Say It Isn't So...

So my friend Shelley and I used to joke around that on Sunday nights we started to not feel well in anticipation of going back to work on Monday.  BUT...on this Sunday, the day back to work after Winter Break, I am just sitting at my computer thinking where did it all go and I'm not quite ready to go back to work!  Hands up if you are with me?  It was so truly nice to have this time off and celebrating Hanukkah, not Christmas, probably gave me an element of relaxation that many of you did not have.

But let me tell you about my break!  The first two days I think I slept and hung around the house. Here in Ohio, it was raining nonstop and frankly I did not want to run around in the rain.  So I started my creation frenzy.  When I first started my TPT journey, I would say that it was all very hard work for me. While after three years, it is still hard work, but it has truly morphed into a hobby for me.  I love the adventure of finding the concept based on the standards, gathering the graphics and fonts that I need, and seeing the relative ease with which I can now put a product together and make it look eye catching and a great resource for not only myself but you.  At the end of break, the hubs and I celebrated New Year's Eve with our close friends (which we do every year) and on New Year's Day we have an Open House which becomes a football fest and food frenzy.  I feel as if I plan a party with the same skills that I create a new product for TPT.  So this leaves the middle of the break.  I couldn't begin to tell you what I did between.  I saw friends, met for dinners, hung with the dog and the hubs, had a haircut...but it's truly just a blur.  And now on Sunday morning, I'm still looking at my pile of laundry, my empty plan book, and a house that had a party so what's a gal to do.  (Although I think I'm going to squeeze in one more movie with my mom this afternoon!)

Anyway, let me give you a quick show and tell about my holiday adventures and the latest and/or timely products from my store, as you may be sitting with an empty plan book as well like yours truly.  (Please tell me I'm not the only procrastinator! :)  )

January Word Work- This is an updated version of my "Making Words." Perfect for using throughout January!

This is truly a versatile product and  I have used it
in grade levels 1-4.  Once routine for your kids, it's a
perfect small group, whole group, early finisher activity,
low prep for a sub lesson.  YOU WILL LOVE THIS AS
MUCH AS I DO!  

Snow Day Superstitions- Literacy and Crossing Mid Line Practice

Do you have kids that can not cross
their mid line?  Reading their way in or
out of your room while crisscrossing their
feet will help with this a ton. Plus who doesn't
like to think about Snow Day Superstitions?

Winter/January Real and Nonsense Word Sort


Winter Spinner Reading Fun- FREEBIE FOR YOU!


Winter Sight Word Fun- FRY Words 25-50ish

Students draw a word card and
then find it in the picture. After finding it,
it gets recorded on the recording sheet!  This is
a true hit with my intervention students.

Phonics and Fluency Strips- Perfect Accompaniment for Your Phonics Program

This can be a fabulous addition to
any structured phonics program.  I use Orton Gillingham
and Recipe for Reading and these are the perfect addition so
my kiddos can review the previously taught sounds.  Phonics and
Fluency together at last! 

Martin Luther King Flip Book


Subtraction With Regrouping Anchor Charts FREEBIE

And one final product...see I told you it was a Creation Frenzy over break.  This one warrants special comments.  Our school is full of young new teachers who are all having babies.  They are returning back to work and in our building, there are very few spots where one can find privacy.  So nursing moms are often barricaded into their classrooms during planning times, lunch times, and specials nursing.  This product came about as a means of having a discreet sign on the door so other adults know they are nursing in the room and are requesting some privacy!   I'm going to enjoy passing these out to my co-workers tomorrow!  Hope you take a peek if this is something you can use!

Nursing Teacher- Please do not Disturb!

Several tags that can get a magnet attached plus
two doorknob "Do Not Disturb" signs are included.
These are pretty stinkin' cute if I say so myself!

The Hubs and I on New Year's Eve!

The World's Cutest Westie and Mascot! He is 15+ years!

Well hope you found some items you can use and/or a good chuckle as you get ready to return to work.  Best wishes for a fabulous New Year in 2016 and a great second half of the school year.  Don't forget if you are Instagram, you can get a close peek at my classroom happenings at  taryns_unique_learning

Until Next Time,
Taryn
Taryn's Unique Learning