My Back-to-School Must Haves

 

The Teacher Factory is hosting a FUN linky party on the top 5 resources you couldn't live without in the classroom. Click on the link above to become part of it.  I have had way too much fun hopping around this linky party to see what everyone considers a must have.  I think it's only fair that I join in! 

#1  Stikki Clips. 
I use them for various reasons throughout the year. They work great on a bulletin board for student work! 

 

#2  Command Hooks

Do I really need an explanation?  The possibilities are ENDLESS!!!

 

 

#3 A New Lunchbox

I get a new one EVERY year for obvious reaons.  I think I get just as excited about finding a new one for the new school year as our kiddos do.  Last year, I had one a 31 lunch bag given to me and I LOVED it so I'll probably be looking for a new one this year!

#4 Colored Ink Cartridges

I use a colored printer that came with the computer I bought after graduating college (11 years ago) and it works better than any of the 3 fancy ones I have bought for home use....it amazes me! I usually only have to buy 2 colored cartridges a year....crazy right???

 

#5 Plastic Sleeve Protectors

I use these to organize my kid's BEE binders (daily organizational binder). I also use them to turn any worksheet into a reusable dry-erase sheet...perfect for centers!

  

 

Wow....now I am really motivated about shopping on this tax free weekend!  I even have a baby sitter lined up so I can join my girlfriend for a fun day of shopping for school supplies, clothes, shoes, and of course we HAVE to enjoy a great lunch out.  I can't wait!

First Day Jitters Blog Hop and TWO $25 Giveaways!

I am joining the blog hop going on at Fierce in Fourth!  Moving to a new grade level and a new school was apparently exactly what the doctor ordered because I have spent more time thinking and planning things for the school year this summer than ever before (with the exception of my very first year of teaching!)  I am also more excited about teaching than I have been in a very long time which is saying a lot because I have always loved my job and will miss my firsties in a big way! So I have a lot to be jittery about but here are my top 3:

1. Whole Brain Teaching.  I don't know any other teacher in my county who uses this (although I am sure there has to be at least one person).  I am so nervous that everyone in my school will think I am a nut and that I will quickly earn the reputation for being the annoying and overly-excited new girl.

2. Who am I going to sit by at lunch on the first day of school?  Yep, not much changes from the time you're a kiddo...what if the teacher table is full by the time I get there and I have to sit all by myself?

3. Crying kids and moms.  I haven't had to deal with that in a long time.  What am I going to do?  

So many more but I'll stop here:)  I am just so glad to have all you fellow bloggers for support, it's like the biggest and best collaborative team EVER!!!  Click on the image above to join this blog hop!


I am also headed over to this awesome teaching blog:

  

to join in on her $25 itunes giftcard giveaway.  I would be so excited to win!


But wait...there's ANOTHER amazing giveaway at
for an awesome and super exciting $25 dollar giveaway for TPT!!! I was so happy to find this blog, not just because she is having this great giveaway but also because she has some of the the cutest things that will go great with my monkey theme!

I probably won't win either of these because I have the most horrible track record with raffle-related prizes but hey...it's worth a shot right???  Keeping my fingers crossed:)

A Linky Party- Favorite Classroom Songs

So I have decided that I want to use this blog as a virtual time for hallway chat.  Do you know what I mean when I say hallway chat?  I am talking about all the invaluable discussions and collaboration that happens in between classes, during transitions, before school, and after school when you meet up with colleagues in the hallway for that unplanned and informal collaboration time.  In fact, as I was taking a shower about two days ago (this is where some of my best ideas come to me...lol), I thought about changing the name of my blog to "Hallway Chat" but then decided that was entirely too much work and would require more time than I was willing to give!  But I think it would be a fabulous name for a teaching blog since really that is exactly what we are all doing here.  We have created the largest and busiest hallway, full of excited, talented, and creative teachers who LOVE to share.

So, today I am stepping out in the hall to ask: What songs do you use in your classroom on a regular basis?  I am particularly interested in good morning and transition songs.  I started thinking about this yesterday during my daily (or weekly...but who's counting?) run.  I heard an awesome song by Mandisa called "Good Morning".  I can just picture my little kinders starting the day by dancing to this song after or during our morning meeting...of course we would probably only do a portion of the song since it's kinda long but serioulsy, don't you think this would be a great start to the day?  I think the kiddos would especially enjoy the part featuring TobyMac rapping!

So anyway, the best way to have a virtual hallway chat is with a linky party!  So let's do it! Be sure to use this image at the top of your post to create a link back here so others can join in:  

This party is linked up to the Teaching Blog Addict's Ultimate Linky Party!

First Day of Kindergarten Linky Party

Okay, all you marvelous Kindergarten teachers out there; I am calling on you for help!  I still have a whole month before school starts (and most of that will be spent setting up my new classroom) but I can't stop wondering about those first few weeks of K, especially the very first day.  So If you have a post on your blog about your first day of kindergarten plans then this party is for you!  If you don't have a post yet, take the time to write it all down and share with the rest of us.  I can't wait to read all of your fantastic ideas!

I know it is most common for the creator of a linky party to post her own thoughts and ideas but I haven't taught K for YEARS so I honestly have no idea what my plans will look like for the first few days!  That's why I am creating this party.  I have also linked up with the Teaching Blog Addict's Ultimate Linky Party. Be sure to copy the image above at the top of your post and link it back to this post so others can join in.  Let's see how many link-ups we can get!

 
I'm joining up with another linky party! Grade 3 is the Place for Me is hosting a linky party for new bloggers! All you have to do when you link up is to answer the following questions:

1. what state you are in
2. your current teaching position
3. your teaching experience
4. when you started blogging
5. share a blogging tip / blogging resource

Here are my answers: 
1. North Carolina
2. Kindergarten
3. This will be eleventh year of teaching. I have taught in four different schools and have been fortunate to have had the opportunity to teach all grades K-3!
4. I started blogging two weeks ago and added this blog hop on July 22, 2012
5. Blog Hopping is the best way to learn! There are so many blogs with tips and pointers. Many blogs will even have tabs at the top for "techy things".