I HEART this Big Lots Find!

I popped into Big Lots tonight looking for something creative for my kiddos,  Violet & Mallon's, Valentines. 

 Mission: FAILED! 

 BUT... I sure did find something for my classroom! Isn't that always the way?! They are officially called "Glitter Heart", but, to me, they look like FANTASTIC TOOLS for isolating text in a story. Check out the pics to see how I plan to use them at teacher table {Yes, I know Valentine's Day is in 2 days, but does LOVE ever expire?!?! NO!}

The kids are going to LOVE it {get it?!}, and isn't that what it's all about?! 

 Love for learning... Love for school... that is the key!

Is this something you would use with the Smart Tarts in your classroom?

I HEART your comments!

Things I am fond of #10 ... tutorials {and I have one for you!}

I LOVE tutorials ESPECIALLY when they have pictures {I am a visual learner, I guess.}  There are so many excellent tutorials online, and I have really learned a lot from them.  I thought that I would give back by making one for you guys and dolls, AND it's perfect for Valentine's Day. :D 

Here it is the tutorial on the Heart Pocket {you have to say it like the "Hot Pocket" commercial. HA!}

It's a long pic... I tried to figure out how to make it WIDER, but it wouldn't work.  {If anyone has a tip that could help me ... holla!}

 

You could decorate these with stickers, doilies, ribbon ... Ohhhh, you could even paint them.  The options are endless.  I staple them to my classroom wall for delivery of Valentine's cards and they hold a lot!  I hope you are able to use them in your home or classroom. :)

Things I am fond of #9 ... facebook!



Do you love facebook as much as I do?!  Did you know that Smart Tarts Learning has a facebook page?  I post many things on facebook that I don't post here in blogland.  I absolutely love both my personal and blog-related facebook page.  It is so much fun!

 

If you would like to follow Smart Tarts Learning on facebook you can click here to be directed to my page.  I'd love to "see" you there.  ALSO, feel free to leave your facebook link in the comment section of this post.  I'd love to "like" your page too!

Things I am fond of #6 ... a pencil sharpener?!

I know it sounds crazy, but I LOVE this X-Acto pencil sharpener {X-Acto® By Boston® School Pro™ Electric Pencil Sharpener to be X-Acto! HA!}  It lasts a long time {years ... knock on wood}, it sharpens a lot of pencils quickly, it holds a TON of pencil shavings and you can sharpen multiple sizes!  I just LOVE IT! 

I linked to the cheapest one I found at Amazon... more expensive at Office Depot & such...}

***Random thought {SQUIRREL!} does anyone else think that the pencils of today are terrible?!!!  Ours always break when sharpened or don't sharpen at all...BLECH! ***

Any who... back to the pencil sharpener.  It is a bit expensive, but it is well worth it.  I'm curious if anyone else out there uses it and if you love it as much as I do...

 

I'll leave you with a joke:

 

What did one pencil say to the other?

You're lookin' SHARP!

 

 

Things I am fond of #5 ... STRAYS {this was not supposed to be today's post, but...}

I found this little girl {or she found me} running right in front of my car in heavy traffic.  What do I do?!  Slam on the brakes, get out of my car, ask if she belongs to anybody, put her on my lap and drive home. WHAT? REALLY!  I can't take another dog, let alone a PUPPY!

Well, now she is at my house and I am on the hunt for a previous {or future} family.  Oh great, what have I taken on?!  Of course my kids want to keep her, but we already have 3 dogs.  I am such a sucker for animals...Just look at those eyes!

I am not quite sure what the future holds for this sweet little pup, Dart.  Well, we shall see what happens in the coming days.  Until tomorrow...

Things I am fond of #4 ... FONTS ... Kimberly Geswein fonts!

I am a little bit of a font-aholic.  I have to pick just the right font for the project.  I know I am not the only one out there!!!  I do, however, have some FAVES! 



I thought that I would focus on one of my favorite font creators: Kimberly Geswein.  She has SO many fonts to choose from and, guess what?!?!  You can also purchase a commercial license for them ... either individually or an unlimited license.

Here is a little bit behind the creator, Kimberly Geswein:

Kimberly Geswein {pronounced guess wine}

She has a fontastic website: http://www.kimberlygeswein.com/

Her fonts can be downloaded for free at DaFont or FontSpace. 

She has over 200 fonts available, and she keeps on adding. :)

She loves coffee, tea, and reading! 

She's a huge Disney fan and loves living near the parks in Florida. 

 

Here are a FEW of MY faves of hers:

I could go on and on!

 

If you haven't heard of her or downloaded any of her fonts before, I highly suggest you do!  She is also just an all around nice person that responds to emails and comments, and doesn't mind a little ol' blogger like me doing a post on her.  THANKS Kimberly for your fonts and time! :D

 

Things I am fond of #3: Creating printables

I have always loved creating printables for my classroom since my good-old student teacher days.  Can you say, "I've come a LONG way baby!" since then, and am sure the growth will continue.  Whew ... I look back at those creations from 2003 and **SHUDDER!**

 

Anyway, I love drawing my own graphics, BUT because there are way better & faster artists out there, I also use clip art, especially from DJ Inkers.  I love DJ Inkers so much that I have given them my own little love name of "Dinkers."  

In honor of my fondest #3 post ... I thought it would be good to debut my latest bundle:

I am in LOVE with this bundle, and it is chock full of activities perfect for Valentine's Day!  31 pages in all of literacy, math & center related items! I hope you HEART it too!

 

Here are a few pictures of items included. :)

This is a poem I wrote. One for them to read, and one to illustrate & find sight words they know {they can light words up with a yellow crayon}

Reference cards, letter templates & post cards for the mail center

A bubble map and writing activity {there is another bubble map included in this unit about things that the kiddos love ... geared more for kindergarten.}

   This is a family gift project.

{Take pictures of your kiddos to make the middle flower.  Add their thumbprints for the petals.  Have them create the other 2 flowers.}

 Adding My Love {there are 4 versions of this included;1&3 are the easier ones.}

 This is a take home reader where the kids read, illustrate & fill in the missing word.

 There is even more... I can't show you all the goodies! HA!

You can pick it up at either store: TPT or TN {TN sale through Feb 3rd}

 

Tell me which item you think your class would heart the most!

I didn't get to post my 2nd thing I am fond of for the Valentine's Day countdown...

{bronchitis had me down!}  I will be posting a "doubler" today! One now... one later. :)

So, I LOVE singing songs with my kids ... Many I make up and dream of having a YouTube channel one day! Not with my voice, though the kids don't mind it, I would love to keep the negative comments to a minimum. HA! I have already recruited my magnificentally talented sister-in-law, Christen. I know she will BRING IT!  It is just a matter of time. Okay, I put it out there! 

WHY MUSIC??? It is such a valuable learning tool, not only for academics, but also to redirect behavior and focus!  Learning MUST be targeted across the styles for children to thoroughly grasp, apply and retain what is taught.  Music is just one of those learning styles. :) Want to learn more about the value of music & education??? Check out this research at Community Playthings.

There are so many songs that we sing in class that I don't create and the kids love.  Here is a small sampling of what we sing {if I could find it on YouTube I added it for y'all or you guys for you non-Texans. HA!}:

Peanut Butter {and Jelly}by: Sharon, Lois & Bram

 Skinnamarink a Dink a Dink by: Sharon, Lois & Bram:The Elephant Show {We sing this one as we are leaving for the day}

Beware ... this is bringing it back OLD SCHOOL STYLE!!!



 

Apples & Bananas {Raffi} Again bringin' it back and great for vowels!

 

All By Greg and Steve {many great for refocusing wiggly bodies!!!}

Bop Til You Drop

Beanie Bag Dance

The Way We Do It {stretching and exercise}

Can't Sit Still

The Bear Hunt

 

Too Many to List by: Dr. Jean!!! {Although one of my ALL TIME favorites has to be The African Village Song.  We have added sign language to it, and it is sure to bring a tear to your eye!}

 

The Pinocchio By Super Simple Songs {This is a MASSIVE favorite!  We just have the music, but I was pleased to see a video b/c I just made up my own dance moves!}

 

Head, Shoulders, Knees & Toes {many versions}

You are my sunshine {we add kinesthetic movements}

I love you a bushel and a peck

Tony Chestnut by The Learning Station

 

I would love to know the tunes you use in your classroom! Sing about them in the comment section below. :) 

 

Here are links to some of the albums on Amazon.com: