Lucky To Be In First

Leave a Comment

Teacher Stamps!

Okay, I’m here with my latest teaching obsession – teacher stamps! You guys…seriously, I don’t know what it is about a lil’ rubber stamp {and, of course, a silly pun} that gets my kiddos so motivated to do their best!

But these self-inking teacher stamps are a game changer!

You may have seen over on Instagram that I am growing a BIG collection of stamps! It honestly started with just one…and then another…and finally, I had to clear out a drawer of {unused!} art supplies to make room for the collection.

I allow my Class President of the Day to select a stamp for me to use throughout the day. {I’m too lazy/forgetful to switch out jobs daily or weekly, so each morning after attendance, I pull a popsicle stick with a name out of a jar.  That person is IT for the day! They are my sidekick all day and help me pass papers, run errands, be the line leader, etc.}

Customized Self-Inking Teacher Stamps | Lucky to Be in First

There are TONS of options to choose from in my store! Here are a few of my favorites people have selected

 

Want to start building up your own teacher stamp collection? Check out Lucky Stamps!

For just $14.95 each month {including shipping!}, you’ll be able to select one of three new stamps to add to your collection! Plus, you’ll get a 15% off coupon to use in my Etsy store so you can add even more at savings!

Take a peek at some of the recent choices included in Lucky Stamps!

I can’t promise that this will make all of your grading go away, but I can promise it’ll make it more fun to do with Lucky Stamps! Go sign up for Lucky Stamps or check out everything available in my Etsy shop!!

 

1 Comment

Summer Reading List {2018}

This post contains affiliate links.  By purchasing an item on these sites using these links, I will receive a small commission on your purchase {which helps me buy even more books!}  For more information about my Disclosure Policy, please visit this link.

Okay, everyone, I’m back with this year’s MUST READ list for Summer 2018! My Kindle is charged up and I am absolutely ready to burn through my list of books!

First things first…are you a Kindle/E-Reader reader or an actual book person? I’m a HUGE fan of the Kindle.  It is on me at all times so I’m never without a book. I have the Kindle Paperwhite…because I like to read in bed using the illuminated screen.  It really is worth the extra bucks!

However, since I signed up for Book of the Month last year, I DO love getting books in the mail.  {If you use the code USESPF you’ll get a free book over on BoTM!} Plus, JB is a huge proponent of books everywhere in the house! So, the pretty covers are a plus and you lose that for sure when you’re holding an e-reader. My only drawback is that I can’t really lay in bed and read!

For the past few years {2015, 2016, and 2017}, I’ve created a list of books that I was reading and books that you should read!

I’m back with another list for 2018!

As I mentioned last year, I signed up for Kindle Unlimited.  For just $9.99 a month, you get unlimited access to millions of books and unlimited audible files, too! The best part – the first month is FREE! I discovered some fun “summer read authors” last year {all of the Lauren Layne and R.S. Grey books are my favorite finds this year!}! You can cancel anytime, so it’s definitely worth a try – even if just for the summer.

Over the past year, I’ve read close to 90 books, so it was very hard to pick for this list! But, here are my MUST reads for the summer of 2018!

Books You Should Read…

I’ve realized that I kinda like suspense {but not nightmare-scary!} You MUST read The Woman in Cabin 10 {I’m a few years late on this one!} and Then She Was Gone.  You guys…you will not be able to put these books down!!!

If you can only stomach one {okay two!} kinda suspenseful books…definitely start with The Wife Between Us. It’s not scary, more like…”OMG did that just happen?” I remember reading it on the couch next to JB and I gasped at one key plot point. He looked over at me like I was nuts! Also, you MUST read The Last Mrs. Parrish. This is not scary at all – it’s more of a thriller!

An American Marriage is an excellent book. It is very well-written and brought up a lot of really interesting things for me to think about. As I turned the pages, I found myself going from angry to frustrated to laughing. This book really got me thinking.

Still Me is another sequel in the Me Before You Series.  This book follows the main character Louisa to NY a few years after we left her in After You. I love reading well-written sequels. It’s like I’m catching up with my old friends!

On the first sunny day of June, I read How to Walk Away. I did not think I would enjoy it as much as I did! Basically, the best day of the main character Margaret’s life {yay…she get’s engaged} happens on the same day as the worst day {uh oh…plane crash} I couldn’t put it down and was so sad when it was over.

I read Beartown in one lazy afternoon laying in bed in the rain. It is a very interesting story {written by the same author as A Man Called Ove} about a small-town that centers around a winning hockey team. One event sends shockwaves through the community.

I have been a HUGE Rachel Hollis fan for years {probably an unhealthy crush level} You may recall that I shared her fiction books a few years ago on my list and you can’t help but grin as you read them.  Well this year, I’m adding Girl, Wash Your Face.  I feel like Rach and I were meant to be besties {I told you…unhealthy girl crush}  I rarely read non-fiction books, but this one is SO worth it! It’s basically a guide to be a better you.  It covers 20 lies that Rachel told herself..and how to knock it off! If you do not follow her on Instagram, go do it. She’s inspiring, witty, and definitely keeps it real!

Before We Were Yours.  You guys…allllll the feels and emotions.  I don’t know if getting older has made me sappier or what, but some books just really get to me! This was probably one of the top books I’ve read in the past year.

And my final book suggestion is the Not Quite series.  They are all free on Kindle Unlimited. I read all six in about as many days this Spring. It was like hanging out with old friends each time I started a new one!

Books I want to Read…

Emily Giffin has been one of my absolute favorite authors forever. I mean, she wrote Something Borrowed {which introduced me to Shake Shack, hello!} and all the fun sequels. This summer she’s releasing All We Ever Wanted and I’m so excited to read it!

Colleen Hoover’s latest, All Your Perfects, comes out mid-summer.  Can’t wait! I didn’t love her last release {Without Merit} but I’m hopeful this one goes back to the style that she is amazing at {super emotional books with strong characters!}

It wouldn’t be summer with an Elin Hildebrand book, right? I can’t wait to read The Perfect Couple!

Lauren Weisberger is a very hit or miss author for me. Loved Devil Wears Prada and Last Night At Chataeu Marmont so I can’t wait to read When Life Gives You Lululemons!

Since Crazy Rich Asians is coming out as a movie soon, I’m adding it to my list! The movie preview looks fun so I’m sure the book is even better!

Something in the Water is my thriller of the summer! Can’t wait to read it.

The Queen of Hearts just sounds like a good {juicy} book about friendship.

Have a book you think I MUST read? Leave the title in the comments and I’ll check it out!

I put all of these book links over in one handy list on Amazon. You can check ’em all out HERE!

If you like some of these suggestions, make sure to follow me on Instagram. I often share the books I read using the hashtag #luckyreads.  Are you on Goodreads? Let’s be friends! I also put all of my “bookshelf” above over on Amazon!

Slainte!

Leave a Comment

Sound & Light

Do you teach the Next Generation Science Standards? I recently created a Sound & Light unit to use with my first graders this year! For the first time, I’m actually excited to teach Science!

{You can read more about the Sound & Light here!}

Of course, it helps to have great books to go along with the unit, right?

Here’s a peek at the perfect books for Sound & Light that are just perfect for first graders!!
Click on any of the pictures and it’ll take you right to the book.

This post contains affiliate links.  By purchasing an item on these sites using these links, I will receive a small commission on your purchase…which I’ll use to buy even more books! For more information about my Disclosure Policy, please visit this link.

It’s important that every child understands that they are a Scientist! This book is a great way to kick start your classroom learning!

This is a great book to review the five senses! and kick off your discussions on Light and Sound!
I learned A TON while creating this unit and this books were just right for kids {and teachers!}
This is a very comprehensive book on Sound! Kid friendly illustrations, too!

This just may be my favorite book {along with the Light one!} It is absolutely perfect for young learners and it includes experiments for kids to take their learning even further!

 

Can you ever go wrong with a Rookie Reader? Simple language for complex ideas! Love the picture dictionary in the back, too!

This is a fabulous book for learning all you need to know about light waves! 

I am so grateful for the authors out there who can make really challenging concepts so simple to understand through words and illustrations! I love both of Wendy Pfeffer’s books for this unit!  

This book on light is just right for first graders!Every child loves their shadow! And I’ve recently discovered that I love Oscar! Oscar is a very curious cat who helps students understand scientific concepts! 
As you start to learn more about sound and light, students soon discover that the two ideas are related…and they can communicate using what they know! This is a perfect book to help with that idea!
And it wouldn’t be a Science unit if we didn’t have the Frizz helping us, right?

I purchased the entire Magic School Bus DVD set because they are just perfect for Indoor Recess!

 

But the two episodes that are just right for Sound and Light are Magic School Bus: Inside the Haunted House and Magic School Bus: Gets a Bright Idea.

Wrapping up the unit is the perfect time for these videos because students will have a strong idea of what’s happening after they’ve had a chance to explore on their own! 

Want to read more about Sound and Light? Check out this blog post!

Slainte!

 

Latest from Instagram

Latest From Facebook

Latest from Pinterest

  • great resource!
  • Brain Games in the P
  • Do you have some pro
  • 20 Positive Statemen
  • Are your students st
  • Lucky To Be In First
  • You searched for spe
  • Games to Strengthen
  • Lucky to Be in First