Friday, August 10, 2012

It's Back to School Time!

It's Back to School Time and time for a TpT Sale!!!!

 


My TpT store will be on sale 20% off and using the promo code BTS12, you get an additional 10% off my sale - a WHOOPING 28% off!!!  Sale Dates are Aug 12th - 13th.


Grab these great products...
 



Word Study Activities

And Much More....


Monday, July 30, 2012

Classroom Organization: Classroom Masters Binder

If you asked me about one classroom item I would have a hard time without, it would be my Classroom Masters Binder.
I created this binder about 5 years ago.  It's nothing fancy (until NOW!)  I found that there were items I used regularly in my classroom but I wanted to have access to them quickly.  Around the same time, I heard about putting papers in sheet protectors and being able to copy them without ever taking them out of the protector!!!  So ingenious, I tell ya!

Any-who...the Classroom Masters Binder was born!  My close colleagues often come in and ask to borrow it to copy a page or two.  It really is a important and helpful tool.

Here's the great news!  I revamped it all - Added colorful graphics and details.  For the set, I included a page of items I include in each section to help you put your together.   I can't wait to print all the pages and make mine all fancy too!  Click the picture to download...
Now I HAVE heard of some teachers ditching their file cabinets all together and creating Master Binders by Month or by Subject.  I would love to do this next.  Have you done it already?  I would love to hear how you were able to ditch your file cabinet!  Tell me about it in the comments below!

Friday, July 27, 2012

Welcome to the Teacher Toolbox!

I have been blogging under Educator Designs since January but what my original blog focus has changed - mainly because I had baby #3 (and am now pregnant with babies #4&#5- YES-Twins).  On Educator Designs, I was focusing more on resources from my classroom and tips I have found throughout the years that could help others.  So, I am still an "Educator Designer," but my focus is on becoming a toolbox of resources for the Primary Teacher!

So, welcome to the Primary Teacher Toolbox!   Kick back, sip some hot tea and gather some great resources for YOUR primary classroom!

Parent Volunteer Bags

Every year, I strive to include all my parents in their child's classroom.  One year, even though, I was at a low-income school where the majority of my kids' parents worked full time- sometimes two jobs- I was determined to have parent involvement.  So, I thought of jobs & activities that parents could work on at home.  During open house, my volunteer signup included these at-home jobs and activities complete with days of availability.  I compiled a list of names of parents that could complete projects and on what days.  When I had something to be done, I checked my list for that day and sent the project home.

Last year, I created these volunteer bags out of XL Ziploc bags where I put everything a parent would need to complete a project in their home.  In addition, I created a page that I laminated that gave basic information and space to include more specific details.  I wrote on the page with a Vis-a-Vis marker.

Here is a photo of what I used and a freebie with the project page that I placed in the bag.  Enjoy!


Snag this freebie at my TpT Store!