Well, I've gone and done it now...

I opened a Teachers Pay Teachers store. I wrestled with the idea for a long time, because, like most of you, I feel like I already spend way too much of my own money on my classroom, and it was nice to be able to offer stuff for free. And don't worry! I am still going to offer most of my stuff right here--free for the taking! But it would be nice to earn a little money now and then, you know, to support my habit. (Don't panic. It's nothing too nefarious--mostly books, glitter, plastic storage bins, etc.)

So, the good news is, my first one is still free! It's an emergent reader called "My Backpack." See...look...

It includes:

• The full-color emergent reader seen above (you have to put it together, but I show you how!)
• A black-line master for the same emergent reader.
• Pocket chart cards to retell the story.
• A class book template.
• Sentence-building cards for individual practice.

So if you want it, (and it's free, so why not?) hop on over to my Teachers Pay Teachers store and grab it! While you're there, you can follow me! You know you want to...

And if I could ask a little favor...

Would you mind telling me what you think? This is my first stab at selling anything I've created (even though I'm "selling" it for $0.00). I know it's a little rough around the edges. I will NOT be making a cute shaped book again--my next book will have straight edges! See...I'm already learning. But I would love to hear suggestions about what you like and what you would like to see. If people are going to spend their hard-earned money (and trust me--I know exactly what you had to do to get that money!), I want it to be quality and something they can really use in their classrooms. (But be nice.)

On Friday, I will give away a $25 gift certificate to Teachers Pay Teachers to one lucky person who left me a comment here on this post.

Thanks for your support!

And I will be back tomorrow with the next part of my measurement unit. For free.

Comments

[Marlana]

Your book is super cute! I will probably project the colored book on the class screen since the book already looks so nice the way it is! You already did all the hard work! :) I think it would be fun to use your colored pictures in a real backpack, too. Then, the kids could read along in their emergent readers as I'm pulling things out of a backpack. :) The emergent reader and pocket chart cards will be perfect for back to school! Thanks again for offering this as a freebie!

Congratulations on opening a TpT store! I wish you lots of success!

Blessings,
Marlana
Lil' Country Kindergarten
Kindergarten Network

[Sarah]

Congratulations on opening your TPT store! This is a great first item, and really displays how comprehensive your products will be.

One thing you might consider is a "credits" page at the end with clickable links to the clipart artists you used (so that if someone wants to add extra assignments, they can maintain continuity), and maybe even fonts (I do this because it's something I always appreciate from others).

Another thing I would urge you to do is secure your PDFs so that they cannot be copied! There are several tools available for a minimal price or free trial that will allow you to change the permissions of your PDF so that others can only print. Many clipart artists require as a part of their terms of use that your PDFs are secured; otherwise someone could use the snapshot tool to copy their art!

[Lori]

Wow! I can't believe this is your first project! I really love it. It has a lovely cover, which will attract buyers. You have clear directions and cute clip art. I love the classbooks and pocket chart activity. My only suggestion would be to add cute borders on your pages. All in all, it's quite impressive. Congratulations. Now, you can breath a sigh of relief. The first product is the hardest!

Ѽ Lori
Teaching With Love and Laughter
luvyorkies@gmail.com

[Lori]

Breathe, not breath! LOL!

Ѽ Lori
Teaching With Love and Laughter
luvyorkies@gmail.com

[Barb Ozminkowski]

Fantastic emergent reader with bonus items! Thank you Kathryn. I agree with Marlana--project the colored copy for shared reading (and put a couple laminated color copies in the classroom library). This is PERFECT for starting the school year... Tracking print, one-to-one matching, introducing a few high frequency words... great way to start your TpT store!

Barb
Www.tiny.cc/kinderblog

[Lynne S]

Wow ! I would say you are in your way to one successful store. Great first product! Kudos to you!

[Nicole]

I recently found your blog from another blog (I can't remember where now). I love it. I homeschool a soon to be 5 year old and since I am not trained as a teacher I very much love to learn from people who are trained. I am always looking for easy math skill games. Also, frequently used sight words. Being a homeschooler of on kid I also appreciate activities that can be easily adapted to one kid rather than only a group. Thanks!

[Christine]

What a fantastic first product! It is certainly reflective of the quality of work showcased on your blog...This book will be part of my first week plans.

[Meaghan]

I love the book! Too cute!! Thanks for offering your first project on TpT for FREE! :)

[Amy]

Thank you for sharing such a comprehensive packet! I think everything looks great. My only suggestion is since it is used at the beginning of the year, perhaps an extra space between words in the student version to help with 1-1 match. Maybe a dot under each word to also help with this?!
~ Amy

[Amy Burton]

Congrats on your store!!!!Love your stuff and I have no problem paying for your great products! This will be my first year in Kindergarten so I am gathering all I can!!!! Best of luck, off to follow your tpt store!
Amy Burton
mskeenan123@hotmail.com

[Kim]

Wow, super impressed with this packet! I am totally using this at the beginning of the year with my first graders! I'm now following you on TPT, can't wait to see what you add!

[Sue]

Great Packet. I can not believe you cover that much at the beginning of kindergarten. Thank you for sharing.

[Ziva]

Wonderful book! I am excited to use it my classroom this fall. I will have my volunteers bind it so that I can reuse it from year to year. Congrats one your new store. It am sure it will do well. Keep up the exceptional quality!

[Projectqn]

What a great packet! Thank you so much for sharing. I can't wait to use it with my kiddos!

I started following your store and pinned your adorable book!

Shelly
projectqn@tx.rr.com

[Lisa]

COngratualtions and best wishes with your TPT store! Your packet is really nice.
I've just found your blog today and love all of your wonderful ideas.
Thanks for sharing. I'm now a follower of your blog and TPT.
Lisa
lisaskinderland.blogspot.com

[Shauna]

I think you will have great success on TpT. I always look forward to your posts and appreciate you sharing things with other teachers. Congratulations and I look forward to many great things from you.

Shauna
shaunarae2@yahoo.com

[Kjersti113]

Very cute! I am always looking for books that my kids can read. Thanks for sharing.

[Crystal Young]

I love your blog and have used many of the detailed lessons that you post. I hope you still have time to post all that you do in your classroom, it's just amazing! I know you will do well with your TPT store! Good luck and keep the good things comin'.

[Jean Alston]

Thanks for sharing! Love the book and all the extras! I'm retired after 34 years teaching mostly Kindergarten, but my daughter is just starting out (2 years) and I'm always looking for goodies to make for her. Thanks again!

[Tara West]

I love your site and searched for you on TPT because I assumed you would be there and I couldn't find you! You have awesome creations and teachers love ready-made! At least I know I do. I opened a store in Feb. and have been SO blessed with my earnings!

[Cheryl]

Love your reader! You have everything a teacher needs in this packet! Thank you so much! I am following you on your blog and your TpT store! :)
Cheryl
Crayons and Curls

[Andrea Simmons]

Super cute! I love the variety of ways to practice sight words. I hope to use some of it with my smart board as well! Thanks for putting this together and giving it to all of us for free!

[Darlene Argo]

Very cute packet! Congrats on your TPT store!
Darlene
jdsargo@sbcglobal.net

[Megan]

I love your packet! I love how the book has so many extension activities to go with it! I can't wait to use this in the fall!
You're sight word packets that you've offered before were great for intervention with some of my kiddos at the end of the year!
I like the way your mind works:)
megandw@yahoo.com