Pen Pals - do you dare?

I have done pen pals and postcard pals every single year I have been a classroom teacher...except this year. However, I am jumping in again this upcoming school year with my fabulous firsties because I know how much it means to my kiddos. I mean, I teach military children who sometimes feel as if they don't have roots anywhere to really call home or they are in transition and missing friends. They feel so very special when they get mail from their pen pals. They actually look forward to writing their pen pals and it makes letter writing a breeze!

So have you ever wondered how to get matched up? Well, the fabulous Kelley at Teacher Idea Factory has arranged this....

Source: Teacher Idea Factory

Kelley has created a quick form for you to fill out by Sunday, August 4th. Then she will take everyone's responses and match us up with a pen pal that meets our specifications! How awesome is that? How fabulous is she??!!

So, if you are looking for an amazing writing opportunity to engage and challenge your students' minds, check out Kelley's post.

Farley's BIG Giveaway!!

Did you see who Farley teamed up with to offer all of us teachers a chance at $100 to spend?!
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
SCHOOL OUTFITTERS!!

Source: Oh' Boy 4th Grade

She is trying to decide how to spend her $100 and now School Outfitters is offering us all the chance to spend $100 in their store, too. So visit Farley at Oh' Boy 4th Grade to enter her fabulous giveaway!

Free Classroom Subscription to ABCmouse

All U.S. and Canadian teachers can get a FREE classroom subscription (with up to 40 licenses) to ABCmouse.com. Also, for a very limited time, preschool and private school teachers can get a free subscription, too!

Source: ABCmouse.com

Go grab yours up now! This is great for PK-2nd grade teachers. While the site is dedicated to prekindergarten through kindergarten, it is a great site to use with struggling learners in first and second grades, too.

Moving Back to First Grade!

Well, I am so excited to announce that I am moving back to...

Source

...first grade! Not only will I be back on the first grade team, but I will be GLC (Grade Level Chair/Grade Level Coordinator). I am up for the challenge! Our team is different, even after just 1 school year (remember I looped with my class from 1st to 2nd?!), as 1 moved to Houston, 1 retired, and 1 is moving to 4th. Luckily, all those on this team were already at my school so I already know my entire team! It will be a GREAT year!

Aussie Pouch Chair Covers Giveaway!

Have you heard of Aussie Pouch Chair Covers? They are covers for your students' chairs with pickets to hold journals, just right books, folders, supplies, and more!

Source: Aussie Pouch Co.

Well, Ashley over at Just Reed is having a HUGE giveaway! The winner will receive a class set of up to 30 of these chair covers! That is like a $300 value! They are available in several colors, too. Be sure to check out Ashley's blog post HERE.

Teacher Rewards...Can I get a heck yeah!!!?

Okay, so as many know, I absolutely LOVE to find great deals, discounts, coupon and promotion codes, etc. If there is a deal to be made, I am trying to make it. :) With that said, there are a lot of teacher reward clubs/cards/offers, etc. out there and I just learned of a new one. It may not be new to you, but it sure was to me.

Jo-Ann Fabric (where I can pick up the new polka dot or pirate fabric I need) now has a Teacher Rewards program! You can visit Jo-Ann Fabric's Teacher Rewards sign-up HERE. You will receive your Teacher Rewards card in about 3-4 weeks (still before school starts for some of us!!) and you will be emailed a 20% off coupon. Yes, please!!

Phonics Phones...Whisper Phones... all for cheap!

Okay, so I was reading an old post on Teaching 4 Real's blog when I saw her mention her whisper phones. I commented, even though it was an old post because I wanted to share about the phonics phones I purchased through the CANDL Foundation. Well, I already had 6 emails within minutes asking me for more information. Therefore, I am passing on the information here, too, for all of you.

Source: The CANDL Foundation

The CANDL Foundation offers teachers phonics phones for $2.50 each OR you can purchase a case of 24 for $48 ($2.00 each) which includes the shipping! This is a HUGE savings over teacher retail store whisper/phonics phone prices.

Source: The CANDL Foundation

My students beg to use their phonics phones! They use them independently, during guided reading, and even like to twist it around and let their reading buddy (even stuffed ones!) hear them. Did I mention that you can pull them apart and throw them in the dishwasher to clean them? Yep, they are that awesome! I am in no way associated with The CANDL Foundation, PhonicsQ, or any other entity. I simply googled them a few years ago, requested the free ones with my principal's permission to see their quality, and ultimately ordered a case for my class. Oh, I guess I should mention that if you have never tried these out, you can request 6 for FREE. Yes, you read that correctly. Here is what The CANDL Foundation states:

"If you have never ordered a Phonics Phone, you can request six free phones for your school. Simply download the printable order form and have it signed by the principal of your school."

Yes, please! That's exactly what I did. Therefore, I wanted to share the information with you. Oh - I guess the link would be nice. :) Phonics Phones with The CANDL Foundation!

Do you use phonics phones or whisper phones? Don't you love the results you see with them?