Target Dollar Spot Finds for your Classroom!

I know I'm not the only one who is obsessed with shopping at Target. I try to avoid the place all together... Why you might ask??? Well, let me give you a run down of what generally happens upon entering Target.

Pull into parking lot.

In my head: "ok--- don't spend over $30.  Well, ok maybe $50... that should be enough."

Walk into Target.

Me: I should probably get a cart just in case.

Me: All I need is a picture frame and some bandaids.

Me: I can do this. Only 2 items.....

Put Sara in the cart and begin pushing.

Me: Ohhhhh--- look at all the cute stuff in the Target Dollar Spot.

$372 later.....

Walking out of Target....

Me: What just happened?????

I think we have all entered the Target Vortex a time or two. Some of us more than others.... But, I have to admit I was incredibly excited to see so many adorable "back to school" items.

Check out my stash!

I was super excited about finding these stickers because her teachers asked for some on their wish list! Score!!! 

These would make perfect Carpet Bags- check out Kim Adsit's post on them. And really, who doesn't love Dr. Suess?!?! They also had some cute notepads and stamps.

I was REALLY excited about these. My sweet girl is constantly challenging me and I am amazed at what she already knows... So, I decided to grab a few of these and keep them on hand for when I need to make a coaching call or wait on getting new tires.. blah!

She was super excited to try one of them out! I even let her pick a reward sticker to put on the page after "Self-checking" it.

Final thing I threw in my buggy were these adorable ABC cards and matching games. We have just recently started playing Memory and you can never have too many alphabet cards!

Did you all find anything at your Target for Back to School???

5 Tips to Keep Kinders busy!

The first few weeks of school can be awful stressful...  But some of the best advice I can give you is to keep those Kinders busy!

Here are 5 tips to help you keep them busy:

One of the first things I did each day after turning on my computer was to open my Movement Songs flipchart.  I wanted it to be open each day so I could have easy access to it if my little ones were getting fidgety.  I created a flip chart by hyper linking all the songs from you tube.  You can also do this in ppt.  

If you don't have a smart board, keep a CD in your computer or have your iTunes open for easy access.

Do your kids use book boxes???

Teach them to quietly grab their book box and read silently when they finish their work early.  This will prevent them from distracting their neighbors at their desks.

Another option might be to pick an extra activity such as the listening center or silently re-tell the book of the week.  Our library would have some retelling puppets that I tried to grab.

Laminate (or stick in page protectors) a stack of alphabet pages.  Keep some dry erase markers handy.  If you finish a lesson early or have some extra time, pass out the markers and laminated pages for some handwriting and fine motor practice.  

You can snag this one free by clicking the picture!

 

Make sure to create interactive anchor charts or flipcharts for your students.  We all know at this age, they can only sit for so long...

But- keep them engaged with charts and activities they can participate in!  They will be more likely to pay better attention to you and their peers if you give them the chance to be the teacher!

Do you have any tips to share on keeping kinders busy???

My 1st Linky---Back to School Bulletin Board Showcase!!!

 

Something I always got a little bit giddy about was setting up my first bulletin board of the year.  Almost every year I would buy something new to put up.  However, last year I created something that was Pinterest Inspired! I honestly cannot tell you who pinned it first.. But I fell in love! I bought the paper, a brand new sharpie, the posters, glitter and got to work.  Once I had laminated my new creation, I couldn't wait to display it in the hall for all my new kinders and their parents to see!  Here is the finished product...

 

We're going to have a BALL in Kindergarten!

 

 

Am I the only one who LOVES to create adorable Bulletin Boards???  I think not!

 

That's what inspired my first LINKY!

 

I'd love to see what all my other fellow bloggers have created to display outside or inside their room for Back to School.  If I get a decent amount of people to link up-- I will come back and make a collection of BB in another post for you to have as a reference!

 

 



Some have to's for Back to School!

Welp, it's Back to School time and you know what that means.. If you aren't already, you're about to be incredibly busy!  Here are a few B2S tips that can help reduce a little of that stress you are about to experience.

 

Every year before meeting my kiddos I always wondered what they would act like, do they have any allergies, do they know their letters yet, have they been to pre-school, etc...  In my Back to School Pack I have a simple form for parents to fill out at registration, Parent Orientation, or even on the first day of school that will help you get to know their child a little bit.

 

 

You should also have a behavior system already up and ready to go the minute every child walks through the door.  If you are using clothespins, magnets, cards-- whatever you use-- keep extras close by.  That way, if you get a new student you're not caught off guard with your jaw to the floor saying ummmm hold on.. while everyone waits for you!

This teacher has a free clip chart on her blog!  It's pretty cute too!!

Be prepared with something simple and self explanatory for your kids to do when they walk in the room.  It might be blocks, puzzles, a simple sorting activity.  Keep in mind-- you are going to have a lot of parents and children coming in at once.  So, have something simple and easy for them to do!

 

 

This is from my Letter or Number Sort pack.  There are also a few of these in my Back to School pack as well.

 

Make sure to keep an updated transportation list at all times!!!!!  At the beginning of the year, my kids will change their transportation 3-4 times.  If the office calls your room, you should be able to tell them immediately where all your kids can be located- Bus, Car, Van, etc...  Here is a little freebie to help keep track of transportation.

 

 

Here are some of my must have products for Back to School:

 

 

 

 

 

I hope your week is going great!  Check back tomorrow for my very first LINKY!!!!

 



My Alphabet Book

While planning for my return to school for my last few weeks, I created a simple little alphabet book to use with my kids to review all the letters. 

Here is a picture of my sample:

We colored the front and wrote our name.  Then, I told them we were going to review all the letters.  We would only do 5-6 letters a day during LAWS (language arts writing and spelling).

First, I showed them the letter video on youtube.

 

Then, they would think of something that starts with A.  After they finish drawing their picture and writing their word, I would call on every child to quickly tell me something that starts with that letter.

I did the same thing for each letter.



My kids really seem to be enjoying it! It's quick, easy, and they love coming up with a word that no one else has done!  You might also consider purchasing this for back to school time.. just a thought! 

Click the picture to check it out!!!

Have you met Mr. Who?

 

I am not paid to advertise for her-- FYI!  I just LOVE all her music.  You will not be disappointed if you grab her CD's.  There are so many wonderful songs you can use all year long. 

 

 

She also has so many awesome resources available to you for FREE!  Click here to check out her website!

Back to School Packs!

If you're looking for some inspiration for the start of this school year...  Check out some of the things I have created to use in my own classroom in a few weeks!

For a detailed list of what's included-- click on each picture!

Back to School- Kindergarten Math & Literacy Stuff!

I know what you're thinking.. why in the world is she thinking about back to school stuff?!?!?  Well, I'll tell ya... because it's SUMMER!  I've been able to think about planning, and work on more products for my TpT store!  I don't know about yall-- but I sure do have a passion for making units/packs.  And of course clipart-- that's more of an addicition.. anywho!  Just wanted to stop by realy quick to let ya know I finished it early!  Click on the picture to check it out!!!

What shall I do next?... Any requests????  I'd love to make something someone needs!



Chicka Chicka Boom Boom- new unit!!

I just created my newest unit-- and of course it had to be the 1st thing I plan to do with my new bunch come August.  It's all about Chicka Chicka Boom Boom!  Of course, like all of you, it's one of my favorite books. 

Here's what is included in my unit:

 -5 Math Journal Prompts (pictures included)

 -”How many coconuts?” Numbers to sets game

 -Palm Tree Patterns

 -Boom! (Memory Game)

 -Boom Boom Bingo Dotter: Dice Game (1-6 & 2- 12)

 -Chicka Chicka Roll & Cover

 -Palm Tree Ten Frame

 -Name Handwriting Practice Page

 -ABC Handwriting page (color & black and white)

 -Sand Pail: Pick a Letter

 -Blank Word Search (add any sight words)

 -Words & Letters for Interactive Coconut Chart

 -Pocket Chart Palm Trees

 -Memory Book or Keepsake Page (Take a class picture during this unit and stick it on the page)

Click the picture to check it out!