managed to grow up without being a huge Steelers fan...  However, my brother was one year old when we moved here and he is a HUGE fan!  Here he is tailgating before the Steeler win this weekend.  Somehow he manages to get tickets to most games from various girls he hangs out with.
Me - I am a girlie-girl and really never liked sports.  I remember once in high school pretending to like the Steelers because I liked a guy who loved them.  Quickly I realized that I did not understand the sport of football and this guy wasn't worth learning it for.  I moved on.  However, I do enjoy watching Hockey and I love the Penguins!  I often get mad at Pittsburgh fans who forget about the Pens until football season is over or if the Steelers aren't doing well.

So along comes my future husband... A Vermont Native who grew up with the religion of Dallas Cowboys.  He is a loyal die hard Cowboys fan.  Once when I was in college and he was visiting me he was forced to attend a Superbowl party where Dallas and the Steelers would go head to head...  Let's just say he almost threw an annoying bandwagon Steelers fan girl up against a wall when she was trash talking his team... and if you know my husband, this is totally out of character for him.  But he loves his Cowboys and can't stand people who talk trash about them when they don't know a thing about football.  Some thought once we were married I would become a Cowboys fan...  Naaaahhhhh, just don't like football.  Truthfully, I leave the room when the Cowboys are on.  It is like a new man comes out of my husband.  He gets crazy.  My kids even know you don't talk to Daddy when the Cowboys, Penguins, or Red Sox are on! 

My son is torn...  does he give into peer pressure and become a Steelers Fan or does he follow Daddy and become a Cowboys fan.  I think peer pressure is winning...  This week he asked me to dig out his Steelers shirt that my brother gave him for school on Friday.  He did not want to be the only kid without a Steelers Shirt on.  Even my daughter comes home from school with "Steelers crafts" she makes with her class.  "Propaganda" says my husband with a slight smile.  

Me - I want the Steelers to win for the many people I know that are fans and for the fact that shopping time in Pittsburgh is awesome when the Steelers are on.  No lines and no one is out on the roads till game time is over.  When the Steelers win, the town is in a better mood and people are just happier.  You just have to live in Pittsburgh to understand the Steelers religion...


 
Anyhow, I jumped on the bandwagon this weekend and made a cute dessert Steelers style.  I dipped oreo balls in yellow chocolate and made Steelers balls.  Yummy...  Here is the recipe;
  • 8 ounces softened cream cheese or whipped cream cheese
  • 18 ounces package of Oreo cookies, crushed (crush the entire cookie- don't remove the filling!)
  • 2 cups semi-sweet or milk chocolate chips
  • 1 tablespoon shortening
Mix cream cheese with electric mixer until fluffy. Add the crushed Oreos and beat on high until well mixed. Chill for at least 2 hours in the freezer. Then roll Oreo cookie mix into one inch Oreo Balls.
Next, melt the chocolate chips and shortening with a double boiler or in the microwave.
Dip the Oreo balls completely into the melted chocolate using tongs or a toothpick.
I used yellow chips for these. 
Put on wax paper. After the Oreo balls harden, keep them in the refrigerator.
Makes about 3 or 4 dozen Oreo Balls, depending on the size

During the game I talked and ate and maybe watched a total of 10 minutes of the game...

Teachers, I have some football ideas for you here!  Like this:

So, do you love the Steelers?  Do you jump on the bandwagon when you hometown team is winning? 



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Wednesday, January 12, 2011

Snow Cream on a Snowy Day!



Just finished making snow cream with the kiddos.  They had a blast.  Seems like they enjoy foods even more when they make it all on their own.  Who doesn't love snow and a little cream?  My kids were thrilled to see me go outside, scoop up some clean snow and tell them to put on their aprons.  We were going to make snow cream for a snack. 



All you need per serving is about 4 cups of snow.
1/2 tsp vanilla
1/2 cup sugar (o, let them live a little)
1/2 milk.  I used 2% milk.
Let the kiddos Mix it all up and then let them eat it...

Mmmmmmm!!!!



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Tuesday, January 11, 2011

Teachers and Snow Days!!!


My 501 post and here's to those teachers who love a good Snow Day!!!



Oh, Lord, let it snow.
Let it drift and let it blow.
In the morning, no real fuss,
Just enough to stop the bus.

Enough to make the County say:
"There will be no school today."
Let the radio report: "Snow's deep!"
And I'll roll over for more sleep.

Then later on, say maybe ten,
I'll turn the radio on again.
Just in time to hear them say:
"It's strange; the snow has gone away!"

And then I'll know, You made it stop,
So I can go to the mall and shop.
Please, Lord, just hear my teacher's plea,
And make it snow for the kids and me!

Amen

Author Unknown

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Sunday, January 9, 2011

Need Some Valentine's Printables??


Check out our newest packet.  The Valentine's Day Packet is heart-full of learning fun that meet educational standards...
You can learn more here... http://teachingheart.net/vdaypack.html

Get it now and get an early start on your planning!!!!

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Saturday, January 8, 2011

Teaching Heart Treats for Winter Teaching...



Hello Teaching Heart Readers! Hope this finds you all well and happy in 2011!



Below are links to many pages on Teaching Heart…  At each page you will find free printables, ideas, lessons, links and more for the given topics.






100th Day Ideas:
http://www.teachingheart.net/hundreddays.html









MLK Ideas:
http://www.teachingheart.net/happymlkbooks.html






Valentine's Day:
http://www.teachingheart.net/valentinesdaypage.html
Updates and will update through Jan., so keep checking!

Be sure to see the new Vday Packet!!!
TEACHING HEART PRODUCTS:
http://teachingheart.net/primaryteachertimesaver.html
90% of the teachers who purchase one product come back to purchase
another product. 1000's of happy teachers using Teaching Heart CDROM's.




Make lesson planning easy! Plus NOW instant downloadable mini units!

Check them out with this direct link to our instant downloads!
http://teachingheart.cerizmo.com/  
Check out our new Vday Packet for 2011!!!



Snowy Day:
http://www.teachingheart.net/snowyday.html
  
Mittens:

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



Pres. Day
http://www.teachingheart.net/presidents.html\



Clifford:
http://www.teachingheart.net/cliffordunit.html Will he see his shadow?
http://www.teachingheart.net/groundhogdaysite.html  






Teaching Heart Mom Bloghttp://teachingheartmom.blogspot.com/ Follow this blog to find out what is new daily by following the blog.


Winter Warm Up to the Rescue http://www.teachingheart.net/winterprintables01.html - You can be ready for a few days of winter learning fun!

Are you a Facebook Fan??? 
Check that out!!!

Thanks and have a great day!









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Friday, January 7, 2011

Teacher Tidbits...

"If you promise not to believe everything your child says happens at school, I'll promise not to believe everything he says happens at home." ~Anonymous Teacher

With this post be ready for some Teacher Hodge Podge...

-Updated the Mitten Theme Page. Deleted dead links and add some other things... Enjoy:
http://www.teachingheart.net/mitten.html

-Do any of you use Mini Office with your students? What about parents, do you have a mini office for at home use? Check this out and get one today... print away all the free goodies found here:
http://www.teachingheart.net/minioffice.html

-http://sweetsindeed.com/blog/2010/11/23/charity-event-with-tjmcf-and-leapfrog/ Check out this way too cool school themed party...

- Winter Warm Up to the Rescue http://www.teachingheart.net/winterprintables01.html - You can be ready for a few days of winter learning fun!
 

I shared the above comic on the Teaching Heart Facebook Page...  Just love it. 

Speaking of Hearts...  Are you getting ready for Valentine's Day in your classroom yet?  Be on the lookout for an updated V-Day Teaching Heart Packet to hit the web any day!!

Hope you have a wonderful weekend recharging your teacher battery!  Cheers!



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Tuesday, January 4, 2011

Kristi Ternullo Photography Review - Pittsburgh Area



Wanted to share a review of a local photgrapher for those Pittsburgh Readers... Picture posted is from Kristi's Blog
http://www.kristiternullophotography.com/


Kristi Ternullo took photos of my son (age 7) and daughter (age 3).  The overall experience was outstanding.  A year before this photography sessionwith Kristi  we did family photos with another local photographer that has been in business for over 20 years and paid an arm and a leg for the sitting fee and photographs.  We did not receive nearly the amount of care or time with this photographer as we did with Kristi Ternullo. 
Once we scheduled the appointment with Kristi and discussed what we were looking for, Kristi went to work.  She suggested clothing colors, the appropriate outdoor location for the shots, and listened to our ideas for the photos.  She spent over thirty minutes on the phone discussing the photo shoot with me.  She is easy to talk to and since she is a mom she understands the importance of picking a time that is right for your child.  She works with your schedule and does an excellent time of meeting your needs prior to the photo shoot.   
The day of the photo shoot my family met her at a local location.  We then followed her over to the spot she picked out for our photo shoot.  It was perfect!!!  As soon as we arrived she got to work.  That was very nice to start promptly because if you are a mom you know how hard it is to get those kids to be at their best in nice clothing for an extended amount of time.  The thing that is unique about her photos is that she captures her subject in a natural way.  Thus, the finished photos are more of a story of the subject and who they are as opposed to a posed uncomfortable canned photo shoot.  She let the kids play and ended up with some adorable pictures of the kids separately and together. 
I love props and had some ideas of my own.  Kristi was courtesy and willing to work with my suggestions.  I appreciate the fact that she was willing to do exactly what I asked without any hesitation.  I had purchased two candy canes from Target for the kids to hold.  Kristi had the idea of putting the canes together to form a heart.  Those pictures came out great and became part of our Christmas card.  People of course loved it and plan to steal that idea for their cards.  She also captured some pictures that made my children’s personalities shine through.  She got this one picture of them fooling around the leaves and being silly that only a mother could love.  The kids had a blast just playing and being models for a day.
Kristi spent over an hour with us at the photo shoot.  My kids are not angels and she was professional and so patient with them.  Her calmness makes it easy to relax and just let her do the work.  She made sure we were happy with all the photo set-ups we took before she cleaned up her supplies.  My kids had a blast at the photo shoot and can’t wait to do it again.  
About three days later I got an email from Kristi that she had posted a sneak peak of some of the photos she had taken on her blog.  They were awesome and I couldn’t wait to see the rest.  I was equally pleased a few days later when I viewed all the shots online!  We loved them all so much that we opted for the option of buying the CD of all the photos so that we could do as we wish with the photos.  The CD arrived quickly after it was ordered.  I went to work on Snapfish making all sorts of Christmas presents for myself and family with the pictures she took.
I have recommended Kristi to a few friends and each one came away with rave reviews of her work.  Kristi is blessed with a great talent !  I am hooked on just reading her blog and seeing all the beautiful pictures she takes.  I am thankful that her prices are reasonable and the quality of the service she provides is over the top!!!
My Picture People Days and the days of spending literally a thousand dollars on a photo shoot and pictures are over now that I have found Kristi!!!

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Saturday, January 1, 2011

The Mitten... WOW!


I found some awesome Mitten Resources on other blogs that I MUST share...
 
Here is a blackline from our CD. You could make a class book and title it, My Mitten Was So Big. Give each student a mitten shape page with the sentence, My mitten was so big that a ____________ fit inside it. Then the student fills in the blank and illustrates their sentence. Click here for more Mitten Ideas!!!
 
What the Teacher Wants shares some great ideas too...
Click here for the Mitten Idea!
 
Not sure if the download is working yet, but the idea is cute!

This blog (Swamp Frog First Graders) is pretty awesome...  I think you will agree.  Lots of sharing going on here.  There are many Mitten ideas too with great printables...

Check out Animals in The Mitten Probability Activities
Then check out Counting On Mittens


Be sure to check out Teaching Heart's Winter Warm Up Packet for some Mitten Themed Printables as well. 

I have a copy of this story;The Missing Mitten Mystery (Picture Puffin Books) coming to me soon.  I saw this activity from Our Random Acts of Reading!!!

Hope a few of these ideas will warm up those fingers for winter learning!!!

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