My Class Song

I love, love, love this song!  I wish we could play it over the loud speaker every afternoon.  During my "Meet-the-Teacher" QR Code Scavenger Hunt, I had the students and parents listen to this song at one of the stations.  Now, we listen to this song every Friday afternoon before we go home.  It's honestly my favorite part of the week.

Click here to download the lyrics.

Keep in touch with PARENTS!

As a mom, I absolutely love it when my children's teachers keep me informed of what is going on in their classroom.  The more reminders the better because let's face it- we're busy people and sometimes forget things.

Here is a list of ways I keep my parents updated.  I promise it's not as hard and time consuming as it looks.

1.  EMAIL
At the beginning of the year, parents fill out a form with important information.  This includes an email address for mom and dad.  (Click here to grab this FREEBIE.)  I send out email updates about two or three times a week.  I admit that seems like a lot, but again I feel like parents need a lot of reminders.

2.  Weekly Newsletters
I send home a newsletter every week with important announcements, as well as a joke, free app, and weekly website.  (Click here to view an example of my newsletter.)

3.  Keep an updated website.
I try very hard to update my website once a week.  I upload my weekly homework plan, as well as my newsletters, study guides, and school announcements.  If you don't have access to create a class website through your school, then try out Weebly or Shutterfly.  

4.  Twitter
I created a Twitter account this year for my parents and students.  I absolutely LOVE it!  It's easy and fun.  I also try very hard to only send out NEW information via Twitter.  That means I put stuff on Twitter that I do NOT send in an email or mention in my newsletter.

5.  Text Messages
I signed up at Remind101 this year and think it's absolutely fantastic!  Parents can receive FREE text messages about things going on in your classroom.  Again, I try to ONLY send out NEW information via text.  My goal is for a  parent to sign up for email, twitter, and text messages.  Therefore, I try not to duplicate the information I send out.

6.  Blog
I created a class blog that I try to update with pictures of things that happen in our class.  I want this year's students to start visiting it on a weekly basis, so I've started posting questions for them to answer.  (Click here to check it out.)

Cute Clipart

I absolutely LOVE cute clipart.  It started back in the day when my supervising teacher introduced me to Carson Dellosa.  At that time, I quickly became a pro at copying it out of a workbook, resizing it, and adhering it to my worksheets.  I admit that I became slightly obsessed with Dellosa.  I especially loved their clipart CD's.  Over the years, I've also used CD's from Cliptures and FREE clipart from Discovery Education.

However, my latest clipart obsession is something my friend Teresa introduced me to.  It's simply FABULOUS!  Best of all, it's FREE.

Click here to check out My Cute Graphics.