Teacher Tip Tuesday

Today's a happy day for me!

Why?

I get to go out to lunch with my favorite girls...my co-workers....my team...my besties! 

We are going to Red Lobster.  Yum!  Well, actually it is not one of my favorites, but.....

it is right next to  Michael's, Hobby Lobby, a Dollar Tree and the "ultimate" TARGET!  You know we strategically planned that meeting place, don't you?

Whohoo!  I know I am going to do some purchasing today!

Especially because I still have my two Target gift cards and one to Hobby Lobby.  Yes!

I am really hoping that Target has filled their Dollar Spot with the new teaching items that I am seeing circulating around blogs.  Especially that Dr. Seuss stuff that I saw over at Hanging with Mrs. Cooper's Blog. So cute!!!!

Anyway, here is my tip for Tuesday.  It is simple, but it is all my ADD brain could think of this morning (remember, I am in a funk).

Have you seen these little cuties at the Dollar Tree?

If you can't tell what they are, they are birthday paper plates shaped just like a monkey's head.  So stinking cute!

Well, of course, when I saw them, I had to have them because my brain automatically thought "Five Little Monkeys!"  Actually, I had to purchase four packages because I had to have some for me and my besties.  I am such a giving person.

I am sure you have figured out what I am going to do with them.  I am going to add some craft sticks or paint sticks to the back.  I prefer the paint sticks, they are more durable.  But I am going to have to bribe the nice man at Lowes for some.  I am currently out!

Then I will use these little monkeys with my students when we do our Five Little Monkey's book/retelling.  I can just visualize my little cuties right now with their monkeys in their hands.  They are going to love it and Mrs. Greene is going to run and get her camera for a picture.

I am always looking for those special, animal shaped paper plates.  I have a bunch of these that I use for a variety of fingerplays/songs/stories.  They are so easy, cheap, and durable.  I have had some that I have used for the past five years that still look practically new.

Here is an image of other's that I have seen on the market.

So keep your eyes open when you are walking through the birthday/paper plate isles.  You never know what gems you will find that can be used for your retelling center.

I hope you enjoyed my simple tip for today.

Don't worry!  I am sure I will post pics about what I get today during my shopping spree outing.

Also, I spent an enormous amount of time cleaning my scrapbook/craft room yesterday?  Would anyone like me to post pics, since it is clean?   Just thought I would ask to see if there are any takers.  My hubby allowed me to transform one room in our house into "my" room but it seems to be a favorite place for the entire family since my daughter loves to create too, my son likes my computer the best and so does the hubby (They say my computer is the fastest in the house.).  I guess I have to share.

Until next time, Happy Blogging!
Ann

Made it Monday

It's Monday, so I'm linking up again with 4th Grade Frolics for her Made it Monday Linky Party.

I just love linking up with her for several reasons...

1. It reminds me to share pics of all those cool things I have made for my classroom (Remember, I'm ADHD,  I make and make and make but often forget to share!).
2. I get to see images of what others are doing and then I have a reason to go shopping (I personally love any reason to go shopping!).
3. I don't have to think "What should I blog about today?"  (Sometimes I get in a Bloggers funk...does this happen to anyone else?).

Anyway...here is what I have been working on this past week.  

First, I saw these on Pinterest and it was love at first sight!

They are birthday balloons made with crazy straws.  The best part, Amy over at Step Into Second Grade has the free downloadable balloon.  So of course, I had to make me some.

I got my straws at the Dollar Tree and I was ready.

Here are mine.

Aren't they just the cutest!  I can't wait to give one to my kiddos on their birthday.  Don't you just love the red solo cup (Yes, you can thank me because now the song is playing in your head, isn't it)?  I am going to try and find something as cute to put them in, something as cute as Amy's (see pic above).  I just haven't found the right thing yet.  I saw a cute hot pink tall basket at the Dollar Tree...Oh no, now I might just have to go back and do more shopping!  Hey!  It's only a dollar!

Next up...I purchased this locker crate from Walmart the other day.  It looked like the perfect size for my daily folders and, even better, it was hot pink!

Here is what I did to it so far.

That is a blue polka-dot ribbon added to it (I just love my colors this year!).  I do need to make a label for it, but labeling always seems to happen later for me.  I think I always have to see how everything fits into my classroom and then I make the labels.

Here is a pic of my next project.  I am sure you have seen people do this on Pinterest.  You know the one, where you take a picture frame and make a "To Do" list out of it.  I got the frame at the Dollar Tree as well.  Can anyone guess how much I spent?  And, how come when you go up to the front to purchase and your cart is full the cashier automatically says..."You must be a teacher."  I think the Dollar Tree is starting to stereotype us.

Well, here is mine.  Unfortunately, I didn't write down who I go the free printable from.  I apologize for having one of my adult ADD moments.  If you know who did the download, please let me know so that I can give them their shout out because I just love mine.  I need to find a cute hot pink bow to add to it, but that will have to come later.

Lastly, I found these cute baskets at Dollar Tree as well.  I already have a few in my classroom (Which my seven year old daughter had to mention as I was purchasing more...she is so observant).  I also got the ribbon from there too but it was way back at Easter.  I remember driving to several different Dollar Trees at Easter time to purchase as many of these as possible because I knew I would use them this summer.  I have quite a collection now...but I still think I am going to run out! Ugh!

Here is what I did.  These are going to be my work table baskets.  I have four tables in my classroom and each table has a shelf at the end of it (another Pinterest idea).  I have them place their completed work in these baskets as they rotate through the tables.  That way they are not coming up and bothering me during reading groups.  Of course, a label is forthcoming. I am envisioning something in black and white maybe.

Oh and remember my treasure box?  The one I found at Walmart for a whopping $4.97?  Here is how it turned out.

I added letter stickers and then used my plethora of "O" stickers to accentuate the grommets on the container.  Of course, I had to add some bling (which I had on hand in my scrapbook room as well).  I think it turned out cute.

Well, that's it!  I have been busy creating but, unfortunately, I am not keeping up with my purchasing.  If you could only see the amount of stuff that is sitting on the floor of our game room (That is where everything seems to pile until I can get it to school).  The pile needs to find a new home soon since we have company coming in town on the 17th of this month.  

Which means I will be making a trip to my classroom.  

Which means that I will be bringing home even more projects.  

Which means that the pile probably won't be shrinking much.  Oh well!

What have you been creating?  I can't wait to see!  Go link up!

Happy Blogging!

Ann

Giving Advice

Deb over at Fabulously First is doing a great linky party where we (the experienced) get to give teacher's advice.  Sounds like fun...go check it out.

So here are my insights for new teachers:

So that's my advice...personally, I love the last one.  I got that idea from a retired teacher.  At her retirement party, she shared her journal with everyone at the party.  It was quite an emotional moment for her and I do believe that every teacher at the party was crying right along with her.  

So go link up and share your wisdom.

Happy Blogging!

Ann

Fabulous Find Friday

So, I know everyone loves to find something FABULOUS (and so worth the $$$) when you are out partaking in retail therapy.

Therefore,  I thought I would share my FABULOUS FIND of the week (because just maybe you need one of these too).

First of all, let me set the stage...my classroom has a beach theme.  Thus, each year I use a "treasure box" as a positive reward system with my students. It houses large items (that are donated) and comes out every Friday.

I also use treasure buckets.  These are sand buckets that have smaller items in them.  These stay out everyday.  I may have to do a separate post on these too (Note to self!).

For the past few years, my treasure box has simply been a large, clear Sterlite Container.

I know, that's not very cute, is it?  I simply wrote "Treasure Box" on the side in bubble letters to fancy it up a bit, but it really was Blah!

I knew I wanted something a bit cuter but just couldn't find that special something, until about a week ago.

While visiting my sister in Tampa, we were doing some therapy at her local Walmart.  As we were looking in the homegoods section, they had a small area devoted to colorful cloth bins and organizers to use in kids bedrooms (cute stuff...nice colors too).  Amongst all of home organizers I see this...

Yes, it is a REAL treasure box.  Well, it's actually made of plastic but it look's like a real one.  And, it is just as large as my boring Sterlite container.

I was so excited!

And the best part, they had them in a variety of bright colors.  Of course, I didn't see any in pink or blue which are my classroom colors, but I decided to overlook that minor detail especially after seeing the price.

Are you ready for it?

This little bad boy only cost me a whopping $19.97...$9.97...$4.97!

BAM! Now that's a deal!

So of course, without hesitation, I placed one in my buggy and proudly went to the checkout isle to pay for my precious, new treasure box.

I am thinking that I must decorate it up a bit more, but I just haven't decided what to do with it. Knowing me, it will probably end up with some bling or maybe just polkadots.

Anyway...now I can't wait to fill this little cutie-patootie and display it in my beach themed classroom.

Oh, and an added benefit for me...now I can use that boring, clear Sterlite container to house something else.  Maybe all those wonderful freebies that I keep getting from all my blogging friends.

So that is my FABULOUS FIND.  Have you found anything fabulous this summer?  Let me know about it!

Until then, happy blogging!
Ann

Fourth of July...and Teaching Tip for Today

Did you have a fabulous Independence Day?

Our's was quite memorable and this old dog actually learned a new trick!

Here is a peek at my new love...

See that brave woman in the water?  No, not the one standing in the water!  The one on the paddleboard?  Yep, that is me!  And the other cutie is my hubby.

This year my hubby decided to purchase paddleboards to rent on the beach when conditions are favorable.  Well, yesterday it was pretty much lake Atlantic out there.  I had been telling him that I would try one of those puppies out when I got a chance.

So of course I couldn't back out of it!  Even though I tried!

He said I did great for a newbie!

I only fell off once!  As soon as I realized that I couldn't touch the bottom, you should have seen how quickly I shot back up on that board.  I don't even want to think about what other unmentionables were lurking out there in that deep water.  I do believe I saw Bruce from Nemo.

But I have to admit!  What an experience!

It is so peaceful out there and the view of the coast is spectacular.  I can't wait until the conditions are favorable again; however, this time I need to wear a more flattering bathing suit.  Thank goodness this picture is from a distance or I don't believe I would have even shared it, but I know that I am amongst non-judging friends so I have nothing to worry about!

Here are a few more pics I thought I would share...check out the cuties in their new suits!

I just love these littles!  They make being an an adult so much fun because they know that I will act like a kid with them anytime!

Here is a pic of my hubby's business...

If you are ever in the Daytona Area, connect up with us!

Okay!  I really need to stop babbling...for those of you who stuck with my long windedness, here is my teaching tip for today.  It's simple but maybe it will help someone out there!

One of my biggest pet peeves in the classroom is SHARPENING PENCILS.

I don't know about you, but once my day has begun, I do not like to stop what I am doing to sharpen pencils. I don't know...maybe it's just that lovely sound that come out of that little gadget.  For me, it is kind of similar to sensation some get when someone runs their nails down a chalkboard!  I get that same curl up your spine, scrunch up your nose, want to hit something sensation!

 Furthermore, since I teach KINDERGARTEN, I am the only one in my room old enough, responsible enough, capable of using this machine.

Now, for those of you who don't teach this age group, just ask one of your kindergarten teachers at your school what little ones do with an electric pencil sharpener.  I promise, first you will relish the expression on their faces as they tell you about all the shenanigans a five year old can do with an electric pencil sharpener.

Anyway, since I despise this so much.  Here is what I do in my classroom.

First, after all the supplies have come in at the beginning of the year, I count my pencils into stack of 25 (Yes, remember I am diagnosed OCD...currently non-medicated too.).

I store them in a drawer near my teaching table.  Every Friday afternoon (before I go home), I sharpen two sets and have them ready for Monday morning.

On Monday, I pass one set of the freshly sharpened pencils to my table baskets and the other set goes in my pencil buckets similar to these found on pinterest.

You can find the free printable for these here.

Then, during the week if a child has a pencil that breaks or gets dull during the day, they quietly place the dull/broken one in the "Sharpen Please" bucket and then selects a new one from the "Ready to Write" bucket to be placed in the table basket.

This management system has worked for me over the past few years and HAS KEPT ME SANE TOO!

An added benefit, I have had the same electric pencil sharpener for the past FIVE YEARS!  I know, that is unheard of in the teaching world!

Oh great! Now I probably jinxed myself!  Watch it bite the dust on the first day of school!

Well that's it!  That's my teaching tip for today.

Do you have any pet peeves in the classroom?  Please share!

Until then, happy blogging!
Ann

Happy Independence Day!

First of all...

Happy Birthday to America!

It is way too early and our bags are already packed!  We are going to the beach today!  We always go on the Fourth of July!  It is a tradition and....it is the only way my kids can spend time with their Daddy.

Yes, my husband is one of the few who works on this special day.  Here is what he does...

He is a beach bum...but a well paid beach bum!  And...he looks pretty cute in a pair of board shorts too!

Actually, he is owner and operator of a rental concession on The World's Most Famous Beach.  The image that you see above is what is referred to as a "Set Up."  On the Fourth of July, my husband and his employees (six good looking young men, who also look good in board shorts) have to put up 150 of these bad boys.  Amazingly, by 11 am, all are rented!  Gone!

That is why we are up so early on the Fourth.  If we want one of these (which is a MUST for me), we have to get there early.

So now you have a visual of where I will be sitting for most of the day.  Right there!  Under that umbrella.  Probably in the chair on the left (I really don't know why, but I always claim that chair.  It must be my OCD tendencies.).

I know! It's a rough life!  But someone has to be married to a beach bum! Lucky me!

So, since we go to the beach ALL DAY, I try to make the Fourth a special day for the kiddos.  Here is a picture of my tradition...

This is the traditional "Fourth of July Bucket."  Each year, I purchase red, white, and blue beach buckets (Thank you, Micheal's for making my life easy!).  Use a paint marker to write names on them and then fill them up with a bunch of goodies for the kiddos.

Think of it like a Christmas Stocking but for the Fourth of July.  My kids (Alan and Abby) and the cousins (Allison, Katie, and Sammie) just love it!

This year's contents include:

• new patriotic bathing suit/trunks
• red,white, blue dresses (girls)/american flag t-shirt (boys)
• patriotic beads
• sparklers
• red, white, and blue side walk chalk
• pop-its
• red and blue bubble necklaces
• patriotic straws

The beach buckets are delivered on the morning of the Fourth and it is just like Christmas morning as they open them together and discover what treasures are hidden inside.

So, as soon as everyone else is awake...it will be beach bucket time.  Then we will go to "Daddy's Beach" wearing our new patriotic bathing suits/trunks.

After the beach (and showers, of course), it is the traditional Fourth of July photo shoot time (this is what the dresses and t-shirts are for).  Here are my two cuties from last year's photo shoot...

Aren't they just the cutest?

After photos, then it is time for our annual cookout at Grandmas, sparklers/pop-its, and FIREWORKS!

Every year is the same....but it is filled with such special traditions!

Oh...on a side note...here is how I painted all the girls nails yesterday.  Check it out!

 Cute, huh?  Found the idea somewhere on the internet but don't remember where (remember, I suffer from ADD).

So that is a few of our family traditions for the Fourth of July.  What does your family do to celebrate our nations independence?

Happy Blogging and Happy Independence Day!
Ann

Made it Monday...Post it on Tuesday

Always a day late and a dollar short!  Oh well!

Let's just say that I had the best intentions of posting about this yesterday, but I got bit by the shopping bug that has been going around in the blogging world.  I think I might have to intervene when the credit card bill comes this month just to hide the evidence (Does anyone else do that?)

Or...

Next time I go shopping, I need to fly through the bank's drive-through and get cash...not as much evidence with those purchases (Come on!  Don't judge me, you know you hide purchases from your hubby too.)

Or...

I heard this one on the radio one day and thought this woman was brilliant.

She said that her husband gives her a monthly grocery shopping budget of $200.  So, this intelligent woman partakes in extreme couponing and maybe spends $100 a month.  But, of course, she doesn't share this info with her significant other.  Instead she uses the remaining balance of her grocery shopping budget and buys gift cards at the grocery store.

BAM!  Why didn't I think of that!

However, all this talk about sneaking around behind the hubby's back...I have to be honest.  I actually have one of those wonderful, understanding husbands who doesn't mind my spending habits.  He actually is very supportive of my retail therapy....he's says it's cheaper than "head doctors."  Hee Hee!

That's enough about my shopping addiction!  Afterall, I am suppose to be telling you about what I made on Monday.

I'm sorry, I just had one of those Adult ADD moments!

So, as I was surfing Pinterest one day, I came across this little cutie:

I believe this one was made by Michelle over at Inspired by Kindergarten.

It was love at first sight!  She used one of my classroom colors, blue. And, the polkadots are simply a bonus!  Who doesn't love polkadots?   The amazing part is that she covered it with duct tape.  Yes, you heard me right!  Good ole, duct tape.  

Now I have made the modge podge ones too and those are just as adorable. But, wow, these intrigued me!

So, I had to try one for myself.

I had an ugly clipboard just sitting in my scrapbook room that wasn't really being used because it didn't match anything and I had bought some zebra print duct tape for a project I was making for my daughter's bedroom.  

I was set, so I got to work!  I have to admit, it was a much faster process than the modge podge ones and the results were just as cute.

Here is a pic of the final product:

Isn't it cute?

My daughter immediately claimed it for her bedroom.  We added a little flower hair clip to the top to add a little more pizazz! She loves it and keeps it out on her desk.

Now, I just have to make a set for my classroom.  But first I have to find some cute hot pink and blue duct tape.  

I know what you are thinking! "Oh no! She has to go shopping again!"

 But this time I am in luck!  One of my parents gave me a $20 gift card to Hobby Lobby as an end of the year gift.  That's great!  Now my credit card bill shouldn't be too large and the hubby will continue to be supportive of my classroom spending addition.  

Did I mention I went to IKEA the other day?  Wait until he sees that bill! 

Sorry, that was another adult ADD moment.  Maybe I do need that "head doctor."

So go link up and participate in The Made It Monday Fun.

Until next time, Happy Blogging!  

Ann