Let FREEdom ring!!

In lieu of a backyard picnic, I  decided to celebrate the 4th of July in a different way-  my very first CONTEST!! To celebrate FREEdom, I am going to have one lucky winner  pick 1 item of their choice from my TPT store PolkaDottedPencil!!  It starts tomorrow and ends July 4th!


 Good luck y'all!!



a Rafflecopter giveaway








Congrats to Stacey Parker!!! Email me at the.polkadotted.pencil@gmail.com to claim your prize!! Thanks to EVERYONE who participated.

A little bit of help

Hey Guys!

I have two big favors to ask-

1. I was in an Istation training today and wanted to hear how y'all incorporate into your Guided Reading/Small Groups?  I have a few ideas and wanted to make sure that I was on the same track.

2. I only have 15 days left until my Donors Choose project ends. Please help me get these Wonderful stools for my classroom.  Donors Choose These stools would be such a great thing in my classroom. We are constantly moving and grooving and I don't want that to stop when we are learning. I have read some fabulous research in helping those with ADD/ADHD.  There is NO amount too small. It all adds up!!

TPT Seller Challenge- Week #2: Dare to Dream

Today starts week # 2 of the TPT Seller Challenge.. For those that want to join please see these Fabulous ladies’ blogs to go ahead and get started.  ThirdinHollywood, TeachCreateMotivate, SparklinginSecondgrade, PeppyZestyTeacherista. 

Week #2 is “Dare to Dream”. When I heard of this week’s theme I instantly flashed back to my childhood and “A Dream is a wish your heart makes… “  flooded my memory.

A dream is truly a wish your heart makes. Here are the wishes my heart is making…. 

My first two dreams flow together. I truly want to create products that are fun and engaging not only for teachers but for students as well. I hope that the products that I create will encourage more people to follow and give feedback!

To blog or not to blog: I have recently joined this journey of opening up my classroom to the big world of Social Media.  Because of Social Media I am constantly finding new ways to teach and keep the curriculum fresh. I am forever grateful for the fabulous teachers that think outside the box and hope to one day inspire new and veteran teachers. I dream to keep this blog and all that goes with it active.

Purchase our 1^st House: Kenny and I got married in October!  On our first date I just knew he was the one for me. To me, he was the man Nicholas Sparks writes about.  I'm truly lucky that he found me!! We have been saving for some time now and find out later this month if we get approved for our FIRST HoUSE!!!. I really hope that we get approved and can be in a house by the Fall.  I would just LOVE to play designer and create a home for the McCreights.

Preggers:  The secret is out. I would love to be a mommy.  If it is in the Lord’s plan, hopefully we can start soon!

Travel: In college, I was so blessed to have traveled to Europe. My history major's  heart was so full when I was able to see so many of our World’s treasures in real life and not just in the history books. When we went on our honeymoon, I found out that it was Kenny’s 1^st time out of the country. I just couldn't believe it!! We have started a "Travel Bucket List" and I would love to have my hubby join in on the adventures and to start crossing off the ever growing list! 

Whole 30: For months I had major tummy trouble. It seemed that whatever I had put into my body, just hurt it. After urging from my hubby, I decided to go see the GI. We did the small things first, but decided I needed to have an endoscopy and colonoscopy.  The prep for surgery was HORRIBLE. I do not wish that on ANYONE.  Nothing was found (thank the Lord) but I still was in pain. Since April, I have been gluten and dairy free. Well, fine. Most of the time. This is a life-style change and my dang sweet tooth won’t let go.  It was hard at first, trying to figure what does or does not have gluten in it. After lots of research, I decided to hit the restart button on my body.  My dream is to do this for the WHOLE 30 days. I start  next week….

What are your dreams? 

TPT Seller Challenge

So glad I joined the #tptsellerchallenge. Looking forward to revamping my store and my classroom. So, here are my starting out stats:

BIG NEWS: The Polka Dotted Pencil has just twitter!! I am going to be tweeting out news from my store and my classroom. Never thought about having my store on twitter, but so glad I decided to join!! Twitter : @PolkaDotPencil 

Make Over Madness Week # 1

Well, I did it. With a little nudging  from my Grade Level Chair Megown Safari, I decided to embark on this Make Over Madness. This FABULOUS idea originated from Third in Hollywood. I originally created this mundane "Weird Verb Quiz".

 Honesty time: I did this bad boy in a rush. I really needed something that could assess my students. Now, I am just LOVING this Make Over. If it wasn't for this challenge, it may not have been touched in a while... Can not wait for challenge # 2

It's a Small Small World.. Coming to a classroom near you

I can not believe it is already summer! It's literally the first day off and of course, I'm a loser.. I'm THAT teacher who is already looking forward to changing up my room and it's theme a little bit. .Now, don't freak out.. The Polka Dots are staying. It's a Lila staple. 

When I started out trying to figure out the theme of my room, I originally wanted to do a "travel/ global" theme. It was SUPER hard to do. I was instantly drawn to bright bold/hot colors and, you guessed it, polka dots... I could not wrap my head around how to merge both my loves-polka dots and travel... Plus, I had to move my room TWICE my first year, so the travel theme was thrown out the window. 

But, something dawned on me. I could merge both. I could still have the bright colors but I could add the travel theme. I could make it more of a thing... 

(Let me take you back a bit).... Almost each summer I would go to California to visit my Mom's grandmother and grandfather. We would ALWAYS go to Disneyland. I remember riding "It's a Small World" ride with my grandfather. I was only three at the time. When he past away, I continued to ride it as sort of a memory thing for me. I did not get much time to spend with him and wanted to always remember him. It's a Small World . I can't believe I forgot how bright and cheerful that ride was... VOILA!!! The infamous lightbulb goes off- Something I could easily do with my classroom. Taking on the travel/polka dots theme-- 

One of my bulletin boards will say, "Let the Adventure Begin" with cute map paper/ bunting banner and baggage tags  to display the kids work and the other bulletin board will say, "Making our small world brighter". 

Im going to tweak my "flight crew jobs" to more travel themed titles. Here's what I have so far.... 

Line Leader: Ambassador

Door Holder: Valet

Lunch Tracker: Caterer

Librarian (2): 

Paper Passer: Travel Clerk

Travel Agent:  “Welcome to McCreight’s Room" / answer phone

GPS: Tells where we are if we are not in our room. 

Technician: makes sure technology is charged.

Personal Assistant : Pilot

Electrician: makes sure lights are off

 Co-Pilot: Records assignments for those who are absent

Flight Attendant : Takes over job of any absent student

 Brag Tag Passer: Baggage Claim:

Planner Checker: Airline ticket agent. 

I'm also looking to change our clip chart to more of a travel theme as well. 

It's a work in progress, but I'm excited. Oh! I forgot. I found some adorable vintage travel posters that I'm going to print and frame to add around my desk, along with cork board for student's work. I"m SO stinking excited!!! 

I guess it's time to start working on my projects.