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Monday, August 19, 2013

Create a Classroom Community and Learning Resources Giveaway

Today was my first day of school! It was fun and I am so tired. I see first grade in the morning and kindergarten in the afternoon. Kindergarten wasn't in my room longer than 5 minutes, when one little cutie said, "Can you talk faster? I want to go home now!" So, in true form, I said, "Sure! I can talk super fast!" And I started using my super duper fast voice and they all started laughing. 
Gets them every time! 

Since I'm so tired, I'm just popping in fast to tell you how I am going to start each day so that I can quickly create a positive classroom environment. Once I am done with the morning chores (collecting lunch money and paperwork), which usually takes me about 5 minutes, we will all gather on the carpet, standing in a circle, holding hands. Together, we will recite our classroom promise. Then, like I did as a girl scout, I turn to the child on my left, smile at him/her and gently squeeze his/her hand. That child turns to his/her left, and does the same. I did it today, on my first day, and the children loved it. We decided that starting each day with a smile and a squeeze, makes us feel really good!

Would you like a copy of my classroom promise? 

This is a picture of it last year and the posters have been updated.
This year, my door is yellow, but I didn't have a chance to take a new picture.



Click here to download it for free!

In other news, I recently posted photos of my new classroom and promised you two giveaways. I am so happy to be able to offer a 4-pack of magnetic storage pockets from Learning Resources!

I am using 2 of them to hold my agenda cards and my dry erase markers. These are the markers for just ME to use. Free of little germs! LOL!



I haven't hung these two pockets yet, but will most likely use them to hold whole group activities, like word cards, letter cards, and small activities, so they are always ready for me. The pockets are very sturdy and super magnetic. I love how they are both functional and attractive!

Would you like a set of magnetic storage pockets for your classroom? Of course you would! Just enter my giveaway using the rafflecopter below. There are only 2 mandatory entries, but lots of other ways you can enter to help increase your chances of winning.

The last thing I'd like to tell you, before I go to bed (it's not even 9:00 here!) is that I made a new game for those who use first grade Journeys. 


Students place a HFW card under read it and read it out loud. Then they make it, using alphabet letters. Last, they practice writing the word a few times. I included 3 optional recording sheets. It also includes 6 boards, which should be printed and laminated. Since it contains the first grade Journeys review words, my students will start playing it this week. Can't wait!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

62 comments:

  1. Yay! Thanks for hosting this sweet giveaway!!

    -Caitlyn
    Fourth Grade Lemonade

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  2. Lori! These pockets are great! Thanks for the chance to win.

    Iteachkidsabc@gmail.com
    :o) V.
    Special Teacher for Special Kids

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  3. YAY for giveaways! I love your smile and squeeze idea! I might just have to 'borrow' it when school starts for us. ;)

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  4. Great giveaway! I love anything magnetic! :D

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  5. I love those pockets. pockets and charts are so much fun :) And I love your classroom promise. So sweet.

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  6. These look like great organizers!

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  7. I love those pockets! I need some for my classroom - hope I win 'em :)

    Rae
    Mindful Rambles

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  8. these pockets are amazing!!! i can think of a bunch if ways to use them!!

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  9. I love those pockets! I have redone so much of my classroom this year they would be perfect. Thank you for the chance!

    Jennifer

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  10. How cute!! I hope I win. School starts for me tomorrow. Nervous this year, thinking I'm gonna have some naughty ones.... just a feelin.

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  11. I know just where I would stick the handy pockets! I love reading your posts! Hope you have a great first week (I'm starting my fourth full week already!)

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  12. I love these pockets, I haven't seen them before. My room was just moved today so tomorrow I get to go in and start the unpacking process! Right now everything is in boxes. Good luck tomorrow, this is usually when they start saying why are we coming back??

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  13. I love your smile and a squeeze idea!!! We start next week and I think I'll use it!

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  14. Those pockets look super useful!
    -Kaia
    shibbyful@gmail.com
    Kinder Colors

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  15. These would be an awesome addition to the classroom. Thanks for the giveaway.

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  16. I love the idea of the girl scout handshake. I think I will try it out :)
    aconnolly1216 at gmail dot com

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  17. These pockets are super amazing! My neighboring teacher has them & I've had my eye on them since!

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  18. Oooh, I can think of so many things I would use these for!

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  19. Wish I had a blog... and a brain. Hehe Thanks for the chance to win!

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  20. These would be awesome to have in my different stations in my room! Who couldn't use a magnetic pocket in their room?

    Kellybrown28021@gmail.com

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  21. Wish I had a blog... and a brain. Hehe Thanks for the chance to win!

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  22. Thanks for having this giveaway!

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  23. Thanks for having this giveaway! I know I will be able to find a great use for them. Although I have no idea what my classroom even looks like. I am moving to a new school.....so I won't see it until the beginning of orientation this year.

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  24. I really enjoyed reading about your morning community building activity! I think the way a teacher starts the morning can easily set the tone for the day...thanks for the reminder.
    hudgins.kindergarten@gmail.com

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  25. These pockets may just solve my morning calendar issue! My calendar is on the SMARTboard but I have a handful of things that aren't for visual purposes...now I know where to put all that stuff! Thank you for the idea even if I don't win :)

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  26. I love the pockets! Thanks for sharing them with us.

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  27. I would love to win these to use in my classroom so much! I didn't even know they existed! I may have to pick some up even if I don't win! Thanks!
    :)
    Cathy :)
    wojo1279@gmail.com

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  28. I could definitely use those pockets! Love your blog and thank you for doing the giveaway!!!

    Lilly

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  29. These pockets would be great to hold little games for centers!

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  30. I just started following you on pinterest and LOVE your boards! Can't wait to have time to really look at them!

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  31. This is a great giveaway! Thank you!

    Krystyn

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  32. I have never seen these before...they look like an invaluable resource!!!

    Clara @ I Plead the 5th!
    www.wepleadthe5th.blogspot.com

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  33. Very useful pockets. Thanks for sharing about them.
    schewkinder@gmail.com

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  34. I'm glad you had a great day! Thanks for sharing all your great ideas and resources! I love them :) Also, love the pockets! lauraschachter@gmail.com

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  35. I love those pockets - I'm thinking of all the things I could use them for!!! x

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  36. These look wonderful!! Lots of ideas of ways to use them in my classroom. :)

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  37. These pockets are adorable and can have so many uses! I love many of the ideas you have for teaching writing. I'm planning on trying to incorporate some into my classroom this year.

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  38. THese pockets would be great to organize "MY teacher" stuff on the board.

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  39. Thanks for the great giveaway!!

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  40. Love those pockets! I have never seen them before, but I can see so many uses for them!

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  41. I love the classroom promise! I am going to incorporate this year. I know my kiddos would love a good squeeze and encouragement to start the day.

    I also like the little pockets. I am working very hard to be organized!

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  42. These would be great to have in my classroom! Thanks for the opportunity!

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  43. What a nice opportunity for a giveaway! I love reading your blog. You always have such fun and interesting things going on :)

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  44. These pockets look great and I love you bunches!
    Jennifer
    First Grade Blue SKies

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  45. I love all your stuff and the pockets look great.

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  46. Pockets are so cute! Fingers crossed!!!

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  47. Those pockets would really be handy! Cute colors too!

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  48. LOVE, LOVE, LOVE the pockets! Thanks for the great giveaway!

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  49. What a neat idea.... magnetic pockets! There are so many ways to use them. Flash cards for differentiated groups; center game pieces; calendar miscellany; dry erase markers (and I have A
    LOT!!); etc...

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  50. Love the pockets!
    Toni Nicholson
    chief9937@Yahoo.com

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  51. Love your blog! Thanks for sharing all your fabulous ideas.

    Erin
    kinderink.com
    erampton7@gmail.com

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  52. I love your blog! Thanks for all of your great ideas!
    Lizpodolski@gmail.com

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  53. these pockets are great! last year I used a locker basket for my dry erase markers but it was deep so it was hard to get the markers out sometimes. these seem soooo much better and prettier too!

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  54. The pockets look fabulous! I keep seeing them and haven't splurged yet! Thanks for the chance to win:)

    Tammy
    The Resourceful Apple

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  55. Love your blog and TPT store! Thank you!
    wdonelle@gmail

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Thank you for taking the time to comment. I love to read them!

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