Calling All Open Court Teaching Geniuses!!!

My school uses Open Court 2002 as our reading program. I've been teaching from this series for the past three years, but I must admit I haven't really made it my own or perfected my style to teach it to the BEST of my ability. That's why I'm sending out this ALL CALL to seek advice from my fellow teachers. I know that you guys are great at all things teacher related. So if you teach Open Court and have made centers, came up with a better system or just know a trick you are willing to share PLEASE stop by here and share your knowledge.

Postcard Exchange 2011-2012 School Year

Do you want to participate in a postcard exchange?

A postcard exchange is where 50 teachers (one from each of our great states) agrees to have their students write and mail the postcards out to the other participants.

You will need 50 postcards. Mail out 49 postcards, keep one for yourself. You will need to purchase postcards and stamps.


This exchange is open to all teachers who have a blog, website, wiki or any other means to share postcard exchange updates, pictures, etc... Don't worry if you don't have a blog yet. Kristen from Ladybug Teacher Files has done some wonderful tutorials on how to get a classroom blog started very quickly. This can be your opportunity to start one! All participants should be able to share in some form and a blog is super easy!


The exchange will be open on a first come, first serve basis. All participants should mail out their postcards by the end of October. The deadline is set to allow time for correspondence between participants throughout the upcoming school year. Look HERE to see if your state is available.

 All participants should include an introduction to their classroom and a fact about their state. Please also include a line "want to learn more about ____________, just Skype us at _________" OR "want to learn more about __________, just contact us at ___________."

If you would like to join the exchange email  Mechele at
mechele.barrow@gmail.com.

Please include in the email your name, state and blog. She will then send you a conformation email. If a reply isn't made within several days, I will select the next person available.

Tuesdays Treasures- Back to school finds

Today I woke up super early because I wanted to accomplish a ton of things. These things included going to the bank, a local teachers store (because I had a groupon I needed to use before it expired), target and to my classroom to drop off all my goodies! I'm happy to say that I accomplished all of these things and I'm very proud of myself :-) I didn't come here for that personal pat on the back though, I came to give your guys a heads up on all of my wonderful finds!

At the teachers store I had a $20.00 groupon so I was determined not to spend more than that. You know my theme this year is polka dots and this store was the right place for me!



I think I'll decorate my desk or door with these

Then I made my way down the street to a teacher home away from home, Target! I am so glad that I made the trip because they had just begin to put out school items in the dollar section. Whenever I go to Target I tell myself I can only spend $20.00 in the dollar section. Today that did NOT work out very well. I spent a little over $50.00 but everything I got was well worth it!

The pointers I've been looking for!

Mini dry erase markers, Seuss Week bookmarks and playing cards for my math center

Just because it's polka dot tote



This is NOT something I bought! I just snapped a picture for all of you beached themed teachers. These are really cool, it's a surf board and flower cork board. Only $2.50



 

File folders that had little dots. Love them!



These are on sale for .20 cents!!! I use so many glue sticks during the school year, so i stocked up pretty good today. 80 glue sticks for $8.00!!!!

D.O.T Binder (Daily Organization Tool)

Last year I used the B.E.A.R (Bring Everything Always Ready) Binder. My parnets loved it! My students were able to keep their things organized and it really just made my life easier. Since I'm using them again this year I knew I could no longer use the B.E.A.R. My theme is Polka Dots so I'll be using a D.O.T Binder (Daily Orginzation Tool). Below you will find some of the things I plan on including in the DOT. There will be a cover page, On The SPOT Words (sight words) and How to take care of your binder. Once I figure out what else I want to include I'll update this link for you. The link is going to send you to my TPT site, please be sure to rate.

(Click on the picture to download)

Polka DOTS Everywhere!

I've been debating a theme for this upcoming school year, even made a linky party to see what you guys have done. Well, I've decided on a polka dot theme for my classroom. I'm SUPER excited, because this is the first year I've ever done a theme. I went shopping today and I found so much stuff. I've taken so pictures so you can see all of my wonderful FINDS!!!

 

(These letters came from Lakeshore Learning Center! They were on the SALE rake. Who doesn't LOVE 15% off)

 (Don't you just love the little buckets and clip board? They came from Target's Dollar Section. The boarder was $2.50)

(This sign doesn't match my theme but I couldn't leave it in the store. Funny HUH??? I can't wait to hang it in my class)

Classrom Theme Linky Party

Classroom Theme...Hmm...This will be something NEW to me! I've NEVER had a theme in my classroom. I've always thought it would be to much extra work AND money to properly use a theme for my classroom throughout the whole year. But here I am stalking teacher blog world and EVERYONE is using a theme. Now I feel like "if all yall can do it, I know I can too!" But I don't have a CLUE about where to start, so I'm going to start a little linky party where you can link all of your wonderful ideas and pictures. I'm sure with your help I'm be able to pick a theme that is doable for my first theme classroom.

Sidenote: I'm totally thinking about doing a dot theme! Let me know what you think.

Linky Post HELP!!!!

I have a blog I need to post BUT I can't figure out how to link the linky to the post! Someone PLEASE help me out... Your input would be great!!!