What is Original? and a Freebie

A while back, I posted a free Number of the Day on Google Docs.  I was then notified by a seller on TpT that mine was similar to hers and that might cause her a problem since she was selling hers.  I took mine off of Google Docs.  Since then, I have had MANY emails requesting the Number of the Day download. 

That got me to thinking about "original".  What does it mean anyway?  I have seen many things duplicated by teachers on TpT and TN that I know the seller did not invent.  I purchased two Matter units from two different sellers.  Both of those packets contained Root Beer Float activities.  And what about Oobleck?  How many sellers have that in a packet?  I have seen things duplicated from Lakeshore, Really Good Stuff, Carson-Dellosa, etc.   Check out the Back to School packets.  Most all of them contain some type of getting to know you bingo with the same questions.  So the only thing original in the way it's arranged.

How many times have you thought, "Oh, this would be the coolest idea to do for ___!", only to find out someone else already thought of it?  In the world of teaching, is there such a thing as "original"?  Math concepts, reading strategies, science stuff...it's the SAME everywhere and the activities are the same.  Seriously, I remember putting celery in food coloring to see how the water travels up the stem when I was a kid (a long time ago).  Someone may put a little different spin on it or add a cute graphic and font, but the concepts are still the same.  Many of these "original" ideas came straight from a text book!

I'm not trying to cause anyone any problems.  I'm not trying to be negative or nasty.  I'm just saying that because my Number of the Day was "similar" to hers, does not mean I shouldn't post it.  So, I have decided to put it back up.  FREE FOR THE TAKING! There are 20 premade numbers and one blank so you can create your own.  I only used numbers that would make the telling time to the nearest 5 minutes.  I'll change up once we have covered time to the nearest minute.

Click here to download

I apologize in advance if this post offends anyone.  That was not my intent.  My goal is to help children become successful. And if I can help a teacher or two along the way, that's even better.  What are your thoughts about "original"?  I'd love to hear them!

Baseball and Football and Soccer, Oh My!

Sports? Me?  Umm....  Anyone that knows me knows that I am NOT an avid sports fan.  I have knowledge of sports, but I'm just not that into them.  However, I must admit that I have been pretty excited since learning that our school theme will be SPORTS!  I've been making things like crazy and got the cutest rug at Target yesterday.  There's just so much I'll be able to do with this theme.


Another awesome thing happening at our school next year is the implementation of The Daily 5!  Can I just tell you how thrilled I am?!?  Here's a couple of cute posters I made for the Daily 5 and my new sports classroom.

 I'll post more as I get to it.  If you have any ideas/suggestions, please feel free to leave me a comment.

My First Freebie!

I just posted my first item on the TpT site.  It's a fun little noun activity that can be used with whole group, small group, or at an individual center.  Please head on over, check it out, and let me know what you think.  I am still new to this so I know I have a lot to learn!  Thanks for taking a look!

 

Click here to download this FREE activity.