Sunday, January 3, 2016

Tuesday, February 17, 2015

New blog

Occasionally, I pop back over here to remind you that my new blog is Owls and Lessons, Etc. Please head over and continue my blogging journey there!

Sunday, August 10, 2014

Hi friends!

Just thought I'd post again to remind you to that I'm now blogging at 


Head on over and check it out!  :)  

Thursday, July 17, 2014

Goodbye, Following Optimism

I have some great news!

I'm done with this blog!  But, I'm starting a new one.  Ha!  

I got tired of the name.  It really wasn't me...not teachery...didn't want to have to explain it.  I got the name by googling something and going to the bottom of the first page and finding the first two words that came to sight.  Lo and below...

Please continue to follow me... I have really enjoyed this journey and am looking to continue and expand into better things.  My new blog is now up and running... it's cleaner and more streamlined.  All the things I wish I had known about when I first began in 2011... wow.  

If you follow me on Facebook, you may have already seen the name change.  

Thanks again for all you've done by reading, commenting, and making me feel like I've helped or inspired another teacher along the way.  

My new blog is called Owls and Lessons, Etc.  Please head on over and be a friend!


Tuesday, July 15, 2014

Yay for Two for Tuesday!

I don't need a good excuse to go shopping, especially for school stuff, but Two for Tuesdays don't disappoint!

Well, I totally forgot to change back my Two for Tuesday products from last week, so if you need some math centers, check last week's post {here} to see if you can use them!  I'll leave them half off, too!

This week's goodies are for Back to School!

Need a simple clip chart?  I have two included in this packet!  I use a point system in my classroom where students need 15 points to earn their weekly behavior reward.  This way, I reward good behavior more, and if a kid has an off day, it doesn't throw them out for the whole week.  


It's only $1 today!!

My other goodie is my newest product - Number cards to 120!  These are great for anything around your classroom, math centers, calendars, whatever!  They are 3" square, so they'll fit in those calendar pocket charts.  I have these in spring and winter, too and have received a lot of good feedback on them so I decided to make some for anytime!  They are also ink friendly!  They are also just $1 today! 


Head over to the Teaching Tribune and see what other half priced goodies you can find!






Monday, July 14, 2014

Clipart has arrived!

I have been itching to say this... years, actually.  I have made my first clipart set.  

You don't know how excited I am for this.

I love to draw, color, doodle, etc.  I have an unhealthy obsession with fonts and clipart.  I have to redo things at school because I think they are ugly.  Yes, I said it... ugly.  But I've always wanted to do my own clipart.  And today, I have!

I've never taken any graphic design classes, or art classes, for that matter.  Everyone in my family is artsy... and I really thought that gene had passed me by.  Well, some may argue that it has, but I'm really enjoying this creative output.  So, I'm sharing with my wonderful followers my first attempt at clipart.  

I need a good name/brand for my clipart because I'm thinking about adding some to my store... any suggestions??






No credit is needed to use these, feel free to use in personal or TPT/TN items.  Right click and save as to have on your computer.   Let me know if you use them, or if you have any requests!

Friday, July 11, 2014

Shopping Adventures

You know you've been waiting for it to come...

Don't lie.  You glance over each time you enter the store.

The Target Dollar Spot...at back to school time... it's a sickness... 

And I'm sooo guilty!

I went with a friend of mine the other day and raided what I could of the back to school goodies that were there.  I did show restraint.  Here's what I bought and what my plans are for each.


1.  8 pocket blue pocket charts-  My plan is to use these new blue ones for my reading group goals and use my old red ones for my reading stations (sequencing, phrases, sight word practice, etc.)

2.  Stickers- because who doesn't need an abundance of stickers, especially if there are owls on some of them!

3.  Index card boxes-  I am going to use these to store my 100 gazillion task cards that I have and don't use because a- I forget I have them, b- I put them some place too safe and can't find them, and c- it justifies my hours of pinning stuff on pinterest because that's where I got the idea for them.

4.  Great Job certificates- they have owls on them.  Well, one owl and other animal things... but I like to use these as a good note home.  

5.  30 count word strips-  15 of a cute stripe pattern, and 15 with a polka dot star pattern.  They fit the pocket charts and they coordinate (extra bonus!) to the blue!

6.  Happy birthday stickers-  I admit... I suck at celebrating my kids' birthdays.  That's an awful thing for a teacher to say... last year I didn't even do anything for them special.  But I will make an effort this year to do so (in my defense your honor, I missed the first 3 weeks of school on maternity leave and I missed a few birthdays then and I felt guilty so I just missed them all....)

I know a lot of you have been to Target and other places already stalking back to school goodies.  I did almost buy some cute little plastic caddies because again, you can never, ever have enough baskets... but I put them back.  As my friend said, do you know what you'll use them for?  No... I replied and shamefully put them back.  It is a serious addiction....

So, what did you buy?