Getting My Organization On & An Award

I can't believe the start of a new school year is around the corner.  I'm very excited to see my new students (4 of which I already know)!  My goal for this year is to get organized.  Well, it's really been my goal since I started teaching almost 7 years ago. Ha!  I just haven't had the time. Imagine, a teacher with no time?!?!  Anyway, I found this great idea for organizing with storage tool boxes from Creekside Teacher Tales and put my own spin on it.  The Big Reveal...

I am a primary colors kinda gal!  My classroom is bright and cheery like this.

I bought 3 pages of duct tape sheets (one red, one yellow, one green) for $1.99 each at staples.  The duct tape was so much easier than trying to scrapbook the drawers.  It took me maybe about 15-20 minutes to duct tape all of the drawers.  BTW, I only taped the front of the drawers.  If you wanted to tape all of the drawer you will definitely need more duct tape!

I purchased the storage unit at Lowe's for $19 and received a military discount so I paid around $17!  Woohoo!

Oh, and the labels I printed on Avery sticky labels (also from Staples) and cut the ends to the size I wanted.  I was able to use one of my favorite fonts Janda Bubble! 

Total project time was 45 minutes!  Yes, it really was that easy!

I want to give a huge Thank You and shout-out to Carole at  Kinder Carole and Kristine at Teaching without Tears for nominating me for the Versatile Blogger Award!  I gladly accept the nomination!  :)  Swing by their blogs and check out the amazing things they have created.

Now, off to enjoy more of the Olympics.  Go Team USA!

Bee Rules Craftivity

Getting ready for back to school, I created a BEE for students to write our schoolwide/classroom rules.  Our school uses a PBIS support system (Positive Behavioral Interventions & support).  If you have never heard about this, you can check it out HERE.

We have 4 main "BEE" rules to help students remember expectations: Be Kind, Be Safe, Be Responsible, Be Respectful.  They are used for every place in the school, bathrooms, cafeteria, hallways, specials, etc.

I created this bee to use for our rules for students to keep at their desk the first week or so to help them learn and remember the rules.  This craftivity can also be used for students to write bee facts if you are doing a Science unit on bees.  Click on over to my TPT store to get it for free and please leave feedback!

Bee Craftivity Download

Tell Me More- Linky Party

I am linking up with Amy Lemons at Step into 2nd Grade.  She is hosting a linky party to get to know some of your favorite blog teachers, so I am joining in.  I won't give you a full life story, lord knows I could write about 10 books about my life or more.  But, if you want some basic info read below and if you are a bloggy friend link up!

1) My favorite food involves anything made with Vanilla!  Plain Jane, I know, but i could literally survive on a deserted island with any type of food with vanilla flavoring you could imagine (ice cream, cheesecake, buttercream cake, fudge, etc).

Check out this Vanilla Funfetti Recipe on Pinterest!  It was soooo yummy!

2)  My daughter was born on my wedding anniversary.  Such a sweet blessing, that she was born on a day that already meant so much to my husband and I.  She was seriously a week late and breech.  She just turned 3 last week and continues to be a joyous handful of a toddler.  She just learned how to spell her name (she likes to shout each letter as if she is cheering on a team).  So.Stinkin'.Cute!  

3) I am very prompt!  If I am to be somewhere at a certain time, expect me to be there at least 15 minutes earlier.  I cannot stand to be late for anything!!!  If I am late, something major has happened or it's my husband's fault (He is late to everything!)  I feel sick to my stomach if I am even a minute or two close to being late.  Craziness!

4)  I must have coffee to drink every morning.  My favorite is a Starbucks Caramel Frapp, but I am trying to lay off of it since it is jam-packed with calories.  I just bought a Keurig this summer and have been using it like crazy.  Anyone else have one?  Which is your favorite flavor?  I'm still trying all of the flavors to see which one if going to be my favorite.

5) I usually am not big on lipstick.  For me, I can never find a color I like and if i do find a color and buy it, it finds it's long-lost home somewhere in the bottom of my purse.  I just don't do lipstick!  I think it is beautiful on so many other women, just not on myself.  Not to mention, once I put it on and take a sip of my Frappucino in the morning, it's off and all over the place.  I do, however, wear lip gloss.  I found this yummy Mint flavored clear gloss at Bath & Body Works 2 weeks ago.  I absolutely adore it!  

It's name is Mint Glass!

Anything else you want to know, just ask. :)

Insect Theme Classroom Decor

Get it now at TPT!  Hope this helps any other teachers out there that have a "BUG" theme!

Insect Theme Classroom Decor

It's All "Bugging" Me

Hey friends!  I have completely been MIA!  Both my families have been visiting me for two weeks and as you can imagine, I have been extremely busy.  So, it's "bugging" me that I have neglected my blog and other activities I had planned this summer.  But, I AM BACK!  My school's theme this year is everything bug related.  We have implemented PBIS (Positive Behavior Support) in our school for 3 years.  We have a bee theme going on and so I am assuming we are keeping the theme going so teachers save money and students can relate to a common theme.  Anyway, this year I created some "buggy" things for my classroom including labels, nameplates, word wall letters, and calendar pieces.  I am not quite finished so if you are looking for it you'll find it on TPT in a day or two.  For now, I'll leave you with a sneak-peek by giving you a nameplate freebie. Enjoy your last few weeks of summer blog friends!

Bug Nameplate Freebie