A HUGE giveaway is coming! :)

I am lucky to be apart of  Countless Smart Cookies  Lucky to be a Teacher Giveaway, which starts THIS THURSDAY March 3rd!

Starting Thursday, don't forget to check Countless Smart Cookies blog, or you can check back here for your chance to enter for some fabulous prizes.

The contest runs from Thursday, March 3 to Monday, March 7th.

Make sure you don't miss out!

Monday Made It: Connect 4!

I am always on the lookout.......or racking my brain to try and think of fun and engaging games to play with my fifth and sixth graders to review phonics skills.

Now.....If I can find (or create) a game that requires little prep.....even better!

So......today I am linking up with 4th Grade Frolics for a Monday Made It, because I want to share an easy, no-prep, fun and engaging game that I just made :)

Connect 4 is a REALLY easy game to prepare, play and adapt to various needs--but better yet the kids love it!  In fact.......my kiddos request it!

Prep and setup is super easy!  Basically all you need is one game board per pair of students, markers or chips to cover the squares and a six-sided die.  I laminate or put my game board in plastic sleeves so my kids can use dry erase markers--but either way works!

As far as how to play....well....Connect 4 is just like the old fashioned game......except on paper!

1. Player A rolls a die and chooses any open word underneath the number they rolled.  Player A must read the word chosen correctly.
2. Player B then rolls the die and repeats the same process.
3. If a player rolls a "6," he or she gets to erase (or take a chip off) one of his or her opponents words.
4. If there are no open spots in the numbered column, they player loses a turn.
5. Play continues until a player gets four in a row (vertical, horizontal, or diagonal)

Basically once you have one connect four template.....you can create endless games.  I plan on making lots more....but so far I have created a  Connect 4 game one for digraphs, the advanced vowel team oy/oi, the R controlled vowel team or, ar, and advanced vowel teams ee, ou, oa.

Check them out if you have a chance....or create some of your own!  Like I said---they are easy to make and super fun for kids!!

Currently February

It is the beginning of the month, and that can only mean one thing......time for the Currently link-up with Farley from Oh' Boy 4th Grade!

I am listening to my sweet pooch, Rudy, snore up a storm.  That dog gets so much sleep...it is unbelievable!  Man.....to be a dog.......

I am loving the early release of some of the Super Bowl commercials.  I have only seen two---and They. Are. Fantastic!

The first one is an advertisement for the 2017 Honda Ridgeline....featuring the best band ever (QUEEN) and sheep!!! It. Is. So. ADORABLE!!!

My second favorite is from the Heinz company.....featuring weenie dogs!   

Not only do I have a special place in my heart for labs (because of Rudy, Duke, Boomie and Dottie), but I also have a special place in my heart for weenie dogs.  My sister, Joanna, owns one---her name is Zoey--and she is full of sass!!  She could have starred in this commercial along with the other pups!

Zoey being....well.....zoey!

See....Zoey could totally star in a commercial!

 I am thinking about my newest TPT product, Slap Words.  I play this game (and other versions of it) with my kiddos all the time.  It is such a simple,,...yet effective way to practice various phonics skills.  I'll do a more in-depth post about it later....but I was just so excited about it!!

I am wanting to feel healthy again, which is why I am needing this sinus infection to go away!  Y'all I have seriously been sick since October!  Yesterday, I went to the doctor and they think my recurring sinus infections are being caused by allergies or nasal polyps.  I see an ENT next week.....prayers are much appreciated. :)

I am swooning over the Eddie Bauer down blanket my husband got me for Christmas.  I am cuddled up under it now....thanks to staying home sick. :(  GRRRRRR Hate you recurring sinus infection....but LOVE YOU blanket!