Thankful for Fall Break

So, we are off for a full, FABULOUS week of Fall Break, and I couldn’t be more thankful! This time around, though, the hubs and I have different Fall Breaks, so we are limited in what we can do. We chose this year to stay home and just rest. I can’t tell you how much I am adoring time with my little guy at home by my side. It’s such a peaceful time!

Of course, I never really take time away from dreaming, planning, scheming what’s coming up in the classroom. Gotta keep it fresh, ya know? Just before Fall Break, we learned that our grade level is getting Promethean Boards at the end of the month. I truly could not be more excited – but also a little nervous! You see, I’ve never used a Promethean Board before. I L-O-V-E technology, so I’m not too afraid, just ready to get started. I have so many questions!

Pinterest friends, you understand. This means a new Pinterest board, right? I’ve found some wonderful resources already. One of my sweet second grade friends shared ww.promethenplanet.com with me. When I explored it, I thought I’d hit the jackpot! Another resource that I was reminded of on Pinterest was www.starfall.com. Click the picture below for an awesome little Fall reader.

Has anyone else used Starfall on their interactive white board? What are some other resources you rely on? Any advice for a Promethean newbie?

Happy Fall, Ya’ll!

Kelie

Thrift Store Thursday

(Sneak peak of the finished product)

While scoping out Pinterest the other day, I found this awesome napkin wreath by Amy Locurto. I was immediately inspired!

When I saw it, I fell in L-O-V-E! I had to have it for my classroom.. but, of course, it had to have lots of primary colored polka dots!  It looked easy enough; grapevine wreath, ribbon, and cocktail napkins.

So, today, as I was out and about, I found this sad looking little grapevine wreath at my favorite thrift store for $2. Looks pitiful, huh?

It originally had fruit and flowers glued to it, but I took all the extras off.  I found these napkins at Target for $2 a pack (I bought 2 packs).

Once I got all the little goodies off the wreath, I opened up the napkins and started twisting them at the folded corner. They looked like this…

Then, I just stuffed the twisted ends down into the crevices of the wreath.

And I stuffed, and I stuffed… This was the end result…

Total spent for this little doozy – $6. As my kiddos say, “Easy peasy, lemon squeezy”!

Now, I’m wondering if it needs an initial in the middle? What do you think?

Kelie

Dusting off the blog– freebie alert!

Okay, ya’ll .. I can’t believe it’s been so long since I’ve blogged. This past school year was the year of “all new” and I must admit that blogging just fell off the priority list.

This last year, I looped up to 1st grade with my previous Kinders and it was an amazing experience! For me personally, it was learning a new grade level, a new teaching team, a new math curriculum, a new administration, a new evaluation system to learn and moving into the Common Core. Sound like fun?? It was definitely a challenge, but in the end it was a great year of learning and stretching myself to try new things. Anyone else have a year like that?

Even with all the changes, I have to admit that I caught the serious Pinterest bug! I just cannot stay off of it – there are just so many great ideas out there to try and to share. I’m pretty sure that the idea I’m going to share with you originated from Pinterest, although I’m not sure it’s original contributor. Either way, it’s a great idea and this is my spin on Word Work plates…

When I was walking the aisles of Walmart today looking for school supplies, I found these awesome divided plates for $1 each and I immediately thought Word Work! (I saw them in white, turquoise and green) I came home and whipped up some letter tiles – consonants are black and vowels are red. You could even add diagraphs and blend cards if you wanted to make it more interesting!

Students can build words using the tiles, just print on cardstock and laminate. If you think you can use this in your classroom, please feel free to click on the picture above to get your copy of the letter tiles.

I’d love to hear what you think! How will you use them in your classroom?
Kelie