Holiday Giveaway

Hard to believe that in just a few weeks, Christmas will be here! What do you look forward to the most during your time off? I love to enjoy a hot cup of tea in my PJs, binge eat my Mom’s Christmas cookies, catch up on my favourite TV shows, spend time with my friends and family, and walk around the neighbourhood after dark and admire the lights.

If you are like me, and December in the classroom is a bit of a blur, I’ve got a few resources that might help you out!

Problem: I need some easy but personalized last minute gifts for my students to make for their parents. Solution:

This Christmas, have your students create unique and practical gifts that will melt his/her family's hearts. Lots of opportunities to personalize with handwritten notes and drawings! Students can chose from "Merry Christmas", "Happy Holidays", "Seasons Greetings" or other humorous options such as the coasters with an empty space to draw a loved ones face that says, "nice list" and "naughty list".

Included in this product are the black line masters for:
12 different Christmas Coffee Cup Sleeves
18 different Christmas Coasters
14 different Christmas Cards

Problem: I need some ideas on how to integrate literacy into my Math lessons.
Solution:

Use sentence starters from over 30 classic Christmas picture books to create adorable Christmas Number Booklets.

Based on the level of your students, choose from one of 2 masters:
*Numbers to 10
*Numbers to 20

Each master works on the following skills:
*Writing the number word *Showing the number using tally marks *Showing the number in a ten frame *Showing the number on a number line *Drawing a picture representing the number

Problème: J’enseigne le français.
Solution:

French Immersion and Core French Teachers-this resource is for you!

Included in this product are the French black line masters for:
12 different Christmas Coffee Cup Sleeves (manches de café)
18 different Christmas Coasters (dessous de verre)
15 different Christmas Cards (cartes)

A few of my blogger friends and I are giving you a chance to win one of two TPT gift cards so you can treat yourself to some new resources. It's been a tough couple of months, and we think you deserve a little pat on the back for all the amazing things you've done with your students this year.

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Good luck in the Giveaway and all the best this Holiday Season!
Bryn

An InLinkz Link-up

Halloween Blog Hop!

Trick or Treat, teacher peeps! If it's your first time here at The Primary Patch, welcome. My name is Bryn and I am so excited to be a part of this amazing Halloween Blog Hop.

Thank you to Heidi over at Secondgradealicious for hosting and to all of my TPT friends that are participating. Not only do you all get treats for your classrooms from this Halloween Hop, but you also get lots of chances to win some serious TPT loot in the form of gift certificates (zero calories too, I might add, unlike the hundreds handful of mini kit kat bars I'll eat this month).

Ohhhhhh, Halloween. I have loved you ever since I was a little girl back at Ecole St Noël Chabanel. The thought of going door to door trick or treating was almost too much for me to handle as a child. That said, it should come as no surprise that I hope all of my students fall in love with Halloween too.

But I'm not talking the scary Halloween. No way! I'm talking about sharing the magical feeling I get when I see pumpkins, costumes and a full moon this time of year. And a cute little lion all ready to trick or treat.

Every year since I started teaching, I carve pumpkins with my students. We vote on the eyes, nose and mouth and then we all help to scoop out the seeds and I take pictures and send them to parents. That will change this year! Mark my words, parents will be emailed pictures. Pinky promise.

There are always a few students that have never carved a pumpkin and it's such a special experience to be there when they get to feel the slimy texture of the insides. So...Much..Fun!

Speaking of fun, I highly recommend you read the amazing picture book, Room on a Broom, and then get your students to create magical math potions using a Halloween Math Craftivity: Mix A Money Potion

Or read The Hallo-Wiener and practice non-standard measurement

Or, try out some addition pages using Batty About Addition: A Halloween Math Freebie

Have a safe and happy Halloween, friends! I don't get to blog as much as I'd like too but I am on Instagram daily. I'd love it if you'd follow me there.

All the best,
Bryn

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An InLinkz Link-up

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Back to School...Back to Reality

Ahhhh, September and October. I love teaching and getting back into a daily routine. Don't get me wrong, my routine over summer (having no plans) was amazing too but I'm not meant to sit around for that long. Two months is too long in my opinion. I wish we could have week long breaks during the year like they do in France. By the way, parents have them too...not just teachers and students. Just saying! Vacation Time=Quality of Life.

My new batch of Grade 2 students are simply adorable. I have taught a lot of their older siblings and love their parents. I know it's going to be an amazing year! That said, they have forgotten a lot over the summer so I've been really going back to the basics with Number Sense.

I found this great idea from Mrs. T's First Grade Class on Pinterest.

I changed it ever so slightly and my students loved making the strips with the poem prompts on the other side.



On my commute home the other day, I was trying to come up with a game to use the strips again. It didn't take me too long to come up with something that uses dice and

...unifix cubes

Basically my students had to roll each double's answer within 4 rolls. If they rolled a 2 on their first try then they covered the "2" answer with a unifix cube. Then their partner went. If they rolled a 3 on the first roll they wrote it down and then rolled again to try and get an answer from the doubles row. Does that make sense? Probably not but trust me, it was fantastic!

All the best,
Bryn

Triple B Giveaway and a chance to win a back to school product too

I'm so excited to be a part of Kristi's Triple B Giveaway over at 2 Peas and a Dog! Check out all of the AMAZING products up for grabs...sweet!

I donated my latest TPT Product called "What If? Back to School Questions"

I can't wait to use it in September with my new students. It's hands-on and gives students ownership in creating classroom rules...minimal writing required! Perfect for your Kindies or lower Grade 1 or 2 students.

You know how the first few weeks of school are always exhausting because you are trying to teach routines, expectations and classroom procedures? This product will help you get your class settled in before you know it!

There are over 150 different WHAT IF QUESTIONS included that cover 10 different problematic school areas. If you buy the product and notice that there's one you need that isn't there, just email me! I'll send it straight away. Pinkie swear, I promise :-)

I love how versatile it is too-you can use it for whole group with chart paper to create an anchor chart (my favourite), in partners, small group teaching, think sheets (meaning as a consequence for poor choices), as homework, for drama, etc.

Now here's your chance to win it! a Rafflecopter giveaway
But the winning doesn't stop there...enter here for your chance to win this week's ENORMOUS K-2 PRIZE PACK from Kristi's Triple B Giveaway over at 2 Peas and a Dog!
a Rafflecopter giveaway Good luck teacher peeps and thanks for letting me crash your party, Kristi ;-)
Bryn

Back To School TPT Sale August 4th and 5th

T minus 4 days until it's TPT's famous BACK TO SCHOOL Sale! Stock up your carts and enjoy 28% off.

I know I will be dropping some serious $ into this one. Shhhhhh, don't tell Mr.Spouse ;-)

Here are a few of my favourite products in my store that you might love...click on each # under the image to take you to TPT

#1

#2

#3

#4

#5

#6

Happy Shopping!

Bryn

HI-YAH Add and Subtract Single Digits like a Judo Master and a HOT SUMMER GIVEAWAY

My little one was at his first ever day camp this week. I was a bit nervous to let him go but he loved it! And while he was having fun making new friends, I was sitting at my computer at Camp TPT all week. No, do not contact TPT asking to participate...Paul would not be impressed with me. I invented my own camp because that's how I like to roll. I managed to finish up 2 products that have been long in the making.

Introducing Add Single Digits like a Judo Master

and Subtract Single Digits like a Judo Master

I was hoping for more but happy with what was accomplished. Baby steps, baby steps.

These units are so much fun to do! My students loved the concept of moving through belt levels.

The units include:
*Common Core Standards & Ontario Curriculum Expectations
*2 different Judoka (aka a Judo student) unit cover pages
*2 belt level tracking sheets (USA & Canadian spelling)
*10 single digit addition or subtraction belt worksheets (one page for each number from 0-9, 20 different addition/subtraction facts and “Words of Wisdom” taken from Judo values on each page)
*9 “Battle of the Belts” review worksheets (two different belt levels are combined on each page)
*9 Single Digit Addition or Subtraction Belt Posters for a bulletin board display
*Answer sheets

On another note, I'm so happy to be a part of this week's NC Teacher Chic's HOT Summer Giveaway!

Starting tomorrow, you've got a chance of winning one of 2 gift cards a week from either TPT or Target. Seriously my 2 favourite places to shop. I can't wait to head to Target soon for deals on glue and markers. I always stock up for my class even though my students bring supplies in. You can never have enough glue or red markers!

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Good luck and make sure to enjoy your last few day off!

Bryn

Coming July 13th...a HOT Summer Giveaway!

I'm super excited to be a part of NC Teacher Chic's HOT Summer Giveaway! Starting this Sunday, you've got a chance of winning one of 2 gift cards a week from your favorite stores like TPT, Amazon, Staples or Target. Who couldn't use a little extra cash this summer? Oh, the things I would buy on TPT right now...*sigh*...my wishlist is enormous!

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I'm participating in Week #3. There's just something about seeing my little blog name in an official giveaway that gives me the chills. It's certainly been a busy few months for me as a new TPT seller and blogger. And you know what? I couldn't be happier!

Which gift card would you love to win?

Best of luck,
Bryn

July Currently

I'm so excited to link up with Oh Boy 4th Grade for July Currently. Here it is!

I'm also having fun trying to find ways to amuse my youngest and keep up with Instagram photo challenges. I do love structure, even on vacation. Must be a teacher thing? Please tell me I'm not the only one...gulp.

Happy July!

Bryn

Canada Day Blog Hop & TPT Sale! FREEBIE & a GIVEAWAY too :-)

We did it, teacher peeps...we MADE it to the end of June! Congratulations on a job well done. I say this deserves an awesome freebie and a chance to win a product from my TPT store, what do you think?

First of all, thank you to Reading With Mrs.D for organizing this amazing Canada Day Blog Hop! I'm honoured to participate and excited to share a sample of one of my favourite items in my (currently) itsy bitsy TPT store.

Last time I checked, I had around 10 other projects that were all *this close* to being done. I can't wait to actually finish them up now that I'm on vacation. If you aren't already following my store, please do. My new resources are always 50% off for the first 24 hours. And in celebration of Canada Day, my entire TPT store is 20% off until July 2nd :-)

I don't know about you, but I love getting Scholastic READING Club FlyersTM every month. They are right up there with BBC Good Food, People Magazine and Chatelaine for me. I have a ritual I do when I get them which is to take the cover off and staple that to a flyer inside. Then I 3 hole punch it and keep it in my day book. Pretty exciting, right? LOL

When I first started teaching in France 14 years ago, I used to get way too many flyers and I hated to throw them out. I saw how much my students loved looking through them...first they would yell out their favourite picks to everyone, then they'd circle what they wanted, next they'd walk around and talk excitedly about their choices and finally compare wish lists. So instead of throwing these literacy and numeracy rich gems into the recycling bin, I came up with the idea of having my students do an "I Spy" activity with the extra flyers. My hand written creations were an immediate hit! Since 2000, I've become much more tech savvy.

Here is a look at a page from I Spy READING Club Flyers: Alphabet, Numbers & More.

When I'm teaching Grades 1 or 2, my students typically complete them at the same time. However, with Kindergarten students, I work in small groups during Center Time. These make a great partner or bonus activity for early finishers. I've used them with our older Learning Buddies too (ever heard a Grade 8 boy reminisce about his favourite picture book as a kid? It's precious!). I also keep a pack of these in my supply bin at all times.

Another fun activity to do with your students after they are done is have them create cartoons on the back of their page with the extra pieces. Here are 2 that crack me up every time I see them. Recognize the skunk at all? He's from the book Hugs, written by one of my favourite (and local) Canadian authors. Robert Munsch, you make children around the world love reading! Two thumbs up from this teacher and Mom.

And yes, that's Dora being attacked by sharks. This year I had a class full of boys. What can I say?

Before I forget, here's something to add to your TO DO list before September. Call Scholastic and ask them to send you additional flyers so you have enough to hand out and enough to do these activities each month! Or, better yet, look for leftover packs from teachers that have moved but not told Scholastic yet. We always seem to have loads in our workroom that go unused to research and development in my classroom.

Now I know when you check out the freebie you're going to think-it's not even close to Halloween yet and this doesn't look Canadian specific. I know, I know. However, October is my all time favourite month of the year and I just *had* to share my love of all things pumpkin with you, sweet Canada Day Blog Hoppers ;-) As for the second page in the freebie, you probably didn't know this but American book flyer prices all end in .00 while ours end in .99. Now, why is that? Hmm...kinda mysterious. I created that bonus page (only found in the October Sampler) specifically for my Canadian colleagues. Sorry, USA friends.

Click here to grab them.

Thanks for reading all the way to the end. Here's your chance to win a copy of I Spy READING Club Flyers: Months & Seasonal Holidays!

a Rafflecopter giveaway Good luck and Happy Canada Day!

Bryn

P.S. Don't forget to stop by and grab your freebies from the other Canadian bloggers, eh ;-)

Canada Day Blog Hop and TPT Sale

I'm so excited to be a part of this! It's going to be amazing so mark your calendars and come back in a few days to grab loads of Canadian FREEBIES. Plus, my entire TPT store will be 20% off during the event. See you then friends :-)

Monday Meet Me

I'm linking up with The Teaching Tribune for their Monday Meet Me linky party!

2 Day Sale on Teachers Pay Teachers

My first official sale! How exciting :-)

Room on the Broom-Witchy Multimedia Art

October is bar none my favourite month of the year and Fall is, in my humble opinion, the best season. I've always had a thing about pumpkins, witches and Halloween. My elementary school growing up had a book about Halloween and I would constantly renew it year round. It was what cinnamon buns would later turn out to be for me, comforting. I would do anything to find what the title of that book is now. Did I mention it was in French? Oui, oui this girl went to French elementary school mon amie. (I'm assuming no men are reading this blog, if one is then my apologies, chéri).

Halloween is turning into a bad word in some school boards and I think that's unfortunate. Kids rarely dress up as it is these days. Yes, nobody needs that much candy but c'mon...it's one night of the year! And what parent doesn't love to pick out their favourite treats and eat them all before the morning use them for emergency snacks? I am not one to rock the boat though so I do my best to get my Halloween fill in my classroom without actually having to use the H word. Enter the amazing book, Room on the Broom. This book has it all-a witch, adorable animals and a dragon. The illustrations are magical and no mention of Halloween anywhere!



After reading it I came up with this art project. In a nutshell, it combines the best that paint, constuction paper and photocopying have to offer. This project took the better part of the day because it involved so many steps. My students loved it and the results speak for themselves...stunning!

Basically we picked a colour then added black and white2x to it to create tints and a shade (our curriculum expectation for Grade 2). I photocopied a picture of the witch and had my students colour it. Have you noticed anything missing from the broom? Yes, the poor marmalade cat didn't make the cut. Or wait, did make the cut. It just wasn't in my vision so I removed him. Next, they cut out brown paper to create the base of the broom which I stapled then grabbed a piece of "broom" and wound it around the stick. When the paint was dry, we added white stars, a moon and the witch.

If you don't already own this fantastic tale written by Julia Donaldson and illustrated by Axel Scheffler, I urge you to buy it. Your students will adore it and you'll fall in love with the characters. I can't wait to read this book to my next batch of students in October 2014! Check out the book's website: http://roomonthebroom.com/

Teacher's Notebook Store Now Open

I Spy READING Club Flyers: Alphabet, Numbers & More

Another product is up in my store. As the song goes, 1 2 3 Train with me uh oh...I'm getting there! I'm on Instagram now and loving it. I have a hard time with writing but I love to take pictures! I can't wait to post about my I Spy READING Club Flyers: Alphabet, Numbers & More. It was one of my first ever creations when I first started teaching. Stay tuned!

Page Badge Test

The Primary Patch

Promote Your Page Too The good news is that there always seems to be loads of fun things to add to this blog. The bad news is that I don't know where to put them, lol. What is a page badge anyways? Just working through the kinks and keeping it real.

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EGG-CELLENT Spring Bulletin Board

What an excellent month!  I got to check off not one but 2 things from my bucket list.  Not only did I post my first freebie on TPT but I also posted my first product too!  Woo hoo...nothing like that feeling of following through. 

It's been such an adventure trying to figure things out.  I'm grateful to the experienced bloggers out there like Erica Bohrer who have posted such explicit explanations.  If you are new to TPT I highly recommend you check out her amazing post. 

I have quite a few TPT projects in the works and wasn't expecting to post a bulletin board idea but we recently made a collaborative one at my school for St-Patrick's Day and I loved the finished product and wanted to do something similar.  I had a vision of what I wanted but it didn't exist so I knew I'd have to make it.  I had naively (and I mean really, really naively) thought I could create something in less than an hour.  W.H.A.T_A_J.O.K.E!  I didn't keep track of how long it took me for my Egg-cellent craftivity but I'm thinking 5 hours.  How can that be?  You'd never know from looking. I mean, 5 hours for that?  Why yes, it's true.  People have told me that it will get easier and I'm sure it will but I am still a perfectionist and there's no cure for that.

My sweet son turned the big 5 this month too!  He has made me such a better person and teacher.  There's not a day that goes by that I don't thank the stars above for bringing him into my life.  His JK teacher pulled me aside after school to tell me what a happy boy he is and how much he's matured these last few months.  I couldn't agree more.  He actually asked to write the alphabet down today during center time.  My son writing the alphabet?  It's a dream come true for this proud teacher Mommy! 

Happy almost April friends!

Bryn

Here's to 2014...may it be filled with nothing but health and happiness for all my friends, students and family.

Specifically I have a few professional goals I'd like to state while I feel motivated to do so.

Professional Goals for 2014

1) Create The Primary Patch blog (so it actually looks like a real blog)

2) Learn how to make products to sell. I have the ideas but don't know how to use my computer to its full potential...may a course or experienced blogger take pity on me and explain!  Pretty please universe send someone my way.

3) Take more time out of my day to listen to my students read their stories to me.

4) Write positive notes home to parents.

5) Create and sell a product on TPT. I swear I'll cry tears of joy when that happens!

 

I started the New Year on such a high note with the best friends a girl could ask for.  We all went over to a neighbour's house (this was the fifth year in a row).  It was filled with food, dancing, balloon displays, incredible cocktails and lots of fun.  There were 13 adults and 12 kids, or there abouts.  We all made it to midnight and then some!  Hope your NYE was as special as mine. 

Bryn