Have you seen this logo or heard people talk about Donor's Choose? Well...I'm hear to tell you that it is AMAZING! Donor's Choose is a website that is dedicated to helping teachers (like you) get books, supplies, technology, etc for your classroom and it's so EASY! All you have to do is think of something you need, write to explain why you need it, and get donors to support you. 

    In the past 3 years that I have been teaching, I have had 6 projects on donors choose funded. Without this company, I would not have been able to purchase all these amazing items for my classroom. I have received over $1,500 in classroom supplies that have gone directly to students to use each and every day. The great thing about this is that its not just one class it carries on to every class I teach. I have received chair pockets, 4 individual listening stations, talking points, word work board, fractured fairy tales, the entire magic tree house unit, and finally scholastic readers for all my kids. With the help of the Donor's Choose Board of Directors, Kia, Disney, Bill Gates, and many personal friends, family, and students parents I have been able to foster an environment for learning. 

    Lot's of teachers believe that it is too hard to they do not have enough time or people who will donate. Let me just tell you its SO simple. This weekend there was an offer from Bill Gates Foundation for half off your project plus the Donor's Choose Board is giving a half off code as well. With that being said, in less than 1 hour I had a $300 project funded. 

    So, how to get started? Click the link in the picture or HERE. It only takes about 10 minutes to set your profile then click "Create a Project", decide what you want, and write an interesting story about why you need it. The best way to get it funded and get it funded quick is to let people know about it. You can post it on Facebook, Instagram, and even email the link out. This is a GREAT way for people to give you money when they know it will be used! So....why are you still reading this...get started TODAY! 

      "Do not be afraid for I am with you" (Isaiah 44:10) has never felt more true than in the past few weeks. So many things have changed..so many things are different...so many new places, people, etc. These pasts weeks have been a crazy life change but in the midst I could not be happier. Leaving a town you grew up in, a job you loved, as well as friends and family was hard but I have no doubts this is where we are supposed to be. 

      Brian and I drove to Kentucky on a Monday (with both sets of parents..haha), unloaded our 26" Uhaul and opened every box and hung everything on the wall on Tuesday, moved into my new classroom on Wednesday and Thursday, and I started school trainings back on Friday. Since then, I have had Open House and today was the 1st day of school not to mention I also will be the asst. cheer coach at Asbury University. Through it all I have met some amazing, Godly people who I can't wait to get to know even better. 

                                                              Our new home...<3

      So...my new school is AMAZING. It is not only beautiful but everyone that I work with is so nice and helpful. They have truly made the move much easier. My classroom today was filled with 27 smiling 2nd graders all happy to be at school. Here are some pictures of my classroom...notice the window!! Ahh..after 3 years with no window I am PUMPED to have this beauty. See my classroom section for more pictures. 

Window View of my classroom =)

Well...tomorrow is the 2nd day of school and so much left to do. Hopefully once I get in the swing of things I can finish all my new projects and post them soon. Happy Back to School Season. Hope all goes well for everyone. 

Who would have ever thought that classroom management could be so much fun! Well, I'm not sure about you but I was skeptable about using Class Dojo 2 years ago when my teacher bestie, Andrea, said I had to use it! At the time, I was perfectly happy with my clip chart. It seemed to be working, so why change something that worked well? The next year, I decide to give it a try...and WOW I  just love it. I do still use my clip chart though...how? Keep Reading. 

Class Dojo is a great way for STUDENTS to track their own behavior..thats right...students!  Highly Effective...check! Students are able to give positive and negative points throughout the day for positive behaviors such as completed homework, teamwork, helping others, etc. They are also about to give themselves negative points for things like disrespect, no homework, talking out of turn, etc. Class Dojo allows the flexibility of adding your own names of positive and negative points. At the end of each day, parents can see exactly how many points they earned, what time they earned them, and any comments you might have added about that. To find out even more about how it works, click the picture below. 

Now, to the best part...ReWaRdS!!! Who doesn't love prizes...and FREE or Cheep prizes! I was so tired of filling the treasure chest and candy drawer that I came up with some fun free prizes for their rewards. Each Friday, students can cash in their dojo points for rewards. I do it every Friday because it gives motivation for the next week (you can do it how ever often you choose). My teacher helper passes out sticky notes and the students write down their name and how many points they have. Then, they decide what they want and write it down and turn it in. In return, they get a little card to keep with their reward written on it (see below) and keep it until they are ready to cash it in. All rewards expire the next Friday when they cash in. So, if they don't use it they lose it. I have created rewards below...click the picture to check them out.

Now, how do I incorporate my clip chart as well? I use the clip chart in a few ways. (see TPT store for a variety of clip charts)

*Substitue- I have a substitute use the clip chart rather than Class Dojo. It is easier to see and work with unless I know the sub well. Plus, its like an extra incentive to be good for the sub because it means more points! 

*Power Out Day- If the internet is not working it is an easy backup and students know how to use it! 

*Extra Special Items- If a student does something just above and beyond I let them move their clip to earn more than just one point. This way we are using it still so they don't forget about it. 

This is how the points are added from the clip chart... Each level of the clip chart counts for extra points or negative points. For every level you are above "Ready to Sail" you get an extra 5 points to your total where for every level you are below you have to take away 5 points. So..rewards stay the same.

I can't wait to introduce this to my new kiddos in the upcoming weeks.

 P.S. If you intro at Orientation/Open House always allow them to give themselves a point for participation...because they came and it helps them encourage their parents to come to the next event!

Hello! This week has been such an exciting whirlwind of fun! This week will be our last week in Panama City, Fl. On Monday, my husband and I will be headed to Wimore, KY for him to attend school at Asbury Seminary. I will be teaching 2nd grade in Nicholasville. We are so excited for this new journey of our life, yet it has been so hard preparring to leave. I have never lived anywhere but PC. :/ 

This week, my parents threw us a going away/birthday party (Happy Birthday to Me...Today!) and my cousins from Alabama joined for the surprise!! YAY! Also, the youth group we volunteer in went on a scavenger hunt (sortof) which let to another surprise going away party. We are so truly blessed with the people in our lives. 

                     (The amazing FUMC youth group at our surprise going away party...blessed!)

Not only has my amazing family been in town enjoying to beautiful beaches and pool BUT they have been enjoying the Blog Hoppin Scavenger Hunt. We spent all day yesterday trying to find new things and take pictures. My grandmother even joined in on the fun. (She really wanted to sit in the shopping cart but...ya that didn't happen). Check out our adventures below and check out my Instagram for more fun coming soon @styleandpaste   

               (My sister, Candyce)                            (Selfie-Mom and Cousin Briley)

  (Leap Frog with Grandma aka Maw-maw)   (Human Pyramid-Make that Cousin Pyramid)

  And Finally, something gold & glittery- My adorable Blow Pop   Cheerleader my captains made for our UCA cheer camp- Go Rays!

Link up with Blog Hoppin' if you haven't already. We have had TOO much fun playing this week. Still a log way to go to get to 105! Thanks to all my family who helped. Fingers crossed we win the camera!

Countdown till we move- 5 days!!! Wow...guess I should be packing. 

I'm so excited to be able to share my first (and favorite) TPT product today. This year marks my 4th year teaching...which is crazy. I feel like I just started!!! My 1st year I was "Knox's Navigators" and I decorated my room with a variety of things from TPT and other places. My 2nd year I decided to switch it up and went for  "Mrs. Knox's Sweet Life" and focused on all my favorites--cupcakes and ice-cream. Last year, I decided I wanted to make something stylish, matching, and nautical that I could use for years to come. NO more changing..just adding and re-vamping. So, I created my pink and blue nautical class decor and I ADORE it!! 

There are so many pieces to this classroom set including an alphabet, class jobs, writing process, daily 5 materials, word wall letters, clip charts, name places, and others.  Here is a preview of the class jobs that are available. I can also add specific jobs that relate to your classroom. Just let me know! 

Below is a picture of how I use the nautical word wall letters in my classroom. First, I created a sailboat (which matches the sail boat clip art on the items) to be the center piece. The sail says "Sailing into New Words". I made mine with wrapping paper and scrapbook paper. I also used bulletin board paper from School Girl Style to help it match the bulletin boards..check out her paper HERE. I place the letters around the boat and each time we learn a new vocabulary word we place it on the wall. It grows throughout the year and the students love it!!

And what's a classroom without matching class shirts?!? Does your school order class t-shirts? This year our shirts featured a big anchor on the front with "Navigators" through the middle. At the bottom it looped around and says "Mrs. Knox's 2nd Grade". These shirts are perfect for class pictures, field trips, field day, and so much more. Plus, it makes us feel like a team!! 

Classroom decorating is so much fun. I can't wait to get to my new school and start decorating. I love seeing my students walk in on the first day and talk about the decorations and just know it's going to be a great year. Please let me know if you have any questions or suggestions. I am open to new ideas and ways to improve. 



Who doesn't LOVE Christmas....well here in Panama City it is Christmas in July for many reasons. Here is a little look into our July fun.

*I just received a package in the mail- my 2014-2015 teacher planner!! If your a teacher then you know how exciting this is! I couldn't wait to get my colored pens and Washi tape out to start marking dates and of course holidays. I get my planner each year from Plum Paper. They have so many great options and they customize them with your initials, name, and the subjects you teach. Here is a look at mine in the beginning stages. -www.plumpaper.com-

*Our teacher store- Mrs. Mary's- is going out of business at the end of the month (so sad)..but that means a huge SALE is happening. The whole store is 40%-60% off! I racked up with a new Reading Noodlers game, hot-dots addition and subtraction flashcards, and many more great deals. If your in Panama City, then I suggest you check it out. If not, check them out on Really Good Stuff.

*It's also my birthday month!! Tuesday I will be 25...yikes! I can't wait to spend my final week here celebrating and hanging out with my family and friends.

*And...finally for my 1st link up. I'm joining with Blog Hoppin for a Christmas in July Sale. Click the link below to see my items on SALE! *Items on Sale will change on Tuesday and Friday. 

Today-Tuesday: Yellow/ Grey Sale

Tuesday-Friday: Nautical Blue/Pink Sale

Friday-Sunday: Nautical Navy/Green Sale

Hello!! Welcome to my blog...Style and Paste! I'm so excited to join the blogging world and share my thoughts and ideas as well as learn from other amazing blogs. This year will be my 4th year teaching 2nd grade. I just ADORE this age group...although, it is the only grade I have taught. =) 

I feel over the past three years I have learned so much from some pretty amazing teachers. I am excited to share what I have learned and continue to learn as a teacher. Please feel free to let me know if you have any questions. I'm glad to answer them.

You can visit my "About Me" page to learn a little more about me and the new journey to Kentucky that my family is about to embark on. Happy Blogging!