VistaPrint is Taking Over my Life!

Okay, so I need to get off the computer immediately after posting this, because I am quickly becoming addicted to VistaPrint!  I had to post my ideas for my readers. Feel free to copy any of these for yourself!

Here is what I made today:

I will send this home with kids when they are running low on school supplies. I ordered 1 notepad.

These are postcards, which I will use as exit slips. 

This is a stamp I had made.  

I can just stamp it into their daily behavior log in the note section so the parents know to make sure

homework comes back.  Kids who don't bring in homework miss recess until it's returned.

I ordered a set of these gift certificates.  I can hand them out for kids who have done something extra great.  I left the line blank, so I can fill it out with something, for example, "Enjoy a ride in Ms. Kaplan's Miata," or "Enjoy an extra 10 minutes of computer time." I can fill it out however I choose! 

 This is a punch card. When kids get five 100% math tests, they get to pick out an extra special treat!

This is the front of the postcards I will give out to the parents at Fall Parent Night.

This is the back of the postcard.  

As you can see, there are lots of ways for parents to help out in my room! 

Shopaholics Make Fantastic Teachers

I love shopping.  No, I am absolutely infatuated with shopping.  When I am not crafting, I am shopping.  The wonderful nameless one with whom I live, finds this my biggest character flaw (and certainly makes the joint checking account thing somewhat awkward.)

"Babycakes? I thought we had $250 more in the account last I checked."

"Oh, that... well, did you see my new J Crew jacket? It's super cute."

Well, the perfect remedy for those relationship-damaging kinds of conversations is to hit the back-to-school sales and the teacher supply stores instead of (or in addition to) the mall.  This alleviates the issue of the joint checking account, and issues of closet space, since I use my credit cards for school purchases and keep it away from the house.

I must admit, I'm one of those teachers that spends a lot on her classroom.  I want it to look just so, and I want the kids to have everything they need to learn! It's really important to have every tool available at my fingertips.  I mean, if I need yarn, and I need it now- I want to know I have it on hand.

My teacher-buddy and I went shopping yesterday afternoon.  Okay... morning, afternoon and evening.  We had a day-long shoppingpalooza.

We went to:
Target
Dollar Tree
Lakeshore
Wal-Mart
Barnes and Noble
Staples
Costco
Michael's

Here's my loot:

I'm going to use the magnetic white board (which is hidden under all that stuff) for a daily graph chart.  Each kid will have their own zombie magnet, which I plan on making by taking their photo on my iphone and using the zombify app to transform them.  It's also going to be the way we take attendance each day.  I also got Zombie Fluxx (a fun game) for a math center,  and a book of Zombie Haiku for some inspirational writing ideas.

More fun stuff!

I got tons of sets of stamps for word work and math centers, pocket charts, plus a couple of movies to watch for class rewards.

I spent $329.64.  I figure it takes money to make money, right?  I think I am pretty close to maxing out my Visa... if I do, it will be on to my Master Card.  I still have borders, bulletin board supplies, my calendar, and word wall to purchase things for.

Now, after a long day of shopping, how can you treat yourself? I chose to spend some time with my best boyfriends, Ben and Jerry!

Keeping the Little Buggers In Line

All great teachers know that a class won't run without a great management plan.  A lot of people have asked me what I do in my class, since it's always so well managed.  I will share with all the readers what I do- and of course, you're free to use my materials if you're interested!

1- All kids have a Z.O.M.B.I.E. binder.   ZOMBIE stands for Zealous Organization, Managing Behavior, Interactions Everyday.


Zealous Organization- This section of the binder is for homework, reading logs, and any important papers that go home to the parents, such as the lunch menu, the Eager Beaver (the school's monthly newsletter) or whatever else needs to go home each day.

Managing Behavior- This section of the binder is for our daily behavior logs.  I fill them out at the end of each day, simply marking an X on the category that applies to the child.

Daily Interactions-  I have a final section in the binder, where I keep a personal dialogue journal with the kids.  They write in it each morning, and I come around at the end of the day and read it with them.  I simply put a little smiley on it when I read it with them.  I will write more about that later in this post.

 You can download the cover of my Z.O.M.B.I.E Binder for yourself.

2- I have a Magnet Chart, which I have on one side of my white board.  Each child has a magnet with their number on it.  It is moved up and down throughout the day, depending on how they are doing following our classroom rules and expectations. It's a great system!  And, I created this cute one for this year that goes perfectly with our Zombie theme! Kids who are on "Hot Shit" at the end of the day, get to pick a treat from my grab bag.  I use the information on the magnet chart to record in their Daily Behavior Log.

As you can see, my daily behavior log allows for me to really let parents know where their kids are at in terms of behavior.  The parents and I have excellent conversations through this system.  They only need to sign the sheet if the behavior is Not So Hot or Totally Screwed.  The important thing is to also write notes when a child has a good day, not just a bad day!

3- Finally, I have interactions everyday. At the end of the day, I have a silent reading time.  During that time, I go around to each child's desk and read their Dialogue Journal. (They usually only write a few sentences.)  I get to each child and do a verbal check-in, a short conversation, or simply take a minute to talk to them about anything they want to tell me.  It's a great way to connect with your students! I get tons of hugs that way... it's the nicest part of my day!

Teachers Definitely Work in the Summer!

So, like many teachers, I am spending my summer thinking about what my classroom will be like next year. All of my grade level partners and I decided to do second grade themes that start with S.

Their themes are Second Grade Stars (Hollywood theme), Super Sleuths (Detective theme), and I am doing Strike Before they Rise. We're going full on Zombie Apocalypse this year! I was slightly worried it would be a little too graphic and violent for them, since some of them are barely seven- but really... they need to get over their fears of monsters and things that go bump in the night. The world is a fucked up place, and kids need to learn that eventually. And this will prepare them for the harsh reality that is this world we live in. Now, don't get me wrong. I don't actually believe in zombies- but they do represent despair, death, loneliness, isolation, and the demise of our society- which are things I believe in.

So, as the crafty teacher that I am, I am preparing my classroom for September. I am definitely one of those teachers who just can't wait to get started on her classroom! I am not allowed in until August 8th. However, that doesn't mean I'm not working. My craft room is prepped and full of things to make! I've already started, and things are really coming together!

This is my zombie pillow. I'm working on making at least 4-5 for my couch and reading area.

I've also made my bathroom passes, which you can download if you like!

My class motto is going to be "Use Your Brains.  If You Don't, the Zombies will!"  I made this poster, which will hang prominently above the board!  You can download it for your own use, if you're interested in using my theme.

I'm excited, as I think it will look really cute.  My theme colors will be lime green, pink, red, black and gray.

Also, since I am a big fan of the Daily 5, I ordered this sign for my reading area:

It's available from frightcatalog.com, and was only $11.99!!


As you can see, I am spending my summer like all good teachers! Planning, prepping, and getting ready for a great year in second grade.