It's my Blogging Birthday! Birthday Packet Freebie and a Laminator Give Away

Geez, a year of blogging has passed and I've had a blast!  A year ago at this time, I had no idea how much I was going to enjoy blogging and connecting with teachers from across the country.

I'm 62 years old and have been in the classroom for over 40 years. I've seen education swing from one approach to another, but never before have I seen such fabulous connections, teacher-to-teacher communication, sharing, and mass support of one another. 

Clearly, the internet, blogs, and social networks have been a great support to teachers, however they only really work because all of you work so hard, share so well, and are so dedicated to your students and the profession. 

I honor and thank you all of you from the bottom of my heart for your support, kindness, and acceptance. 

I am raffling off a laminator (to celebrate my blogging birthday) but I want to make sure everyone gets a "party favor" so I am giving away a "Classroom Birthday Packet".   Just click below to download it and be sure to enter to win the laminator. 

The packet contains
1) 13 letter flags to spell out "Happy Birthday"
2) 12 Birthday posters, one for each month of the year
3) 2 Birthday certificates, one for boys and one for girls

Just click below to download. 

Click here to download this 29 page packet

Purple Cows Hot and Cold Laminator, 13-Inch, with 50 Hot Pockets (3027)

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Thanks !

Granny (Cindy) 

Grandparent's Day Card and Writing Activities

It's been busy at the Calenti household but I have managed to put together a Grandparent's Day Craft-Card and writing activities packet.  Having three grandchildren makes this holiday near and dear to my heart :).

I've chosen to go the trophy route for the cover craft.  Today's grandparents come in all shapes and sizes, colors, and activity levels.  Many of us are not quite ready for the rocking chair!   So I wanted something that honors all grandparents for their many years of "1st Place" parenting!   

Cute story:  My granddaughter said last week "You know grandma, you're in really good shape".  She was kind enough to leave out the "for an old lady" part!  Bless her heart!

This was much needed  because when I was coming off a hike in Colorado (9,000 feet) a 4 years old coming up the trail with his dad, stopped me to ask "Lady, how old are you?".  I answered very old.  This did not work for him so he said, "No, how many years are you?".  I answered 62... his eyes widened and he said, "Wow that is REALLY old!".  His dad proceeded to say , "See even this grandma likes to hike".  I think I was an object lesson that morning. 

Click here to head over to my TpT store

The craft  activity (card cover) can be easily completed by your students with minimal guidance.  The writing activities which can be used as the card filler or a mini-book include:

    * My grandma is the best because... (primary and secondary lines).
    * My grandpa is the best because... (primary and secondary lines).
    * My grandparents are the best because... (primary and secondary lines).
    * A picture of my grandma  (frame for drawing)
    * A picture of my grandpa  (frame for drawing)
    * A picture of my grandparents  (frame for drawing)
    * Things I do with my grandma (create a list)
    * Things I do with my grandpa (create a list)
    * Things I do with my grandparents (create a list)
    * Grandmas (Can, Have, Need)  (primary and secondary lines).
    * Grandpas (Can, Have, Need)  (primary and secondary lines).
    * Grandparents (Can, Have, Need)  (primary and secondary lines).
    * My grandma... (finish the sentences)  Great finish the sentences- darling children responses!
    * My grandpa... (finish the sentences)   Great finish the sentences- darling children responses!


All patterns and illustrated directions are included.  This activity provides a fun and creative way to celebrate Grandparent's Day and practice those writing skills.


Have a great week!

Granny (Cindy)

Giving Tree Apples and a BIG Back to School Sale on TpT

Don't forget to head over to TpT August 18th and 19th for their big "Back to School" Sale. All of my products will be 20% off and TpT is adding another 10% off (be sure to enter the "BTS13" code). This represents great savings for the beginning of the school year!

Click here to head over to my sale!

Giving Tree Apple Craft:

Step 1:  Take all your red "scrap paper" (this includes wrapping paper, junk mail, scrapbook paper, etc.) and draw lines on the back side of the paper.  Let your students practice their cutting skills by cutting along the lines to make paper strips.  

Step 2:  Instruct your students to take random strips of paper and glue them diagonally onto red construction paper.  Don't worry of they miss a spot or two, combine strips of paper on the same line, or do something entirely unexpected... they all turn out looking great. 
 

  Step 3: Once the construction paper is full of colored strips, flip it onto the backside, and trace 3-4 apple images onto the blank side of the paper. 

Step 4:  Cut out the apples.  The slant of the stripes will vary depending on how the apples were traced onto the construction paper.   Each one turns out unique, cute, and very autumn-ish.  Let the students add "stitch marks" using a marker.  This helps add definition to each apple. 

 

Now. what to do with the apples?  Here are some ideas:

• Read The Giving Tree by Shel Silverstein.  Discuss acts of kindness.  Make a classroom "giving tree".  Each time you see a child engaging in an act of kindness allow him/her to add an apple to the tree.  The classroom goal is to fill the tree with acts of kindness apples.  
• Add a small label to each apple and use them as parent name tags for "Meet the Teacher" night.
• Add a small label to each apple and put a classroom wishlist item on each apple.  Invite your parents to pick an apple from the tree and donate the wishlist item. 
• Put a picture of each child onto an apple.  Create a "You're the Apple of My Eye" bulletin board. 

Have a great weekend!
Granny (Cindy) 

Wishing for Fall and Free Fall-Colored Glitter Frames

Help... it was 105 here today (Tucson, Az)! I am really wishing for fall - or even a hint of fall. If you're feeling any cool temperatures, p-l-e-a-s-e share that with me so I can enjoy vicariously.  You'll make my day!

In the "spirit" of impending fall weather, I created eight fall-colored glitter frames that I'd love to share with all my followers.

Click here to download

As many of you know I have set my sights on learning Photoshop. It makes me crazy, it's great fun, and I'm hooked.  I go from pulling out my hair to jumping for joy when I get anything right!   So - I have decided to share some of my "baby-steps" with you all.

I do hope you can use the frames in the near future.  Feel free to send suggestions for improvement.  I am at the beginning of a very steep learning curve :).

You can download them by clicking on the picture.  Do be sure to come back at the beginning of next week- I have been working very hard on creating a packet of funky black and white borders.  I am anxious to share those with you also.

Have a great weekend!
Granny (Cindy)

P.S.  The file is quite large (the glitter effect does that) and Google docs can not scan this large a file for virus issues.  I have scanned the file on my end and it's clean.  The download takes about 2 minutes. 

Free: Fall Colors Chevron Paper (Clip Art)

I was just fooling around on the computer this morning and decided I needed autumn-colored chevron paper... so I made nine sheets. The papers come in black, dark green, gold, maroon, yellow, red, light green, brown, and orange. 

Click here to download for free

I'd love to share these with my followers.  Please feel free to download the file by clicking on the picture of the chevron papers.  I'd really like to know if they are being downloaded- so don't hesitate to leave a comment :)

Thanks!
Granny (Cindy)

We've Come a Long Way, Baby! (and) Free Owl Clip Art

I just got back from a week in Breckenridge, Colorado.  I enjoyed biking, hiking, kayaking, shopping, drinking lots of good wine, and in general having a great time with my best friend. 

Among other things we visited South Park, Colorado.

 

The town is quite small but houses an amazing restored 1880's mining town.  There were over 45 buildings and exhibits, one of which was the original school house.  I just couldn't resist snapping a few pictures. 

South Park School 1880's

Geez, I better not complain about my school heater this winter!

Two to a desk.  

New lunch box, anyone?  

School water fountain!

We had a great time and spent almost 3 hours roaming the restored mining town.  It was a real treasure.

When I arrived home I started playing with clip art again and put together an owl packet.  There is a total of 32 images in the packet.  Please feel free to download the file by clicking below.  It was quite entertaining playing around with these goofy little guys.

The five owls (and leaves) each come in color and as line drawings.  Files are offered both in png. and jpeg. formats.  I am happy to offer this packet to my followers for free.  Hope someone can use them.  

Click here to download. 

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Vacation is over for me... can't complain, I had a WONDERFUL summer.  To celebrate the end of summer I am offering my "Transportation - Back to School Unit" for 40% off.  It contains 4 crafts and 9 literacy centers.  This will be valid until Sunday.

Have a great week.
Granny (Cindy)