Parent Appreciation Gift

Do you have parent volunteers in your classroom?  

Some years I have had tons of parent volunteers and other years I have had none.  Let me tell you, parent volunteers make all the difference!  My volunteers do everything from copying, cutting, assembling, filing, sorting, working with students, and much more!  I could not have survived this school year without my amazing parent volunteers.  So, to show a little appreciation for all their hard work, I gave them this little gift.  


I put movie tickets, popcorn, and this note in a bag.  It was quick, easy, and they loved it!  You can grab your copy of the note here.  

How do you show your parent volunteers you appreciate them?
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3rd Grade Here I Come!

I am so thankful for the big Teachers Pay Teachers Sale!  I loaded up my cart with a bunch of materials to use in 3rd Grade next year.  I left a lot on my wish list, but purchased plenty of fun to start the year.  

Here's what I bought:

I'm still going to use Class Dojo next year, and thought these would be a nice addition.  


I found out today that I get to teach ART once a week just for fun!  No CCSS alignment, no craft to accompany their writing, just ART!  You better believe I snatched up this growing set of directed drawings to use throughout the year.  

I'll start the year off right with these fun centers!


A few fun packs more aligned to 3rd Grade math. 



I thought a biography would be a fun way to start off the year.  But we'll see!


You've got a few more hours left to take advantage of the sale!  
 

Check out my TpT Store here.
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Wrapping Up The Year - Birthdays!

I am linking up with our awesome collaborative blog, Hello Sunshine!
This month, we are sharing ideas to help wrap up the school year.  I'll be sharing another fun, end of the year idea on the Hello Sunshine blog tomorrow.  Be sure to check it out!  :)


I became a little too obsessed with the Elf on the Shelf at Christmas time.  As soon as I saw the birthday version, I bought it instantly and knew I HAD to figure out a way to use it in the classroom.  


And I did!
  

During the school year we celebrate individual birthdays minimally.  We sing to the child and they get to take home a small birthday gift from me.  They are allowed to bring treats to pass out during lunch.  In order to make each child feel special and enjoy their birthday, I like to have one big birthday party at the end of the year.  I bring cupcakes, we play games, and have a really fun time!  I'm super excited to involve the birthday edition of Elf on the Shelf this year.  My class LOVED having the Elf on the Shelf visit us during Christmas, and I know they’ll LOVE seeing him back at our birthday party. 

I also included a behavior management aspect.  To help manage the kiddos during the last month of school, they are going to need to earn the birthday party.  In the note the elf leaves, he explains that he will be watching their behavior each day and reporting to Santa.  If the class displayed appropriate behavior, he will leave them a green dot to put on the present.  If the class did not display appropriate behavior, he will leave them a red dot to put on the present.  The class needs to have 15 green dots on the present, in order for the elf to be allowed to come to the party.  


What's included in this packet?
-Directions for how to set it all up
-Invitations, Thank-You Notes, and Weekly Reflections 
-An Acceptance letter from the Elf
-A Classroom Management plan incorporating the Birthday Elf
-Blank Calendars for April, May, and June 2015
-My calendar for May filled out with elf antics
-Poems to accompany each day
-9 Birthday Party Game Ideas

Click here to check it out!

Now go link up with Hello Sunshine to share with us how you wrap up the year!
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Currently May

It's time for another round of Currently with Farley.  
I haven't joined in the fun for a while and am excited to be back in the game!  :)



Listening: It's Saturday morning, and that means laundry/cleaning!

Loving: I am in love with Arizona weather!  We just hit 100 this week and am eager to get to the pool this afternoon!

Thinking:  This has been a wild week full of changes!  I am so thrilled to announce that I am looping up to 3rd grade with my class next year!  I may have said some comments this year on how I love this class so much and want to go to 3rd with them.  I really didn't think that would happen, but it did!  I am THRILLED to spend another year with them.  They are the sweetest group of kiddos ever!  It doesn't get much better than this!  :)



Wanting:  I really need to slow down time.  I always rush through the end of the school year and don't take the time to really enjoy these last few weeks.  Although, now that I get to move up with them, I'm a little less sad.  I'm still trying to frantically get everything finished as soon as possible, so I can spend my last few weeks in 2nd enjoying our time together.

Needing:  That being said, I really need to get my grading finished this week  Luckily I enjoy grading a lot more when I can do it by the pool!  :)



Summer Yes:  Vegas!!!  I am beyond excited to go to the Teachers Pay Teachers Conference this summer.  I was so jealous of everyone who got to go last year.  I can't wait to meet and mingle with so many amazing bloggers/tpt sellers!

Summer Hope:  My life has really gotten out of control this year.  I focused WAY too much on school work, and let my diet, exercise, and personal life go by the wayside.  My goal this summer is to complete a Whole 30 and a Couch to 5K program.  #noexcuses

Summer Dream:  Every summer I plan on doing some serious organization but I never really get to it.  The pool just ends up sounding so much more appealing.  Ha, maybe this year!

Head on over to Farley's Blog to check out what everyone else is currently up to!  I love reading these blog posts!

Happy Saturday!
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