A Kindergarten Smorgasboard of Classroom Photos!

Well....I did it.  I got myself up a little earlier than normal and made the trek into my classroom today.  Our district scheduled our work day BEFORE the break which means we go to school Monday for a full day with our kiddos after a 2 week break.  Yeah.  I can't just show up Monday and be ready.  So I was a dork/over achiever/hard working/responsible teacher and spent a couple of hours in the Monster Pit!

The room is clean.  Pencils are sharpened.  Journals are ready.  Centers are organized and cleaned.  Small groups have been re-assigned according to data.  The center wheel is ready to go.  My brand new glitter-ific SmartBoard calendar works on the SmartBoard.  I am ready.  I plan to go back tomorrow to do name tags on the tables and hopefully drop off some purchases!    Have you been to work in your classroom or are you already back at work?

Here are is a kindergarten smorgasboard of  pictures of my accomplishments today!

I discovered these princess erasers in my toxic waste dump storage area and got them out for my monsters!  I think the girls (and boys!) will love using these!  I am working on a princess/unicorn addition resource for my monsters so these will be perfect!  

I also found these buried in the abyss.  I remember buying these after Halloween.  They were on clearance for 75% off!  I bout 60 of these rubber dinosaurs.  These actually inspired my dino myte addition creation!  I can't wait to get this stuff out for the monsters!  

What do you use for counters/manipulatives?

Here is the dino myte addition pack that was inspired by my little rubber dinosaurs!  

This is something that you might already know about but I just love this!  With duct tape and report covers, you can turn any worksheet/paper/center recording sheet into a dry erase surface!  It's super simple and cheap! 

You need report covers (the kind that have the plastic bar that slide down the side)  I got mine for $1.75 for 6 at Wal-Mart! 

Duct Tape  (The duct tape allows you to be creative)

You simply tape 3 sides of the report covers leaving the top open so you can slide papers into the covers.  TADA!  You have dry erase boards for your class! 

And here's a great tip:  Old socks make PERFECT erasers for dry erase boards!  Just think of all of those mis match socks you have because the dryer monster ate your socks!  I know...the dryer monster eats mine too!

I found these mini clipboards at Wal-Mart for 30 cents!  YES!  30 cents.  Now, what can I use them for??  I need ideas...

And I saved the best for last!  Check out these super cute stools.  These are my new seating for my small group table.  I raised the table up a bit (the monsters are growing up!) and get these bad boys out of storage!  The best part?  They were only 99 cents.  Yes people, 99 cents.  

And finally a freebie...or two!

Yesterday I posted an emergent reader that I wrote for my monsters.  I had a request for a version with no pictures so students could create the illustrations!  BRILLIANT IDEA!  So here is my Happy New Year emergent reader without pictures!  Click on the picture to go to my freebie page to download!