Since we are in a new school we just received BRAND NEW small group tables over Spring Break. I was so excited & freaked out after break when I saw this new table. I was so used to my new classroom just the way it was BUT I didn't have a group table set up yet. I was obsessed with getting it just the way I wanted it and trying my best to leave it clutter free. I use this 12'' pink Craftsman tool tote in my craft room at home. It's perfect to grab and go when I need it in another room. I filled it up & keep it under my new small group table. Here is what I am currently keeping in my tote for this month. 1. Spring words for reading and writing practice. 2. Colored index cards for weekly sight/spelling/vocab word practice. 3. Phonic skill of the week words. 4. 1 & 2 minute sand timer for fluency practice. 5 & 6. See inside the boxes below. Dry erase markers & erasers for each … [Read more...] about Bright Idea for Guided Reading/Small Group Table
Spring Blogger Meet Up
Several weeks ago I had the opportunity to attend a blogger meet-up in French Lick, IN. That name kills me. Anyway, I was a little apprehensive at first about going but I am so glad I chose to attend. It was a complete blast & I absolutely adored every person I met. This is Holly from Ehle Kindergarten Connections who was in charge of this fabulous get together. I absolutely adore her! She did an exceptional job pulling this all together & I can't wait to make this an annual meet-up. Schoolgirl Style provided the decor for the center pieces for each table. Holy cuteness, right? I was completely shocked that each of us received a Vera Bradley bag! I wanted one of each! I can't believe how generous all of these companies were to all of us. You probably already know how obsessed I am with Scentos. My students are obsessed as well. I am absolutely not sharing these new ones with them! I … [Read more...] about Spring Blogger Meet Up
Organizational Seat Sack Ideas
As you know I have moved into a new classroom in a brand new school! I was lucky enough to get a class set of the Ultimate Organizer Set from www.seatsack.com! My all time favorite item is this seat sack. It's unbelievably well made out of extremely durable material. This is so important when you have to use something year after year. You want to make sure the product will uphold wear and tear. We use 1 1/2'' binders that go back and forth between home and school. I honestly didn't even think that this would be able to fit inside. To my surprise it did!!!! Wahoo! This has left us with clutter free desks! Since we have new desks, we do not have any kind of storage underneath. This problem had already been solved but they still had to have their binders on their desk the entire day. This is perfect! They also store their books, desk folder, & interactive journals in the seat sack. I am saving so much instructional time not having them go back & … [Read more...] about Organizational Seat Sack Ideas
Spring Cleaning & More!
I have to admit, I caved under the pressure to have a sale. I'm so happy I did! I haven't showed too many pictures of my little nuggets in action this year so I thought this would be a perfect opportunity. Packing up 10+ years of a classroom...perging.....packing...unpacking.....decorating....redecorating...I have been a tad busy. Now here I am at the very end of my Spring Break.....WAH! It actually snowed............. Who let him here? I just look at this pic & laugh! This is Chicago my friends. It snowed on Spring Break & we grilled. Yes, when it's March....we grill no matter what. And we stop wearing coats. Am I right my Chicagoland friends???? I will be planning all day tomorrow. Part of my plans are pulling out more of these bad boys for the 4th quarter....BAM! What a great way to start off the Monday after Spring Break..with a little teaser of what's in store. They WILL take the bait. So here is one of my nuggets counting up … [Read more...] about Spring Cleaning & More!
National Craft Month
Did you know that March is National Craft Month? I sure didn't. I am teaming up with Lakeshore Learning, my favorite teacher store, to show you what I did with their 3-way easel. As you know, I am a first grade teacher. This 3-way easel has been such a life saver during this Polar Vortex in Chicago. Oh.my.word. My little nuggets haven't been outside for recess since before Thanksgiving! Poor things. I am very resourceful with ideas for them but I was running out of options. Once I UN-boxed this fine quality beauty they were fighting over it. Then, of course, I had to make them earn it. They have been trying to earn fuzzies like crazy to be able to use this during indoor recess! They love to actually be able to use chalk! They are used to sidewalk chalk & don't really get to use a chalkboard in today's world. THEY LOVE IT! It's like giving them finger paints or play-doh! On the other side is a dry-erase board. They love this as well since they aren't … [Read more...] about National Craft Month
Bright Ideas
Today I am joining over 180 bloggers who are sharing their bright classroom ideas. Unfortunately, I did not participate last time but I found wonderful ideas that I am using already! Do you do AR in your classroom? I do & I promote it heavily. My students are obsessed with taking AR tests. We currently only have two student computers in our classroom. This has caused major arguments when someone cuts in line. It drove me cray-cray. I used to have my students write their names on the board & erase it when they were finished taking a test. This was not working well at all. There has to be a procedure in place for this to run smoothly. I get asked a lot how my class accumulates so many AR points. I truly believe having this system really helps! I DO NOT let my students take tests while I am teaching whole group. They take tests all day long. I do let them take tests if they are in "Read to Someone" or "Read to Self" during our Daily 5 rotations. They … [Read more...] about Bright Ideas