Pencil Problem solved

I finally broke down and bought something for my pencils. I really wanted to get a straw dispenser but I just can't bring myself to pay $30 for one. I still haven't given up and will continue to look for one at Good Will and second hand stores but for now I found this. It was only $5 and I found it at Target. Here are where I got the labels if you are interested in making your own.

http://funforfirst.blogspot.com/2012/05/pencil-problems.html

New website!

It was such a beautiful day outside today. I enjoyed sitting outside all afternoon in my lawn chair listening to my kids play. I always have to be doing several things at once so as I watched my children enjoy the wonderful weather, I played on my computer developing my new classroom website. Check it out! These isn't a whole lot of information on it because school hasn't started but I am excited to update it as soon as it does.

http://mrsschmeckpeperskindergarten.weebly.com/index.html

Getting Ready!

Wow, it has been a while since I have posted anything. Sorry I have been gone for so long. It was a little crazy last year adjusting to having two kids and trying to stay creative along the way. I promise to do better this year:)

So let's start off by sharing some things I have been doing this summer.

First I have organized all my little readers. It was so hard last year to keep track of the books so I have made up a new system, I hope it works.

I have placed five little readers inside each bag. I have two sets so far, an easy level (green) and a harder level (yellow). You can see the colored labels at the top left hand corner, the label has all the book titles on it. I have also labeled the bags with a number and directions on what to do with them. 

This is what the white label says:

Little Readers

Please read these books with your child. After reading each book ask these comprehension questions:

What was the setting of the story?

Who were the characters?

What happened in the beginning, middle and end.

After reading all five books sign the signature page in your child’s B.E.E. folder. Be sure to sign next to the number matching your bag number. The bag should be kept in your child’s B.E.E. folder when not in use. Each Friday your child will exchange his or her bag.

I have made a little signature page to go in their B.E.E. folders. It has the number of the bag and all the book titles. After two signatures (10 books) the kids get to pick a treasure from my treasure box. I sure hope it works!

I also found a bunch of great buys at the Dollar Tree (one of my favorite school shopping stores).

I found these little pill containers. I was a little disappointed they didn't each have a lid but they still would work great to make mystery words using little letter beads. 

These cards came three to a pack. I plan on using them in my literacy centers. 

There are unlimited ideas for these cute die cut shapes. I'm not sure what I am going to do with them yet. 

These are great! Six for $1.00 and they worked great to make these cute birthday balloons. I got the idea from Once Upon a First Grade Adventure . Have fun creating your own!!!

Colored Glue

Use regular glue and put food coloring inside. What an great idea! I plan on using this in our art center and hopefully it helps my kids practice glue control.

Favorite Pins

Here a few pins I found that I am going to make into a fine motor skill center. They are great because all of the supplies I already have or easy to find for free.

 

Great Find!

Office Max has poly folders with three prongs for $.25! Limit six but if you ask nicely and tell them you are a teacher they let you buy 24. I'm so excited! I use them for our BEE folders. I don't have pictures but here are a few of my labels I use for my folder.

Front Labels 
(I got name tag labels from Target for $.98)

BEE Introduction

Inside Pocket Labels (shared by Mrs. Will's Kindergarten) 

Back in the classroom

School starts next week and this is what my room looked like a few days ago. What a mess!

Days later it is ready for kids.    

Look at my awesome curtains my Mom made me.
 Don't they look great, I love having a crafty Mom and Dad:) 

I'm excited to show a few of my summer projects. These are all things I found on Pinterest. 

I got my bolts from Lowes for $5 and the sticker letters from Hobby Lobby for about a $1.50. 

There are push lights I am going to use for BME sounds. I got them at the Dollar Tree.

I loved this idea, I got the rocks at the Dollar Tree and the sticker from Target. 

 Mr. and Mrs. Munchy 

This is my new behavior plan that I am going to try this year. I modified a plan made by Brittney Male. 

Here is an explanation of my plan.

All students begin the day on Ready To Learn.
 If a student is caught making good choices (following the rules, being helpful, etc.) they move their clip up the chart.

If a student is caught making incorrect choices (breaking rules, being hurtful, etc.) they move their clip down the chart.

Students that move their clip to Think About It will have five minutes in our Think Chair.

Students that move their clip to Teachers Choice will lose five minutes of Free Center time or Recess.

Students that move their clip to Parent Contact will visit with the Principal and parents will be contacted.

Students can move back up the chart if they make positive changes in class.

Students that finish their day on Outstanding, Great Job, or Good Day will receive a sticker for their daily calendar, kept in their B.E.E. folder.  After five stickers the students get to choose a treasure from the treasure box.

Students that finish their day on any other color will stamp their calendar with that color.