Sunday, November 25, 2012

Look What I Am Buying at the TpT Sale!

Has anyone else spent the last few days filling an imaginary shopping cart at TpT? At last look, I had over 80 items squished in there. (In my mind, that imaginary cart is overflowing, and I keep having to pick up the items that fall out!) Mind you, I haven't put anything back yet either!

I love the TpT Sale!

 
Why? First, it often amazes me that many "teacher books" are not written by teachers. A real teacher would not ask you to gather up 46 different items in order to complete one of the simple projects listed on page 3 (usually prefaced with words like "easy" or "simple"). I have 32 kids, folks. Few things are "easy"--and certainly not things that send me to five specialty stores and expect me to order materials from the Internet--three weeks in advance! I once attempted to do an "easy" pyramid project from one of these books. The project called for "wheat paste." Two hours of searching (and a moment of panic regarding my child who was on a gluten-free diet) spelled the beginning and ending of the wheat paste pyramid project.


Whoa. Got a bit sidetracked there! What I wanted to say was that TpT materials are designed by real teachers--often by teachers who have already used these very items--or something similar--in their own classrooms. They understand the limitations of teacher budgets and patience--and they rarely ask you to find wheat paste. I have paid almost twenty dollars for many "teacher books" that sit unused on my shelves.  Most of the items available at TpT are less than ten dollars. Many are less than five dollars! And on the rare occasion that something is more than ten dollars, it is worth it!

So I have been looking over the items in my cart and I have been getting excited about teaching! I have lots of great items that I am looking forward to buying, downloading and printing... SOON!

This Monday and Tuesday, LOTS of items will be on sale at TpT. I've been dreaming about TpT's Cyber Monday/Bonus Tuesday for weeks!

Don't forget to use the code, PROMO CODE: CMT12 when the sale starts!

 So jump in the cart (push some of those items aside--but don't wrinkle them, please) and I will give you a little tour of what's on my list...

As you peruse the items below, I made it easy for you... Click on the picture (or the name) and you will be whisked off (running after your cart) to TpT. If you haven't started, it's time to shop. If you think you're finished... Look again!


I have LOTS of task cards by Rachel Lynette. Those are going into my Literacy Centers as soon as I can print them! She has a set of task cards for everything. I bought several "bundles." I like my purchases to be as easy as possible. (I promise her covers aren't blurry like my picture. I haven't figured out that whole screen shot skill yet!) Rachel has almost eight thousand followers, so you know that stuff is high quality!



I have several items created by Katie Klohn. I love, love, LOVE having a BloggyFriend who teaches sixth grade. I'll let you in on a little secret: Katie teaches language arts, but I love her math task cards too. (So cute and easy to follow). So, I am buying math and language arts activities from Miss Katie! Now that you see them, I bet you want them too!




And then there is Ashley Hughes' clip art. I love it because it speaks for itself. Ashley's clip art is perfect for Smartboard and ActivInspire flipcharts because it has clean lines and the images stand out on a page. I have her geometric solids and a few others sets in my cart, but I am kind of partial to these mini composition books too!





And then there's Ashleigh Swinford's Prefix and Suffix of the Week. I've blog-talked to at least five different people who have this item in their carts too! You've got to get this! You don't want to be the only one who doesn't have Ashleigh's pack, do you? It looks wonderfully organized and, I admit, I love the Melonheadz graphics on the front! I bet Ashleigh will sell hundreds of this one!




With Katie Klohn's help, I found a new seller on TpT. Her name is Jen Bengal and she is currently a Literacy Coordinator for grades three to five, but her products include middle grades. Jen's products are grade-specific and common core aligned. Those aren't just buzz words--those are heaps of awesomeness! I may have about twenty items from her in my cart and they all look wonderful. I think Jen may actually be organizing my literacy instruction for the reminder of the year. Oh. Happy. Day.



There are three special sellers on my list--as always. I think I own at least half of the items in each of their stores--maybe more! So I just have to give a big SHOUT OUT to my Bloggy Buddies...




I adore Stephanie from Teaching in Room 6. Her Calendar Math is legendary! But I am pretty excited about her Poet-trees unit too! Stephanie lives a couple hundred miles from me--but often I feel like is teaching right next door...








Jen Runde's Interactive Math Journal materials are in LOTS of classrooms. I have learned so much (about so much) from dear Ms. Runde. And, like Stephanie, she's just a FABULOUS friend and Blogger Extraordinaire. I already own this item, but if you don't, you should put it in your cart NOW.






Then there is our fairy godsister, Tara from 4th Grade Frolics, revered for her Makin' It Monday Link-Ups (and the reason that two-thirds of my garage was cleaned this summer)! I'm getting these writing journals from my pal, Tara. You know, I have often thought I could hear Tara's laughter--even though I have never met her. Just. Plain. Sweet.





Finally, I am celebrating a little milestone of my own! It took me six days, three half gallons of ice cream, buckets of tears, and plenty of consolation and encouragement (of all kinds!)... but I finally have a store or my own. It's just one item--and one freebie, but it represents a lot of work--and a lot of growth. I guess you really can teach an old dog new tricks! If you or anyone you know wants some card games to practice working with integers, I know JUST where you can get some!


Well yesterday has turned into tomorrow, and I promised Shuna from Pocketful of Kinders that I would link up! There were my offerings. Why not click the (very cute) button below and see what other people are buying.


Wishing you happy shopping and happiness in general. Are you glad you've found your way into BlogLand?








7 comments :

  1. Ok, first can I say I adore you and miss you and your sweet words always bring happy tears to my eyes!!!! Second, happy dance you started a store:) I'm so excited and proud and need to go fave/follow/download it now:))))) I need to get on the shopping band wagon but got overwhelmed by where to look....that is until this post! Thank you my dear friend:))))) Hugs across the country!!!!

    4th Grade Frolics

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  2. Woo hoo! Look at you my dear friend! A store, a store, a store! Yippee :) Your basket has inspired me to get busy filling my cart. I was planning on working on my next unit, but I think that can wait until I've finished shopping ;)

    Elizabeth
    Fun in Room 4B

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  3. Hi Kim,

    I feel so honored to be featured in your blog post! Your kind words truly blew me away!! It is so humbling and rewarding to know I can help teachers not only just in my little ole' town in Wisconsin but across the world :) I am feeling very blessed to help my fellow teachers! Oh and don't tell anyone, but 6th grade was my absolute favorite grade to teach (I've taught grades 3, 4, 5, and 6). I am proud to say that I am your 700th follower on your blog. Have a wonderful Holiday and fun shopping tomorrow:)

    Jen Bengel

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  4. I'm so excited you have a store!!!! I'm following it now!! I learned about some new products from you--thanks so much Kim!

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  5. So I am so mad at you right now because I just added about 10 things to my cart from Jen. :)

    Adventures of a Third Grade Teacher

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  6. KIM!! KIM!!! KIM!!!!! Isn't it exciting to stretch and grow? I am so proud of you for opening your store. I know how crazy-hard it is to get the hang of it, as I'm such a newbie myself.

    The reason that I popped over, is that I just learned how to navigate around my TpT dashboard (little slow, here) and I just saw that you purchased my 'theme' song: "You're Wonderful".... you name is actually your name! Thanks so much for your support! It means the world to me.

    I can't wait to hear your impressions.

    Debbie Clement
    RainbowsWithinReach

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  7. I too am blown away by all of the good stuff created by other teachers. Thanks for sharing some of the really good stuff that's out there. I'm just getting started at blogging and selling and it's all a bit overwhelming. Except that people seem so helpful and willing to share ideas!

    mentoringinthemiddle.blogspot.com

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