I {HEART} My Techy Nerd Hubster

So MUCH printing to do so little ink. Or at least, that WAS my problem until my in-laws gave me their old printer. Seems they bought a new, wireless laser printer and have no need for this one:

It's full of both colour and black ink. Yay me. Or so I thought until I tried this baby out.
Seems that HP has installed little chips in their ink cartridges that tell the printer they are expired. Huh.
Enter Techy Nerd Hubster...a bing and a bang and some computer code I don't understand=no more probs. He reset the time on the printer itself (it has a memory) so that the printer doesn't know the cartridge has expired.

Fingers crossed it works.

He's watching football and hasn't actually tested it out as of yet...

In my enthusiasm, I ordered these from Ebay. At $15 for 15 colour/black cartridges, including shipping to Canada, I am ready to print my heart out! Which is a good thing, cuz I have lots and lots and lots of printing to do.

Question: What do YOU do when you have copious amounts of printing? I am curious, especially with all the generous/lovely freebies out there.
I also own a regular HP printer and buy ink cartridges online. We had a laser printer but found that it was too expensive to replace toner.
Does everyone else own a laser printer? Inkjet? Any secrets you want to share? So far, I have found EBay to be the most reasonable way to buy ink...

Don't forget to enter my giveaway...it ends soon! You could win these...

                                    

Classroom Whimsy

Whimsy. What a delightful word. It sounds so tranquil and fun...

I am linking up with Surfin' Through Second for her classroom theme/inspiration linky party.

I have been inspired to do a classroom theme. I must say, I appreciate the beautiful classrooms and the pulled-togetherness of all the themes I have been oogling, googling, and envying...I just couldn't see myself doing one. Maybe it's because there are so many amazing ideas out there; pirates, gardens, under the sea, beach, camping, rainbow, jungle, owls, apples, polka dots, sports...whew! I can't pick just one that I like more than any other...
{drumroll} BUT that all changed TODAY.
As I was participating in one of my most favourite pastimes, searching tpt, I came across this lovely set:

oh.my.goshness. Rachel Lamb has created a "mini" classroom set with a whimsical theme. I immediately fell in love. At first sight. Like on the movies but with a classroom theme instead of a hunky actor.

           

                                    

So, I got excited. And then found these Word Wall letters (which I am going to use for my leveled book bins) also by Rachel Lamb:

                         

                                                       

Now, I am jumping (literally) up and down...so enthusiastic I actually jump right into an ottoman and tumble around the living room (oops).

Next stop-bulletin boards. I had already asked my principal to order orange and turquoise fadeless paper for the fall. This beautiful picture from Schoogirl Style has inspired me for the borders around my bb:

Absolutely LOVE the layered corrugated borders. They look so ah-mazing. If you haven't yet checked out Schoolgirl Style you must. It's indescribable...Melanie has created the most breathtaking themes imaginable. SOOOOOOO inspirational.

I am not the most craft-oriented person. I try, and I am getting better, but it doesn't come naturally to me. However, I've decided that I simply MUST HAVE some of these lovely poufs in my classroom. I am not allowed to hang anything from the ceiling, but would like to hang my poufs from the corners of some of the bulletin boards and bookshelves. Another thought I had was a pouf bouquet at the front of my room.

I actually watched a youtube tutorial on how to make these and it looks pretty easy...we shall see...I am going to use the same colours as in my whimsical set for the tissue paper. I may even get adventuresome and make my poufs multi-coloured!

We recently painted our kitchen and I decided that the top of our cabinets needed to be lit. I found battery operated strings of mini-mini lights at Amazon for $6 for 7 feet. Can't beat that. Why not throw in a lit up branch, too? And, hey, how about getting a couple of sets of lights and a branch for my whimsy classroom theme? Huh. Inspired by my kitchen cabinets.

These will look so fantabulous in my reading area. Cannot wait. 

I am also going to the fabric store to look for whimsical colour flannel to recover classroom cushions I have had for a zillion years. I am thinking something like this pattern:

...but am not sure.  I will have to play the fabric choice by ear or is it eye. And wallet. I am going to make the covers by tying the front to the back. Basically, you just cut strips along each side of each piece and then tie the front cover to the back. Easy.

For Reading Workshop book bins, I am thinking something that looks like First Grade Fresh's inspiring theme:

Well...that's it for now. I can't actually get into my classroom until the end of August, so right now these are just dreams/ideas. I will, however, spend some of my summer holidays making poufs, printing signs, and ordering lights.

ps Be sure to enter my 200 follower giveaway. There are two prizes of Belkin splitters (instant listening centre) and tpt items from Grade One Doodle Bugs store!!

200 FOLLOWERS = EXCITING GIVEAWAY

My blog has reached a milestone of 200 followers. Wowzers. I am so excited. I remember watching the follower list last summer and getting crazy happy when my followers reached double digits!
I have learned so much from blogland. Blogging has honestly and truthfully impacted my teaching (sounds like a cliche).
Okay-I thought long and hard about my giveaway. There are so many awesome sauce giveaways going on right now...inspiration hit while I was reading about the Daily 5 book study. I implemented Daily 5 two school years ago and love it.
One of the kids' most favourite activities is Listen to Reading. Listening centres, however, can be e-x-p-e-n-s-i-v-e BUT I found this little device on Pinterest and immediately decided it would be the answer to my Daily 5 prayers. I have many books on cd that I have transferred over to MP3 players. I have also enlisted my family to read poems into Audacity on my laptop and then put these on my MP3 players as well. The third way that I have built up my Listen to Reading centre is to buy 4 "cheap" (you know-the ones they put on for 1-2 dollars each) picture books from Scholastic each month. I then read the story into my handy dandy computer (Audacity program) and voila. I've managed to create a pretty good listening library at a relatively inexpensive cost to myself.

Problem=more than one kiddo listening to the MP3 player at once...solution=The Belkin.

The Belkin works with IPods (it is sold at the Apple store), MP3 players and cd players. It would probably even work with a computer. This little beauty allows up to 5 people to listen to one device at once!

It has received rave reviews and I do like to research this type of new agey thing ;)   I don't own one YET but will be giving away one to a lucky winner!!  Yes, that's right...the winner of my giveaway will receive the 

Belkin Rockstar Multi Headphone Splitter

But wait...there's more...

The winner will also receive one TWO items from Grade One Doodle Bugs tpt store! Your choice!

Kim has ah-mazing resources, many of which are free...go check her out when you have a moment. She is the bomb-diggedy.

Hmmmmm.....did I say ONE winner?? Guess what? I meant TWO winners...Yup to celebrate TWO hundred wonderful, love 'em, hugs to all, followers I'll be giving away TWO prizes. TWO Belkins, and TWO tpt choices from Kim's store...

So, what're you waiting for?? Enter, enter, enter!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

PS If, through some blogging miracle, my blog reaches 300 followers and Kim's reaches 100 followers during this giveaway, I will add ONE MORE PRIZE PACKAGE!!!  Promise!

Blog Shout Out/Giveaway Reminder

I am wrapping up my unit on Dr Whosit. Hopefully, I will have some classroom photos etc to post  by this weekend. In the meantime...
I am giving a HUGE shout out to Kim at Grade One Doodle Bugs. Kim has recently opened her tpt store and it is overflowing with resources. I have the honour of working beside Kim, and she is truly a wonderful teacher. In fact, my son had her as his second grade teacher last year and STILL talks about activities that his class did. She has posted many free resources, including her latest:

In her own words these FREE RESOURCES contain:

Two weeks of Smart Notebook lessons 

-All printables/blackline masters to go with the lessons
-Lesson outline and steps
-Rubric for assessment
-Success Criteria
-List of resources

BONUS!!!! 
A week long reading workshop lesson too! Just search my items and look for "Justify Thinking in reading"  It includes:
-Five-day reading workshop lessons
-All printables/blackline masters to go with the lessons
-Oral language success criteria
-List of resources
-Lesson outline and steps

Just click either picture to go directly to her tpt store. Take a look around while you're there...I have snagged her Word Pocket Dictionaries and plan on buying Wild About Word Play: a 74 page Word Work resource that she is selling for a buck! I can't even get a coffee for $1. Kim is giving away one copy of this resource in a giveaway that ends this Friday.

Kim is updating her freebies a few times a week so I suggest that you become a blog follower and start to bask in the loveliness of her wonderful ideas!!

**Reminder...the Grade One Doodle Bugs giveaway ends Friday... 

Wild About Words Giveaway Party

Kim at Grade One Doodle Bugs is hosting her first giveaway. Kim is a great friend and an amazing teacher. She uses resources that she has created and they are the bomb diggedy. Recently, Kim has opened a TPT store, and has posted kick-butt freebies (I especially love the pocket word walls). I've been begging her to post pictures of her first grade classroom-yes, it's that beautiful and fun and welcoming. SHE EVEN HAS A TENT!!!!



click to go directly to Kim's blog
This giveaway is for a 74 page  Word Play Super Pack. It is full of different activities that you can do with your class and looks absolutely a.m.a.z.i.n.g.

Here's the great news...Kim is giving away three copies of her resource. Yes, that's right THREE copies. All you have to do is click the above picture to go straight to her giveaway instructions. But hurry...this giveaway closes on March 23rd!!

ps While you're falling in love with Kim's blog and resources, I totally recommend joining her TPT store!

Giveaway Winners!!

I should have posted this yesterday, but I had to take my migraine medication when I got home from school. I fell asleep and didn't wake up until this morning! Migraines have plagued me since I a) turned 30 and b) had my third child. Sheesh!

First and foremost, thank you for entering my giveaway. I am tickled that so many people took the time to comment, blog and even TWEET about it. Wow! Virtual hugs all around.

Here are the two lucky bloggers that random.org chose:

Congrats! Thank you! Have a wonderful day!
Look for your tpt gift certificate in your email inbox, lovely ladies.

ps Does everyone know about the ctrl print screen function? My techy husband told me about it as I was struggling to take pictures of the screen on my laptop to show the comments and number generator. This function is so.much.easier.

Last Chance to Enter My L'il Giveaway

Just a short and sweet reminder that it is your last chance to enter my giveaway! Contest ends at midnight tonight...is it a contest? I think so...it's been a loooooooong day!
Click the picture below to go directly to my post, add your comment and enter the giveaway.

What does Ryan Gosling have to do with my giveaway, you may ask. Absolutely nothing. He's just super cute.

Fantastic, Fantabulous, Friendly Followers...Giveaway Time!!

Or more, actually! I have reached just a smidge over 100 followers...time for a giveaway.

I have learned so much from every blog that I stalk read. I have laughed out loud (lol in the "new" language) at hilarious stories, teared up at the sad ones, snorted when necessary and been inspired by all.

I started blogging this summer, and I am thoroughly addicted enjoying myself. Sometimes a little too much and a little too late at night. So, when I reached the  milestone of 100 I knew a giveaway was in order.

"What to give?" I asked myself (remember, I am up very late stalking learning about wonderful teachery things...no one else to talk to...unless I wake up hubby...)

"Self," answered I, "How about a TPT gift certificate!"

"Perfect!!!"{whisper-shout and uncoordinated air pump}

I am an avid supporter of  Teachers Pay Teachers, and have purchased many resources from a variety of people for a range of subjects. I truly, honestly admire the hard work and dedication that goes into each and every resource. So, what better way to show  my appreciation for both my followers and the wonderful TPT authors than with one TWO TPT $10 gift certificates for two lucky ducky super-fantastic followers. I agonized over whether to have one $25 or two $10 prizes. I even asked my teens...they seem to think that two smaller prizes are the way to go.

So, all you have to do is
1) follow me and leave a comment that includes your email address &
2) blog about my little giveaway and leave another comment that includes your email address.
Yuppers-that means two chances to win...
My giveaway ends this Thursday, February 23, 2012 at midnight.

Thanks a whole bunch, bloggy friends and bloggy world!

ps  I even learned how to add numbers to my comments. Granted, they are not very pretty, but they'll do.