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Friday, July 29, 2016

The Pencil Grip Review & Giveaway

The Pencil Grip sent me 3 of their pencil grips to try and a set of Kwik Stix!

After trying out these pencil grips, I learned I've been holding my pen/pencil wrong all these years. I use my ring finger to prop my pen/pencil on! Let me tell you though, I love these pencil grips. They are so soft and make it nice to hang on to your pencil.

Take a look at them!





Have you seen the Kwik Stix Tempera Paint Sticks? These things are amazing. They are made so they are in a tube that roll up, similar to a glue stick. This makes it a mess free project when you want to paint a picture.


The paint on the paper is a little sticky for just 90 seconds, then it is dry! No more laying papers out all around the classroom to wait for the paint to dry.



I am not an artist but I painted a smiley face to try them out and I'm in love with the Kwik Stix!





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Friday, July 8, 2016

Classroom Ready- Flexible Seating #StarbucksMyRoom

This year I decided to try flexible seating. I've been looking at it for several years and debating if I should try it. When Natalie, a friend and parent at my school, approached me about being part of a group to pilot this I knew it was time to try it!

I've been working in the room for about 2 weeks. Believe it or not, teachers start back July 25th so I wanted to make sure I was done before school starts.

When I started looking for flexible seating options I saw tons of exercise balls. I know I wouldn't be able to handle all those exercise balls rolling all over the place so I looked for other ideas. I found my bean bag ottomans at Overstock. I ordered memory foam bath mats and the isokinetics cushions from Amazon. I picked up the wooden stools at Target and the little black stools were ordered from IKEA. I absolutely love the way it has turned out!

I've used lamps for several years and I love the way the room feels like home without those fluorescent lights on.

So here is a look into my room!

I purchased bed risers for this table next to my technology shelf. It is high enough that the kids will be able to work around it while sitting on the stool or standing.

This is the shelf where all my technology will go. My Chromebooks will go on the top shelf. I have file folder organizers and the computers fit nicely in the slots. I tied each cord on the organizer so they'll be easy to plug in when the computers are replaced. The second shelf has organizers for my class iPads. I'm not sure if you can tell, but on the very bottom of the shelf are my new robots! I still have to get a large power strip for them because I have 12 Sprk robots we will be using for STEM this coming year.

This is the reading corner. I picked up the rag rugs at 5 Below. I haven't been a reading teacher in several years but the kids still love reading and I want them to have a place to sit and read if they want to.


I couldn't part with my teacher desk but I did eliminate a table and pushed the desk closer to the storage cabinets. The classroom computer is on my desk because it has to be connected to my Smartboard and document camera.




I really love this table. I used it for small group instruction when I taught math and reading. This year I'm planning to let students sit around it. I left a few chairs here in case someone wants one.


These are the wire shelves behind the table above. I eventually want to get some wooden shelves to replace these wire ones. They just don't hold up very well, but I'm about spent out for now!


This is the view along the wall where you come in the classroom. I have two desks there so we can turn them to face the classroom if they are needed.

We lowered this table by removing the legs from it. I put some rag rugs down and also got Isokinetics wiggle cushions.

This is my table with legs removed so the kids can use memory foam bath mats to sit on.


My front carpet (which is well worn) is a large place where the kids will be able to work.


I put my Target stools along the back counter.


And this table wasn't lowered because I put the bean bag ottomans here.




I hope you have enjoyed my classroom tour! I'm still planning to pick up a few other things for the room so if I do I'll be sure to share them with you.


Thursday, July 7, 2016

The Dragon of the Month Club- Giveaway

Edited 7/13/16: Congratulations to the winner: Rachel Sochol-Soloman. Please check your email for information about claiming your book!

I just finished reading a wonderful new book called The Dragon of the Month Club by Iain Reading. I'm giving away a free copy of this book for your classroom!



First, let me tell you a little bit about the book. I truly enjoy reading because books take me to new worlds but this book took me to many worlds. The main characters are Ayana and Tyler. Ayana has recently moved and is having a hard time fitting in when she meets Tyler in the library. While spending time together in the library they discover "THE BOOK." It is called How to Conjure Your Very Own Dragon in Six Easy Steps.

They join the dragon of the month club and begin getting instructions to conjure new types of dragons. One day when they are conjuring a dragon in Tyler's bedroom something goes wrong and they are transported to an alternate world. They have so many exciting adventures in different worlds that are tied to books Tyler has in his room. Their goal? They are trying to reach the home of a scientist named Professor Doctor Linus Aloysius von Mobius so he can help them return home.

Ayana and Tyler meet some very memorable people and creatures on their quest to return home! Want to win a copy of the book for yourself? Check on the rafflecopter below to enter. The giveaway ends July 14th so enter now!


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