A Few More "Classroom Set-up" Ideas:

Managing All Those 1st Day Notices:

I place all of the "Beginning of the year forms" in large manilla envelopes with each child's name written on the front.  I put these out the day before school begins (at our PTA Social) so parents can take them home and fill out the forms.  If they don't attend the social, they get the envelope on the first day of school.  You can also put them out on the first day for parents to take as they drop off their kids.

Plan to Celebrate a Color Each Week:

I plan our "Color Days" (one for each of the first 12 Fridays) and place the first few calendar cards in our pocket calendar.  When we celebrate each color, we dress in that color, we do a "craftifity" in that color, and we eat a healthy snack that is that color.  Like on Red Day, we dress in red, make a Clifford puppet, and taste strawberries.  Here are the Color Day Calendar Cards.

Click the image.

Organizing Parent Volunteers:

I put out a yearly planner for parents to sign up to volunteer in our classroom.

Setting Up The Painting Center:

And here are 2 of my oldie ideas:
I picked up these cute sponges at The Dollar Store to keep my paints from drying out.

Wet the sponges and slide them on to
the brushes at the end of the day.

Slide the sponges off when you're ready to paint.

I usually cut out sponges to fit on the top of each paint container, poke a hole in the center, and I place these wet sponges on top of the paints each night.  In the morning, I remove the sponges so the kids can paint.  I don't have to wash out the brushes every day!

Getting Donations With A "Giving Tree"

Click the image to get the FREE download.

And last, is my "Giving Tree" which I place outside my door with a Post-it on each apple.

I write down the items I need for my classroom on each apple and again on the Post-it that sits on each apple.  The parents take the Post-its and donate the items requested.  :)

Check out my:

FaCeBoOk:  Click Here to see my Facebook. (Tons of FREE ideas.)

PiNtErEsT:  Click Here to see my Pinterest Boards.  (Oh, the ideas on these boards!)

TeAcHeRs PaY tEaChErS:  Click Here to see my TPT Store (Did you say, "15 freebies?!")

That's it for today.

Let me know some of your beginning of the year ideas. 

Palma :)

A Freebie For You That I Use All Year Long & Day 4 of My 1, 2, 3 Sale

I Use This FREEBIE All Year Long:

Click the image to get this FREEBIE.

It's the best way to get all of the little things donated to your classroom. 

 Just write the things you need on the laminated apples on the tree and again on a Post-It. 

 Place the Post-its on each laminated apple.

Parents take a Post-it and sign their name on the laminated apple so you know who took it.

Be sure to write the date you need the item by on the Post-It.

Day 4's Sale is all about the beginning of the year:

On sale for $1.00 - 1st Day of School Note For Parents

Just attach a cotton ball to this cute note to help comfort worried parents on the 1st day of school.

1st Day Certificates:

On Sale for $2.00 - 1st Day Certificates

Perfect for the 1st day of kindergarten.

Click the image.

Color Day Notes:

On sale for $3.00 - Color Day Notes In English & Spanish

Celebrate a color each week and let parents know which color their child should wear on each color day with these cute notes.   They come in English and Spanish!

You might also like:

Calendar cards for celebrating Color Days.

Click the image.They are only $1.00.  

See you all tomorrow!

Palma :)

1, 2, 3 Classroom Set-Up Part 1 of ??? "Before The Kids Arrive" (& a FREEBIE)

1, 2, 3 Classroom Set-Up Series:

This is part 1 in a series of awesome tips for setting up your classroom for the new year.  Each day I will post 3 tried and true "Classroom Set-Up" ideas that have evolved over the past 35 years (OMG, have I REALLY been teaching that long?) all here in one place just for you.  Come back each day to see more tips that will help you save time and help your new school year run smoothly.  

Tip 1:  Before The Kids Arrive:

I remove the laminated graphics and replace them with
seasonal graphics for more photos all year long!

I found this white frame at a flea market and I added the graphics for their First Day photo which will look great on the bulletin board for Back-to-School-Night AND it will go in their memory book too!

Tip 2:  A Note For The Parents:

This photo includes the comfort note and the laminated name tags for each student.
The color of the name tag tells them their color on the rainbow rug
and which colored table to sit at.  

I prepare a comfort note for the parents and I attach a cotton ball to each one.  Last year, I printed the note on colored hearts.  

You can grab one version of this note by clicking HERE.  

Click the image to grab this Giving Tree for FREE.

Tip 3:  The Giving Tree:

I print this "Giving Tree" and laminate it for use all year long.  I add apple Post-its (but the square Post-its work just fine) and I write on the tree and on the Post-it the item I need, how many I need, and when I need it.  Parents grab and apple and sign their name to the apple on the laminated tree.   Then I know who is bringing what and when.  

You can grab this Giving Tree FREE by clicking HERE.

Check out my:
FaCeBoOk:  Click Here to see my Facebook. (Tons of FREE ideas.)
PiNtErEsT:  Click Here to see my Pinterest Boards.  (Oh, the ideas on these boards!)
TeAcHeRs PaY tEaChErS:  Click Here to see my TPT Store (Did you say, "15 freebies?!")

See you all tomorrow with more tips.

Palma :)