Summer Vacation and Ideas for New School Year Already???

Well it's been a long time since I've blogged, but here it goes.... This summer will be filled with reading, softball, surgery, and working on novel studies.  I really need to get back into the swing of things.

I taught 3rd grade for 10 years, and just finished my 3rd year in 2nd.  We just found out we are getting a new principal this next year, so I'm not really sure what to expect this next year other than that I will remain in 2nd grade.  Change is good, but always a little scary.

One of my main goals for next school year is to get more organized and prepared. I think this will help greatly with my classroom management.

First, I want to set up a Supply Station where all supplies, except for pencils, are kept. I want to put labels on everything, maybe have certain things labeled by table number.  I bought plastic card containers to put their crayons in, and I also want to put tape across the bottom of the crayons to help them from coming open.  One teacher suggested buying crayons for everyone as a "welcome" gift. I think I might just do that and save their crayons for back-ups.  I always have a large plastic shoe box full of lose crayons, but I prefer they have their own in a box.

I also want to have a Supply Captain that moves to the right each day.  This person will be responsible to get all the supplies for their table from the Supply Station. As for my line, I put them in alphabetical order, and the line leader moves to the caboose the next day.  The line leader is in charge of holding the door, and the caboose in is charge of turning off the lights when we leave the room.

I am definitely going to assign jobs, and have my students keep my library, math manipulatives, supplies, etc... neat and clean... at least that's the plan. Rather than make up a job board, I think I will just make a list of the jobs with the student's name next to each job.  They will keep their jobs for 9 weeks, since we will be on a 9 week schedule. I might even make up job applications that they have to fill out before I assign the jobs.  I'm not sure if I'm going to pay them with play money or not. I have done this before, but it was really hard to remember to pay them and it was hard to find the time to do it.

These are just a few ideas that I have for next school year.  I'll try and post any more ideas that I have or that I come by.

Until then, have a great summer!

Dollar Deals One Day Only at TpT!

Some of my TpT Buddies and myself decided to show a little love to our fellow teachers by offering several of our products for only $1.  The sale runs all day Sunday, February 7th, so hurry on over and

take advantage of these great savings!  Just click on the picture above or the link  http://bit.ly/1QJwPLc

TpT Cyber Sale!

Picture by Ashlyn Ellsworth from The Creative Classroom

Click the pic and head on over to my store and stock up for the holiday season!  My entire store will be 20% off, but if you enter the code: SMILE,  you can get a total of 28% off your entire purchase!  The sale will run for two days, November 30th and December 1st.

Happy Shopping!

Talk Like a Pirate Day

Talk Like a Pirate Day is September 19th! Want to celebrate in your homeschool or classroom? Check out these easy & creative ideas to get in the spirit!  

Pirate Treasure Hunt - This is a great activity for pirate fun at home over the weekend! Make your own map, hide pirate treasure, and watch your little ones follow directions to search for the Pirates’ Gold! Island Adventures Reading Program - Join Pete Pirate and his crew with instruction and practice in advanced phonics skills, sight words, vocabulary, fluency, and reading comprehension! 75 lessons teach fundamental reading skills for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd grades. Recommended ages 6 to 9.

Treasure Map Pizza - Decorate your homemade pizza with olives, peppers, and a tiny red pepper for the pirate ship! Meet the McKaws - This is such a fun pirate-themed book for Kindergarteners! Captain Stan and Tiny McKaw are rough-and-tumble pirates. Whether it’s searching for treasure or battling on the high seas, this adventurous duo is up for anything. Pirates’ Treasure & Crafts



Pirate Math and Literacy Activities - The pirate literacy activities include wall words, syllable sort, picture bingo, and more! The pirate math activities include four math activities that would deb a great addition to any pirate-themed unit. Pirate Crafts and Treasure Chest - Make a pirate hat, homemade pirate hook, spyglass, treasure chest, gold coins and more!



Paper Plate Pirate Craft - Use household items to craft a happy pirate face! This is an easy activity for kids and parents to complete together at home. Exploding Treasure Chests Pirate Science - Dive into some pirate science with Exploding Treasure Chests!! It’s a great sensory experience as the solid, freezing cold chests turn to mush and expose treasures hidden within. Pirate Theme Classroom Mega Bundle - Want to set your classroom in a pirate theme? This package includes pirate-themed word wall cards, calendars, customizable name tags, classroom jobs poster, time telling posters set, and more!

Aaaargh Matey!!! If you would like a fun and engaging way for your students to practice their possessives, you might like my Possessive Pirates Singular & Plural Possessives unit.  This unit contains posters to display, as well as material for both centers and/or worksheets for homework, or independent desk work. You can click on either pic below to view it in my Educents Store!

Happy Talk Like a Pirate Day!

Flash Sale at Educents!

Head on over to Educents and stock up for BTS. My entire store is on sale for 20% off through Monday, and Educents will give you an additional 10% off if you enter the code FLASH10! Just click on the pic below to take advantage of the savings.

Don't Miss the One Day SALE at Teachers Pay Teachers!!!

Big one day sale at TpT today only!  Use the code: MORE to get 28% off your entire purchase at my store!  Just click on the pic below and fill up your cart!

Thank you Deana Kahlenberg for the great ad sign!

Back to School Classroom Stuff & Where to Find It

Follow my blog with Bloglovin


Well, it's that time of year again, and I thought I might help out by sharing some classroom storage and decor items and where you can actually get them.

First off here is what I use to house my student mailbox and extra supplies: I set the first shelf lower so that my mailbox would fit. The other two shelves house my extra supplies which are in plastic shoe boxes and large clear, see through plastic containers.

This is a baker's rack that I purchased 12 years ago.  You can get one at Target for $59.99.  It might seem like a lot of money, but it is very durable and should last a long time.

You can purchase plastic shoe boxes at the Dollar Tree for $1 each ~ not a bad price!

Walmart has the larger storage boxes that come 4 to a set for $17.88

The next items I want to show you are for center storage. I am going to use the multi-color tall one for math centers and the other blue one with baskets and hanging pockets for my Daily 5 Stations.

You can get a similar one at Walmart for $50.04 online.  I purchased mine at Big Lots last year, but doesn't look like they are carrying them this year. 

This Hone Can-Do All-purpose Teacher Caddy came from Staples online.  I got a great deal. They had it on sale for $59.99, regular price $199.99.  Just checked, and it is back to regular price :(  Target has it for $114..39, though.

I just ordered these matching magazine holders and baskets from Really Good Stuff for my Guided Reading groups!

The magazine boxes were $18.99 for a set of 4 and the baskets were the same price for a set of 4. You can get a coupon for $5 off a purchase of $50 or more if you sign up using your email.

Well that's all for now.  I hope you picked up a few ideas for your classroom this year. Check back soon to see some ideas for storage and decor in your classroom library!

Happy Back to School!