no place like an empty classroom

So y’all know the Wizard of Oz is my fav. I loved the little posters Mrs. Plum made a few weeks back, but they didn’t have ANY of MY favorite characters on them! plus, I have to teach the traits that we use school-wide. Each month our counselor chooses a character trait to match the time of year. We have to have the poster displayed and I choose {well, the kids vote} on the students of the month based on that trait.

Here’s the issue I have

These are not cute or exciting in any sort of way. I mean, I’m super glad they were given to me, but just not my thing. So…

Cute, huh!? These Melonheadz graphics make my third set of Oz clip art, but they have all sorts of characters my other sets didn’t! In fact, one for each month! I did match the trait to what the character from the movie actually exuded. I thought good and hard about them! And the letters are even red glitter! Can’t beat that with a stick!

For now, no TpT; but they will be up soon! There are 2 sets, one with Yellow Brick Road background, the other with blue and white checkered design.

And, hold on to your seats! I got into school today! I went to sign some PTO checks {cause I’m the secretary, not because I’m that cool} and my two kiddos took off down the hall to my room. I kinda freaked, but the secretary said they were dry! Yippee! We can officially get in tomorrow, but I got a little bit of stuff unloaded. I took nothing out of my closet unless I knew exactly where it was going. I usually drag everything out then all my tables and desks are covered until open house when I throw it all back in the closet. Not gonna happen this year!

new tile. I’m really pleased with how it looks. See that monstrosity to the right. I jacked it from a teacher’s room that left. It’s a set of cubbies that are about 6’ long and 4’ high. No clue what to use them for, but I will steal furniture! It will definitely be covered with contact paper!

I lost one fish. Everything else survived the past 2 weeks without food.

here’s my backseat. This is why I really needed to get in. The trunk was worse. No room for kids!

I only stayed an hour, but the hair had to get out of my face no matter what I had to use! Paperclips are great!

Ready to get dirty tomorrow! We officially go back next Wednesday, so time’s a tickin before meeetings, talking, meetings, and talking

sneaky peeky

one is a tattoo inspiration and one will be a blog design…you figure it out!

and here’s what I;m working on this week. It will include an observation booklet, a birth announcement, a daily records calendar and animal friendly experiments! Can’t wait!

I just became an author on Erica Brohrer’s Critters in the Classroom. I LOVE it! I love our students of a different kind and so do my kids! Check it out!

and just cause, here’s a random freebie. I have this attached to a clear “file holder” hot glued to my white board. After we read a book together, I place it here for easy finding. Of course, most don’t make it past the rug these days. Since we went through Questioning, the first question is always can I have that book in my book box? who would say no!?

Read Together Sign

Arachnids Need Lovin’ Too {and you need freebies!}

So last week in guided reading my Leaning Tower of Pisa group {yep…we are named for amazing landmarks!} was reading about Arachnids and Insects. They were fascinated with the scorpions..and frankly, so was I.
Enter Sunday
Usual trip through Petco
and I came home with an Emperor Scorpion!
Now, I swore off mammals in the classroom after Wicket {my Mini Lop rabbit}
just too much upkeep for 2nd graders
too much touching temptations
I We already have Harriet {a male tarantula we think…}
and lots of fish in a 20 gallon aquarium
And we have 2 Hissing Cockroaches…after an old teammate’s had babies
They are wonderful classroom pets!
{you can check out our critters here} though I haven’t updated since the dimise of Cookie and addition of yet to be named scorpion
The kids LOVE them and can do all the work!
So what’s one more arachnid??
I brought him to school Monday morning and they were so absolutely excited!
What’s it’s name? Not sure yet, but I like Virgo…we like April…oh geez, no
Can it kill me if I touch it? Would I buy something for school that could kill you…really…?
Can we touch it? No, I am not going to touch it and you’re not going to touch it…See those pinchers?

The Lowdown:

The bigger the scorpion, the less venom
Emperor Scorpions, much like Harriet, only cause irritation, not death!
He/She {thinking she…} eats crickets! yay! Just like Harriet, too

Here’s where it hides out. Feeding time tomorrow.

And just for fun, we have to do some more research. How many kids of mine do you think checked out books about scorpions from the library Monday? Four…that’s all that could find any! Isn't inspiration and excitement what this is totally about!?

I am working on a minibook and comprehension activity for TpT, finished my arachnid mini-pack plus have a little Venn freebie here. Click the picture

And here’s a little 12 page minibook about the history of Valentine’s. I know it’s too late for this year, but I did not do it until last night after scouring the Internet for child appropriate explanations! I read these and filled out Amy Lemons’ Who, What, Why foldable from her V-Day Pack.

Yosemite Sam anyone?
We had to use The Inspired Apple's “I Moustache You a Question” freebie! I took the pictures yesterday afternoon on my phone, uploaded to walmart.com, and paid a whopping $3 for the prints!

And I got more oohh’s and aahh’s over these monster bags from the Teacher Wife! SO precious!

Hope your Valentine's is amazing! Next post is about getting to spend $300! woo!