Saturday, February 4, 2012

Blessings, *Freebie* and an Adorable Shirt

I have been struggling lately about what to blog about....Do I share about things that happen at school even though we are CONSTANTLY reminded about being careful what we say on Facebook and blogs (and my blog is no secret!)? Do I share about how sad my heart has felt lately watching people I love having declining health problems that seem to take a little of their life everyday and have me wondering how much time they have left? Do I share about how I am still insecure about my blog and sharing activities because I wonder if they are good enough?

Despite all of those questions and struggles I know my life is still blessed. Sometimes we forget how blessed we are because we are looking at the wrong things and we need a different perspective. One of my favorite songs is "Blessings" by Laura Story. Here are some of the lyrics that I love:

'Cause what if your blessings come through raindrops,
What if Your healing comes through tears,
What if a thousand sleepless nights are what it takes to know You're near
What if the trials of this life are Your mercies in disguise.

I also have needed lately to revisit some of the poems I wrote. It is so easy to get overwhelmed by curriculum pressures, behavior problems, grades, assessments, grown-ups who don't act like grown-ups, and a million other things that seem to keep us from remembering why we teach. We have the most amazing opportunity to teach our children to be patient, understanding, helpful, encouraging, and so much more and that one day they will make a difference. Please take a moment to read this poem and think about the kiddos in your room.


Here is a math game *freebie*. My kiddos are adoring these Love Monsters. They even have asked if the Love Monsters are going to visit us. Yeppers, my kiddos will need psychiatric help because of all of the things I have told them that have made them believe that these clip art monster might be real like some of the stuffed animals that visit us! =)


graphics by DJ Inkers

The kiddos order the numbers from least to greatest. This is a great game for math buckets and helps to develop number sense! =)

Please go check out my giveaway! You could win one of these adorable shirts and some other wonderful items! Go hop over here!



I would LOVE for you to blog about my giveaway! If you blog about it several times, I have a special little present for you!

Please leave me a heart note if you grab this activity. Your heart notes always make my heart smile!

43 heart notes:

Tammy said...

Thanks for the reminder about how very blessed we are. My pastor last weekend said, "Instead of focusing on what God is not doing, focus on what He is doing." Amen.

Tammy
Forever in First

Kelley Cirrito said...

I really want to win a shirt! I never win another though. Maybe my luck will change with your giveaway. I love the love monsters. I bet your kids do too! Thanks for sharing! Have a great Saturday evening!

Kim said...

Don't we all feel like this sometimes! You have a great blog with great ideas and your heart and love for teaching always shines through in your posts! Thanks for the freebie!

Kim
Growing Up Teaching

Sheri said...

I agree with Kim....you have an amazing HEART and it cannot help but SHINE through:) Keep the blogs rolling friend:)
Sheri
1st GRADE ROCKS!!!

Lisa Howard said...

What a wonderful freebie - thanks for sharing it! I love your blog... I cant believe you doubt yourself. I have been blogging for two months and have no clue what I'm doing. Your blog is the one I turn to for guidance. For the what is it "supposed to be like" inspiration.

I want to hear whats going on at school, whats going on with the difficult personal stuff (because we all have that, or at least, I do too!), and I want freebies and contests. So the mix is perfect-o!!!

- Lisa
a teachers bag of tricks

Holly said...

Isn't that the truth, those moments of insecurity can sneak in and poison our psyche...can't it? Sometimes just a little encouragement is all we need to reassure and reaffirm. You are a darling...

Sometimes there's just nothing to blog about...that's okay, doesn't make you any less of a person, teacher or blogger. Makes you human though.

Other people's trials become our own to a degree...and that makes it hard to find peace.

Many hugs of thanks to you for making me a better teacher!

Holly
Crisscross Applesauce in First Grade

Tara said...

I just love that song...I actually blogged about it today as an answer to a tag question:) Love the poem as usual:)

4th Grade Frolics

Miss Marcy said...

Oh my goodness, thank you for sharing the poem One Day. I love it. It is exactly what I needed this week. You are wonderful!

Marcy
My First Grade Backpack

Jessica said...

I know we get that feeling sometimes, but I love everything you have shared. I admire all your poems! So inspiring! It always seems like your classroom is so engaging and a great place to learn. Thank you!
Jessica

Apples and Papers

Kelly said...

You shouldn't feel insecure about sharing your activities on your blog-I think they are absolutely great! I made my own blends blender, similar to the one you showed on the blog and did the blend sorting activity as a center with my students. They loved it and learned so much from it! My principal observed part of the lesson and thought it was great, too. Please keep sharing all of your super teaching ideas! I will blog about your giveaway. Keep up the wonderful work! Thanks

Kelly
"Kindergarten Kel

~DeAnne~ said...

Few comments..

1) Thanks for the reminder on how blessed we truly are. I know that sometimes I forget what I have---just waking up and being able to enjoy my family another day longer is a HUGE blessing.

2) Honeychild, you're things are AWESOME. Seeing the things you post (and for free) well, there's another blessing!

3)This center/workstation is PERFECT for where we are in math right now. Thank you so much.

įƒ¦DeAnne
First Grade and Fabulous

Mrs. Bee said...

Are you kidding me?? your blog is DEFINITELY "good enough"! I look forward to it whenever I see you have a new post!

And thank you for sharing that poem, I love it! It is a great reminder of why we do what we do. Sometime I forget, too....

And I LOVE Laura Story!! BIG <3 here!!

Mrs. Beeching said...

Everything you make is great and its amazing how many activities you give away. Very generous!

Mrs. L said...

I agree with everyone else. You are amazing! I think we are all too hard on ourselves. Myself included. Do not worry about what others are thinking or saying. Just be yourself and enjoy every minute.
Life with Mrs. L

Kristin said...

I LOVE LOVE LOVE that song - I get choked up every time I hear it. While I read the lyrics on your blog, I was singing them in my head.
As you know, I blog about whatever I need to talk about at the time. So far, no followers have left me so I say just be yourself!
Thanks for the math freebie!
A Teeny Tiny Teacher

Unknown said...

I just started blogging and found your blog. It is amazing. Don't feel insecure or worry about what others think. I can't wait to follow your blog and see what else you have to share. :)

http://glitterandglueprincess.blogspot.com/

Ms. Wold said...

I love that song! It def. helps when I'm feeling overwhelmed and anxious (two things I struggle with).

I love the freebie! I'm going to use it with some of my more advanced kiddos .

✪ Miss W

Miss W Teaches

meadowt said...

Thanks for your "Food for Thought" and freebie. Love your activities.
Barbara
happyteachingfirst.blogspot.com

Unknown said...

I can see why your kiddos love the monsters - so cute!

I was touched by your poem. I hope you don't mind that I saved it for display.

Sue
www.SOS-Supply.blogspot.com

Unknown said...

Blogged about this on my blog and on my Facebook page.

Sue
WWW.SOS-Supply.blogspot.com

Dee said...

I can really relate to your post today. I find myself asking the same questions, having the same concerns. I'm a much newer blogger and frequently have doubts. It's so true that we can easily get distracted by the extraneous concerns that seem to take us away from our number one responsibility, our students. Thank you for helping me to refocus.

But, your blog is fabulous, and well worth reading. Thank you for sharing so much of what you do!

Jan said...

I love your poem- very nice:-)
Thanks for the freebies- I'm following your blog and TPT store.

Sarah said...

How fun --Monster Number Order! LOVE! Thanks for sharing!!
Sarah
shetrick@gmail.com

Wolfelicious said...

I love your blog and the freebies.

April
http://wolfelicious.blogspot.com

Michelle Tsivgadellis said...

Thank you for stopping by my blog: The 3AM Teacher. I love your design! I think we all, at some point, have contemplated what to share. I think you may need to read, "What If's" by Shel Sylverstein (LOL) I would write it on my comment, but what if I get into myself into "copyright" trouble (hehehe). You can rest assure that your stuff is awesome.
Have a great Sunday & I am officially following your heart-filled blog!

Michelle
The 3AM Teacher
http://the3amteacher.blogspot.com/

Sarah said...

I love your blog and the things that you have shared. Not only do you touch your kiddos lives - you touch ours too ( and our kids ) :o)
:o)

Unknown said...

LOVE LOVE LOVE that song! Thanks for reminding me of my blessings! You are so uplifting! Thank you! Love your poem! :) Love the tees! Happy Week to you! :) (By the way, did you get as much rain as we got??? Gotta love Texas weather!) :)
Cheryl
Crayons and Curls

Mrs. Nunley said...

Your poem and its message is so beautifully written. Thank you so much for sharing it!
-Megan

First Grade Magic

Heather Shelton said...

WE all feel like that sometimes. Thanks for sharing it! I love the Monsters super cute.

Anonymous said...

Your ideas are so awesome and the fact that you are so willing to share is a blessing to not only us teachers, but the children you touch with your activities.

Thank you!!

Unknown said...

Thank you for sharing your poem, that's very brave!!

And thank you for the freebie! My little friends could always use the extra help! :) ~Heidi V.

Mrs.Flores said...

Thank you for this message of encouragement... It was a blessing and just what I needed after a day of benchmarking and some unexpected news.

Jennifer said...

Thank you for sharing your beautiful poem! I love all the activities you share. Thanks for reminding us that we are blessed!

Thanks for sharing your Monster Order freebie!

Jennifer
The First Grade Dream

Kerri Buckner said...

Thanks for sharing this fun activity. I love that song about blessings too. One of the youth at church sings it and it's so beautiful. I have those insecure feelings a lot too. I wasn't sure about posting activities that I've made and even more insecure about trying to sell things. I think the winter blahs are starting to get to a lot of us.
http://mskerriandherkrazykindergarten.blogspot.com/

kdgjanita said...

I love your blog. Blessings is one of my favorite songs too. Your blog show a unique balance that is needed to teach. Thanks for your words and freebies!

vicky1970 said...

Heather -
I love that song by Laura Story -- things like that are what helped me get through my mom's sickness and death. It's amazing ( and it should'nt be because we serve an awesome God ) but just how faithful God is during those times where you are forced on your knees daily from pain and heartache. Thanks for sharing. :o)
Vicky
Traditions Laughter and Happily Ever After