Bling! Bling!

I went to school today and worked on a couple of bulletin boards.   I was inspired this week when I was in Mardel's and found some cute designer letters with little blingy jewels that are self sticking - just peel the paper off the back and stick. 

Here is a close up of the bling: 



I also used the letters to make my new word wall (minus the blingy jewels):

 I used self sticking foam letters I found at Wal-Mart for the alphabet on the word wall.

Summer T-shirt Winners!

Winner, winner, chicken dinner!

I have 3 winners and will be contacting you at your email address soon to get the color and size of the T-shirt you want.

Winner #1 ~ Tammi

Winner #2 ~  First Grade Delight

Winner #3 ~ Laura

{Note:  I had one comment through email, hence you will notice the random generator has 13 on it and that email entry was the 10th person to enter the give away.}

Computer Desk {Cheap} Spruce Up

Last year, I had my big teacher desk at the front of the room and it took up too much space!  Sooooo, I have been wanting a small computer desk to go by my promethean board to open up some space a the front of the room for student desks.  I am rather impatient so instead of shopping around for something I really wanted, I settled for this:

a Family Dollar store find for $25

{They had one that was much cuter, but had very little table top space and I have to fit a DVD player on this as well}

I decided to spruce it up with this:

a Wal-Mart find

It all came together to look like this:

And it fits nicely in its new home right beside the promethean board:

Now this makes me want to go buy a ton of peace themed decor for the classroom! 

Sight Word Practice

Have you ever used the rapid response boards for sight word practice?  I used these last year and I must say this has been the best tool I have found to teach sight words.  I send these home for homework Mon-Thurs. and then I make more copies to keep in the classroom.  I use them during reading group and I also have my students get them out and partner read them with each other usually pairing a strong reader with a weaker reader.  This not only helps them learn sight words but it also helps build fluency.  You can also use these boards to practice letters, numbers, and shapes.  To help students with b and d reversals, I made a board with only b's and d's.  Instead of saying the name of the letter, I had them say their sounds.  This is a wonderful tool. 

If you use the Journey's reading series, then click on the picture to get the set for the Unit 1.
 

Blog Resources

Here are a couple of places for you to check out that have an organized list of blogs by grade level:

Teach 123  has lists for Pk-2, 3-5, and Middle School

Teaching Blog Central has a link for grades K-HS.  You just click on your grade level link and it will take you to a list of blogs for that grade level.  Wonderful resource!

Here is the link to first grade blogs:    First Grade Faculty


I hope you're having a wonderful summer so far! I only have one complaint - it's going way too fast!

Free Summer T-shirt Give Away

I am so excited about summer and 130 followers!!!!  In honor of both, I am giving away three of these cute T-shirts to three lucky winners:

 The shirts were designed by Dustin and Amanda Pittman, owners of dpd Designs and they do fabulous work!!! 

I got my T-shirt in sapphire blue but you can choose from any of the following colors:
yellow, sapphire, hot pink, tangerine, coral, purple, and lime green


{This Giveaway is Closed.  Winners have already been chosen.}




Hop on over to dpd designs and like their page by clicking on the link below.  Don't forget to tell them I sent you.

I will be choosing 3 lucky winners on Sunday, June 24.

If you don't win one of these T-shirts, dpd designs has graciously offered a 10% discount to anyone who orders anything from them through the end of the month of June.  You must use this promo code in order to get the 10% off:  FGS0612   Be sure and check out all the services they offer while you are there!

Good Luck and I hope you win!

Favorite Fonts

I love fonts and Natalie over at Teachery Tidbits is having a "Favorite Fonts Linky Party" and I decided to link up.

Here are some of my favorites:

Hop over to Teachery Tidbits to find yourself some more cute fonts!