Happy New Year! Let's start it out with resolutions, and a sale!

As the old year closes out, and the new one gets ready to come in,  it is time to take stock of what we have accomplished in the past year-  and what we hope to accomplish this year.


For me  the key word for this year is going to be balance.  I need to balance my roles as teacher, mother, product creator, building rep, school webmaster, and blogger.  (The last of which was my downfall this past year.)

So this year...

• I will use my calendar for more than a pretty picture on the wall and schedule things.
• I will prioritize with the understanding that it's okay not to get everything done.
• I will learn to say NO, nicely and firmly when I need to.
• I will take care of myself as well as others.

If you've made goals for the new year-- then I wish you success and a feeling of accomplishment in meeting them.

If one of your resolutions is to save money, you might want to check out my sale at Myers' Fiesty Ferrets on TPT.  It will run from January 1-3rd.  Everything in the store is 20% off  including my recently expanded One Word Stories. These are rebus stories that add one high frequency word at a time to let students develop reading fluency.

https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/One-Word-Readers-Sight-Word-Stories-1373333

Some Freebies and A Shameless Plug

Look on the bright side--- at least I am bribing you to read this with the promise of freebies.

I have spent the week chained to my computer trying to finish things for the TPT back to school sale.  I would say literally--- but the reality is that the only chains holding me there were the chains of duty and determination.  And even those unraveled slightly this weekend when I spent time with my dear husband who has put up with me for 18 years this past Sunday (and 17 of them had a back to school frenzy involved-- the 18th will be here within the next 2 weeks).  So no work on my anniversary (though I did drag him into the dollar store to look for teacher items).

So  here is the shameless plug.   Please visit my TPT store.  Look at my free items.  Give me some good feedback on them.  Follow me,  it costs nothing and it would make feel better about all the time chained to the computer.  If you want to buy something--- I certainly won't object. 

Now  for the Freebies:  

There are more at the TPT store-- so click the free button and take a look. But here is part of what's kept me near my computer this past week.  Click the cover to get to it.

This  File has everything but the kitchen sink.  It includes single page stories, mini books, pocket chart cards, and a writing activity.  I really want feedback on it. Is it too much?  If so-- what should I keep, what should I get rid of?   Should I break it into different products- or keep it bundled together?  I have at least 19 more of these to make-- so I really would like to know.

And one more Freebie.  Mosquito.  It's a beginning of the year card game for learning the alphabet. Differentiation is built in because the students can say whatever they know about the card.  Little Jeremy GT already knows the alphabet-- prompt him to answer in a sentence and tell another word that starts with the letter.  Little Wilma Way Behind wouldn't know a letter if it bit her? Get her to identify the picture and scaffold your response to teach her the letter. "Yes Wilma that is a dog. Dog begins with "D" --/d/- dog"

Colored Pencils and Ferrets! What's that all about?

I guess this is as good a way to introduce myself as any.  My name is Tammi Myers and I am a Kindergarten Teacher in Texas.  I call my kids (the ones at school not the home ones) the Feisty Ferrets.

If you are a ferret lover you probably recognized my adorable Rex (in the circle) as a ferret. You probably also noted that the paw prints around my blog are cute-- but not those of a ferret. (Don't blame me-- I looked-- I really did.  If you are a graphic designer and stumble on my blog this is a really unveiled hint)

If you are not a ferret lover then I have to explain how kindergarten students and ferrets are the same...

• they look extremely innocent (and in both cases it can be deceptive)
• they are sometimes attracted to small portable objects and will abscond with them if allowed to
• when they play- they play hard
• when they sleep-- they sleep hard
• they on occasion don't do their business where they should (and yes-- I do mean that business)

And most importantly

• they are amazing and wonderful and I am glad they are in my life.