//Teacher Time//: Testing Treats

I'm baaaaack. 

After two weeks of essentially ignoring most of my emails (all except the work related ones, of course) and anything regarding blogging, I am back! For now. Hey, one post is better than none. It's a miracle. 

Those of you who have careers and children outside of blogging, how do you do it? Seriously? I find that I do so well for a few months than I need some time away because I get so stressed or overwhelmed. But, like most things in life, it is good to take a break. I have realized that I have missed writing and all that it encompasses. I have so much to catch up on that I probably won't ever get to it, but that's how the cookie crumbles (10 points for whoever knows that movie!) 

Now that the school is over in 4 days! (Yea, it's the busiest week of the year, I have a wedding, and we are moving. The stress hasn't diminished QUITE yet. But, as Pumba says, Hakuna Mutata. Holy Hannah, I am so ready for summer!), I thought I would finally tell you about what I did for end of the year testing. 

With 6th graders, I have found it is hard to motivate them pretty much anytime after March. They get a little taste of "senioritis", if you will. I wanted to do something special for my kiddos to motivate them on their testing this year and not become "clicker happy". We have brand new testing that we are doing, with the combination of new common core, so my students were definitely challenged and given brand new material. And if you have ever been around 11 and 12 year olds (let's be honest, if you have ever been around people) you will know that candy is a good motivator. I try not to use candy as the main motivator in my classroom because I don't want to teach my students that, but I do find that it is a GREAT incentive. And you know what? My students loved these (even if they pretended like they didn't. They're too cool, don't ya know? :) )

What's awesome about these paper phrases, is that you can use them for anything motivational--kids at home, throughout the school year or just for testing like I did. They don't necessarily need to be school related. Here's some of them that I chose. Enjoy :) 

Found this idea HERE and HERE.

Now, who thinks I can last through 6th grade graduation this week and the last week of school? 

Hold on tight, folks! 

Hope you all had a wonderful memorial day weekend! 

Pre-Teens, Kleenex Style, Allergies--Oh, My!

Well, young lassies, allergy season is among us. 

And yes, I think it might have hit me too. But then again it could just be a cold. Or stress. But, whatever, you get the point.

I have a bunch of little munchkins, (er, hormonal teenagers) running (I wish I could say that they're not running right now, but the end of the school year? Yikes. Yes. Running. In my classroom. At least running my wild. get it? Not funny?) who sometimes forget to use hygiene on a daily basis (I know, right?). And let me tell you, My Kleenex boxes in my classroom have been a huuuuuge lifesaver during this year, especially during allergy season! 

These cute Kleenex boxes are perfect for my classroom! I can add a little bit of fun with them. See them here. 

T money seems to go through tissues like nobody's business as well (TMI?) so these adorable Kleenex Boxes are a cute way to spruce up our little apartment while still helping both our poor little noses out. I love all of the classic designs that they use to make them blend in with all of the decor and not make them look like we just stepped into a room full of a million tissues by our bed. 

I am loving all of Kleenex's new designs here. They bring so much happiness and style to our lives! You know what else is awesome? The new Kleenex boxes are found at any major retailer where Kleenex are sold.  Make sure to click here to check out the designs and find the perfect Kleenex Style for you before you hit the stores!  There's even a style finder quiz to find out which box would fit your personality? Quizzing and personalities? You know I am all about that. (Plus, you get a free coupon! Boo ya!) 

These beautiful, helpful Kleenex boxes are found at many major retailers where Kleenex are sold. Go check them out today before you head to the store!

This post is sponsored by Kleenex, but my love for their Style Studio is all my own!

Nothing Like Bonding with Family With #AmericasTea: Bigelow Tea.

I am a member of the Collective Bias®  Social Fabric® Community.  This shop has been compensated as part of a social shopper amplification for Collective Bias and its advertiser.

It has been a rainy day here in Utah Valley. I cannot complain because last week was absolutely beautiful. However, because of that tease of gorgeous, hot weather, I want it to continue to stay. The clouds seem to lower my energy and I definitely felt it today. With that being said, on a rainy, gloomy day like today, there is nothing better than curling up with good friends and family and talking and laughing while drinking #AmericasTea #CollectiveBias Bigelow Tea.

 I will be the first one to advocate for drinking a nice, warm mug of herbal tea, particularly in the evening. I think it is relaxing and rejuvenating. However, I have never personally had Bigelow Tea until recently. And let me tell you, I was seriously missing out.

I picked up the "Assorted Flavors" herbal tea from Bigelow Tea. And my, oh my, it was DELICIOUS. You seriously need to try it for yourself. I found it at Walmart under the "Coffee/Tea" aisle. There were all types of tea: black, green, herbal, etc. with all types of flavors.

Something that is seriously awesome about Bigelow Tea is that it is an American company and it is a 3-generation and a family owned company, which I am all about. Sponsoring small family businesses? Yes please! Not to mention that it is good, quality tea with a foil pouch for freshness.

I gathered my brother in laws and we sat on the couch on this evening and talked about their junior high and high school girlfriends (ha!) and they actually stole a few of these pouches for their own (no lie!)

Jared, my brother in law, does ceramics and makes bowls, cups, etc. so we got out all of the mugs and boiled some water and drank up! You can see our three different mugs that we chose. Which one is your favorite? I personally like the Newsies one, but Jared's ceramics one is pretty sweet, I must admit.

Pomegranate Pizzazz. My favorite flavor. (Cup #1)

Mint Flavor. My second favorite. (ceramics cup) 

Newsies Mug! Oh Yea!

Orange&Spice flavor. Not my favorite flavor, but still quite good!

So, now it's your turn, ladies and gentlemen. Grab your loved ones, family, spouse, boyfriend/girlfriend, friend, roommate (or brother in laws in my case! ha) and curl up, watch a movie and drink some of this delicious Bigelow Tea! 

I encourage each of my fabulous readers to visit the board for more inspiration and stories about Bigelow Tea by clicking below:

I will be taking a little blog hiatus for the month of May….meaning, I will only be blogging like one or twice a week until the end of the month. I am swamped with end of the year activities for my 6th graders and I want to focus on that. I won't be completely gone, but don't you go dyin' on me, okay?

Also, I am guest blogging over on Ashley Z's blog today!!! Come check it out HERE.