Shark Week 2017

Hello!

I hope everyone is enjoying summer! It is super hot where I live, it was 108 today! In my small town everyone is obsessed with rocks, painting rocks, hiding rocks, and finding rocks! Using the awesome Shark Die Cut by the amazing Laura Kelly I decided to join in the fun!

Laura has many awesome dies and her Sea Life Collection is perfect for summer! With Shark Week coming soon on June 23rd, it is the perfect time to use the amazing shark die! I used it to create Rock Painting Kits.

I started by making a pouch using felt, glitter cardstock, googly eyes, and hot glue. I die cut two sharks and using glitter cardstock covered the hole from the month. I then glued the two pieces together using a hot glue gun. Lastly, I added a googly eye and it made this adorable shark pouch!

The kits are now ready to be hidden throughout my town for a kiddo to find and create! Each kit includes information regarding our local Rock Facebook Page, two paintbrushes, three different paint colors, and of course a rock!

 I just love the way they turned out! I also used clipart from the Shark Party Printable Collection by Laura!

I hope everyone has a great week!

I Spy Amazing Dies!

I am so excited to be part of the 2017 Laura Kelly Ellison Design Team. It is amazing what you can create with die cuts and I use them frequently in my classroom. When my package arrived I was so excited!

                                  

I received an Ellison SuperStar, Laura Kelly Pet Shop Flashcard set, and Laura Kelly Heart die cuts. I could not wait to start creating! March was almost here and I knew I would be using the dies soon for Read Across America, St. Patrick's Day, and spring! 

I volunteered to bring treats for my kiddos classes for Read Across America. Since I can not volunteer, due to teaching my own class, I love to donate! As a teacher I know it is so much easier when snacks are packaged and ready to hand out. I decided to use the fishbowl and fish flashcard die to create a The Cat In The Hat themed snack. I have always loved the fish in the story so he was my inspiration. I then used Swedish Fish, M&Ms, popcorn, adorable straws, and cups. 

Each student received their own fish puppet to take home!

My next project was to find a way to have a pinch free classroom for St. Patrick's Day. I already had students talking about what happens if you do not wear green! I sat down with my dies ready to create. I began looking at them and instantly spotted a Leprechaun hat that could be created by turning the mason jar flashcard die upside down. It worked perfect! I used Kunin Group felt which is amazing! It is so easy to cut and comes in gorgeous colors and patterns. I then used paint, glitter stickers, and ribbon to embellish. I just love these adorable Leprechaun hat necklaces. 

My last project is to use in April. My students just LOVE the I SPY books. They always look for them first when it is time to look at a book. The pages are perfect for my kindergartners! They contain sight words and pictures. You can order them from Scholastic. 

I decided to use the Laura Kelly Pet Shop Flashcards dies to create an Easter themed I SPY. I cut out the shapes using felt so they would be durable for students to use.  I used a large piece of Kunin patterned felt, Styrofoam eggs, small egg erasers, corkboard letters, and paper shreds to create a colorful Easter background. I then added the felt dies. 

Next I took a photo of the Easter scene for students to use and printed it. In pairs students will help each other find the shapes and complete the recording sheet. Students will draw a picture of the object when they find it and then use phonetic spelling to write the word. The students will then record all the letters they spied in the last box. They will use the felt shapes to know what they are searching for.

I created a simple recording sheet, feel free to download it below.

I SPY Recording Sheet Freebie

I use die cuts so much in my classroom! If you are interested in any of the dies used in this blog post please see the links below. Thank you Laura Kelly and Ellison for all the amazing supplies!

Ellison SuperStar Machine
Laura Kelly Pet Shop Flashcards

Popcorn Box Halloween Party 2016

It is that time of the year again, Popcorn Box Party time! This amazing creative collaboration is hosted every year by Laura Kelly. She is super creative and you must check her out! I would also like to say thank you to all the amazing sponsors! Thank you so much World Market for providing all the popcorn boxes! I love Halloween and all the amazing decorations and crafts that come with it, oh and the candy of course! This year I decided to use a vintage Halloween theme on my box, and glitter!

These are the items that were sent in the box!

I started to create right away! I started by applying black and orange glitter stripes to the whole box using Modge Podge.

I then started to embellish with many of the amazing items that were sent in the box! I just love the way it turned out!

This year Udderly Smooth also sent some amazing hand cream! If you have not tried their products you must, great for winter weather. We were tasked with creating a costume that was #udderlyspooky! I created Frankenstein and a super cute spider friend!

Please check out #popcornboxparty2016 for more amazing popcorn boxes by amazing bloggers. Below you will find a collage and links to check them all out! You also have a chance to win some amazing prizes, do not forget to enter! Thank you to all the amazing sponsors this year!

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Growth Mindset Book Study Chapter Five

I hope everyone is having a great summer! It is a time for teachers to relax, spend time with loved ones, and grow as an educator. I love having time to sit down with a great book, and this summer it is Mindset: The New Psychology of Success, by Carol S. Dweck. This week we will be discussing chapter five which is titled Business: Mindset and Leadership.

I know what you are thinking, why discuss this chapter, I am not a business major! However, when you think about our classrooms we really are like a little business. Our profit is knowledge, not money. Classrooms strive or fail based on their CEO, which is you the teacher. What makes a great classroom? Is it the Pinterest worthy classroom? Is it the teacher who can analyze DATA and keep track of grades? In my opinion it is a classroom that has a teacher who truly cares about the students. Students are at the center of their learning. It is about being a leader, not a boss.

Photo Source

Throughout chapter five they discuss the qualities of a great boss, and those who failed. Those who became leaders always had a growth mindset. The above photo says it all. The boss stands over everyone, giving demands. The leader joins in and leads. They sit down on the carpet with the students, shoot hoops at recess, and listen to their stories. Have you ever talked to a five year old? I just love all they have to say, it keeps me young! We are not only teaching our students the standards, but how to treat others. Have your students ever played teacher? Mine do, especially at calendar. As I watch them sometimes I think a little more positive reinforcement is needed. Some of them can be so bossy! All I can think is I really hope they do not see me like that. They are always watching us to see how we react to people and treat others. Make sure they see you as a leader.
 

 
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Next year will be my eighth year teaching kindergarten. In that time I have worked with many other teachers. Many of which were brand new teachers. I remember my first year and the teachers who helped me. I learned so much that year because of their kindness and knowledge. Everyone remembers their first day at a new school. I don't mean just students, I mean teachers too! New classroom, students, principal, and coworkers. Leadership does not stop in our classroom. I know we all have administrators, however, new teachers need us. Be a mentor they will never forget.
 
1. Introduce Yourself- I know you are busy, the first day is right around the corner! Walk into their room and say hi, ask if they need anything. They may not even know where the soda machine or adult restrooms are.
 
2. Invite- Invite them into your classroom to see your class setup. After all, their desks and tables are in a huge pile in the back of the classroom. Help them create a plan for their classroom.
 
3. Donate- All of those old teacher magazines and old borders you have can help them tremendously! They are starting with nothing and anything helps.
 
4. Contact- Share your contact info! Nothing is scarier than setting of the alarm at your new school and not knowing how to turn it off and reset it. I have received phone calls from new teachers to come help them with the alarm. Do not share your alarm code, only your phone number!
 
5. Teachers Pay Teachers- Introduce them to the amazing Teachers Pay Teachers website and help them set up an account. I am amazed at how many teachers have never heard of TPT!
 
 



I hope everyone is enjoying the book study! Thank you so much Abby and Greg for hosting. Make sure to visit their blogs!

Udderly Smooth in the Classroom

As a teacher I feel like I am constantly washing my hands. After I paint 24 hand turkeys, I wash, after a student hands me a used tissue, I wash, and after school, I wash. I am not a germaphobe and never have been, but lets be honest, you teach Kindergarten and you just want to wash your hands a little more. My hands can get so dry, especially during the winter. I always have lotion in my classroom and have found my new favorite, Udderly Smooth! This stuff is amazing! I was so excited when I received my box of goodies in the mail, and how cute is their packaging! The mug, cow, and hat are super cute! I also love Lollipics! 

Of course I had to try the lotion and I just love it! Great for any skin type. I knew the perfect place for it in my classroom, at my volunteer center for everyone to enjoy. Volunteers are so important in my classroom. You can read more about my shabby chic volunteer center here.

I found this adorable basket at Michaels, it says Thankful and is perfect for November. In the basket are some fall goodies, and different types of Udderly Smooth. I love the pump for the large container, it is a must have if you are going to share. I found the perfect tag created by Katie Knight at Teacher to the Core, you can get this adorable tag here. I printed one for the basket and one for each parent volunteer take home treat. They turned out perfect! Each one includes a bottled water, snack size M&Ms, and a sample size of Udderly Smooth. They will receive this if they take home a bag of materials to prep.

Udderly Smooth makes the perfect addition to any classroom! The best part is that you can pick it up at your local Walmart!

Please remember to enter to win some awesome goodies! Also check out #udderlysmoothclassroom for more great ideas.

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Popcorn Box Party 2015

I absolutely love Halloween! I am not sure why, maybe it is because sweaters and UGG boots will be my wardrobe soon! This year I participated in the Popcorn Box Party 2015 hosted by Laura Kelly. I received a box of goodies from amazing sponsors to work with. You can make whatever you want!
These are the goodies I received : ) 

Before it even came in the mail I knew what I was going to do, decoupage! I just love the look of it! I used tissue squares from Lakeshore and Modge Podge. I used Halloween colors and they turned out great.

I then went to our ERC center at our district that has a million Ellison die cuts. I folded down the box and cut a Halloween cat. If you only want to cut one side, I recommend sticking a thin piece of cardboard in the middle of the popcorn box so that it does not go through to the other side. It turned out amazing! I am so happy with it. I came home, popped some popcorn and activated the glow sticks. I put the popcorn in a clear bag and stuck a glow stick on each side. I then added some shredded black paper to the top and attached a witch made from ADORNit paper. I added the amazing Lollipic, they taste amazing by the way, and I was done. My awesome creative friend Veronica said it would make great a luminaire! I agree, I am going to get some battery operated candles to put in it. 

These would make an amazing gifts or party favors. Who doesn't like popcorn and glow sticks!

I would like to thank all the amazing sponsors of the Popcorn Box Party! Thank you Laura Kelly, Lollipics, World Market, Sizzix, Kunin Group, Scotch/3M, Adorn-It, Expressionery.Com, and Udderly Smooth!

Please remember to checkout the #popcornboxparty2015, awesome bloggers below, and to enter to win amazing prizes!

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Fun with Kunin Felt!

I love creating items for my classroom and students. I tend to use paper, fabric, and burlap. I have a new found favorite, felt! I remember when I was younger using felt boards to tell stories, I loved them. I recently received wonderful items from Kunin Felt and Laura Kelly Designs, both amazing so be sure to follow them. Thank you so much Chad at Male Kindergarten Teacher for thinking of me! I received a large box of goodies, it "felt" like Christmas! The felt is amazing and durable, it is 9" x 12" Craft Cuts Kunin Eco-fi Classicfelt™or Cut by the yard Kunin Eco-fiPlus™ Premiumfelt. It was easy to cut, and so easy to die cut in all different shapes.

I decided to make a few things for my classroom. I started by making this amazing wreath! I embellished the pre-cut felt shapes that were in the package, added a ribbon, and it turned out gorgeous! I will change the shapes monthly. I used a trim clothespin to hang the shape on.

I also wanted to create functional décor for my classroom. I love my calendar area, it has a stage! It is the perfect area for students to sit and complete group activities. Using die cuts, I cut out upper case and lower case letters. I then cut corresponding sound pieces. Students will first match upper and lower case letters and as the year goes on, the sound shapes.

  

I glittered the clothespins from World Market and used them to hang up the garland!

I love celebrating the holidays throughout the year. I often use them in my classroom management. I made adorable pumpkins to use in October. Two students a day will be chosen for exceptional behavior. The pumpkin will displayed above their desk with a bin full of themed goodies to use throughout the day. I will use the Santa hat the same way with our Elf on the Shelf in December.

Balloons are the perfect way to celebrate student birthdays! The balloons are interchangeable so I can display the students age. They will love having these hanging above their heads when it is their special day.

They all look so adorable hanging up in the classroom!

You can now find an expanded color line of Kunin Eco-fi Classicfelt™; Eco-fiPlus™ Premiumfelt and ShaggiChic  non-wovens fabrics in cut by the yard at your local Walmart please inquire as to what is

available in your area.

Please enter to win this wonderful prize package! Also be sure to check out how other amazing teachers and bloggers used felt in their classroom. Great ideas can also be found at #ClassroomsWithFelt

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Disclosure: Some of these products were samples provided to me to try. Opinions and the choice to use  are 100% my own! This post contains product links.