Five for 'Fraturday'

I attempted to begin this post last night after school but…well…I just didn't. 

You'll understand why in a sec! 

Since I have been horrible about posting lately, I'm going to start off by taking you back  a little bit to last Friday, Valentine's Day. 

We took this picture after they opened their gift from me.  Of course, I used one of Rachelle's awesome non-candy gift tags.

Go HERE to save it for next year (it's worth it)!

Then, this week we moved on to presidents.  First, we learned about Mr. George Washington.  My kiddos absolutely love Maria's Sight Word Readers!!  I love how she ties the sight words to a theme!! Some we use as a review, some we use as an introduction.  Whatever way, we love them!

We then spent a couple days learning all about my favorite president, Abraham Lincoln.  Of course, I completely forgot to take pictures of the fun things we made with Abe, but I do want to share with you my favorite resources I used:

Hands down, by far, my *favorite* little unit to accompany Mr. Abe!

Discovery Education has the perfect little video about Abraham Lincoln and his life and accomplishments! I used it as an introduction.

Do you know Kristen from A Day in First Grade?  She's incredible. 
She has a great post on President's Day in her room that is a must read.  I used several of her ideas!

Yesterday, our Kindergarten team held a mini Olympics for our kinder kiddos. We first did a little review of how the Olympics were started, learned some fun facts, and took a peak at different winter and summer games.

Then, we made patriotic hats (thanks to Maria, click HERE to get your freebie) to use as our USA uniform and made our very own torches (seen above). For the torches, we just wrapped toilet paper rolls with aluminum foil and then had the kiddos glue on red, orange, and yellow streamers to the top.  Worked like a charm!

Here's a sweet friend getting ready for his javelin throw (a straw).

Victory for one friend after his relay race.
We also had a discus throw but I was in charge of that and was too busy to take a photo.  We used American-themed mini paper plates!
We also had a closing ceremony and awarded each kiddo with a 'gold medal'

If I were an Olympic Athlete

Here's a fun little freebie for you.  I'll add a picture of these completed later. I was too tired after all the fun and forgot to take a pic!

After nothing but rain for the past couple days, I'm heading outside to spend this gorgeous Florida day (sunny and 70) with my sweet pups!
Happy Saturday!!

Valentine's Day Pins + Freebie + Sale!

I really can't believe that Valentine's Day is right around the corner.  I feel like we just got back to school after our winter break!  

I'm trying to stay 'ahead of the game' as much as I can (which isn't saying much considering Valentine's Day is only 12 days away), so I did some 'pinning' and wanted to share some of the adorable things I found for Valentine's Day!

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Phew! I'm going to be busy these next couple weeks!! :)

I also wanted to share a freebie with you.  

My kiddos love to play matching games!  

While you're at my store, take a look around.  I'm having a sale, but it's TODAY ONLY! 

Who are you hoping will win the Super Bowl?  

Five for Friday + Winner!

I know I'm slightly late to the party but I had to make my "grand" entrance! :)

This week FLEW by! I'm hoping this weekend will slow down. How about you?

Okay. Let's get started:

Wednesday, I used Abby's Sweetheart Snatcher activity and the kids and I had a BLAST!  You can read about it HERE.  So much fun!

MY Valentine's Day Breakfast Party was a HUGE success!  I had 19 kiddos present and only 3 did not have a family member attend, however, there were so many people that came the love was shared and felt by all! 

I used party decor from my Love Birds packet.  Breakfast parties are the way to go.  The parents bring all the goodies and when they leave, they take all the "leftovers" with them.  There is not a lot of preparation on your part and no cleaning, the kiddos are not all sugared up, and they get to spend their morning with their loved ones! It's fantastic!!!

I also received this packet in the mail!  I was given this wonderful resource from Carson-Dellosa to use and try out in my classroom. I'm working on "cutesy-fying" how I set it up.  Stay tuned...there will be more information and a giveaway just ahead!!

I also got THIS package in the mail!  I live in FL.  It's obviously warmer here then most places in the US.  We have to prepare for warmer weather sooner and I am SO excited!  I have not bought a new bathing suit in over a year and I am PUMPED about the three I purchased! :)  Can't wait to be poolside with my bestie!

I will leave you with this adorable cutie!  Crumbs and all!  :)

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Congratulations Sara Edgar!  Send me an email {kellymchaffie@hotmail.com} to let me know which file you would like! :)

Sweetheart Snatcher + Giveaway + Sale

So naturally I forgot my actual camera today and had to use my iPhone camera and of course with all the PRE-Valentine excitement the pictures are blurry and just not good.  Bare with me.  Is that the right 'bare' to use?! :) haha!

First thing's first...you must go buy Abby's adorable Sweetheart Snatcher packet

Here's why:

Yesterday, we learned about estimation {found in Abby's packet} and even estimated how many heart-shaped candies were in our clear jar.  Then, I pretended to be in a hurry and told the kiddos we would count the candy in the morning to find out how many there ACTUALLY were!  Little white lie.  No big deal.

So this morning the kiddos came in and the jar was right where I left it with all the candies in tack.  Then, we went to a performance {yes, at 8:50am we were just getting settled and had to immediately line up to head to a performance...fun}.  While there, I snuck out and hid the candy and planted all the "clues."  

It was PERFECT!  

I taped the first clue to our "morning message" board.  Of course they immediately saw it {insert Academy Award winning performance by yours truly} and the kiddos fell for it hook, line, and sinker.  

They were so stinkin cute and excited and beside themselves!  It was perfect.  So we read our first clue, used lots of inferencing skills, and set out on the "hunt" for the Sweetheart Snatcher.

Here we are after finding clue #3 by the water fountain.  We were so into what the clues told us and could barely contain our excitement.  It was so much fun!

After we wrapped up our scavenger hunt and found the final clue with our candies, we talked about what we think the Sweetheart Snatcher looks like.  We did a lot of inferencing and then completed this adorable follow up activity:

I love his cute little "candy snatcher" as he called it.

These kiddos came up with some of the most creative ways that this snatcher came into our room and snatched our yummy candy!

{please admire the adorableness of my sweet friend and his cute bag and not the horrendous photography skills or the fact you can't see the heart's mouth and it's sliding down the bag bc he used too much glue. Maybe I should've LOOKED at the picture before saying I was satisfied with one take. Gosh!}

We followed up our day by making Valentine Snatchers {shown above}! 

These bags will hold our goodies we receive tomorrow from all our friends!

What a super fun day.  If you do not have this packet you MUST go get it! 

Do it tomorrow!  You WON'T regret it and your kiddos will have a BLAST!  The packet is so well put together and gives you tons of options on how to do this activity! Fun, fun!

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I am so very much loving this linky party!  What a great way to share and spread the love! :)

Here's what you can win from me:
a Rafflecopter giveaway

This past year has been so wonderful and I am so excited for all the things to come in this new year.  I wanted to share the love I was feeling from all of you awesome followers and friends!

I hope you have a wonderful Valentine's Day tomorrow!

I will be going to be EARLY in preparation for the madness that is sure to come in the morning!

Love you ALL!

My Gems!

I am linky up with the ladies from Blog Hoppin' to share in my wonderful little gems I picked up during the Super Sunday TPT Sale!

I am so excited to get these cute little literacy centers up and running next week {already have some ready for this week}!  Thanks to the ever so talented, Hadar!!

Have you gone over to visit Lyndsey from A Year of Many Firsts?  You MUST!  I am BEYOND excited to implement this into my curriculum this year!!!

And then....I went a little crazy in Sarah's store and wound up with this amazing collection of goodies!  Do you know how excited I am to use these?! :)

Sarah Cooley is one of three ladies that got me started in blogging.

She's so darn talented!

How cute are those covers?! :)

And if you still are looking for some goodies for Valentine's Day, I just uploaded this cutie:

I've extended my sale through the rest of the day!

Head over now!