Spotlight Saturday: Little Kinder Warriors

Happy Saturday everyone! I know there are some of you who have gone back to school yet and others are still enjoying summer! Make the most of the time you have left!

Today is Saturday, so that means it's time for another installment of Spotlight Saturday!!

Spotlight Saturday is a link up that was created to act like a Teacher's Show and Tell. There are so many amazing products, ideas, resources, activities, tips, tricks, classroom decor, organization ideas, and so much more! Spotlight Saturday gives you a chance to showcase some of your favorites! Tell us all about them and how you use them in your classroom, and maybe we can use them too! This link up is all about sharing information that can make our classroom lives easier and more awesome!

This week I would like to shine the Spotlight on Katie from Little Kinder Warriors!!

I'm sure most of you already know all about Katie and her awesome creations, but I recently found an incredible packet of hers and I just had to tell you about it!
You know how I do Spotlight Saturday, first I'll tell you about a freebie you can find in her store and then I'll tell you about the packet I bought. You're gonna love them both!!

First up is a cute little freebie I found in her store. How many of you read this book with your kiddos?

I LOVE this book, and not just because of the sweet story line with the color changing mice and the adorable illustrations. This book is perfect for teaching about colors, as well as a great lead in to a science experiment for mixing two primary colors to make secondary colors!
Not only do my kinders LOVE listening to this story but they love the science experiment even more! We always practice mixing colors after reading this story, and Katie has created a wonderful little freebie to help with this!!

Her freebie contains two pages, the first is a page of instructions and the next is an adorable little recording sheet! In the instructions Katie tells you how to set up a science center with different colors of water and pipets, and students practice mixing the colors of the mice on the recording sheet. They would then use crayons to color all of the mice, the two by code and the third after mixing the two colors.
This is such a great little experiment to have your kiddos complete after reading the book!

I recently stumbled across an AMAZING packet from Katie that I just had to have!! I wanted the 'Growing Bundle', but you can buy each one separately as well. 
How many of you use these blocks in your classroom?

I use them during Math with Self and Math with Someone rotations, not to mention different small guided group lessons. I have some mats where students can make different animals, and the mats are all brightly colored and match the colors of the blocks. You probably have those mats too.
My kinders LOVE using the mats, but all too soon they begin to loose interest in making the same animals over and over again.
Enter Katie's AMAZING product that I found!!

Katie created a Pattern Blocks Bundle!! Each month she has created different mats that go along with the season, holidays, and themes that occur during those months!

Here's a closer look at the August and September pack.

She has included several mats that fit perfectly with August and September. Students practice shapes, and this is HUGE because they are creating larger shapes by using one or more smaller shapes. That's a Common Core Standard!!
There are also several fun mats to fit the time period, including a school house, pencil, the chicka-chicka tree, bear, and everyone's favorite cat! Each mat has three different versions to help you differentiate. Check out the Pete the Cat mats, those are the three different styles. One where students fill in the missing blocks, another where they are given only the outline, and a third where they are given only and empty space and must build their own.
How AWESOME is that?? Not only can you differentiate, but you can challenge your students with new, harder mats as they complete each one. This is a way to make each set of mats last several weeks. How perfect is that??

Oh but it gets better!!!

Katie has include spinners and a rolling cube for each packet. This way students can work on the mats together, taking turns spinning or rolling in order to complete the picture. You could also have students working on the mats alone use the spinner/roller in order to make the activity last longer. 

But WAIT, there's MORE!!!

Katie has included FOUR different response sheet, each one different from the last. Here is a glimpse of two! See all the different math skills that are being covered with these sheets? The other two cover even more.
Best thing is, you don't have to use these recording sheets unless you want to. They are not necessary to complete the pattern blocks mats, but they can be used interchangeably with every mat she created!

It's a growing bundle because at the moment it is missing the months of November, December, and January. However, the rest of the months are covered and they are AWESOME! I bought the bundle, but you don't have to!! You can buy each month separately, and start with the August/September pack to see how you like the activity!!
I am SO EXCITED to use this in my classroom this year, I know my kinders are going to love all the different choices. I love all the different parts that Katie included to make this bundle even more awesome!!!

If you want to check out these products for yourself, click on one of the images below to head over and snag one!

Mouse Paint Freebie <click image>

Pattern Blocks Bundle <click image>
REMEMBER, you don't have to buy the whole bundle. You can buy each pack separately if you want.


Now that I've shown you how awesome Katie from Little Kinder Warriors is, here's how you can find her on social media.

CLICK THE BUTTON BELOW TO HEAD TO HER BLOG:

CLICK THE IMAGE BELOW TO HEAD TO HER TPT STORE:

CLICK THE IMAGE BELOW TO HEAD OVER TO HER FACEBOOK PAGE:

Make sure to check her out and leave her some feedback love!!
I would LOVE to have you all link up for Spotlight Saturday too!! Feel free to use the graphic from the very top of the post or the one below! If whoever you are Spotlighting is on Facebook, leave them a post on their wall to let them know you Spotlighted them!! 
Make sure to read the rules below the image and then link up to Spotlight your favorite product, activity, idea, resource, tip, trick, or anything else that makes your classroom life easier and you just can't wait to share it with us!!

Rules:

1) You need to spotlight an educational resource that either you have created or you have found from someone else and love! This means you must link up with a blog post you have written putting an activity or idea in the Spotlight. Please do not link directly to a product in Teachers Pay Teachers or Teacher's Notebook or similar sites.

2) If you are Spotlighting a product from your own TPT store or that of another seller, make sure that in your blog post you Spotlight a freebie or a paid product. If you have a freebie and a paid product from the same seller, feel free to use both in your post. If all you have is a freebie, then post about the freebie and how you used it. You can also Spotlight a freebie that someone else created along with a product that you created.

2) Make sure to give credit where credit is due! You will need to include the name of the creator as well as a link to their TPT or Teacher's Notebook store where others can get a copy of the resource as well.

3) Include pictures of the product in your post, either screen shots  or photographs of your kiddos actually using the product. Give us a snapshot, just a brief glimpse into how the product or activity works. Just an image of the cover and one of the pages you have listed in the preview of the activity on TPT would be fine. It gives readers a visual and helps them better understand what your product is all about.

4) Make sure to leave a comment on the post of the two people before your post and the person after. This will help get conversation rolling, and will make sure everyone feels recognized for their efforts!

5) This is not the place to share your frustrations or disappointment with an activity or how you would have done it differently. If you are unsatisfied with your purchase that is a private conversation you need to have with the seller via email. This is not a link up to bash any sellers or their products, and any posts like that WILL BE DELETED!!

6) Follow my blog with Bloglovin' to make sure you are kept up to date on all the latest link up additions. Don't forget to follow my Facebook page too to keep up with all the notifications I send out!

7) To Link Up, you will need to click on the small blue button underneath my closing signature. It is directly under my name on the left hand side of the blog.

Five for Friday - 7/24/25

Another Friday has arrived!! Only one more Friday in July is left!! Can you believe there are stores with Christmas stuff out already???

Today I am linking up with the fabulous Doodle Bugs Teaching for her super-fun 5 for Friday linky party!

This linky is where we get to share five random things from our week.

My sweet furbaby Isis had her fourth birthday on Tuesday!! It kinda snuck up on me, I can't believe she's four!! Not being able to get around on my own yet, I wasn't able to get her a gift yet. I know she's not going to care one bit that I'm late with her birthday gift, though it makes me a bit sad!!

It says three years, but the bottom pic was taken a week before her fourth birthday. I didn't realize her birthday was so close when I took this!!

She's changed so much since she was a puppy! However, she just seems to love me more and more every day!! Love her to pieces!!

On Monday I had another doctor's appointment with my Foot and Ankle Specialist. I received laser treatment #7, and talked with the doctor about how my recovery is going. I've been able to use my leg brace and walker and put weight on my foot to walk. I have even been practicing going up and down the stairs using just the brace and the hand rails! The doctor said as long as I didn't overdo it, I could start to take short trips out into the wide wide world!! Huge deal for me, since I've been stuck on the couch since January, only leaving for a doctor's appointment!!

After my appointment, my dad and I went to a local Red Robin. I have a tavern bacon double-cheeseburger with bottomless fries, and a grown up drink or two. This was so yummy!! A prickly pear margarita with sugar on the rim!! So good!!!

It was so incredibly wonderful to get out of the house! Tomorrow I get to go to Target and zip around the aisles in the little electric cart! The Dollar Spot is calling my name!!!

If you've been paying attention to social media lately, especially Periscope, you have learned about the movement created by Lucky Little Learners and Schroeder's Shenanigans in 2nd called 'Find Your Tribe'. This is a way for teachers to get together and help each other out by giving support, encouragement, collaboration, and so much more! 

There are many different tribes you can become a part of, and often more than one tribe will apply to you! Just go search Facebook and you're going to find at least one tribe for you to join up with!!

I was lucky enough to become a part of #teachertribe, #primarytribe, and #kindertribe. I find myself spending the most time with #kindertribe, since this is a group full of kindergarten teachers. There are so many in this group that the experience level ranges from brand new to veteran teachers. There is so much wonderful information and ideas to share! The #kindertribe Facebook group I belong to have gone a step further and created a blog. This blog was designed with the intent for kindergarten teachers from all over the world to come together and help build each other up!

In order to get to know the many, many kindergarten teachers who are part of our tribe, there is an awesome linky party going on right now.

This linky party is where we get to share a bit more about ourselves and learn more about each other. You can read about the many members of our tribe by clicking on the image above!

I've been working hard on adding some new products to my TPT store! I have been creating different activities that can be used during the beginning of the year. I think my kinders are really going to enjoy these!

They will get to use various colors of BINGO daubers during each of these activities! You can read all about these three activities by clicking here!!

Finally, I wanted to share with you how my Freebie Feedback Challenge is going! For any of you who don't know, I am challenging myself to leave feedback on all of the freebies I have downloaded from TPT. Here's what I've accomplished so far!

Since I started, I have been trying to leave feedback on at least ten freebies every day. This doesn't always work, and some days I leave more and other days I leave less. However, I think I'm going pretty well so far!! I have left feedback on almost 300 freebies, and that's pretty awesome!!

Thanks so much for reading about my 5!! Swing back over to Doodle Bugs Teaching to see who else has linked up. You can link up too!!

Don't forget that tomorrow is Spotlight Saturday! It's a Teacher's Show and Tell link up to share your favorite products, activities, resources, activities, ideas, tips, tricks, and whatever else you use in your classroom life that you just have to share!

All About This Kinder Teacher #kindertribe

Today is the first linky party for the new Kinder Tribe blog. Kinder teachers from all over are linking up to share some information about themselves!

There is a graphic you can download which you fill out with information about yourself. Here's mine!

I don't know about you all, but I can't live without my planner. I write down everything in it, and without it I'd be lost!!

My favorite school supply would have to be Flair pens, they are my most favorite for marking papers and writing notes!

There isn't much I don't love about kindergarten. I can't imagine myself anywhere else!

If you're a kinder teacher, make sure to head over to the Kinder Tribe blog to link up and tell us some more about yourself!

It's not too late to link up for Spotlight Saturday! It's a Teacher's Show and Tell for us to share our favorite resource, activity, idea, product, tip, trick, technique, organization style, whatever happens in your classroom life that you can't wait to share! You could even Spotlight a #smallfishseller!!

Tell Us About You Tuesday

I am continuing to link up with the week long linky party on Freebielicious! Today's Tell Us About You Tuesday is hosted by Kreative in Kinder and First Grade Blue Skies!

Today means I get to share with you some fun facts about me!! Get ready for some random trivia!!

This sweet pit bull baby of mine turns four years old today!! I remember when she was a rolly polly puppy, where does the time go?? She is hands-down my best friend and loves me unconditionally! She came into my life at a time when I really needed her to brighten my days, and she has kept me smiling and laughing since the day I brought her home!! I did not rescue her, she rescued me!!

I am addicted to French fries. Especially with cheese and bacon. Like, legit obsessed with the ooey-gooey goodness. I could eat a serving every day...if only they were healthier!!

I am heading into my eleventh year as an educator. This will be my fifth year in kindergarten. I could not be more happier as a kindergarten teacher and I hope to stay in kindergarten forever!!

My favorite color is silver because I love the shiny sparkle. It drives my kinders crazy though because silver isn't in their crayon boxes, so I had to choose a second favorite they could find easily!! My second favorite color would have to be green!!

I don't have any kids of my own (with two legs) but I have an incredibly wonderful 10 year old nephew and 1 year old niece. I love spending time with them and they both make my heart happy!

I have two tattoos and have already planned out my third. 

My first name is completely spelled out inside of my middle name. Pretty neat, huh?

I have been at the same school for all of my eleven years. It is such an incredibly amazing workplace where everyone is so kind and supportive! I truly feel like the amazing folks I work with are my second family, and not just the wonderfully amazing ladies on my grade level team!

I love living somewhere that has all four seasons, even though I really don't like shoveling snow.

I feel energized, relaxed, and recharged whenever I am near the water. Be it the ocean, a lake, or even a swimming pool. I could stay in the water all day!!

I am not the best speller in the world. I have been known to change an entire sentence just to avoid using a word whose spelling I'm unsure of. Like, a lot.

I could go on and on, but I think I've shared enough randomness about me! I hope you are able to head back over to Freebielicious to see who else linked up! Time to learn more about some of your favorite bloggers!

You can still link up for Spotlight Saturday too! It's a Teacher's Show and Tell where we get to share our favorite products, activities, resources, ideas, tips, tricks, and anything else we're proud of about our classroom lives!

New Product Giveaway

Hey friends!! I've been working really hard on getting some back to school TPT products up! I have been creating some activities to help address the beginning of the year kindergarten skills. I'd like to share with you the three activities I just finished!

I found a whole class set of BINGO daubers at The Dollar Tree, in every color I could think of! I grabbed as many as I could, and then decided to create some activities to go with them! I know my kinders LOVE using BINGO daubers, and these packets are perfect for incorporating into daily learning. But if you don't have BINGO daubers, no worries! You can have your kiddos use crayons or markers! Here's a closer look at these activities.

Dot-A-Letter packet focuses on the uppercase, lowercase, and beginning sounds of letters. There are three different dotting mats, and each mat has its own set of cards. Laminate the cards, cut them out, and put them in a bin/bucket for students to pull from. As they pull each card they'll find the corresponding letter on the dotting sheet. The sheet with lowercase letters on it has uppercase cards to go with it, the sheet with the uppercase letters has lowercase cards to go with it, and a second lowercase letters dotting sheet has a set of beginning sounds cards to go with it. This will hopefully help you to differentiate in your classroom! 

If a student is using the uppercase mat, he will pull out lowercase cards and search for their matching letter buddy to dot it. There is also a lowercase mat with uppercase cards to find the letter buddies matches. Finally, a third lowercase mat has students pulling cards with simple word pictures on them. Students identify the beginning letter of each word and dot it on the mat.

The Dot-A-Number packet has the same flow as the Dot-A-Letter packet. For the Number pack, there are two mats with several sets of cards to go with each. The first mat focuses on the numerals 0-10 while the second mat focuses on the numerals 11-20.

Students have several card choices to use for the two mats. They can pull a numeral card to match up to the numeral on the mat. They can also pull a ten-frame card, a number word card, a finger set card, or a number combinations card. I tried to include at least two combinations for every number. You can mix and match these cards, the more ways students can recognize a number the better! The dotting mat with 11-20 has the same types of cards that the 0-10 dotting mat has.

Finally I created a pack to work on colors and color words, Dot-A-Color. This one is slightly different than the other two. There is a color word dotting sheet that can go with several sets of cards. One set of cards has the matching color word, another set has real-life objects that match each color, and the third set is colored paint splatters (there is a black and white version of the paint splatters cards too, in case you want to save your ink and color them in yourself!). There are also several different dot by code sheets included. Each sheet has a key using four pictures coded by color words. Students must read the color words and find the matching pictures on the mat to dot in with the same color.

I think these activities are going to be a huge hit in my room this year, especially since they get to use the BINGO daubers! I can't wait to try them out!! If you'd like to try to win all three, enter the Rafflecopter below! I'll announce winners this weekend!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Don't want to wait? No worries! These three activities are 50% OFF ALL DAY TODAY!! That means that you can scoop all three packs for a grand total of $3 for TODAY ONLY! Follow the links below to head to my TPT store and add them to your cart! (If you buy them and then win them, you can pick a product of equal value from my store!)
Dot-A-Letter Pack
Dot-A-Number Pack
Dot-A-Color Pack

I'd love to know what you think! Leave me some feedback love in the comments!

Tell All Tuesday: My Dream Classroom

Tell All Tuesday is a link up hosted by My Day in K and Teach.Talk.Inspire. This is such a fun linky where we get to learn a bit about each other and share a bit about ourselves!

This week is all about your dream classroom. How fun!! i know everyone has thought about what they would want to add to their dream classroom! Now is a chance to share your big ideas!!

My dream classroom would be big. Lots and lots and lots of storage space for books and everything else a teacher has. Surrounded by windows that let in lots of natural light, but also has black-out blinds/curtains for all those glow in the dark lessons! Enough room for the center activities to not overlap with each other and plenty of spots to put cushy chairs and pillows for reading and getting work done. Walls I am allowed to put holes into and a ceiling that I can hang stuff from. Bathroom in the classroom as well as a small kitchenette with fridge/freezer, stove, sink, cabinets. 

A bright, colorful space that is warm and welcoming to students and makes them excited to come to school every day!!

I would DEFINITELY do as much as I could with my dragon theme! I have made A LOT of the dragon-themed decor for my classroom, and I am really in love with it!!

 I made our classroom door tags, complete with their name on a crayon.

 These are my classroom mascots, the inspiration for my decor! I have big plans for these guys this year!!

 I made a dragon-themed alphabet line, with a dragon holding an image of something that begins with the letter on each card. The vowels are in red ink and the consonants in black.

 Close-up o the ABC line.

 Above the SMART Board is my number line. It features the numerals 0-20, and each poster has the number word, numeral, and matching set in a ten frame.

The sets in the ten frames are created with sparkly gems and jewels, because dragons LOVE sparkly gems and shiny jewels!!

My schedule cards feature dragons, and our day is tracked by moving the dragon down the rainbow to his castle.

My Word Wall features letters created using rainbow letters. I love the scribble effect, and rainbows fit perfectly with the magic of dragons!

If I had unlimited funds and could add some fund theme pieces to my classroom, here's what I would do!

Check out all of these dragon pillow pets!! They would be perfect to scatter around the room and students could use them to sit comfortably on the floor while working.

Oh my goodness, look at these seats!!! I'm loving the dragon furniture!! What kinder wouldn't love to curl up in one of these chairs with a book during Read to Self time?? I would have these all over the room, enough for everyone to have a dragon seat!

Thanks so much for reading about my dream classroom! You can link up too and share your dream classroom!!

Make sure to swing back over and see who else is sharing their dream classroom! A lot of great ideas are being shared!!!

You can still link up for Spotlight Saturday, a Teacher's Show and Tell for favorite products, activities, resources, tips, tricks, techniques, ideas, and anything else about our classroom lives that we want to showcase!