Thirty-One

I am obsessed!!

I love to organize things and have little containers and bins for things so I would, of course, love the company Thirty-One. Have you heard of it? I got their Thermal Tote at the 2011 HPE Silent Auction. I love it so I decided to get a their Soft Wallet about a year ago. I love that too!! I've been toying with the idea of going into the Thirty-One business, but I am not a sales person so I am not sure how it would go!!

Anyway, I have been looking for a great bag for work and have been considering the Organizing Utility Tote.

I have seen MANY posts about this bag, but the three that really sold me on it are from Tiffany at The Nest Effect, Jen at i heart organizing, and Tiffany at Teaching 2 Many Diligently. These ladies, among others, talked of how they fell in love with this bag because of how useful and stylish it is.

I am also getting the All-In-One Organizer, the Mini Zipper Pouch, and the Wristlet Key Fob for school. I am planning on putting things in the Organizer for {parent} volunteers and will keep the Mini in it with pencils, highlighters, etc. I am SUPER excited to see these items in use and think it will help the {parent} volunteers when they come in.

The last item I am getting is the Littles Carry-All Caddy for home. I think we're going to try to hold our crazy amount of remotes in it, but I'm not sure! We'll figure something out!!

One of the best things about getting all of this, two of the items were Customer Specials for the month of July!! The Mini and Little were $5 each! Plus, I got a few of the items personalized for $5 each, another Customer Special! Oh my goodness, I am SO excited!!

Plan Books

I know this is silly, but I really enjoy planning and using my plan book. I've had a few during my career that I just can't get into and few I don't like because they're boring.

I really love my Erin Condren Life Planner and know she makes a teacher plan book, but it's expensive ($50) and I am hesitant to fork over that amount of money for something my school will give me for free (though the one they provide is really boring).

Seriously, how adorable is this?!

So, while reading other blogs, and searching for things on Pinterest and Etsy, I've been toying with the idea of making my own. I don't know if I should use a binder (I am in love with them) or if I should make my own and bind it. I already use binders for so much at school it seems like a no-brainer, but I also like the portability of a simple spiral bound planner.

What do you use? Did you make your own? What program(s) did you use? Do you have coupons for Erin Condren's stuff?!  :)

Summer Reading

I am taking a cue from Audrey, The Sweet Life of Third Grade, and compiling a summer reading list. I might have to join some of the book studies online, but I am excited to start reading!

The Book Whisperer

I have heard wonderful things about this book! I picked it up last year but it was at the end of the sumer and I get super busy with the beginning of the year errands and tasks.

The Daily 5 and Cafe Book

I read the Daily 5 last summer and fell in love! I want to do a quick read of that then pick up Cafe. I have already used parts of the Daily 5 in my class this year, but would really like to use more of it in the coming year.

Words Their Way
My district wants us to use WTW so I think it would be a great idea to read up on it!! I went to a workshop last fall, but I'll do a quick read as a refresher. I have also Pinned a bunch of WTW ideas, so I am super excited for word work this year!!

Math Work Stations
When I first started teaching 3rd grade, almost 8 years ago, my mentor gave me Literacy Work Stations and I found it really helpful and full of great ideas. Ideas I thought I could actually do and use!! Now that Debbie Diller wrote Math Work Stations, I am really excited to start creating and organizing.

Guided Math
Audrey is going to read this book. I hadn't heard of it but all of the reviews I've read say it's excellent. I am going to a couple of math workshops at the the end of the summer so I think I will save these last two until August.

I am also looking for a good book on morning meetings. Does anyone have one they love? A few of my friends have recommended these books...

P.S. Images are from Amazon.com

The End

The end of another school year is upon us. There is so much to do and so little time!!

I have to gather things for summer session (at another school), pack up my room for the summer, finish report cards, finish end of the year testing (really?!), and send notes to my kids. WHEN will I be able to do all of this by June 8th?! Arrgh!

Oh wait, I have amazing cabinets in my classroom that hold a bunch of my stuff. Packing shouldn't be too difficult and my parents have agreed to store my items for summer session until I need it (June 15th). The testing, report cards and notes for my kids can be finished during the next week, prep times and at night while watching reruns of Friends or How I Met Your Mother.

Come to think of it, the end of the year isn't looking too horrendous after all.  Now I just need to remember to take pictures of everything before I pack it away!!

Is there anything you do at the end of the year for your kids?