The Early Bird Gets the School Supplies...and a Lightbulb Moment!

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!

49 comments

  1. 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... :)

    ~Sara~
    Ramblings of a Deaf Ed Teacher's Mind...

    ReplyDelete
  2. I love these!!! I will be both of these this year. Thanks for sharing!!!

    :) Nicole
    Tadpole Tidbits
    www.mrscorbitt.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
  3. Love the hug your heart jar..definitely a light bulb moment! Guess I'll have to make one too!

    Brandi
    Success in Second Grade

    ReplyDelete
  4. I'm in Greenville too, Amanda! =) I didn't know that the owner of Teacher's Clubhouse was in my town!

    Ginger Snaps

    ReplyDelete
  5. 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!

    ReplyDelete
  6. Love 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.

    ✞Heather
    Swinging Through Second Grade
    hdawntn@hotmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  7. 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.

    ReplyDelete
  8. Heather,
    Everyone 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! :)

    ReplyDelete
  9. 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. :)
    Lisa
    Learning Is Something to Treasure

    ReplyDelete
  10. I am on vacation... Hoping all the teachers leave me some supplies for when I get back.
    Tania
    Mysecondsense.com

    ReplyDelete
  11. 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! :)

    ReplyDelete
  12. You 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!
    Amy
    Where Seconds Count

    ReplyDelete
  13. I love your monster theme, Amanda! Soooo cute!
    I 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

    ReplyDelete
  14. I am hoping to swing by Target tomorrow and buy all these goodies everyone is posting about! Love the "Hug Your Heart" idea!

    ReplyDelete
  15. AH! I haven't seen those dry erase sleeves. I'm going to Target tomorrow to check them out (hopefully!)

    Katie
    Dirty Hands and Lesson Plans

    ReplyDelete
  16. I just gotta tell you...I love you, Man!
    ~Natalie

    ReplyDelete
  17. 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:)

    4th Grade Frolics

    ReplyDelete
  18. I love your hug your heart! So clever and cute! I second a NC, GA, SC meet up! When and Where???

    Tonya
    Tonya’s Treats for Teachers

    ReplyDelete
  19. Amanda --I sent you a picture of the monster duct tape at Target. Hope you go it.

    ReplyDelete
  20. I 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 :)

    Linda
    Down The Learning Road

    ReplyDelete
  21. Marilyn,
    I 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!!

    ReplyDelete
  22. Oh my gosh I *LOVE* your jars! I think you've just inspired my next Monday-Made-It! :)

    Allison
    http://staycalmteachon.blogspot.com/

    ReplyDelete
  23. I absolutely love your hug your heart jar! Super cute!!!
    Colleen
    Totally Terrific in Texas

    ReplyDelete
  24. 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!!

    Jackie

    Third Grade's A Charm

    ReplyDelete
  25. 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!
    Rachel

    ReplyDelete
  26. Great ideas and cute projects. I awarded you The Versatile Blogger award. Hop on over to by blog to pick it up. :-)

    Cindy
    Blog Stalker
    http://teacherblogstalker.blogspot.com/

    ReplyDelete
  27. 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! =)

    Heather
    Heather's Heart

    ReplyDelete
  28. 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.

    Donna

    ReplyDelete
  29. 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!

    ReplyDelete
  30. Just 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.

    Mrs Flickinger's Butterfly Oasis

    tflickinger@usd259.net

    ReplyDelete
  31. What a fantastic idea, I'm sooooooo pinning this post. I love getting a-ha moments like that.
    ✰ Stacy

    Simpson Superstars

    ReplyDelete
  32. I just started following you. Cute Blog!!
    ஐRikki
    The Hive

    ReplyDelete
  33. "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! ;)
    Leah
    Learning 4 Keeps

    ReplyDelete
  34. 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!

    ReplyDelete
  35. I love your ideas! Bummed because we are a sugarfree school and can't use hugs or kisses.

    ReplyDelete
  36. Thanks 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

    ReplyDelete
  37. Thank you so much for joining my blog!
    You have such wonderful teaching ideas and cute crafts that I may steal!

    Judy

    ReplyDelete
  38. 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!!

    ReplyDelete
  39. Love the jars!!! For those looking for the plastic dry erase sleeves-- if you can't find them at Target, Oriental Trading sells them online.

    ReplyDelete
  40. Finally, a craft I can make! Thanks for sharing. Now, I have to stalk my Target too.

    ReplyDelete
  41. I love the KISS YOUR BRAIN! That is so awesome!
    I'm totally stealing this idea!

    Margaret
    Kinder Journey

    ReplyDelete
  42. I love your monster folders! They are so cute!! I'm thinking of having a monster theme this year for my classroom.

    Shelly

    Smiling and Shining in Second Grade

    ReplyDelete
  43. 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.

    ReplyDelete
  44. Thanks for sharing! I love your ideas!!!!

    ReplyDelete
  45. I 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!

    ReplyDelete
  46. I 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

Thanks for visiting my blog and sharing ideas! I love to read your comments. I like to reply back by email, so make sure you have that option enabled so we can chat! :)

Back to Top