My goal was to make my cookbooks part of my kitchen decor.

I thought it’d be nice to have them easily accessible and I had the perfect spot for a little shelf. I searched around a bit. I finally found this little distressed cream/buttercup two-toned shelf at a local antique shop for $38. I’m really enjoying it! Where do you keep your cookbooks?

~ Carrie

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I can still remember back to the year 2000 when I spoke my first words to my 2nd grade class as a first year teacher. I was a little surprised that the kids were all listening. I didn’t hear a peep. I think I expected to have to quiet kids down, even at that moment.

I wanted to share a couple of funny moments from when I was setting up my classroom for my first year teaching. It’s such an exciting time to finally get your own class!

I was the only new teacher to the school that year and I started setting up my classroom earlier than any other teacher. One day, the secretary let me into the school. I was still unloading things from my car and setting up the room when she went home for the day. I went to get a box from my car. Then, I realized I locked myself out of the building. Not good! I noticed I had left the window to my classroom open, which was on the ground floor.

What was a first year teacher to do, but climb into the window? I was worried that some of the residents of the houses across the street would call the cops, saying they saw someone climb into the school window. But, luckily, I just went about my work with no issues.

A few days later (before teachers had to report), I was working more on setting up the room. My classroom had a little bench built into one of the corners. I was so exhausted from all of the desk arranging, poster hanging, etc., that I took a short nap on the bench. I’m normally not a napper, but I must have really needed rest.

I’d love to hear memorable moments you had setting up your classroom, whether it was your first year, or any year.

If it’s your first year, best of luck! Hopefully you’ll have a great moment like I did when you speak your first words to your very first class.

~ Carrie

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Here’s a fun, easy way to store your bulletin board letters. You’ll need a small file box and alphabetical dividers that fit inside the box. The box pictured is 8.5 inches across. You could even make your own alphabetical dividers out of old file folders, if you want to take on that challenge.

Separate and file the letters according to each letter name. Hopefully this will save you time when you’re looking for certain letters and styles.

~ Carrie

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When I can tell my kids need to get outside and get some of their energy out, sometimes I sort of lure them out, without explicitly telling them “go outside.”

Here are 5 easy ways to “suggest” your kids go outside to play…

1. If you have a back door, leave the door open for a few minutes (if it doesn’t work, repeat a few minutes later). Place their shoes by the door, voila.

2. Say something like “I wonder if it’s nice outside– probably not.”

3. Ask them to go out and pick up a toy or ball if there’s a toy to put away. They may go outside to pick up the toy and end up staying out there for awhile.

4. Ask them to check on something for you.  Anything. Maybe you have a rain gauge, bird’s nest, etc. they could check. Again, they may end up staying outside and getting some much-needed fresh air.

5. Ask them to water a plant or bring in something from the garden if you have a garden.

My kids seem to respond better if something is their idea. I try to save the “go outside” for desperate occasions (=.

Of course younger kids will need to be supervised, but these ideas may still work for them, depending how your yard is set up. You can be going in and out as the parent, especially with older kids. You may also have a great view from a window and you can stand at your sink doing dishes and keeping an eye on the kids.

Do you have any other ways to add to the list? I’d love to hear more ideas.

~ Carrie

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Has your child gotten into a series of books yet? My 1st grader loves the Elephant and Piggie books by Mo Willems. They have been great for increasing his reading fluency because he loves to read the books over and over. I have noticed this series is great for a 1st grader in terms of reading level and topics six and seven year olds enjoy.

I had seen some of these books before, but didn’t take a lot of notice. Then, Trevor started to talk about them all the time and we found each one by getting them from the library or buying them. They really are clever, funny, and cute. My personal favorite is We Are in a Book. My son’s favorite is I Am Invited to a Party.

One thing I hope to remember- if one of my kids just loves a certain series, try to go with it. If they’re motivated themselves, it will only increase their love of reading.

Have you read any books in this series? If so, what did you think?

~ Carrie

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