Carson-Dellosa Mania!

At the beginning of August, I was asked by Carson-Dellosa to be a Brand Ambassador!!!  I was SO excited!  I have been a HUGE Carson-Dellosa fan since I started teaching.  This year is going to be so much fun, checking out new products and writing reviews.

I am having so much fun decorating my classroom with all of my Carson-Dellosa goodies!!  At the end of the school year, I wanted to leave the boards up so that there was less to do when I came in this August.  However, once I saw the  Chalkboard collection from Carson-Dellosa, all of my ideas changed and I am SO glad they did!

I am absolutely LOVING the Colorful Chalkboard Collection!  The bulletin board set comes with a calendar, birthday chart, incentive chart, and door label.  It's 40 pieces and my favorite part of it is that the numbers for the calendar are oval shaped.  I love that they changed up the typical square numbers and made them oval!  I also love LOVE love that the letters are PREPUNCHED!!!!!  Seriously??  YES!!!  I am getting rid of all my other letters and replacing them with Carson-Dellosa Prepunched letters!!!!!  I am one happy teacher!!!!

Another item that I am excited to use is the Language Arts Interactive Notebook Templates!  I have been using interactive notebooks for about 2 years.  After looking through this book and reviewing my curriculum, I know that this will come in extremely handy this year!!!  I love when my students are hands on, and this book is going to really give them the change to use hands on learning!  It's also Common Core aligned!  Here is a great video showing more about how to use this book in your classroom!

The final product that I received was the Common Core Assessment Record Book.  This book looks AMAZING, but it's not something that I can utilize in my classroom.  It comes with space for 30 students, and unfortunately, just like most private and charter schools, I have more than 30 students in my class.  36 to be exact.  My principal was considering buying one for each of our teachers to use, but decided against it since there wasn't room for all students.  I am hoping maybe next year, there will be more space!!

Overall, I am REALLY excited about the products that Carson-Dellosa has come out with!  My classroom looks amazing and I can't wait to do a reveal on Wednesday afternoon!!!!  More picture to come!

Review Disclaimer: I participate in the Brand Ambassador Program for Carson-Dellosa and have received this product for free to review.

Leave a Comment Back to School, Blog, Carson-Dellosa, classroom, Decorations

Viva Las Vegas 2015

I got back from Vegas a week ago and crashed….I was exhausted!!!!  My brain was/is on overload, filled with so many amazing memories, ideas, and a world's LONGEST to do list!!!

Last year, I attended the Teacher's Pay Teacher's Conference at the very last minute.  I went to Vegas, knowing NO ONE, and completely  content with the fact that my best friend worked in the hotel that was hosting the conference.  So I knew that if my shyness got the best of me, I could always go and hang out with him.  Of course I had a blast and knew that I was going to have to go back again this year.

This year, I anxiously awaited my email from TpT about the conference.  I was signed up within a week and had my business cards ordered and shipped!  When we had our Northern California Meet Up, I found out that some of the girls were going, and I was extremely excited!!  This year, I would go into this conference with people I knew and that settled my nerves a little.

When I got to Vegas on Wednesday afternoon, I had never been so happy to be on the ground!  The flight from the Bay Area was a quick one, but the last 20 mins was bumpy and windy.  NOT my idea of fun.  Then, as the pilot landed, he pulled back and took back off.  The wind had shifted and we had to land on a different runway.  15 more minutes of wind and bumps.  Blah!  At least the view from the plane was nice!!

When I finally got to the hotel and got into my room, I met up with Laura from Teaching from Beyond the Desk.  Our first stop was the Expo!  I was so excited to pick up my Blogger T-Shirt from A+ Images!  They did an AMAZING thing for Teacher Bloggers this year.  They created shirts for each of us to wear at the conference!  My shirt got lost in the mail.  I was SO upset.  I really liked my shirt and Doug was awesome about helping me.  I spent 30 mins at the Post Office, sick as dog, and they couldn't find it.  So, I emailed Doug to let him know and he replied to let me know that he would reprint my shirt and bring it with him to Vegas.  MADE MY DAY!  I wore the heck out of that shirt while I was in there too.  Great company!  We even took a group photo with all of our shirts!

Once we had my shirt, we went to explore the Expo and found ourselves GoNoodling!  Such a fun way to start off the week!  Her husband even got into it!!  :)

One of the first people that I met was Mr. Greg from Kindergarten Smorgasboard!  Mr. Greg is someone I have admired as a blogger for awhile.  His innovative ideas keep the crazy wheels of my brain going.  Even though we are on COMPLETELY opposite ends of the teaching spectrum (he's in K and I am in 5th), he sparks ideas and shares his knowledge.  He also has the cutest pups ever!!!  

Once we were done at the Expo, we had a little bit of down time before dinner and the big Vegas Meet Up!!  Laura and I met up with Erin from Very Perry Classroom and Sarah from Tales of Teaching With Tech!  We were the 4 musketeers for the entire rest of the week.  We had a pretty good time.  :)  

 

The Vegas Meet Up was AMAZING!!!!!!  I met some of the bloggers and TpT'ers that I have admired and followed through social media.  I loved getting to know them and putting faces to names.  One person that I was SOOOOO excited to meet was Ally Saxon from Loopin' Littles!!!  She was my original S.L.A.N.T. Box partner.  Love her!!!  We didn't get nearly enough time to chat and hang out.  I was a bit overwhelmed by the entire meet up…in the best possible way!  I am so so glad that I got the chance to meet her tho!  

There were so many other bloggers that I had an opportunity to meet.  I felt so honored to meet them.  Hope King from Elementary Shenanigans, Deanna Jump from Mrs. Jumps Class, and Natalie from Teachery Tidbits just to name a few!!!  These ladies are inspirations for bloggers like me who are just getting off the ground.  They are also a few of the sweetest and most genuine people I have met!  I feel honored to be a part of something that includes these amazing women!

The Meet Up was AMAZING!!!!!  I have to say a HUGE THANK YOU to the AMAZING sponsors of this event!  There were goodie bags filled with amazing products that I can't wait to share with my class.  Carson-Dellosa, Scentos, GoNoodle, Teacher Created Resources, and Ellison Education!

The conference itself was filled with meet ups of our grade levels, hearing some AMAZING speakers, sharing ideas, and lots of planning for what it next!!  I learned that I need to be more consistent and I need to, "find my niche!" 

At our leveled meet ups, I met some amazing bloggers!!!!

One of my highlights was meeting the founder of TpT!  Paul Edelman!  

Of course, we had to get out of the hotel at some point!!  What better way to spend an absolutely BEAUTIFUL Vegas day (81 degrees), than with Serendipity 2's Frozen Hot Chocolate!!!!!  Delicious! We also walked around the strip and played dress up!  :)

I ended my trip by attending the Primary Pack Meet Up!  I didn't have the chance to attend last year because I left Vegas, but I was determined to go this year!  I didn't stay long.  I was utterly exhausted!!!  However, I got to meet my blog designer, Megan Farve, from A Bird in Hand Designs.  She is truly amazing!

On my flight home….I sat next to the same TpT'er that I sat next to LAST year on the flight home.  Lol.  I think next year we may have to plan our flights…Lol

I know this post is long, but I had an unbelievable time and met so many people.  I am truly grateful to have been able to attend this year and can't wait to see what the next year brings!   I have so many ideas and so many things coming!  I can't wait to collaborate with other bloggers and continue to build amazing relationships with the men and women of Teachers Pay Teachers!  

Leave a Comment Blog, classroom, Meetup, Northern California, TpT, TpTVegas2015, Vegas

FInal Details for NorCal Teacher Blogger Meet Up!!!! #NCTBM2014

I can't even begin to tell you how excited I am right now!!!!!!!!   We have all the final details planned for our NorCal Teacher Blogger Meet Up!  I am so excited to meet the bloggers that I have followed for a long time, and some that I am a new follower of.

The biggest challenge was finding a place. I called Cheesecake Factory near me and they were SO RUDE!  Once I got off the phone, I began thinking outside of the box and remember a great place that my friends and I went a few months back.  I called and told them what we were planning and the manager said, "Ohh…it's gonna get crazy up in here!"  Haha….Teachers?  Crazy?  I have NO idea what you are talking about!  :)  Ha!  So, he booked the party room for us to use!  Here are the details!  If you haven't received an email from me, then you aren't on my list, so leave a comment and I can forward info to you!  Otherwise, read below and get signed up!!

Here are the FINAL details!!!  :)  We have finally booked a place and have a time!  

Date:  Still December 6th!  

Location:  Firehouse #37 in San Ramon!  Address:  250 Market Pl. San Ramon, Ca 94583

Time:  4:30pm-Whenever!  

My best friend Shyra over at Junior High Core Values, and I are SUPER excited to meet everyone!!!!!  We are looking forward to enjoying dinner, drinks, and stories!  

We are asking that each person chip in $10 for prizes, goodies, and a couple appetizers we can share!  :)  The remaining food will be on each of us to order.  Here is a link to the menu:  Firehouse 37 Menu

If you can't pay the $10, email me and we can work it out!  Please send the $10 via PayPal with your name and email address to this email:  brianne_walterhouse@yahoo.com  (that's my personal email). This will also be your final RSVP (for those who were still unsure because of time).   

I know a couple people have said they are willing to bring raffle prizes, so THANK YOU!!  

In the spirit of the holiday season, we are asking that each person bring a White Elephant gift for an exchange!  I think this will be super fun!  

Again, I can't WAIT to meet you all!!!!  We have some GREAT surprises in store!  Yay!!!!!!  

#NCTBM2014 is our official hashtag!  heehee!  

4 comments Blog, Meetup, Northern California

Meet the Teacher Linky Party!

I have decided to join Stephanie at Falling into First for the "Meet the Teacher Linky!"  So a little about me….

I live in a small town called Dublin, located about 30 minutes from San Francisco.  I love the Bay Area1  There is so much to do!!!  My family lives close by, which is always nice.  My parents are in Oakland (it's not ALL bad like you hear!) and I am very close to them.  My mom is my best friend.

I am the oldest of 3 kids, and the only girl.  I have two "little" brothers, both of whom topple over me by many inches.  Lol.  One of my brothers works as fitness trainer and the other is becoming a police officer.  I also have a niece (my nieces pieces) Kassey.  I am totally in love with her.  She's 1 and LOVES auntie B.  :)

I teach at a Catholic school with the BEST people in the world.  I am moving up to 5th grade from 2nd grade and I couldn't be more excited!

THESE ARE A FEW OF MY FAVORITE THINGS...

Movies, the beach, Target, Michael's, Macy's, hiking, being with my family, baseball (GO A'S!), hockey (GO SHARKS!), anything owls or chevron print, warm fuzzy blankets, going to the mountains, sleeping, anything country chic! 

 IF YOU WEREN'T A TEACHER, WHAT WOULD YOU WANT TO BE?

I would be a police officer.

THREE LITTLE WORDS THAT DESCRIBE YOU.

Honest, friendly, committed

 

FINISH THE SENTENCE, "________,  SAID NO TEACHER EVER!!"

I would love going back to a xerox machine
 

Q: IT'S YOUR BIRTHDAY AND YOU CAN INVITE ANYONE {DEAD OR ALIVE} TO THE PARTY. WHO ARE YOU INVITING?

Rascal Flatts  :)  I'll be in the front row in a couple of weeks!!! ekkkkk!

Q: IF SOMEONE WROTE A BOOK ABOUT YOUR LIFE, WHAT WOULD BE THE TITLE?

 Oh Boy….I haven't a CLUE! 

 Q:YOU GET TO PICK ONE SUPERPOWER. WHAT IS IT?

Freezing Time…like Evie in "Out of this World."

Q: WHAT'S YOUR FAVORITE QUOTE OR SAYING?

"Never let the fear of striking out, keep you from playing the game." -Babe Ruth

Q: IF YOU HAD TO SING ONE SONG ON AMERICAN IDOL, WHAT WOULD IT BE? 

"Complicated" by Carolyn Dawn Johnson

Love the song and it fits right now. Lol

 

 Q: ARE YOU A MORNING PERSON OR A NIGHT OWL?

Total night owl!!  Getting up in the morning is a challenge.  I actually woke up last year at 9:17am.  School started at 8:00am.  The power had gone out…I just kept sleeping.

Q: WHAT'S YOUR FAVORITE RESOURCE THAT YOU'VE CREATED IN YOUR TPT SHOP?

I think my favorite is probably my 2014-2015 planner pack.  It's my first TpT project that I am sorta proud of!

Q: SHARE SOMETHING WE MIGHT NOT KNOW ABOUT YOU! 

I always have to take a picture with Stomper and Sharkie when I see them!!!!

I love the 4th of July!!!

I hope you enjoyed learning more about who I am!!!  To learn about other teachers, check out this link!!

3 comments Blog, Meetup

Blog Design Awesome-Sauce!

I don't even know where to begin.  I am IN LOVE with my new blog design done by the amazing Megan at A Bird in Hand Designs!  She is AMAZING!  She basically nailed it.  I couldn't believe how easy it was to communicate and how fast she got back to me.  Even while she was on vacation.  :)

My new design has really helped me feel motivated because I feel "official."  I always see these beautiful blog designs, but I could never afford them.  Then when I came across A Bird in Hand Designs and saw that my blog design could become a reality and for a price I could afford, I jumped at it.

I hope you all love it as much as I do!!!!  Thank you again Megan!!!!!

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