Time for Tieks!

Oh happy day!  

I'm talking about the day the mailman delivered a package 

from Tieks and Stitch Fix on the same day!  

I confess that sometimes I let other people try trendy things out first (Pinterest, Instagram, Erin Condren, Stitch Fix).  I'm not even ready to talk about Periscope yet - unless it would help me spend more time with my kids somehow. I'm a review reader.  Eventually, I get on board if the reviews are good enough.

That's how I ended up ordering my first pair of Tieks!  I'll admit, I struggled with the both the price and the color choices at first.  Since I have never met an unhappy Tieks owner, I decided to go for it!
Then came the color drama.  There are so many beautiful colors to choose from at the Tieks Boutiek! My husband laughed when I whined to him about being torn between pop pink and cobalt blue.  He actually suggested that I just buy both if I really like them, which means he was unaware of the price.

Sensible me appeared right after I put pop pink in my shopping cart and I ended up buying matte black instead.  There are only so many days I can wear pop pink, right?  That's what I keep telling myself.

The folks at Tieks know how to do things right!  From the fancy box to the handwritten note inside, it is clear that customer service is a priority.  My daughter tried to snatch the "headband" off the box before I could take this picture.

So here they are, my new matte black Tieks!

Dreamy... 

 Almost too pretty to wear...incredibly soft leather, a carrying case for when I pack them in my suitcase and a cute little card!

Let me just tell you - yes, they are really as comfortable as everyone says they are!

I tried them on with jeans, a skirt and a dress - LOVE them!

I'm picky about my shoes and comfort is a priority.  I rarely wear heels, but dress up daily for work.  I've been searching for a pair of flats that had enough support and was comfortable enough for me to walk in all day.  Cha-ching!

I'm going to really put these Tieks to the test when I travel to New York for a conference later this summer.  I'll let you know how that goes in a few months.

For now, who knows where these Tieks will take me?
(Please excuse my rolled up yoga pants summer uniform.)

 I do know that I think pop pink might be callin' my name...

The answer is YES - Tieks are worth it!

The Shocking Truth

In early August, I received a request from the Dixon Ticonderoga Company to do a product review. I immediately agreed to try out some of their products, because I LOVE Ticonderoga pencils! I'm a huge snob when it comes to my pencils. I only like Ticonderoga pencils. They write the best. They sharpen the best. They last longer than other pencils. They remind me of the good old days when the nuns handed out 2 pencils to each of us - traditional. That's how I like my pencils - only Ticonderoga.

 I was surprised that the Dixon Ticonderoga Company not only sent me their products, but a variety of competitor products to try out as well.

 Here is what I found... Pencils - I will confess that I did not test the competitor pencils because I'm a Ticonderoga snob. I already know which pencils are the best. I even tell customers (strangers) at the store in the school supply aisle that they should put their "other" pencils back because Ticonderoga pencils are the BEST.

 Watercolor Paints - I tried out the Prang (made by Dixon Ticonderoga Co.) watercolers and the Crayola Washable Watercolors. The Prang watercolors produced more vivid colors on paper and the case is more durable. The Crayola watercolors were "washable". Perhaps the Prang watercolors are as well, but the case does not say "washable" and I didn't want to try it.

Colored Pencils - I tried out Prang Large Triangular Colored Pencils and the Cra-Z-Art Colored Pencils. Both come presharpened, but I loved that the Prang colored pencils are large and triangular shaped. I think they remind me of the big crayons we used to use in Kindergarten. The fact that they don't roll away on the desk is just an added bonus. The Prang colored pencils definitely write more smoothly (is that word). The box also includes a sharpener. There is about a $3.00 price difference per box - the Prang pencils are more expensive (not so teacher budget friendly).

 THE SHOCKING TRUTH 

On August 13th, I started an experiment with one of the Prang markers and a Crayola marker.  Dixon Ticonderoga sent me a brand new box of both.  I decided to leave the caps off the markers to see how long it took each to dry out.  You know how that happens in your classroom in just a few hours - even though you've modeling, reviewed and warned the kids to PUT THE CAPS BACK ON - annoying.

So, I left the caps off and started my little experiment.   

I was quite surprised that by August 15 (2 days later) both markers were still going strong.  On day 5 of my experiment, I left the country on an 8 day cruise with my family.  I was shocked when I returned on August 25th to find that both markers still worked and worked well!  I'm even more shocked to report to you that I tested both markers one last time this morning and they both still work.  The Prang marker works just like it did on the first day.  The Crayola is starting to fade a little bit.  Folks - it has been exactly one month that those two markers have been uncapped in an uncovered bin on my kitchen counter and THEY STILL WORK!!!!  Simply amazing...and shocking.

I have a list of about 28 things I want to blog about, but I'm finishing my 2nd week of school today and I'm still in survival mode.  My husband bought me a new computer for our anniversary (yep, he's 12 kinds of awesome)...so I'm busy transferring data too.  I'll be back in action soon.
 

Reader's Theater

A few months ago, I posted about how we do reader's theater in my classroom. It really seems to build confidence and improve reading fluency for readers of all levels. I also like that students have to really focus their attention to know when to read their part in each play.

Welcome to our theater! 

 You can read my last post here. 

My friend, Kristin (A Teeny Tiny Teacher) made the first set of plays that I posted about in the previous post.  My students LOVED her first set of plays!
I'm so excited that she made another set. 

I can't wait to use her second set with my first graders next year!

You can find her new set by clicking on the image below.

Thank you for all of your hard work, Kristin!

 

The Allowance Game

I was recently invited to review a new game from Lakeshore. Let me start by saying that I love Lakeshore! It's really that simple. Lakeshore is hands down my favorite company for educational products. Over the years, I have purchased furniture, games, literacy centers, storytelling kits, leveled book sets, pocket charts, craft supplies and bins for my precious leveled book collection from Lakeshore. 

 It was my pleasure to be able to "try out" a game for the folks at Lakeshore. The game is called The Allowance Game. I played the game with my own two children (ages 6 and 9) first. Then I tried the game with a small group of my first graders who could already recognize coins. My own children loved the game and begged me not to take it to my classroom. My students loved it as well and I plan to use it daily when we start learning about money.   

 The Allowance Game helps children learn to make count small amounts of money and make change. It also encourages children to earn and save money, while giving them practice spending as well. Players can earn money by doing things like chores, a good deed for a neighbor and getting good grades. The photo below is from the Lakeshore website. You can click on the image to read more about the game and/or purchase it on the Lakeshore site.

Here is a picture of my own kids playing the game.  Please excuse any balls of dog hair that may be floating in the background.  Those are ignored until June in our "2 teacher home". 

This game is recommended for children in Kindergarten to 4th grade.  My first grade students and my own children loved this game.  In fact, my son wants to buy it for one of his friends as a birthday present.  This learning game would make a great addition to your classroom, your game collection at home or a gift for any child.

Good news!  Lakeshore is allowing me to offer a buy one get one 50% off promo code for you to use on your purchases before 11/2/2012.  The online coupon code is 2247.  If you are lucky enough to live near a Lakeshore store, you can print the coupon at the link below.

Lakeshore Buy One Get One 50% Off

Thank you, Lakeshore, for another impressive product!