Erin Condren Teacher Planner Unboxing!

So here's my take…

I was so excited to see this box on my door step yesterday!

I love how Erin Condren puts so much thought into all aspects of her products!!!

Here is my unboxing…sooooo exciting!

Now, I have ordered from Erin Condren before and each time 

my box and tissue have been different colors! 

Blue and Yellow are my school's colors!!! 

I also love that when you open the box she always 

gives you some free stickers and postcards!

Here is a group view of my order! I am super excited 

for the new personalized file folders!!!

Front Cover

Back Cover

Awww… here is the teacher planner (sigh) 

that I've been waiting for!!! 

I decided to go with the ready to ship cover 

because I really liked the quote! 

Plus, I wanted to take my time making a 

personalized cover! 

I love that her covers are interchangeable! 

Click My Pic for Erin Condren's Video
inside the Teacher Planner!

Some out there might think this planner is 

too expensive, but I did buy when Erin was offering 25% off! 

…But really, small things like a "pretty" planner 

truly make me smile at work…and that is priceless!

Happy Learning!!!

Word Study, Organization, & Walmart!

So here's my take...

Don't you just love when you are shopping and something you didn't intend to buy jumps out at you? Your teacher brain says, "Score! I can totally use that in my classroom". Well, I was shopping at Walmart today and I scored two things to use in my classroom! 

My 1st find were these super cute flyswatters! I love how they say SPLAT! on them. 

I immediately thought about using them for Word Study. I decided I could use them to spice up a speed sort game. 

 I created this recording sheet for the game... I am aptly calling it Splat!

Click Here for a Copy!

Partners will spread out each others words. When the words are set up then students will race each other to see who can swat their words and record them first.  If any words are illegible or misspelled then 2 seconds will be taken off. The quickest time is the winner and is crowned Bug Buster!

My 2nd awesome find at Walmart...

I have seen the "grading bag" idea floating around Pinterest/Blogs for awhile but I hadn't found the right bag for me until today!!!

I also found the open portable 
file holders at Walmart. 

I bought two... the first is for papers that need grading and the second is for papers that need to be filed.

Now all I have to do is start grading those papers that are inside!

What a great shopping trip! If you have any flyswatter activities...
I would love if you would share below!

Happy Learning!

Comfy Classroom Library Organization!

So here's my take...

Can you find what is comfy but organized in my library?

Look closely at the bottom of the bookshelves. 

The cute zebra pattern is really standard sized pillow cases!!!

Click here to go to the Target website

I bought these 3 tiered bookshelves from Target when they went on sale for $16.99. I love how easy (no tools) they are to put together and how sturdy they are! 

They have just enough space at the bottom to fit standard sized pillows!

Brilliant!

Over the summer I saw this pin of how students used chairs as great reading nooks and thought, I have to do that! 

Unfortunately my pin does not go through to a blog or website so I don't have a particular person to thank and give credit to for this fantastic idea! 

If you happen to know, please let me know!

My class has loved the pillows and "chair nooks" this year! I am really proud of how well they share them...of course quietest students get first pick!

Students like to spread out all over the classroom to read and jot their thoughts!

I love using pillow cases instead of store bought pillows. 

They are easy to keep clean and so versatile. 

They easily can be brought home to wash and best of all...when I get tired of the zebra print (I don't foresee that happening anytime soon) I can easily find something else!!!

Well, as always, if you have a comfy library idea I do wish you would share! 

Happy Learning!

Treasures from the Dollar BIn!

So here's my take...

You know you are ready for the next school year when you get a HUGE adrenal rush from the dollar bin! I hit Target yesterday and came away with a truck load of awesomeness!!! 

I plan on redecorating my classroom this year with colors from my blog. I couldn't believe my luck when I hobbled over to the dollar bins (thank goodness those are in the front of the store!)

Today I decided to create recycle bins inspired by a pin I found this past week from 

Laura at Peace, Love, & First Grade!

I used the pink/blue bins above and then I made the "got paper?" signs. I absolutely love the end result! I only hope it inspires my kiddos to make sure to keep paper off the floor!!!

I can't wait to create more things from the treasures I bought yesterday! It amazes me how a good shopping trip can put me in the back to school mood! 

Click Here For Your Copy

I hope you find some treasures in the dollar bins this summer too! 

Enjoy the Recycle Bin Signs.

Clipboard Exchange & Organization!

 So here's my take...


     The last two weeks have been crazy (a cold with pink eye...ugh!, school's fun fair, in-law visit from out of state, and my youngest has yet another fever virus!) but I just had to post tonight!


     During my crazy week I received the most awesome package from a wonderful bloggy friend, Michelle Lundy from Making it as a Middle School Teacher. We both participated in the Teacher/Blogger Spring Exchange!

     LOOK at how stinkin' cute these clipboards are!!! She was so sweet to incorporate the colors I love!!! 

I HEART them!!!

Thank you Michelle...you out did yourself!

     Michelle and I must have been channeling the same Pin when we decided to create a craft for our people...because I too made a Modge Podge clipboard! Here is the Pin that inspired my craft.

     My bloggy exchange friend was Jennifer Knopf over at Herding Kats in Kindergarten! I really tried to find some ladybug (she loves ladybugs) scrapbook paper for the clipboard, but was unsuccessful. I did however find a too cute ladybug frame and puzzle so I just had to put those in the box! 

I hope she likes it!

One last clipboard connection...


     I am lucky to be apart of a teacher/blogger group on FB and recently someone asked how they organize their clipboards that students use. The post got me thinking about how I store my boards! 

    Before, my boards jutted out and were a tripping hazard...not too mention there was always a long line of students returning the boards back! Yuck, this had to go!

     Awwww... now the boards each have a home in a student's cubbie! What a simple idea and I can't believe I hadn't thought of it!!! The bonus part has been we can easily see who is missing their board and needs to return it!!

Well, I hope everyone's Spring is going well! If you have a great clipboard storage solution please comment below. Perhaps your suggestion might be awe inspiring for someone else!!!

Binders for Organized Data!

So here's my take...


     Spring Break is here and so are 3rd quarter report cards! The skills section use to take me forever to fill out. Now, I keep a binder (Dots, Desks, & Homework) to help me collect information on behavior, organization, and homework. It is also a great tool at parent/teacher conferences.

     The binder has three sections and each one is a class job. The best part is that students collect the data for me! Yeah! 

     The first section is for behavior. I know a lot of teachers use Rick Morris' Clip Chart system and so do I. If you haven't checked out his FREE ebook you must! I have been fortunate to go to a conference to see him and he has a lot of great ideas! 

     At the end of the day students record the color they landed on in their agenda. It goes home each day for parents to see. The "Dot Manager" then records where everyone landed in the binder!

     The second section is for organization. The desk inspector checks student desks during snack time. He/She records a check for clean and an X for a mess.

     The last section is to check homework. Our VIP (Very Important Person) makes sure students have completed their work. I follow behind the VIP to check for understanding. The VIP records a check if everything is complete or writes what is missing. Work that was recorded during the week as missing must be made up at study hall on Fridays.

     I can't remember where I downloaded this adorable cute frame for my binder cover. Please tell me if you know!

    If you have a great way to organize data for report card time, please share by leaving a comment below! 

Happy Spring Break!