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!

The Amazing Mrs. Meacham

I wanted to take the time to make sure you have been as lucky as I have been to discover Mrs. Meacham!  I actually ran across Mrs. Meacham's website YEARS ago...way before the wonderful world of blogging.  I am not real sure why she hasn't joined in as a "newbie blogger" but perhaps it's because she already has a phenomenal website, facebook, pinterest, twitter, etc...

She has been bookmarked as one of my favorites for a long time for a variety of reasons.  She is just loaded with amazing ideas, all of which are incredibly organized, and are you ready for the best part?  She shares it all for free!!!

Among the many things I have "taken" from her website is her idea for the daily organizational binders.  She refers to them as BEE books, because it serves as an acronym for Bring Everything Everyday.  You've got to go check it out!  I know you will be as thrilled as I was, and then you will probably spend hours scoping out and downloading all the other wonderful things she has.

This is the page that can be placed close to the front of the BEE binder as an explanation to parents.  Mrs. Meacham has it as a link on her website, you can download it as a word document, change it so it works for you and save it.  This is my copy, after I made some changes to the font and what I wanted to include.  You can click on the image to download a copy or just hop on over to Mrs. Meacham's Classroom Snapshots and get her original.

In these pics she uses a folder but I like to use a three-ring binder because the little kiddos can be easily trained to take out and insert things throughout the year! I also use a plastic sleeve protector in the front rather than a pencil holder.  I leave many of the things out of the BEE binders but use quite a bit of what she has.

 

 See all these pages?  She gives you a copy of each one for you to use and edit as you wish.  AMAZING!!!:) Thank you Mrs. Meacham for being so willing to share and for making such an impact in my own classroom:)

She even has her own youtube channel.  This is one of my favorite videos on her channel!

 

She also has an entire page full of amazing mini-offices you can download and create for your own classroom:

 

And last but certainly not least, I follow her pins on pinterest and let me tell you, I might as well not even worry about pinning anything for myself.  I just go to her boards and find just about anything I need!:)

So Jessica, if you happen to read this post...don't worry I'm not a stalker!  Well at least not in the scary way, just in the -teacher anxious for fabulous ideas-way:)