Back to School

Well, I have been back to school for almost 3 weeks now and I spent this last weekend, in between the hubby's birthday celebrations, finalizing some plans for starting out the year with my new kiddos.  They are quite the busy group so I am looking for more ways to keep them engaged!  I actually wrote this earlier this week and kept forgetting to take pictures so I had revise it to past tense!  I have been snooping around at all of you checking out your fab classroom ideas, and while mine isn't as creative as some of you, it seems to work for me.  I started my master's classes again Monday and I'm sure I'll be up to my eyeballs in craziness soon so there's no time to make big changes now.  I decided to link up with Courtney over at Swimming into Second for her Show Off Your Space link up.

Here is my little slice of education:

I started using the Warm Fuzzies and easy reward system from Mel D at Seusstastic Classroom Inspirations. I didn't realize that the paint cups had attached lids when I bought them, but they just remain open all of the time.  I got the Rainbow Chalkboard Calendar Numbers from Lindsay Hill (I use them as student Nicknumbers). I have to admit that the "shopping" last week wasn't as smooth as I would have liked and I will rethink the management of that one...it needs to be quick and easy.  I'm open to suggestions! 

We are using the Bucket Filler idea to encourage respect in our classroom.  I started this last year and have tweaked it a little this time around.  I made the "buckets" from paper cups from the party supply store and nylon cord that way they were light enough that I could hang them on the board.  I "censor" the little paper slips that the kids write and put them into the cups so they don't fall off due to kiddos tugging at them.  Besides, the board is too high for them to reach all of the cups.  Yes, I know the B-U-C are bold font!  I didn't notice until I had already put them up...the Cricut must have had a mind of its own that day!

 We did this fun Math About Me activity from Linda Kamp at Around the Kampfire during the first few days.  I really like the way they turned out.  It is telling, though, which kiddos are going to need a little extra assistance this year, isn't it!  The little paws have each child's name on them as a permanent display area.  I don't have a "theme" in my room, but this one is because our mascot is a leopard.  The cute pennant is also a beginning of the year activity.  Next time, I'll have them be more colorful!  I also made the pennant from Gina at Beach Sand and Lesson Plans that she shared as a FREEBIE on Owl-ways Be Inspired.

I also used Linda's Go For the Goal people and had them out on the desks for back to School Night this week to share with the parents.  Inside, the students wrote a goal for the year.  I plan to hang them up on the wall and revisit them at the end of the year to see how much we have grown!   I didn't take a picture, but they are super cute.  Here is Linda's photo:

If anyone wants to teach me how to link a photo, I'd love to learn!

 So, that's where we are so far!  Thank you to those ladies who share on TPT and on their Blogs for all of the wonderful ideas and inspiration. I have become passionate about teaching again (I was in a slump), thanks to all of you!