Friday, November 2, 2012

Behavior Clip Chart....Freebie!

Just before school started I posted a picture HERE about my new owl clip chart that I downloaded from 3rd Grade's a Hoot.  I'm loving this clip chart system!! I feel like I am signing (well actually a responsible student from each table is signing behavior sheets...unless a student is lower than "ready to learn", then I sign!) so many fewer folders at the end of the day and it truly saves a headache!! I LOVE that it gives a chance for those fabulous behaving students to strive for something above and beyond! Sooo...this post and couple of freebies are dedicated to those sweet owls! After reading the free ebook linked above I decided to go with the idea of adding "jewels" to the clips that reached outstanding for the day. Check out the bling (aka: glitter)!...
(Yes, my clips are spray painted white, because the wood color just wasn't working for me!)

Now on to the freebies...the ebook also suggests a "Clip Hall of Fame" for those receiving a certain number of jewels.  I went with 5! Once a student reaches 5 outstanding jewels, their clip is retired to the Hall of Fame! Check it out!

I just used a $3 frame from Walmart, some of my favorite ribbon from Hobby Lobby hot glued to the back, and this free printable!
Click HERE for your copy!

But wait, there's more...
One of my fabulous first grade team members needed her clip chart and hall of fame to match her zebra & green theme. Taadaaa!


And finally, one of my other teammates uses my Birdies & Buntings Classroom Decoratives so of course I'm glittering you with a clip chart that matches that set as well!!


Well I hope that at least one of those will fit your room's decor and you can get some use out of this amazing little behavior management system.  I'm off to enjoy my fall weekend. giggles...

Sunday, October 28, 2012

Silent Auction Basket

Our school's major fundraiser every year is our Fall Festival.  It's huge!! Our building is transformed into a family friendly Halloween celebration.  There are games, a haunted house, concessions, a pumpkin decorating contest, and my favorite...The Silent Auction!!!

Each class is in charge of providing a themed basket for the auction.  You can usually find a family fun night basket, cleaning basket, gift card basket, etc.. One of my favorite this year was "Keep Calm and Bake On!" Super cute theme, right? This year my firsties and I made a basket themed "We LOVE Reading!" Each student brought $5 OR an item for the basket. I am sooo happy with the way our basket turned out.  (I actually thought about bidding myself!) The most impressive part of our basket was the basket itself.  My room mom did an AMAZING job of painting it to match the theme.  I just fell in love and hated to see it go!!

We had about 10-12 books, a Barnes and Noble giftcard, a custom Dr. Seuss quote cup, a framed Keep Calm and Read On sign, Dr. Seuss socks, and a SkippyJon Jones notecard set.

Here is a shot of the back of the basket. Just fabulous!

I'll be back later this week with a freebie that I'm working on! Giggles...

Sunday, September 30, 2012

Saving Space...

Just a quick stop by to share a space saving idea that was a great improvement to my classroom!! I use every square foot of my classroom as I'm sure MOST of you all do as well.  Reading area here, writer's workshop supplies there, oh and where shall I put listen to reading?...I'm blessed with a fairly large classroom, but there's one thing that was driving me bonkers! MY POCKET CHART STAND!!! I'd tried a mega stand from Lakeshore, a small garment rack from Walmart, and I just couldn't get all giggly over any of them. I think the pushing them around was the problem.  Then it hit me...put it in a place that was easily accessible and could be put away in a snap.  Taadaaa!!! I just attached it to the top of my white board with staples and used the little velcro to roll it up for storage. Now I'm certain I'm not the first to do this and I'm sure at some point this is what the velcro on the back was intended for, but it was new to me! And it's made my teaching life just a tad easier.

Have a great week!!


Sunday, September 9, 2012

Word Wall "Stache" Freebie...

Well you know with all of the fabulous Duck Tape prints available it was only a matter of time before I got my glittery hands onto a few packages! It's been super fun creating a handful of projects with the tape lately.  I'm lovin' my newest Pinterest inspired project with the adorable mustache tape...
Each week we (First Grade Teachers) send home a page of flashcards for students to cut out and keep for word wall word practice.  Until this year, we've just kind of crossed our fingers and envisioned that every child kept a plastic bag of flashcards at home in their quiet homework spot...giggles!!! So, this year we decided to add a spot in their Daily Take Home Binder to "stache" the flashcards. Perfect opportunity to use the "stache" tape.

First, I printed matching labels...

and attached the Duck Tape and labels to a quart sized plastic baggie.

Then I punched holes using our electric 3 hole punch (1 bag at a time) and added them to Take Home Binders. tadaaaa!!! Love!

Click HERE for your free copy of the "Stache" labels!!!


Happy taping!!

Monday, September 3, 2012

Posh Pencil Containers...

Well the first week has come and gone and I believe that I have recovered!! Following up the first week with a 3 day weekend is just perfection.  In my last bit of to-do's before school actually started, I decided to glitter up my classroom pencil containers.  I was so happy that Misty at 3rd Grade's a Hoot created a fab pencil freebie using the adorable pencil graphics from Melonheadz! I didn't want to purchase any new containers so I hunted around for a few that would fit my vision. I found a couple of decorative cans I had purchased at Michael's for my daughter's painting party.

The supplies...2 sheets 12x12 scrapbook paper, 2 medium plastic paint cans from Michael's, printed fab pencil freebie labels, scissors, and tape (not pictured)

I trimmed down the scrapbook paper to the height of the cans and glued the label.

I fit the paper to the inside of the can (you kind of have to shove it in there!) and attached a few pieces of tape inside.  My paper left a gap, but I just used some of the scrap that I had cut off to fill the space.

Tadaaa!! They are just what I wanted!

Check them out next to a few adorable classroom additions (I found them at a candy store in Destin!) that I found this summer...

Now on to week two!!! Sending gobs of glitter and giggles your way...

Saturday, August 11, 2012

Back To School Sale!

I am so excited about shopping the HUGE back to school sale on TPT! I've got my eye on so many fabulous teacher created products. (Check out this Blog Hoppin post for all of the participants!) I'm so close to having my classroom look back to school ready as time is quickly running out and there are a handful of items the will be the last few sprinkles of glitter! Then I've got to get busy on prepping the work!!!!

I'm also all giggles about participating in the sale myself. So come on over and check out my TPT store and see if you can pick up a few goodies for your room!

Monday, August 6, 2012

Aaarrre you ready for a giveaway?

I am so excited to be teamed up with 3rd Grade's a Hoot for a Pirate sized give-away!! We are celebrating her 1000th follower with a treasure full of pirate themed goodies!! Check out the loot...

From 3rd Grade's a Hoot:
Pirate Classroom Decorative Set

Pirate Behavior Clip Chart

Pirate Word Wall Labels

From 1st Grade Glitter & Giggles (me!)

Pirate Leveled Library Labels

Pirate Writing Process Sign Set

Pirate Writer's Eye Set

2 Winners will be chosen for this one! Contest ends Friday.



Tuesday, July 24, 2012

New Zebra Leveled Labels!!

As you can see from the previous post we were allowed back into our classrooms early this summer.  It was very rare. My campus is usually the last one on the cleaning/floor tour for the district.  This summer we were moved to first! Some of my teacher besties and I totally took advantage! Laptops in tow, a Cherry Dr. Pepper in hand, and lots of giggles along the way we spent multiple days prepping our spaces. We had a great time helping each other out and sharing ideas. 

One of my most re-pinned classroom pictures on Pinterest is my leveled library from the Where It All Goes Down Post from last summer. The boxes are from Really Good Stuff (Wow my classroom has changed a bit since then!)...

On to my point...
One of my teammates has a jungle themed room and asked if I could make leveled labels to match her theme and color scheme.  I was so excited to see how they turned out and I LOVE them! (The white buckets are ice buckets from Walmart!)

You can check them out in my Teachers Pay Teachers store!

Sneak Peak (well really it's a sneak read?!?)...in the works for 1st Grade Glitter and Giggles...I'm pairing up with 3rd Grade's a Hoot for a Pirate sized giveaway!!

Thursday, July 12, 2012

Classroom Makeover...

Well kind of...maybe I should say classroom update!?!? I needed to re-arrange to create some wall space in order to implement Cafe this year and let the owls join in the fun, and I'm all glitter and giggles with the results! The owl tree turned out just fab! I was also in need of a new guided reading table so Misty and I headed to Ikea.  My previous table just took up too much room.  I'm not sure how much I'll like the new table, but it looks sooo much better.  Check out some of my new glitter...

Daily 5 and Cafe Owl Tree!!!
(For a vertical version of this bulletin board, check out 3rd Grade's a Hoot)

Cafe Menu
Cafe Menu: 3rd Grade's a Hoot - Free
Cafe Letters: Frog Street Press' Bright Sassy Dot - $9.99
Owl Clip Art: JW Illustrations
Tissue Poms: I made those!

Daily 5 Board
Literacy Signs: 3rd Grade's a Hoot - $5
Daily 5 Letters: Frog Street Press' Bright Sassy Dot - $9.99
Owl Clip Art: JW Illustrations
Tissue Poms: I made those!

Listening Station & Word Family Board
White Tables (2) : Ikea - $8
Green Stools (2): Ikea - $8
Dr. Seuss Word Family Board: See my blog post!

Guided Reading Area
White/Pink Table: Ikea - $35ish
Pink Swivel Chair: Ikea - $25ish
(I'm still working on the student chairs for my guided table...looking for something just right!)

A little glitter behind my table...
Keep Calm Printable: 3rd Grade's a Hoot - FREE!
Pink Frame: Hobby Lobby - $19.99
Lamp: Made with supplies from Hobby Lobby - About $20

Classroom Library
(I changed this up a bit from my previous pics and I haven't filled the bins with books yet...)
Paintings: This is my number 1 follower question...I painted these canvas prints myself! Just took a canvas, acrylic paint, and some patience!
Couch Pillows: Made using fabric from Hobby Lobby and old decorative pillows
Shelves (2): Target - $45
Plastic Bins: Dollar Tree - $1

Word Wall
I finally changed out my alphabet and I LOVE the results!
Alphabet: Tricia Lyday - $3.50
Bright Book Bins (under word wall): Really Good Stuff - $35.99 (set)

Table Numbers
Tissue Poms: Party City - $6.99
Pink Ribbon: Hobby Lobby - $3
Owl Decor: 3rd Grade's a Hoot - $10

Behavior Chart
Owl Behavior Chart: 3rd Grade's a Hoot Blog - Free

This room has me all smiles and sunshine.
In other news...I know that several of you have contacted me looking for my Birdies and Buntings & Camping Cuties Daily 5 sets.  I'm currently working on updating them to meet "guidelines".  I will have them re-posted soon. I hope everyone is having a restful summer!! Up next for me grade level shirts and a little Florida sunshine! Giggles!!!!


Monday, June 18, 2012

Whoooo Has a Writer's Eye?...

My firsties had such a wonderful time at the end of the school year using my Owl Writing Process signs to manage their writing.  I've also gotten a great response on Pinterest with the display.  For the past few years I have tried to keep my classroom theme limited to colors and prints so that it's easy to interchange whatever character trend is happening at the time or implement our campus theme.  As mentioned in a previous post, I have decided to bring in feathered friends (in decor only...haha) this year and add owls and birdies to my colors and prints.  The combination of the two is just irresistible!!! So my next step to preparing my room for next year was to create a set of coordinating Owl Writer's Eye Signs. Project done! You can check them out in my TpT store! I can't wait to display them in my classroom.


Graphics and Fonts By: JW Illustrations, Print Candee,
Dreamlike Magic Designs, and Kevin & Amanda

I'm including a graphic of how I plan to display the signs since I can't actually get into my classroom at the moment! More to come...

Sunday, June 10, 2012

A Blogger's Summer Schedule...

Well summer is in full swing and I am adjusting quite well...giggles!!!!! I AM LOVIN' IT! I am able to give a little TLC to all of the things that I enjoy doing but get pushed to the side during the fast paced school year.  One of my absolute faves is getting new ideas and creating for my classroom. (Of course that time is split with several of my other faves...sleeping in, creating for my home, and time with the fam!) However, I quickly find myself scattered all over this pink laptop of mine with a bajillion ideas floating around in my head. I would imagine it looks something like a confetti of clipart, bright colors, blog reading lists, pin boards, at the moment tons of chevron & quatrefoil print, and of course the sparkliest glitter you've ever seen. I have GOT to get all of this confetti from my brain organized into some nice color coded files. Well here's the plan...I've created a little schedule to hopefully keep me on track and actually get results.

The inspiration...this fabulous little summer schedule from www.somewhatsimple.com that I've seen sprinkled all over pinboards and that I totally plan to incorporate when I'm wearing my domestic hat...

And now...A Blogger's Schedule to a Productive Summer...

(Fonts: Keven and Amanda Graphics: Dreamlike Magic & Flavoree Digital Scrapbooking Supplies)

I realize that it doesn't have the cute little alliteration that the summer schedule provides, BUT I really think it's going to work for me!  Here's a little commentary to the thought process of this little gem.

Get Inspired Monday: There are so many amazing ideas out there. My "Teacher Style" pinbaord is loaded with pins of activities I'd love to incorporate or adapt to fit my classroom.  On Mondays I hope to just choose 1 for the week to actually get started.

Create It Tuesday: What I wanted to say for the description was...grab your favorite beverage, get your favorite Scentsy scent going, turn on a little reality tv, and get to work (checking Pinterest one more time because you KNOW something else wonderful has been pinned). For me, this scenario looks something like this...a chai latte in my leopard print mug, coconut lemongrass in my Scentsy, and housewives of something on my tv!

Craft It Wednesday: I love adding printed ribbon, tissue poms, and of course a little glitter to whatever it is I want to display. (maybe you should check Pinterest on a break just to keep you going...since you're on your computer already, might as well take a quick look at your blog reading list too...giggles!)

Share It Thursday: I know that many blog more than once a week and that is fabulous!! Blog on! However, I'd like to be a little more consistent. And let's be honest, if we ALL blogged only on Thursdays blog stalking would be a little less exciting. Make it work for you.

Read All About It Friday!: I've got to get better at answering questions, responding to comments, and answering emails! (apologies for anyone awaiting a reply...lol!) This will also be the day I do a little reading for professional development. (and probably check Pinterest one more time!)

Well that's it in a nutshell.  Just a little organizational inspiration! Have a productive summer and I hope this helps at least a handful of busy bloggers like me!



Thursday, June 7, 2012

Birdies and Buntings...

I COULD NOT be happier with how these sweet little Daily 5 Posters turned out.  Just presh. I had so much fun making them. Check them out in my TPT store by clicking HERE!


I hope everyone is enjoying a "tweet" summer! Back soon with more classroom ideas and of course glitter and giggles!!!!

Tuesday, June 5, 2012

Wrappin' It Up...

Well I can't believe that another year is in the books!!! The last few weeks were nothing short of exhausting and wonderful all at the same time.  I have no idea how we crammed so many activities into two short weeks and still kept our sanity! Here are few of the fabulous activities that we had going on...

For Generation Texas week (college week) we decorated our doors in a career or college theme. Here is my Seuss-inspired door!

In addition to guest speakers, students and teachers were encouraged to dress as their future profession.  Here is my Kinder Cutie's version of an Art Teacher. (She is pictured with her wonderful Kinder teacher who inspired the costume!)

Next up was field day... 


I have to admit, this is my favorite event....GIGGLES....

Storybook Parade! 
Every grade level selects a book to represent their class. Each First Grade Class chooses a Fancy Nancy book. Our class read Fancy Nancy and the Delectable Cupcakes...dressing as Fancy Bakers. We parade around the neighborhood while all of the parents come out and wave us on! Oooh La La...a plethora of glitter and giggles.




We also threw in a Read In, Board Game Day, the Awards Assembly, and a Talent Show! Oh and the icing on the cupcake...parties for a few of my well-deserving teammates...

A onesie decorating baby shower...

And a Disney themed wedding shower...



Phewww....now on to a little rest, some staff development, a trip to the beach, and lots of creating and sharing.  I can't wait!

HAPPY SUMMER!!!