Teachers Pay Teachers...

...to watch their students, while they sneak off for a Snicker's Break.

Don't worry, that is a joke!

Teachers Pay Teachers is a website. A fabulous website.

It is a place where teachers can create little, virtual, stores to sell the teaching materials they create (for like $2.00). Think: Etsy for teacher created materials!

This is a fabulous new tool for many reasons:

1. There are NEVER enough books, games, resources, ideas, tools, etc. to teach EVERYTHING you need to teach to all of the oh-so-different learners. So teachers create. It is lots of work, no lie. So now there is a place to share. Sharing is caring, right!?

2. Remember this post? It generated A BILLION hits. Not really a billion, but lots for us. Most teachers agreed to constantly having to "tweak" teaching materials. Sharing materials is a great time saver!

3. Teacher-tested and Kid-approved printable materials are available for everyone to enjoy and learn with! Awww, thank you internet.

Now, most of these materials are not quite appropriate for our toddlers, just yet. There are a few though. But if you have older kiddos (Pre-K and up) there are TONS for you!

A Fun Summer Science Project @ Home:

Here is a FREE, printable, book about the Venus Fly Trap, from the store Primary Graffiti. A sure kiddy fascination! A plant that eats bugs? Talk about exciting!

This would be such a fun little book to read while actually growing a Venus Fly Trap that you can purchase HERE.

Thanks Primary Graffiti for sharing!

These are the activities I can't wait to do!! In the mean time, we are enjoying the pictures in the book!

Oh...I guess I should add that you do NOT have to be a teacher to enjoy the site!!

Still Thankful...I'm Thankful Book

Being thankful doesn't end at Thanksgiving! Right? So here is the latest book to our collection. It is SUPER easy to make and it is by far Carter's favorite!

All you will need is:

1. Cheap-o photo album. (This one I use is defiantly Dollar Store quality: No cover, just the plastic drop-in-picture pages!)

2. Photos of family and friends. We all have TONS of photos in the computer...just print some!

3. Print these labels to put on each page. Don't have label paper? Just print and tape!

Action shot! Carter checking out his cousins! Hi Lex, Ella, Luke and Hudson!

Naked Carter, Clothed Mommy and Daddy! (When I get to the naked Carter picture he usually looks up at me and laughs! Ha ha!)

Teacher Tips:

• Use highchair time wisely! This is a perfect opportunity to read books and sing songs! This is where the book originated, but now it has been added to his book basket and he has it out almost all day long!

• When reading, follow the words with your finger, look at the pictures, talk about everyone and everything in them. Talk about how they look and what they are doing! Ask questions!

And I'll leave you with our final turkey pic. If you still haven't done it...do it! Their hands will be even bigger next year! :(

Four Little Leaves - finger play

Cut out these leaves or collect a leaf of each color, red, brown, gold, green.

Drop each leaf and let it flutter to the floor as you recite the corresponding color verse.

Four little leaves hanging from a tree.

Looking as lovely as can be.

Whoosh went the wind and one leaf said,

"I'll meet you on the ground, I'm, the color red!"

Three little leaves hanging from a tree,

Looking as lovely as can be.

Whoosh went the wind and another fell down,

This little leaf was the color brown.

Two little leaves hanging from a tree,

Looking as lovely as can be.

Whoosh went the wind, Oh my, It was cold!

Another leaf fell, it was the color gold.

One little leaf hanging from a tree,

Looking as lovely as can be.

Whoosh, went the wind and it started to sway,

But it was still green, so it had to stay!

*Need to print the words? Here they are!*

TEACHER TIP:

Print and cut the leaves and song. Throw it all in a ziplock baggie. Then keep on hand in the play area, kitchen or even your diaper bag for a little "go-to" fun!!