Freebie & 12 Days of Christmas Blog Hop

Today is day 7 of our 12 Days of Christmas blog hop.  I hope everyone is having fun getting ready for Christmas in your classroom and at home.  There are so many creative ideas out there, and Pinterest is not helping!  :0)  I actually had to tell my self, "Faith, you can not make all that this year!"

My class is helping Santa get ready.  The reindeer have to go to Santa's Reindeer School if they want to fly his sleigh.  We have been doing several activities out of my Reindeer Fun, Santa's Reindeer School math unit.  

Here is a little gift for you!  Counting by 5s With Santa's Reindeer.  Your kids can line up Santa's Reindeer (counting by 5s) and get them ready for inspection.  I hope you have a very Merry Christmas!! Click on the link above or the picture below to download this fun freebie!

If you missed the first 6 days of the hop, look below for the links.   To find the entire Reindeer Fun, Santa's Reindeer pack, click below.

Reindeer Fun, Santa's Reindeer School

"I have shown you in all things that by working hard in this way we must help the weak, remembering the words that the Lord Jesus himself said, 'There is more happiness in giving than in receiving.'" 

Acts 20:35

Santa on the Door & God in our Hearts

I am getting the door ready while my kiddos help Santa get the reindeer ready.  :)  I still need to get some presents in the bag and add the sleigh.  That way when the final reindeer have been selected (after we finish doing all our exciting reindeer activities), Santa will be ready to take off!  Yeah!

To read more about how we stared these getting ready for Santa activities, click here. 

"But in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect." 

1 Peter 3:15

Reindeer Fun, Santa's Reindeer School

I can't believe it, we have only two and a half weeks until Christmas break.  Wow!!!  Really, I have to say it, "Where has the year gone?"

Today we started getting ready for Santa, and we talked about how Santa has to get ready too.  Yeah!  Like ...... training his reindeer! All the reindeer must go to reindeer school before they can help fly the sleigh.

First, Santa has to decide which reindeer get to go to school this year, so we used our greater than, less than and equal worksheet to help him out.  (The reindeer with the bigger number got to go to school this year.)  They loved it! There was even a tie (equal).  :0)

I have several other activities planned to help Santa.   This cute little unit, Reindeer Fun - Santa's Reindeer School, is filled with activities to help Santa and his reindeer get ready.  We are going to be ordering numbers by 5s and 10s (lining up the reindeer for inspection) and making true statements with our reindeer flashcards using the Elf's greater than, less than, and equal signs.  Once the final reindeer have been selected, we will make them and get them ready to fly Santa's sleigh.  (My door is decorated like a big Santa with his bag of toys.)  More pictures to come - Yeah!!!

This math unit is available on TpT.  It includes ordering numbers by 5s and 10s worksheets, 4 different greater than, less than, equal worksheets, and flashcards for counting 0-20, by 5s, and by 10s.

Reindeer Fun, Santa's Reindeer School

Don't forget to check back to see more pictures and for updates on how our reindeer are doing.

"For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life." John 3:16 

Freebie! Art & Literacy Connection

This week we learned the "ow" sound.....which is always a fun one!  Our district uses Animated Literacy, so Grouchy Owl says "ow" when he bumps his head on Brown Mouse's house.  Plus, you know we have to talk about all the other times we say "ow" and practice, just incase we fall down at recess!  :0)  lol  That is sure funny to watch! 

I also love teaching this sound because we get to read one of my favorite books, Wise Up, Silly Owl!  Owls are supposed to be wise, but what happens when Father Owl leaves and silly Spotty Owl is left in charge?  Your kids will love making predictions about the wise advise that Spotty gives.  Will it work or not?

We finish up with an owl craft.  I always tell my kids, "It does't snow in Mrs. Rucker's room!"  (That is what happens when they cut their paper up in teeny, tiny pieces.  Eeeek!)  But, with this craft - they get to make snow!  Yeah!  I give them strips of paper and tell them to start cutting.  And the crowd goes wild!!  These always turn out so cute and each little owl has it's own personality.

To download this freebie Art & Literacy Connection Activity click here

 Wise Up, Silly Owl!

"Fear of the Lord is the foundation of true knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and discipline."
Proverbs 1:7

Partner Pick, Write & Read

Today I put a little twist on one of my reading activities.  The kids love it when they get to use their white boards, plus we needed a little printing practice too, so I just put it all together.  I had my partner groups sit in chairs facing each other, and then I put a stack of about 20 word flashcards down on the floor between their toes.

Going one partner at a time, the kids would reach down and secretly, secretly is the key, pick up a word.  Then they would write it on their white board.  Remember, I said secretly, so I just loved watching them try to hide the word while they were writing.  Once they wrote the word, they would show it to their partner so he or she could read it.  Together they would make a stack of all the words they knew.   If I had to help them figure out a word, we would just put it back in the stack on the floor. :0)

They loved it!!  What is a fun and different way that you work on reading words in your classroom?

"Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others." (Philippians 2:3, 4 NIV)

Cyber Sale Reminder and Wish List!

Have you made your wish list for the TpT Monday plus Tuesday Cyber Sale??  I have! Here are a few of the items that I have in my shopping cart!

Common Core Gingerbread and More Math Centers

Christmas 10 Frames Unit

A Holly Jolly Christmas

Christmas Winter Math and Literacy Unit

Oodles of Doodles: Penguin Clip Art

Don't forget I have my new Build a Snowman Literacy Unit Up, plus some other great winter printables and activities!!

Faith Rucker - Teachers Pay Teachers

Plus a Freebie!! :)

Liebster Award Nominations!

How exciting, I was nominated for the Liebster Award 7  times.  Wow!   But, what does the word mean???  After doing a little research, I found that this word means "dearest" in German. I am so thankful for the 7 great ladies that nominated me!!  Thanks ladies!! :0)

What is it?

The Liebster Award is given by bloggers to up and coming bloggers who have less than 200 followers. It is to show new bloggers that they are appreciated and to help spread the word about their new blogs.

The Rules:

- You must post 11 random things about yourself.

- Answer the questions that the nominator set for you.

- Create 11 questions for the people you nominate.

- Choose 11 blogs you love (with less than 200 followers) and link them in your post.

- No tag back (but please leave me a comment on this post with the URL to your Liebster post so I can learn more about you!)

11 Random Things About Me!!

1.  I live in the country with lots of cows and a horse.

2.  I love the color yellow.

3.  I use to teach synchronized swimming....really I did! lol

4.  I love cookie dough.

5.  My baby girl Brenna was a surprise but an answer to my prayers.

6.  We love to play "Beauty Shop" at home! :0)

7.  I am not a shopper!  Get in, get out, get done! 

8.  I love being silly.

9.  We have 2 dogs and 5 cats.

10. I love to sing!

11.  I was once told I walked 23 mph.....and to slow down!!  hehehe

Payton's Questions from Payton's Precious Kindergartners

1. Why did you start blogging?

I stared blogging to share God's love and to talk about the cool things that help my Kindergarten kiddos.  

2. If you didn't teach the grade you taught, what grade would you teach?

I would teach 3rd grade! 

3. What's your favorite thing about teaching?

Reading stories!!  I love that part! 

4. Favorite place to shop?

Barns and antique stores...  Where every there is old stuff!! 

5. Favorite drink?

Diet Dr. Pepper

6. Favorite sweet food?

Reese's Peanut butter Cups

7. Favorite place to vacation?

The beach!!!  Is there any other place! 

8. How long have you been teaching?

10 years

9. What job would you have if you weren't a teacher?

Veterinarian

10. What's your least favorite thing about teaching?

Cold, cold, cold recess duty! Brrrrrr!

11. What's the best thing that has ever happened to you?

Having my 3 beautiful children!

Jessica's Questions from Fun in PreK-1

1.  What is the funniest thing a student has ever said to you?  :)

"Mrs. Rucker, the wind just blew me into the fence and cut my arm!"  (Tattling on the fence!)

2.  What is your favorite color?

Yellow

3.  Favorite children's book?

The Perfect Nest  (I love reading with the different voices!)

4.  Favorite places to get cute clip art/fonts?

Scrapping Doodle

5.  Cats or dogs?

Cats - even though they really make my eyes itch!

6.  What is your favorite subject and least favorite subject to teach?

Favorite - Reading, Least - Social Studies

7.  Favorite type of music?

Christian

8.  Favorite grown-up book?  :)

Safe Haven - Nicolas Sparks

9.  If you could travel anywhere, where would you go?

A beach with white sand and crystal blue water!

10.  Disney World or Disney Land?

Disney World

11.  Advice for a new teacher?

Love every minute and remember that you might be the best thing in a child's life!

Amy's Questions from Little Miss Organized

1.  What is your best accomplishment?

Finishing my first triathlon sprint!  I thought I was going to die.  lol

2.  What do you love most to do in this life?

Play with my kids.

3.  If you could do anything, what would it be?

Sit on the beach and read a book!! 

4.  How much do you love blogging?

Lots - super fun!

5.  How many years have you taught?

10 years

6.  What is your dream?

To be a positive influence in someones life!

7.  What is your favorite guilty treat?

Ice cream!

8.  Do it now or do it later?

Do it now!  For sure!

9.  Fight or flight?

Fight!

10.  If you could go anywhere in the world, where would it be?

A beach with white sand and crystal blue water!

11.  Are you organized, or a pack rat?

Organized - otherwise I might go crazy! 

Tracy's Questions from Multiage Days

1.  What is your favorite comfort food?

Vegetable soup

2.  What is a song that always makes you happy when you hear it?

God's Not Dead

3.  What sound do you love?
Thunder and Rain

4.  If you could throw any kind of party, what kind would it be and who would it be for?
A big bonfire party in my back yard for all of my great friends

5. If you could learn to do anything, what would it be?
Use sign language fluently

6.  If you could be any fictional character from a book you read aloud in your classroom, who would you be? 
My new friend - Pete the Cat!  He is so cool in his Rockin' School Shoes!

7.  What is one chore that you dislike the most?
Mopping my floors

8.  Who do you admire most in your life?
My mom!!! :0)

9.  When your school days are over, where do you want to retire?
The beach....realistically... Colorado along the river

10. When you have 30 minutes to yourself, what do you like to do?
Read

11.  What is something that you treasure?
My voice...truly a gift I have used to glorify God

Kimberly's Questions from 
Live, Laugh, I love Kindergarten

1.  If you didn't teach the grade you do now, which grade would you want to teach?

3rd Grade

2.  What is your favorite holiday?

Christmas

3.  Where would you want live if you didn't live where you currently live?

Colorado

4.  What is your favorite hobby, besides blogging?;)

Singing

5.  What is your favorite sports team?

KU anything!  :0)

6.  Are you a risk taker?

Yep!

7.  Are you a Black Friday shopper?

Never!  lol  Oh my word....but I did go yesterday!  What came over me?

8.  Favorite place to visit?

The beach!  

9.  Favorite season and why?

Summer of course....because I live at the pool with my kids!

10.  What was your first ever job?

Lifeguarding

11.  What is your favorite teaching memory?

Taking a student who didn't even know how to draw a straight line, to reading at the first grade level in one year!  Wow!

Questions from Faith at 1st Grade Fantabulous  (Don't you love her name!)

1. What made you decide to start blogging?

The opportunity to share my Faith and the great things from my classroom

2. What is your favorite holiday?  Why?

Christmas because I love singing all the song!  Yeah!

3. How long have you been teaching?

10 years

4. If you could take three items to an island, what would you take?

Water, Food, Sunscreen (That is all I need! I would just live there forever because it has a beach!)

5. What is your favorite snack?

Grapes

6. Where is your favorite safe spot (Place where you can be you)?

With my friends!

7. What was been your best TPT purchase?

Clipart!  I love it!!

8. What is your favorite thing to do on Saturday?

Read, relax and play with my kids!

9. What's your favorite movie?

Anne of Green Gables (All of them!)

10. If you could eat dinner with 3 people (alive or dead) who would you choose to eat with?

Faith Hill, Helen Keller, and my dear friend Amy Perrier (so she can remember everything and tell me later because I have the worlds worst memory!)  lol

11. What's your favorite online website to visit?

Pinterest (only a little addiction - because I think I can do all the crafts I see!  Until reality sets in.)

Sara's Questions from Teaching Muchkins

1. Where is your favorite place to travel?

The beach

2. What is your least favorite household chore?

Mopping my floors

3. What is the #1 thing on your Christmas list this year?

A new purse

4. Do you have a favorite author?

Nicolas Sparks

5. What kind of car do you drive?

Ford Expedition EL

6.  Do you prefer to holiday shop online or in stores?

Online

7.  Do you have any kids?

Yes, 3!

8. What is your favorite clothing store?

Eddie Bauer

9.  Winter? Or Fall?

Fall 

10. Any pets?

Yes!  2 dogs, 5 cats, 2 fish, 1 horse and lots of cows!  lol

11.  What would you consider to be the perfect way to spend some “Me” time?

Reading!

My 11 Nominations for this fun award are:

1.  The HiTech Coach

2. Kindergarten Stars

3.  Mrs. Bohaty's Kindergarten Kingdom

4.  Play to Learn in Kindergarten

5. Kindergarten Loves Me

6.  Charlotte's Clips and Kindergarten Kids

7. The Constant Kindergartener

8. Leah Fullenkamp

9.  Pink PolkaDots and Pre-K

10. Peace, Love & Pencils

11. Fun and Fearless in First

11 Questions for my Nominees

1.  When did you start blogging?

2.  Why did you start blogging?

3.  If there was one thing you could share with new teachers what would it be?

4.  What is your favorite thing to do?

5.  What is your favorite kind of ice-cream?

6.  Would you rather snow ski or swim in the ocean?

7.  What is your favorite book?

8.  What is the craziest thing a student has ever told you?

9.  What is something you have learned from your students?

10.  Do you have a class pet?  If so, what? :0)

11.  What do you look forward to the most about blogging?

Thanks again for all of the bloggy love!  Good luck to all of the other new bloggers out there! :)