Everything but the Kitchen Sink

This is going to be a JAM packed post today: several linkies, a giveaway reminder, and a party invitation all JAMMED into one. Sit back, hold on tight, and let's get JAMMIN'!

First up is The Teaching Tribune's summer linky Monday Meet-up. They announced today that this is the last Monday Meet-up for the summer. You know what that means? Shhh! We'll not say those words aloud yet!

Next up is the weekly Anchors Away linky hosted by Deb from Crafting Connections.

If you have been following my blog or Deb's linky then you'll know the value of anchor charts, in all shapes and sizes, traditional and non. I'm always on the lookout for great anchor chart ideas. I FOUND AN AWESOME ANCHOR CHART over at Just a Primary Girl that I just HAVE to share with you!

I have used the annotation strategy for initial reads of all text genre for eons; however, with the emphasis on close reading as proscribed in the CCSS, I knew it was time to formalize and expand the strategy in my classes. My first inclination was to create bookmarks with an annotation code; however, knowing my students as I do... unh-uh! Those bookmarks wouldn't last a week! Then, I came upon this anchor chart and knew I HAD to do something like this. LOVE it! Gonna use it! Can't wait! Read more about this chart and how to develop it with your students HERE.


The last linky I'm joining this week is 4th Grade Frolics' Monday Made It.

Last Friday I mentioned that my family was joining me for Independence Day dinner and they had requested Auntie's famous chili. I had gathered all my ingredients and was poised to begin, but... I had NEVER made chili for so many people... 10 in all, and of these ten only three of us are under six feet tall, and four are taller than six feet six inches... I'm hinting that these folks are BIG eaters. I wasn't sure how much of everything to use.

I am not a cook who measures or follows a recipe, I just dump and stir things in. I knew I had to use a BIG pot to make enough chili to feed everyone so I borrowed my niece's 21 qt. stockpot. Here's what I ended up using to make my chili:

• FIVE pounds of meat... three pounds of ground beef and two pounds of hot sausage (normally just two pounds total)
• Four cans of diced tomatoes (normally one)
• Two large cans of sauce, five small cans of sauce (normally one large can)
• Six cans of beans: chili, dark kidney, light kidney, white kidney, black, chick pea (normally three)
• Two cans of whole kernel corn (normally one)
• 12 cloves garlic (normally two or three)
• Two large onions (normally one)
• 2/3 jar chili powder (normally a few tablespoons)
• pitcher of water (normally a can or two to rinse the sauce)
• salt and pepper to taste

When all was said and done, I ended up making about 18 quarts of yummy, spicy chili.

By the end of the evening there wasn't a drop of chili left! I can NOT believe my family plowed through all that chili, and I was looking forward to leftovers on Saturday. LOL!

On to things other than linkies. How 'bout a giveaway? There's still one more day left to win your choice of a Teacher T-Shirt. Hop over to this blog post and enter to win! There's no obligation or cost so give it a whirl! You won't be disappointed if you win. The t-shirt is a great product! I am LOVIN' mine.

Finally...  And I'm REALLY excited about this... You've heard me talk about Jamberry nail wraps, how I'm enjoying them, how cute they are, how easy they are to use...

I'm throwing an online, in real time, Jamberry party via Facebook and you ALL are invited.

You do not need to be a member of Facebook nor do you need to be my "friend" to attend this party. All you need is to visit this LINK and click the join/going button. The only requirement is that you register for the party before it begins so that you reserve your space. Once nine o'clock EST on July 17, 2014, rolls around no one will be able to join unless you have reserved your place. There will be games and prizes while we learn more about Jamberry wraps, hear about some special offers, and make some new Jammin' friends! There is no obligation to purchase anything. Since this is an open party, please feel free to invite your friends to attend as well. Just send them the party link so they may register.

The party consultant who will conduct the party is WONDERFUL! I've been to one of Bev's parties and had a great time learning about these fun fashion wraps. I'll be sure to post several reminders between now and the party date; however, I encourage you to reserve your spot right away. As soon as reservations start to roll in, Bev will begin posting information on the page that you won't want to miss.

Just click this link,

 https://www.facebook.com/events/1537142123180257, 

to reserve your space. 

Can't wait to Jam with you on July 17, 2014.