A couple of new things...

Okay I can't lie.  I am totally excited about this new stuff I have been working on - a bottlecap dangler for bookbags, backpacks or lunchboxes... a keychain and magnet for teacher.  Oooohhh ... I feel a giveaway coming up....

I jumped into this blogging and TpT with both feet and then I got run-down and not feeling well so I havent done much for a week.  But I'm ready to work a long time this weekend.. especially since my Best Buy shopping is DONE!  Thank you early access!!

New Reward Buttons in my Store!

I spent a long time tonight designing these so they are just right.  I have got to learn to take better pictures, because the photos do not do these rewards justice.  They would make awesome holiday gifts or treasure box rewards.  

See them at my store!

Moss, moss, and more moss.

This weekend I collected these three moss specimens.  The light green one caught my eye, and I took a couple of samples each one of these to see what I can grow in my classroom.

I really know very little about moss, but I suspect its time to learn!

This blogging stuff is motivating me to be a better teacher every day.

What do you know little about, but are feeling motivated to learn?

What things are Living? What things are Non-Living? Now in my Tpt Store.

I am having a ball creating adorable science activities for younger students.  I do plan to share these with my 9th and 10th graders, too.  They'll enjoy having the opportunity to critique my work  Starting tomorrow, maybe.  After our Biochemistry test.

I am looking forward to translating these activities into SmartBoard activities.  That will give me the motivation I need to learn SmartNotebook... something I have been resistant to up til now.

What new thing do you need to work on, but you're dreading it?

Too good not to share...

Hugh Jackman in the 1999 production of Oklahoma! is on PBS RIGHT NOW!

:)

THANKful for Kind-hearted Teachers BIG GIVEAWAY

THANKful for Kindhearted Teachers Giveaway

I am so thankful that I ran across this Blog Hoppin' linky party this week.  I have read so many inspiring posts, made lots of new friends, and HOLY COW have I learned a lot about blogging!!  It feels like a slow learning curve, but I am getting there slowly. Now I have to think more about the content I want to share here, and someday throw a linky party of my own.  Gotta pay it forward when you can, right?

Still thinking that's a long way off for me, but the only way to go is up!

SO what new addition to your life are YOU thankful for this Thanksgiving?

Activities like this make science fun and memorable.

I'm participating in the We are THANKful blog hop from Blog Hoppin'.  Yesterday's task - Activities like...

Ask anyone what they remember about their biology class.  Betcha' they say it was the dissections.  I know, its not the most "politically correct" activity, but we don't study science to be politically correct.  We study science to learn new things and have new experiences.

Frog dissection brings out something special in students that can be hard to reach.  With tools in their hands they are free to explore and investigate in a way they may not do again, ever. It makes them curious, motivated, and happy!  Of course, an alternative assignment is always available for students that have objections to dissecting an animal, but in 22 years of doing this activity, I've only had a handful of students that chose to do the alternative.

Hanging up helpful anatomical diagrams is a good way to encourage student independence.  They match what they see to the diagram to identify the parts inside on their own. This really cuts down on their dependence on the teacher as a resource.  Your role should be to guide the students!  You can see they really are happy and involved!

Dissection promotes teamwork! I pair reluctant or squeamish students with an eager partner.  Some students look forward to this activity all year!

Dissection of animal specimens make my biology class fun and memorable.  If I can help you incorporate a dissection demonstration into your class please let me know!

What do you remember most about your biology class?

Newest Product for Studying Heredity

I just uploaded a really cute activity to Tpt!  

I am having so much fun designing products, and working on my blogging and reading other teachers' blogs... I have little time for much else this week!  Have to make better use of my time.  I love designing activities!!

xox Terri

H is for Helpful Hints

I am trying to learn this blogging thing by jumping in with both feet.  I hooked up with an incredible group of teachers for a blog hopping extravaganza - well, at least to me it's an extravaganza!  

Today we are to post a helpful hint - and JEEZ do I feel inadequate compared to all the amazing helpful hints and awesome blog posts I have read all evening!

So I think what I will do is post the hint that I am finding the most helpful right now.

I am just at the beginning of this blogging adventure, and I know I have so much to learn and so far to go.  Its really hard for me not to compare myself with others.  I am usually pretty competent, and this blogging makes me feel pretty challenged!

So I'm curious to know - for all of you who might saunter by here from the blog hop link -what are you beginning that intimidates you?  How are you coping with the stress of it all?  Do you jump in with both feet like I am trying to do here?  Or wade in slowly testing the water as you go?

Thanks for stopping by!

My TpT store is now open!

Exciting day today!  I opened my TpT store.

I've been thinking about doing it for a very long time.  Mostly because I have been looking for a set of Lab Safety posters for my classroom, and I have been unable to find any that I like enough to buy.

My classroom is all new - finally got remodeled over the summer - and I only want to put things I love in it.  And since I couldnt find posters I love, I decided to make my own.  So I bit the bullet and purchased some of the cutest graphics out there - drawn by Ashley at www.thistlegirldesigns.com.  Ashley has been very gracious and has helped walk me through the beginning stages of creating my own teaching materials using her graphics.

I have three thousand ideas spinning through my head!  I feel like I have so much opportunity to create lessons and really cute materials!

I must admit I am a little worried that people will think the graphics I chose to use are too cutesy for high school.  But the truth is, the kids love that kind of thing.  I never saw so much envy as there is in my classroom when some students get stickers on their quizzes!

This is my first offering at TpT - its the free one.  It includes a lot of different games for students and families to use at Thanksgiving.  I remember going to my Aunt Ginny's house when I was a kid.  Someone always brought color by number for the kids to do.  And any time we are with Uncle Frank, we play a question and answer game that is the basis for my Name Five game.

Go on over to http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/Strawberry-Shake and download it.  It's free!