50% Off During Super-Bowl Half-Time!!

Yep! Quick post to let you know that a lot of TpT Store will have a handful of products 50% off during Super Bowl  half-time!!
I've already set mine; I probably would forget to do it tomorrow!            
Regards,

P.S. Just for fun, I made a QR Code for my store! Leave me a comment if you would try it and see if it works! I'd love to know how many people use the scan app for QR Codes on their phones!

The Power of Unexpected Words...

      As a middle school teacher, there are always days when I wonder if I am doing things right. Sometimes, I wonder what I can do to get someone interested in reading. How can I get them not to think of English as the most boring subject? Lol. Then, there are school years when that certain student likes to be the center of attention or show complete disrespect, just to do it. Those times truly get me down. I know I have dwelled on a moment (or several) like that and let it eat me up sometimes! 
      Not this year---I have had the best group of students this year...probably the best of all my years in middle school. That is not to say that I haven't had a "bad" day at school, because this week was a little trying. As it happens at times, I let a student get under my skin this week; I can't help it. I'm ultra sensitive and take it to heart when students are disrespectful. 
      However, and I'm getting to the point of my post, all of the negative/blue feelings I'd held onto this week washed away with just a few kind words. As I was checking emails this morning, I opened an email from a parent that simply wanted to tell me, "You Rock!" She thanked me for doing so much for her child this year. Because of me, her child enjoys reading again; because of me, her child enjoys English. The email said a bit more, all great things, but you get the point!
      In addition, I had a student leave me a note today to tell me how much she loved my class, and how she wished I could teach her every year until she finished school. :) She said I made English fun, and she was glad to have a teacher that cared about her students. 
      When a teacher realizes he/she has had such a positive impact on a child, it does wonders for the soul---at least it does for mine. These two simple notes made my day today! Two simple notes to say, "You rock!" and "You are my favorite teacher" made me smile inside and out all day! Obviously, I'm still smiling about it because it is 12:23 a.m. and I felt the need to share this post!
      I wanted to share this with you, also, to remind us all of the power that words have. Hurtful words can truly hurt. But, kind words can make the difference in someone's day, week, life...we never know how strong of an impact words can have! 
      As a teacher, it feels great to know I'm appreciated and that my students enjoy my class because of me! Knowing that I have had a positive impact on my students (at least 2 this week..lol..) is what makes me so very glad to be a teacher! 
      So, remember the power of your words! A few simple kind words do have a tremendous impact on a person, especially when it comes out of the blue!
      Have a wonderful weekend!

A Little Humor from a Favorite Book...

You know those books that you just have to pick up sometimes, read a smidgeon, have a giggle, and then maybe you feel like you can regain your sanity?

Well, one of those books for me is Hide Your Ex-Lax Under the Wheaties: Poems about schools, teachers, kids and education by Cheryl Miller Thurston.

I thought I'd share a tidbit from it, as I read quite a few today, and it wouldn't be fair not to!!  As teachers, educators, etc., we can all appreciate the lighter side of life---I hope! If these make one of you smile, then I've accomplished what I wanted:

         Attention Deficit Disorder
Can all my friends' kids really have A.D.D.
 (Unless they are gifted instead)?
Aren't anyone's children "rambunctious" or "spoiled"
  (Or "sharp as a tack" or "well-read")?

and one of the best ones from the book:

                          Life
You don't need a number two pencil for life.
An "A" will not find you a husband or wife.
You won't find fulfillment in filling in bubbles.
And "all of the above" is no answer for troubles.


For life is a Ferris wheel. Life is a laugh.
Life is a wonderful, wandering path.
Life is a mystery. Life is a mess.
What it is not is a standardized test.


I recommend a book or two or five such as the title above! It always helps to read a snippet here and there and just see humor in some situations!