Getting to Know You, Getting to Know All About You...

I wanted to do something creative and cute for my classroom brag wall this year.  I found this amazing idea on pinterest.com so I decided to follow the steps provided by Rebecca at Create Share Inspire!  These are what hers look like.

Here are what mine turned out like:)  They are a little rustic but I LOVE them!!!  I am lucky they actually came together!  When I first bought the balsa wood I put it on the roof of my car as I was loading my other purchases in and totally forgot about the wood!  When I went to look for it and it was missing, I put 2 and 2 together and made a trip back to Michael's.  There was my lovely balsa wood in the middle of the road covered with tread marks!!!  Sigh!!  Back to school brain strikes again.  So I made these with my second batch of balsa.

Here is the full bulletin board!  Once everything was all ready to go, I couldn't wait to put up my students' work!  You can download a free copy of the "Our Writing" sign here.

Here is another fun game I made to have on hand in case there was a little extra free time.  It really helped my students practice printing their names correctly.  I had them print their name on the front and then read the greeting, "Hi! My name is __________.  I am your friend," to five different classmates.  Each classmate would sign their name and colour in a star very neatly, all the while, receiving encouragement from their friend.   Encouraging phrases included, "Great printing!" and "I love how you are staying in the lines!"

Also, if you are interested in this cute little Meet and Greet game and the sweet "I am..." self portrait printable you can check it out by clicking on the picture below!  Both printables are part of a whole bunch of back to school activities to practice skills, get to know your kiddies, and help them get to know each other!!  Although school has been in session awhile, it is never to late for some fun ole getting to know you activities!!

Singing: Getting to know you, getting to know all about you!!  Remind you of any wonderful movie?

You guessed it!!  Oh The King and I - brings back wonderful viewing memories!  Check out the size of that dress!!  The first two people to download the preview over at TpT and leave me a comment and your e-mail will get your own copy of my Getting to Know You kit!!

P.S. Check out my other blog - http://www.mywholebrainteachingblog.blogspot.ca for a new post that includes a Whole Brain Teaching lesson for back to school with a freebie from my Getting to Know You packet!

Classroom Pictures!!

I'm finally getting my pictures of my little ole classroom posted!  Here is my carpet area!

Here is my student desk area!

A view from the back of the room!  I find that pairs works better for Whole Brain Teaching, especially at the beginning of the year as they learn the Teach/OK!

A little close up here of my Power Pix Wall, my Math Tubs, and my Daily 5 Tubs:)

I am teaching with Jolly Phonics this year!!  I am loving the program so far.  Here is my little board that I use to teach each letter sound.

I made some cute little labels for my bins at the front of the room.  You can download them here for free.  If you need any special labels let me know and I will quickly make them for you!!  I attached mine to the bins with holes in them by hole punching the top and using a plastic paper clip to secure them to the bin. It worked quite nicely if I do say so myself;)

Below is my little calendar wall.  I made a few posters for this wall you can download for free.

Currently...

I am linking up with Farley for the September Currently!!  Currently, I am laying in bed typing on my computer on my last day before school starts tomorrow:) I am heading to the school today for the finishing touches on my classroom!  Wish me luck!

Not entirely sure it is good for my computer to rest on my mattress...  Perhaps that is why the fan is going?

My sister lives with me and she is such a sweetheart! I heart her:)

I really need to get to the school ASAP today!!  I just want to be ready!!

A personal assistant would be amazing!!  He would just read my mind and do all those little jobs I was avoiding!!  Let's call him Ace...

I have to walk to an entirely different building to get to the "good" photocopier that actually speeds along and is quite efficient.  It would be amazing to have one in my building for my own personal use:)  I might let a few others borrow it occasionally:)

I love to dance salsa.  I have been taking lessons for about a year now and it has really opened up another world for me!  I ADORE toast!!  It is warm, crunchy, goes well with honey and Nutella!  You can eat it at any time during the day and it always tastes good.  Friends = life!