I'm Back...and an Award!

Wow - it's been a LONG time since I've posted!  Blogging has been on my to-do list for the past several weeks, but with school starting I have been busy and exhausted!  I have barely even had time to look at my favorite blogs, let alone post on my own!

Thankfully, we seem to be settling into somewhat of a routine now.  Getting up and out the door is getting a *little* easier (although mornings will never be my favorite time of day!).  My firsties are starting to get the hang of our procedures and are also settling into a routine.  We're working hard on the Daily 5, and we are loving our new SMART board!  I have never had students so engaged in math and calendar as I do when I am using the SMART board.

We have already had our first celebration in our classroom as well!  At Madison, the whole first grade celebrates Hershey Day - YUM!  On Milton Hershey's birthday (September 13), we learn about chocolate, measure and weigh with chocolate, make Hershey Kiss headbands, and even taste and graph our favorite chocolate!  It's so much fun, and the students just love it.  My Hershey resources are on my school computer, but if you are interested I will post some of the fun things we do!  Any excuse to eat chocolate AND learn works for me :)

Finally, I was surprised and honored to find that in my absence, I had received an award!  Mrs. D over at The Silver Lining awarded me with the Versatile Blogger Award!  Thank you so much!

My first award!  Woo hoo!

On to the rules of the award:

1 - Thank the person who gave you the award and link back to them in your post.

Thank you again, Mrs. D!  Check out her blog here!

2 - Share seven things about yourself.

1.  I was shocked to see how similar my personality, likes, and dislikes were to Mrs. D, the person who nominated me for the award.  We both love to read, love our SMART board, are neat freaks, love fall, and are trying to eat healthy.  Scary!

2.  I recently started taking a tap dance class and LOVE it!  It is just myself and two other adults, along with our fabulous instructor.  I always wanted to take tap as a child, but never did.  I have learned 6-7 dances already and can't get enough  :)

3.  I am addicted to Diet Coke.  And ice cream.  I figure they balance each other out!  On a side note, our local Tim Horton's is getting a Cold Stone Creamery!  Yay!  I received 8 separate texts and Facebook notifications from friends as the sign went up.  I think I might have a problem :)

4.  My son and I love to go to the movies.  As soon as a movie is released that I think he'll enjoy, we pack my purse full of Twizzlers (our movie theater doesn't sell them!), order a jumbo popcorn, and enjoy!

5.  I have been teaching for 11 years - all of it in first grade.  I also student taught in first grade, did my practicum in first grade, long term subbed in first grade...you get the picture.  I think I am a first grade "lifer."

6.  I recycle crayons and sell them at craft shows and on my website, Plumdoodles.  It's a great way to use up old crayons, and because of working at a school I have an endless supply to recycle!

7.  I am a beginning couponer - I enjoy seeing the savings stack up when I shop!  I am finding that I don't have as much time to devote to couponing during the school year though.

3- Pass this award along to 15 other recently discovered blogs.

15?!?  That's a LOT!  I hate to be a rule breaker on my first award, but I truly can't think of 15 new blogs to pass the award on to!  Here are a few:

Nicole at Flipping for First Grade

Jennifer at First Grade Blue Skies

Hope at Second Grade Shenanigans

Thanks again Mrs. D!  I promise I will be back soon (and more regularly!) with fun resources and more posts.  

It's The Most Wonderful Time of the Year Linky Party

I'm linking up with one of my favorite blogs, Clutter Free Classroom, for a back to school linky party!

As teachers, we all LOVE back to school time - the start of a new year.  So what makes this one of my favorite times of the year?

1. Setting up my classroom!  I love tweaking the room set-up, trying new arrangements, putting up new decorations, and almost every year thinking of (and implementing) a new theme!  This year my theme is pirates and I am excited to add some creative touches to my classroom.
2. Trying new things.  Every year, I change things up in big and small ways.  This year I will be rocking a SMART board (big change!) and adding a clip chart to my classroom behavior plan (smaller change).  
3. Decorating!  I guess this kind of goes along with setting up the classroom, but I love adding special touches around the room - like this Wordle sign with my kiddos' names on it for outside the door...

and my converted spice rack/office supply holder...

     4.  New things!  New supplies (for the students and for myself), new clothes, new containers, new shoes...you get the picture :)  I treated myself to some new markers this year - my favorite kind!

I also plan on treating myself to a little shopping spree with the profits from my upcoming yard sale.  Why should my son get all of the fun new things??

     5.  A fresh start.  I love meeting new students and their families.  This year I have several siblings of past students, which I just love.  It's so nice to have an established connection with the families.  This year will also be a fresh start for my own little sweet pea!  After 3 years of Montessori, he will be starting Young 5's at the school where I teach!  We are both excited :)

   Here he is rocking one of his new pairs of shoes!

So what makes you giddy and excited about a new school year?  Link up with Clutter Free Classroom and share!

More Creations!

I have really enjoyed reading and seeing all of the Pinterest posts in my Linky Party!  There is still time to link up, click here to join the fun!
I have been getting my craft on today, inspired by projects I found on Pinterest.  I have seen these cute clipboards on several pins, so I decided to try my hand at making them.

Aren't they cute?

I have never used Mod Podge before, so making my clipboard was an adventure to say the least.  I am freakishly somewhat of a perfectionist, so the little wrinkles and bubbles in the paper I was adhering were driving me CRAZY!  Thankfully, after it dried it was much better.  Here is the finished product...

I really like it, but when I lifted the clip, a teeny, tiny piece of paper stuck to it and ripped, which will also probably drive me crazy.  My husband pointed out that if I have paper on the clipboard it won't even show, so I guess it will always have something on it :)

The other project I saw was to make a paper sorter using the flat rate boxes from the post office.  And of course, more of the Mod Podge.

This project didn't have directions or a finished photo, so I just had to wing it.  Owen and I picked up a few boxes today, and I put them together, leaving one end open.  I cut the extra box flaps off, and then hot glued them together rather than using duct tape (I didn't know how well the Mod Podge would adhere to that).  Then I chose some patterned and solid scrapbooking paper, and used the Mod Podge and a foam brush to adhere it to the box.  I tried a tip that I read online and waited about 10 minutes before putting the Mod Podge over the paper, which seemed to help the wrinkles.  To finish the shelves off (and to cover up the writing) I used a tape runner to stick black paper on the inside of the sorter.  It turned out really cute, and seems pretty sturdy.  I will probably use it to store reading group materials or unfinished work from each table group - I haven't decided yet.  Here is the finished sorter:

I could not get a good shot without getting glare from the Mod Podge.  

Another shot of the sorter (please ignore the clutter in the background :)

So there are two more projects to check off of my list!  I still have my behavior clip chart, name tags for desks, welcome signs, and a banner to make, along with a few pirate accents to jazz up my bulletin boards.  I have not been able to get into my classroom so far this week because they are waxing the floors in my hallway, but when I can get in, I will post pictures!  It is coming along - our open house is Tuesday the 30th, so it needs to be finished by then.  

One last thing...my friend Erin at Kleinspiration was nominated for Parent's Magazine "Best Mom Tech Blog."   What an honor!  She could use your help and your votes - click here to help her out!

Pinterest Linky Party

To go along with my guest post on Kleinspiration about Pinterest, and to share my latest addiction, I'm hoping you'll join in my Pinterest Linky Party!

Share your favorite pinboards, Pinterest inspired projects, or just share some great ideas you've gathered!  

Here is one project that my son has been begging me to make (even though his birthday is not until November!).  Behold...the birthday treat box!

Using a craft organizer, fill each section with a small treat.  Add a label and voila!  Instant gift.  I thought this would be cute for the classroom - instead of giving the whole box, students could make a little baggie of mixed treats.

Another great Pinterest idea that I will be using in my classroom this year is a student file box.

As students complete work throughout the week, they file their papers in their folders.  When I am ready to grade or pass out papers for students to take home, everything is in one place.  Plus, it teaches students to be responsible for their own work.

No Pinterest post would be complete without sharing a recipe.  I swear, I can't go on Pinterest without becoming ravenously hungry!  All of the delicious recipes posted have given me plenty of ideas for things to make.  However, before pinning a recipe I look carefully and make sure it is not too hard (my cooking skills are just so-so).  So, anything you see posted on my food board is relatively easy to do and usually won't contain any crazy ingredients.  Here is one that I just can't wait to make...

Taco stuffed shells!  I *love* Mexican food, so this is right up my alley!

I hope you'll join in the fun and link up some of your favorite Pinterest finds!  Click here to follow my Pinterest boards.  Don't forget to become a follower of my blog as well - I am always posting my latest Pinterest finds and projects, along with freebies and fun links!

Need a Pinterest invite?

Feel free to email me at plumdoodles@gmail.com and I would be happy to send you one.  

I can't wait to see all of the Pinterest links!

Guest Blogger!

I am so excited to be a guest blogger on my dear friend's blog!  

Head over to Kleinspiration to read my post about Pinterest!

Still Working...

Wow, I can't believe that we are already into the second week of August!  School will begin before I know it.  I have been working diligently on projects in my classroom and for my classroom - and don't worry, I am still working on the book-based substitute plans!  I want them to be top notch for my followers (and free!).
I went to Lowe's the other day and purchased paint for some shelves in my classroom.  I chose "sauteed mushroom," which is a nice, darker tan color.  Three coats later, they are finished!  Here are the before...

Chipped, flat ivory paint.

And after...

A nice, satin beige finish!

I do love the way they turned out.  They now match and look so much nicer, and fit with my color scheme.  Speaking of colors, have you seen these on Pinterest?  

I think these would be great for Daily 5 word work, so while I was at Lowe's I picked up a stack.  All I need to do is add the chunks and make some letter & blend strips for the students to use with them.  Great idea, huh?  Pinterest has really inspired me to create some cool things for my home & classroom.  If you're not pinning yet, you should be!  If you'd like an invitation, leave a comment with your email and I'll send one your way.  You'll thank me later :)

Finally, my husband did come to my classroom the other night to help me rearrange.  He was VERY helpful (that is, after I convinced him that *12* first graders at a table was a bit much!!!).  Coming soon I will post pictures of my layout and progress, but it is just too much of a mess to take pictures of right now.  Owen has set up his own "Lego office" in one whole corner of the room, along with all of the boxes of orders and clutter that comes along with the beginning of a new school year.  I'll keep working away!

Target Card Giveaway!

My sweet friend Erin over at Kleinspiration is giving away a $25 Gift Card to Target in celebration of 500 followers!

Who doesn't love Target?  Head over to her blog and enter for your chance to win!