Mission Organization!

Next year I want my classroom to be super organized!! I am already a clean freak and like everything in its place...but now I want all my bins to match, to have a real place for everything with labels and all, and I just want my room to be BEAUTIFUL!!

My first step...an order from Really Good Stuff! Love that store!

So far I have gotten...

I ordered 4 sets of these for my classroom library. Eight of them fit perfectly on my bookshelves and it looks wonderful! I am in the process of making pretty polka dotted labels now!

These will go in my library as well, but on the top of the bookshelves. I have some book bins that have too many books for the smaller bins. So these will hold the big collections :)

 I ordered these to organize my 4 reading groups. Each group will have a different color bin. This way I can gather the materials the Friday before, put them in the bins, and be ready for the week! Much more convenient then what I have been doing now (which was leaving the stuff all over the table in piles..or putting it away and having to get it out again each morning).

I also ordered these nifty ceiling clips (which I probably don't really need, but when you're already spending that much money what's another $4.50?)

These will hold my beautiful 'pom poms' that I am going to hang over my classroom library. I am going to make mine out of tulle instead of tissue paper. I am thinking that they will last longer. I can shake the dust off and they won't fade like the tissue paper does. I found this picture on Pinterest...

Next week I am also going to buy paint for my bulletin boards! I am pretty excited about finishing those. I am going to do a bright blue (like the book bin blue color) on all of my boards. I read a great Debbie Diller post sharing that it is a great idea to have all of your bulletin boards the same color--this keeps the students focused, the room calm, etc. Then I am going to add polka dot borders...so fun!! I can't wait to get my room all pulled together, but there is so much to do!!

Memorial Sale!!

 I am linking up with some fellow blog friends and having a memorial day sale!! It will begin tomorrow and run throughout Monday! Everything will be 20% off! Happy Shopping!!

Enjoy your weekend!!

Polka Dot Love!!

Next year I am totally revamping my entire classroom! I can't wait!! I have decided to do all neon colors and polka dots!! 

 Here are some cute months of the year cards for calendar time...

She has a beautiful polka dot welcome banner...My friend Tammy over at Live, Love, Laugh Everyday in Kindergarten has posted so many perfect freebies to get me started!!

Click on image above to grab your freebie

I have my banner all ready for next year!! It is so easy to make and came out so super cute!

 I also printed out Tammy's nameplates for next year. I have my children sit at tables. I attach the name plates with velcro. This makes it easy to change their seats when needed :)

Click on the image above to grab your freebie

 I ALSO printed out Tammy's polka dot behavior chart!

Click above to grab your freebie

 This year isn't over just yet...but it is never too early to get planning for next year :) 

Enjoy!!

Easy Parent Gift :)

I actually made these cute cards for Mother's Day, but they can be made for anything...Parent Appreciation, a Room-Mom gift, or even for a simple thank you :) 

I did take pictures of the entire process but they are on my other computer, that BROKE! My county takes forever to fix things so I have been without a computer for over a week...hopefully I will get it back soon!

First, you need to open up a new document on pages or word. Enter a little over half way down the paper. Then type 'A note from...'

Enter down a little farther and type in the student's name followed by mom (ex. Caitlin's mom).  After you have done this you can space over on the same lines and enter the same info again. This way you have two columns like the white paper below....

 When you are done print it out on plain paper. Then give your students a small paper that will fit in between the words 'A note from...' and 'Caitlin's mom'. Let them draw a picture on the paper. They can draw it with pencil and you can trace over it with pen or you can let them use pen :)  Tape their picture in between the words and then copy it onto colored card stock.

 Cut the card stock in half, fold the paper in half, and wa-la!! Cards for their mommy's :)

If you have bags, you can put them in the clear bags and tie them with a ribbon; if not, you can tie them like I did above. The parents love these :)
Hopefully these directions aren't too confusing!! It would have been much easier with all the pictures!

Summer Bucket List!!

April, Teri, and Hadar decided to start a summer bucket list linky party! What a fabulous idea!

The very first thing on my bucket list is to get up to our North Carolina house and relax!!! Should be easy with a view like this :)

 I also really want to get in shape!! So my goal while I am up there is to work out!! I found some great workouts on pinterest!

Source: Shape Magazine Online

 While I am there, I would LOVE to make these for my class!! They are ADORABLE!!

 With all the working out and goal to get in better shape, I of course need to eat healthy! Which again, I have found awesome recipes on pinterest! So excited to finally start making some of them...

Source: The Wanna Be Chef

 But..I know myself and my love for rainbow sprinkles!! So...my summer needs some of these as well!

Source: Sadie and Stella

 What is on your summer bucket list?! I love reading these!!!!

Let's Find Out!

This past month I received a class set of the Let's Find Out magazines from Scholastic to try out.  My students absolutely loved them! Not only did they love reading them, but they loved the activities in them! They are SO appropriate for my kinder kids. My students were able to read them totally independently, allowing them to do the activities on their own. They felt so grown up!!

The other thing I LOVED about the Let's Find Out magazine is that the themes seemed to work perfectly with what we were learning in class. The April issue was full of Earth Day information, plant info, animals and their eggs, etc. The themes seemed to fit in perfectly with my already planned curriculum.  
We focused on Earth Day in the issue and the students learned a lot of new information. We continued that over into our writing.  I had them write about what THEY would do to help save our Earth. 

The bulletin board came out super cute...

How many of you use Let's Find Out magazines in your classroom? When and how do you incorporate them? Would LOVE to hear!! :)

Teacher Appreciation!

To show my appreciation for teachers everywhere, everything in my Teachers Pay Teachers store will be 20% off from May 6th through May 8th.  TpT is offering an additional 10% off when you use coupon code: TAD12.  Click on the picture above to start shopping!!

Thanks for all you do!!

Portable Word Walls...they are finally here!

When I first started blogging I wrote about my portable word walls..and that became my most looked at post. Well...I am finally finished creating my own version of these thematic words!! I have had many emails asking if I sell these..well now I do :)

I introduce these words at the beginning of the year and they stay in the writing center to assist the students in journal writing, creative stories, choosing topics, writing letters, cards, etc.  

As we are learning a specific theme, I will have the students use these to create their own 'portable word wall' to use throughout the thematic unit. This way they have access to the words they will be using daily. 

Student examples from the beginning of the year...

 If you would like to purchase this unit, click on any of the pictures above! :) Would love to hear your feedback as well!

If you have a blog of your own and you are willing to blog about these....comment below and I will send the first 3 people this unit for free!!

But, I can't leave everyone else empty handed...I am giving away one of the folders for free if you download the PREVIEW in my TPT store.

Enjoy!!