Ch-ch-ch-ch-Changes

Well, since my last post I have been super busy with some changes going on. What changes you might ask? Well, this week is my last week at my school. I was offered a position as a Curriculum Coach for Kindergarten, First and Second Grade Teachers at another charter school within our charter school company in our area. I am very excited, but also super nervous for the change. This new position means that I will not be working with students all day, instead I will be working with teachers and in their classrooms throughout the day along with pulling students for intervention groups. On top of that, I will also be helping the teachers implement Common Core more in their classrooms and writing material. So this week, I have to pack up my room and haul all of my stuff to my new school. (Man, I feel like such a hoarder. I'm planning on giving several things away to the teachers at my school. This way I don't have to haul it all with me.) I will miss my kids deeply! : (

Besides this big change, this past weekend we went to Disney World. Originally, it was just a short trip to get away, but it turned into a celebration trip for me as well. We stayed at Animal Kingdom Lodge with a Savanna view room thanks to my parents who are Disney Vacation Club owners. (Sort of like a time share.) We watched giraffes, zebras, and other animals from our balcony. These are just a few of the animals we got to see.

Well, I am off to get ready for school. I will check back in with pictures later this week of my old room being packed up and my new room.

Columbus Day Flash Freebie

So, I am trying something new. I will be giving away my Columbus Day Making Words Freebie today until 11pm (Eastern time). Here's how it works:

1. You must follow my blog.
2. Email me at: carabrett04@yahoo.com with name that you use to follow my blog. (I will be checking to make sure that you are a follower.)

After you have done the above, I will email you the product tonight. See it's simple!

 

The activity includes a cover page, letter cards, making words mat, and worksheet.

 

Please come back and leave a comment about the product!

October Currently

This is my first time doing the Currently and I avery excited to participa te. I can't wait to learn more about everyone.

 

If you want to join, link up with Farley.

 

Smelly Scents and Dollar Section Finds

So, I have been asked many times by my colleagues about a little positive reinforcement that I do with my students. They often ask me one of the following: Why are you always carrying a chap stick around in your hand? Why are your kids smelling their hands like that? What is a smelly scent?

Well, it a little thing I started to do in my classroom a few years ago. I would often use stickers to reward my students and with my little ones I would often see them on my floor, in the hallway, on my tables, etc. throughout the day. My students especially LOVED the smelly stickers that I had, but those can get expensive. This got me to thinking about what I could use to replace the stickers, but also give them the smelly sensation that they liked. Hmmm...that's when I came across my idea in the Dollar Section at Target. I saw those chap sticks that come in the fun, funky flavors. That's where the idea emerged! I would use these as rewards. No, they don't use them on their lips. I simply take a chap stick and put a dot on the back of their hands. I LOVE it and so do my kids. It's easy for me to carry in my pocket when we are walking in the hall. I even allow them to pick their smelly scent. I don't have to worry about the stickers being all over my room. At first when teachers see my kids smelling their hands, I get the crazy looks, but once I explain it they laugh.

Here is a picture of my smelly scent collection:

 

Here are some of my students picking out their smelly scents:

 

 

Of course, you have to smell each one to see which one is the best!

 

 

Picking the right one is some serious business!

 

 

He finally found the one he wanted.

 

I also, wanted to share with you some of the things that I picked up in the Dollar Section tonight at Target. I LOVE that section! Don't you?

Here are three new smelly scents to be added to my collection.

I found these and thought I could make some sort of craft project with them.

 

 

Items for my prize box and treat bags for our Fall Party.

 

 

 

Some Fall decorations, a glittery leaf garland and glittery turkey garland.

 

Then, I came across these things that I could use for manipulatives, game pieces, etc.

(They are actually Table Scatter.)

 

Here are a close up of them:

 

Bats

 

Acorns

 

Leaves

 

They also had pumpkins, but only had one left and the box was opened and missing quite a lot of pieces.

 

I'm SUPER excited about my finds. Just thought I would share with you. Let me know what you think.