Thursday, June 27, 2013

Throwback Thursday!

I'm joining Cara over at The First Grade Parade and throwin it back this Thursday!


I'm sharing a post from 364 days ago.  Literally, almost a year.  On June 28, 2013 I wrote about my Writing Journal Prompts.  I had just created them and was super excited about them.

Honestly?  I am still super excited about them!  They are a best seller in my store and it is still my favorite product that I have ever made (regardless of sales).  I decided to update them though.  So follow all the way to the bottom of this post to see the update!  And there might be a surprise in there for you...

June 28, 2013
Have you ever made a product that you are just super duper proud of?  I mean, I'm proud of everything I make.  But this one takes the cake!  I created morning journals for my students:


It includes writing prompts for every day of the school year - and then some!  There are over 300 writing prompts in here people!!


I also made monthly covers for the journals:


And included different pages of line paper:


These are one of my favorite things that I use in my classroom.  My students each receive their journal at the beginning of the month.  Each journal has a cover, a calendar and enough journal pages for the month.

They keep it in a folder in their desk.  After they come in and unpack every morning, they take out their journal and start writing about the prompt for that day.  Then they draw a picture to go with it.  We start with 2 sentences at the beginning of the year and gradually reach 5 sentences by the end of they year.  And I always say "at least" because they are welcome to write more than the required 2-5 sentences!!  I give them about 15 minutes each morning to work on their journals.

This is great for me as well.  While they are quietly writing, I am able to work on attendance, lunch count, etc without interruptions.  It also means I only have to gather morning work once a month, rather than every day.

The journals I created don't have dates on them, just days of the week.  This way, they can be used year after year!

Check them out:
{TpT}

Take a peek at my July Writing Prompts for free!



**UPDATE!**
Here are the brandy-new covers...



The journal prompt pages...


And there are a lot more choices for lined paper now as well!


If you already own them, go download your free update now!  If you are interested in them, you can click the picture to get your own copy.


Or could you win a free copy!  I want to know what you are most looking forward to this summer.  Leave me a comment with your answer {and your email address!}.  I'll choose a winner before I go to bed tonight. 

P.S. ~ Check out my Instagram for another chance to win!

Thank you to everyone for playing, I loved hearing all about your summer plans!!  I had my husband choose a random number and our winner is First Grade Circus!  Check your email!  

29 comments:

  1. I am looking forward to so much this summer. I get to visit friends and family in a few weeks! I'm really looking forward to finding a full-time position for the 2013-2014 school year!

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    1. I am looking forward to so much this summer. I get to visit friends and family in a few weeks! I'm really looking forward to finding a full-time position for the 2013-2014 school year!

      MTC580@Gmail.com

      Delete
  2. I am looking forward to going to Disney World with my son for his first visit! I got him such a cute shirt to wear!
    docketta@yahoo.com

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  3. I'm looking forward to going to Sea World and Disneyland with my daughter. Love your product!

    Brandi
    Success in Second Grade
    successinsecondgrade@gmail.com

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  4. I am looking forward to relaxing with my girls!! I also can't wait to start planning and creating for next year! I'm teaching 2nd!! What a big change it will be.
    - Jessica
    Jlynns26@yahoo.com

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  5. I am looking forward to relaxing with my girls!! I also can't wait to start planning and creating for next year! I'm teaching 2nd!! What a big change it will be.
    - Jessica
    Jlynns26@yahoo.com

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  6. Those are so well laid out! I love that I can use them year after year! I'm really looking forward to our OBX trip, and possibly buying a house!

    -Maria
    everyonedeservestolearn@gmail.com
    Everyone deServes to Learn

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  7. I am looking forward to recovering from ankle/foot surgery! I am in the last stage of this - 6 weeks of physical therapy. I'm looking forward to walking normally again so I will be up to the challenge of my new 2nd graders this year. Hope to win this great pack!!
    susanlulu@yahoo.com

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  8. I am looking forward to just moving slower.
    bartramsbuccaneers @yahoo.com

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  9. I am looking forward to getting back into running shape.
    mcreynolds.sarah@gmail.com

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  10. I am looking forward to finding a way to make time go slower! We're on week 3 of vacation and soon I will be crying about summer being over!

    tokyoshoes at hotmail dot com

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  11. I'm looking forward to getting a tan.. I know it's bad and superficial, but I look like Wednesday Addams. I need some color!

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  12. I'm looking forward to my husband getting healthy so maybe we can do something fun this summer. Don't mean to be a downer, but it's true! Ha! Thanks for the opportunity to win!
    Angela :)
    Angelanerby10 (at) gmail (dot) com
    Hippo Hooray for Second Grade!

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  13. I am looking forward to not waking up to my alarm! And because I'm always thinking about the classroom I'm looking forward to reorganizing my classroom library!
    Rebecca
    rebcanteach(at) gmail (dot) com

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  14. I'm looking forward to going to the lake for the 4th of July long weekend!


    danicadebord@gmail.com

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  15. Hi Sara,

    I'm mostly looking forward to spending everyday outside with my son and enjoying the sunshine. Take care,
    Victoria

    victoria.bock@rsb.qc.ca

    ReplyDelete
  16. I am looking forward to spending quality time with my boys at a slower pace.
    Thanks for sharing.



    leannettpatrice@gmail.com

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  17. I am looking forward to spending time with my 13 month old and not having to worry about getting up by an alarm clock!
    anhudacek@gmail.com
    Amanda :)

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  18. I am looking forward to marrying my best friend in exactly 51 days!!!! Sooo excited but a little nervous about it being right at the beginning of school. Love, love, LOVE your writing prompts and product. Thanks for the opportunity to win! :)

    ryanhicks2@hotmail.com

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  19. I am looking forward to enjoying this hot, humid Florida weather and my first Summer break with my 9 month old. We are having a blast swimming and spending time together. I am also squeezing in some time to find and make new resources for the next school year. :)
    amybethg121@gmail.com

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  20. The thing I was most looking forward to this summer has already passed. We took a family vacation to Disney as soon as school let out and had a wonderful time. Your journal prompts look great!!! I would love to win a copy! THANKS! firstgradecircus@gmail.com

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  21. I am looking forward to going to Niagra Falls and walking behind the falls!

    rosemarykn at comcast.net

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  22. I'm looking forward to our first trip as man and wife! We are going to San Diego (from Texas)! Beyond that I'm so excited to meet with my new team for next year! This will be my first year to teach the same subject for the 2nd time!!

    barretta@navasotaisd.org

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  23. I am looking forward to watching my little girl learn how to crawl! And hopefully say "Mama" first, haha. I'm also looking forward to (dreading?) figuring out how to set up my classroom to fit both kindergarteners and third graders on alternating days. Yikes!

    N.vazquezlee@gmail.com

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  24. I am looking forward to watching my little girl learn how to crawl! And hopefully say "Mama" first, haha. I'm also looking forward to (dreading?) figuring out how to set up my classroom to fit both kindergarteners and third graders on alternating days. Yikes!

    N.vazquezlee@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  25. This is adorable! I can't wait to spend more time with my kiddos (13 and almost 3), celebrate my daughter's third birthday, eat Italian ice outside, and visit my grandparents in Ohio!
    angelinemstewart@yahoo.com

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  26. I am looking forward to going to the mountains (NC) with my mom, hubby and kids.
    Tania
    My Second Sense

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  27. Thank you so so so much!!!! I never ever win anything and I'm pretty excited about this one! My goal for next year is to create better writers and this seems like a perfect tool!! Thanks again!

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  28. Sara, I am LOVING those writing calendars! I'm too late to win, but I had to comment because it looks so fabulous! :)
    Sarah
    Sarah's First Grade Snippets

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