I am ALWAYS looking for easier ways to hang up classroom decorations; posters, alphabet charts, and more. We can use poster putty and Command Strips only. An alphabet chart needs a lot of poster putty, 4 corners X 26 letters = too much time. Plus it has to come off the wall next May.  I was dreading  contemplating this task today, and alphabet and a 0-20 number set needed to go up on the walls. I looked at the mess , supplies I had on the desks and got inspired.  Step 1: Staple/Tape the cards to strips of border, I have plenty of that. Step 2: Continue for the length of the border strip, or cut the border to the desired length.  Step 3: Attach the strips to the wall with Command Strips, Poster Putty, or whatever you are allowed to use.  Time saved now & Time will be saved in May.  ...

Back to School sales have started. Blog posts with all the deals. Instagram pictures of all the cute stuff at Target, Dollar Tree, Wal*Mart, and many other stores. It is easy to get overwhelmed. Easy to think. "I must go buy THAT." Whatever THAT is. The next thing you know your trunk is full and your checking account empty I admit to falling into that pattern many times, and still do on occasion. But after 20+ years of teaching, before I shop I ask myself one question. "What EXACTLY will this be used for?" If I cannot answer with a specific need, i.e containers for glue sponges, or activity, i.e. counting games, I put it back on the shelf. Saving money at the same time. Because I can go shopping here....   This is just two shelves, I am not ready to show you my plastic container collection or my markers, not yet anyway. I did succumb to the Mo Willems stuffed toys at Kohl's. I also ordered some new border for my bulletin boards. Otherwise I have n......

I am moving to first grade this year. I'm excited. I taught first grade for many years. Of course the standards have changed in the recent years.  I am moving to a new room as well. It is a blank slate, awaiting my attention.  Michael came to school and helped move all my stuff, boxes and bins, oh my! This is with about 3/4 of the boxes unpacked.  I finished the boxes before I left, but the pile in the desk grew a little. I am trying to  be thoughtful on my organization. As long as I finish putting everything away tomorrow, I'll be able to get my room set up without panicking. I hope. ...

The first week of school is exciting, nerve wracking, terrifying, overwhelming, thrilling, and more. And that is just for the teacher! Between learning names, teaching procedures, drying eyes, and assuring the students they will be alright; teacher need to start teaching. There are so many wonderful books for the first week of school, but these are two of my favorite:             Miss Bindergarten Gets Ready for Kindergarten             Oliver and His Alligator Let's start with Miss Bindergarten. I love all the activity in this book. It is a great way to start teaching how to use the illustrations to tell the story. This books features rhyming words while teaching the alphabet. Each student in the class has a name that starts with a different letter of the alphabet. The students are named using a rhyming couplet. It is on the next two pages that the illustrations take over. Each two page spread features Miss Bindergarten......

Have you heard the news? TPT is having a one day sale this week; Wednesday, August 20th. That's right, a second chance to buy all those things we missed during the first BTS sale. TPT is offering 10% off prices with the code BOOST. If you favorite seller is having a sale, you get the 10% on top of the sellers discount. Be sure to check out your favorite seller on Wednesday.   Did you buy a lot or a little earlier in the month. I bought a little. I couldn't resist this Color the Room set by Erin from Creating and Teaching. Many of my students aren't ready to write the room in August. Coloring is something they can do. Click on the picture to go directly to the product.  My wish list is always at least 3 pages long. The majority of the list is clip art, but there are plenty of activities as well. The Listen Up bundle by Fluttering Through First Grade looks like a great way to practice listening skills.  Finally, I added a new product to my store this......

It is official. School starts tomorrow. Bright and Early! Ready or Not!  I am ready, well my room is at least. I really don't have a theme that carries throughout all my decorations. I like bright colors. I have started putting border around large displays on the walls. It adds a finishing touch to the display. It also helps the display stand out on the cream colored walls. This is the view from my desk. Complete with my Tervis tumbler. I drink iced tea all day. I have several tumblers that follow me everywhere I go.  This is the view from the door. We use tables for Kindergarten. I am using shower caddies to hold the scissors, glue, and pencils for the table. Each student will have their own box for crayons.  I have set my tables and chairs so that everyone will be able to see the piloting a 2:1 laptop program this year, so the kids will need to see the board. Lots more on that throughout the year.  Here is the reading corner. I f......