Linkypalooza!!

I have seen so many great linky parties this week and haven't had a chance to join in yet.  So, today, my post is all about these great linky parties!  I'm linking up to several below.  If you haven't joined in the linky parties I'm hosting it's not too late!  You can share about music you use in your classroom at the Turn the Music Up Linky Party and about your favorite class project at the Classroom Projects Linky Party!  I've got so many new, great ideas from the teachers who've already linked up!!

First up, is Fabulous Find Friday with Elizabeth at Fun in Room 4B.  Several bloggers have purchased this and shared about it already, but just in case you missed out...

Our NEW laminator at school absolutely stinks!  It never seals properly and it just ends up peeling.  This thing is going to be a lifesaver!!  And the best part....I picked it up at Target for just $28!!  I'm so excited about this find!


Next, I'm linking up with Mrs. Santana over at The Learning Tree for her Frugal Finds linky party.  There's a special project that I've had on my to-do list all summer thanks to Pinterest and I needed a pair of toddler jeans.  I ended up swinging by the Goodwill and grabbed a pair for $3!!  I pretty much had everything else I needed for the project (see below).
I'm not going to let the cat out of the bag just yet as to what the project is...I'm saving the big reveal for Monday Made It, but I just finished it and it turned out super cute.  The CHEAPEST (Did I really complete a project for $3.00???), CUTEST project of the summer for me!  Come back Monday for the reveal. :) {Though, I'm sure you pinterest stalkers have already figured out what it is!}
Finally, I'm linking up with Molly at Psyched to be in 2nd to share my favorite first day of school activity.  Let's face it, we don't have time for elaborate activities on the first day of school.  Most of the time is spent on collecting supplies and learning routines!!  But, there is one activity I always do - a partner interview (Interview a Friend).  It's a great way to let the students meet a new friend, learn about him/her, and share some facts about him/her with the rest of the class.  To partner students up, I use Dum-Dums.

Beforehand, I put 24 (or however many students you have) suckers into a bag, making sure that there are 2 of each flavor chosen.  {There are typically 15-16 different flavored pairs in a small bag of Dum-Dums, so there's enough to pair students even if you have 30 kiddos!)  Students each draw a sucker randomly, hold it up in front of them, and walk around to find their partner (the student with the match)!  They get to eat the suckers while working on their interviews.  Simple, quick, and easy to squeeze in on day one!

Link up to share your ideas!

20 comments

  1. I love your Dum Dum sucker partners idea!! I will have to use that! :)
    ❤ Sandra
    Sweet Times in First
    sweettimesinfirst@gmail.com

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  2. I keep on debating on whether I want to buy a laminator or not. It would be really nice to have one at home to use whenever I want to, but I've wondered how well it works and if the lamination actually stays together. You will have to make a post about how well it works :)

    ~Jenna
    Diving Into Learning

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  3. I can't wait for you to reveal your pinterest inspired frugal find project! :) Thanks for linking up!!

    Kimberly
    The Learning Tree

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  4. You are just so creative! I love the Dum-Dum partner idea. I have one of those laminators at school next to my desk. I use it with 5 mil thick pockets for things that my students are going to handle. They last so much longer and don't get bent up as easily.

    Although I know you have probably won awards many times before, I have left you the Versatile Blogger Award as a thank you for all of the wonderful ideas that you share on your fantastic blog. Please visit mrsrhodesscholars.blogspot.com to accept your award.

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  5. Dum Dums= brilliant idea! I am so stealing this!

    Thanks for sharing!
    Mandy
    http://mandys-tips-4-teachers.blogspot.com/

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  6. Amanda,

    I LOVE your Dum Dum activity! I'm a first year teacher so I need all the 'beginning of the year activity' ideas that I can get. I love this one! Definitely using it! :) Do you have a template of questions that your students have to find out about one another? Also, I'm super excited for you to reveal your Monday Made It creation! I'm a pinterest junkie and I have no idea what you're making!

    Quick question, is the paper for your laminator expensive?! I've been wanting to get one because sometimes there are times I'm making stuff at home and I just don't want to wait to go to the school to laminate it! Do you highly recommend it?!

    Have a great rest of the weekend! :)

    Allison
    http://staycalmteachon.blogspot.com/

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  7. Love the Dum-DUm idea! That is FABULOUS. I have the Scotch laminator and I love it as well! Good finds! :)
    Sarah
    Kindergarten Korner

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  8. Great activity for the first day of school. I'm mean you've got them hooked after "dum-dum" Thanks for sharing and if you are not linky partied out, I'd love for you to join up for Fiction Friday. :)

    Amanda
    The Teaching Thief

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  9. I love the Interview a friend activity, I might just have to do that this year! And I love the idea of matching students with dum-dums! Thanks for sharing! I'm a new follower!

    Come check out my blog too when you have some time!

    Cyndi
    lacysletters.blogspot.com

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  10. I LOVE the Dum Dum idea for partners. Its great for allyear too:)

    I just found your blog and am your newest follower!

    Tammy
    The Resourceful Apple

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  11. Thanks for all the linkys. I LOVE the laminator from Target. Really, only $28???? That's fabulous. I am SO going to use your dum-dum idea on the first day of school. Love, love, LOVE it!!!

    I'm your newest follower and I can already see, I've been missing out on a lot!!!!

    Cynthia
    2nd Grade Pad

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  12. I SO need a laminator!! $28 is a great price!

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  13. I am new to the blogging world and "Linkys" but I am learning and love to find awesome blogs like yours! I love your Dum Dum idea. Very cute! Thanks for sharing. Great blog, I am your newest follower and look forward to reading more of your great ideas!

    Doodle’s Daily Domain

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  14. Great idea (obviously everyone else agrees)! Thanks for linking up. :-)

    Psyched to be in 2nd!

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  15. Wow...great explanation of writers notebooks...thx for sharing!

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  16. I love the dum-dum idea too! Thanks so much for sharing! I'm going to have to link up!
    Sample’s Superstars
    Erin

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  17. Amanda,
    Is it okay if I make a first grade Interview a Friend page with pics for non-readers and link the idea back to your blog?
    Thanks,
    Erin
    esample4@gmail.com

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  18. Gosh, I love that Dum-Dum idea :)

    Thanks so much for linking up. I'm just getting home and settled from my vacation, so I'm sorry I haven't thanked you until now.

    That laminator rocks :)

    Elizabeth
    Fun in Room 4B

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  19. I'm trying to decide if the personal laminator is worth it, since the education stores around me will laminate for $0.25 a foot. How much do the sheets/rolls cost to laminate with? How far do they go?
    ~April
    The Idea Backpack
    ideabackpack@gmail.com

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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! :)

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