Fabulous Finds (@Bargain Prices)

I love a good bargain (like most teachers) and of course I hit all the office supply stores and get their super deals. However, the other day I was at Target picking up my prescription and I was absolutely giddy when I discovered some fabulous finds!

♥ click here to read more and see pictures ♥

Have you hopped on The Energy Bus?

If you are tired of letting the Negative Nancys bring you down at work then you need to start by being the driver of your own bus.

Only invite people on your bus that share your vision for the road ahead. And don't forget to post a sign that says NO ENERGY VAMPIRES ALLOWED on your bus!

You can find out how by reading The Energy Bus by Jon Gordon. This book will have you exude positive energy in no time.

♥ click here to find out more ♥

Meet the Teacher treats ☺

Do you give a treat to your students on the first day of school or on Meet the Teacher Night?  I do but I've used the same thing year after year and I am looking for a change.  We have a "Meet the Teacher" time on the Thursday before school starts. It's usually 4:00PM - 6:00PM. The students and their families come and meet their teacher and get to see their classroom. They are also able to drop off supplies at this time. At this time I give each student a student survival kit...

♥ click here to read more ♥

THANK YOU 100+ followers - Giveaway!

I am so appreciative of all my followers! I had no idea how fast my little blog would grow when I started it less than 2 weeks ago.  To celebrate  I have 3 prizes so I will have 3 winners!


♥ click here to enter ♥.

Get to know your students (& the parents)

As teachers, we get to know our students pretty quickly but we don't always get to know the parents right away. I use this questionnaire I created to send home on the first day of school (or sometimes on Meet The Teacher Night).  Not only does this help me get to know my student's needs better, but it gives me an insight on the parents or guardians.

The first question asks what makes your child special.  I've had answers from... "nothing, my child is normal just like his friends" to "My child has 27 trophies in dancing, has always been the smartest in her classes since kinder, takes painting classes, plays soccer, is in girl scouts...."  and everything else in between.  There is no right or wrong answer for this question but you can learn a lot by the answers.

P.S. This is a two sided questionnaire and when it comes back only filled out on the front...well, that can tell you a lot too! ;)

click here to get this document

Fun 2 B in First is having a linky party with back to school freebies/ideas. Make sure you visit her site to see what other teachers are sharing! :)

What will you do on the first day of School?

Yearn to Learn is having Get to Know You Linky Party!  I love the Memory Tray idea on the Yearn to learn website.  You need to check it out! I think I will try it out this year.

I am a big believer in class community and do many Kagan cooperative learning/class building activities throughout the year but the one I do every year on the first day of school and it never fails me is a race! Many times students come to school on the first day quiet and shy and even stressed (the quiet part is usually gone by the second day LOL!).  The first day of school is usually as stressful for the teacher as it is for the students (or even more!). We get 22 new students and a ton of paperwork!  In my school we have to fill out what we call AGR cards before 9:00am (school starts at 7:45) with everything else going on the first day.  I, of course, welcome students and get them settled in and then tell them we are going to have a race!!!!!!!!!!!  Yes, I get some dirty looks from the little girls who are in their frilliest first day of school dresses.

I have my student desks in groups of 4s or 5s. I ask the students to put their hands on their laps.  I give each group the same 100 piece puzzle (purchased at the dollar store).  I tell the class there are only 2 rules......they must talk A LOT but only with their own group members and everyone MUST participate in the talking as well as the puzzle making.

When I say "Go" the groups get to work and the talking begins and I have a good 15-20 minutes to get some paperwork done.  Since it is small group work even the shy students feel comfortable interacting.  It's also a competition and who doesn't want to win?   The winners get to keep a small plastic trophy at their desk.

This seems to be a good ice breaker...the kids may not really get to really "know" each other but they do get to feeling a little more comfortable with each other which makes the rest of the "get to know you" activities a little less stressful for the shy ones.

By the way, all students (or groups of students) have many opportunities throughout the year to "win" the trophy to be displayed at their desks by behavior, neatness of desks,  other competitions, etc.

My Very First Linky Party....Can I figure this out?

Yearn to Learn is having a Seek and Find Blog Mixer Linky Party and I decided to give it a try! I hope I do this right.  I love this idea...I have found so many cool teaching blogs doing this. Here goes nothing

1) "New Kid on the Blog" - That is going to have to be me - Fabulous 4th Grade Froggies. Earlier today was my very first blog so I am the newest one I know.

2) Same level blog - Create-Teach-Share. This blog is full of great info!

3) Different grade level blog - Beg Borrow Steal - Isn't this a great title? This blog is written by a first grade teacher.

4)Last but not least a cute button! (I don't even know how to make a button) but that goes to Yearn to Learn... Love it!

Welcome to Fabulous 4th Grade Froggies!

I love reading blogs, especially other teacher's blogs so I decided to start one of my own!  I am totally new to this so you will have to bear with me.  I plan to use this blog to share my teaching experiences, teaching ideas, and my classroom with you. If you have any suggestions or advice I would love to hear it.