Sails and Doorbells...

My school has a school wide theme every year. This year the theme is a sailing theme and our slogan is Set your Sail for Success. 

I normally only decorate the outside of my class with the school theme. It just gets too expensive for me to totally redo everything every year inside my room. Instead, inside my room I just add to my black and white collection like this year I added the red and lime green accents. 

This the outside of my door. 

I'm not really in love with how my net is hanging, but it will do. 

Above the tack strip...

I'm still working on adding my kiddos pictures. I'm taking their pictures with them holding a boat steering wheel...is that what it's called?!?! And wearing a white captain's hat. After I get all of their pictures taken and printed, I will put each student in one of the scrapbook paper rectangles that are on the wall. 

 

I redid my doorbell sign to match this year's theme too. I like the way it turned out. I am in L-O-V-E with chevron!!

A side note about the doorbell...

I've had one (the same one) for years. I got it at Walmart for $13ish dollars. I attach it to the wall with Velcro which makes it nice if it ever needs to be removed. The doorbell came with two battery operated remotes. I have the one by the door and the other remote is set to a different chime that I keep with me or near my teacher table. I use it for a cleanup and/or  switch center signal. 

The kiddos do really well with it. There have been just a few "fireflies" that abuse it, but with proper training they all seem to get the hang of it. 

First Week is in the Books

I just finished week 1 with kids and man I am t-i-r-e-d!! Have you seen this going around Pinterest or Facebook...

It is the absolute truth!! I think I've gone to bed almost everyday this week before 9!

It's been a great week with my 24 new kinder babies! They are working very hard at learning procedures and expectations. 

I will post more about our first week activities later, but right now...I need a nap. 

Back to School Blogger Exchange

I don't know how many times I have said "where do I start" lately. It seems like the back to school list is never ending. The shopping list is always growing with those "must haves" and it never fails that Target, WalMart, Mardel, or Big Lots seem to have just what I think I need.

But amidst all this crazytown times, I was able to participate in a blogger exchange sponsored by the following blogs:

and

What a fun idea! I was given a blog partner and we exchanged back to school goodies with each other.  I was given Sara G. at  

 It was so much fun to shop for her as I was out and about.  When I mailed her package off, it brought back memories of my National Board days.  

I took the sweet little box all taped up ready to ship, standing at the Bethany Post Office taking pictures as I handed it over to someone else.  I'm sure our postal workers have me on some kind of watch list!

It was so exciting when I received my package from Sara. It was amAzing how several of the things she sent me were things on my shopping list! I LOVED all of it!   Thank you Thank you Sara!!

I had been  looking for the black and white pennant style border at all the "teacher stores" in town and everyone was out!! I open my box and amazed to find the very border I wanted!! Isn't it crazy how teachers think alike!

This was so much fun! Thanks again!