What I'm Loving Wednesday

I'm linking up with Covered in Glitter and Glue for her weekly What I'm Loving Wednesday Linky.  Here's what I'm loving today: 

 

1. Fresh peaches! 

 

2.  My dog Samee 

 

 

3.  Getting my classroom set up

 

1.  I love fresh peaches, so I'm loving that we went to a local orchard yesterday and got some delicious peaches!

2.  My dog Samee is super spoiled and loves summer almost as much as I do.  He's been loving chasing the chipmunk and rabbits in the yard.

3.  I worked in my classroom today and moved furniture around.  It's always fun to try new furniture arrangements.  Even though I'm not ready for summer to end, it is exciting to get set up for a new school year. 

*Bonus*  My bonus What I'm Loving Wednesday is that my fella, who works on the other side of the state during the week, had a meeting nearby today and stopped by to spend the evening with me.  How can I not be loving seeing him and having pizza from our favorite pizza joint?! :)

Happy Wednesday!
Beth

Favorite Pins Friday

 

I'm linking up again with Cara Carrol from The First Grade Parade for Favorite Pins Friday!  Here is how it works:  Post your favorite pins and be sure to link them back to the original post (not your Pinterest board).  The pins can be about anything, not just school related.  Here are some of my favorites.

First things first, I love food!  So, I'm probably a little too excited about these next two pins! 

These ham and cheese sandwiches are AMAZING!  If you've never tried them, you should...like ASAP. The recipe is from The Girl Who Ate Everything.  I've had them at several parties but never made them, so I was super excited when I found the recipe.

 

 

This link to My Happy Place has a whole list of her blog posts with single serving desserts and a few breakfast ideas.  She has tons and they all look delicious!  I tried one over the weekend and it did not disappoint. 

One of my friends pinned this All About Me banner from The Art of Teaching's TPT store and I love it!  I think it would look super cute on a bulletin board.  Best of all--it's free!

 

 

I love this idea from Blossom Bunkhouse.  At the beginning of the school year you have each student write their name on your initial and then hang it up in your classroom. 

 

 

And, last but not least, I must admit that I may have some OCD tendencies.  I sometimes get a little too excited about cleaning and organizing.  I pinned this shower cleaning idea from Commona-my House last week and my shower is cleaner than it's ever been!  I may have problems, because since making this little mixture up, I can't wait to wipe the shower down as soon as I hop in it.  Best of all, with the handle on the sponge, I don't get my hands dirty and it's not a big deal if some Dawn and vinegar get on me or my loofah.  I told you, I may have problems. 

 

Thanks for stopping by!

 

Back to School...

How can it already be the middle of July?!  Didn't summer vacation just start?  I guess it's time to face the music and start getting ready for the new school year.  I plan on working on getting my classroom set up here and there over the next few weeks.  I've been surfing Pinterest for fun and new décor ideas as well as organization strategies.  Here are some of the things I'm wanting to try this year:

This idea is from What Happens in First Grade.  She started attaching nametags to cubbies with Velcro so that they can easily be changed, if needed.  I'm excited to try this instead of taping each nametag down!

This form is from Amy Ross' Teachers Pay Teachers store and best of all...it's free!  I've downloaded it and plan on sending it home on the first day. 

 

 

This idea is from Tunstall's Teaching Tidbits.  She's created signs that lead families through Meet the Teacher Night.  What a great idea!  I love that she numbered the stations and at the end she had a goodie for the parents and students to take.  I'm definitely doing this!  I always worry that I've forgotten to tell parents something important and with this system I know they'll all get the same information.

 

What great back to school tips do you have?

 

Thanks for stopping by!

 

All About Me Theme

I've started thinking about what themes I'd like to start the year with.  Last year I did an All About Me Theme that was so much fun.  We worked on an All About Me craftivity in class that included things like their favorite color, food, and play area.  We gave them choices and had them glue the pictures into the corresponding box.  Another activity was part of their homework.  They had an All About Me information page that they filled out with their parents.  We also sent home a gallon sized Ziploc bag with a letter asking parents to fill the bag and send it back to school.  The note asked them to include a picture of their family, their favorite book, their favorite toy, and their favorite snack (enough to share with the class).  Each day we would choose a few students and have them share what was in their bag.  I was amazed that by the end of the week every student had something to share.  Since the activities were such a hit and a great way to get to know each other I think we'll do something similar this year.  I teach preschool, which means I have some students for 2-3 years so I don't like to repeat the exact same activity every year.  And, who are we kidding, I get bored doing the same thing every year!  Here are a few pictures of the All About Me activities from last year.

 

What fun All About Me ideas do you have?



 

 

Favorite Science Pins Linky Parties

 

I am super excited for my first linky!  And, with the help of my awesome friend, I'm getting a little crazy and participating in not one, but two linkies.  I've been surfing Pinterest for some new science experiments to try with my little ones next year.  We've made Oobleck {corn starch and warm water} several times and it's always been a big hit, so when I found the following pin I knew I wanted to try it right away. 

 



Fluffy Stuff from Play Create Explore

 

Fluffy Stuff is corn starch and shaving cream and according to the website, is soft but moldable.  They made theirs into "snowballs."  I'm thinking this might be a great activity for the first week of school! 

 

This is another pin I've looked at lots of times but never tried.  So, if I blog that I'm going to try it this year, I'll have to follow through...right?!  :)

 

The Metapicture

 

If this turns out the way they promise, it may become our go-to "slime!"

 

Thanks for stopping by!

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