Sunday, April 20, 2014

Organizing Your Kid's Memories

I struggle daily with organization! Like many of my readers, I am very busy. I have three kids, I work full time, and I also create items for our TPT store, Planet Happy Smiles. I also love to make labels … the teacher in me, I guess … I label most things.

I also must admit (while I am admitting things)

I LOVE Pinterest!

A while back, I saw some pictures of file boxes that looked similar to my crates that I started a long while ago. (If you go on Pinterest or Google, just search: kid memory boxes) The pictures inspired me to go back to the drawing board on my crate idea & try it again!

I did not like my crates because they got dusty, not as “cute”, small, etc. So I gave up on them. Now several things sit in piles or boxes .. YUCK, I know!

So … I went to Walmart & got these file boxes with black lids. Yes, I love the color black! I also ordered the black hanging file folders to match on Walmart.com! LOVE!!!

I made some new “cute” labels for the fronts and also the tab labels to match and I must say, I LOVE them! I laminated the labels for the outside of the boxes and taped them on with clear tape. Easy Peasy! I also made labels to match for other items I am saving for the kids. (All matching of course)

tab labels

front labels

I wish I had made these a long time ago! Now, this will be my project to get everything to fit in them! I am lucky because two of my kiddos are still little. My biggest struggle will be with my oldest. Wish me luck! I hope this helps others out there that need some inspiration.

I have also used a system similar to this in my classroom for my student's memory books throughout the year. I just used two crates and split them by boy/girl! Now those need a face-lift!

If anyone wants me to add them to our TPT store, comment below or email me. I can custom make them to meet your needs!

Happy Organization,

Karen

Sunday, April 6, 2014

Bunny Surprises

If you have been following our Teachers Pay Teachers Store, you know we love to build up the positives through positive praise, rewards/incentives, etc. Most of them do not cost a lot of money or take a great deal of time to prepare. Our newest addition is no different ...

Kids love Easter & opening eggs to find out what is inside.

We loved that when we were kids, too!

This reward system is easy to use &

tons of fun for the kids!

Step one:

Go to the store and buy some plastic Easter eggs & a basket or if you save everything like we do ... dig the supplies out of your Easter storage!

Step two:

Print the "Bunny Surprises" set, cut, and fold the pages to place inside the eggs.

Step three:

Watch your students eyes light up as they discover

their "surprise!"

Here is one of our "Bunny Surprise" baskets!

Click here or on one of our pictures to get to the "Bunny Surprises" set!

"Hoppy" Teaching!

Karen & Alison

Monday, March 24, 2014

Positive Feedback

WOW! All creators on Teachers Pay Teachers love to get positive feedback, but this one was extra special! This project was super time consuming & we just know every class in the world should have a Reward Cube.

A HUGE thank you to Learning with Lucy

You made our day!!!

If you have not seen our post about the reward cube, you can get there by clicking here!

If you would like to go straight to our store & check out these cool cubes, just click on the picture below. There are many styles to choose from!

We hope you can find one that meets your needs!

Happy Teaching,

Karen & Alison

Friday, March 21, 2014

Building on the Positive ~ A classroom management tool!

Have you ever had a class that thrives on rewards & positive praise but what you were trying just wasn’t offering the results you desired? Years ago, we had classes that needed a positive reward system that was easy to use but one that would make a HUGE impact. We were also learning about our solids at the time. That was when the idea of the “Happy Cube” was born. We have never been disappointed with the results since then! We called it the “Happy Cube” because not only did it have the reward cards around it, but also happy face stickers all over it.

We started off by saying: “I am so happy with the way you _____, go roll the Happy Cube!” or “You made my heart smile when you ____, go roll the Happy Cube!”

Instantly, almost like magic, other kids started doing the same positive behavior so they too could roll the “Happy Cube!”

We now call it “The Reward Cube” because not every class uses happy faces as much as we do.

It has been redesigned to be easy for you to download, follow step by step directions, and presto you have your very own cube! The cube would even be great for rewarding young kids at home for all of the positive things they do!

Many of the items to reward them with are free which makes it even nicer if you are on a tight budget.

All of the materials are provided in the product except an empty Kleenex box.

You will get:
-the pages to make your cube cute!!!
-all of the reward icons for the students to earn when they roll
-slides with some printable prizes
-ideas on how to organize your own reward center
-labels to use to organize your rewards
-a happy class when they get to have the fun rolling!

Take a look at everything you get in these products…

Here are some of the styles we have to offer your class!

If you click on any of the pictures below, it will take you to that product in our store.

Reward Cube (EDITABLE) in a Zebra Print with Happy Faces

Reward Cube (EDITABLE) in a Zebra Print

Reward Cube (EDITABLE) in a Safari/Animal Print Theme

Reward Cube (EDITABLE) in a Rock and Roll Theme

Reward Cube (EDITABLE) in a Multi Colored Polka Dot Print

Reward Cube (EDITABLE) in a Multi Colored Chevron Print with White Background

Reward Cube (EDITABLE) in a Multi Colored Chevron Print with Black Background

Reward Cube (EDITABLE) in a Monster Theme with Multi Colored Polka Dots

Reward Cube (EDITABLE) in a B/W Polka Dot Print with Happy Faces

Reward Cube (EDITABLE) in a B/W Polka Dot Print

Reward Cube (EDITABLE) in a B/W Chevron Print

We hope you love our products!

We know your kids will!

Please follow our store & blog for tons of fun ideas & products. By following our store, you will receive our newsletter that may include free items from time-to-time!

Happy Teaching!

Karen & Alison

I'm Back~

After being without a personal computer for months, my car catching on fire, lots of busy activities with my family, and being sick for almost 2 full weeks ...

I’m back!

I have really missed my computer and I am super excited to have a new one!

My BEST friend and teaching partner, Alison, has been working overtime for the two of us & I could not have a better friend. The next blog will show you what she has invested a HUGE amount of time on.

You don't want to miss it!

Back to work!

Karen

Thursday, December 5, 2013

My First Frenzy!

If you have never participated in a Frenzy, it is never too late to start. They are tons of fun & you can grab a variety of free products to use with your students. It is like a weekend of flash freebies!!! The Facebook Frenzies were started by the amazing Heather over at Creation Castle. Hats off to Heather!!!

You do not want to miss what these talented educators have in store for you!

I get to the the first stop in my rotation & I could not be more thrilled!!! I hope you give it a try!

Click on the picture above to get to the 2nd grade Math/Science Frenzy or choose a link from below to go to the spot that your would like to start with! Have a ton of fun traveling around the different frenzies & picking up cool free activities.

The Frenzy officially starts on December 6 at 8:00 am EST and ends on December 9 at 8:00 pm EST