Take Home Folders and Name Tags

Well, I got started on my classroom Friday. After working on it all day Saturday, it is beginning to come together. I'll definitely need to spend some more time on it this week seeing as how meet and greet is Thursday!!! YIKES! I'm really excited to meet my kids, but nervous at the same time (you would think after three years that feeling would be gone, does it ever go away?)!

I just made a template for my take home folders so I will be able to explain them to my parents at meet and greet. Here is how it turned out:

You can get these HERE.  The graphics are From the Pond http://frompond.blogspot.com.

I also got my name tags made (minus the names). My mom got me cute owl name tag stickers from Carson-Dellosa, but I didn't want to stick them onto my students' shirts because I wanted to use them for the whole first week (maybe two). I didn't want to buy the clear name tag holders either because those get expensive and I would rather spend my money on fun things to use in the classroom!

A teacher from a training I attended suggested a cheap way to make name tags durable. Stick them onto some folders and then cut them out. Punch holes into them and then add yarn (which I haven't done yet because it is at school so I'll have to wait. Don't you hate it when that happens?!?).

I like how the folders add a little more color! Now, all they need is yarn and names of course!!

Decorated Plastic Drawers

I have noticed people making their plastic drawers cute with scrapbook paper so I decided to give it a whirl! Here's what I ended up with...

1. Weekly Drawers:

2. Guided Reading/Small Group Drawers:



Yes, there is one more set of drawers in the last photo, but the one that is "missing" on the far right was my first attempt with Modge Podge/Drawer Decorating sooo it ended up with big bubbles in it. I think you can see the color scheme without having to see that one. It may end up in a closet because I don't think the bubbles are coming out now that it is dry!

Polka Dot Business Cards in COLOR!!!

Because of the popularity of the black polka dot business cards, I made a set in a variety of colors!!

Click HERE to get your business cards in color!!

I have my business cards ready to send home to parents. I laminated then and put a magnet on the back of each one like I said I was going to do. They turned out really cute!

Owl Behavior Plan

The treasure box has always been a great reinforcer in my classroom, but with two classes/up to 44 students?! Eek...that's a lot of toys! Well, I found a behavior plan on that incorporates a sticker system based on the classroom behavior chart. For the top three colors on the behavior chart, students receive a certain amount of stickers. When they reach ten stickers, they get a prize from the treasure box. Students have to go above and beyond to get their stickers and earn a trip to the treasure box.

Here is where I found it:
http://www.montgomery.k12.ky.us/userfiles/1790/Classes/7705/Behavior%20Explanation.pdf

Here is what the original version from the previous website looks like:

Since my behavior chart is different, I had to change this for it to match. While I was at it, I exchanged the smiley faces out for owls so it would match my theme! I also modified the rules so that it includes the "Owl Rules!"

Here is my version:

This is going to be taped into my students' take home folders so parents will have easy access to it while looking at their child's daily report!

The link to this template is on my new blog - Splendor in Kinder



Owl Classroom Rules (with polka dots of course)!

I finally broke down and bought some owl graphics since I'm doing my classroom in owls (and polka dots)! As I was trying to decide on how to word my rules, I came up with some "Owl Rules":

Owl Listen
Owl Be Kind
Owl Be Safe
Owl Do My Best

Corny, I know, but teachers are allowed to be corny! Right?

Here's what I ended up with:

I can't wait to put these up in my classroom!! The link for these is now on my new blog. Click HERE to see!

Freebie - Polka Dot Teacher Business Cards for Parents

Slowly marking things off of my to do list!!

I now have my information printed onto teacher business cards. I am going to have these laminated and put a magnet on the back so parents can keep my information on the fridge for easy access!

 Click HERE for your FREE copy!

Days of the Week, Months of the Year, and Transportation Chart in Polka Dots!!

Who doesn't love polka dots?!

My old days of the week poster was worn out so I decided to make my own so I could add some more polka dots to my classroom! I also made matching months of the year cards.

Click on Polka Dot Days of the Week and Months of the Year to get them for your classroom!

I also made an end of the day transportation chart with this same template. I plan on adding ribbon to these so I will be able to move student clips back and forth depending on how they get home each day. This will be near the door so that I can double check it on the way out.

Click on Transportation Chart to get these!

Hopefully I will think of some more things to add polka dots to!!  Hmm...center signs, rules, lunch chart...the list could go on and on!

DIY Shape Lacing Cards

Since students come into the classroom at different times, they need some type of "bell work" to do. This keeps them on task and prevents many behavior problems that occur during idle time. I am putting a "workshop" into place during this time.

After students put their things away they will begin their workshop. This will include different tasks that focus on fine motor skills and concepts that we are working on.

One of the tasks will include lacing cards. Instead of buying them, I made my own using things I had at home. This set was made into basic shapes out of construction paper (I'll let you know how well they hold up). I had them laminated and then punched holes into the cards. Next, I measured the yarn, by going around the perimeter or circumference of each shape and then added 6 more inches. I attached the yarn to one hole with a knot and then taped masking tape around the other end of the yarn.

It took a while to do this for all of the cards, but they are finally finished and ready to go!

I will change them out every four weeks or so if they make it that long. This way, students will not get tired of doing the exact same thing.

Keep checking back for more workshop tasks!

Environmental Print Book

I was planning on posting a lot more this summer, until the stress of moving got in the way. By moving, I mean houses. I haven't gotten started on moving into my classroom yet, although my classroom things have moved twice already (from my old school to the old house and from the old house to the new house)!

Before all of the craziness got started, I made an environmental print book for my class. It is full of print students see everyday. Although most of them will not be reading, they will be able to "read" a lot of the things in this book!

Examples pages:

Hopefully the pictures will give you an idea of what it will look like. There is one page per letter. I tried to find as many things as I could think of that kids would know. A couple of the letters were a stretch  - I'm sure you will figure out which ones when you get to them. All in all, I think the students will enjoy it!

Go to my new blog by clicking Environmental Print Book so you can download this freebie!

Polka Dot Behavior Clip Chart

I found a cute clip chart on Sunny Days in Second Grade's blog. I couldn't find downloadable polka dot frames in the colors I needed. I finally gave in and decided to make the frames/behavior chart myself.

Here is what I ended up with:

 

The link for the behavior chart is on my new blog - click HERE to see it. 

A teacher I know uses a jewel system with the clip chart. When students end their day at the top of the behavior chart, they get a jewel added to their clip. When their clip is full, they get a new clip and their old one is put on display. I think this will be a great motivator for students and can't wait to use it this year.