Frankie Says RELAX

I'm a fan of parties in all shapes and sizes... so naturally, I'm a fan of linky parties. Since I haven't had much time to craft this week I'm going to party instead.

The Teaching Thief has asked other teachers what their top 10 must haves are.... so once again, I'm jumpin' on that bandwagon.

10. SWEATPANTS. I prefer the XL pair that I can throw on as soon as I get home. I usually barely make it into the door before my shoes are off and I'm into comfy clothing.

9. Fancy schmancy pens. This year, I'm all over the "sharpie pen". yep! It's a another bandwagon thing.

8. POST-ITS! I have post its in all shapes and sizes and they are everywhere in my classroom. Most of the time I write reminders on post-its and they usually don't even make it back to my apartment. Oh well! It's the thought that counts.

7.  Stationary. A coworker gave me a package of thank-you's last year as a "back to school gift". I remember her telling me that I would use them often. Boy was she right! I was often writing notes to parents thanking them for various things. Plus, it's a good excuse to browse that oh-so-wonderful isle at Target.

Etsy

6. Yoga DVD OR Just Dance! Last year, I started doing yoga a few times before school. It was my alternative to a 12 oz red bull. Weird, huh? It broke up the routine of my mornings and was enjoyable. If I wasn't in the mood for yoga, I would get my groove on to Just Dance for Wii. Yes, at 6AM I was jamming to "Hey Ya!" by Outkast.

5. Pedicure! I got mine on Thursday of last week. It was ah-maze-ing.

4. My camera. Have you noticed I photograph everything? My freshmen year of college I took 11,000 pictures. I wish I was lying to you.

3. Starbucks/Red Bull/COKE. This one is self explanatory. Caffeine is highly necessary.

2. Time to yourself. I'm all about my Friday and Saturdays. They are my days off from work. I'm a "go-into-work-on-sunday-kinda-gal" but on Saturdays I like to relax... like Frankie has instructed us to.

1. SUPPORT! Nothing is better than a great group of friends to fall back on. For example: this morning I text messaged my sweet friend Jolyn and she wrote back with kind and thoughtful words for my Tuesday. Just what I needed!

Different Strokes for Different Folks!

Image Source

After reading one of Love 4th Grade's latest blog posts, I was intrigued to ask my teacher friends what music they play in their classroom. As an undergrad, I was fortunate to experience time in each grade level K-5. In many classrooms, teachers were playing music in the background. The genre on the juke box varied from room to room. So, I wondered what were some classroom favorites.... and I've got some excellent answers!

First, I'll share a few of my favorites.

Louis Armstrong

Sleep Through the Static

A 1st grade friend in southern Missouri likes to close each day with Uncle Kracker's Smile.

A 5th grade friend, who you can follow here, likes to start each day with Sunshine by Michael Franti.

During transitions, two friends like to play Jim Brickman to calm the kids. 

Two friends in Columbia like to jam to Glee for several occasions! For example, the students may need their spirits lifted or during transitions at the end of the day. Super idea!

When in doubt, go with the classics! They even sell cheap classical music CD's at the dollar store. Now that's a deal!

Of course, you may have those students who like to boogy woogy (and now how to, right Ann?) So you may want to play...

What music do you play in your classroom?

Monday, 'nuff said.

Pardon me, my brain exploded today.

Jars of Mason

I am 99.9% sure I have only used a mason jar once in my life. That one time was at Joe's Crab Shack when my drink was brought to me in a mason jar. Little did I know, these little gems are used for more than just a cold beverage.

Here a few of my favorite mason jar projects. Click on the caption to link to the webpage for more details.

Some Crafty Dames

Lauren Elise Crafted

Emmaline Bride

Epheriell Designs

Slices O Flight

The CSI Project

Adorable, eh? I thought so too. I believe when Spring rolls around again I will spray paint a few to make planters for my front patio.

I have noticed in my classroom that I need a few containers to hold pencils, extra supplies, PBS tickets, and whatnot. I thought, "ah-ha! I shall use a mason jar."

No no... not just ANY mason jar. I wanted to use a beautifully painted "marblely" mason jar. See?

Magpie Paper Works

While searching the internet, I came across Magpie Paper Works blog. Click here to access her page. She gives a great little tutorial on how to make lovely vases for flowers (or even pencils!)

I gathered my supplies and had a seat on the 'ol patio. I realized that I didn't quite have enough colors to follow the blog exactly.. oh well! My jar still looks pretty schnazzy. 

Different strokes for different folks

With my tunes going and the sound of tubers and wave runners in the background, I started pouring!

DUMP

Drip drip drip

Since the heatwave is over (for now...) I can enjoy the lovely outdoors. I'm even wearing sweatpants right now. Yup! It's the truth people.

Lovely Thursday

It's almost SHORE TIME PEOPLE!

COUNTDOWN: 7 DAYS

For the past two weeks, I have been working hard to complete my classroom. Finally! I feel like it's ready for kids to arrive ONE WEEK FROM TODAY. OH MY GOODNESS! 

Welcome to Ms. Furnell's 5th Grade Classroom! 

M-I-Z

That's right! I have a SMARTboard this year.

Rain gutters as book shelves. Perfection!

SPIDERMAN is missing! He will soon complete my "CAUGHT" bulletin board.

Books books and more books!

Non-Fiction shelf. My love!

Get the SCOOP on our daily schedule!

Is that the Osage way?

What do you think? The walls are bare and ready for science and communication arts "stuff" that we create together!

NOW! I must print labels, fill out insurance and tax forms, watch high quality tv, and do a mason jar craft. I think I can.. I think I can.

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?