Blessed in the Classroom

I am feeling especially blessed in the classroom this year. I have a parent helper nearly each and everyday! Last year, I did not have even ONE parent that could volunteer in the classroom. I was there early, late and on most weekends catching up and I am happy to say that this year is SO opposite. I sent home my last newsletter last Monday and requested a few classroom items and by Tuesday afternoon I had more than enough! WOW! I have some willing and generous families this year and I am loving all the support. I am happy to say besides buying a few items over the summer for the classroom I have spent ZERO out of pocket. I was at least $500 in by this time last year!! You never know what kind of group you will end up with, but boy did I get a great group! Ü

It's not only the families that are generous this year, it's complete strangers too! My wonderful friend who I miss dearly, Lindsay has a mom that is a teacher. Well, Lindsay's mom told me about a website called donorschoose.org. I blogged about it one right here, Donors Choose! I am SO happy to announce that 2 of my 3 grants have been completely funded by complete strangers!! How amazing is that! This was nearly $800 in classroom materials for FREE! The first grant I wrote was to ask for some clocks to teach time. Near the end of first grade we start learning to tell time, but our district's math curriculum lacks the manipulatives to be able to teach it properly. Here is what I got for my first grant . . .

I got this class set of clocks! SOOO much better than trying to make paper ones that rip!

And, I got a set of 30 of these write on/wipe off clocks and markers to go with!

    The clocks all totaled more than $220 and I feel so blessed that random people would want to donate to MY classroom for MY kids. The best part is my students will be able to use all of these materials for years to come!

My second grant was a grant with more of a focus on classroom management and organization. This grant was well over $500 in total and I thought that there was NO way it would be granted. Little did I know that it was completed within a week and I have all the materials in hand within 2 weeks of posting. Amazing!! Here is what I got for this grant . . .

I got this big timer to hang on the wall. The kids love it and work so intently until the timer goes off. 

Ü

This was just too cute and I thought I needed it for my desk. ;o)

I haven't found a place for these just yet, but I think I am going to use them for grouping and centers etc. I need to find a magnetic white board. . . hmmm. Parent newsletter?!? Haha.

My next big project is to completely re-do my classroom library! I need to get some tubs and then these labels will be perfectttttt!

Ummmm. I might be the most excited about this one! I cannot wait to take a test (this Friday) and use these! I have wanted these for years. Sure beats having to dig out and put up folders that always tip over.

I love this and would have killed to have it last year. This year I don't really need it, but I am planing on doing something with it. It's so handy!

This is now on my rolling whiteboard and it's so convenient! No more losing markers and erasers! Whoo hoo!!

Aren't these reusable name tags just the greatest?! I have seen them used and I have always wanted them. Now I have them and just in time for our field trip THIS THURSDAY!!

And, finally. . .  the YACKER TRACKER! This has always been on my wish list, but I never wanted to spend $100 out of pocket to buy it. I have never had a quieter classroom since getting this! I keep it on all day. These are soooooooo quiet now to avoid going to "red" it is music to my ears! :)

I have one more grant that is in the works. I have asked for a class set of clipboards for the kids. It has about $190 left until it is funded. I have a few things in mind and I hope to propose my 4th grant over the weekend! Stay tuned . . .