~~Guest Blogging~~

 I am so excited to be guest blogging for Stevi & Tamara @ 2 Crazy Texas Teachers.   I must admit that I am extremely a little nervous~~this is my first time!  If you haven't checked out their blog~~you must pop over and say hello.  They have some wonderful ideas!! 

 I don't know about you...but I thrive on organization in my classroom. I guess you can say I have a little OCD when it comes to my classroom. Having things in the right spot or knowing where I can find a certain something helps my students as well as myself throughout the day.

In my classroom, I have some must-have needs~~group baskets (see picture below), sharpies (and lots of them), and labels. I provide each group with a basket organizer for their supplies. They can put whatever necessary school item in the basket. Usually, the basket has glue sticks, pencils, markers, crayons, scissors, erasers, and sharpies. For the past several years, each student had their own personal basket. It worked out for a while until the basket became too full to hold what was needed. This year I decided that each group would have one basket. Along with the regular supplies, I will put a set of Story Sticks, multiplication/division flash cards, and bathroom passes (one boy/girl for each group). The sticks are used for retelling stories. I thought this would be a great brain break activity.

Check out how precious the baskets came out.  I just love the bright colors! You can grab a copy of the basket signs (HERE).

 

~~Writer's Eye~~

I started back in my classroom today.  I am so excited to share my Writer's Eye bulletin board with you.  I think it came out sooo cute!  I can't wait to share it with my students in August!!  I created my own posters, but stole borrowed the idea from Sailing Through 1st Grade.  The large pencil can be found at The Teacher Wife blog.  I have been waiting all summer to create my own board.  Hope you like it!!!

~~Manic Monday~~

Can you believe 2 posts in one week??!!  I am feeling crafty and wanted to share my creations with you.  I tried my hand at labels and name plates (again) and finally like what I see.  This PowerPoint thing is the BEST ever!!!!  I made some chevron (because it is the favorite so far) labels and name plates in green, purple, and pink.  I am linking up with Classroom Freebies: Manic Monday to share my product with you.  If you like them, please let me know.  I LOVE feedback and LOVE hearing your sweet words of encouragement!!!!

You can download your FREE copy (HERE from TpT).

~~Monday Made It~~

I am linking up with Tara @ 4th Grade Frolics for her wonderful Monday Made It Linky.  I have been so busy this summer that I only linked up twice with Tara.  Last summer, I made the linky party almost every week!! Thank goodness that this linky is ongoing~~I love it!!!!   Anyway, I tried (for the very first time ever) making my activities using PowerPoint.  Why have I been using Microsoft Word all these years??!!  I can't believe how easy it was. Let's just say...I changed my behavior clip chart again~~I only made about 5 before I decided to print!!! Check out my FINAL behavior clip chart below! We have a point system so that is why my chart has numbers.

I just fell in love with all of the banners out there.  I wanted to make one of my own for my students to complete on the first day. They will complete an "All About Me" banner.  I will hang them up in my classroom when they are complete.  I made 2 versions.  Please enjoy this freebie!!  Just click on the link above!!

I am going to be a Guest Blogger for the first time!!!!  Stevi & Tamara over @ 2 Crazy Texas Teachers needed some guest bloggers this summer.  I jumped at the chance to help out.  You can check out my post the week of July 29th!!!

~~New Design & Freebies~~

What do you think???  I am LOVIN' my new design!!!  Christi @ Design by Christi is soooo talented!  She created my new design.  Don't get me wrong, I adored my last blog design but it was missing something.  My classroom theme is Peace & Groovy so now I can have my blog match what I truly adore and love!!  To celebrate my new design, I created some freebies for you.  You can download your copy below!!  Happy Summer!!

Grab your free copy (HERE).

~~Goin' on a Blog Hunt~~

I am sure most of you already know that Google Reader went Bye Bye.  I personally did not use Google Reader so I can't say if I liked it or not.  But, I can say that I love Bloglovin'.  In the past week, I have gained over 100 new followers.  I just LOVE when I can open an email and see all of my favorite blogs in one place!  Who wouldn't love that!!   You can follow me on Bloglovin' by clicking the button at the top (it has a white and blue cross)! 

Please check out Corkboard Connections for more awesome, terrific blogs to follow using Bloglovin'.  I have spent hours and hours on my blog hunt already!!!! Click on the image below to link up and go on a Blog Hunt!