July 10, 2017 1 Comment

Unique Back to School Bulletin Boards

It’s that time of year to start thinking about Back to School Bulletin Boards!

I’ve got a few options for you that will definitely perk up your room & make you smile when you look at it!

Most sets include posters for grades Kindergarten – 5th grade!

I love seeing all of those fun quotes on Pinterest, so I thought it would be fun to turn ’em into a welcome display for a class!

Find it on TpT HERE!

I am currently obsessed with flamingos, so it’s only fitting to welcome my new flock with these cuties!

Find it on TpT HERE!

The BEST kind of donuts are those that are sweet, but have no calories!
These mini donuts are sure to make your class feel sweet!

Find it over on TpT!

I’m lovin’ all the Cactus cuteness!

Welcome your “sharp” class with this variety of cacti!

Find it on TpT HERE!

Make your students feel like they’re one in a “melon” with this fun display!

Find it on TpT HERE!

Everyone loves a little magic, right?
This unicorn display is just plain fun!

Find it on TpT HERE!

🍀Slainte!

August 17, 2016 Leave a Comment

6 Unique Ways to Build Students Up

As teachers, we understand that not every student will be “the smartest” or the “most gifted.” However, as teachers, we also know just how important it is the celebrate every single child for their ability & effort in a positive way!

True, someone may get their math facts quicker than others or “just get” most of what’s introduced. But, it’s also so important to celebrate the effort students put into those goals – even if they don’t ever “pass.” In my classroom, I celebrate the process as much as the end result.

Here’s a peek at a few simple ways I build my students up!

Prize Machine

As I was wandering around Crate & Barrel loading up my wedding registry, I ran into a giant prize machine in their kid section. I begged and pleaded if they would sell it to me…and they wouldn’t.

So, over the next few weeks, I became determined to find a prize machine for my classroom! Amazingly, Sam’s Club sells one {for about 80 bucks}! I ordered it online and it arrived about a week later! {Make sure to use eBates and get cash back to shop!}

I hopped over to eBay and purchased some prize capsules. You can either buy pre-filled 1″ capsules or just the empty 1″ capsules and load up on goodies at the Dollar Spot! I’ve done it both ways and found it way more fun to shop for stuff on my own! {Again, make sure to use eBates on eBay so that you earn cash back!} I reuse the little containers.

It’s INCREDIBLE and the kids are absolutely obsessed with visiting the machine!

Prize Machine Lucky to Be in First from Molly Lynch on Vimeo.

Emoji Clip Chart

In order to visit the prize machine, the kids must reach the top of the clip chart {I provide the quarters in a dish!}.
This year I’m using the Emoji Clip Chart and it makes me giggle every time I look at it!

Brag Bracelets

To celebrate effort, I use Brag Bracelets. They are super simple to manage – just print!

When I notice a student making a good choice, I simply wrap a bracelet around their wrist & tape it on!
They proudly wear their Brag Bracelets

It’s tricky to see a bracelet on tiny little wrists 🙂

I bought an inexpensive coupon organizer on Amazon to keep these brag bracelets easy to access.

Printable Post-It Notes

In all my years of teaching, I’ve realized that I have a really hard time doing things consistently. It takes major effort for me to remember to stamp student behavior charts or even pass out a sticker for awesome behavior each day.

I love super simple ways to let me kiddos know that I think they are awesome. Naturally, these Printable Post-Its have been lifesavers! I can quickly slap on a positive note to their desk, folder or work to let them know I think they’re the bee’s knees! They’re quick & easy to print and stash in a drawer for when I need a quick “Yay!” for a student!

I’ve also added a Printable Post-Its {Set Two} because I just can’t get enough puns in my life!

Positive Praises

When I was student teaching, I had an amazing master teacher! I hung on every word she said so that I could learn from the best first-grade teacher out there!

One of the things she tried to do was compliment students using a different phrase or adjective. That idea stuck with me all these years later!

To make it simple, I wrote some of my favorite phrases down.
Click the picture to grab this FREEBIE!

Student Shout Out Megaphone!

While cruising the WalMart aisles for school supplies, I stumbled on this amazing megaphone! I quickly ran home and pulled out my Silhouette to write something fun. I added a few random pieces of ribbon I had and VOILA…all this adorableness!

When I catch a student doing something great, I plan to announce it to the whole class! So fun, right?

Stamp It Out!

A quick & easy way to recognize great student work is with a fun stamp!

My students went nuts last year for this “Your Teacher Likes this Stamp!”
A custom stamp is available too!

When we do Smart Cookie Math, I always stamp their pages with my “You’re One Smart Cookie” stamp if they pass the level! It could also be used to grade any papers where you’d like to show your students you think they rock!

How do you let your students know they are awesome?

July 21, 2016 1 Comment

The Essential 1st Grade Supply List

This post contains affiliate links for Amazon. By purchasing an item on the Amazon site using these links, I will receive a small commission on your purchase. For more information about my Disclosure Policy, please visit this link.

I challenge you to find a teacher who doesn’t love school supplies!

There is something amazing about the smell of a fresh box of crayons, the feel of a freshly sharpened pencil, and the fresh tips of Mr. Sketch Markers!

If you’re starting to think ahead towards the start of the year, here’s a peek at what I always stock my classroom with! I’m fortunate – I work in a district where the school provides our school supplies, with parents contributing a few extra items. Some of these items can certainly be found cheaper at Back to School sales than through these Amazon links!

Crayola 16 Large Crayons

I love these “fatties” {as I affectionately call these crayons!} They are definitely more expensive than the standard 16 pack of crayons that you can pick up at Target or Walmart Back to School sales, but these last ALL YEAR! They don’t break and because they’re in a “lift the top” box and lay flat, they’re super easy for students to quickly grab {and put away!}

Crayola Twistables

In addition to their crayons, I always purchase this set of Twistables for each child too. The small tips on these allow kids to get into small areas to color! Well worth the money!

Dixon Ticonderoga Laddie Intermediate

You may have read in my 6 Things You Must Do Now to Get Ready for Next School year post that I always use Laddies! These are just a tad bit chubbier than a standard pencil, so they are easier for small hands to hold onto!

X-ACTO Teacher Pro Pencil Sharpener

To sharpen all those pencils I use the X-ACTO Teacher Pro Pencil Sharpener. It’s very reasonably priced and sharpens pencils perfectly!

Scotch Wall Mounting Tabs

These Scotch Wall Mounting Tabs are the bee’s knees for hanging up work in my classroom. I have very limited bulletin board space, so I make do by slapping stuff onto cabinets and windows! These easy to affix tabs won’t ruin student work!

Primary Journals

These primary journals are the bomb.com. They have enough pages to last the entire year of first grade writing! I love that there is space to draw and to write!

Pentel Hi-Polymer Erasers

Do you ever find a supply and then think, “HOW have I taught for this many years without knowing about ______?” Well, you’re able to have one of those moments! These Pentel Hi-Polymer Erasers are the greatest thing since sliced bread! They don’t rip papers and they don’t leave gross marks on kiddos papers!

Your Teacher Likes This Stamp

Your Teacher Likes This Lucky to Be in First

How fun is this stamp? Although it won’t make grading go away, it’ll certainly make it a little bit more fun to do!

Poly Envelopes

These poly envelopes can be used for anything and everything in the classroom! The kids take their Guided Reading books home each night in these folders. Protects my books from spills and other disasters and they’re bright enough to stick out in your students’ backpacks reminding them to read!

Poly Folders

Poly Folders Lucky to Be in First

Poly Folders are more durable and I’ve never had to replace a single folder in 13 years! They are so strong that you can reuse from year to year! These often go on sale for about 50 – 75 cents during Back to School sales – keep your eyes out!

Elmer’s Glue Sticks

Each August, I order eight packs of these Elmer’s Glue Sticks. And I have enough for the entire year! These are the large glue sticks and it makes all the difference in the world! Splurge for these giant sticks – you’ll thank me in May 🙂

Magnets

I put magnets on everything! I got the great idea from Lindsay over at The Teacher Wife to use sheet metal and affix it to my cabinets. Now I can quickly change out student work!

Westcott Scissors

A few years ago I bought a new class set of these amazing Wescott Scissors! Love them! At the end of the year {and a couple times throughout the year} I throw them into the dishwasher and they are instantly clean!

Scotch Laminator

A few years on Instagram, I saw all sorts of teachers using their personal Scotch Laminators and I was super jealous that I didn’t have one! When I realized how affordable they were, I bought two {okay, three…I have one at home, too!} This portable laminator is definitely one of my favorite tools for the classroom!

I can quickly laminate anything I need for the classroom without leaving my classroom!

Silhouette Cameo

Okay, now this next one is a BIG splurge I bought myself a few years ago. While doing “professional development” over on Pinterest, I kept seeing adorable ways people were using the Silhouette to decorate their classroom!

Here’s a peek at a few ways I’ve used the cameo in my room!

What’s on your supply list? I’d love to know what I’m missing!

Slainte!