the craft rookie

Hershey's Wrapper End of Year Printable Gift!

2016-05-02T11:47:00.002-05:00

If you're a Teacher looking to give your students a small gift at the end of the year, then this printable is a great option!

It's a wrapper designed to fit around a Hershey's Bar :)

Check it out on my TPT site, Cove's Corner.

Happy wrapping!

Sarah

Nurse Pass Printables

2016-02-15T21:40:00.004-06:00

These printables are cute Nurse Passes that you can keep in your classroom.

An option for the extra organized Teacher is to laminate these passes. When you need to send a student to the Nurse, fill the pass out with a Permanent Marker. When your kiddo comes back, clean the Pass off with Rubbing Alcohol (or perfume), and it's ready for the next boo-boo.

Hope you like them!

Sarah

Valentine's Candy Bar Wrappers!

2016-02-15T16:14:00.000-06:00

So, I know I'm a bit late in posting this since Valentine's Day was yesterday, and school parties were last Friday, BUT better late then never, right?

Also...my apologies that I haven't posted in almost a year, but I have been super busy getting my new company off the ground! After leaving the classroom and venturing into the business world, I finally decided it was time to start my own company. By day, I run an Embroidery, Screen Printing & Custom Gifts company, and by night, I try to keep my house clean. If I get a chance to be creative after hours, I have fun pulling together Teacher Activities still :)

My heart will always enjoy creating learning activities and creating stuff for Teachers to use in the classroom!

Today's fun upload is a candy bar wrapper that is intended to be taped around a Hershey's King Size Candy Bar.

I am so excited about this printable because I remember what it was like to scramble for something cute to give my students each year. This is such an easy idea, and it's perfect for being able to gift your kiddos! All you have to do is cut out the wrapper, write your name on the "From:" line, and then tape it around the candy bar, and you're done!

YUM!

Sarah

All Mixed Up - An Improper Fractions & Mixed Numbers Activity

2015-03-07T14:14:00.001-06:00

Okay, y'all, I got another activity finished and posted today at my TpT store! This one is all about fractions :) Specifically, it's about finding fraction equivalents for Improper Fractions & Mixed Numbers. I've also included Fraction Models for the early learners. To add some difficulty, you can remove the Fraction Model cards.

Take a look!

You can find this, and some of the other products I've created in my TpT Store, Cove's Corner. Or, you can click the images above or click here to go directly to this product in my store.

Happy matching!

Sarah

Number Stretch Revisited...Again - Expanded Form for Numbers with Decimals

2015-03-04T00:10:00.000-06:00

Well, I've been busy today! I created another Expanded Form to Standard Form Activity, but this time, it's for numbers including Decimals.

I'm feeling super creative today :) See my latest creation below!

Number Stretch - An Expanded & Standard Form Activity for Numbers with Decimals

You can find this, and some of the other products I've created in my TpT Store, Cove's Corner. Or, you can click the images above or click here to go directly to this product in my store.

If you are looking for an Expanded Form to Standard Form activity that includes numbers to the Hundred Millions, you can go here for the activity I created.

Or, if you are looking for a similar activity that only goes up to the Hundred Thousands, you can go here, as well.

Happy gaming!

Sarah

Number Stretch Revisited - Expanded Form for Numbers to the Hundred Thousands

2015-03-03T21:30:00.002-06:00

As you may know, I posted earlier today about a new learning activity I created for students to work with Expanded Form of numbers up to the Hundred Millions. Well, I went ahead and created another one that will have students practice Expanded Form for numbers up to the Hundred Thousands.

So, without further ado, here is:

Number Stretch - An Expanded & Standard Form Activity for Numbers to the Hundred Thousands

You can find this, and some of the other products I've created in my TpT Store, Cove's Corner. Or, you can click the images above or click here to go directly to this product in my store.

Let me know what you think!

Sarah

Number Stretch - An Expanded & Standard Form Activity

2015-03-03T16:22:00.003-06:00

It's been a while since I've had the time to sit down and create a learning activity, BUT I finally found the time! And, now I get to introduce my latest activity to y'all :)

Introducing:

Number Stretch - An Expanded & Standard Form Activity for Numbers to the Hundred Millions

This activity does what the title implies - it gets students to practice moving between Standard & Expanded Form of Numbers that are all in the Millions.

You can find this, and some of the other products I've created in my TpT Store, Cove's Corner. Or, you can click the images above or click here to go directly to this product in my store.

Happy Stretching!

Sarah

Recipe for Natural Deodorant: Smell FRESH all day long!

2014-05-05T22:54:00.006-05:00

Almost 2 years ago now, I let my mom convince me to start using this thing called "Natural Deodorant" because I was having an issue with the store-bought brand not helping me stay/feel fresh all day.

I was teaching at the time, so I was inside in a cold classroom walking around interacting with kids to start my day, going outside for recess duty, coming back inside to teach, and then going back outside to do after school duty. So, I was basically switching back and forth between inside and out in the Texas heat. Needless to say, at the end of the day, I wanted nothing more than a shower so I could smell clean again. I talked to my mom about this, and she gave me a sample of this deodorant that she had been using and asked me to just keep an open mind and try it.

I had no excuses not to give it a shot, so I tried it out, and after that first day, I knew I would never switch back. I felt fresh and smelled like coconut all day long, despite the Texas heat making me sweat. Ever since then, I've paid it forward to others who are wanting something different in a deodorant, and everyone that I've made a sample for has ended up switching.

The best part is that this stuff is SO easy to make, and you can buy the ingredients once and make several batches with them. Not to mention the fact that there are HUNDREDS of uses for coconut oil, so keeping some stocked in your pantry is never a bad option.

The other thing to love about this deodorant is that it can be used by both men and women. Smelling like coconut is NOT girly, y'all!

To make the deodorant, here's what you do:

Gather the following ingredients:

6 Tbsp Coconut Oil (I prefer Virgin Coconut Oil because it smells more like coconut), ¼ c Arrowroot Powder, & ¼ c Baking Soda. For the baking soda, do NOT use Arm & Hammer – try to get the Bob’s Red Mill kind in the picture. I have tried their Double Acting Aluminum Free kind, but I have very sensitive skin, and I get irritated by that baking soda. So, I get the normal Bob’s Red Mill Baking Soda. You'll also need a medium bowl and stirring spoon.

In a medium bowl, put 6 Tablespoons of Coconut Oil.
In the cold months, I usually have to semi-melt the coconut oil down to where it has some small chunks in it but it is still able to be stirred.

To get this consistency, I usually put it in the microwave for 10 seconds at a time until I get to a total cook time of 30-40 seconds.

Once the coconut oil is melted, add slightly less than ¼ c baking soda and slightly more than ¼ c arrowroot powder and stir until it becomes like a paste.

You want less baking soda than arrowroot powder because baking soda can be grainy and irritating to the skin, especially the sensitive skin in your arm pits. (**If you try the deodorant and end up with irritated skin, go back and add more arrowroot powder**)

Once you’ve reached the desired consistency in Step 4, you should be able to take some of the deodorant and smooth it in to your skin without a grainy feeling or any residue left behind. It should basically melt into your skin. BONUS: it smells amazing and you’ll smell like coconut all day!
Jar it up and use every day. I usually put a thick cover on my thumb nail (what’s pictured below is even a little too much) and rub it in to my arm pit. It will seem kind of gross at first, but you’ll get used to it :)

Once you've made a few batches, you'll get to the point where it will take you about 5 minutes to make this recipe. A batch this size will usually last me around 4 months (that's a guesstimate, as I have never actually timed it out) applying once per day.

Let me know if you have any questions - I am happy to answer with what I know.

Share your stories with this recipe, too - I love to know what does or doesn't work for you guys!

Thanks, y'all :)

Coconut Pits

Difference Makers Math Game

2014-02-11T01:15:00.002-06:00

It has been a long time since I checked in with y'all. Let's just say it has been a crazy busy few months :) Holidays, lots of family time, getting back in the gym (finally!), and my job have all kept me busy.

I've been trying to figure out what my next TPT Math game would be, and I have finally gotten time to sit down and put it together.

I decided to create another Subtraction activity because, after working with the kiddos that I tutor every week, I've noticed that Subtraction (especially subtraction across zeroes) continues to be a skill that just needs constant practice. It's the more difficult of the basic math operations because you are taking apart instead of building numbers, so, especially for those struggling learners, it's hard to grasp and understand.

Thus, a new game has been drummed up :) Introducing, Difference Makers!

Difference Makers is intended to be a group game (2 vs 2 leveled groups), but it can also be played 1-on-1 if you have students who are strong at subtraction and would enjoy the challenge of racking up points independently.

I hope you guys enjoy this activity. It was definitely fun to make and play around with the new chalkboard background that I found at Foolish Fire (Google search: "Foolish Fire Chalkboard Background" and you'll find it).

Of course, to download this game, you can visit my TPT Store Cove's Corner which is also linked to in the right-side menu of this page. You can also click on the images above, and that will take you directly to Difference Makers in my store.

"Be the change you wish to see in the world."

- Mahatma Ghandi

Updated Decimal Activities on TPT!

2013-09-14T17:13:00.002-05:00

Hey, ya'll! I just wanted to post really quickly that I updated some of my TPT activities. Someone posted a comment on one of my activities that the clarity wasn't great on printing, so I fixed that problem and made it prettier at the same time :) I'm definitely liking the new look a lot better!

Here's the new Decimal War activity:

I'm going thru a bit of a minimalist phase. So the simplicity of the design is appealing to that side of me :)

While I was at it, I decided to update another activity because I wasn't so fond of the look. So, here's the new Decimal Sums & Differences activity:

You can click on the activity names above or any of the images, too, to be taken directly to that game in my store. If you want to see all of the activities that I have created, you can go to my store, Cove's Corner.

I am going to be updating my identifying decimals thru base 10 blocks activity, as well, but that one is taking quite a bit longer. Hopefully, I'll have it finished soon :) When it's done, I'll post it here for y'all!

Hope you enjoy the activities,

sarah

30,000 hits!!

2013-09-07T12:31:00.000-05:00

We over at the craft rookie have hit 30,000 views!!! We as in you and me :) What a beautiful relationship!

Thanks, ya'll for comin' back for visits :P

On another note...it's COLLEGE FOOTBALL SATURDAY!

Gig 'Em, Aggies! WHOOP :) BTHO SHSU!

Area & Perimeter practice with Double-digit multiplication

2013-06-16T14:20:00.002-05:00

I'm officially back from vacation, and while that reality is a little upsetting, I'm happy to announce that I've got another Math Center ready!

Today's Math Center is another game to practice Area & Perimeter, but this time it is intended to practice double-digit multiplication, which brings the skill level up a notch.

What I've noticed in my last 3 years of being in a classroom is that, despite the fact that my students have been doing Area & Perimeter since 2nd grade, they still struggle with the concept. They need more practice, but they also need to work on other 4th grade skills, like multiplying two two-digit numbers.

So, I decided to create an activity that would help me tackle 2 skills in one station/center.

This is what it looks like:

You can find this game and all the others that I have created in my Teachers pay Teachers store, Cove's Corner.

To go directly to this game, you can click on either of the images above or click here.

To find the Area & Perimeter game that I have created for practicing basic facts, click here, and for the game that practices 2 digit by 1 digit multiplication, click here.

I hope your students enjoy this activity :)

sarah elise

Area & Perimeter with non-basic facts

2013-06-01T13:02:00.002-05:00

Hello, again! I've got my 2nd installment of Area & Perimeter activity packs ready for you today :) Yay! This one also has students practicing their multiplication skills because it has them doing 2 digit by 1 digit multiplication in order to find the Area of each Rectangle. The squares are still basic facts, with side lengths of 10, 11, and 12 inches.

Here's what a few of the pages look like:

You can find this and some of the other products I've created in my TpT Store, Cove's Corner,

or, you can click the images above or here to go directly to this product in my store.

I've also got an Area & Perimeter game with ONLY basic facts, found here.

have fun!

sarah

Area & Perimeter with Basic Facts Math Center

2013-05-31T20:10:00.001-05:00

Yay! I feel so productive lately :) Today's file folder game is geared towards 3rd grade initial instruction and 4th grade reteach for calculating Area & Perimeter with basic multiplication facts. I am currently working on creating two similar packs - one with non-basic facts (i.e. 2 digit by 1 digit) and one involving double-digit multiplication so that students can get practice with their other multiplication skills.

This is a great resource that can be used in tutoring, as a Math Center, or as a fun activity for fast finishers.

And, the best part about it....more CHEVRON :) Whoo-hooo!

You can find this game and others like it in my TpT store, Cove's Corner.

Or, you can click either of the images above or right here to go straight to this product in my store.

I've also got an Area & Perimeter game that involves 2 digit by 1 digit multiplication. You can find it here.

enjoy :)

sarah

Geometry Lines Song :)

2013-05-28T22:08:00.001-05:00

Hello, again! Today's post is about a little song I dreamed up for my students to remember the difference between Parallel, Perpendicular, and Intersecting Lines during our Geometry Unit.

I love, love, LOVE singing songs to help kids learn because that is how some of my favorite teachers taught me when I was growing up. It says a lot that kids can remember the lyrics to every song on a band or singers album but struggle to remember the meaning of vocabulary words in school. We learn better when there's a rhythm and rhyme to things :)

I'll be sharing some of the songs my teachers taught me in the coming months. There are 2 that I learned in 4th and 6th grade that I still know and recite to this day. So, you know they're catchy!

Anywhoo...here's a few pictures of the posters I created for the song:

You can click here to find this and other things I've created in my TpT store, Cove's Corner.

You can click any of the images above or here to be taken directly to this FREE product at my
TpT store!

happy day!

sarah

Points for Products - A Double Digit Multiplication Game!

2013-05-24T16:46:00.002-05:00

I'm so excited about today's file folder game. It's a board game for practicing Double Digit Multiplication, and it involves CHEVRON print! i.LOVE.it!

You can click here to see it and other games I've created in my Teachers pay Teachers store, Cove's Corner.

Or, you can click the picture below to go directly to the game in my store.

I hope you enjoy playing Points for Products with your students!

Sending you multiplication wishes and chevron dreams :)

sarah

Reading Numbers to the Millions Activity Pack

2013-05-22T17:58:00.000-05:00

Hello, friends! I am excited to say that I have FINALLY found the time (and energy) to create a new file folder game. YAY!

This file folder activity is specifically for place value practice with reading and writing numbers up to the hundred millions place value.

Included in the activity pack are matching cards for numbers written in standard and word form and a key for students to self-check their answers once they are done.

After the activity, there is also a quick check/quiz that students can take as a formal assessment of the skill. There is also a key for the quick check with a grade scale at the bottom for easy grading :)

You can find it for download in my TpT store, Cove's Corner.

You can also click the pic below and it will take you the product in my TpT store.

thanks a million :)

sarah

i need your help!

2013-05-02T18:57:00.002-05:00

I have been trying for a couple months now to find out what type of tree the one pictured below is with no success, so I decided to open it up to the interwebs to see if anyone else can identify it.

I drive by this when I go to my parents house, and I absolutely love it. Even when it has no leaves, the curve of the branches and the way they point straight up to the sky is so captivating to me.

I know I could go to a tree nursery, but I figured I'd try this route, too.

So, there it is. Do you know what kind of tree that is? If so, please share in a comment below so I can be part of the club!

Thanks in advance :)

the craft rookie

Parallel means a "pair of L's"

2013-03-20T00:06:00.001-05:00

Why is Geometry so hard for some students? I believe it has everything to do with the large number of new vocabulary words that aren't really used outside of the Math classroom. Acute, Obtuse, Right, and Straight Angles; Parallel, Perpendicular, and Intersecting Lines; Prisms; and the list goes on. While I haven't figured out a great way for students to assign meaning to all of those words, I just love my little memory aid for remembering what Parallel lines look like.

I'm sure I'm not the first teacher to ever come up with this phrase, but I love this neat way to remember what Parallel lines look like because it's just so EASY to remember :)

The best part about it is that my students like to say it, too. It's just so darn catchy! So, every time we deal with parallel lines, I ask them what Parallel means, and they respond with the little ditty.

When my students ask, "But what about when the lines are sideways or diagonal?" I ask them what they think they can do, and they usually figure out that they can rotate their paper or tilt their head until they see the L's.

Easy-peezy!

the craft rookie

crackle paint a go-go!

2013-03-15T20:44:00.001-05:00

Okay, ya'll, today's project is quite possibly my favorite one to date! It is an old dresser repainted, but it is SO much more than that! It is a successful venture into the furniture painting realm and a major boost to my crafting confidence. I am absolutely loving that this project is done for a few reasons:

1. It makes my bedroom look pretty

2. It finally ties in the blues that I had put in my room in anticipation of this project's completion

3. IT IS OUT OF MY GARAGE! WHOOOOOP! I now have space for other projects!

Let's get to it!

The dresser for today's project belonged to my great-grandmother before she passed away, so it has a lot of sentimental value to me. This is also part of the reason this project took me about 5 months to complete. After every step of the project, I waited a couple months to do the next coat of paint partially because I wanted to let the paint dry really well, but mostly because I was so scared of messing up!

Here's what the dresser looked like when I got it:

Once I figured out what I wanted to do with this dresser, I started to take the drawers out to get it ready for painting, and guess what I found!?

The dresser was 100 years old (I started the project in October 2012)! This only added to my nervousness!

Real talk for a second: This is the first time I've ever done a project like this, so I required A LOT of question and answer sessions with the dude at the Lowe's paint counter, we shall call him Joe. :) Also, just FYI, I got everything for this project from Lowe's. So, if you decide to tackle a similar job, that will be where you can find every single bit of the products I used.

The guidance Joe gave me is as follows:

1. You don't have to sand it down to remove old paint, you can just use a paint primer instead to make it easier! Joe, you get 10 imaginary points from me for that advice. I did not want to sand down that dresser!

**Pre-painting note** Don't forget to put down a painting drop cloth - I got a plastic one from Lowe's

Here's the primer Joe recommended:

It is Zinsser Cover Stain Primer

I used a 2 inch paintbrush to paint the primer on to the dresser...

...and here's what the dresser looked like after the coat of primer:

Little note of advice: don't try to clean the paintbrush you used for the primer. Just put it in an old grocery bag and throw it away. It is not worth having a primer-stained hand for the next 24 hours! Learn from my mistakes, people!

2. I waited a couple weeks to put the first coat of paint on after the primer (shout out to Joe for that advice) because the primer needed a little bit of time to set before another coat of paint was added.

I used a Satin paint (thanks, Joe) on the first coat. Apparently Satin paint is the way to go for your base coat if you're doing crackle paint.

The color of paint I used for the base coat is called 3003-10C Cream in My Coffee.

Again, I used another 2 in paint brush to paint this on. Here's what it looked like after this step:

3. Now, after painting the base coat, I waited a couple months to let the base coat really set and to allow myself to play around with the crackle paint to find the best type of paint brush/roller for the final project (shoutout, Joe!).

So, during those few months, I experimented on pieces of scrap wood (I live in a new neighborhood, so I just went around to the construction sites and picked out pieces of wood from the trash piles).

The 2 options I had for how to accomplish the crackle look were to use a

small 3/8 in Roller or a 2 in Paintbrush

vs.

So, basically, I took the scrap wood and labeled one side "Roller" and the other side "Brush." I painted the base coat of Cream in my Coffee (from Step 2), waited a day, then painted the crackle glaze paint and immediately painted the top coat (the blue-ish color) before the crackle had time to dry. I did this to both sides, but used the Roller and Brush on their respective sides to see which one provided the look I was wanting.

I really like the way the brush side looked on my scrap piece, but I ultimately ended up using the roller on the dresser because the brush took a long time and if you go back over a section that you've already painted, it ends up messing up the crackle look if you are using the brush. With the roller, the crackle effect still works out even if you go over a section twice (although I still would not recommend doing that)! This effect is most appealing when you only go over each piece once with your roller/brush. If you miss a small area, it adds to the character of the piece. Mistakes are beautiful, my friend!

4. After waiting 2 months from the base coat painting day, it was time to get to the crackling and top-coat-painting! Here's the crackle product I used:

And here's the paint I used for the top coat:

It is important to notice, I used a Flat paint for the top coat!

In case you can't tell, the name of the paint color is 5004-BC Ocean Slumber.

i LOVE this color!

Okay, so this step in the process is the most tricky. You have to paint the crackle glaze on (I used a roller brush on this step) and then within 30 minutes of painting that on (aka before it dries), you have to get the top coat painted on - I used a roller brush for this coat, too!

Here's what the dresser looked like when it was all done being painted:

Look, ma! No drawers!


Top of the dresser

Drawer #1

Drawer #2 and my feetsies :)


Drawer #3 -Sorry for the lighting!

Drawer #4

Right Side

Left Side

5. Once the crackle painting was done, I waited another couple of months and then sealed it with this stuff:

And, now, the moment you've all been waiting for! The final product...

My puppy, Roo, just had to get in a shot!

I've got a towel sitting under the TV just in case! I'm going to mount that TV on the wall after I paint my house this Summer, so that towel will only be there for a few months.

For a recap of supplies, here's what you need:

Here's the supply list written out in no particular order:

1. Zinsser Cover Stain Primer
2. Valspar Satin Paint & Primer (Color: 3003-10C Cream in My Coffee)
3. Valspar Flat Paint & Primer (Color: 5004-BC Ocean Slumber)
4. Valspar Unique Interior Faux Finish Clear Protector
5. Valspar Weathered Crackle Glaze
6. 3/8 inch mini rollers (I used 2 of them for the Crackle Glaze and Top Coat)
7. Roller handle
8. 2 inch paintbrushes (I used 3 of them for the Primer, Base Coat, and Clear Protector)
9. Painting drop cloth

10. And, of course, the furniture you're going to paint!

This project was so beyond easy, and I encourage you to get out there and crackle paint something of yours! Jewelry boxes are great for your first attempt at this :) I'm a huge klutz, especially with paint, so if I can do this, so can you!

Transform your furniture, and share your before and after photos with me!

Get your paint on!

the craft rookie

laundry machine makeover

2012-11-22T21:20:00.001-06:00

So, here's the deal. This is in no way an original idea of mine. In fact, I can honestly say that I never would have thought up this little gem on my own. Where did I find it? You should be able to answer that for yourself at this point. Pinterest. It is it's own Subject, Predicate, Noun, Verb, Adjective, and Adverb in that sentence.

Here is the link to the original blog that housed the idea I found on Pinterest.

Now, to the project...

I wanted to find a way to "spruce" up my house because I cannot paint the walls yet, but everything seemed so boring. So, I was clicking around and found this great way to liven up my laundry room, as it is the room through which I exit and enter my house on the daily.

Here is what I saw every day....

So.very.boring.

So, I went to Target (which is quickly becoming my favorite store) and found this cute wall decal that was a silhouette of a tree with some birds standing on the branches. I bought it, and waited a month and a half to try my luck...what? I get busy and certain things fall to the way-side.

When I finally had the time to apply the BEAUTIFUL decal...the final product left me less than enthused. Observe...

So.very.plain.

Back to Target I went, and this time I found a more VIBRANT decal. One that had a lot of colors, including the color that I am going to be painting the laundry room next Summer!

I ran (err...drove) home and waited 2 days (Seriously, I have a problem.), and finally ended up with this colorful and eye-catching final product:

Here's a better angle of it...

So.very.psychedelic.

And I love it.

peace,

the craft rookie

well hello there...

2012-11-18T21:37:00.000-06:00

Okay, so there has been a lot of things that have happened in the past few months that I need to write about - things that have been happening at school and at home. At school, I have been trying out a new style of classroom for my Instructional Technology Support person (she is the staff member who pushes technology integration into our classrooms). This new project has had my head spinning with nerves and excitement and anxiety and anticipation (while those may seem the same...they are totally not for this girl)! So far, it has been about 95% successful, so I'm still working on a few tweaks here and there. I intend on posting about it soon :)

The MOST important thing that I want to share with you all is that I got a new puppy :)

Her name is "Roo" as in KangaROO and she's an Australian Sheperd that is about 6 months old. I don't know her exact birthday but I got her on November 9, so it's been exactly 9 days since she came home with me :)

Here's my attempt at getting a photo of me and Roo...and since it's just us with a computer to take a picture for us, this was fun...haha

My first attempt...Roo looks great. I look like I was caught off guard by the 3,2,1countdown my computer gave me. Is it evident I didn't get a lot of sleep last night??

The 2nd attempt. I'm paying attention, but now Roo isn't! She'd rather attempt to sneak a kiss...

I decided to switch to just a picture of Roo because clearly getting one of the 2 of us was NOT an option! So...here she is, looking at me instead of the camera...

Now she'd rather play with her toy...

And, this is when I officially gave up!

So, there's Roo.

We worked really hard yesterday and today and learned 5 new "tricks" or "commands." She already knew how to sit, and now she knows how to lay down, sit up, shake, give high 5, and stay. She HATED stay when we first started working on it...and she still does, but at least she listens!

We are still working on getting housebroken. She's totally crate trained, but the second I let her out of the crate, I really have to keep an eye on her to make sure she doesn't have an accident in the house.

Learning a puppy level of patience,

the craft rookie

Where has the time gone?

2012-10-02T21:03:00.001-05:00

Okay, friends, as you might have noticed, I have been MIA since August! WHAT?!? Where did the time go?!

Well, it went straight to paperwork and getting to know my students - academically and their personalities. My beginning of the school year has been crazy hectic, but so great, too!

Part of this lost time went to creating File Folder games for my Fast Finishers to take to their desks instead of just sitting there getting bored or reading a book. With last year being my 1st year in my own classroom, I was just trying to stay afloat and make it through the year. Now that I've got a year under my belt, I am able to do a little bit more to get my classroom organized and fun-i-tized (yeah, I said it).

So, I'm creating File Folder games by Unit so that I don't have to do too much at once. I'm slightly behind, but the biggest problem was getting the first few done - the logistics of it all.

I am proud to say I have TWO, count 'em 2 File Folder Games already made.

Observe:

aaaaaaand....

You can download them at my Teachers Pay Teachers store :)

located HERE.

Or, you can just click the images, and they will take you to my store for that specific file!

oh, yes. SUCCESS!

****UPDATE: I have edited these files to print clearer and give them a prettier look. The links above are correct, but the files will just have a different look.****

Thank You!

2012-08-20T21:21:00.001-05:00

We've hit 10,000 page views on the craft rookie!

I've been slowly watching that number creep up over the past few months, anxiously awaiting that nice round number :)

Thank you to all who view the blog! I can't guarantee every idea I share will be awesome, but I'm glad you're sticking with me!

On another note...Teacher time has begun again - we worked Thursday and Friday last week, and I came home on Friday, power napped for 3 hours (yes...3 hours) with the intention of going out with friends afterwards, woke up for about an hour, and then could not keep my eyes open anymore, and by 9:30 I was out for the count. I didn't wake up again until 9:20 am on Saturday. So, if you're doing the Math...I slept for just under 12 hours. Can you say TIRED!?

I can definitely say my body was not ready to get back to work, but things are starting to get moving...classrooms are getting decorated...meetings are happening...I'm learning a lot with a new Principal and LOTS of new staff on our campus (almost 30 new teachers) who have a lot of great ideas for me to borrow :)

As I find time, I'll try to post all the Pinterest ideas I tackled this Summer and other pics of my classroom. It is slowly but surely getting finalized and colorificated (I realize that's not a word).

Happily Zappily (yep, that too),

the craft rookie

Are you a runner?? No? Do you want to be?

2012-07-24T18:34:00.000-05:00

A friend of mine on facebook recently opened my eyes to this ingenious new running app for iPhone/Android called "Zombies Run."

This app literally creates a world where zombies are chasing you as you blaze your trail in whatever terrain you choose to jog.

For those of us who run at night (yep, I'm guilty of that...) or who believe a zombie apocalypse is actually possible (nope...not guilty of that one), this is especially hilarious.

If you want to see a video promo for this app go to this website: https://www.zombiesrungame.com/

And, if you would like to see it in the app store, click HERE :)

happy running,

the craft rookie