Autism Awareness Linky Party

Some of my favorite Bloggy friends and I teamed up to bring awareness to Autism by hosting  an Autism Awareness Linky Party April 1 - 12th.  April 2nd  is also World Autism Day.  April is also Autism Month.  Together, we can do our part to bring awareness to the teaching community.  

Each of the fabulous Blogs you will be visiting feature an Autism-friendly freebie to use in your classroom. We are so excited to share these materials with you, and to also bring awareness to Autism.  

Autism Facts & Statistics - Did you know?

• Definition of Autism: A developmental disorder that affects the brains normal development of social and communication skills.  Most children develop the disorder by time they are 3 years of age.
• 1%  of the child population in the U.S. ages 3-17 have an Autism Spectrum disorder.
• Now,  1 in 88 children will have autism. (1 in 54 boys)
• Autism is the fastest growing developmetal disability in the U.S.
• Boys are about 5 times as likely to have Autism than girls.
• There is no detection or cure for Autism.

(Source information: Autism Speaks, CDC, Autism Society,  and Google.)

I have worked with children with Autism.  If I had one tip to share with those who create learning resources it is to keep it simple.  Even though we all LOVE and appreciate cute products,  when the printables become too "busy" it is harder for children with Autism to be able to focus on the images (That goes for a few other learning challenges as well).  You can still make cute products, but keep in mind how the items will be used and by the groups of children.

Many of the products you will find in this Blog hop are created specifically for this Hop or were adapted to fit the needs of Autistic children.  I hope that you will enjoy all of the items provided, and give a big thanks to the wonderful ladies who took the time to share their creative talents to participate in this event!  

Autism Sources

• Autism Speaks
• Autism Society
• Autism Science Foundation
• National Autism Association
• Autism Classroom News

Autism Freebies

Click the cover to download from Google Docs

Click the cover to download from Google Docs

Autism Awareness Giveaway!

To add a little FUN to this link up, we have a fabulous GIVEAWAY package for one lucky winner! This is a gift pack valued at over $125.00 which includes the items listed below!

(The drawing will be held on April 12th in the afternoon.  You can check back here on the 12th, as I will have the winner name posted, as well as contacting via email. :)

• Identifying Emotions, An Autistic Friendly Pack from Primary Paradise
• Tick Tock Measuring Time - from Ms Smarty Pants
• PECS Printable Books (Shapes, Colors, Numbers, Alphabet) from Crayonbox Learning
• Tunes for Teachers (Book)  from Susan Paul of The Fun Factory
• Autism Pack from Kathy and Susan of The Fun Factory
• Token Boards - From Chalk One Up for the Teacher
• Differentiated Essay Writing Unit from Arlene Manemann
• Missing Pieces Vowels from Life in Special Education
• Missing Pieces Long Vowels from Life in Special Education
• Color Words Unit from Merinda Powell, Pirate Girl Education Invasion
• Ice Cream Measuring from Teach with Laughter
• Autism Fairy Tales Story Box from Practice Makes (Almost) Perfect
• Spring Into Literacy from Cynthia Vautrot, 2nd Grade Pad
• Goats Don't Bathe - Personal Hygience Social Skill Story from Peggy Simpson
• Jenna's Brother Has Autism (Book) from Amber Fernbach, Author
• $25.00 Teachers Pay Teachers Gift Card from Teachers Toolkit

  

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Special thank yous:
To Karla for working so hard on the beautiful linky graphic, the wonderful bloggy friends who contributed to the giveaway:  Wendy, Martha, Samantha, Arlene, Merinda, Cyndie,Christi, Laureen, Mel,  Susan, Kathy, Cynthia, Lesley.  To Peggy Simpson who graciously donated a packet to the giveaway, and to Amber Fernbach who donated a copy of her book. Thank you to Margaret Bucklew For allowing me to use her puzzle piece graphic for the Giveaway.

April Currently

It has been a really busy weekend! I've been busy working on the Autism Awareness linky that starts um... in about an HOUR! I also have been working on SPRING CLEANING! Can you imagine? I ran out of chocolate on Friday, so I am a bit off my game! :)

Soooo....April is only a few hours away and I am sitting here feverishly sitting at my computer typing out the last of my blog post for the Autism Awareness linky party.  Ok feverishly might be dramatic, but it seemed to flow well. :)  This is my first Linky party to coordinate and I have to say, I have NOOOOOOOOO idea how other people do it.  I used to think I was somewhat organized, and a great fundraiser... I used to coordinate events all the time but wow.......I became pretty nervous and actually had a mini melt down yesterday. Thankfully, my bloggy buddies came to my rescue (thanks ladies! - You ROCK!!!)!   I did learn a few things about the process, and that I should never attempt to organize a bloggy anything without being fully stocked up on Dr. Pepper and CHOCOLATE!!!!!! :)

My Currently post below really should have said the "WHIR WHIR WHIR...HUM... of my head..." my head is filled with ideas and things I need to do.

My Dad woke me up this morning during a thunderstorm.  Those who know me well, KNOW that I am not exactly a morning person. I am more of a night owl by nature.  Phone rings, I answer it... and all I hear is..."wa wa wa wa wa wa wa"  somewhat smilar to "Charlie Brown's Teacher...." except for the voice on the other end of the phone was monotone and much deeper.  At the conclusion of the call, I look around and see both of my dogs on my bed hiding from the storm....  I was sandwiched in between 2 dogs and I couldn't move. lol   I laughed outloud as I realized that I was probably the only person awake at that hour sandwiched between 2 freaked out dogs while being awakened by someone that sounded like a radio announcer.

The day turned out to be beautiful,  65-70 degrees. The grass is growing fast, almost as fast as the baby goats.  The trees and bushes are starting to leaf out and the birds are signing a lot more.  Spring is one of my favorite times.

My best advice is to be thankful for what you have.  It is way too easy to compare oneself to others, or to see what someone else is doing.   When my thoughts start to go off course,  I think about my dear friend who sadly passed 5 months ago.  He was somebody that carried the weight of the world on his shoulders, and was always trying to do 9 million things at once. His self esteem was linked to all of the things that he did.  He was a relatively young-ish man that should have had several decades left to live and laugh with us.

Now that he's gone,  I think about all of the laughs we had and how lucky I was to have known him. I stop myself from dwelling too much on what isn't going right, and think about all of the great things that ARE going right.  I am thankful for what I have and will continue to work hard, live more, and laugh outloud because nothing is really worth stressing over.  Even not having enough CHOCOLATE to make it through the weekend!  

What was I thinking??? :)

Have a wonderful APRIL... 

Spring Cleaning Sale!

Yes!  Crayonbox Learning is participating in the weekend Spring Cleanin' Sale!  Stop by my Teachers Pay Teachers Store, and take advantage of the 20% discount.  Sale ends March 31st!

Recycled Seed Packet Matching - Take it/Make it



It's  time for another installment of Take it And Make it Thursdays, hosted by Cynthia at the 2nd Grade Pad!  Click on the logo above and you can visit all of the wonderful Blogs linked up.  

My project for this week is Recycled Seed Packet Matching!

Materials needed:

Cardstock
Lamination
Large Popsicle Sticks
Recycled Seed Packets
Old seed catalogs, ads or photo/clipart images
Scissors
Permanent Ink Marker
Glue – E600

Recycled crafts can be fun to create as well as educational. This project is one that the kids can help you with! There aren't any set rules as to what types of seed packets you use. In my example, I have used a packet of vegetable seeds, and 2 flower packets.

Directions:

1. Gather together recycled seed packets. Select 5-10 different seed packets that feature a picture on the front. Look through seed catalogs, websites, or ads for pictures of the flowers/content of the seed packets.

2.  In my example, you'll see that I selected a picture of Acorn Squash, Dianthys, and Zinnias. Even though the pictures weren't exactly the same pictures as my seed packets, they were close enough.

3.  Cut out or print the pictures of the flowers/veggies to match the seed packets.
4.  Trim the pictures to fit on the end of a large popsicle stick.
5.  Laminate for durability. (Optional)
6.  Count out as many popsicle sticks as you have pictures. With a permanent ink pen, write the name of the flower/vegetable on one end of the popsicle stick.
7.  Glue the picture at the end of the popsicle stick opposite the writing, and let dry completely.

Once the tags are completely dry, the game is ready to be played.

Variation: Another variation to this game is to have the children sort vegetables from flowers by sorting into recycled aluminum cans marked with seed packets.

All of the supplies used to create this activity can be purchased from your local Dollar Tree/Store.

Techie Tuesday...Facebook

I really hadn't planned on writing this particular Blog post today, but I happened across a message on discussion regarding Facebook launching the thread comments for Pages (Launched yesterday, March 25) and there were several people asking how to set it up onto their pages.

This is a feature that has been in the works since last November. Facebook was beta testing it with a small collection of pages.  If you are unfamiliar with the new feature,  I'm including some screen shots of my own Facebook page to show you.

The screen shot above shows you where the new comments feature will be located in threads.  With this feature, you can reply to comments without having to tag the individuals that you are responding to. 

Right now, FB Page owners have the OPTION of turning on the comments. This may not be the case later in the year, as most pages will automatically have the feature. 

To locate this feature, you'd go up to the tool menu just above the Cover Image where it says Edit Page (yellow arrow points to it).  On the pull down menu you will scroll down to where it says Manage Permissions.  The page will open (as seen in the screen shot below)...

When you scroll down to where it says REPLIES and then tick the check box and save the changes.

The next tutorial will focus on adding and changing tabs on the Facebook tool bar.

Raindrops on roses...and whiskers on bunnies?

I was reminded of the Julie Andrews song, "A Few of my Favorite Things" while listening to the wind howl and rain this weekend.  (Which followed the snow on Thursday, which was a bit of a shock after having warm spring temperatures.)  Though instead of whiskers on kittens,  I was thinking bunnies would make a more suitable lyric considering that it's close to Easter.

This Blog post will feature TWO freebies.  I found this cute game I had made which matches umbrellas to rubber boots in my files and thought it was pretty fitting considering the weather. It is included in both full color and black and white in case you'd like to color your own.

Click on the image to download!

The game consists of a center sign, umbrella cards, and boot cards.  The patterns on the cards match up.  This can be played with more than one player as in the game of FISH, or turning them over for a memory game.

The second freebie I have for you today is more Easter related, though it can be used  beyond the holiday.  This game consists of a center sign, bunny number cards, and 2 carrot markers for odd and even.  The object is to sort the bunny cards whether they are odd or even. (1-24)   This game is included in both full color and black and white!

Click on the image above to download!

This would be a cute game to pre-make and put into Easter baskets for the kiddos or for your class before they leave for Easter break.  

I plan on coloring some Easter eggs later this week. Yep, for me! LOL  I found these really cool coloring sticks at the Dollar Store, I am going to test them out.  I remember as a kid, my brother and I used to color eggs using vinegar and food coloring.  I miss the simpler times, don't you?

Coming up this week will be releasing a couple new products, a newsletter, and on Thursday I will be linking up with Cynthia from 2nd Grade Pond for her Take it and Make it linky party!  (It's LOTS of fun.)  

I hope that you have an amazing week!!

On April 2,  Educents will be launching their new website!   It's a new website that will offer different deals on educational supplies/products.  Click on the  Educents logo above, and sign up for a FREE account and receive a $10.00 gift card to be used in the Educents store when it opens.  Who doesn't love free?

Hoppy Teaching,

Bunny Book Craftivity

Click HERE to download Bunny Book Template!

Materials Needed:

Bunny Template (included)

Cardstock

Writing Paper

Glue Stick
Scissors

Stapler

Optional:

Scrapbooking Scraps
Colored Paper
Squiggly Eyes

Young children learning to write love to make little books and practice writing on any piece of paper that they find. I created this project with young learners in mind, but it also can be adapted for adults too!

This bunny book is a simple project that can be made as a group project or with light supervision. You can create different variations by changing the colors of the cover, or adding different types of paper for the pages, or adding embellishments to the cover.

With Easter right around the corner, the bunny book would make a great gift idea. Add some crayons and wrap in cute cellophane for an inexpensive party favor or for classroom parties.

Instructions:

1. Print and cut out the bunny template.
   
   
2. Fold 1 piece of 8 x 11” cardstock in half (width)
   
   
3. Unfold cardstock with the fold verticle.
   
   
4. Glue the bunny cut out flap onto the top, right
   side of the cardstock. You will want to adjust
   the bunny cut out so that the head is sticking up
   above the closed book. (See picture)
5. Fold a 2^nd piece of cardstock in half and glue
   it on top of the previous piece covering the bunny
   cut out flap. This will provide a sturdy cover for
   the book.
   
   
6. Fold in half 3-5 sheets of writing paper. You can
   use lined or unlined.
   
   
7. Place the writing paper fold on top of the fold
   of the bunny book cover.
   
   
8. Staple the bunny pages and cover along the fold.
   
   
9. The book is finished, and now can be embellished.

A big thank you to everyone who participated in the "Find the Leprechaun's Gold Blog Hop."  The winner of the $100.00 TPT Gold is Aanika P.  You can learn more details on Christi's page here!  This Blog hop was a lot of fun.  Stay tuned for more activities coming up!  Have a great week!

Educents is a new store for educators coming online April 2.  If you click on the logo, and go sign up at their website you will receive a $10.00 gift card to use in their store once they open. FREE.  Who doesn't love a little free? :)   Just a few more days to get signed up!!

Hoppy Teaching,