I've Got Perfectly-Cut Circles My Friends :)

I'm linking up with Kristen over at Ladybug's Teacher Files for this post.  Click the picture below and join in the fun!

So I began blog stalking hopping nearly a year ago.  I remember one of the first posts that I really liked (I probably would've pinned it had Pinterest been invented) was a post from Kristen at Ladybug's Teacher Files.  It was a post about her circle cutter and how she made classroom signs and book bin labels using her cutter.  I loved this at first glance and just never got around to purchasing one.  She ordered hers from Amazon (you can find a link on her blog), but if you know me well at all, you know that I am a tad bit impulsive when it comes to wanting something.  I read an updated post about her awesome circle cutter and I needed one yesterday today now!  So did I listen to sweet Kristen and order the really good one from Amazon?...No!  I went to Hobby Lobby and found this little gem.

 This, my friends, is a circle cutter.  Now, it is not the circle cutter that Kristen speaks of, but it worked for today.  BUT not without a little effort.  You see, it was working perfectly at first, but then little paper shavings kept getting in between the plastic parts that move against each other to turn it and it wasn't turning easily.  So what does a girl do??  I got out the cooking spray of course!!  LOL!  I did, seriously, get out the can of cooking spray and spray some on a paper towel and then greased the insides of the paper cutter.  Worked. Like. A. Charm.

When I first started, I wasn't so great.  This was my first attempt.  Totally not a perfect circle.

 Number 2 was my second attempt, you can see I got a little closer this time.

 Number 3 looks pretty doggone good.  I'm starting to get the hang of it!

 I must say, by Number 4, I was pleased with my circle cutting skills!

Now THESE numbers look beautiful!  Doesn't she (my paper cutter) look awesome sitting there in front of perfectly cut circles....ahhhh!

Also my CAFE letters look beautifully perfect and circular :)  The words below are another story...can we say tired hands?

Totally loving my circles....

All of this was made possible with 3 of my favorite things {well, 4 if you include my new circle cutter}.

I love printing on Card Stock!  It lasts!!

Laminating Pouches from Sam's Club.  200 pack for $20.  Best price on these and the quality is awesome!!

 Probably one of the best purchases I've ever made.  Love my Scotch Personal Laminator.  :)

So my favorite shopping item for June would have to be my circle cutter, but I also enjoyed purchasing these items that I posted about in early June.  You can find that post {here}.

Hope you're enjoying your summer.  Today is the last day for my sale on TPT.  Click the graphic below to head over to my store.  Have a happy weekend!

10

Common Core Graphic Organizers: 3rd Grade Edition DONE!

Just a quick post in between pool time and gym time (I love summer!) to let you know that after many, many, oh so many requests, this baby is uploaded to TPT!

Click the picture to check it out on TPT!

You can also check out my 2nd Grade and 1st Grade Editions:

If you're needing some math assessments that align with the Common Core for 2nd Grade, you can check these out:

The next item up on TPT will be Common Core Quick Math Assessments: 1st Grade Edition.  I promise it's coming.  Thanks!

6

What I'm Working On...

For my faithful followers and per many, many, many requests, I am currently working on this bad boy and hope to have it posted by Wednesday if not sooner.

It will be in the exact same format as the Common Core Graphic Organizers: First Grade Edition and the original Common Core Graphic Organizers that are aligned to 2nd Grade.  I hope to have it posted by Wednesday evening.

Next up: Common Core Math Quick Assessments: Third Grade Edition.  It will be the same format as the original Common Core Math Quick Assessments that are aligned to 2nd Grade Common Core.  You can expect it by next week sometime.  Hope you're having a happy summer!

3

Awesome FREE Classroom Management Tool

I've got to share an awesome tool that I have used consistently for the past year: CLASS DOJO.  This is truly an excellent behavior management tool to use in your classroom.  All you have to do is go to www.classdojo.com and set up your class.  Then you can award points for positive behaviors right there on the computer screen or from an iPhone, iPod Touch, or iPad from all the way across the room.  Picture this: I have Class Dojo up on the computer screen.  I have it projected onto the ActivBoard.  I'm working with small groups.  Little Sally is staying on task, reading a "just right" book, and following expectations.  Without stopping my small group instruction, I simply touch her name (or avatar) on the iPad and give her a point for good behavior.  The class is alerted with an audible tone and Sally is all smiles!  Little Johnny quickly decides he wants a point too and begins reading his book rather than flicking pencils across the room at his neighbor.  Instruction is uninterrupted and all students are back on task.  Brilliant!  This is what it looks like on the screen:

Now, you can award negative points that will make a different sound and subtract points away from a student, but we are a PBIS school and choose to reward positive behaviors instead.  But it's there should you choose to use it.  I will add that, at times, you might not want the audible tone, so you can turn that feature off or just turn the volume down.

At the end of the day or week, I reward the students with the most points or the students who met their behavioral goal (great for point charts or behavioral IEPs).  It truly works!  You can also print behavior reports daily or weekly to send home to parents.  Instant documentation!

I have had this on my blog list to blog about forever ago and never got around to it, but the email I received this morning told me, "Jamie, you've got to share this!"  Class Dojo just got even better!  You can now use Class Dojo to keep track of and take attendance.  The students (or you) can take attendance using this website and print the attendance reports with the behavior reports.  Awesome!  

This is the video included in the email detailing the attendance feature:

If you have any questions about how Class Dojo works, feel free to leave a comment below OR if you have used Dojo and think it ROCKS like I do, leave a comment telling me how you've used it in your classroom.

FYI: I have no connection to Class Dojo and they are not paying me to blog about this program.  I just love it and wanted to share it with all of my teacher friends :)  Have a great week everybody!

As always, thanks for stopping by!

14

A Few Fabulous Finds...

OK y'all.  I went to run a few errands yesterday and just HAD to pick up some awesome finds and just HAD to share them with some people who would appreciate.  The hubby just gave me a blank stare :)

Exhibit A: Awesome New Borders

 Don't you just love these borders?  They're from Frog Street Press and they're double-sided.  Love 'em!

Exhibit B: Colored Duct Tape

 Oh my!  I've heard about this awesome little idea of colored duct tape!  Now....what do I do with it?!  :)

Exhibit C: A Cute Little Planner

 I just couldn't resist.  It ties in so well with my colors.  Perhaps it'll be my lesson plan book if I can step away from the digital lesson plans.  Hmmm....

Exhibit D: More Bins

These little bins are going to totally revamp my metal storage cabinet in my classroom.  AND they were on sale for $0.92 rather than $0.97 at Target!  How can you pass that up?!  That's five whole cents per bin!!

Ahhhh.....doesn't it flow together beautifully.... :)

I did manage to pass up the patterned duct tape.  It was more expensive.  My hubby was SO proud...LOL

I also downloaded two professional books to my iPad to read this summer both by "the sisters".  I have got to find out what all the hype is about!  If you have used The Daily Five or CAFE...do you love it?

That is... if I can pry myself away from this little piece of literature found below ;-)

Hope those of you on summer break already are enjoying it as much as I am.  It's funny though how my 2nd week of summer break I'm already planning for next year's classroom decor and reading up on two pieces of professional literature.  Who says teachers don't work in the summer?  :)

13