Happy Friday, friends! It's Laura from Peace, Love, and First Grade! We've been busy getting our room ready for spooky season! We've made bats, and spiders, and some fun Halloween lanterns! We chose jacks, ghosts, and Frankensteins for our lanterns. Here's a peek at our lantern making!
You will need:
*construction paper- 9" x 12" orange, green, or white black strips long enough to cut handles *black markers or crayons (if you want faces) *rulers *pencils *scissors *glue *tape or staples
Here are the steps:
Step 1: Place a piece of 9" x 12" construction paper on the table lengthwise. Draw a face in the middle of the page. We made jack-o-lanterns, ghosts, and Frankensteins. If you don't want faces, skip this step.
Step 2: Fold the paper in half lengthwise.
Step 3: Use a ruler and draw a straight line about 1/2" inch from the top of the unfolded edge. Pic below.
Step 4: Cut straight lines from the folded edge to the pencil line on the unfolded edge.
Step 5: Open the paper. It should look like the pic below. I had kids write their names on it then.
Step 6: Roll the paper into a tube. Pic below. Tape or staple the ends. You could glue but taping allows you to keep working.
Hey, y'all! It's Laura from Peace, Love, and First Grade!
I've put together some of the easiest ways to earn money
for your classroom or school.
Let's face it!
We all need it!
Let's get started!
1) Ziggedy This is my new favorite! Teachers register their classrooms, and supporters sign up and shop online. THAT'S IT! Downloading the Ziggedy app gives classrooms extra funds!
2)Shoparoo Our school just started using Shoparoo, and it's amazing how simple it is to use. Just download the app then take pictures of your receipts after shopping. That's it! Receipts earn cash donations or sweepstakes entries, and your school can have competitions between grades.
3)Adopt
A Classroom.org Teachers register their classrooms, and donors find and fund classrooms with 100% tax deductible donations. I received funds from Adopt A Classroom last year and was able to order needed supplies from Office Depot.
Register your Target Red Card for your favorite school then 1% of your total purchase will go toward that school.
5)Kroger Community Rewards Works like the Target Red Card, just register your Kroger card for your favorite school. Your school earns 3-5% of your purchases depending on what you buy.
6) eScrip.com Another shop and earn program. Your school can earn up to 10% of purchases made through eScrip. I've never used this one but have heard great things!
Purchase Tyson products with the A+ label, clip the labels, and send labels to school. Your school will earn 24¢ for each label.
9)Box Tops 4 Education Oh, the tried and true! BT4E is one of America's oldest and largest fundraising programs. Purchase products with Box Tops labels, clip the Box Tops and send them to school. Your school will receive 10¢ for each Box Top. BT4E loves to offer bonus products and coupons, so be sure to check for those!
10)Labels for Education- You know this one, too! It all started with Campbell's Soup labels!! Collect UPCs and beverage/sauce caps from participating products and send them to school. Your school will earn points to spend at the Labels' online store, which has everything from basketballs to iPads.
11)Flipgive.com Flipgive allows you to search for a fundraiser on their site, then shop online deals from merchants like Nike and Starbucks. Your school or other organization can earn up to 50%!
12)Donor’sChoose Teachers submit project proposals, and supporters make monetary donations to help fund the projects. I received 6 Kindle Fire HDXs through DC two years ago. Incredible organization!
BONUS-Farmer's Insurance-Thank America's Teachers Teachers submit proposals for a $2500 Grant OR the $100,000 Dream Big contest. Online voting determines the winners! Hurry, though! This contest closes September 30.
Other
Ideas
1) 50/50 Raffle-Sell raffle tickets and give the winner half of all money raised. For instance, if you sell $500 in raffle tickets, the winner gets $250.
2) Redditt Gifts-Each fall, teachers can sign up for a gift exchange. Redditt matches teachers with donors who provide needed materials up to $20. Some donors give much more.
3) Right Road Kids.org-Such an inspirational place! Paula is so incredibly generous and has tons of giveaways and offers for teachers. But, even if you never win anything, Right Road Kids is a feel-good experience!
4) Recycling ink cartridges-Check online to find a recycling center in your area.
5) Silent Auction-Y'all, I love a silent auction. Ask faculty and parents to send items that still have tags or hit up local businesses for items. 6) Used Book Sale-Another easy clean-out-your-closet idea. Sell gently used books for 50¢ each. Most teachers love to read, and you could get books into the hands of children who may not have many at home. Libraries raise funds this way all the time. Okay, so I know there are probably some crazy good fundraisers I've missed, but, y'all I'm spent, and it's way past my bedtime. If you have any great ideas to add, please list them below.
We've been back in school for two weeks, and I must tell you, I'm spent! The beginning of the school year brings with it SO MUCH TO DO! I thought I'd try to help save you some time and stress by offering up what I've learned from 25 years of Meet the Teacher!
Let's get started!
PREP
1) Get your room in some kind of order so you aren't stressed about its appearance.
2) Prepare and print parent forms and info, whatever you plan to give to parents.
3) If you give your students B2S bags, prepare those, too.
4) Prepare and set up easy to use stations for parents to work through. There's no need to give directions 20+ times.
5) Give yourself a break and get a mani/pedi or do something else that makes you feel great! 6) Choose an outfit that makes you feel good, too!
DURING
7) Greet parents and students at the door. Offer a handshake to parents AND if your students are shorter than you, bend or squat to greet them. Tell the students how excited you are to spend the year with them. Tell parents you are looking forward to working with their children and with them. 8) Direct parents to the parent stations and suggest students explore their room.
9) Now, this is super important! Make sure you find out the following (especially for the first day):
*Tranportation: am and pm Get specific bus numbers or day care names. You need to know this info before parents leave your room. Most schools have a street list of buses. One of my students rides the bus home every day except Friday. On Friday, his grandparents fetch him. This is something I need to know. *Meals: How will the child eat? Will he bring a box or purchase a tray from the cafeteria? It is imperative to find out this info before Day 1. Some students may bring their lunches most days, but get a tray on pizza day or soup and sandwich day. I suggest a check in system in your classroom for children to use each day indicating their lunch preferences. *Allergies: Does the child have an allergy? If so, is there a plan in place? EpiPen, etc. Now, I have a student whose younger brother has a peanut allergy, so Mom doesn't allow my student to eat peanuts. This is not life threatening to my student. It is not HIS allergy. If someone has a peanut near him, I won't panic. However, a few years ago, one of my students had a red ant allergy with an EpiPen in the office. THAT was an allergy to watch. *Medical Issues: Asthma, Epilepsy, Diabetes, etc. What's the plan and what are your responsibilities? Does the child take medication at school?
I've had students with all of these diseases. You have to know the plan here. Does the diabetic have an insulin pump? Can she check herself? What are you required to do? A few years ago, I had a diabetic in my class. She was able to check herself and wore an insulin pump. I texted Mom after she checked, and Mom let me know what numbers to punch into the pump (how much insulin to deliver). She also had an emergency kit on hand if her count was off. **If you have a student with a life threatening disease, it is imperative you meet with the parents or a medical professional to learn as much as you can about the disease, including your responsibilities.** *Behavior Disorders: ADHD, ODD, OCD, etc. What's the plan? Does the child take medication? If so, at home or at school?
Oh, behavior! Some students will come to you with a behavior plan in place. Others will require a behavior plan. Beginning a behavior plan is tedious on educators, but in some cases, absolutely necessary. Learn the laws in your state. DO NOT tell a parent you think his child has ADHD. Find out how your school district handles these issues and move forward from there. I keep a fidget bag for ADHD students who need something in their hands during whole group lessons-Wikki Stix, connecting cubes, pipe cleaners (I still call them that), etc. Fidget bags really work to help students focus and remain calm.
*Check-Out: Are there any adults who ARE NOT allowed access to your student? This one can be tricky, but today there are many divorced families with court orders, and we must know and honor those orders. Find out if you have a case like this. Usually, parents will let you know, but not always. Check those cumulative folders. *Siblings at School: Does your student have siblings at your school? Sometimes you may need to send home info/homework/etc with siblings, or if your student checks out early one day, you may want to let the siblings know. Especially younger siblings who may panic if they don't see their older brothers/sisters. *Religious Preferences: Now, I'm going to say this, and it may not be PC, but... it's truly up to the parents to let you know if they have religious objections. Most parents will make you aware. I've taught many students whose families were Jehovah's Witnesses. They were all very up front with me, and I appreciate that so much! I don't want to offend any family, but I also need to be aware of religious preferences so I don't offend. *Parent Objections: Do you plan any activities in your classroom of which parents may object? Here are a few examples.
One of my students is not allowed to have temporary tattoos. So, when cheerleaders start selling promo items, this child doesn't need to purchase paw print tattoos. I need to know this. Get my point? I've taught students whose parents didn't want them to go sock-footed. Just be proactive. Let parents know your intentions before beginning an activity that may cause objections.
Whew! That's a lot of info, and I'm sure I left off something!
But... if you're still around, here's a freebie for you to use at MTT.
-AND-
If you need resources to help you with Meet the Teacher,
I offer 33 different themed Meet the Teacher packs in my TpT store.
If not, live each day to the fullest and smile because it happened!
I'm here today to talk about getting your classroom ready for a makeover.
Now, this is NOT my classroom reveal.
That will come as I have time to get in my room.
I'm excited to share that with you on my blog later this month!
Today is all about getting ready to set up your room!
Let me preface this by saying, I'm not trying to pressure anyone into decoration madness,
but I do believe a happy classroom is one that functions efficiently, and is well organized and attractive.
This summer I read The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up by Marie Kondo.
Marie is a proponent of getting your house in order and keeping it in order.
She suggests keeping only the items in your home that bring you joy and letting go of the rest.
I think we can apply the same principle to the classroom.
Keep what sparks joy in you and let go of the rest.
ARE YOU READY TO SEE MY MESS?
Here you go!
Want more?
The good news is...it doesn't look that this anymore!
So, are you ready to get your classroom in order?
Great! But remember-this is not a one day job.
I like to think of it as ten days.
Already started school?
Take one task a week for the first ten weeks.
Day 1) Clean out your children's literature. Keep only the books that bring you and your kiddos joy!
I know. I LOVE children's books, too, but let's face it.
Not all books are created equally.
It's okay to let go of a book.
DON'T THROW IT OUT.
Pass it on to someone who will find joy in it.
You'll be amazed at how much room this gives you AND you'll know what you have when you need something.
Day 2) Clean out your Math manipulatives!
You don't need 6 bins of pattern blocks or 48 Judy clocks.
Keep what you need and pass the rest on to someone else. It's okay.
Day 3) Clean out your art supplies. If you haven't used those foam Easter bunnies in the last 3 years, get rid of them.
Pass on the joy to someone else! No hoarding!
Day 4) Clean out your office supplies. Look at each one. If no joy comes from having them and they serve no purpose, pass them on to someone else or donate them. It's a good feeling!
Day 5) Clean out board games, puzzles, and other activities. If you don't use them, someone else can. If Czechoslovakia is still on your globe...you get it. Share your treasures.
Day 6) Do I dare say it...Clean out your paper. Oh, it's tough! I know it is. I've done it. But the feeling is just so great! If you haven't used it or it turns your fingers purple...you don't need it. Recycle that paper!
Day 7) Decide how you will store supplies. Once you decide what manipulatives and supplies you are going to keep, choose how you are going to store them. Then label your supplies. Labeling makes supplies easier to find for students and other adults who may visit.
NOW-
The next two may not be popular, but I'm going with them.
Day 8) Get rid of your filing cabinet OR scale down to a smaller one.
The more room you have for stuff, the more stuff you'll acquire.
If there's no where to put the stuff, you won't be as likely to hold onto it.
Day 9) Get rid of your teacher desk OR scale down to a smaller one.
You can do it! I did and I had a lot of stuff in mine, too.
I never sat there (not even after school), and it took up a great deal of space.
Now, that space is used by my first graders, and I don't miss my desk one bit!
I use an over-the-door shoe organizer for my office supplies. Space saver!
Day 10) Plan your classroom design. Once the clutter is removed and you are ready to set up your room, go online and play around with a classroom set-up tool. You can design your whole room as many times as you like. You'll need your room measurements for this.
Now you are ready to think decor! Let me tell you, if I can do it, you can do it? Did you see my mess above? It doesn't look like that anymore. This week, I can get in my building to work and I plan to make the most of it. Pics to come on my blog! Happy Tuesday!!
Don't forget! We're blogging every day this month at Primary Chalkboard!
Are you as excited as I am about SPRING? My azaleas are blooming, the sun is shining, and recess could last all day! Spring is here at last! Hmm...the weather is absolutely beautiful, so what is it then (testing, worry about the fence sitters, I could go on...) that causes teachers to feel out of sorts in spring??
If you feel the spring time exhaustion, you are not alone. I'm with you, along with thousands of your closest teacher friends! What's a teacher to do? Well, there's always the adage, "This, too, shall pass." But, let's be honest, when you're in the thick of things, that's not very helpful. I can't calm the winds or take away the full moon days, but I can share with you a few things I do when the days seem to draw out forever.
1) Try a New Activity
Dig out an activity you love and you KNOW the kiddos will love! We have an Author's Craft unit we do each spring, and not only do I love it, the kids love it, too. You can feel the energy in the room during these lessons. Dig deep if you have to, but find a lesson or activity to re-energize the class! 2) Read Your Favorite Children's Book Apply the same tip from #1 to your favorite read-aloud. My firsties eat up chapter books during spring. They love Mercy Watson and Judith Viorst's LuLu, and I know breaking out a book from one of those series will make ALL of us smile!
This is also a great time to break out a favorite from YOUR childhood to share with the class. I have always loved The Boxcar Children and adore sharing it with my kiddos. I mean, quite honestly, the original Boxcar is about as good as it gets!
Pull out your favorite picture books, too. I love sharing Russell Hoban's Frances series during spring.
3) Do Something Different I know. I know. That takes energy! But spring is the perfect time to try something new. Plan and plant a garden. Go outside and have class. The clouds are beautiful right now. Take advantage of that and learn about them. Send everyone out to sketch those babies!
If you've never tried online Brain Breaks before, give them a shot. My kidlets would GoNoodle or Move to Learn all day if I would let them. Brain Breaks are seriously good for refreshing students AND teachers!
**Let me preface #4 by saying I don't mean do this
every day, and I am not advocating all day recess, just a ONE TIME
BREAK. 4) Give Your Kids (and Yourself) a Break Skip the spelling test this week...or homework...or an incredibly boring lesson in the math program that causes you to breathe deeply for 30 minutes afterward. You know what I mean. We've all been working hard and we all deserve an unexpected break
5) Get Student Input Ask your kiddos what they are interested in learning about and plug their ideas into your lesson, even if you just find books about their favorite topics. Create a class chart where children can add their suggestions or interests. Children love knowing their opinions matter and feel valued when you take the time to include their interests in your lessons. 6) Spring Clean Take some time each day to clean out! Spend 20 minutes cleaning out a bin or a drawer. We all know the feeling of accomplishment that comes with a tidy workspace. Get the kids in on the act, too. All my littles have class jobs, and those jobs change every 9 weeks. Let your students apply for the jobs that interest them and start assigning tasks. Set aside a time each day when everyone does his job. Your kiddos will love it!
Let's face it! Teaching is an exhausting profession. It's a wonderful "wouldn't want to do anything else" adventure, but it's exhausting. I hope one of the ideas above inspires you this spring. And, remember, if all else fails, "This, too, shall pass."
What's a teacher to do?
Apply the same tip from #1 to your favorite read-aloud. My firsties eat up chapter books during spring. They love Mercy Watson and Judith Viorst's LuLu, and I know breaking out a book from one of those series will make ALL of us smile! 
This is also a great time to break out a favorite from YOUR childhood to share with the class. I have always loved The Boxcar Children and adore sharing it with my kiddos. I mean, quite honestly, the original Boxcar is about as good as it gets! 
Pull out your favorite picture books, too. I love sharing Russell Hoban's Frances series during spring.
If you've never tried online Brain Breaks before, 
4) Give Your Kids (and Yourself) a Break 
6) Spring Clean
