Morris Goes to School

I am trying to get back into school mode. Slowly but surely. I don't go back as soon as some of you, but I know I'll be happier if I get some work done!

   Have you used this book at the beginning of the school year?

It's an oldie, but a goodie. I've used it with both 1st and 2nd graders and they love it! If you are interested, click below to download some activities to use with the book.

Morris Goes to School Activities

I hope you can use them!

:) Andrea

Bug of the Week

Since my classroom is all about ladybugs, instead of "Star" of the Week, I do "Bug" of the Week. I send home the directions, the poster to fill out and a special ladybug stuffed animal to read with in a ladybug backpack the Friday before they are Bug of the Week.
On Monday, I have the children bring in a poster (you can download it below). I usually try to copy it on large paper so that they have more room to write/draw.
On Tuesday, they bring in 5 pictures to share.
On Wednesday, I have their parent write "Did You Knows?" about their child and send them in. They LOVE this!
On Thursday, We make a special poster for our Bug of the Week. I put their picture (8 x 10) on a large piece of construction paper and I write their name under the pic and on top I write Bug of the Week. I try to make it look fancy. Then, all of the children sign it or write something special. At the beginning of 1st, most just write their name. By the end, we had BFFs and I love yous! :)
On Friday, they can bring in something to share with the class.

Each student gets a week and that is the only week they share, unless there is a special occasion. My Bug of the Week is also the person who takes down lunch count, is the line leader and answers the phone if needed - this is a REALLY BIG DEAL and if you try to answer the phone when it is not your week, well let's just say they'll let you know and it has only happened a few times!

This works for us because it doesn't take much time and it gives each of them a chance to share. I found these ideas online and just changed them to work for me.

If you'd like my "Bug of the Week" paper, (I also made a "Star of the Week" because I know that many don't use bugs), you'll find it below.

Bug of the Week

Star of the Week

Enjoy!
:) Andrea

My Labybug Obsession!

My classroom is decorated with ladybugs. I think it's super cute and my teaching partner next door has bees! Love it!  Anyway, that means when I see things with ladybugs on them, I want to buy them and find a way to use them! My teaching partner even picks things up for me at garage sales or Mom to Mom sales! Lucky me!
Saturday, I was at JoAnn's and saw the cutest picnic table on clearance. Guess what it was covered with? You know it! I thought about it and texted my friend who convinced me that I had to have it. I think I will use it for another reading spot. They will love it!!! Maybe I'll get a picnic basket to set on top with some look books. Think of the possibilities! :) Here is the pic from the box of my latest find:

Here are some other ladybug items from my room. I got the idea for the behavior chart from a site that I can't remember.

:) Andrea

Back home from Vacation!

Wow! It's amazing how much you have to catch up on after a vacation and we were only gone for a week! I can't wait to check out all of the new blog posts. I probably won't be able to leave my computer for hours! :)
I wanted to share some things from my vacation because I know I'm always looking for good books or places to go.
We live in MI and decided to go down to Florida to Disney. My husband LOVES Disney and went there every year when he was young. I like it too, but he LOVES it! So we went down and stayed at the Dolphin. We really like staying there because we always manage to get good deals on rooms  and - the best part -  we can walk to both Epcot and Hollywood Studios. They also have a boat to both as well, but we usually just walk.
Anyway, we drove down and used this book:



This book is AWESOME! The man who wrote it gives you tips on places to stop, eat and stay. We've tried quite a few of his ideas and are never disappointed. It makes the trip so much fun when you can get out of the car and stop at some fun places. It also helps when he recommends places to stay, because we all know when you pull off onto an exit, that can be scary! But what I've enjoyed the most are his recommendations for restaurants. We have found some of the neatest places that we never would've tried if we hadn't been reading his book. My absolute favorite place is The Apple Cake Tea Room in TN. It's this cute little log cabin type place and inside you'll see quilts on the walls, teapots all around and you'll feel like you're at someone's house for lunch! LOVE it! (Especially the banana bread - so YUMMY!)





So anyway, we had a great time, but I'm always happy to be back home. I'm hoping to start making some new units soon. I'm sure I'll be in school mode soon! :)

Andrea

Fourth of July Treat!

I'm thinking about making these for the 4th of July! So Cute! The only problem is that I'm not sure how to package them. (And that I have to lose 5 lbs. for a medical procedure, so having these around isn't such a hot idea!) I like the M&Ms in the pail, but I'd need to make quite a few. If I could find the pails for cheap enough, I'm sure I could find a use for them in my classroom. I'll have to think about it. Super cute though!

Red, White and Blue Ice Cream Cone Cupcakes

Find directions and other cute baking ideas at Love From The Oven.

:) Andrea

Book Bag holders?

Yesterday was my last day. I didn't have kids, but I was cleaning. Like Deanna Jump, I can't seem to get rid of things. MAYBE I'll use it! But I love the way she is organizing, so I really want to do that. It will have to wait until the fall though.

I have been thinking about where to have my kiddos put their book bags though. Every year I think I've found the perfect place and then I'm ready to change it. This year I had 2 pencil coat racks that I purchased for $10 each at the Dollar General. They didn't hold up very well even though I loved them. I now have one and it's kind of pitiful (pegs have broken off!). Please pay no attention to the messy magazines in the background. Those are used for cool down and at first, it was a mess!

I'm wondering if I should try to buy one or two from Sears or Walmart, maybe they'll be more sturdy? Or go with these plastic hooks along the bottom of my front wall? I'm thinking I could fit at least 2 bags, if not 3, on each hook...

I'm always trying to take up as little space as possible and make it quick for them to get their books during reading workshop time. The pencils were actually pretty good as far as that goes, but I really don't want to have to buy something new every year. If you have ideas, please share! :)

What's in Your Summer Stack?

I wanted to try something new to get my kids excited about summer reading, so I told them that everyone should have a "Summer Stack". I invited my principal, PE teacher, Media Specialist, etc. to show them what reading materials are in their stack. I took their picture beforehand and glued their head to the clipart. Then the children created their own. I have a pic of one that's partially complete, but it's even cuter than it looks. If you're interested, get it here at my little TPT store. For sale is the clipart and ideas to go with it. One thing in my "stack" is The Help.  I really want to read that book!

My principal agreed to let me post the pic even though she doesn't love the picture. I think it's great!

:) Andrea

Update: I keep having more people come in and the kids get super excited when I ask why they think the person is in our room. They know it's to share their stack! I keep hearing them talk to one another and telling about their own stack! "My stack has Junie B. and it's this tall!" LOVE it!!