Sparklers!

Today I am revisiting this blog post that has continuously been my top viewed post for the past two years {you may have also seen this image posted on Pinterest}!  It's a great classroom management post and a good way to get you thinking for next year {for those of you over-achievers}.

I have used this fun little classroom management tool in my room for four years and it is HANDS DOWN the BEST way to get your kiddos transitioned in a timely and quiet manner.  I've used this with both my first graders and kindergartners.  

This year {since I went back to kindergarten and no longer had individual desks, instead had tables} I placed the magnetic holders on my dry-erase board in front of the class.  It worked just the same...wonderfully! :)

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I love playing little 'classroom management' games with my kiddos!  My first graders LOVE to play the "beat the teacher" game.  How to play "beat the teacher:" I have an area on my dry erase board where I write "Mrs. McHaffie vs. Class," every time a student calls out an answer or something of that nature I get a tally mark.  Every time the students raise their hands, THEY get a tally!  Whoever has the most tally at the end of the day wins!!  So simple and easy and the kids LOVE it and it really helps with calling out!

Sparklers is a version of a game I was introduced to when I was interning.  These cute little "sparkle balls" as my kiddos call them are from your local craft store.  I got the magnetic holder to place on each group of desks {I've grouped together 5 desks to make a "clump island" :)  }  from the Dollar Tree!!

Here's how the Sparklers work:  When we transition from one area of the room to our individual desks, each "clump" has an opportunity to earn a sparkler for their "island."  Once the "island" has earned 6 sparklers they earn some type of reward.  They earn a Sparkler by going to their desks quickly and quietly, getting out their needed materials, and showing me they're ready to work and/or listen for directions.  This helps with making transitions run smoothly and we are able to get right to their next lesson!  

Their rewards are NEVER food and/or candy. I reward with them with things like: a choice of a new eraser or pencil to add to their 'toolbox' or I might let them be the first to line up for the rest of the week.  Something easy and simple like that!  The best part is... the kiddos L O V E it and really encourage one another to earn Sparklers for their group!!  It's so fun being in first grade!

Any cute and fun classroom management ideas from the "peanut gallery"?  :)

Valentine Ideas

Valentine's Day will be here before we know it!!  This year I've been trying to come up with some cute, new ideas for my kiddos to give and to receive!

These butterfly valentines will be for my kiddos to make for their parents!  So simple, easy, and A.D.O.R.A.B.L.E!!

 This treat I've done before and they're always a big hit!  Another quick and easy treat for the kiddos from me to them!  I am working on a cute tag to attach to the cookie-pop as well and will have that up shortly.  This is just a sugar cookie with a lollipop stick attached.  I found the lollipop sticks at Wal-Mart last year in the party crafts section.  They were called something else, but that has slipped my mind!  While the cookies are baking, I add the sticks to them half way through. 

There are some really cute Valentine craft ideas on Cara Carroll's page as well!  Be sure to check those out too!  Any other cute ideas that you do??

Gus Groundhog

Wednesday was an extremely busy day for my class.  We were celebrating Groundhog's Day, the 100th day of school, and a classmates birthday all wrapped up in one day! Needless to say, we survived....or I survived!  

This year I totally got into Groundhog's Day!  It is so much fun!  I never really went into depth on groundhog's with my kinders but this year I purchased Cara Carroll's Groundhog Unit and MAN did I go to town!  There are so many cute ideas out there!  

This is Gus, our class groundhog.  I don't really consider myself crafty or artsy but I think I did a pretty dang good job of making my groundhog!!! :)

 I L-O-V-E this groundhog six week project!!!!!  This is so great and an awesome addition to our Calendar Math Books!  I downloaded Cara's template {no sense in reinventing it, PLUS is absolutely ADORABLE} and made it into a book!  I laminated the front and back covers and printed their names on labels (this was not intentional...I accidently laminated the book before writing their name, but they still are cute).  My kids are loving keeping track of the weather and really 'investigating' information about the groundhog's track record!

 We did some cute activities for the 100th day of school, but I have to be honest, I spent more time celebrating Groundhog's Day.  One of the activities we did I took from Deanna Jump!  How cute are these portraits?!  The kids loved making themselves 100 years old!

(sorry the picture quality is not so great on these pictures)

I'm so happy our busy week is over.  Onto Valentine's Day activities and Presidents!