I am going to show you how to sew a hem that is perfect every time. There are a lot of sewing tutorials that just say "sew a hem"

Ready to move out on your own? Or send your kids out into the world? Here are the life skills for adults you NEED for a safer, cheaper, smarter transition.

Kids love to be complimented—especially by their moms. Check out these 99 compliments for kids and share a few with your children every day.

How to keep your house smelling good all the time naturally! These amazing fresh smelling home tips & hacks will work even with pets. Get rid of bad smells!

You can teach preschool at home with FREE printables! There is every kind of printable that you can think of. Check these printables out!

Smooth out the resin learning curve with these TOP 10 RESIN TIPS. They cover everything that a resin beginner needs to know to get great results every time. Even the experts follow these resin tips to make sure that their resin projects work.

Musical Bootcamp Finishers are one of my FAVOURITE things to finish my session off with! If you’re not too sure what a

I don't know about you, but when I became a mom, one of the thoughts that gave me the most anxiety was potty training. I'm sure it's because when you're a new parent, you have no idea how to start, when to start, what method you should use. And then there is the societal pressure

A pixie bob haircut or a bixie is the "it"style of the season. Choose the best one for you based on your hair type, texture and face shape.

Some beginner photography mistakes that might be causing you some grief. If you are more advanced, you may find a tip here as well.

Enjoying activites outside of work is great for self care. If you need a little inspo, read on for 23 calming hobbies to restore your energy!

Creative Writing Worksheet – Quick Character Creator (PDF) The fact is, you can fill in every 100-item questionnaire about character creation in exhaustive detail and still end up with a character who is unsuitable for the story you’re trying to tell, who isn’t interesting, and who doesn’t feel real. Here’s what Aaron Sorkin (creator of…

These 10 daily yoga poses will enhance flexibility, build strength, and enhance overall health. It's never too late to start!

Learning how to oven cook steak isn't hard, but it needs some TLC that it doesn't need when you cook it on a grill. Read our tips for doing it perfectly!

All the tips and tricks you need to make the BEST Zucchini Bread recipe of your life! It's so easy to make, with consistent results every time. The bread bakes up moist, tender, and super flavorful! Easily turn it into chocolate chip zucchini bread, or add nuts!

**Attention Pizza Fans**: My pizza cookbook, Pizza Night, is now available for pre-order. Get your copy here: Pizza Night What you need to make this recipe...: ...a sourdough starter. Ideally, you want to use your starter 4 to 6 hours after you feed it, when it has doubled in volume and is very bubbly and active. You can build a starter from scratch in just about 1 week. Or you can buy one. Here are three sources: Breadtopia King Arthur Flour Cultures for Health ...time. Once your starter is ready to go, this recipe requires an initial 6 - 18 hour rise, followed by at least 6 hours in the fridge or up to 3 days.  Timing/Schedule: The more I make sourdough, the more I realize that the timing of each bake depends so much on the time of year and the temperature of my kitchen. In the summer, because it is warm and humid, the first rise (bulk fermentation) of all my sourdoughs takes between 6 - 8 hours; in the winter it will take longer, 10 to 12 hours. It is best to rely on visual cues. For the bulk fermentation, you want the dough to double or less than double: I now end my bulk fermentation when the dough has risen by 50% to 75% in volume. This is why I cannot recommend using a straight-sided vessel  (as opposed to a bowl) enough. It makes gauging the first rise easier. If at any point you are worried the dough will over-ferment — say, for example, the bulk fermentation is nearly complete but you are tired and want to go to bed — stick the vessel in the fridge and pick up the process in the morning. (Note: If your dough rises above double, don't despair ... my dough has tripled in volume during an overnight rise, and the resulting dough still had plenty of strength and spring.) Schedule: I like mixing this dough in the evening, performing 4 stretch and folds before I go to bed (if time permits), then letting the dough complete its bulk fermentation at room temperature (68ºF) overnight or in the refrigerator (especially in the summer, when my kitchen is much warmer). In the morning, it's typically ready to be portioned (if it rose at room temperature), transferred to quart containers, and stashed in the fridge. If I had let my dough spend time in the fridge for the bulk fermentation, I remove it in the morning, and let it complete its bulk fermentation at room temperature. Once complete, I portion the dough and stash it in the fridge. Sometimes I'll use the dough that same evening; sometimes I'll use it the following day or the next. I encourage using the dough within 3 days.  In short: If you want pizza for the weekend, mix your dough on either Wednesday or Thursday.  Troubleshooting: If you have issues with your dough being too sticky, please read this post: Why is my sourdough so sticky? The 4 common mistakes. Water: If you live in a humid environment or if you are making this on a particularly humid day, consider starting with less water, such as 335 grams of water, which will bring the hydration down to 70%. This amount of water will still produce a light airy crust but the dough will be more manageable.  Flour choice:  Due to supply issues, I've been making this recipe with all-purpose flour, and it works beautifully. You absolutely can use bread flour or tipo 00 flour if you can get your hands on either. If you can't, know that all-purpose (unbleached) flour works great here. If you use 00 flour, you'll likely need to reduce the amount of water. I would start with 350 g, and adjust moving forward based on your results.  Favorite Pizza-Making Tools: Baking Steel Pizza Peel Parchment Paper: I bake my pizzas on parchment paper on my Baking Steel. Parchment allows for easy transfer from peel to steel.  Cast Iron Skillet: If you do not have a Steel or stone, you can use a cast iron skillet. Rub a half teaspoon of oil over its surface, transfer a stretched dough round to the skillet. Top as desired. Bake at 450ºF for about 15 minutes.  Quart Containers for storing dough

You'll want to memorize this one.

How to cook the best filet mignon using a cast iron skillet and oven. This easy recipe will give you a perfect steak every time.

Do you know how to bake Brie the right way? Baked brie is one of the most luxuriously easy appetizers ever invented, and I'm sharing all the secrets to getting that perfectly oozy, gooey Brie every time.

Scripted SCIENCE lessons for kindergarten - Engaging, easy to prep, and includes everything you need! Nonfiction read-aloud books, PowerPoints for every lesson, student activities and workbooks... Kids LOVE this program! NGSS and TEKS aligned.

Topstitching adds a professional-looking finish to any sewing project, and it’s simple to do if you use the right tools and techniques. Use the information and topstitching tips in this comprehensive guide to help your topstitching look top-notch every time.

10 MINUTES to lean and toned arms! Who’s down for this beginner-friendly fat loss challenge?!? Comment below if you’re going to start it. Getting rid of flabby arms can be challenging, especially when you workout at home and feel like you need weights to do all the correct moves. This is why I created a […]

Are you planning to teach S.E. Hinton's classic novel The Outsiders to your middle school students? The Outsiders remains a personal favorite of mine. I remember reading it myself as an 8th-grader and have taught it yearly as a teacher. Many students still visit my classroom to talk about the lessons learned through the novel. It's a fantastic choice that offers numerous opportunities for meaningful discussions, critical thinking, and character exploration. Let's dive into the history and a brief summary of this iconic novel and explore why it's an ideal text for middle school classrooms. A Brief History of The Outsiders by S.E. Hinton Published in 1967, The Outsiders is a timeless coming-of-age novel written by Susan Eloise Hinton when she was just 16 years old. Hinton, using her initials to obscure her gender, drew from her own experiences growing up in Tulsa, Oklahoma. The novel was an instant success and continues to resonate with readers of all ages. Summary of The Outsiders Set in the 1960s, the story revolves around Ponyboy Curtis, the youngest member of the Greasers, a working-class gang, and his tumultuous journey to find his place in a world divided by socioeconomic differences. After an encounter with the rival Socs (Socials) goes tragically wrong, Ponyboy and his friend Johnny are forced to go on the run. As they navigate the harsh realities of their world, the novel delves into themes of identity, family, loyalty, and the universal desire to belong. Why Teach The Outsiders in Middle School? Relatable Characters: Middle school students can easily relate to the characters in the novel. The struggles and emotions of Ponyboy, Johnny, and their friends resonate with the experiences and challenges that young adolescents face as they navigate their own paths to self-discovery. Engaging Storyline: The Outsiders is a gripping and fast-paced narrative that will captivate your students' attention. Its short chapters and compelling plot make it accessible to middle school readers. Students will complain when it is time to pack-up to leave! Themes for Discussion: The novel is rich with themes that are relevant to the middle school years, such as friendship, peer pressure, and the search for identity. These themes provide excellent opportunities for class discussions and personal reflection. My classes tend to focus on the dangers of a single story and the theme of being an outsider. Empathy and Understanding: Middle school is a difficult time for most people. Teaching middle school for the past decade, I try to pull novels that help kids learn the importance of empathy for others. The novel encourages students to empathize with characters from different backgrounds, fostering a deeper understanding of the complexities of human relationships and the impact of socioeconomic factors. Literary Exploration: The novel incorporates literary techniques, allowing you to introduce your students to concepts like symbolism, character development, and theme analysis. As a teacher who loves The Outsiders and has read it more than 45 times, here are some of the resources I have created over the years and use in my classroom: A Creative Reading Response Journal A reading response journal is an invaluable tool for helping your students interact with the text in a meaningful way. The journal I have created over the years of teaching the novel, has students engage with the text through creative and engaging activities, and the chapter questions guide students through the novel, prompting them to reflect on the characters, themes, and literary elements. This resource encourages critical thinking and fosters a deeper connection to the story, making it an excellent addition to your novel study. A Grammar Focused Digital Escape Room Host your very own “grammar rumble” students have so much fun dressing up for this day! Take your students on an adventure that combines fun and learning with our The Outsiders Digital Escape Room. This immersive experience will challenge your students to solve puzzles, find clues, and make connections to the novel's plot and characters. It's a great way to reinforce their comprehension of the story while keeping them engaged and motivated. Engage Students with a Question Trail Lesson I have a question trail lesson for The Outsiders. The lesson offers a unique and interactive approach to reviewing the novel. With this lesson, your students will follow a trail of questions, each leading to a deeper understanding of the text. This resource encourages analytical thinking, allowing your students to explore the novel from multiple angles. I like using the question trail to take a break from the typical review game. The Outsiders Question Trail Other Creative Connections: Discussing the symbolism of a sunrise before reading chapter 5, can really help students understand the connection to Robert Frost’s poem “Nothing Gold Can Stay”. I use the following warm-up the day we are going to begin reading chapter 5: 1. Consider what a sunrise could symbolize. 2. Draw your best sunrise/what you think of when you imagine one. 3. On the back lined side write out what you think a sunrise could symbolize in a story. What could they represent? Character Analysis and Characterization Organizer Whether you're new to teaching The Outsiders or a seasoned pro, these resources will breathe new life into your lessons. Visit my Teachers Pay Teachers store to explore these resources and discover how they can benefit your classroom. "Stay Gold" with these valuable teaching resources and make The Outsiders a memorable journey for your students!

TEACHERS & SUBSTITUTES: It is passed mid-April and I know we are ALL needing a bit of a break right about now! Leaving clear notes and organized classroom information for our substitutes is an absolute must… especially this time of year. These substitute forms are perfect for adding to your Sub Binder! Click here, or ... Read More about FREE Sub Report Forms

These tangy, crunchy dill pickles are so easy to make - you don't need to a canner for waterbath canning - you can seal the jars at a low temperature right in the oven, and they turn out delicious every time! #pickles #canning #ovencanning #easypickles #dillpickles

You can create beautiful chalkboard art and chalkboard lettering even if you're not artistic (I promise)! Today I'm sharing a super easy trick for creating gorgeous DIY chalkboard art for your home or business. For

Capsule wardrobe for Petites. Fashion closet essentials and basics for Petite women. Where to buy fashion staples for petites? Read the best Petite blog!

Do you struggle to hang your artwork straight? I will show you how to easily hang a picture that is perfect each and every time!

I've spent years perfecting my homemade funnel cake recipe. In it, I'll teach you the precise temperature and timing needed for golden, crispy perfection every time, plus all my best tips for cooking evenly on both sides and how to achieve the perfect consistency of your batter.

Figuring out how to stop a toddler from hitting is no easy task! And if you are a first time mom, it's even more shocking. Right up there with with potty training kids who won't poop on the toilet and getting your toddler to stop whining. How you help your child stop hitting will look