August SLANT Box Exchange - Reveal!

This month I took part in the SLANT Box Exchange that was hosted by Jameson over at Lessons with Coffee. If you are not familiar with it, check it out here.


The Cliff Notes version of how this all works - you are paired up with two other teachers to get to know. One of those teachers will send you a goodies box and the other receives a box from you. I had the privilege to meet two fabulous 4th grade bloggers. Holly from Fourth Grade Flipper and Tara from Teaching with TWitte. It was great getting to know these two lovely ladies. It was even more fun shopping for the items to put in Holly's SLANT Box. I hope she likes it.

The other day my box arrived from Tara! I was so excited. It was like Christmas in August.

And to say that Tara went above and beyond is an understatement. I was blown away.

Inside that cute bag was a BUNCH of Post-It notes which I cannot wait to use. Inside the wrapped package was this.

How incredibly thoughtful and exactly what I needed. The last three years I have stopped using the tradition plan books and started creating my own spread sheet pages. Up until now I have just been putting them in a plan old binder. Not any more!

But that's not all. Inside the binder was this.

 One the left are all the adorable Post-It notes from the green bag. On the right is a package of labels, a mini dog notebook (that my daughter is sure to steal borrow), dark chocolate (YUM), a DD card, and my favorite (although it is very hard to choose from all this fab stuff) the CD. This is no ordinary CD which is what I first thought when I opened the package. No, this CD  is called "Mrs. Quinn's Have a Great Day CD". It is packed with amazing/motivating Country music. Seriously, Tara took every bit off information we shared and went crazy with it. I am beyond blown away. 

Oh wait, there is one more thing. Tara also sent this amazing letter. Isn't she the sweetest!

I am so glad I joined the August SLANT Box Exchange. It was a great experience and with Tara's goodies box I am totally ready to head back to school.

Kim

Upcycling and the Big TpT Back to School Sale

Upcycling

Upcycling is taking an item that is no longer wanted and changing it into something that is either useful, creative or both. My first venture into upcycling was years ago when I was at another school. My students were all about saving the earth. One of the projects we embarked on was with the Terracycle company. My 5th graders had the entire school bringing in their empty juice pouches. Terracycle would send us pre-paid shipping labels and the school would get a small amount of money in return for the donation. It was a win-win situation. My students loved knowing that all those juice pouches were staying out of the landfills. They got a bigger kick out of all the cool stuff that was made from the pouches - backpacks, pencil cases, and tote bags to name a few.

Although I do not currently collect juice pouches, my involvement in upcycling continues.

Pinterest is an incredible place to get upcycling ideas. I am sure you have seen all the fabulous ways you can use a Pringles can on Pinterest. If you haven't, you really need to check it out here.

You start by washing out your empty Pringles can. 

Then take your favorite decorative duct tape and cut 1 1/2 inch strips. Fold the strips over the top of the can, putting half on each side. Work your way around the can until the entire top of the can is covered, overlapping slightly as you go.

Now start taping around can.

Continue taping, being sure to overlap slightly, until the entire can is covered.

I will use this for my rulers. I honestly think it is the best way to store them. 

Each year we have a huge box top competition in our school. So I plan to cover another Pringles can, cut a slice in the cover and have that be the home to all our box top. Last year my class came in second in the competition, so I am hoping for 1st place this year! Maybe a cool container will be the motivation my class needs to start clipping!


Teachers Pay Teachers Back to School Sale!!

And don't forget Teachers Pay Teachers is having a huge site-wide Back to School sale on Sunday and Monday! Everything in my store will be 20% off. TpT is also giving an additional 10% off if you enter the code BTS13. That will give you a total of 28% off each item purchased. Click the sale sign below to check out my store. 

What is your favorite upcycling project?

Kim

Monday Made It - Teacher Toolbox

I am excited to be linking up with 4th Grade Frolics for the last summer Monday Made It. I have been wanting to make a teacher toolbox for ages. It took seeing the one my teammate made to get me motivated. 

You can find samples of teacher toolboxes all over Pinterest.

Here is my before.

My choice of colors:

And after:

I can't wait to start filling it up.

Kim

Homework Late Pass Freebie!

 I have always had a problem giving homework passes. I have a hard time with allowing a student to skip a homework assignment. I find many students skip the assignment that they most need the practice in. And that would drive me crazy! So my solution is these homework late passes. A student can pass in his/her assignment one day late without penalty. My students loved getting these. Many would save them for a day that they forgot their homework or would hold on to them so they would not have homework on their birthday.

Awarding Homework Late Passes -

My students can earn a late pass several ways. The first and easiest way is to donate a box of tissues, a roll of paper towels, or hand sanitizer to the classroom. I allow the students to earn one late pass each month this way. This worked so well this pass year that I never had to purchase any of the these items and have ten boxes of tissues left over. I also use the passes as rewards. I might award a late pass to a shy student who takes a risk by raising their hand for the first time in class or give them to students who go out of their way to be helpful or a good friend. The possibilities are endless and FREE. We all know how expensive it can get to fill the prize box.

So if you would like to try out my homework late passes, click on the picture below.

Do you use homework passes?
How do you award homework passes?

Enjoy!
Kim

August Currently!

Seriously, where did July go? 
This has to be the fastest summer ever.

Once again I am linking up with Farley from Oh' Boy 4th Grade

Listening: To my kids and husband. The kids and I have been gone for most of the week. They are enjoying some much needed attention from their dad. They missed him so much.

Loving: The fact that I do not have to jump out of bed today. It has been a long week of traveling. 

Thinking: Two funerals in one week - surely it was all a bad dream. This week has definitely taken its toll. Holding many family members in my thoughts and prayers. 

Wanting: Coffee! I don't normally frequent Dunkin Donuts but after a week of travel and multiple road trips.....I am hooked. Decaf iced mocha with cream please!

Needing: To get going to the Farmer's Market to pick up our veggies from Farmer Adam. 

Back to School Must Haves: 

Post-It Notes - I don't think I could last a day without them. 
3 Ring Binders- They help keep me organized.
Address Labels- I use them almost as much as post-its. 

What are your must haves? I have to admit it was tough to pick just three.

                 

Kim