Daily Questions

Do you do a daily question in your classroom?  We have seen it done lots of ways by lots of teachers.  We really like THIS way- it's quick, painless, gives the students more practice with their names and opens up great conversations with our students.  This packet is 200 daily questions to cover your entire school year- pick the questions you like best to use!  All the questions are 2 answer questions with most being yes/no.  Quick mini lesson covered for everyday of the school year? Check!  Remember the first 24 hours.... it's 1/2 price! 

Flash Sale!!

Flash Sale today only! 20% off everything in our TpT store!
http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/2-Crazy-Texas-Teachers

Textbooks, anyone?

This post is a little off topic but I think could be useful for many of our followers. This summer I decided I was ready to go back to school and get my Masters in Library Sciences. I have always wanted to be a Librarian. I was just waiting for the need to return to school. I realized that I am not ready to leave the classroom yet but, if the opportunity arose, I wanted to be prepared. On top of this, my youngest daughter just graduated from high school and has enrolled in college. So, can anyone guess what is on my mind? Saving money!

That gives you some background as to why I wanted to post about this company, Campus Book Rentals. Here are some of the perks of renting from them:

-save 40-90% off of bookstore prices
-free shipping both ways-can highlight in the textbooks-flexible renting periods-we donate to Operation Smile with each textbook rented
What is Operation Smile? Operation Smile is an international children's medical charity that heals children's smiles, forever changing their lives. Check out their website for more details: Operation Smile
Have textbooks lying around? They have another program just for you.  RentBack is a new initiative that allows students to rent the textbooks they own - to other students... which is awesome because it makes them 2-4x more money compared to what they'd make through buyback options! 

Thanks for indulging me off topic for a bit. I decided if I could save just one person a little money then it was worth it!

Educents

Have you heard about this website? It is kinda like Groupon for teachers and parents! The deals rotate and if you don't find something you like today then check back next tomorrow or even week because it will all be different!

Here are some of our favorite deals from this week. Click on the link at the top of our blog to take you there and to read more details.

This deal starts today July 29th. Join The Magic School Bus Science Club and make science come alive! Each month your child will receive a kit. Each kit includes a colorful manual based on The Magic School Bus characters, as well as everything you need to complete at least seven experiments related to that month’s theme. For kids ages 5-12. Topics include: Magnets, Acids/Bases, Human Body, Weather Station, Water, Light/Rainbows and Mirrors, Volcanoes, Air, Fossils, Stars/Planets, Bacteria/Fungi, Solids/Liquids/Gases.

This deal starts today, July 29th, and is my favorite! What could make make-believe even better if you’re a kid? Dressing up in a costume you’ve designed, of course! Your children start with the creatively designed outline of an outfit for a princess, pirate, superhero, or other favorite pretend character. Then, using the markers included – and their imaginations – they color the clothing any way they like to create a truly unique and personalized costume. From there, it’s on to hours of pretend play!Choose from four different two-costume bundles. Geared for kids ages 4-8; grades PreK-3rd. What are your choices? Oriental Dancer, Queen, Princess, Nurse, King, Knight, Pirate, and Superhero.

This deal starts July 31st. Art, handwriting, and reading lessons come together in the perfect combination to motivate and inspire your children. This complete set includes all 8 books in the Draw Write Now series. Each one features 21 theme-related drawing and writing lessons with step-by-step instructions on 64 full-color pages. Intended for kids in Kindergarten through Grade 3.

Hope you will check out this amazing website. Don't forget the link will always be at the top of our blog for easy access.

Hello from Louisiana

Hi everyone, I am Darleen from Third Grade Love. I am so excited to be guest blogging for these wonderful ladies.  I must admit that I am extremely a little nervous~~this is my first time!  I teach 3rd grade at a Catholic school. I am entering my 18th year of teaching and just love, love, love it!  I have been blogging for over a year and have learned so much through the process.  Meeting other wonderful teachers has been my favorite part!  But...Enough about me...I want to share some organizational tips and freebies with you!  I don't know about you...but I thrive on organization in my classroom.  I guess you can say I have a little OCD when it comes to my classroom.  Having things in the right spot or knowing where I can find a certain something helps my students as well as myself throughout the day.

In my classroom, I have some must-have needs~~group baskets (see picture below), sharpies (and lots of them), and labels.  I provide each group with a basket organizer for their supplies.  They can put whatever necessary school item in the basket.  Usually, the basket has glue sticks, pencils, markers, crayons, scissors, erasers, and sharpies.  For the past several years, each student had their own personal basket.  It worked out for a while until the basket became too full to hold what was needed.  This year I decided that each group would have one basket.  Along with the regular supplies, I will put a set of  Story Sticks, multiplication/division flash cards, and bathroom passes (one boy/girl for each group).  The sticks are used for retelling stories.  I thought this would be a great brain break activity.

I just love how the baskets came out.  They are so bright and cheery!  You can grab a copy of the group signs (HERE).

To help with my obsession, I created some chevron desk plates and labels.  You can grab your FREE copy (HERE).  In this pack, I've included 3 different colors~~pink, green, and purple.  I printed the labels on full sheet shipping labels then cut them apart.  They are the perfect size for cubbie baskets, library buckets, or just about anything you need a label on. 

I can't thank you enough for allowing me to share my ideas with you!  I had the best time!!  Thank you Stevi & Tamara~~you rock!!

 

 

 

 

Fine Motor Skills

LOVE LOVE LOVE this packet!  It is one of my most favorites that we have.  My 7 year old broke his elbow at the end of June- BUMMER SUMMER I tell you! And now he is working on getting full range of his elbow again.... we are at the VERY beginning stages and starting over on his fine motor skills so this packet is fresh on my mind.  If you have already purchased this, go re download it because we made a few minor changes.  If you do not have this in your classroom you MUST check it out!  

Guest Post by Funky First Grade Fun

Hello!  My name is Kimberly.  I'm so happy to be here to guest blog for Stevi and Tamara! Let me start by saying that every kindergarten teacher needs a raise!  Don't ya wish they would let me be in charge of all that?  So, cheers to Stevi and Tamara and all the other kindergarten teachers out there!

I currently teach first grade in Michigan and you can visit me at...

I just returned from a 19 day camping trip with my family.  Relaxing is not easy for most teachers and it's been a personal goal for me this year.  That didn't really go so well during the school year, but it sure works when I'm in the woods, enjoying the beach, swimming in the lake, napping in the sun, enjoying long walks and bike riding along the lakeshore.  Folks, I read 8 books on our trip (without telling anyone to go get a tissue and wash their hands)!  Plus, we LoVe Lake Michigan!

Now, that I'm finally home, it's time to get organized.  

In Michigan, we don't start school until the day after Labor Day.  

Once upon a time, 

one of the governors passed a law saying we had to start school after Labor Day 

to increase travel and tourism over Labor Day weekend.  

Perhaps, he meant that I should return to the lake?  

Probably not, but doesn't it sound nice?

As soon as I finish unpacking, I need to pick a day to go into my classroom to organize a few things. In the spirit of relaxing, I'll try to go when no one else is there.  I'll wear my hair in my messy summer bun and sing really loud while I work.  That sounds relaxing...

While I was sitting on the beach, I decided that I need to reorganize the area behind my desk first.  In the past, I had bins for things that need to be copied, filed, sent home, etc.  I just made new labels for those bins.  Having bins for each of those things helps me keep my desk cleaned off (a little). I'm also going to make bins for each day of the week this year.  I used file folders for each day of the week last year and they seemed to be overloaded on a regular basis, so I'll use a bin to keep the things I need for each day this year.

If you'd like a copy of the labels that I made, you can click on the image below.  The link will take you to my blog where you can download the labels.  I have lots of other freebies available there as well. 

I'd like to thank Stevi and Tamara for inviting me to be a guest.  Happy summer, everyone!

Now, this tired girl needs to get some sleep.  Sleeping in my own bed after 19 days is going to be dreamy. I hope you'll stop by to visit me soon!  

Kimberly

Funky First Grade Fun