Parent Communication Logs - Sweet Surprise

Happy Sunday all!  I'm so excited my COWBOYS won!  My hubby's happy too so it's a sweet day.  I'm stopping by today to explain how I communicate with my parents.  I have been using this system 

for the last few years and it's a great way to communicate with parents!

I grab a few of these each and every year.  They are so easy.  You can check them out here on amazon.  They are so inexpensive!

So let me walk you through how I use these.  I use these to let parents know how their child is doing in class.  I will send it home if a child is being chatty or if he/she is having a fabulous day.  It's a great way to keep parents updates on what their child is up too in the classroom.

This is a fake note.  But just a glimpse of what a sheet looks like.  So what I love about this is that it has  2 parts.  There is a white copy for the parents, and then a carbon copy right under that is a duplicate of the note your sending home.  

This is important because you get to keep the copy you sent home and remember that you want the original copy signed. 

 The past few years, I have just been stuffing the notes in a drawer, completely unorganized and I would always forget if a parent signed it or not.  Typical me. LOL But this year I realized I could store it in an accordion little pocket like the one above.  I labeled the inside with the different marking periods so I know exactly what notes I sent and what quarter.  Definitely important for when you have IEP meetings and parent conferences.

If you see I already start storing my notes for the first quarter.  I had to chop off my thumb in this picture.  Haven't gotten a mani in about a month.  God my nails are just terrible right now.  LOL Moving on…. I'm excited to be a bit more organized this year with parent notes.  Phew!  LOL 

How do you communicate with parents?  I'd love to hear your ideas as well!

***********************

So just for giggles,  as some of ya guys knows, I recently got married and moved to a house.  As I am unpacking,  and yes if your wondering, no i didn't do my packing… my mom did.  LOL So I have no clue what the woman was packing.  She really wanted me to go, I was finding things that I haven't seen in years, actually over a decade.  LOL  SO I stumbled upon my JUNIOR PROM dress!  Yes! WHAT! I was shocked, giggled a few times and then thought, why not?  Let's give it a go and try it on!  If your wondering how old I am… I'm 29.  So this is 12 years old.  Makes me laugh so hard that I found this… well here it is!

Yes thats me posing! I felt great still fitting in it. LOL I am now on a mission to find an actual picture of me in this dress in my youngin days!  Stay tuned.  

Out with the Old & In with the New- Bulletin Board Style!

Happy Wednesday!  So happy the week is going by fast!  So close to Spring break I can almost smell it!!

  Spring is finally here and it's almost end of the year.  But instead of trying to clean up a bit and put stuff away, here I am creating a new bulletin board for my class!

This is what my bulletin looks like now…

I got these last year from Clutter Free Classroom and mixed it up with Rockin Teacher Materials.  It was an awesome set with tons of different choices for the board.  If you want to read a bit more about how I set it up and planned to use it, click here to take you to that post. 

It's not that I don't love this board, I just think for my class this year, it just isn't for them.  I will definitely try this again next year and see how it works with my new babies.

Okay after thinking..not hard of course…I came up with a sweet idea!  I have been seeing this kind of idea lately on pinterest and thought it would be perfect!

Okay so picture this...

I don't have kids of my own but I can kind of figure out that this is how the conversation goes when my kids gets picked up from school. 

Mom:  Hey honey, what did you learn in school today?

Child:  Nothing

LOL  I figured, this bulletin can help kids remember what they learned that particular day. We can discuss in class all the new topics we covered and the things we reviewed.  That way when they walk out, they have been refreshed with what they learn?  Are ya with me?  Okiee..

This is what I was inspired by on pinterest.  This was created by Teach from the Heart

Cute right???

Well I started to make it mw own.

This is mid progress…

I use the letters from the previous bulletin to help me set up this one.  I whipped this up so quick.  

Final product…

Side view…

If you squint your eyes, you could see what I wrote! LOL

Here is a before and after shot.  I just realized I have been doing those a lot lately!

My plan for this is,  at the end of the day, I will ask my little ones "What Stuck Today".  The point is for them to backtrack and think about all the things we reviewed and went over.  Everything they come up with, I will put on a post it and slab on the "What Stuck" wall.  I think it will be a fun way to get my little one's minds going, even if it is the end of the day.  This way when their parents ask them what they learned, they can remember this!

It's worth a try and I am excited to get started!!

Have you guys tried this?  How has it worked for you ?

I'd love to hear your thoughts!

How to Clean Your Dry Erase Boards!

Happy Sunday! What a long week it's been.  I am slowly counting the days until Thanksgiving break so I can just SLEEP!

In the meantime, I'm hear to give you some tips and tricks on how to clean your dry erase boards.  If you don't have a chalk board like me, then you are always writing on this dry erase board.  Most of the time after erasing so many times, it starts to streak and hard to erase completely.  Sometimes after erasing it kinda looks like this...

OMG just looking at that gets me annoyed.  The reason why it sticks and smears like that is because of the black markers I use.  When I use bright colors, they erase just fine.  However with black markers, they tend to stay on longer.    

Now when I use this amazing miracle worker,

This is  dry erase towelettes from my obsession Really Good Stuff. I simply love it.  I buy a whole bunch at a time because I love them more than erasers.  They get the job done and make my boards look so darn squeaky clean, it's just awesome.

It makes all the sticky ooey go away.

Doesn't it looks phenoms?

Here's a better look when close together.

If you have a dry erase like me, I definitely suggest this towelette for easy clean up.  Just wipe off and it wipes off clean and clear. 

Witchin' You A Happy Halloween!

Happy Halloween all!  What a great day it is !!  It was full of chocolates, candy and pizza. How can you go wrong with that? =)

I have been beyond busy as you know.  I usually have my goodie bags all done a week before with cute toppers and yummy candy!  This year, I had to finish the goodies during my prep time and I didn't even time for toppers or cute baggies this year. =*(  I still think it came out cute.  I tried my best to fill it with delish things. 

Every year we have a door contest.  Who ever decorates it the best wins a pizza party and if you win second you get an ice cream party!  

Since I started teaching, I win either first or second place....YAY!  Is it bad though, I kick and scream   pout if  we win second?  That's kind of what I did today when we won 2nd. LOL

The kids had a great time making their door and I know, it's all that matters. =) 

I can't help it if I am still a bit bitter about it.  

Here's my assistant and myself in front of our door!

The idea was "Trick or Treat, Smell My Feet"!  It was such a cute concept.  We painted their feet and imprinted it on bright colors.  Then I snapped pics of them and placed it on the picture.  

I also placed a witch on the door to make it look like she crashed! LOL

I love love love my door!  I think it's my favorite of all time!

What did you guys do for Halloween today?

My girl over at Live Laugh I Love Kindergarten is having a huge giveaway for her blogaversary!  Stop on by and enter.  There are some great products out there.  I am also donating my Writing Through the Fall packet, so drop on by!

Weekend Recap and Some Classroom Management!

AHHH what a weekend.  I had such a busy weekend with my honey and with Halloween parties.  It's so hard to be me right now with all the planning for the wedding and house hunting.  It's so hard to find time and just hang.  

This weekend that is exactly what we did.  We went to an apple orchard and had some fun apple picking.  We go to this one every year and it's so much fun looking and finding apples.  Here's what it looked like...

After apple picking, we had to rush home and get ready for a Halloween party one of our friends was throwing.  This is the first year I do a couple costume with my honey.  I usually dress up with my BESTIES but this year we were in all different places.  

I knew there were contests going on so I knew our costume had to be good and original...and it was!

We were grandparents!  And ...we won funniest costume!!  We won 50$ so our night was pretty much free which was AMAZING!  I love a good deal. =) 

What you can't see so well is my toosh.  I bought a fake one and it literally made the outfit so funny!

I leave you with one more thing....

This is my friend the "Pumpkin Whisperer"

In the beginning of every year my little ones have a hard time understanding the different between telling the teacher when someone is hurting their feelings or hurting them and just tattling.  I am sure we can all agree, it is not fun hearing about 25 tattles a day ranging from he touched my pencil or he burped and didn't say excuse me....YIKES!  

So I love Halloween season where the "Pumpkin Whisperer" comes in to play!  I tell my students that the "Pumpkin Whisperer"is there to listen to all their stories and tattles.  However when someone hurts them or their feelings, it needs to get to me first.  All the other fun tattles can go to the "Pumpkin Whisperer".  I then go on to explain that at the end of the day the pumpkin tells me all the stories they whispered into their ear.  

Can I say....they actually believe me.  I allow them at snack time to tell the pumpkin their tattles and some things that happened during recess, etc. etc.  You would not believe the line that forms during snack.  It makes me giggle so much that these little sweeties are so sweet and innocent.

It does teach them whats important tattling and what can be swept under the rug.  

What a great idea right?

What do you to control the tattling in the classroom?  I'd love to hear your ideas and see if I can put it to  good use in the classroom!

Coming up this week....

Updating version of my Thanksgiving Craft.  The stencils are about the same but the printables are changed a bit and more has been added to this bundle.  Stay tuned!!

Classroom Management & Some Halloween Fun!

AHHHHHH!  I have been MIA. =*(  I haven't blogged in so long.  I am NOT to blame.  I was having trouble with my track pad on my mouse.  It just wasn't moving.  I let it rest for a few days in hopes it will feel better on it's own, but no luck.  I had to take it to the Apple store to get fixed.  

I am happy it's back in action.  I didn't know what to do with myself!

Anywho, a lot has been going on since my last post.  My little ones have been crafting on my Witch Craft.  They came out so adorable and their writing prompts are just too funny!  Take a look...

I share the board with another fab teacher and her little ones created the ghosts.  I think the combo of both is just so cute!

Here is the "Hall of Fame" I have in my class...

This one makes me giggle...

I would assume that bugs in a stew would taste like shoes too!  They really had such a great time coming up with their own ideas.

Moving on.... this year, I have some active kiddos.  My once brad new privacy shields are now suddenly being attacked   getting old and rusty.  So I had to look into some new and possibly sturdier ones...

I got these from Really Good Stuff.  They were $3.25 each.  They look and feel stronger than the last ones, so keep your fingers crossed.  They come in all different sizes and colors to fit your students needs.  I like them because they fit different sizes of the desk for little ones and for growing kids.    You can learn more by clicking here to take you straight there.

A little something I ordered as well was a library rack.  Yes, I definitely splurged on this, but I know it will last me a lifetime!  I haven't set it up yet but this is what it looks like.

This was $159.99 but it also came with my color choice of bins.  I picked my favorite color purple.    I can't wait to see how it looks.  To check out more library racks click here .  I am so happy and can't wait to set it up.

That's it for now.  I am currently re-updating one more pack and coming out with a penguin and polar bear bundle just in time for the holidays.  I also have a Winter Writing Bundles coming soon as well.

Happy Wednesday! =) 

Restless Sundays!

Ahhhhh!  First few weeks of school are just so busy!  We have meetings, testings and grading to do before the deadline!   I still have things I need to finish around the room that I was too lazy to finish during the summer. LOL So I am trying to survive here!  Aside from that I am recreating my Halloween Packet and almost done with my writing center packet.  

Well to help me survive here's one of my obsessions this year.

My clip board!  I love that it's pink and what I love even more about it is that I can store important papers in there!  This week I was doing running records for grouping, but when I open it up...

I have my notes to take during guided reading time.  I love that I can store things in there so I don't have to keep going back to my desk to find things.  I grabbed this from Staples.  It's $14 and definitely worth it.  

I have also finally finished my behavior clip chart.

  

It's been up since the summer but I finally made the numbers for the clothespins.  I love love love the way it turned out!!

I love the way it turned out and have gotten so many compliments from it already! I got this from my Chalk and Chevron Bundle.  I am still trying to remember all of my little ones numbers.  That might take a while! LOL

Still have to finish my center chart and laminate my word wall words! Ahhh so much to do.

What's on your to do list for this week?

Stay tuned for my writing packet to come out this week. I will have a sneak peek surprise for you!  

Happy Sunday!

DIY Glitter Pins & Chalk & Chevron Classroom Management Pack

Okay so I love glitter!  I am always trying to find different ways to incorporate it into the classroom.  I think I have come up with a fabulous idea too!!  I hang up my student's work in a string that goes across the room.  I use clothespins to hold it up.  But they are womp womp BORING.  I though itd be easy to make my own and it is!!  Here is what you need!

*mini clothespins
*glue
*glitter
*sponge brush
*paper to use for scrap

You can grab all these inexpensive materials at Michaels!  What I love about Michaels is that they always have a coupon and they have teacher discounts as well!  I love seeing my total and then giving a coupon along with my teachers discount.  It goes down A LOT!

*Now first take the scrap paper and dump some glue, then some glitter on separate piles like so

*take the sponge and dab it with some glue
*then dump the clothespin (glue side down) into the glue

*continue until you are finished with all the clothepins.  
*let it dry for at least half hour

Look how cute they turned out to be!

Here's a close up

You can even individialize it.  I created cute numbers from1-20 and plan on gluing it at the tip of the pin to individualize it.  This way my students know where they are going for centers or what job they have etc.  You will see more pics in a sec.

I am so excited to use this.  

In fact I use these glitter pins in my newest and amazing Classroom Management Bundle !  

It's here!!!!  It's finally here.  I am so happy to actually be sharing this with you.  It took me forever because every  time I thought I was done, I kept thinking of more things to add!

This is just a glimpse of what's included!  

Look what else I was able to create with my new apps on my phone!

I uploaded an app called Your Moments which let me create all of these neat pictures.  Here are some more!! 

If you notice in the pic below what I did with my glitter clothespins!  I printed out numbers from 1-30.  I plan on giving me students numbers at the beginning of the year.  These numbers will be with them for the rest of the school year.  So when I change jobs, centers, behavior etc., I will clip it with their numbers.  All they have to do is follow their numbers and they are all set! 

It doesn't hurt that its too darn cute to look at either.

and one more!! =)  

Excuse my camera.  I was shooting in a poor light area. 

Okay let me explain my hand sanitizer before you think I made a mistake.  I don't like germs, AT ALL.  Every year when we start school, I am refreshed, nice and clean with a mani and pedi in hand. My immune system..well it's at it's best. However my students come back to school and with their sneezing and coughing like little boys and girls do, tests my immune system and I usually get sick by the first month of school.  Has been happening every year. I try my best to avoid it but ehh I can't.  My hand sanitizer student tries their best from getting others sick!  He/She walks around before and after lunch and snack and gives everyone a shot of the sanitizer or shall I say "hanitizer" according to my students.  It's a great way to keep the germies away!



You can check out more by clicking HERE

This bundle is just what I need and maybe what you need to set up your classroom.  I am obsessed with chevron and chalkboard and love this theme!  It's so bright and colorful, I hope it catches the attention of my little ones!

This bundle includes 113 pages of:

*Days of the week

*Months

*Name that Shape

*Seasons

*Mystery Walker 

*Classroom Jobs

*Hand Signals

*Birthdays

*How Do You Get Home?

*What’s the Date?

*Behavior Clip Chart

*ABC Word Wall

*Center Stations

*Table Numbers

I'd love to hear what you think about this.  I usually like to give my newest products away!  I am trying something different tho tonight  

If you drop by my Instagram,follow me and then leave a comment with what name you follow me under you will have a chance to win this bundle ! Or if you don't have  instagram,  drop by and like my Facebook Page. You def want to be a fan.  I have a few flash freebies coming this week only on facebook.
 I will pick 2 lucky winners tonight....okay tomorrow! 

I also have a very cute Grandparent's Craftivity coming your way this week.  

=)


Don't forget to link up for Monday Made It!