Top 10 Posts of 2013- A Year in Review

Greetings Friends!
     As we all sit here in the final minutes of 2013, I can't help but reflect back over the year. It has been a good year, I think. There have been many ups and down, just as a good year should have. For, if we only have lots of ups, we would never know the downs. Something  that we all need in our lives.
     Last year I simply took the top 10 most viewed posts and linked you to them. After much thought, I think I will stick with a similar format. I will pull the top 10 most viewed posts and share them. I challenge you to think back over YOUR past 365 days and share some highlights of your year as well. :)

I wish you a very Happy New Year!
-Cheers!
Mr. Hughes

#10) A"MAZE"ing Plural Nouns!
I have loved making and using my Mystery Mazes. This posts shows my first time introducing them to a class. It was a lot of fun and they asked for more. Wahoo!

#9) Share the Wealth Freebie Linky- July 27, 2013 (And a HUGE Back to School Giveaway!)
Share the Wealth has been my small way of giving back to you, my amazing supporters and friends. I hope you find them useful and are able to get lots of great ideas to use in your homes and classrooms.

#8) 100th Day of School 3-D Style
The 100th day of school. It is closer than we could ever believe. I was laughing with my administrator the other day. 100 days is only about 1/2 way, but it seems so much further. The post shows one of my dodecahedron projects being created by a class. It is a great project that takes several days/class periods to complete. So much fun to make.

#7) Share the Wealth- RING IN THE NEW YEAR with FREEBIES and GIVEAWAYS!
I think it is great that this post (which was still a live linky at the time of THIS posting) is in the top 10. SO MANY amazing resources to use with all grade levels. I think you will like them.

#6) It's Time to Teach TIME- Elapsed Time that is!
Elapsed time for ANY grade is a challenge. This fun Order Up! set was the focus of this post. Not only to show ways to teach elapsed time, but to also model how to use Order Up! WAHOO!

#5) Back to School with an Interactive Mobile Project!
Back to School! Now THERE is a phrase that came and went. Phew. But this project is one that I STILL have sitting in the corner of my room. The students will notice them once in a while and say, "Oh yeah! I remember working with so-and-so. That was fun!". Enough said.

#4) Poetry Tool #1- Rhythm
Last year was the year of the poet in my room. My students had had very little exposure to it and as a new writing teacher for 3 grade levels, I wanted to them to have a good foundation. We spend about 9 weeks studying different aspects of poetry. This is one of the many posts about the Journey into Poetry Land (as I called the series of posts).

#3) Bring in the NEW YEAR with a...MOBILE!
This is the post you need to read RIGHT NOW! It will help you be prepared for Thursday, if you go back this week like ME, or MONDAY, if you are really, really lucky. :)

#2) A Classroom Tip You Will Love!
I figured this out a couple of years ago, and thought, 'I should share this with other teachers". My wife, the amazing iPod camera woman made it all possible, and Mel from Graphics from the Pond make the simple header for me. Hope you like the tip too!

#1) "Read-Aloud Round-Up" Book Share
This has been my pride and joy this year. It is my hope to see it grow and grow over the years ahead. :)  If you haven't checked it out- please do! Suggested read aloud books for grades 3-8! WAHOO!

HAPPY NEW YEAR DEAR FRIENDS!

SEE YOU NEXT YEAR!

An Educator's Life's Top 10 Posts of 2012

Greetings My Dear Friends!

I can NOT believe that we have reached this final few hours of 2012. It has been an exciting and challenging year all rolled into one. A lot has happened both professionally and personally that has pushed me to explore new boundaries and experiences I didn't think would ever have to face. But, as they say, what doesn't kill us will make us stronger. And, since I am apparently not dead, I must then deduce that I have become stronger.

If not, that's what I am going with anyways. :) I wish I could name all the amazing friends I have made this year. Two special ones come to mind, Mrs. S from The Peanut Gallery, and Mel from Graphics From the Pond. These two ladies (among many other wonderful friends) have really helped to push me to be my best and not ever give up, which I almost did, many times on my TpT Shop. Thanks you two amazing ladies.

I am going to sign off so I can enjoy the rest of 2012 with my family that has come to visit. I wish for each of you an amazing 2013!

Before I go, I wanted to recap for you (and for me) the Top 10 most viewed 2012 posts on this blog this year!

Cheers, My Friends-
MrHughes :0)


#10) Time For The Yearly Family Video (Elf Yourself 2012)
-It just wouldn't be right not to make a video with all of my kids. Unfortunately, they don't make a video option for 8, so we had to do a two part series this year. :)

#9) Share the Wealth- December 15, 2012
I have truly enjoyed doing Share the Wealth this year. I started this in July, I think and it has become a sharing sensation. If you ever need a freebie, this is the place to look.

#8) LET THE SNOWBALL (sight word) FIGHT BEGIN (and it's school approved!)
I was shocked this was a top viewed post, but glad. I had the idea for this game in my head for several months before I was able to get the clip art I needed to make it. I love how it turned out and I think it will be one of my favorite sight word games of all time.

#7) Mrs. Claus in Jail??? Creative Writing Gone Crazy!
When my Turkey Pick-A-Story made the TpT Newsletter and went viral, I knew that I wanted to continue making this series. My holiday edition was a big hit both in my store and with my students. They came up with some crazy stories. Sigh... what a great time that was.

#6) Trimming the Tree With Sight Words
Decorating the Christmas tree is something that I have enjoyed since I can remember. I was delighted when I found all the clip art I needed to make a game that lets kids decorate their own Christmas tree while practicing reading.

#5) Book Reports As You've Never Seen Before
When I made my first dodecahedron kit, I never dreamed that I would end up with 7 kits and counting. But, here it is...

#4) 4-Types of Sentences: Harder Than It Seems
I have struggled with getting my students to remember the four types of sentences (and still do honestly), but my wife and I came up with some fun activities to help make the ideas stick. I think it may have worked! Now, if I could just get them to remember their parts of speech!

#3) An In-Depth Tour of Mr. Hughes' Room
At first I was very hesitant to share my classroom with the world wide web. But, I realized that I am proud of my room and wanted to share it with everyone.

#2) Sneak Peek at Mr. Hughes' Room
This was my test run to see if anyone was want to see... I guess being the #2 viewed post means that I made a good choice.

#1) Rewards Made Easy
I can't believe this has been my #1 viewed post this year. WAHOO! When I came up with this idea, I never dreamed other teachers would want to try it out. Thanks for making me feel like I CAN come up with good ideas. :)

HAPPY NEW YEAR DEAR FRIENDS!

SEE YOU NEXT YEAR!