How To Keep Parent Volunteers Organized

Today I posted over on Hello Sunshine about how I keep parent volunteers organized in my classroom!  Parent Volunteers can literally save your classroom.  I have had years with no parent volunteers, and years with more than I could possibly find a use for.  It really just helps the classroom stay organized and run smoothly if you know how to utilize them properly.  Last year I had so many that I just didn't even know what to do, so I came up with these systems to help me keep me organized.  Click on the picture below to check it out!  

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First Day Fun with Play Dough!

Today I posted over on Hello Sunshine about one of my favorite first day activities!  This is a highly engaging activity that requires no teacher guidance - allowing time to collect and assemble supplies.  Click on the picture below to check it out!  

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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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Hello Sunshine Winner!

Thank you to everyone who participated in our first giveaway!  We are so excited to be starting this collaborative blog together.  Stay tuned for much more fun to come!  :)

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Hello Sunshine!

What happens when you combine beautiful weather and inspiring teachers?

An AMAZING, new, collaborative blog!

I'm beyond excited to be joining forces with 11 other fantastic teacher bloggers from here in sunny Arizona!  We are here to bring you ideas, inspiration, resources, and a little sunshine.  :)  

To kick off our new beginning, we are hosting a HUGE giveaway!  You will have the chance to win fabulous prizes from each of us, along with the HUGE prize at our Hello Sunshine blog!

Not only can you enter to win a $100 TpT Gift Card, but we are EACH giving away a $10 gift card to one of our favorite places and $10 to spend at our TpT Stores through a fun blog hop!  

Now on to MY giveaway.  

I love watching movies.  I love watching them in my sweatpants while lounging on my couch even more!  That's why I love RedBox.  I'm giving away a $10 Gift Card to RedBox and $10 to my TpT Store.  

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Click on the button to visit Hello Sunshine.  Then, be sure to hop on through all the blogs to enter the giveaways.  When you come to back me, you know you'll have hit them all.  

Have fun!  :)

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