Happy 4th of July

Happy 4th of July! I hope everyone has a fun and safe holiday!

Favorite Things About Summer

Favorite Things:Summer

Hi everyone! Today I'm participating in My Favorite Things hosted by The Teaching Trio! I decided to blog about a few of my favorite summer things.

     Rest--Yes, I love to get that extra sleep in the summer! Summer provides no alarm clock. I can stay up as late as I wish. It's so refreshing to be able to wake up without the sound of the alarm going off in the morning. I can even take a nap in the middle of the day if I wish!

     Watch TV--I don't record shows. Therefore, if I'm not around to see a program, I just don't get to see it. In the summer, I get to catch up on some of my favorite game shows, talk shows, and whatever else comes on my television. Family Feud and The Price is Right are two of my favorite morning game shows.

     Networking--Summer provides more opportunity for me to further explore different blogs. Thanks to the #tptsellerchallenge, I have started to network more. I was already using Facebook, but not as much as I am now. My Twitter account is developing nicely. I also started a Pinterest account. Now, if I can just take the plunge and join the Instagram world. I have a personal account, but I don't use it often. So, I'm not sure if I should try to use it professionally.

Now you know a few of my favorite summer things. Feel free to comment about my favorites and tell me about some of your favorite things.

Happy Summer!

Third Grade Whimsy

TpT Seller Challenge Week 2: Dare to Dream

Hello again for the second time today! It's Week 2 of the #TpTSellerChallenge hosted by Third in Hollywood, Teach Create Motivate, Sparkling in Second, and Peppy Zesty Teacherista. Dare to Dream is the challenge for Week 2.

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1. Travel-I would love to visit all 50 states. Even though I have traveled to some of the states, I still have quite a few I need to visit. I also want to go out of the country. The only place I've visited is Antigua, a beautiful island in the West Indies.
2. Build My Personal Learning Network-I want to connect with other Bloggers. I'm hoping the #tptsellerchallenge will create new connections and lasting friendships.
3. Help Others-I want to help my family and my friends.
4. Build My TpT store-I wish to see my store grow by creating products that educators find to be of value.
5. Financial Peace/Security-My husband recently got out of the hospital, and the bills will soon start rolling in. I want to pay them off along with our house mortgage. I would love to be debt free!

Here are some of my dreams! What do you think? Be sure to leave me a comment and feel free to share your dreams.

Take care!

~Third Grade Whimsy~

TpT Seller Challenge Week 1: Makeover Madness

Hello everyone! It's with excitement that I share my good news: I'm participating in the #TpTSellerChallenge! This wonderful idea is the brainchild of Third in Hollywood, Teach Create Motivate, Sparkling in Second, and Peppy Zesty Teacherista.

Makeover Madness is the challenge for Week 1. Even though I had to only makeover one product, I did three!!!

Blank School Calendars was my very first creation. I used Word (gasp), and it took me forever to create. It was my labor of love, and I was so proud of my first freebie! Now that I look at it, I can't believe I designed that cover. I totally love the new cover design.

Makeover Madness-Blank School Calendars

For Bossy R,  I changed the cover, added more graphics, added another activity, formatted for task cards use, and recreated the document in PPT (if only I had known about creating in PPT when I first got started)! You can go here to check it out.

I have. Who has received a cover change. I liked the color scheme so I just redesigned the cover.

I am truly enjoying my TpT adventure. My style is evolving as I adventure into the online world. Stick around as I learn and grow!

Take care!

~Third Grade Whimsy~

Sweet Testing Tips

     I meant to post this before school ended, but life got busy! Each year our third, fourth, and fifth graders take an End of Grade test in reading and math (commonly called the EOG). For the third graders, this is their first time taking "The Test" and they are nervous.

     In an effort to help calm their nervousness, the third grade teachers have an EOG camp to practice literacy and math skills. Students enjoy this creative time to practice EOG strategies. The academic camp mixed with physical activity is just the thing to get our students in shape for the EOGs!

     On the last day before EOGs, I read Testing Miss Malarkey

by Judy Finchler. We laugh at the people/situations in the story. I remind them they have no need to be nervous because they are smart and have been taught everything they need! 

     Last, I give each of them a treat bag. Inside the bag, are the following contents: Hershey Kiss, Pencil Sharpener, #2 Pencil, Hand Lens, Bubblegum, Eraser, Rubber band, Starburst, and Penny. The children must guess how these items relate to the EOG test they are about to take. Once they've had some time to guess, I ask them to take out their paper that has the explanation on it.

• Hershey Kiss--Kiss those testing jitters goodbye.
• Pencil Sharpener--You are a sharp student.
• #2 Pencil--When you take the test, use your #2 pencil
• Hand Lens-Carefully read the directions and carefully look at all answer choices.
• Bubblegum-Circle the answers in your book and darkly fill in the correct bubble on your answer sheet.
•  Eraser-If you must erase, make sure the unwanted marks are gone.
• Rubber band/Starburst-Remember, you're #1 and bursting with knowledge.
• Penny-You will shine like a star.

     Since I bought the items at the Dollar Tree, the cost was inexpensive (24 students), and the children were happy to get their bags! 

     If you are interested in making your own testing motivation bags, feel free to grab Sweet Testing Tips in my TpT store. I've created cards to match the sayings listed above (color and black/white). Enjoy!

Until Next Time,

~Third Grade Whimsy~

Hello Summer!

Monday was the last day of school for me--180 days of learning! Even though I am glad to see summer vacation, I am kind of sad to see my children leave. I must be the mother bird and watch them fly the nest. 

Are you now on your summer break? If not, how many days of school do you have left?

Take care,

Third Grade Whimsy

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Teacher Appreciation Days

To celebrate Teacher's Appreciation, TpT is hosting a two day sale to say THANK YOU! Everything in my store will be marked down by 20% on Monday, May 5 and Tuesday, May 6. Save an additional 10% when you use the promo code: Thank You. That's a total savings of 28% off. Now's the time to get those items off your wish list!

Until Next Time!

Third Grade Whimsy

Please stay in touch.

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