These are a few of my favorite things....

Today was a day. We all have them. I've been out for a lot of meetings and we are struggling to keep our head above water with our current workload (the teachers, not the kids).  I love my class though so days when I'm drained before they even walk in the door is tough because it's not their fault.  If you are feeling this way too, I thought I'd share some of my favorite things this year if you need a little retail therapy as a pick me up!

(These are affiliate links through Amazon's affiliate program, FYI)


THESE PENS
These pens are literally the best thing since sliced bread. I think half the teachers in my building are obsessed with them. They've been chatted about at countless meetings.  I will convert anyone else I see using something else.

Paper Mate Inkjoy Gel Pens 

THIS BOOK

This book was my favorite before Nick Bruel mde it big with Bad Kitty. This is the only project, I can say I have used (on purpose) with every class I have ever taught. We read the book, the kids love it, and then we do a writing project (whole class book on it).  It's an awesome keepsake from every year! 

Who Is Melvin Bubble?

THESE POST-ITS

I'm piloting the workshop model so I should own stock in sticky notes this year.  These are an absolute lifesaver for my countless anchor charts!

There you have just a few of my favorite things from this school year so far! Enjoy! 

Star Jar

Today we launched our Star Jar! Anytime we get a class compliment, we get a star to add to our jar. I made the jar on my Cricut with vinyl and cut stars out of cardstock, laminated them and put magnets on the back. It sits in the corner of the whiteboard.

I wanted to do something like this for awhile because some kids think they have different expectations when they leave our room. So this way, we are celebrating when the standards stay the same.

Ready, Set, YEAR 12 is here!

Welcome back to school to all my teacher friends! It's hard to believe another summer has come and gone and we have another year in front of us!


I am vowing to put myself first this year which sounds a little funny because as moms and teachers, we typically put ourselves last. But you can't pour from an empty cup and I'm finally listening to that advice.

So this year, here are my resolutions for the school year!  New year (just school, not calendar) = New resolutions!

1. Walk more. Even after being on my feet all day.
2. Drink more.  Not alcohol, but water!
3.  Sleep more - we'll see if this one actually happens!
4.  Get more time for my hobbies - playing on my cricut, cooking, making TPT items, whatever it might be.
5. Read for pleasure (not just the UoS for school!)

Do you have any new school year resolutions???

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)