Behavior Calendars/Letter Update!

Hey friends! I finally found out who was my inspiration for the behavior letter and calendar format! It was Miss Kindergarten! So I've included this letter in my free downloads now, but wanted to share it on my blog as well so those who already downloaded would know who to give credit to for this wonderful idea! =) So here it is:


Hey all! Thanks for downloading! I was inspired to make these behavior charts after seeing Miss Kindergarten’s post on her behavior system! I used the same system, with different wording, so I changed it a bit for my classroom! If you’d like to see the original letter and calendar format- go check it out at: http://www.miss-kindergarten.com/2012/01/my-new-clip-chart.html

Thanks for the inspiration Miss Kindergarten!

Grand Opening!

Hey all! I've finally got my TPT store up and running!!! You can check it out here:

I've got the binder covers and spines on there! I am so excited!

Since I'm just starting out on there, please let me know if you see anything I need to fix or have trouble downloading! I want ya'll to be happy with what you purchase! 

I will be working more this summer on some goodies! 

Leave me some feedback!

Thanks for all your sweet comments last night! I appreciate them so much!!! Ya'll are encouraging rockstars!

If you liked my monthly 3 drawer labels... wait til you see this!

So I've been wanting to move all my files into binder form and what better way to do it than monthly? I didn't want to have TOO MANY binders... b/c I don't have much storage space left in my classroom, so what I thought I would make was a binder for each month with 5 dividers in each labeled for:

reading

math

writing

unit (science/social studies)

and other! 

That way I can bring my binder with me to planning with my k team and not have to search through my file cabinet for the themed file each week! =) I think I'm going to stick with a 1" binder b/c I will only keep one copy of each paper in it! (I'll recycle any leftovers!) 

Here's a little sneak peek at the finished product! I have a fun little scrapbook cutter that I used to cut the binder spine labels neatly b/c I stink at cutting free hand! =) I'm thinking I"ll laminate them so they'll slide in easier and not bend! 

I've created a kit for 1" binders, 1.5" binders, 2" binder and 3" binders. I'll be posting this on TPT soon, as my first item to sell! It took a lot of work to get these together so I hope you like them! =) I'll let you know when they are posted.

Oh, and the first 3 to comment will get them for FREE!!!!! =) These will be perfect to go with my free monthly drawer labels!  This way you can put all your laminated centers in the drawers sorted by ziplock baggies and keep all your recording sheets/worksheets in the binder! I'll let ya'll know when they are posted if you are interested! =) Have a great Sunday!

MONTHLY DRAWER FREEBIES!!!

I created some adorable monthly 3 drawer labels I am going to use to sort my centers and such next year! I actually have boxes full of files and such I plan on sorting through this summer- so I can get them all ready for the school year! =)

I am sharing my creations as a freebie for you today! =) I was inspired by all the other adorable ones I saw out there! =) Keep in mind, they are large, so to save ink and make them fit in the drawers like you see above, I printed them 2 on a page... (if you have the latest update of adobe, when you go to print them, there should be an option called "page sizing and handling" and underneath that heading, I click on  "multiple" so I can have 2 on a page! =) We do this often at school to save ink and paper too! =)   Well, that's it for today! I'll be back later this week with more cute stuff to share with you all! =)

YOU CAN FIND THESE ON MY TPT STORE. =)

Plans for Next Year

Hey all! So I wanted to share my plans for literacy centers next year! I want to see what you think!

I am done with the tubs from last year. I hated having to make so many copies of worksheets and changing them out every week. So this year I plan on doing center rotations. I did it at the end of the year and my kids did WONDERFUL. I loved it b/c they didn't get bored b/c I switched them every 15 minutes. So they didn't have time to goof off!

So here is my plan...

I will have the following centers:

1. Writing center- I'm going to use the monthly ones that I purchased from Dee Dee Wills at

I HIGHLY recommend them! She did a FANTASTIC job on them and she has enough so you can change it out weekly, or let them choose! =) 
2. Poetry Center- Where I will write out a poem on chart paper, then have them glue a copy in their poetry journals. Give them an assignment like "Circle all the Aa's" (beginning of the year or "Underline all the rhyming words" towards the end) I started it this year, but found that I need to teach the poem a week ahead so they can read it fluently on their own in centers! After they do the assignment, they can illustrate the poem on the opposite page. (Anyone have any other ideas/tips to go along with this?) I'm going to use the poems found at Kindergarten Hoppenings (she has posted some FABULOUS freebies and tips for poetry journals! Shannon is AWESOME!)
3. ABC/Word work Center: This is where I plan on using ideas from the Daily 5. I LOOOVED all the ideas the Daily 5 gave, but I couldn't run my centers just like they did b/c of my district and kiddos needs at the beginning of the year. I love the management though! I will definitely use a lot of what they do, just different centers! I figure we can start off with just alphabet work at the beginning of the year, then gradually move to word work, depending on my kiddos abilities!
4. Listening Center: I use the response sheet found at Deedee Wills' website (if you find the library/listening response, click on the links she has provided for the downloads) for the kids to respond to after they listen to their story.
5. Computer Center: Our school purchased the whole starfall website, so I can track my students' work on there! 
6. Library Center: Same as listening center, they will have a response page to draw a picture of their favorite part! I will also use the Daily 5 in teaching my students the 3 ways to read a book, so they can "read the pictures" at the beginning of the year! I will also try and find easy books and books we read often form them to read to! I found that my kids were reading the Color Word songs (frog street) found here and Pete the Cat all by themselves at the end of the year last year. So I'm figuring out how to improve their fluency every year!
7. Pocket Chart Center: I thought I could have some fun activities here... like matching uppercase/lowercase letters, sequencing the alphabet, matching letters to beginning sounds, sorting pictures by beginning/ending sounds, etc! 
8. Games and Puzzles: This is where I would put out some puzzles (obvi!) and games we play in small groups! I realized this late last year that the kids LOVED playing Munch, Munch What's for Lunch in a center... (Thanks Fran for that FABULOUS game!) So I plan on doing this for my kiddos next year! So instead of them asking "Can we play the popcorn word game today?!!" EVERY single day... they can play it in their center!!! =) 
9. Write the Room: There are SOOOOO many great resources available that I can change this up to keep it fun for my students! Check out my one of my new favorite bloggers Jayme at Kinderbabies. She has a GREAT freebie for the beginning of the year! So awesome!!! Find her blog here:

10. Housekeeping Center: I feel like I can make this literacy based! I'm going to work on it this summer... but I feel if I have the kids "reading or writing" in this center, they can get away with playing WHILE learning! What are your thoughts? I can have them make grocery lists, lists for things to pack for a trip, doctor notes, etc! If anyone has found things ALREADY created for this, please let me know by commenting! I am reeeeally wanting to incorporate it this year! =)
Alright, well that's my ideas for now! Please share your ideas or resources I can find and use! Also, if you have any other center ideas that I am missing, let me know! The more the better!!! I need atleast 10 b/c I don't want more than 2 at a center this year! I found that there is less fighting/talking that way! =) 
Alright, I broke the rule about posting once a day! But I'm making up for lost time!!! Now for real! Enjoy your summer- after you comment on my post. Please and Thank you! =)