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