Last Minute Ideas for Valentine's Day!

I'm not one of those people who have it altogether.  I have great intentions... but then I oversleep, or get stuck on facebook reading.  Or completely caught up in life and overwhelmed.  Can I get an Amen?  And Valentine's Day always seems to sneak up on me!!  So here are some ideas for those of you who are last minuters like me!

Pencils, Laffy Taffy, Glow Sticks, and Smarties!

Musical Hearts, Valentine's Bingo, Party Schedule, Heart Science

 Enjoy your day and happy Friday the 13th!!  Looking for more ideas?  Stop by my Pinterest Board to see what other fun activities you can use tomorrow!

Monday Letters {Slacker Edition}

It's Monday... and my slacker-ness with teacher/work things have hit an all time high.  But for a very good reason.  My bestie was visiting.  And not just from anywhere, friends.  She flew from SOUTH KOREA (where she's teaching English) and so, knowing that she flew from South Korea to be with lil' 'ol me- we have been busy doing lots of fun things.  And eating.  SO. MUCH. EATING.  So here's this week's letters.

Dear Freaker USA,
We are loving your adorable drink coozies that fit ANYTHING.  Wine bottle? Check!  Beer bottle?  Check!  Water bottle?  Check!  Seriously - go buy one for all your friends!  I did. 

Dear sunsets,
We cannot get enough of you - even if you're in the Walmart parking lot.  There's nowhere I'd rather witness a beautiful sunset than the Walmart Parking Lot. {<-- Sarcasm}

Dear Valentine's Day,
I love celebrations.  I really do.  But I just cannot get into you this year.  I am hoping my heart shaped Panera cookie will get me in the spirit.  Or at least pacify my sweet tooth!!

Dear 70 degrees and blue skies,
You were a much welcome gift this weekend!!  Sit inside and watch a movie?  No thank you!  I loved having a little bit more color to my face this morning!!  I am officially ready for Spring, y'all!  And will never, ever, ever move back up North.  Ever. 

Inspired by Elle & Co., Monday Letters is a weekly installment where I write four letters each week.  Two letters are to my classroom or are school related.  The other two are for anything else in my world during that week. 

FREE DIVISION MATH GAME {Limited Time Only!}

Looking for a fun game to send home for homework?  Or to help students practice their division facts in the classroom?  Look no further!  For the next 24 hours, my Division Board Math Game will be completely FREE!  Please be sure to download it and leave some lovely feedback for me!  

Thanks teacher friends.  Be sure to stop by next Friday for another FREE math game!  Cheers!

Why Change is Scary

Sometimes life isn't what you expect.  If you had told me 6 months ago that I was going to quit my teaching job halfway through the year, move to another state, and go through a divorce, I would have looked at you like a crazy person.  But, here am I am and I'm dealing with changes that have been forced upon me.  Sometimes we don't know God's plan, but we have to blindly follow.  And right now, that's what I am doing.  Will I go back to teaching?  I sure hope so.  But right now, I am so grateful for TpT's small source of income that supports me, my friends that I am heavily leaning on, and my family that has been my rock throughout everything.  I won't go into details, but throughout it all, I have tried to embrace the change, knowing it's going to work out. 


How will this change what you find here?  Well it won't!  I'll be continuing to grow as an educator through professional development.  I'll still be posting about fun activities for the classroom.  And I'll still be developing writing units for the upper elementary classroom!  Be sure to stop by tomorrow for a math game freebie!






Cheers!

Monday Letters

It's Monday already!  This girl has been going through crazy life changes and those of you who have followed me for a while know what I do in times of turmoil.  Or celebration.  I travel!  So this edition of Monday Letters has absolutely nothing to do with teaching and everything to do with traveling! 

Dear Seattle...  What a wonderful trip with friends this weekend.  It felt amazing to see college friends, go to the Seattle game, and let loose.  I am not ready for that red-eye back tonight though. 

Dear Charleston... I cannot think of a better way to ring in the New Year than with 2 crazy friends in bikinis.  Thank you for taking me out of my comfort zone to participate in the Polar Plunge on January 1st! 

Dear Key West... Your warm weather, bright sunshine, and blue ocean is exactly what I needed to re-energize over Christmas break and get ready to tackle the year that lies ahead. I'm still daydreaming about the beautiful walks in the sand. 

Dear West Palm...  I cannot wait to come spend some time in the warm ocean breeze.  Thank you to my parents for opening up their home so I can explore somewhere new. Cheers to new experiences! 

Inspired by Elle & Co., Monday Letters is a weekly installment where I write four letters each week.  Two letters are to my classroom or are school related.  The other two are for anything else in my world during that week.

Changes

MIA I have been... but for good reason.  Sometimes change comes and forces it's way into our lives.  Whether we want it or not.  I have always been a huge planner.  I knew my 6 month plan, my 1 year plan, and my 5 year plan.  I knew what I wanted to do with my career.  I knew where I wanted to live.  I knew who I would spend my life with.  I thought I knew it all.

However, these past three months have taught me that sometimes your plans change.  And they're not at all what you would expect. (More to come about these, later).   But, what it means for my readers, is that some big changes are coming to Appleslices - for the better - due to these life changes!  I will be dropping by much more to share classroom tidbits, you can always drop by for Monday Letters (which will resume as a regular staple starting this Monday), and I'll be adding lots of new writing units to my TpT Store! (By the way, have you noticed that there is a 4th grade writing unit available now!?  Hooray!)

As for now, I'm going to stop planning, live my life, keep on TpT'ing, and pray that my new life will come together as it should!  I'm looking forward to it!  Thanks for sticking with me, friends!

Monday Letters!

Happy Monday!  Can you believe it's already Monday again!?  Well my weekend was amazing.  My hubby and I visited Austin, TX for the first time to see some friends who recently moved there.  Be sure you're following me on Instagram to see some pictures!  I definitely had a rough start this morning.

Dear Students,  I am so proud of you for your great report on Friday from the sub.  We will have to have a celebration, considering the previous sub walked out of the classroom.  {A story for another day}.

Dear Lesson Plans, I know you sit completely untouched.  And that there's so much to do.  Please help me just get through this week.  T-Minus 6 school days until Thanksgiving Break!  Can I get an AMEN!?

Dear Austin, I had to roll off the plane to get home.  Thank you for your mountains of delicious food and drinks.  I will be back soon!

Dear 3rd, 4th, or 5th grader sitting near me on the plane, Just so you know, I'm glad your Mom was making you complete your homework on the plane.  You can complain all you want - but I am grateful for parents like yours who try to do homework with their kids.  It takes a village, y'all.

Enjoy the rest of your week!  Gobble, gobble!

Inspired by Elle & Co., Monday Letters is a weekly installment where I write four letters each week.  Two letters are to my classroom or are school related.  The other two are for anything else in my world during that week. 

Be sure to stop by my blog post I shared yesterday!