Bulletin Boards, Musical Chairs and a Giveaway

Hello Friends!
It's Bulletin Board Day on Open House Week! Before we get to the pics though I HAVE to tell you about the wonderful moment I had with my class today... We are working on 1:1 correspondence which can be quite simple for the kids, right? Yes! So we decided to play a game of musical chairs to practice and reinforce the concept. The game also let me know who has trouble "losing" or getting out. WELL, we started out with rules first: walk safely all the way around the chairs, sit in a chair that is facing you, not a backwards one, yada, yada. So then, it was time to play. I wasn't sure how it was going to go BUT IT WAS GREAT! I have an amazing group of kids!! They are just precious. I didn't have all of them playing at once so those who did not play were cheering on the friends that were playing. Everytime someone got out, we all said, "that's okay (student's name)." I could tell there were a few of them that were fighting back tears but after the "that's okay" and the cheering for the others, they were fine. It was such a fun and simple activity that I think will go into my rainy day games stash. Especially now that I know it will work without too much chaos!
Ok, ok, I just had to share that story. Oh! Wait! Remember how I told you that my school is full inclusion? (I say it a million times, I know, I just love it), ALL students participated in this game. If a student couldn't participate, I think I would have had them control the music so that they are still a part of our classroom and game.
Ok, bulletin boards...

We recently taught senses. We used our sense of touch to touch different textures.

We had a Gingerbread Hunt all the way around our campus and then made our own gingerbread men.

I haven't put up too much info on the board yet but it will be a place where I put important stuff. I think. It's super cute, right?

We have taught sorting and patterning...

Link up to the Open House Linky... There are some amazing bloggy people to meet!

Lastly, I wanted to tell you all about a giveaway... check it out! She is going to choose 3 winners with some awesome prizes (even one from me!)

Tomorrow is the Friday Photo Dump Linky Party! I hope you can join me!

Open House Week: Handouts for Parents

Hey! Hey! Hey!

I hope everyone has enjoyed their Wednesday...
I am dropping in and shipping off to have dinner with my friends!

Here are 2 handouts for parents that I thought are most important to share...
1. Volunteer Tips, Tricks and Things to Know.
We have a great school community with lots of parent involvement. I know that's hard to hear when you have little or not parent involvment, don't worry I have something for you, too! So, we have great parent volunteers. Parents are eager to get into the classrooms and "volunteer" aka spy on their kids! This is the sheet that I share with all of my volunteers BEFORE they come into the classroom. I have a designated time for volunteers (centers M-F 9-10:20) and we also have volunteers during our Library and sometimes Art times. Anyway, here it is. It is specific for my grade level and my team (kinda) BUT I am more than willing to modify it if you are interested!


2. This handout is not actually a handout. It is for parents who like to volunteer by cutting, laminating, making copies, yada, yada. You know the stuff you give to the parents who you don't want in the classroom. hehe. This "Project Ticket" is what I attach to all of the things that I need help with. Using these have ABSOLUTELY saved me a lot of time and energy. People are always wondering how to juggle it all and my suggestion is now to delegate! Don't worry if the craft isn't cut exactly straight, the kids won't know the difference and the parents will think it is the most precious thing in the world. Don't get me wrong, there are things that I do myself because I want them a certain way BUT that's not everything. I print these on some brightly colored paper and we are good to go!

I got the cute cupcake for free on TPT... I'm not sure where now... If it is from you, will you please let me know? How do you guys organize your clip art and borders so that you can give credit where credit is due? I have been putting all of my things in 2 folders but I just now realize that that isn't going to work when I go to cite sources. I need some help in the department.
Ok kiddos! I'm off to enjoy some friends, football and food! (also means that there is no blog-stalking tonight, bummer, there's always tomorrow!)

Open House Week & New Teacher Blog Tuesday

It continues... Open House Week! Today's topic? Classroom Photos!
Now, I already posted pics of my new classroom but I hadn't uploaded them to my Classroom Photos Link above... until now! Well, I'm working on it...
Here are the my newest classroom pictures. I meant to take more today, you know some worn-in classroom pictures BUT my sister called and asked if I wanted to go swimming with her and my nephew after work and, well, you know what happened, right? I rushed home and went swimming with the little guy! He just got this new float-y thing that he absolutely loves because he can swim all by himself with it. He is the cutest...
Ok, back to the pics...

Oh AND I have to share that I was featured on Fun in 1st Grade's New Teacher Blog Tuesday

Head on over there to check it out! There is another blogger featured also, she blogs in from Australia! Awesome, right?

See you all here tomorrow for the continuation of Open House week with Handouts for Parents (ooo, I have a good one for that) AND don't forget about my linky party on Friday... Friday Photo Dump!

Happy Blogging!