It's on...Teachers Pay Teachers HUGE Back to School SALE!

Thank you Krista at The Creative Chalkboard for sharing the adorable banner.

You DO NOT want to miss this sale!  It could be possible that almost every single store over at TPT is on sale!  Empty out those wish lists and stock up.  You may also want to take a minute to plan for the upcoming months and buy what you want/need now...apples, leaves, fall, Halloween, bat, spiders...you name it and you'll probably find it on sale!  My store is on sale for 20% off until Monday night AND if you enter code 'BTS13', you'll save another 10%.  Now THAT'S a bargain, folks!

Here are a few of the things you may want check out in my store.

My Back To School pack is loaded with goodies for getting to know each other...a 'do you have siblings' venn diagram, 'how do you get to school' graph and activities, 'find someone who' (can swim, can ride a bike) activity, and a 'wheels on the bus' name poem and bus craftivity.

These Common Core aligned homework folder practice pages are quickly becoming a best seller!  The activity pages can be sent home individually, or stuck inside clear, plastic page protectors then inside a three-prong folder for year long practice.   

Don't forget to take a peek at my newest product: Numberman SuperHero number analysis activity sheets.

Snatch up this pack and you'll be ready to start tackling numbers with your little darlings!  BUT, don't buy it yet!  Enter the giveaway win this pack here.  The giveaway ends tonight, so if you don't win you'll still have time to grab it on sale tomorrow!

Time to head over to Teachers Pay Teachers and SHOP 'TIL YOU DROP!

DO NOT forget to use code 'BTS13' to save another 10%.  I know by experience that you will kick yourself later if you do!  

TGIF Giveaway!

If this was your first week of school...you made it!  If you're still scrambling calmly preparing for the school year to begin...you got this!  On my agenda for today is my hallway 'Welcome' bulletin board and my station set up, plus a *few* other things.  Wish me luck! :)

This is a week of firsts for me.  My first linky party and now my first Rafflecopter GIVEAWAY!  I just posted a new pack in my TPT store and want to give it away.

Perfect for helping students develop number sense and understand that a number is the same no matter how it is represented.  For numbers 0-10, students will:

• Write the numeral
• Write the number word
• Show the number with tally marks
• Show the number on a ten frame
• Show the number with objects

Students often think that the amount changes when it 'looks' different.  If you set out 4 objects and they confirm that it is 4, then you spread them out, children with little number sense will need to count the objects again to verify there are still 4.  Only with repeated practice with a number do they develop number sense.  

I've also included in this set the materials needed to make a large class poster to work through the number analysis together as a class, if desired.

The activity pages can be bound into a book to keep all pages together and provide easy access to the materials for review or comparison. The 'showing the number with objects' section could easily be a 'required' or 'must do' activity at a math station or used as a morning work activity.

Want a chance to get the pack for FREE?!  Deal!  You can earn entries into the giveaway three ways:

• Follow me on Facebook here
• Follow me on Blog Lovin' here
• Follow me on Teachers Pay Teachers here

The giveaway begins now and ends Sunday 8/18...be sure to get in your entries!  Check back Monday to see if YOU are one of three WINNERS! 

Ready...Set...GO!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Let's Hear it for Labels!

It's day 3 of Teacher Week '13 and it's almost time to teach!  This is always such an exciting, yet stressful, time of the year for me.  I'm linking up with Blog Hoppin' for a fun week of sharing.  Be sure to check it out.

I have been working like crazy setting up my new classroom.  Here's a little sneak peek...

If you missed my previous post with pictures from my classroom last year, you can check it out here.

Drumroll for my 'Organizing for Instruction' tip...I am a total label junkie (ok, so that was my tip, but it's coming)!  They make everything look so clean and neat and with 60 kids they save me oodles of time.  I print an entire sheet of address labels for each student.  This saves me so much time and saves me from having to look at my handwriting all over the classroom, yeah, it's that bad!  I use labels for student craftivities that I hang up, student pictures for class graphs and venn diagrams, labeling student files, take home book bags, homework activity envelopes, homework folders, writing folders, math journals, etc.  I still use *cute* larger labels for folders and journals then simply stick the name label underneath (I'm feeling a bit bummed that I have never taken pictures of any of this, but I WILL be better this year).

I also then don't have to stress about printing out all of my labeling materials each time I get a new student.  I simply make extra at the beginning of the year then when a new student joins our class, I only worry about printing one sheet of labels for him/her.  I prefer having one sheet for each student versus one sheet for the class because then when a student moves, his/her name label is now on every page (which gets tricky when I have a parent helper help with labeling items and he/she doesn't know which students are no longer with us), and if I get a new student, he or she isn't on the label sheets I have printed and ready to go.

I buy these in bulk at Costco.

To find the template in Microsoft Word, click 'Tools' and look for 'Labels' in the drop down menu.

When the pop-up window opens, click 'Options' if the template you need isn't the one that is showing.

If you are using Avery address labels, you need Avery 5160 (as stated in the top and bottom corner on the label box).  Search for the desired label in the new drop down menu.

Click the label template you need then click 'Ok'.  The template will then show up in a new Microsoft Word window.  Type in student names and you are good-to-go!

 I hope this tip helps you 'organize for instruction', too!

Head on over to Blog Hoppin' to see what other tips you can find!

Teacher Week '13...Meet the Teacher Monday

I'm linking up with Blog Hoppin' for Teacher Week '13.  This is my first ever linky post and I'm super-dee-duper excited!

Prepare to learn 10 bits of randomness that you probably never cared to know about me!  First things first, I'm Andrea and I live in the 'fabulous' Las Vegas, Nevada.

1.  I love camping and hiking.  I adore my high heels and dresses, but don't mind trading them in for a weekend in hiking shoes and leggings.  I can roast a mean marshmallow and have been known to eat my fair share of s'mores!  Nothing beats the smell of a campfire!

2.  I don't watch TV.  Or movies!  Gasp!  My eyes glaze over when people start talking about what's hot on television.  All of these make my head spin...why not just one that controls the channels and volume?!

I spent several years of my adult life without a television in my home...

3.  Then I met the man of my dreams and he put an end to no television.  Hey, you can't win them all!   We have been truly inseparable since the day we met 3 years ago.  He is such a kind and generous man!

4.  I run this town (literally) and love it!  To date, I've ran 5 half marathons and numerous other shorter races.  Mud run?  Count me in!  I believe running makes me a better person.

5.  Growing up I had my own horse that I showed at horse shows.  My mom and sister still have several horses in Michigan.  See awkward, old photo below!

6.  I love pink!!  In my bachelorette pad, I had a pink accent walls in my kitchen and pink accents in my living room!  LOVE!  Ok, possibly a bit obsessed!  Maybe someday I'll have a sweet little girl and have an excuse to buy an excessive amount of pink stuff again.  In the meantime, the boyfriend wins again!

7.  I may live in a big city, but I was raised a country girl in 'Pure Michigan'.  I listen to country music and am currently obsessed with all songs Easton Corbin.  I even got to see him in concert last year!  This is one of my faves...

8.  I have a weird OCDish tendency that all things must be facing forward.  Shampoo, conditioner, ketchup, laundry detergent, perfume, hand soap, you get the idea, if it has a label, it must be facing forward.  My boyfriend often calls me out for rearranging the cupboards and refrigerator to face the labels forward.  Maybe it's all part of my love for organization.

9.  I {heart} the pool, but hate to swim.  Okymoron much?  Maybe I should rephrase that...I could spend every day on my raft in the pool.  Pair that with a hollywood gossip Us Weekly magazine and I'm set!

10.  I'm a Starbucks junky!  I seriously would drink a carmel macchiato every-single-day if that was acceptable (and a bit healthier).  Instead, I settle for my organic carmel coffee and carmel macchiato creamer.  Except Fridays!  Fridays are total Starbucks days.  That's the deal I had to make for myself.  It wouldn't be nearly as difficult to follow my own rule if I didn't pass 4 on my way to work every day!

Ok, that's me!  Pure and simple.  Be sure to check back tomorrow for day 2 of Teacher Week '13.

Follow along and/or link up here to join Teacher Week '13.

Guess what day it is...

Freebie Friday!  Prep, prep, breath, prep...does that sound like your life right now, too?!  I have been busy in my classroom this week unpacking boxes, putting up bulletin boards, and reorganizing materials.  I am SUPER excited about my new classroom and hope the kiddos and parents love it.

One of the things I did for parents last year was send home business cards.  I want parents to have easy access to all of my contact information.  I can only imagine what life must be like when you have several children in school bringing home different papers and materials from school on a daily basis.  I try to make their lives easier by ensuring they always have my contact information on hand to send me a quick email or phone call, if necessary.

Often times I think as teachers we forget that we ARE professionals!  Some of our 'customers' or 'clients' may be smaller than the average customer, we may sit on the floor half of our work day, and in chairs too small for the average adult the remainder of the day, but we are trained and licensed professionals!  We just happen to have two types of customers:  students and parents.  This is how I make myself easily accessible to one portion of my customers.

I send home business cards with all of my pertinent contact information.  This hopefully allows parents to keep it on hand in case they need to contact me when they are not home or near other paperwork in which my contact information would be found.

In my Teachers Pay Teachers store I've added a few sets for you!

They are fully customizable for you to add any information which you feel necessary.  When you open the document, you simply need to add your information into the text box, print them on card stock, and cut them out.  I like to have these on hand for parents during Open House, Back to School night, and Parent-Teacher conferences.

Click on the image below to head over to my store to grab them for FREE!

Happy Friday!

A Dollar Here, A Dollar There...Teacher Discounts

Saving a dollar here and a dollar there can really add up when it comes to back to school shopping.  I found a website that has compiled a list of 77 stores that show some serious love for teachers by giving them discounts.  The website is called Gift Card Granny (how cute is that).  The list has been broken down into categories, such as Arts & Crafts, Books, Electronics, etc., which makes it super quick to check and see if a store you're looking for is on the list.

Here are a few discounts from the list that are new to me:

The Container Store-If you've never been into that store, holy moly, it is serious eye candy for the organizing lovers eyes!  They have totes and bins and buckets galore for both your classroom and home.

Pets in the Classroom-Did you know you can get up to $150 to help pay to have a pet in your classroom??  How fabulous...maybe I need a class pet this year?  Simply fill out a quick form telling them about yourself, your students, and your classroom and they get back to you within 3-4 weeks.

Half Price Books-Sign up for the educator's discount card and save 10% year around.  This speaks to my heart!

J. Crew-You're never too old for a little back to school shopping to ensure you look absolutely fabulous on day 1...just in case you need an excuse to shop for some darling new clothes ;)

There is also a list of attractions and museums around the United States that offer discounts.  Hmm, maybe some of those museums offer field trip discounts, too??

Be sure to head over to the website to check it out.  Click on the picture below to check out the complete list.

If you know of other stores that love teachers and offer discounts, be sure to spill the beans in the comments sections!

Of course I love teachers, too!  Be sure to like my Facebook page to grab your 'fans only' freebie!

You Betcha...It's Freebie Friday

Fridays still seem a bit more fun, even on summer break!  But, if Fridays alone aren't enough for you, how about FREEBIE Fridays?!?!

Thank you Melonheadz Illustrating and DJ Inkers for the cute graphics and font

Yes, back again to share a freebie with you and I think I'll even get it in before the clock strikes midnight this go around!

We have a great time, but our little darlings sure do work their tails off at school every day!  I'm a huge believer in intrinsic motivation and verbal praise, but I do like to catch my students off guard every now and again with a little something extra.  My favorite one liner, "You are SO smart!", seems to echo through the classroom daily...and I know I've done my job when I start hearing, "Miss Nordhof, aren't I so smart?" or "Miss Nordhof, wasn't that so smart!"  Melts my heart when they internalize and believe that statement just as I do!  What's your favorite classroom one liner?

Ok, here it is!  Picture the sweet look of surprise and excitement on a child's face if they walked into the classroom to find one of these on their desk or table...

I think this will do the job as that 'little something' to catch them off guard for all of their hard work!  Do you?

Click the image below to grab this freebie from my TPT store (and don't forget to follow me on Facebook and Teachers Pay Teachers while you're there to make sure you never miss a freebie).

I've also included a set of Happy Birthday pencil flags in the freebie today if you wish to use them as a birthday gift for your students.

Happy Friday!

Glue, Markers, Paper, Paint, Pencils, Crayons..Are You Thinking School Supplies Yet?

Supplies seem to be popping up everywhere for me today.  Last year I was so blessed with an abundance of supply donations from parents! Look at this...

This doesn't even include the writing table that was also filled with supplies by the end of day 1!  Parents really do rock!

This morning, I was notified about a new 'Reward A Classroom' program at Staples.

If you don't have one already, you can sign up HERE for a free Staples Teacher Rewards card.  You will earn 5% back on most of your purchases...and we all know how quickly that could add up with all the supplies we often purchase.  As a bonus, the new reward program allows you to set up an account in which parents can earn another 2% back on their purchases (5% for Copy & Print purchases), which will go directly to your Teacher Rewards card for you to use to purchase supplies for your classroom.  How cool is that?!  If we're all buying supplies, why not try to earn a bit extra for free!?!  It literally took me about 2 minutes to set up the parent link.  You then get a letter to send home to parents explaining how it works and how they can link to your rewards account in order for you to receive credit.  It's definitely work taking a peek at!

Then, I was notified that day 4 of 'Melanie's Favorite Places Contest' is a chance at winning a $100 gift card to Staples!  Woowee, Staples is where it's at today!

Click on the picture to see how you can enter her contest, too!

I have also been working on supply posters for my classroom to use when teaching my students the procedures for classroom supplies.  

I made these supply posters with six different background options.  The yellow one above, plus these five.

These posters will later serve as a reminder all year long of the procedures for classroom supplies

Kindergarten Social Studies standard, E9.K.1, states that students must 'show that resources are scarce, such as a limited number of crayons'.  I spend time at the beginning of every year teaching my students the expectations and procedures for using our classroom supplies (of course I don't teach the procedure for every supply at once and some aren't taught until later in the year when that specific supply is needed).  We then practice, and practice, and practice each of the procedures!  Once we have practiced the procedures several times, it is then expected they follow them to ensure we are not wasting or wrecking the resources we have.  

For example, I model how to open and close the glue, then students practice doing exactly that.  I then show them how we use 'one dot, not a lot,' and they practice that on a simple project.  We do this part together and they must hold up the paper the glue is on for me to check before sticking it down.  This avoids gobs of glue being placed on their papers all year long, tears from their papers getting stuck together with overflow glue and ripping, and running out of glue two months before the end of the year.  We follow this same procedure the first few times we use glue at school.

I plan to pick up a few more frames at the dollar store (I found some simple black frames there last year for my school map, motto, etc.) to display these in our classroom, once we have practiced using each, near the storage area for each of the supplies.  I hung my frames with ribbon last year and they turned out super cute. 

If you like them, here's how you get them for your classroom!  Click the links on the side of my blog to follow me on BlogLovin' and Teachers Pay Teachers.  Send me an email at foreverinkinder@gmail.com stating you've done so and I'll send the posters your way for FREE!

Have I now got YOU thinking about supplies, too?!