Sunday, July 29, 2012

Postcard Exchange

If you are from any of these states please go to Ms. McHaffie's Blog or click on link below to join her first come first serve Post Card Exchange.


Alabama, Alaska, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Minnesota, Montana, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Mexico, North Dakota, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, Wyoming 

 
 
 
The following is from Mrs. McHaffie's Blog that explains about the Postcard exchange.
 
With the help of Cheryl from Primary Graffiti {LOVE HER} I am hosting a Postcard Exchange! I'm always slow to jump on the train and never get the chance to participate! So with the help of a blogging buddy {more like blogging idol...Mrs Cheryl} and the encouragement from another super teaching buddy {thanks Jana}, I am going to attempt this! Bare with me! :p

Please read carefully to ensure you want to participate in the exchange. If you have any reservations about it at all, please pass on signing up to participate.
 
Here are some materials/supplies you will need for the exchange: 49 postcards {you're state #50}, 49 stamps, and labels! You will receive 49 postcards in exchange. The best way to ensure that you will be "on top" of this exchange is to purchase/create your postcards once you have confirmed your name/state was selected for this exchange. This exchange DOES cost money. Expect to pay roughly $30 for postcards, postage, and labels.

I will prepare the labels with each participants' name and address. You just need to print them out and allow the kids to stick them on the cards! Easy peesy!!

The whole purpose of this exchange is to get the kiddos involved. That's what our jobs are all about anyways! :) Have them help you come up with a message together as a class. I great idea is to list a few state, city, and class facts on your cards that you're sending out!

All cards must be mailed out by November 2nd. I know the beginning of the year can be hectic and our districts/states do not begin school at the same time, however, I choose a date that allows for most {if not all} participants to get the cards out after the end of the first quarter. You will have no further commitments and will receive a card from each state in exchange!!! What a great way to learn! :)

There are so many different lessons that can be taught with this simple postcard exchange! Mapping skills, geographical skills {use GoogleEarth!}, some history, letter writing, community helpers, etc...
I plan to write the postcard initially as a class, then I will have my kinders fill in certain parts of the postcard on each. For example, they might write the word "Dear," "From," "We," etc... like a 'fill-in-the-blank" type form. Does that make sense? I'm a visual learner so I know I would have to see it.
 
 
 
 
We're only half way there people!!!!
We are still in need of the final 20 states (that's too many)!!
Check to see if your states available:

Alabama, Alaska, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Minnesota, Montana, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Mexico, North Dakota, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, Wyoming

If you see your state listed above then click HERE and sign up to join the Postcard Exchange!!! Such a fun way to get kiddos involved and learning about different states and how people live around our country! :)

I am helping Mrs. McHaffie SPREAD THE WORD!!!!

Thursday, July 19, 2012

8 and 14 but Mom's still 29 and holding....


I can already tell that this year is going to be full of surprises.  His birthday fell on the game of the Thunder season and the weekend before as seen we celebrated his birthday with some Thunder cupcakes.  K-man lost his first tooth on July 14th and it was quite an event.  He came running hysterically to me because his mouth was bleeding.  The tooth was just barely hanging there.  I had to calm him down so I could look at his mouth and I just barely touched it and it came right out.  He had sleep denistry done today where he got one pulled and two excavated.  He can't wait for the tooth fairy to come. 



Sister and I made it through her first teenage year.  I thank God periodically for this.  She is such a precious gift and there are so many influences out there in this world that I want to protect her from but I know that I just have to pray and show her all the positives that when she is faced with tough decisions she will make the right decisions.  She went to her first camp~Fellowship of Christian Atheletes Camp and had a blast.  I think I missed her way more than she missed me.  I know K-man missed her bunches.  We finally have time this weekend to take her friends and her to the lake for her birthday.

I keep telling my kiddos that this is the last year for birthdays but they just laugh cause they know I'm joking.  I just keep telling them ok they can turn another year older but I'm still going to be celebrating my twenty-ninth birthday.  Of course Sister just smiles and says whatever and K-man says no mom you'll be celebrating and he puts in my real age because he knows his numbers.  I love both my kiddos they mean the world to me!!!

Sunday, July 1, 2012

1/2 Way Over!!!

I can't believe my summer is half way over.  I got my old classroom backed up and everything I could move to my new classroom.  I went over one day and got some boxes gone through.  I keep hoping an unpacking fairy might come and take care of the rest but I keep going back to see if my other stuff has been moved and no such luck.  However my son got to go to camp that he loved so I was very happy.  My daughter and I helped with the new church I am starting to attends Vacation Bible School and we enjoyed it a lot.  I got through with an Orientation class and two master classes and now on my third so my summer is moving right along ( I just wish not so fast). 
As I'm blog stalking I came across Heather's Hart blog with a song that I have fallen in love with and F.R.O.G. which means Fully Rely On God.  You should definitely stop on her blog to get her F.R.O.G. freebie.