Have you filled a bucket today?

Kindness.

Empathy.

Integrity.

These are such important qualities we want kids to grow up with, yet we just assume they will come to school with them. All too often, they don't.

So,
What do we do when a child doesn't know how to read? We teach them.
What do we do when a child doesn't know how to add? We teach them.
What do we do when a child doesn't know how to treat others kindly?

Social skills are, in my opinion, one of the most important things I can teach my students. Kindness, empathy, and thinking about others are qualities that will shape them as people and carry them through life. So it is vital to teach these as often as I can.

Happy birthday to....... every student I've ever had!

The most important component of my classroom is a strong class family.  Connections with kiddos is a MUST. But what about after they have moved on from my classroom?

Everyone loves a birthday. 

It's so fun to get cards, emails, comments, and well wishes on your special day. It's even more fun when it comes from someone you don't expect, like your old teacher.

As part of my "Once a family member, always a family member" motto, I send a birthday email and/or card to as many of my former students as possible. I have taught for ten years. Do the math.  You might be thinking "That's a ton of kids to keep track of!". You're right.


Luckily, there's a solution.

Thank you, thank you notes!

As teachers, we are lucky in so many ways. One of those ways is being on the receiving end of generous gifts!  I go through SO MANY thank you cards during the year. It's always important to give thanks for gifts, but it can really add up!

This is where my obsession with VistaPrint.com comes in handy! VistaPrint is a website you can order lots of personalized items. It's mostly thought of as a promotional or merchandising website for businesses, but there are so many ways it can work in the classroom.

My Classroom Library

Oh, my classroom library. It's by far my favorite part of my room. All the books! All the possibilities! All the pillows! It's so nice to have such a comfy, cozy place to spark a love of reading in my students. Here's how I organize it all...

Student Book Boxes

Ahhhh, book boxes.  Such wonder!   Such joy!   Such... a mess?? 😮

If you're anything like me, you have a shelf full of student book boxes. Some are tidy, organized jewels of reading wonder.

And some..... "Wait, why do you have three pennies, a keychain, and a Pokémon card in here?!"

Over the years, I have constantly tweaked how my students utilize their reading book boxes. As with anything, I'm sure I will continue to tweak them, but I wanted to share my current installment.