Upcoming Sale!!

In case you didn't hear -- Teachers Pay Teachers is having a giant site-wide sale Thursday and Friday February 27th and 28th.  Everything in my store, and many things site-wide will be up to 28% off!

Get your wishlists ready, and plan ahead. This is your chance to make the upcoming stretch of the school year easier on yourself.

Click on the banner above to go directly to my store.

New Secondary Resource to Share With You

I wanted to share a resource with you!  I am honored to be part of a group of secondary teachers who are creating a group collaborative blog on a variety of secondary topics.

There will be daily (or almost daily) topical posts.  Most will be education related.  There will be monthly themes, such as formative assessment, technology, etc.

I hope you will stop in and check it out! I think you'll like what you find!

Looking for Task Cards That Will Make Your Students Study?

I don't  know if you have used task cards yet in your classroom.  I had never heard of them until I started hanging around the Teachers Pay Teachers forums, and reading some of the other blogs.  Even after I heard about them, I was afraid they were too elementary.  It seems like the elementary teachers are often the ones talking about task cards.  Boy.....I was missing out.  I haven't used a few sets, in a couple of different ways, and plan to use them more often (I am teaching all high school this year). 

If you haven't used task cards in your classroom yet, they can be used a lot of different ways.  They could be a warm-up or closure activity that is used with a projector (in my set I created a full-size version and a 4 per page, card version).   They could also be used for review activities such as "scoot," "roam the room," or put a few at each station.  Another one of my favorite things about task cards is that they are easy to differentiate.  In my set there are 5 different levels of questions on each topic.  You can certainly pick and choose which cards you use, or which cards are used by each student (you can even assign them card numbers to work on).   

For more information on task cards, click here or here. 

I created my first set to post on Teachers Pay Teachers.  See the picture preview below.  

They are human body systems task cards.  This is a topic that is commonly taught in 4th grade, again in middle school, and again in high school (at least here in NY).  These cards go from a basic level to more complex.  They include a total of 50 cards, where 5 of the cards on the human body systems in general, or together, and then there are 5 cards on each body system.  

Here is my first bit of feedback!   That makes my day!! 

 Do you  have particular topics on which you would like to see task cards?  What tips do you have for using them?

These are also part of a larger bundle of human body activities, which include labs and foldables on the respiratory system, digestive system, circulatory system, skeletal and muscular system, and nervous and endocrine systems

My New Year's Resolutions

I was invited to participate in a linky part on New Year's Resolutions.  Here are mine:

And here is the original linky, maybe some resonate with you?  What are your goals for the upcoming year?  Feel free to comment.

Facebook frenzy

If you don't already follow me on facebook, this is a good time to start.

There are almost daily posts of science links, jokes, activities, and articles. 

In addition, next weekend (December 6-9), is a facebook hop. A bunch of secondary teaching facebook pages will be linked together and giving away freebies. 

Come like my facebook page and get freebies!

www.facebook.com/taral.sci

Cyber Monday Sale.

You can get up to 28% off on TpT Monday and Tuesday. Stock up and make it easy on yourself through the holiday season, or into the start of the new year. Get ahead and enjoy your vacation.

In my store, everything will be 20% off through Wednesday! with the site wide sale, you can get 28% off Monday and Tuesday. 

Enjoy!  Get your wish list ready!! 

September Linky: Starting the School Year

I started a monthly linky in July.  Now its time for September!! It will run as follows:

• Each month will have a theme
• The linky will be posted on 15th of the month.  It will be open until the next one opens.
• You may post a link to website or free resource, or a paid product.  
• If you post a paid product, you must note that it is paid.  If it is paid and not shown, the link will be removed.

What will you do, did you do, or have you done to start your school year off right? How do you get your students interested in the class, and get that oh-so-important beginning of school going the way you want it?!

I included this picture because a friend of mine (brave soul) does the Mentos and Diet Coke activity as an experiment on the first day of school.  Kids leave saying "I love Chemistry!  I wonder what we are going to do tomorrow?!"

Monthly Linky: August

I started a monthly linky in July.  Now its time for August!! It will run as follows:

• Each month will have a theme
• The linky will be posted on 15th of the month.  It will be open until the next one opens.
• You may post a link to website or free resource, or a paid product.  
• If you post a paid product, you must note that it is paid.  If it is paid and not shown, the link will be removed.

The theme for August is classroom organization or classroom management.  For example: incentives you use, ways that you help yourself, your students or you stay organized, tips that you have for planning or running various activities, etc.

Facebook Frenzy!!

If you are interested in some great freebies, click on the link below.  I am participating in the Facebook Frenzy.  In this, you go through Facebook pages and collect freebies.  I think there are about 30+ freebies available.  They are only available through Facebook, so take advantage.  Runs now until Monday 9pm.

Back to School: Fantastic Free Common Core Resource

If you are getting ready to teach this year, you are probably thinking about Common Core!  Here are some great resources to help you prepare for the year!  A group of sellers contributed, and some excellent leaders at TpT compiled these fabulous back to school common core ebooks.

There are books for each secondary core subject, k-2 math and ela, and k-3 math and ela. They include common core tips, free resources, and some paid common core resources. 

Check it out!

Here is the Science Book.  When you click on the science book, you will also see the other books!

Science Back to School Common Core Ebook

Monthly Linky

I would like to do a monthly linky.  It will run as follows:

• Each month will have a theme
• The linky will be posted on 15th of the month.  It will be open until the next one opens.
• You may post a link to website or free resource, or a paid product.  
• If you post a paid product, you must note that it is paid.  If it is paid and not shown, the link will be removed.

The theme for July is Summer Fun or Summer Learning Resources.  For example: A seasonal activity, a fun activity that would be good to do with kids at home or in a day camp situation, or anything else related to summer, or learning outside the classroom.

Please link up, and feel free to share!

Giveaway - Everybody Wins!

I am proud to be taking part in a Summer Planning Giveaway.  Help yourself get a head start on the school year.  Here is the prize back that my product is part of (there are other packs as well.  All the details below).

This giveaway is being run in a really unique format.  Everyone wins!  You need to find the secret words, and follow my blog/ like facebook page.  You can follow on either Bloglovin or Feedly (on the right hand side) and like my facebook page

Everyone will start at http://imlovinlit.blogspot.com where Erin has done TONS of work to organize this very well-planned givcaway.  Follow the directions there to collect the secret words and get the prizes!

Here is my secret word!

The product that I donated is station signs, in 3 sizes/styles.  These are great for many subjects and classrooms.


These station signs come in full page, half-page, and table tent sizes.  They go from numbers 1-12 and are great to laminate, or just print and re-use to really make your station numbers stand out.

Hope you enjoy!

Two Great Resources for Freebies and Science Info

I am part of two events that I wanted to share with you.  Both are great timing as school is wrapping up for the summer, and we will likely spend at least a little bit of time this summer just browsing and reading up on related articles.

First of all, I am participating in a Facebook Frenzy Freebie Event. In this event, as you go to different Facebook pages, you get a variety of freebies.  It starts tomorrow, and goes through Monday.  Thanks to Creation Castle for hosting.  You can click on the image to go directly to it!

Secondly, I am participating in a blog hop of science blogs.  I have already found some great new science related blogs.  

One of my goals is to host a monthly linky on different topics.  Mrsharristeachs is hosting this, but wants to share the linky so that it can display on other blogs as well.  I am going to count this as my first one!

Huge Sale - Teacher Appreciation!!

May 7th is Teacher Appreciation Day!  (Right between my birthday and Mother's Day! -- Hmmm!)

In honor of Teacher Appreciation Day, Teachers Pay Teachers is having a big sale.  Most stores (including mine), are 20% off, and TpT is giving additional percentage off, so that most things will be 28% off.

This is a 2 day sale - May 7th and May 8th! 

My store is also on sale 20% off through May 9th.

Get your wish list and shopping carts in order, and get ready to be appreciated!  Make the end of your school year a little easier and save some money doing it!  

Secondary Giveaway!

I'm participating in a giveaway! Super Secondary TpT Giveaway! Just in time for Teachers Appreciation Week. 40 Prizes from TpT's Top Secondary Teacher Stores. ONE Grand Prize Winner. Scroll down below and enter to Win...Enter May 1st to May 5th

Here is are direct links to all the products being given raffled off!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Wow! A Great Literacy Freebie For You

Happy Easter!

If you aren't already a member of Teacherspayteachers.com, or receive the weekly newsletter, you may want to.  They send out a weekly newsletter (you do not have to be a seller) which gives 10 free downloads of various topics and grade levels each week, some featured products, and some discussion of what is upcoming.  Did you know April is Poetry Month?  There are suggestions from  other teachers of how they are using this in their classroom.  Its a great way to liven up your classroom routine, and stay creative in your teaching.

I am writing about the newsletter because I was lucky enough to have one of my products be one of the featured free downloads this week (see picture below).  Strangely enough, it is the product I just wrote about in my last blog post! (I swear I didn't know it was going to be featured).


I love this for the feedback as well.  Here are a few of the wonderful bits of feedback I've gotten today!

"Excellent way for Reading teachers and other core subject teachers to collaborate."

"I like this! It's great for common core and higher-level academic reading."

"Great to use with my ELLs? Thank you."

"This is user friendly for high school students and a great tool to share with pre-service teachers to include literacy in their content area."

and

"This is a great reading activity....As an ELA teacher it's great to see science teachers promote reading skills. We're your newest followers!" 

Here is a link to this week's newsletter.

I actually first got involved in TpT through looking for a free product, and then signing up for the weekly newsletter with the free downloads. There are some great products coming right to your inbox every week, and some inspiration and ideas from a creative and passionate group of teachers.

Here is a link to sign up for the newsletter (all the way at the bottom look for this)

First Year Friday Featured Guest - Check it Out

I was lucky enough to be chosen to be a guest blogger in the First Year Friday Feature - advice for first year teachers. Feel free to read it, and check out the blog in general. Amber has some great resources and features on her blog.  Just click on her blog button below.

  http://sssteaching.blogspot.com/2013/03/fyff-science-in-city.html

Super TPT Sale

Teachers Pay Teachers is having a Sunday SUPER Sale. You will get 10% off sitewide, and most sellers are offering additional percentages off, up to 28% off site-wide.  You only need to use the promo code SUPER.

At my store (and many others) the sale prices are extending into Monday as well!

Spend a few minutes on Saturday to fill up your wishlist.  Look at your upcoming units and buy what you need now, while its discounted.

Or maybe you have been thinking about checking out the site, but haven't yet?  Looked at free items, but haven't purchased yet?  Now is your chance.

Enjoy the superbowl, and save yourself some planning and writing time later on!!

Giant Giveaway

Huge Giveaway!

There is a giveaway for products of all ages...over 75 products in several different prize packs.

Check it out here.

Getting the Most Bang for your Pin

I apologize for the blogging break.  I have not been feeling well, and have been really overwhelmed and sick and tired, so blogging had to take a backseat.  I'm still not feeling 100%, but slowly improving and with the day off, I'm trying to do a little bit of blogging while I take it easy on the couch.

One of my best finds, which surfing the internet is this site.

Do you use Pinterest, either to promote products or to share ideas and save pictures that you like?   If so, you may be curious which boards are getting the most traffic, which items you have already pinned to which boards, and if they are getting re-pinned or not.

I have been trying to come up with a way to keep track of my pins, and make sure I am handling them the best way that I can.  I couldn't come up with something that seemed workable.  I did a bunch of google searching.

You have to set up an account, and then wait a day or 2 for it to collect data.  After that, there is a gold mine of information.

It will show you things like:

• All the items to have pinned to each board, along with the date.
• The number of followers for each board you belong to.
• The number of repins that each pin has gotten.
• You can even export your data to CSV if you really want to analyze

Here are a few screenshots to give you an idea.  Wow!  This has potential, I think! 

Hope this is some help to you.  They are in the process of changing the interface, so I have seen a few slightly different things when I login, but there is a ton of information in there!