Tuesday, March 24, 2015

Pretty Fabo "Newish" Yearbook Company

UPDATE (2020) I LOVE THIS COMPANY!  If looking for a compay, check them out.

Newish to me, at least! This year, I'm Co-Editor of the yearbook.  Last year, I worked a little bit on our K-5 yearbook just to get my feet wet knowing I was going to be co-chairing this year.  (I didn't exactly want to work on the yearbook but sometimes you have to step up to the plate, you know?)


Last year, I honestly have no idea what company we used BUT I do know this:  It was TERRIBLE. Truly antiquated.  I honestly think it must have been the very first yearbook company out there.  Any picture that was used had to be "locked" down on all four corners.  And if you wanted to MOVE it? Well, unlock and lock again.  That goes for the frame too.  You know how may times you want to move things around?  It was a nightmare.  Not many templates, choices, etc.

This year, my co-editor, who was also brand new, wanted to look for a new "modern" company. Lucky for us, a PTO mom directed us toward TreeRing.  So Far, LOVE.  A lot!

(No, I do not gain free books or anything for mentioning them!)

Each yearbook is made from 100% recycled paper.  For each one sold, a tree is planted, and ALL sales are online.  Last year we lost $1.000 on unsold books.  This year?  Not possible.  They only make what's been ordered.  But the best part?  Each child who buys one (at the same price we charged last year) gets to personalize TWO pages!  So everyone's yearbook is 70 pages of the same, material and then TWO personalized pages with as many pics as you want. How cool is that?  You can upload straight from your computer, Facebook, or Instagram accounts. For families that want MORE than the two personalized pages?  They can pay more and get them.  So, you and your family really can be the star of the yearbook!  Isn't this genius?  My kids would have LOVED this option and certainly enjoyed designing their pages.

So far, it's been so easy to put together.  I mean "point and click" put together and the product SEEMS like it will be beautiful. (The sample book we saw was awesome.  Very professional looking.)  Like I said, I only got my feet wet last year but what I did ( few pages at most!) took me LONGER than to do half a book this year!  Really!  If you are looking for a new company or are intriqued...take a look at their site.  Our deadline isn't too far off.  So far, our sales are off from last year with the ONLINE orders only bit BUT we are hoping people are just waiting until spring break to sit down and order.  I'll update!  (And for the record, you do not have to add the personalized pages.  Can just purchase the yearbook.)




Monday, March 23, 2015

Some Freebies! Happy Spring!

Happy Spring!  Freebies for you...



A Fun Center Game OR use as Homework!



The Bunny Hokey Pokey for Binders or to hang up...

Have a great day!



Sunday, March 22, 2015

Here's My Sunday Scoop! (And Yummy Soup Recipe!)

Thanks to Teaching Trio, I'm sharing my Sunday Scoop today:


Booking a hotel room is a must!  Sarah's accepted student day To Syracuse University is in April.  She gets to participate in "Own the Dome" and stay in the Carrier Dome overnight.  



How cool is that?  John and I hope to book the Sheraton on the campus.  Fingers crossed! NOTE: I've ALWAYS pictured Sarah at a much smaller campus...not one with a hotel on it and a 55,000 Sports Arena ON campus.  Hmmm...should be interesting!

Want an easy and amazing soup recipe?  Got it years ago from Better Homes and Gardens. It was their "Recipe of the Year." It is a "throw together" soup but everyone loves it.  I don't have exact measurements anymore, but trust me,  you can't mess it up:  

Tortellini Soup

1. Put two "boxes" of Chicken Stock into a pot.
2. Add two jars of Ragu Alfredo Sauce.
3. Pull all the meat off of a Rotisserie Chicken and add 4. Cook a bag and a half of tortellini (tri-colored)  
5. I put in a small jar of chopped up sun-dried tomatoes.  The recipe said NOT in oil but I use the ones in oil for sure.  Drain most of the oil.
6. After simmering for a short time, I put at least a cup of Parmesan cheese in and stir.  
7. Before serving, you can put in fresh spinach leaves.  (I usually don't.)

Really good.  Last for days.  YUM!

Quick Question:  Am I the only one who has lost 3,632 umbrellas in my lifetime? UGH! 

Okay- gotta go!  Matthew's first game starts at 8.  Thank goodness for turf after 5 more inches of snow on Friday.  Boo to snow.  Yea to soccer!

Want to link up?  Click on the button!  Looking forward to reading about your scoop today!





Have a great day!



Monday, March 2, 2015

Cute Must-Have Dr. Seuss App

This has been on my must-buy list for a year now.  A year!  



There's no better time than now since today is Read Across America Day. Took a second to download last night and I was happy to find it easy to use. (It cost $1.99) Matthew and John had a little fun and took these in about two minutes.






I'm looking forward to using it with my students today!
Have a "one fish, two fish, red fish, blue fish" day!

Also:  Here's a fun Freebie!  Enjoy!






Sunday, March 1, 2015

Knock Knock Spring! Where Are You?

Happy March! Was hoping to kick off the month with a little sunshine but was greeted with snow this morning. Again! Ugh! At least I know whatever snow falls will melt quickly....I hope! I have to keep reminding myself that spring is just a few weeks away.

I just finished my March Open-Ended Questions. If you want to see my previous entry about the value of these journals and how much I love them, you can read about them here and see responses from the kiddos. (More FREEBIES there, too!)

After a few people inquired if I'd be adding each month to my store (YES!) I now have a year-long open-ended math questions bundle that will save teachers $10. Who doesn't love to save ten bucks? It's like getting THREE months for free. Free is good, isn't it?

Here are TWO free pages/samples from my March Packet. One will be perfect for Read Across America/Dr. Seuss Day tomorrow. Hope you can use them.


In clip art news, John just finished a James Madison and the War of 1812 set.  I so wish I could do this! I love the picture of Francis Scott Key as he overlooks "the bombs bursting in air."  A lot of research goes into his historical sets and I'm thrilled they are selling well now.


Oh, I also have this SIMPLE Dr. Seuss song that you may want to use tomorrow to the tune of BINGO. Honestly, I just put it together a few years ago to heave something but my kids love singing it.

Good luck to all of you who are starting PARCC testing tomorrow. Lots of families are opting out in NJ and I cannot say I blame them.

Have a great day!