COUNTDOWN: 11 days

Meet the Teacher night is great and scary all rolled up into one. It's great to meet the students and families you'll be working with for the year. Then, it's scary because you want to make a good impression and give those kiddos something to be excited about!

Earlier this summer, I found this idea that I couldn't wait to try out and share. But first, wouldn't it be great to win the lottery?

uuuhhhhhhh...... YES.

Well ladies and gents! Get ready.

Simply 2nd Resources posted this awesome idea for having lotto tickets for students. Of course, you can also find a pretty great how-to on Martha's website. Seriously, is there anything she hasn't tried?

Picture this: As students walk in I hand them a lottery ticket that they can scratch off once finding their desk. Not only will they (hopefully) flip out when they see their desk ... they will be equally excited to scratch off fantastic prizes! I highly anticipate getting the following responses from my students on day one:
"THIS IS THE BEST CLASS EVER!"
"THIS IS THE HAPPIEST DAY OF MY LIFE!"
"COULD THIS DAY BE ANY BETTER!?"

You get the idea.

Of course, my prizes are the coolest and most original ideas anyone has ever come up with:
FREE PENCIL!
NEW BOOKMARK!
LUNCH IN THE ROOOOM!
NO HOMEWORK!
EXTRA RECESS!

Okay okay.. I exaggerated. They aren't THAT original. Pretend you're in 5th grade.

Moving right along...

I'm absolutely loving Love 4th Grade's blog because she has the best ideas to impact student learning. After all, that's what we are all about. Her post today was all about focusing our first two weeks of instruction on admirable individuals. I've been struggling (bummer.. I know) to find neat ideas to hook my 5th graders the first few weeks. Thankfully, Ms. Jasztal provided this link that got my brain rolling!

Familiar with these posters?  (pardon the pixillation! I'm not perfect, people!)

Of course you are! Did you know you can print these for free? Yep! It's true. Click here to access the billboards!

As a little treat for the first day of school, I downloaded this "Smartie Pants" printable from Beth Proud Foot! Prior to leaving school I made a quick list of things to pick up at Target. Guess where I left that list? ON MY DESK. I'm 0-2 on grocery lists this week! Anyway, the only thing I remembered at Target were the Smarties to make these treats. Guess what I left at school? THE PRINTABLE! That's when I know my brain had exploded and it would be an early night for me.

Hehe, Get it?

Or if real pants are your thing.. Here's an idea from The Inspired Apple!

Is 8:00 too early to go to bed?