Stability Balls in the Classroom *Freebie*

Hey Everybody!

So, I know stability balls in the classroom is nothing new.  I'm always late to the party.  Always.  I'm finally considering a pair of Uggs.  I just have to sit on some things before I jump on board. I've never been called a trendsetter.  

I blogged about alternative seating {here} I really thought I was going to do it, but I chickened out.  I couldn't envision my kiddos sitting in bean bags and on exercise balls that first day of school. My heart started to palpitate just thinking about it.  

Instead, I decided to ease into it.  Our awesome PTA purchased 6 stability balls for my classroom and I can't wait to start using them.  I had to decide what rules I was going to have to keep everybody safe.  {My current palpitator perpetrator is somebody falling off and bonking their head}.  I'll introduce the rules on Monday and hope for the best!  As you know, I've got a lot of boys this year, so I'm really hoping this helps productively contain their wiggles.

Click the picture to pick up a copy free...

Once Daily 5 is up and running and I've opened up our Book Nooks I think I'll let my students work using these special areas/seats at other times during the day. Slow and steady...

If you use stability balls in your classroom, do you have any tips or tricks you'd like to share?  If you are a teacher who would never considering using them, share your thinking too. I'm curious!

Happy weekend!

Toodles...

Saturday Smorgasbord in Pictures

Hey Everybody!

Well, we made it through our first FULL week and we made it through with flying colors.  That first "week" {my firsties informed me four days does not equal a school week - smart cookies} about did me in.  If you remember, I have a lot of boys this year.  The current stats are:  18 boys and 5 girls.  I might have a boy-heavy room, but that doesn't mean I won't have a class of respectful, kind, {energetic} and responsible learners.  

When you are as tired as I am, a blog full of randomness is about all you can dig up...

Most of these are from Instagram...so sorry you might have seen them already.

Knowing that both boys and girls are into the video game Minecraft - I used this as my quiet signal on Friday.

Worked like a charm.  A little mining here, a little mining there, and my kiddos {especially my boys} were putty in my hands!

After that long first FULL week...I was feeling a little overwhelmed. Nothing that a visit to Target couldn't fix...

Are those shoes not the cutest?  And that candle?  Oh the sweet smells of fall!

Have I told you yet how much I'm loving Planbook.com?  I tried it out this summer and blogged about it here.  I wasn't sure if I was going to like it.  Seriously, friends - it makes life SOOOOOOO easy.  The best part?  They now have an app for your iPad!!!!!!

I am so happy to report that my weight-loss efforts are now complete!!!!!!

Now I have to focus on maintaining.  This has always been {yup, I've done this before} the hardest part for me.  I think this is why I'm not all that excited about my accomplishment.  Being a teacher is so dang stressful and stress always makes me turn to food.  Conferences, report cards, struggling kiddos...all make me reach for a bag of M & M's.  A fully stocked teachers' lounge doesn't help either!!!!  So here's hoping I can keep it off this time.  If you have any tips or tricks, I'd love to hear 'em!!!

Happy weekend friends...they go too fast!

Nineteen Boys & Four Girls...Classroom Pictures too! {And some other this and that's}

Hey Friends,

We are on our way to the first day of a new school year!  The classroom is all put together, I've meeted {not a word, I know - but it's cute, right?} and greeted, and now I'm ready and rarin' to go!

I do have an unusual breakdown this year of 19 boys and 4 girls.  No lie and no joke.  I'm a wee bit concerned - but an even bigger part of me is excited.  I have two boys of my own and I do seem to "get" them.  I almost wish they had put those four girls in the other classes and left me with all boys.  That would have been really interesting... {maybe even cool?}

One thing I do know is we'll be incorporating a lot of movement into our day {which is good for everyone}.  I have a Brain Break document that I created last year and shared {here}. We'll be doing a lot of dancin' and a movin' and a groovin' throughout the day!  Maybe I'll take off some extra LB's that way! HA!

Here are some pictures of my 2013-2014 classroom...

I also wanted to let you know about a neat opportunity over at Mardel.com  for ONE DAY ONLY. Online customers who purchase one 12-count set of their exclusive "Renewing Minds Collection" file folders - Mardel will donate a duplicate set to a school affected by the May 20th tornado in Moore, Oklahoma.  This offer is only valid until midnight tonight {September 1st} and can be found online {here}.

Aren't they cute?

I hope you'll consider purchasing some cute file folders - it may seem small, but little glimmers of happiness can make a teacher's day - especially after such devastation.  

Tuesday's the day!!!!!  Woo hoo!!!!!

Toodles!