Summer Bucket List Linky

Hey all! While I was blog stalking today I saw this wonderful linky on Teri from A Cupcake for the Teacher's blog. Teri, Hadar, and April are hosting a linky about some of the things that you will be doing over summer break. We still have about 20 days of school left!

One

Shortly after we get out of school I will be enjoying my summer vacation in Europe!

I can't wait!

Two

Go to a couple of Seattle Sounders games!

Three
Train for a half marathon.



Four

Catch up on my sleep! I feel like I could sleep for a week.

Must Have it Mondays Linky

Happy Monday all! I am linking up with Sabra at Teaching with a Touch of Twang for a fabulous linky called Must Have it Monday. All you have to do is link up with the items that you MUST have in your classroom.

The item I must have is my handy dandy laminator. I was hesitate to purchase one because I always thought they were really expensive. (Plus there is the cost of the film.) I was happy to find a decently priced laminator on Amazon and the film for under $50! (Plus shipping!) The film is really thick too so I know that it will last for a while.

I also love these Bic Mark It pens. They last most of the year and I use them a lot. Plus they come in a variety of different colors. What teacher doesn't like that?

Have a good rest of the week.

Budding Blog

Hey All!

I'm linking up with Jess at I heart Recess. Every month she hosts a linky party for blogs that are just starting out and have less than 200 followers. Just click on the picture and answer the questions about your blog. I'm can't wait to meet some new bloggers.

1. Why did you start blogging?
After blog stalking all of last year, I found I loved reading their blog posts every week. I enjoyed the community of other teachers that enjoyed what they do. This really inspired me to give blogging a shot and  talk to other teachers about what they are doing in their classrooms. I have found that inspires me to try new things and approach concepts and standards differently.

2. What is your favorite subject to teach and why?
I have always loved to teach reading. I love that moment when students finally are able to connect all the pieces and really become readers. They always seem so surprised that they are able to do something that is "grown up." It always reminds me of why I teach.

3. Describe your teaching style.
All my life I have loved to learn. I try to bring this same love into my classroom. I think students need lots of opportunities to discover and explore the concepts we are learning. I try to provide these opportunities in as many ways as I can.

4. 3 interesting facts about you.
My first teaching job was in Forks, WA. (Home of Twilight books.)
I have only taught 1 grade...2nd grade.
I am starting my National Boards this upcoming school year. (Ekkk!)

5. Do you have a TpT store?
Yes I do!
http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/Krystyn-Richards

Let's Get Acquainted (May 13)

Hello all! I hope all of the mothers out there enjoyed their Mother's Day. I don't have any kids yet so here are some photos of my mom and I.

I am also linking up with Latoya Reed at Flying into First Grade for her Let's Get Acquainted Linky. This time around she asked a couple of questions about how we got into teaching.

Linky Questions

1.  What made you decide to become a teacher?

2. What has been your most rewarding experience as a teacher?

3. If you were not a teacher, what would you be?

I got into teaching after I got my bachelor's degree in Art History. I wasn't entirely sure what I wanted to do with my degree and at the time I wasn't interested in 2 more years of college to get my Master's Degree. I worked random jobs in the meantime, including working at a ski resort. Finally I decided I wanted a career that I could be challenged in and actually be able to pay my bills. I started volunteering at the elementary school near me a couple of days a week. I absolutely LOVED it and I was hooked. So I looked into what I would need to do to get my certification.

The most rewarding thing about teaching for me is, watching my students make progress. I love that moment when their eyes light up when they understand something. I love watching my students finally put all the pieces together and become readers. I'll never forget one year when I had a student come up to me all excited that they could read. It is a very humbling feeling knowing that you have a small part in helping a child read.

If I was not a teacher, I honestly have no idea what I would do. At one point I decided I wanted to be a curator at the Louvre. (Oh to be 18 and have grandiose plans.) Look how beautiful this is. Just imagine what it would be like to come to work here every day.

Don't forget to link back up with Latoya. I can't wait to meet some new bloggers.

Happy Monday.

Five for Friday and Winner Winner

Thank goodness it is Friday! This week has been a bit of a doozy. I am linking up with Doodle Bugs Teaching to post my 5 random things that happened this week.

1. We have a winner for my very first giveaway! That lucky person is...Cindy R. Congratulations Cindy! I'll be emailing you soon.

2. I got a ton of wonderful things from Teachers Pay Teachers this week at their Teacher Appreciation sale. I talked about it in my last post.

3. I work in a 100 year old building. Lately it has been beautiful outside. Unfortunately that means that it is extremely hot in my classroom. You could see my students slowly melt as the day went on. On my planning I celebrated with an ice cream sandwich. Yum!

4. Last weekend I visited my grandparents. I manged to get a ton of pictures of the trip going to their house, but none of them. :(

5. I saw this and it made me smile.  

Have a good weekend.

Show Us What You Bought!

Phew! It has been one of those weeks. (You know the one I'm talking about.) When the weather is beautiful, the kids are antsy, and the teacher is tired. Thank goodness it is almost Friday. I am linking up with Blog Hoppin' to show you what I bought from Teachers Pay Teachers.

I am in the boat of teachers that are not really sure what I will be teaching next year. Our teachers move around a lot due to the high mobility in our district. This means that next year I might not be teaching the same thing or even at the same building. I saw a ton of adorable and wonderful looking units for 2nd grade but I had to restrain from buying them.

However I did buy this unit from Amy Lemons. I can't wait to use it.

I snagged these clip art packs by  Krista Walden.I can't wait to use them in future products. I already have some ideas floating around.

I also got a couple of clip art packs from Ashley Hughes. She always has wonderful products.

Don't forget to enter in my giveaway. You still have a few hours left.

Last Day of the Sale!

Hello All!

Today was crazy busy so this is just a quick post to remind you to get your orders in before the end of the Teachers Pay Teachers sale. I loaded up my wishlist last night and I am still waiting to see if there is anything else I want to add. I love looking at what other teachers have bought. Tomorrow I'll post what I bought. I can't wait to see what other people found.

Don't forget to sign up for my giveaway before ends on Friday.

Don't Forget!!!

Today is the day I have been waiting for all weekend. It is the first day of the sale at Teachers Pay Teachers. My wishlist is a mile long and after I see what other people bought, I'll probably add more to it. One of my favorite parts of these sales are the fabulous signs everyone is making. Here are 2 of them I found so far...

Don't forget to input the code TAD13 during checkout to get your discount. Everything in my store is also on sale for an additional 20%. Here are some of my items from my store to consider. :) Don't forget to enter in the Giveaway here to win your choice of something from my store!! What's not to like about that?

Happy shopping!

Teacher Appreciation Week and a Giveaway

Teacher Appreciation Week kicks off on Monday. To celebrate all the wonderful teachers, Teachers Pay Teachers is throwing a sale this Tuesday and Wednesday. I don't know about you, but my wishlist is huge. I can't wait for this sale. Everything in my store will also be on sale during these days. This will give you an additional 20% off on all of my items. Click here to browse my store.

As if that isn't enough, I'll be sending 2 lucky winners a unit of their choice from my Teachers Pay Teachers store. All you have to do is enter to win.

a Rafflecopter giveaway


I am going to head on over to Teacher's Pay Teacher's now to get my wishlist ready.

Good Luck and Happy Shopping.

Five for Friday (May 3)

It's Friday! Yeah! I am linking up with Kacey from Doodle Bugs for her weekly Five for Friday.

1. We had a professional development day today. Thank goodness for that! You can tell that the kids are getting ready for summer because they are getting a bit antsy. I saw this on Pinterest and it made me smile.

2. I participated with this linky this week. What the Teacher Wants and Apples and ABC's blog are hosting it every Tuesday. It was so much fun! You can follow me on Instagram @msrichardssmusings Link up and join the fun.

3. I just started a new unit that will be reviewing all the math skills and concepts we learned this year in 2nd grade. I am hoping to have it up soon. Here is the cover.

4. Tomorrow I am going up to my Grandparent's house for a quick visit. They are only a couple hour drive but I don't see them nearly enough.

5.  The last couple of days have been absolutely beautiful. This weekend it is supposed to be 80 degrees! I can't wait to enjoy it.

Magic, Mistakes, and Mayhem is also having a fabulous giveaway for reaching 100 followers! Head on over to enter.

I hope you enjoyed my 5 random things this week. Have a good weekend.