Theme Linky Party and WINNERS!!!

It's another Linky Party...and Winners announced!

 

Corinna at Surfin' Through Second is hosting a Classroom Theme Linky Party.  So I'm going to share everything that I have done so far for my Cowboy/Western theme for next year....some of these pics you have seen in previous posts.

This is a sample of things that I made for my Helper Board.  My Welcome Wagon is a small group of kiddos that welcome newbies to our class and help them learn the ropes.

This is a small sample of my notebook that I created.

...and a sample of pages in the kiddos' H.O.R.S.E. binder, desk plate, horse clip art and Wanted poster {both of which I drew}.

Cute cowboy stuff that I bought at the teacher store

More stuff that I bought

CUTE borders!!!

The Buckaroo Board area that I have started to work on in my room already...more work needed though!

My Buckaroo Board upclose...much still to do!

I set this up in my dining room so I could share these goodies from Shindigz.

The glitter horse shoes came in three different sizes.  The barbwire garland is so cute, and I love the red barn backdrop.

Adorable red book barn that I found here...and my hubby is using this for inspiration to build ME a book barn!  I adore that man!  Thanks, honey!

And last but not least, my cowboy and cowgirl puppets.  I adore them!  And that brings me to my WINNERS for my "naming my cowboy/cowgirl puppets"...

I had SO MANY wonderful names and ideas for these two cuties.  THANK YOU TO EVERYONE THAT PARTICIPATED.  I have decided to let my kiddos name the puppets after we share several cowboy/cowgirl books {that were suggested}.  Four people suggested that I let the kiddos name them, so I put those four in the hat first.  So, I will announce the winners now...

 

For the naming part of my contest...and winner of the above prizes is...

Christina doesn't have a blog, so I will contact her my email.  Congrats, Christina!

So then I put the other three in the drawing with everyone else...And the winner of the above prizes is...

I'll be notifying Peggy by email as well.

Thank you all for sharing in the contest!

Now be sure to head over to Corinna's at Surfin' Through Second for lots more theme ideas!

Blessings to all,

Already Working In My Room

As I was doing my Currently for July, I realized that the 1st of July meant only 24 days until I go back to school {with students going back in 31 days}  Ok, so I know that's technically a month until students return, but 24 days freaked me out a bit!  So, today I headed in to work on my room.  As you know, I am switching to 2nd grade this year.  At the end of the school year, dear sweet hubby helped me move everything from my old room to my new room.  First of all, I have to laugh at that statement because our new school building was finally finished, and this was the first year in our new building...so really I had only been in that particular room for one year...even though I'd been in that position for 14 years.

So, I get my new Thirty One bags all loaded up, 

and off I went {and yes, that is one of the Southern Peach Lemonades that I'm hooked on!}

This is how my room looked when I walked in.

And this is how it looked when I walked out.Yeah, I still have LOTS more to do!

But this is what I did while I was there.  I got this area semi-ready.  My board isn't done, but I'm happy to have my material and border up so far!

I know that I still have lots to do, but I'm happy with what I got accomplished in the short time I was there.

On a really sad note...when I got home, I learned that my neighbor's daughter {early 20's} was murdered, set on fire, and dumped on a country road last night.  This just doesn't happen in our community.  I am just heartbroken for her family.  Could you just say a pray for this sweet family!  Thank you!

Hug your loved ones tight!

Win Prizes for "Name That Cowboy" Contest

Today's post is about a convo at the teacher store and a way to win prizes in my contest!

Yesterday was a girls' day for my bestie and me.  We spent the morning at the teacher store, The Learning Circle, had lunch at Longhorn Steak, spent the afternoon shopping at Marshall's, TJ Maxx, Ross, and Charming Charlie's, and then Gigi's Cupcakes to top off the day.  FUN...FUN...FUN
So, let's go back to yesterday morning when we arrived at The Learning Circle.  Here's kinda how it went.store clerk:  "Good morning.  Can I help you find anything or do you just want to browse?"Me:  "Good morning.  Actually, I am looking for anything to do with cowboys/western for my class theme."store clerk:  "Oh that's a cute theme.  I have a bulletin board set on sale.  Follow me."Me:  "On sale sounds good!"  I happily follow her to the sale table.  "Oh, that's cute."2nd store clerk:  "Oh, there is another bulletin board over there." pointing to the wall full of bulletin board sets.1st store clerk:  "Here, I'll show you."Me:  I obediently follow.  This one iss NOT on sale, but I squeal with delight.  "I love this one better!"1st store clerk: "Oh, and there is border back here to match.  Follow me."2nd store clerk:  "Be sure to show her the cute bandana letters and hat cut outs.""Oh, and there's a wanted poster in the poster section."1st store clerk:  "These bandana and jeans library pockets are too cute."Me:  "Wow!  You sure do have cowboy/western stuff for my theme!", I chuckled.  The store clerk takes my items to the counter so I won't have to carry them around {and of course this is a ploy so my hands are free to load up again...and it works!...bwahahahaha}  Boy, did they see me coming!  bwahahahaha

As I browse {finally by myself} I find some other cute things that I know I could use.  I round the corner and come face to face with the cutest little cowgirl puppet!  I just have to have her!  I think a horse would be cute too...I don't find one, but I do find the adorable cowboy to go with her!  That's even better!!!  

They really are my "find" for the morning!!!  I head back to the front counter to see what the damage is.  For all that I'm buying, I am pleasantly surprised at the total.  I think I did well!

Now, can you help me out a little???1.  Will you help me in naming my cowboy and cowgirl?2.  Share with me how I could use them in my classroom.
If I choose your cowboy/cowgirl name...you will win this...

The book, Mortimer by Robert MunschA journal and bookmark made by me2 cute little highlightersEveryone else that contributed either a name and/or idea, will go in a drawing for this...

A K-1 literacy center bookChip board book {with metal ring}Pretty paper scalloped edged cut-outs {that fit the chip board book}Pink and yellow flower sticky notes
Ok, so put your thinking caps on and post your names/ideas.Blessings,  

FREE...Yee-Haw!

I just placed the VistaPrint order for my Cowboy/Western theme.  I've been waiting on the email that had all of the free items that I was wanting.  Here's what I ordered...

Welcome Letters {flyers}

Early Morning Routine {car magnet}

Buckaroo Board {vinyl poster} for our Focus Board

Cowboy Task Card  {rack card} for each childThis has a list of things they can do when their work is finished.

Reminder fridge magnets {for each child}

Parent's Signature address label

Behavior Stickers
I have always been happy with my VistaPrint orders, so I anticipate the same this time, as well.  What have you ordered from VistaPrint?  I'd love to hear your ideas!Until next time...Waving from The Teacher's Chatterbox,

Choosing A Classroom Theme

I always love the summer time because I can really give a lot of thought to my next year's classroom theme.    

Some of my favorites that I've done over the years are...
DOGSOCEANCAMPINGJUNGLECOWBOYS

Last year, I did owls.  While they were cute, it really wasn't a great theme to work around because I like to go all out for my classroom theme.  Out of my favorites, it has been longer since I have done Cowboys/Western...so that helped me make my decision on next year's theme.

Cowboys/Western Theme it is!I have SO MUCH planned for this theme!  The kiddos are gonna LOVE it!Stay tuned, because I am working on lots of stuff to share with you soon!
Yee-Haw!