When You're Cheap Like Me...

One of my all-time FAVORITE things to do this time of year is to see pictures of other classrooms!  There are so many awesome teachers I follow on blogs or on Instagram who share AMAZING rooms.  I want to be in them!

When scouring these pictures, I'm always looking for cheap ways to do practical things.  We all know we don't have an endless budget.  This year I needed storage for my iPad minis - and they have a large enough case on them.

I know some people use dish racks and some people use drawers (I have drawers for my Chromebooks) but I wanted something else.  While walking around the Dollar Tree the other night, I grabbed some napkin holders.   A $3 board and a handy husband and VOILA!

I do know my husband used screws with a washers and did something while drilling so it didn't crack the plastic.   This has room to add more and I know, for sure, it will fit my bigger cases (unlike the charging docks I've seen online)  

Back to School - Here We Go!

Welcome Back to School from Titletown!

What a wonderful blur it has been.  I really, really, really like my class this year!  I'm so spoiled every year with awesome kids!

As you all know, the back to school blur means falling asleep at 7:30, working through lunch, adjusting to standing again all day and in our case, back to the grind with the kids.

I am making it my goal this year to BLOG on a regular basis. I find SO much value in what others share on theirs, that if even a few people can find value in my rambling and sharing, then it's worth it!

So! Welcome Back!

How Can I Help My Child this Summer?

As a teacher, I get asked this question on a very regular basis!  I am also a mom who knows that summer is a much more relaxed time of year.  Bedtimes and routines might sail right out the window!   Although the normal school routine and schedule might have changed, there are still some things that can be incorporated daily!

READ!!!

The #1 thing you can do this summer is READ!  Read under a tree, read in a tent, read to a sibling, read a chapter book as a family, read maps, read signs, read, read, READ!  

Parents many time require minutes a day during the year but don't in the summer. Kids many times have MORE time to read for fun in the summer though!  

Visit your library and sign up for the summer reading program!  They have great incentives and fun reading for that. 

Math

Math is the next area I get asked about.  You don't have to go to the store and purchase workbooks (please don't).  Practice telling time with what your activities are.  Look for patterns in what you are doing.  Spending money on vacation?  Have the kids help count the change.    Practice math favts while driving in the car, or throwing the baseball around.   Those little snipbits of 5-10 minutes of getting math in are the best ways to do it!

Other Ideas

Summer just lends itself to science explorations.  Catch things - observe them- write about them! 

There are so many great nature centers and parks to open your child's world to a wealth of information.   

Keep a journal and practice just writing anything this summer!  One area that is not practiced a ton in any house is writing, and yet the skill is so valuable. 

Most of all PLAY, INTERACT, and EXPLORE with your child!  A child learns best while observing the world around them so embrace it! 

Happy Summer!

I hope you are all enjoying your summer vacation.  Our first week was spent with a little mini vacation to Madison.  We enjoyed the zoo, beach, terrace and just time as our little family.

I've also spent a lot of time just enjoying the little things at home - hanging clothes on the line, mowing the grass, building sandcastles in the sandbox and catching bugs on walks!  These moments I miss so dearly during the year.

Professionally, I haven't thought about next year yet.  I have spent A LOT of time with my Usborne book business. They announced DisneyWorld as the next trip to earn, so I have my sites set on that. The stakes are super high, so we'll see!

I also have a plan in place to blog on a consistent basis next school year as well as make, update, and enjoy making more TPT items as well.

As it stands, this will be my schedule for blogging next fall. I'm posting it now to stay accountable:

Must Have Monday ( a variety of tips for things you have to have in your classroom)
Tech on Tuesday (apps, projects, websites, failures, you name it)
Writing Wednesday (I love literacy and specifically teaching writing, which I didn't enjoy doing as a kid ironically! This day will showcase tips, mentor texts, projects and more)
Touchdown Thursdays (I am in Titletown anymore! These are touchdown moments that happened in our room that week)

Fridays and the weekends will be dependent!  Enjoy!

Blog is UPDATED

SO super excited tonight!  The long awaited update is complete!  I have been wanting a new blog look for so long but just haven't had the time or expertise to do it myself!  I am SO glad that Kristen Chalk & Apples Designs did it.  She did a wonderful job!

Now that I have a face-lift, I'll be blogging on a more regular basis!

And... in celebration... my TPT store will be 20% off this week!