Boo! An early Halloween treat!

Halloween Card Game

Halloween is one of my favorite holidays.  I grew up in a small town in Washington state.  I was fortunate to go all the way through school with the same friends.  The cool part about Halloween in a small town is that everybody knows each other, and all of the kids went around together trick or treating. 

I created this card game last year for a publication, and I thought it would be fun to share it with you for your students.  The instruction sheet, colored and bw cards are included in the download.  This would make a fun treat for students in lieu of candy!  Click on the link below the photo to download! :)

~ @~

You'll find that I also really like creating resources that use materials that you have on hand.  With budgets already stretched,  there is generally not a lot of funds to buy the extras.  In the coming days/weeks,  I will be featuring more activities and crafts that incorporate materials that you may have on hand.  I also will share with you my tips for using Dollar Store materials to create learning centers!

~ Crayonbox Learning Newsletter ~

I am excited to share with you that I will be publishing a newsletter bi-monthly!   If you look on my sidebar to the right of the page, you'll see a sign up box for my newsletter!  Twice a month,  I will be publishing a newsletter that comes with an exclusive freebie, tips/hints, techie tidbits, exclusive offers and much more! This is a FREE newsletter, only available to those who opt in.  It takes just a minute to subscribe. The first issue will be published on October 15th!   ~See you there!~

For just 1 more day, my exclusive Fall Learning Bundle is available on Educents.  The Fall Learning Bundle was put together for the $15.00 frenzy.   Click on the link below to see all of the materials included in this collection.

Fall Learning Bundle

Chillin' at Home with the new crew....

They're here! :)

Pictured below are the new Oberhasli does that came in from Kansas last week.  They are (l-r)  Audree, Athena, Astryd, and Ariel.  Ariel has a little "tyson" bite out of her ear, courtesy of one of her goat friends back in KS. :)   Oberhasli dairy goats are Swiss.  Oberhasli  are a little smaller in stature than the Alpine. They are known for their bay coloring and black leg, face, and dorsal markings. They will milk up to 2 gallons of milk a day, have higher butterfat than an Alpine.  Their milk has a slight sweet taste, and is sought after for making artisan cheeses.

One of the reasons I have these does now is to preserve the genetics.  These girls are purebred, and there are few purebreds left in the United States.  In part because when they originally were imported around 1936,  the animals were crossed with Alpines forming what is known as the American Alpine.  Sadly, all of the purebred genetics are being lost in part because of the difficulty in importing any new animals.

So now you know a little bit about the Oberhasli breed.

The weather has cooled here in Arkansas. I am very happy about that.  The nights are dropped down to the mid 50's.  The owls have been hooty hooting moreso than usual.  This is the kind of weather that is perfect for taking students out for nature walks.  

Have you downloaded my freebie,  Fall Leaf Booklet Template?  I created this booklet with nature walks in mind.  The idea is to use the template with cardstock, and slip inside Ziploc baggies. Then when the children collect leaves (or other items) on their nature walk, they can put them inside the baggies.  The booklet pages have space to write on too!

I also wanted to share this freebie with you for Manic Monday!  Everyone seems to LOVE the chevron pattern so I put together these editable labels for you to use!  The instructions for adding text is included in this zip file.

I'd love for you to leave me a comment and share what your classroom management style is. Do you use labels so that everything is neat and organized? 

Fall Learning Bundle

Just a few days left to pick up the Fall Learning Bundle (exclusively) from Educents.  Click on the image to learn more about everything included in this fabulous collection!

Fall Bundle on Educents!

I am very happy to share with you my new Fall Learning Bundle being featured on Educents as part of their $15.00 (or less) Frenzy campaign!  My products were selected to be put in this awesome promotion!  I am excited to share this with you!  All 4 of the featured Fall Learning Packets are available in one bundle priced at $10.99 ~ 40% off retail price.

The Fall Learning Bundle was made exclusively for Educents so it will only be available for purchase through them, and for a LIMITED time only!  

To learn more about this bundle, click on the image below!

Items included in the Fall Learning Bundle:

Apple Number Games

Scarecrow Glyph & Puppet Pattern

Candy Corn Learning Centers

Goin' Batty - Bats / Stellaluna Learning Centers

I woke up this morning to the sound of horses calling to each other. No, it didn't sound quite like "Hey Margaret,  I'm headed over to the other pasture... do you want to meet me for some oats?"  It was more like Scooby Doo sounds when he's laughing, only higher pitched.  You're laughing? :)  It's all true!  Oh and another thing, I am cold!  COLD!  I am sitting here writing this with my teeth chattering, leggings and 2 layers of shirts on.  It's probably 50 or so degrees outside with heavy dew on the ground.  Fall is just about here! I.can't.wait.

This photo is from Aaron's Photo Tours.  Aaron is the brother of a guy I went to school with.

His photography is amazing.  He's scheduling a tour to photograph owls in January! Click

the photo to stop by and visit his website to see all of the amazing wildlife photos.

It's been cooling down all week, which I am thankful for.  It's been in the 80's all week, and the weather man says it will be a cool week. I wasn't thinking of temps, but rather thinking about what I would be doing.

I love Fall.  Fall is one of those seasons where all of your senses become happy.  Sights, smells, sounds... all of it.  One of my favorite sights is the changing colors,  but also the OWLS become more hooty than other times of year.   I identified the owl I'd been hearing in the back woods.  It would hoot pretty loud, who who who whooooooooooo... well, friends,  I found this fabulous site called All About Birds (catchy name, eh?)  that has sound recordings of bird calls.   It didn't take me very long to find out that my friend the owl is a Great Horned Owl. Click here to hear what one sounds like.   It didn't take me very long to figure out that this beautiful sound I was hearing was not a mythical creature, but a very large owl.  I saw one take flight a couple days ago,  and no I didn't get a picture of him.  I am assuming it's a him because he kept changing directions. ;o)

I bet you can guess what I am currently working on.... OWLS! :)  I uploaded this coloring page freebie this morning so that you could print it off and color it. "Who" doesn't love to color?

Owl Coloring Sheet

I added this other owl freebie, Count by 5's in both color and BW.  It features number cards, and a header card.  To be used in a pocket chart activity, matching game, or flashcards.

Download Owl Count by 5 Here

I will have some more cool stuff to share this week.  Now that my Blog is re-organized,  it's time to get down to business and start filling up the pages!  If you have a suggestion or request for printables, please email me using the Email tab at the top of the page or leave me a comment.  I love hearing from you!    

I hope everyone has a wonderful Sunday!

Talk to you soon!

Educents is an up and coming site for amazing educational DEALS.  

Apples and Crayons!

Who doesn't love apples and new boxes of Crayola crayons?   I created the activities included in this Blog post last year as part of a publication submission.  They were such a hit, I wanted to share them with my readers. 

You might see a trend when you look at some of the projects that I post.  I like to use materials that may be on hand already, and or can be re-purposed. Both of the activities included in this post use minimal paper and construction time.  The templates are provided in black and white so you can print them off onto colored cardstock too (optional) to conserve ink!

The Apple puzzles are fun, and can be added to apple themed learning centers for independent work.  The font on these are not dotted.  You could use them with dry erase markers (after lamination) as long as you don't cut them out. 

Apple Alphabet Puzzles

Download Template HERE

Materials Needed:

• Cardstock
• Printer
• Scissors
• Colored Pens
• Lamination
• Apple Alphabet Puzzles Template

Directions:

1. Print Apple Alphabet Puzzles Template onto cardstock.
2. Option 1 is to print black and white onto cardstock and color with ink pens, option 2 is to color the template prior to printing.
3. Cut out whole apple alphabet pieces (do not cut center for puzzle until after lamination)
4. Laminate apple alphabet pieces.
5. Cut center of apple alphabet pieces to complete the puzzles.
   
   
   
   

Crayon Patterning Activity
Download blank template HERE

Materials Needed:

• Cardstock
• Scissors
• Crayons
• Lamination
• Printer
• Crayon Patterning Template

Directions:

This activity is great for young children to learn patterns and patterning. Crayons are a perfect manipulative to use for their wide range of colors, and availability.

1. Print Crayon Pattern Template.
2. Color the pattern templates (with crayons or non-bleed permanent ink pens) in different patterns. Make as many as you'd like with different patterns and colors. (AABB, ABAB, ABCA)
3. Cut out the Crayon templates.
4. Laminate Crayon templates for durability.
5. Get out your box of crayons and match the crayon colors with the pattern cards.

(Can be used for a group, or individual activity)

If you have a suggestion or request for a new freebie, please leave me a comment below.  I love hearing from you!   Enjoy your week!

Currently, Fun...

Yep, it's that time again!    I look forward to the Currently each month that is published by Farley, at Oh' Boy Fourth Grade!  It's the one time a month when I stop and really think about the questions.  Be sure to stop by Farley's Blog and show her some Bloggy love! :)

Listening:  I listen to various programs while I am working.  Right now, I am listening to Ally McBeal on Netflix.  I am wondering if there are really that many messed up people in the work place. 

Loving:  I spent part of the weekend re-organizing my office/studio.  I didn't realize that I needed to until I started moving stuff around on my supply shelf.  A large garbage bag later, and a few hours of messy chaos. :)  I'm almost organized again.  I still have a few things left to do, I will post a picture when I am done. I have to laminate some labels and vacuum. 

Thinking:  I have been thinking about what is on the drawing board.  I am anxious to prepare for the holiday season but in order for me to do that I have to get the right mindset.  My friend recommended that I listen to Christmas music, or do something festive to get in the mood for the holidays. :)  I'll let you know how that goes. LOL  I am thinking about watching the movie Elf.  It always makes me smile.

Wanting:  I grew up in the Pacific Northwest, where going to a beach took a few minutes and I could be at the ocean within an hour or two.  I moved to Arkansas in 2000, and I have not set foot on a beach since then.  I think I need to feel sand in my toes, and salt water lapping up over my feet.  

Needing:  Yep,  it's a little early but I need to start thinking about Christmas.  :)  Have you ever noticed how most of the stores have holiday items up a month or two before they are actually needed? The same thing applies for people like me who create for a living.  September = Christmas! :)    It's a little hard to get with it while it is still 90 degrees out..... 

Loving:  Cooler temps (yes, it is cooler today than it was last week.... the cool down is beginning),  The guys came and hayed the 2 big fields this weekend.  It smells sweet from the fresh cut grass. And... excited that Fall is almost here!   I will be bringing home a second herd of goats in about 2 weeks!  I can't wait.

If you read this far, YAY!  lol    I hope that you have a great week!  :)   Keep smiling, because you never know whose day you might brighten.

P.S.  Do you like the little mini make over I did on my Blog this weekend?