Oh, How I love a good distraction!

Come on... It's not just me, right?   I'm not the ONLY one in the world who welcomes a distraction.  You know... the cute and creative kind.   The little idea that you just HAPPEN to stumble upon while taking a few hours minutes to check your Pinterest account.  Yes, yes.  I have a million REAL things on my "To-Do" list, just like you.   But what's a girl to do when she comes across an inspirational PIN?! 

So... Lookie what I distracted myself with this evening!!!  

 

I just LOVE. LOVE. LOVE. how it turned out!!!

Just a quick trip to the fabric store for some burlap (this took just under a 1/2 yard), some jute {that's a fancy word for thick twine!}, and some scrapbook paper.... and WA-LA! Yep.  That's right, people.  I said "paper."   You could use patterned fabric, but I'm sure it would be more expensive....and I think the finished product looks pretty darn good with fancy, thick paper!  Ha! {Oh!  And it's just hot glued on to the jute!  Easy-Peasy!}

 

 

Ok... the next thing I need to tell you is that I've got a plan for this little gem!   You'll have to check back tomorrow for the big "reveal!"   Let's just say it has something to do with getting 3 Ehle children to smile...and not blink.... all at the same time!  LOL    

That's all from me tonight!  I truly HAVE been working on several other projects that are more "teaching" related...but you'll have to check back to hear more about those.  {A girl can't post about TOO many half-completed projects in one week! }   I promise I will finish them up and give ya' the whole story on those when I post!

Blessings to you all!    

How Do You Feed A Hungry Giant?

Have you ever asked yourself that question?  Ok... ok... I really had never asked myself that question either.... at least not until this month! A few weeks ago at a staff meeting my principal asked if anyone had any ideas on how to get our student body excited about having a food drive for the holidays.   Pop!  That's the moment that a clever and quirky little children's book that I had found about a year ago popped right into my head!   The book is called....

It's the cutest thing ever!  It's full of interesting flaps, holes and pop-ups.  The kids LOVE it!   Take a peek at the book's video trailer....

How Do You Feed a Hungry Giant? from Workman Publishing on Vimeo.


You will instantly fall in love with the heart-warming Giant... and your kids will learn a wonderful lesson about helping others!   {The book even includes a mini-cookbook of "GIANT" kid-friendly recipes!}

On "kick-off day" for our food drive, each teacher introduced the food drive concept and then read the book and showed the video trailer for the book.  I made a few 8 foot tall Giants (out of bulletin board paper)  and placed on the walls at school.  I also contacted Workman Publishers -- who were INCREDIBLE -- to request their help with promotional items for our food drive.   They sent me promotional posters, offered multiple book discounts and even were willing to try and set up a Skype session with the author!  They have a whole PDF packet full of certificates, coloring pages, and activity ideas to use along with the book.  {They actually do that with many of their children's books...so check them out if you need a "Reading Night" theme!} Our school set a goal of collecting a specific number of food items before Thanksgiving break.   We told the kiddos that if we met our goal...or collected more, then each class would receive a monster cookie party {recipe in the book!}.  We ran to the local grocery store and shared our food drive project with them and they were happy to donate hundreds of paper bags to us.  We printed off food drive fliers, stapled them to the bags, and sent them home.  The very next day, the canned and boxed goods started rolling in!    Each day, a few older students count the donations and we chart our progress for students to see by building a can pyramid on the wall near one of the paper hungry giants.  We post one paper can on the pyramid for every 10 items collected.   Will we make our goal??  Well... we still have a few days left....but I have no doubt we will successfully "feed the hungry giant."  When the food drive is complete, our church's social ministry team will divide the donations and deliver them to local families in need.   

So... take that little idea and file it away just in case your principal asks you for a good "food drive" theme!  And did I mention....this fit in perfectly with our kinder-story of the week, "Jack and the Beanstalk?"   :)  Gotta love those GIANT thematic ties!    Betcha' you have already guessed that on this "Fun Friday" we will be planting bean seeds... and doing lots of comparing and contrasting of beanstalk stories...but more on that later!

Here is glimpse at my homemade Giants!  They look small in the pictures...but they are really 8 foot tall! 

 

Here is a pic of the giant posted at school...

and yep... that's me beside him!

 

For a "Gobbling" Good Time....Download Here!

In honor of the upcoming Thanksgiving holiday...

 

I'm giving THANKS for YOU!

 

Here's a happy lil' FREEBIE for you, just in

 

time for the Thanksgiving holiday!

 

You’ll be “thankful” to have this small-

 

group game on hand to practice CVC

 

words…and have a “gobbling” good time!

 

Click on one of the images below to

 

download this Gobbling Good FREEBIE!

 

 

 

And don't forget to follow my BLOG!

 

I'm making it a goal to post more fabulous

 

 freebies each month!

 

 

Humbled and Honored...

Well friends... it's been a CRAZY week!  You know... crazy-kind-of-WoNdErFul!  Last Thursday our staff (along with a few other thousand Lutheran teachers) headed up to Milwaukee, Wisconsin for the National Lutheran Educators Association Convocation.  The conference is always a nice opportunity for fellowship with other educators, as well as great professional development.... but this year had something EXTRA SPECIAL in store for me!

 

I was awarded the Lutheran Teacher of the Year Award! 

How does a teacher even respond to that?!  I am sincerely humbled and honored. 

 

I DO sincerely LOVE my job.  I have to be one of the most blessed people on this earth to be able to spend my days acting goofy, giving hugs, shaping little minds, and personally most important to me... sharing the Gospel with children.  {And my instructional team is a DREAM!!  I love those girls with all my heart! SOOO great to work with! They are SO the "wind beneath my wings" to put it in 80s terms!} The out-pouring and love and support over the past few days have been overwhelming to me. (I'm talkin' balloons, flowers, emails galore, and even treats like fancy cupcakes and Starbucks gift cards!!!)  I wish I could bottle it all up and share it with you all.  After all... it's YOU, my blogging buddies and colleagues, that help me grow and become a better teacher daily.  

 

So...   THANK YOU!  

Thank you for your inspiring ideas, awesome TPT resources, and "in-the-trenches" advice!  

 

Here are a few of the kind words/articles that have been shared with me... which I attribute to all of your help and support!  I'm a teacher...just like you.... Just lovin' on those kiddos... Teaching them the "CORE"... Dressing up in silly costumes... Being a little "techy".... (Okay. Truth be told...Spending way too much personal time and money! LOL)... Just being a TEACHER! 

 

(Click on pic to follow link)

 

Blessings to you all!