Teaching Tip of the Day- Reward Jars

I know I plan on using my reward cards as the year goes on, but I like this idea too.  I am holding a 4 book raffle for students that behave, students that complete their work, and students that act as a leader, etc.  I bought blue raffle tickets (at Walmart) and got each book for 50 cents at a church book sale (I already have each of these books in my class library).  The books are: 1. The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo 2. A Million Little Pieces 3. Twilight 4. Gossip Girl

I made the jars out of recycled pasta sauce jars, scrapbook paper (cut a 12x12 into 4 parts - 3" a piece), and attached labels I made with MS Publisher.

Outfit of the Day - First day of school

Welcome to a new year of school!  I greeted my students today with a beautiful classroom (I worked with what I had) and an appealing outfit (although its not my favorite).  The heat also greeted us and made it a difficult first day - BUT here are some pictures of me and my classroom.

 

Do you love the stud bracelet?! I do too! I love gold and I love turquoise and how BA do the spikes and big links look?  I got my handmade creation from a seller on ETSY called Hbunnie who I also follow on Instagram.  That's where I got a coupon code for FREE SHIPPING!  Check her out!!

These monogrammed earrings I picked up from Francesca's during my back-to-school clothing shopping spree.

Pics of my class:

The wrapping paper for the bulletin board is from Home Goods. (See blog post here about it).

The green papers hanging from the top are papers with no names (yes, already!).  I plan on putting a banner on top saying "No Names."

And check out those lovely chalk boards... 

Since I don't touch chalk, I am using this chalk board as a magnet board instead to put other things I need.

I made these Literary Device Posters in MS Publisher and had them printed and laminated at Staples for less than $3 each.  I also used a coupon code with my order :MCSOFF for 20% off. They did a great job.

My students need to sign out to use the bathroom, etc. so I also used the chalk board (ledge) for an organizational space to eliminate the clipboard being on a table or desk.  I made the sign in MS Publisher, Printed it on Card Stock, used a blade and straight edge to make perfect straight edges, and finally laminated it with non heated lamination sheets. Pain in the A.  I have recently added a laminating machine to my Christmas list.

This may be a trick everyone knew except for me... but to avoid un-pinning your important papers that get updated all the time, put the push pin in the cork board and hang your document with a binder clip.  I also put my documents in a page protector.

I inherited this wooden treasure chest with the room, so I put it to use by putting the highlighters in it on a desk up in the front so all students can come up and grab one as needed.

This is one of my bulletin boards (none of them are finished) with zebra fabric. (See post about bulletin boards here).  I added the phrase "Wild Out" in cut out letters... then I'm going to make a sign saying "Accelerated Reading."  And below this bulletin board is where a lot of my books are for the class library.

I made these book shelf labels in MS Publisher and uploaded them to my TpT account for FREE.  I printed them on colored card stock and laminated these guys as well.

How'd your first day go?  Did you sweat away 5 lbs like I did today?  I could have swore I went into teaching and not a physical trade... Oh wait...

Project of the Day - Donors Choose Project

I have a great cause up on donors choose to hopefully get a class iPad.  With an iPad, the possibilities are endless! I will no longer have to interrupt class to call the library for permission for a student to leave the room to go quiz for AR. They can do it with my supervision IN CLASS.  An iPad can be used in a station setting with a research project or just for a quick google look up for something we don't know.

Please be generous and donate anything to my project! Use code: INSPIRE for Donors Choose to match your donation up to the first $100 until August 31st.  

Project of the Day - Themed Menu Planning

I have one day left until my final weekend before I head back to school.  In a last scramble effort to do things that I thought I was doing all summer, I decided to take menu planning advice from Blissful and Domestic by using a themed meal plan for each day of the week.  See how she does hers here.

As I aspire to be an Italian (in the kitchen), I tweaked my themed meal plan a bit to fit in Sunday Macaroni/Sauce Night (per the suggestion of boo).  I figured these are too cute and too helpful (as we head back to our timeless devotion) to not share... so here you go... My gift to you.  One catch.. . please subscribe to my blog.  Because, c'mon seriously... 1 follower? Jeeze. I've been at this long enough to earn a few more so don't be stingy with ole' girl.

Teaching Tip of the Day- Use Fabric for Bulletin Boards

I'm sure I saw this on Pinterest, but here is my version of some ways to decorate your bulletin boards at school using fabric and other mediums.

I had left over zebra print fabric from a chair I was going to reupholster and never did - so I put it to good use by cutting it to size and using regular pushpins to cover my drab bulletin board.  I'm thinking the theme will be "Wild out with AR reading" so my incoming freshmen can become familiar with our reading program which I put a lot of emphasis on.  Click below for more tips on decorating your dull spaces.

Shopping Tip of the Day - Back to School Shopping

It's almost time... I go back to school on August 26th.  I haven't been in a pool yet.  I haven't traveled out of state yet. I haven't been to any beach.  But I did find time to go shopping.  Gotta be prepared for Back-to-school appearances.  A lot of the pieces I bought can be switched up in various ways (through many seasons) and I show you only the tip of the iceberg as to how to do it.

Shopping Tip of the Day - Ask for Teacher Discounts this time of year

Stay tuned for a back to school teaching clothing haul... In the mean time I wanted to remind you to ask for discounts at stores especially during this time of year. I am not one to usually feel comfortable asking for a discount that is not advertised, however, this time of year makes it especially easy. A lot of stores advertise a "Student" Discount with a Student ID. All I did was say while checking out: "I see you offer a student discount... Do you offer a teacher discount?" And both times I asked they said "Yes." I received a discount of 10% at Charlotte Russe for two belts and a discount of 15% at H&M for a $100 worth of merchandise. 

More will be posted soon... In the mean time, here is a list of stores that offer Teacher Discounts.

Also, remember to ask stores about a discount especially during the back-to-school shopping season!

Project of the Day - Monogrammed Canvas Wall Art

NBD. But I just made the most fab piece of wall art.  And you're probably going to want to copy ole' girl's idea. I get it. I'm a crafty genius and you're gonna wanna cop my creative skills. I'll make it easy for you and give you step by step directions to get this juicy piece of monogrammed meat: