Fab Finds, Freebie, Giveaway

Picked up my helpers this afternoon so they could keep me company during my Monday Made It Crafts. I'm really going to miss MMI when school's back in session.

First I simply tied ribbon around the clipboard clasp.

Found these bookends at Office Depot. 

My inspiration is from Tales From a Fourth Grade Math Nut

I always needed a little easel~stand to display station directions for my visual learners but never found the perfect one. For my auditory learners, I record my voice using talk points. 

I was so happy to find this idea. It's pure genius!!!This is so simple. Simply glue a clipboard to a bookend. Couldn't be easier. Now, changing out station instructions are quick and painless. 


#2-I found some Chalk It removable, reusable, repositionable labels at Joann's for under $4 bucks. It had so many fun designs. It worked perfect for my new organization system. I stuck the labels to a piece of cardboard from another purchase and glued them to clothespins. I think they will be perfect for keeping me organized when I have a sub or parent volunteer. If I need things copied, filed, etc., I will just use one of these clips instead of a post it and a paperclip. What do you think? I say easy!

#3- Do you put out a wish-list at orientation or open house? I sure do! I've done many different themes over the years but this one is super easy. Just curious... what do you ask for? Any favorites?

Take a Kiss & Grant a Wish FREE download

You can use real hershey kisses or kiss post its found at Staples. 

WARNING: One year I had real hershey kisses taped to index cards. The  little kiddos gobbled up ALL of the kisses while the parents where chatting with me. 

20% off tpt store for the next 3 days

Don't forget to enter our giveaway below!!!I'm off to check out more Monday Made Its because I just **need** to visit our BRAND NEW Joann's Superstore one more time. HAHA! 

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Monday Made It plus a FREEBIE

Time to link up today with Tara my new Blog BFF. I'm so happy that we've formed a friendship this summer. I just love her fun ideas and I can't wait to make her tickets next week. 

This week I worked on Beginning of the Year stuff for school. Our administration expects ALL K-2 students to be labeled for their afternoon transportation the first week of school. Here is what I came up with. 

Transportation Tag Bracelets

Click here to PIN to WIN!

I think it is much faster than die cutting different colored buses. Please tell me I'm not the only one who spent hours cutting little buses? Wow ...wish I would have used powerpoint many years ago.

These transportation tags are editable. I plan on laminating and attaching with velcro. Students will wear as a bracelet. They will earn a dojo point for bringing back the next day. I'm also going to stress this at orientation. Hopefully the families will already take home the correct transportation tag bracelet for their child the day before. I know my main goal on the first day of school is to make sure they ALL eat lunch and get home the correct way! 

View this editable packet . 

FREE 7 HABITS Behavior Beads- Forever FREE!

How do you display your necklaces? 

Last year I had the tags on little hooks grouped by tables. I had four tables so each hook had about 5 necklaces.

In the past, I have displayed them on a large cork board. Each necklace hangs from a thumbtack with the student’s number above the thumbtack.

Here is a CD cabinet without the selves. I used this my first year as a tag holder.

The possibilities are endless.  You can go all out or use something simple that works for you. I’d love to see pictures of your displays. Link up on Saturday Snapshots.

When do your students wear their necklaces?

Each day, students wear their chains if they choose.  At the end of the day when they go pack up their belongings..they hang their Behavior Beads back on the hooks!  The next morning when students come in they are able to put on their chains first thing in the morning. I don’t make them wear the necklaces daily. Some love to and others prefer to keep them on the hook.  I’ve seen some teachers just allow students to wear necklaces on Fridays or assemblies. Again it’s up to you.

When do they earn tags?

Two years ago I used a behavior clip chart in my classroom and every time a student ended on OUTSTANDING they earned a jewel for their clip.  Once they had 5 jewels, they earned a behavior bead/tag/badge. Last year I used class dojo. Once they had 25 points they earned a new tag. I had many different levels of tags. I also gave out tags for mastering math facts, sight words, good handwriting, displaying good character traits, and many others.  I’m excited to use my FREE 7 Habits this year.

WIG- Wildly IMPORTANT GOAL

How do you know whose necklace is whose?

I number at least one tag. It’s usually the first tag I give them. However, this year I will be making a custom tag with each child’s name on it. 

How do I implement them?

Simply print on cardstock, laminate and cut. I’ve made them very easy to cut. I used a paper cutter and it was so fast. I punch a hole using a small punch size found at Hobby Lobby ( $3.99)

Where do you store the extra tags?

You can buy a compartment storage container at Hobby Lobby or Michael’s. I love Tara’s picture.

Where did you find the chains?

You can find them at Etsy, Imagestuff, online and Hobby Lobby. I bought my chains at Hobby Lobby for $7.99. If you have coupon... it’s even cheaper.  

If you have any more questions about Behavior Beads/Badges please leave me a comment and I'll do my best to answer them.  I'm off to check out the other fun Monday Made Its.

Open House Freebie and GIVEAWAY

Our Open House is tonight. It seems as though we just started!!! We’ve had just enough time to complete some writing prompts, make a couple class books and get crafty. Open House can be a little hectic and chaotic unless you have a plan. This year I’m continuing my tradition of a little scavenger hunt around our classroom. I even lead the families to other important areas of our school. (Library, gym, art, music, and the lunchroom)

 One little task that I love having the parents complete is viewing the Welcome Back PowerPoint. I also email the powerpoint and link it our website for parents who were unable to attend. This Welcome Back PowerPoint makes it easier to relay my classroom expectations and procedures to the families. It presents parents with classroom expectations, grading policies, home connection, homework, special events, etc. I’m putting it on sale for $2 until Sunday if you’re in the market for a cute powerpoint.

I also love having little treats for the students and parents. Who doesn't love little gifts?

This year I’m really focusing on the student’s attitude and willingness to learn. I’ve been telling my students “You can’t be a smart cookie, with a crummy attitude.” I attached a chocolate chip cookie to this label. It’s a free download along with the apple poem.

free cookie label

free poem label

While at Open House, I make sure all parents are signed up for Remind 101. If you still haven’t checked out this awesome tool, I highly suggest it.The last station is an estimation jar. The families make an educated guess together.  The following day we count the items and I send home a prize to the family that was the closest.