~~~Pets in the Classroom Grant~~~

I couldn't wait to see my students' faces as they entered the classroom today.  My classroom has a new friend~~~our pet hamster!  The students were so excited and jittery as they walked into the classroom and saw the brightly colored hamster cage on the table.  I applied for a classroom pet through Pets in the Classroom Grant and was awarded a hamster. There are 6 grant types: 1) Rebate Grant   2) Sustaining Grant   3) Petco Grant    4) Petsmart Grant  5) Pet Supermarket Grant  and  6) Glofish Grant.  I applied for the Petco Grant.  It was so easy and simple to apply.  I filled out the application online, told them about myself, my students, and classroom.  Within 2 weeks, I received a coupon for a free hamster cage and 50% off  a hamster.  The total for my hamster and cage came to $11.  The best part of it all~~you can re-apply every fall for a pet in the classroom.  My daughter has had several hamsters over the last 5 years so I was very familiar with raising a small animal such as a hamster.  However, I never had a live animal in my classroom.    I can't wait to see what adventures this tiny, cute, adorable hamster has in store for my classroom!!!! 

Please check out Pets in the Classroom and apply for your very own classroom pet!!! 

 

Click (HERE) to find out more!!!!

 

 

 

Here is our "Free" cage!!!

Here is our cute, new, fluffy friend!!! Isn't he adorable?!




 

 

 

~~Winner, Yahoo!~~

A HUGE thank you to everyone who entered my giveaway!!  I am well over 100,000 page views!!!  I am overwhelmed with excitement and joy.  I never dreamed that my little blog would be a hit.  Drum roll please~~~~the winner of a $20 Target gift card is......Aimee @ Pencils, Books, and Dirty Looks .







In other news:
I want to give a shout out to my two AWESOME and BEAUTIFUL room moms~~~Anne & Kristi!!!  They are helping out so much in my classroom.  They are in charge of my weekly "Behavior Parties" every Friday.  At our first party, the students were treated to ice cream S'mores!!  Talk about Yummy and Good!!!!  Students earn their way to the party each Friday.  Any student who moves his/her clip to the behavior chart does not participate in the party.  In my 18 years of teaching, I have never done this before.  This year's class is challenging and need some motivation to behave each day.  I can't say that every student has been to the party; however, out of 22, 18 students have been to the parties.  My goal this year is to have all 22 students at the "Behavior Party" every Friday!!!  I am just about there!!!  I am still looking for ways to help those who are still misbehaving and having trouble listening.  Don't worry~~~Pinterest & Blog stalking have been a must these past few weeks!! 

~~Hurricane & Giveaway~~

What a week!!!  I am going to place blame with Hurricane Isaac for my absence of posting.  Monday, August 27th was my first day without power, and Friday, August 31st was my last day without power.  That's right~~5 days of no lights, AC, Internet, telephone (except cell), and television.  School was closed from Tuesday, 8/28 to Tuesday, 9/3.  Not only were my students in rare form after returning from an "unplanned" vacation (did I mention they are still in vacation mode after 3 days back), but I am now dealing with a damaged house in St. Bernard Parish.  I am originally from St. Bernard and moved to Hammond after Hurricane Katrina.  I lost everything in 2005~~house, car, and dream teaching job.  My brother rebuilt my house and now lives there with my nephew.  I feel that 2005 is coming back to haunt me again with the numerous phone calls to insurance companies and appointments with adjusters.  All in all, everyone in my family is safe and healthy.  God is definitely good to us.  Material things are repairable and can be fixed.

I am thankful for all of my wonderful readers here in blog-land!  I have 188 followers and my blog has been viewed 100,000 times!!!  I think a giveaway is in order to show my appreciation to everyone who follows me and takes the time to read my posts.

The following pictures show what  I worked on during Hurricane Isaac!!!  Let's just say..my hand hurts!!!

 



You are looking at yards and yards of laminating to cut out!!!  I did, in fact, cut everything out before returning to school.  My centers are very happy right now!!!

Please check out what my daughter worked on while the lights were out during the hurricane.

This is me!!

 

These are her clay creations.  Aren't they precious!!!!

 

Now, are you ready for a giveaway??!!  I am giving away a $20 Target Gift Card!  I have not created any products since school started~~but who doesn't love Target!!  I might even get my daughter to throw in some of her creations!!!

 

Thank you for your continued support!!!!! Good Luck to All!!

 

http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/466e3d2/