ROCKIN' RESOURCES LINKY - PART DEUX

Alright, so I said I was going to run with a Move It Monday Linky, but my dear friend over at Simpson's Superstars emailed me the other day with a suggestion.  Sweet Stacy told me how much she loved the Rockin' Resouces Linky I hosted a few months ago and asked if I would consider bringing it back. Her logic was simple.  With summer winding down, everyone is in full Back to School shopping mode and we are all lookin' for that awesome new item to add to our collections.  Mmmmmm . . . that's a rather persuasive argument. 

Well, we aim to please here at Teacher Idea Factory.  So without further ado, I bring you PART DEUX . . . 

Here's how Rockin' Resources: Things I Couldn't Live Without rolls.  Link up a post highlighting those items that you live and die by in your classroom.  With all the back to school hullabaloo going on, I am thinking you could showcase not only items that you currently use in your room, but also items that you recently acquired that you can't wait to use!  


With all this said, here are my current TOP 5 "classroom can't live withouts" in no particular order . . . 

ONE

CREATIVE MATHEMATICS BOOKS

Have you all heard of the famous Kim Sutton of Creative Mathematics???  This woman is downright brilliant in the math department and I have been lucky enough to score most of her resource books and attend a workshop or two (my dad writes all of the music she incorporates with her activities/games so I have the "hook up" for sure).  If you haven't heard of Kim, you really must look into it.  She will add some sparkle to any math program . . . I PROMISE :)

CLICK HERE to check out Kim's workbooks.
CLICK HERE to check out workshop dates - she is going all over the place next year!

TWO

SMELLY MARKERS

You must be thinking "DUH, DOLLING..." everyone loves smelly markers.  But, before you skip over this one, take a look-see at what I found at Staples this weekend - Rose-Art Scented Mini Washable Markers.  At only $3.49 a pop, these are perfect for the kids to use and abuse on a regular basis.  Mr. Sketch (skinny and fat) is still my quality "smelly" of choice, but at $8.99 each, I typically only let the kids use these on very special occasions.  Now that I have these Rose Art ones, I can share the "smelly love" a bit more this year . . . even if they all smell a little the same :) 

CLICK HERE to find the Staples nearest you!

THREE

DIGITAL TIMER

I am so bad at keeping my eye on the clock.  I get going and am so focused on the task at hand, watching all the kiddos, and "selling the sizzle" that I forget to monitor the time.  I always go over . . . unless I have my trusty timer.  I have a couple of junky ones from the Dollar Store that I use as back up, but my true love is this XL-numbered bad boy!  I found this digital delight on the New Management Web site.  Not only does it count up and down, but those larger than life numbers help the kids and I see it all the way across the room.  This timer is a bit pricey (ringing in at $15), but I truly love mine.

CLICK HERE to visit Rick Morris' New Management Web site.

FOUR

INTELLI-TUNES BY RON BROWN
Did you think this one wouldn't be on the list?  Of course I had to tell you all about Ron Brown's Intelli-Tunes.  Even if this guy wasn't my dad, I would dote on his music just the same.  You can teach all kinds of mad concepts using Ron's standards-based tunes.  Not only will your kids learn oodles from them, but you won't want to run for the hills when you switch it on.  From place value and tallying to rhyming, grammar, and basic movement, Intelli-Tunes has you and your kiddos covered.  Check their web site soon for upcoming back to school sales!

CLICK HERE to learn more!

FIVE

DYNAMIC DICE

I am all about "throwin' those dice" when it comes to teachin' those standards. They are magical little teaching tools that immediately keep your kiddos tuned into what you are "selling."  It's this emotional engagement that turns those short term teaching moments into LONG TERM learning.  I already have ABC, money, double, ten-sided, and thirty-sided die.  But check out these cool cubes that are on their way from Great Extensions via UPS as we speak . . . 

 

CLICK HERE to visit this crazy-cool site!

Speaking of dice, are you looking for more dice-based games to try out in your room?  Let me digress just a bit . . . have you seen or heard of Box Cars and One Eyed Jacks?  These ladies have worked magic in the dice and playing card department.  I have found so many cool games via their books.  

CLICK HERE to get more info!

Alright that's it for little old me.  'Tis the Back To School Season my dear friends . . . won't you link up and share your new and old resources with us?  Pretty please with sugar, sprinkles, and a great big cherry on top :)


Also, be sure to check back to learn about ENTER my ROCKIN' RESOURCES PART DEUX GIVEAWAY (yup . . . I am bringing this back too).  


A HUGE thank you to Stacy over at Simpson's Superstar's for asking me to do this.  It truly is a great idea to bring this little linky back to the table.  

I appreciate y'all taking the time to visit me today my friends.  I cannot wait to read your posts!  I'll see you sooner rather than later :)