Dramatic Play Center is going to ROCK this year!

I have to tell on myself. I haven't been real creative in my dramatic play center for like.....well, EVER. I've always kept it just like a kitchen setting. Sure, I've added books, a faux window, thematic posters, etc BUT I've always wanted to make awesome thematic tubs that I'd switch out every month. Well, I'm on my way! I finished the Kinder Cafe last week and today I've finished the Doctor's Office. These are so fun and I love that there's always some form of literacy involved. (Plus, it gives me an excuse to go to the thrift store often to look for props! lol) I have a whole list of thematic tubs that I'll continue making throughout the year, so make sure you follow my blog!

More Classroom Pics

I've been seeing teachers make flip books for their back-to-school parent hand-outs and I wanted to give it a try. It was really easy to make and I like the look of it. You can download the template by clicking on the picture. Just trade out my info. for yours! Keep the dotted lines, for that's where you'll need to cut your pages to construct your flip book.

A few more "wild" touches were added to my room too!

My Classroom Rules.... Whole Brain Teaching with a twist :)

I saw this on Pinterest and am wanting to give it a try. I'm hoping this will help the noise level during centers. For each time the level exceeds the acceptable level a letter is removed. If the letters get down to NO, then there is NO talking at all. I'm thinking I'll just have a few minute time out at our tables. I have gone back and forth about how I feel about this strategy. I'm gonna try it and my hopes are that they learn real fast what noise level is expected and it can be taken down within a few weeks. We'll see :)

Lastly, for tonight...my birthday box and balloons. All students get a present from the box on their birthday (Dollar stuff) and a crazy straw balloon. Last year I did the balloons on one of those BIG pixie stix. Yeah, I think my parents this year will appreciate the crazy straws much better! 

Daily Five Rotation Board

A question was asked on one of the Kindergarten groups I follow about students choosing where to go for their Daily Five center and how to maximize the learning time by making the selection time quicker. I had shared my Smart board file that I use to allow my students to choose and several have asked for a copy of it. So, here you go. I actually "clone" the page to make separate pages for each rotation that I do. These pages are all "linked" to a menu type page at the beginning. I don't imagine you will need all of that so I'll just give you an example of the page. You can easily unlock my images like the students' names and create your own.

Click on pic to download.

Freebie Friday!

Today's Freebie Friday will give you just a taste of a really fun AND educational dramatic play thematic bundle that I just created. Students will love entering the "Kinder Cafe" and sitting down to dine on some delicious literacy activities!...lol

This Kinder Cafe bundle includes:

* 6 Different Menus - Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, Dessert, Drink, and Snack
* 2 Different Order Cards - Students actually make their choices and places the food picture cards on the order card. (Velcro dots) These cards are even differentiated because one version also has a spot next to the picture card for the student to find the word card that matches. All cards and menus are color coded to help those students who need the extra guidance.
* An Open/Closed Sign
* Name Badges
* Guest Checks
* 12 Different Vocabulary Cards
* 37 Different Food Cards w/ corresponding Word Cards
* 2 Different styles of Store pennant Banners

Your Freebie today is 2 of the menus from the bundle! Click on the picture below to get yours!

Freebie Friday!

I love to be able to introduce a game on the Smart board as a whole group and then transfer that game to a pocket chart version for students to play independently in centers. I've created a game great for number, letter, and sight word recognition. "Where's Herman?" Enjoy!

Click on pic or HERE to get yours free!

Flash Freebie for 24 hours!

Do you need some thematic binder covers? These come with matching spine inserts and tub labels. Today is such a beautiful day that I decided to post them free for the next 24 hours. Enjoy!

Click on pic above to get yours!

Ultimate Homework Bundle!

I have good news for all of you have previously bought any of my monthly homework packets! All of the monthly packets have been updated to reflect the new 2014-2015 school year. You can go on TPT, click on "my purchases" and download the packets again for free :) If you are just now learning about these homework packets........where have you been?? Just joking....go check them out. This year I've provided an option to buy the whole 9 month bundle (110 pages!) for a MUCH cheaper price!

Freebie Friday!

My school has chosen a school-wide theme for next year and I'm "wild" about it!! lol I've never done an actually theme before (besides just color or pattern), so this is kind of fun. Well, let's see.... I need to make name plates for the kids, new rules posters, new cubby labels, a where are we board, a welcome banner........oh my I'm already out of ink and laminating pouches!! I better stop. I think for my Freebie Friday I'll share the Welcome Banner and Where are we? board. Enjoy!

Click the pic above or HERE to get yours FREE!

New School, New Classroom!

Well, it's official.......I'm changing schools!! Excited, nervous, panicked, thrilled - all of these emotions are floating around in this head of mine. I will be teaching with my husband now! YEAH!! He's a PE teacher there. (see his beautiful gym below) My new school was recently built just 2 years ago and is gorgeous! Check it out.

My classroom is about half the size of my old room, BUT is also gorgeous. Love the newness of it and my favorite color on the accent wall! I've slowly begun moving my stuff in and trying to make it all seem real. I'll have "classroom reveal" pictures soon, but here's a taste of how I've organized a few things.