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!