Well, today I had to get up bright and early for a workshop. Let me just tell ya that I am NOT going to be happy when that alarm clock has to start going off super early again! My job would be perfect if I could sleep until 7am. But, you gotta do what you gotta do. So, I got up early and had a bit of time before my workshop so I decided to swing by Target (although I was there THREE, yes 3, times yesterday). I've been stalking their dollar bins to find the clear dry erase sleeves that you all have shared, but they have been wiped out. I mean seriously. Yesterday, there were at least 12 EMPTY bins. Nada!
They opened at 8:00am this morning and I was there at about 8:05...and guess what? They were stocked FULL! So, if you want something from those dollar bins, get there when they open! I got an entire class set of the sleeves I wanted!!
I'm super excited about these because I think they'll be perfect for cursive practice. My district doesn't supply handwriting books (or program) any longer and I always dread making so many copies for cursive practice. Now, I'll just make a master class set and we can slide them in these sleeves for practice. Yay!
After my workshop, I wanted to get my craft on by knocking out my little "Kiss Your Brain" jar. Everyone has been making these since they showed up on Pinterest and I just had to have one. I had a migraine and wasn't feeling uber crafty, so I decided to take the easy route and just use some little stickers I had on hand. It'll work!
I was really happy to find this jar at Wal-Mart yesterday. I had been looking for a while but wanted one that 1) had a knob at the top so the kids could lift the lid easily, 2) had a lid that didn't screw on, and 3) wasn't too large. This jar was JUST perfect.
As I was craftin' it up, I had a lightbulb moment. At least, I hope it was a lightbulb moment...it was for me at least! As I was putting the Kisses in, I thought of Hershey's Hugs. Then I realized I could make a jar like this that said "Hug Your Heart." I love the idea of kids getting a little kiss for their brain when they've answered a question or remembered a big word from a previous lesson and thought I would extend that. Why not let them get a hug for their heart when they are caught doing a kind deed or helping someone else?! I haven't seen this anywhere else, so I'm claiming it as a lightbulb moment! :)
That meant back to Wal-Mart for another jar ($4.97) and some Hugs. Unfortunately, the Hugs didn't come in a big "party bag" so I had to buy small bags (it took 4 small bags to fill this jar). I wanted it to look a little different so I also picked up more stickers.
I think the kiddos will LOVE these little treats, and I love that it's going to encourage them to use their brains AND their hearts! :)
Now, I'm off to work on my class folders. I've got the labels printing now. As soon as I have a sample of my writing folder created, I'm going to begin my writing workshop series of posts!
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Very cool! I haven't seen the "Kiss your brain" thing yet....and I like how you branched out and created the "hug your heart" jar as well! Such neat ideas! :) Congrats on finally getting the stuff you wanted from the Dollar Bins!! Yay... :)
ReplyDelete~Sara~
Ramblings of a Deaf Ed Teacher's Mind...
I love these!!! I will be both of these this year. Thanks for sharing!!!
ReplyDelete:) Nicole
Tadpole Tidbits
www.mrscorbitt.blogspot.com
Love the hug your heart jar..definitely a light bulb moment! Guess I'll have to make one too!
ReplyDeleteBrandi
Success in Second Grade
Love the Hug your Heart idea!
ReplyDeleteLyn
Mrs. Goff's Pre-K Tales
I'm in Greenville too, Amanda! =) I didn't know that the owner of Teacher's Clubhouse was in my town!
ReplyDeleteGinger Snaps
These turned out great :)
ReplyDeleteHeidi
My (Not So) Elementary Life
Amanda, I think that idea is awesome! Hope King from Second Grade Shenanigans and I talked about doing one at the beginning of August! I think we would have a good group. There are also a bunch of teachers in GA and NC who might be able to swing it!
ReplyDeleteLove all these ideas! What is the cute font you used for your folders? Have you seen the Monster Duct Tape? I found some at Target the other day.
ReplyDelete✞Heather
Swinging Through Second Grade
hdawntn@hotmail.com
I LOVE IT!!!! Haven't seen the "Kiss Your Brain" jar before. I always tell my kiddos to kiss their brain so this would be an extra SWEET way to reward their efforts. Also, kuddos to the HUG YOUR HEART idea ~ definitely a lightbulb moment. Must say I'll be out at my local Wal-Mart hunting down my own jars so I can replicate your idea for my classroom.
ReplyDeleteHeather,
ReplyDeleteEveryone keeps telling me about the monster duct tape, but I haven't been able to find it at my Targets yet. The search is on, though! :)
You are so clever Amanda!! I love the Hug Your Heart Jar! How adorable is that?! I am bummed because my Target was out of those dry erase pockets too. I just need to go stalk them everyday too. :)
ReplyDeleteLisa
Learning Is Something to Treasure
I am on vacation... Hoping all the teachers leave me some supplies for when I get back.
ReplyDeleteTania
Mysecondsense.com
I love those sleeves. I was lucky to have a DonorsChoose funded in April that included them. They can be used for so many activities! Your jars are so cute! I might have to steal your ideas! :)
ReplyDeleteYou are so creative!!!! Where do you come up with all these ideas?!? I try not to hand out trinkets (too expensive) BUT I just have to steal this idea!
ReplyDeleteAmy
Where Seconds Count
I love your monster theme, Amanda! Soooo cute!
ReplyDeleteI haven't been able to find the dry erase sleeves either, but I have another idea....I have a few restaurant menu sleeves that I put "Menu Math" activities in. I think I even got the menu math activities from Teacher's Clubhouse a couple of years ago :0)! Anyway, they also work great to write on with dry erase markers. I got them from a parent who managed a restaurant. I've also used page protectors alot, but those darn sleeves from Target are just so much cuter!
Linda
AroundtheKampfire
I am hoping to swing by Target tomorrow and buy all these goodies everyone is posting about! Love the "Hug Your Heart" idea!
ReplyDeleteAH! I haven't seen those dry erase sleeves. I'm going to Target tomorrow to check them out (hopefully!)
ReplyDeleteKatie
Dirty Hands and Lesson Plans
I just gotta tell you...I love you, Man!
ReplyDelete~Natalie
Hi Amanda! I grabbed some of those sleeves today:) I am thinking about putting the cute duct tape around the edges though....Love your Hug your Heart!! So cute:)
ReplyDelete4th Grade Frolics
I love your hug your heart! So clever and cute! I second a NC, GA, SC meet up! When and Where???
ReplyDeleteTonya
Tonya’s Treats for Teachers
Amanda --I sent you a picture of the monster duct tape at Target. Hope you go it.
ReplyDeleteI wish we had a Target around here! I'm going to a blogger meet up this weekend in a bigger city, so maybe I'll be able to find something! If not I have some that I used presentation covers and duct taped the edges. Also I love your hug your heart jar! I need to find some containers :)
ReplyDeleteLinda
Down The Learning Road
Marilyn,
ReplyDeleteI got it! Thanks so much for sending the picture. Now I'll know exactly what I'm keeping an eye out for! So stinkin' cute!!
Oh my gosh I *LOVE* your jars! I think you've just inspired my next Monday-Made-It! :)
ReplyDeleteAllison
http://staycalmteachon.blogspot.com/
I absolutely love your hug your heart jar! Super cute!!!
ReplyDeleteColleen
Totally Terrific in Texas
I love the idea for the Hug Your Heart jar! Teaching kids to be nice to each other is so important! By the way, I wanted to let you know that I got my gift cards! Thanks again!!
ReplyDeleteJackie
Third Grade's A Charm
was this a marcia tate workshop! If not, it sounds like it. I could dream to have half her energy! I am working on a lollipop tree right now!
ReplyDeleteRachel
Great ideas and cute projects. I awarded you The Versatile Blogger award. Hop on over to by blog to pick it up. :-)
ReplyDeleteCindy
Blog Stalker
http://teacherblogstalker.blogspot.com/
I love the "Hug your Heart" jar so much that I just got back from buying the things to make it. We are not allowed to give out candy but we can just pretend the jar is for decorations! =)
ReplyDeleteHeather
Heather's Heart
Well Amanda, I guess I know that you've bought all of the wipe-off sleeves in a 25 mile radius! I just found your blog, I'm on the Greenville/Spartanburg county line off of Woodruff Rd. I teach K5 in Spartanburg Dist. 5.
ReplyDeleteDonna
Haha! I actually only wiped out the Woodruff Road location. I think you must be pretty close to me...I'm telling you, hit them up right when they open! :) My nephews go to school in D5 - excellent district...definitely Byrnes country!
ReplyDeleteJust found your blog through Farley's Blog. I am a new blogger trying to learn the ropes. I really love your blog. You have some great ideas. I am a new follower of yours. Can't wait to read some more blogs in the future.
ReplyDeleteMrs Flickinger's Butterfly Oasis
tflickinger@usd259.net
What a fantastic idea, I'm sooooooo pinning this post. I love getting a-ha moments like that.
ReplyDelete✰ Stacy
Simpson Superstars
I just started following you. Cute Blog!!
ReplyDeleteஐRikki
The Hive
"Kiss Your Brain" and "Hug Your Heart" <3 I LOVE... LOVE... LOVE this idea! Thanks for sharing. Now you have me wanting to set my alarm to head to target! ;)
ReplyDeleteLeah
Learning 4 Keeps
I love both your jars. I think the Hug Your Heart Jar is a fantastic idea I will use when I catch kids doing a random act of kindness. Thanks so much!
ReplyDeleteI love your ideas! Bummed because we are a sugarfree school and can't use hugs or kisses.
ReplyDeleteThanks sooooo much for sharing!!! Love "Hug your Heart"! I'm really trying to come up with some new ways to get these children to be nice and considerate of each other to be "KIND"! I'm on my way to walmart as soon as I get off work! Thanks again! Ellen
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for joining my blog!
ReplyDeleteYou have such wonderful teaching ideas and cute crafts that I may steal!
Judy
Love the hug your heart jar- that is on my to-do list this Sunday!! I will have to keep my eye out for those at Target, I've never seen them before. I am there quite often looking for the plastic book bins, I will have to try to 8:00 thing! Thanks for sharing!!
ReplyDeleteLove the jars!!! For those looking for the plastic dry erase sleeves-- if you can't find them at Target, Oriental Trading sells them online.
ReplyDeleteFinally, a craft I can make! Thanks for sharing. Now, I have to stalk my Target too.
ReplyDeleteI love the KISS YOUR BRAIN! That is so awesome!
ReplyDeleteI'm totally stealing this idea!
Margaret
Kinder Journey
I love the hugs and kisses jars!!
ReplyDelete❤Teri
A Cupcake for the Teacher
I love your monster folders! They are so cute!! I'm thinking of having a monster theme this year for my classroom.
ReplyDeleteShelly
Smiling and Shining in Second Grade
Oh,I do so hope that when Target comes to Canada they bring all these great things here!!! I am sooooo jealous! Love the hug your heart idea.
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing! I love your ideas!!!!
ReplyDeleteI LIKE this! I'm not a teacher, but I have three kids who have teachers :) and I'm thinking of using this idea for back to school gifts for their teachers. Looking at getting a jar large enough that I can put a cardboard divider in and put each of your sayings on both sides and fill up accordingly. Thanks for inspo!
ReplyDeleteI teach high school, so I'm totally less craft:) However, I'm stealing your idea for my daughter's kindergarten teacher who tells the class to kiss their brains all the time. I love it! I'm also going to make a bunch of stickers that say "Kiss your brain" to give her to hand out to the class! Thanks!
ReplyDelete