Fun in First

A Teaching Blog by Jodi Southard

Supplies

My Guided Reading Must Haves

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I love working with small groups in my classroom.  If I could figure out a way to work with small groups all day long, it would be amazing.  I feel like this portion of my day is so important.  I really get to know my students strengths and weaknesses, and I’m able to really focus on their exact needs.  So, what are my Guided Reading must haves?

Guided Reading Must Haves from Fun in First

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Erin Condren Goodies

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Maybe it’s a teacher thing, but I love beautiful office supplies.  I love to buy colorful and pretty notebooks, calendars, folders, etc.  For this reason, when Erin Condren asks if you would like to review their products, the answer is a huge, YES!
Last Spring, I wrote a post about their new Teacher Planner, which you can read HERE.  I absolutely loved it!
So, I was thrilled to check out some of their other products.

 

Let me tell you, they did not disappoint.  Every single item is of high quality, and it is just plain beautiful!
First off, how cute is this lunch tote?
The flamingos are adorable, and I love that it’s personalized.  They have so many cute designs, too.  I may have to grab a couple for my daughters.
I was thrilled about this notebook.  I have a little bit of an obsession with notebooks.  I carry one around with me all the time since I’m constantly jotting down to-do lists, product ideas, and more.  If I don’t write it down, I forget it.
These watercolor folders are just beautiful.  I also love that Erin Condren can even make pencils and highlighters look good.
You can find so many great things at Erin Condren’s site.  I am really loving her sticker sets right now.  They are perfect for dressing up my Teacher Planner.
Head on over and check out their site.  You will fall in love!
If you are placing your first order, you can receive $10 off by clicking HERE.
Erincondren.com gave me this product to review, but the opinions are all my own.

Classroom Supplies I Can’t Live Without

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It’s officially time to start thinking about heading back to school.  I know you may not be ready, but I also know that you can’t help but think about it.  The school supplies are out in the stores, and they are just staring at us every time we go.  I am proud to say that I have not purchased a single item, yet.  I’m holding strong…until next week.
I wanted to share some of the classroom supplies that I can’t live without.  These are items that I find myself buying every school year.  Maybe this will help when you are ready to start buying.  You’ll have some ideas of what you might need this year.
{This post contains referral links, but I would never recommend products that I do not truly love.}
1.  Mr. Sketch Markers are my absolute favorite markers.  They are perfect for anchor charts.  One packet will last me the entire year.
 (Click on any of the pictures to purchase.)
2.  Crayola Crayons – This one is kind of a no-brainer, but they are definitely a necessity that I buy EVERY single year.  I always stock up while they are cheap at Walmart.  This way, I do not need to buy new crayons in December when ours are lost and broken.  I can also pull out a new box anytime I need one, because in all honesty, I’m a sucker for a brand new crayon. 

3. Laminator & Laminating Pouches – I use my laminator all.the.time!  I purchased this one a couple years ago, and it’s still going strong.  I buy my laminating sheets from SAMS in bulk.
4. A Good Pencil Sharpener – I have gone through SO many pencil sharpeners, but I finally found one that I love.  This X-Acto Teacher Pro sharpener is my favorite!  It sharpens the perfect point, and I love that light that comes on when the pencil is ready.

5. Stickers – I LOVE cute stickers!  I usually just stock up at Dollar Tree.
6. Astrobrights Paper – I’m kind of a paper hoarder!  I LOVE beautiful colored paper.

7. Coffee – This may not be a necessity for you, but it definitely is for me!  I purchased this adorable mug from Bound to Be Loved on Etsy last year.  I love it!

https://www.etsy.com/shop/Boundtobeloved?ref=condensed_trust_header_title_items
8. Sharpies – I truly love Sharpies of all kinds and colors.
9. 2 Pocket Folders with Prongs – I use so many of these.  I stock up at Walmart when they are super cheap.  They are great for writing folders, my Comprehension Notebooks, Poetry folders, homework folders, etc.
10. Primary Writing Journals – I put these on our school supply lists, but sometimes they are hard to find.  I always buy some to have for those that cannot find them.  They are perfect because they have writing lines and a space to draw.
11. Post-It Notes and other notepads – I love cute notepads and colorful Post-It Notes. 

12. Personal necessities – Mints, lotion, chap stick, snacks, Band-aids, etc. 
I also always have a sweater on the back of my chair for those days when the air conditioning is on too high, or the heat doesn’t come on soon enough in the winter. 
13. Thank you Notes & Blank Notecards – I always have a stash of Thank-You notes as well as blank notecards.  You never know when you will need one quickly.
What classroom supplies do you find yourself buying every year?

Erin Condren Planner

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Have you heard of Erin Condren?
I absolutely LOVE her Life Planners, so I was so excited to be asked to review one of their new Teacher Planners that are being released TODAY!
Just like their Life Planners, this thing is amazing!  They have thought of everything.
 I always love the tabs that are typical with the Erin Condren planners.  It makes it so easy to find each section.
 The pages are so bright and colorful.
You will be amazed at everything that is included in this planner: calendars, student checklists, lesson plan pages, substitute information, notes, and more.
They also sent along this adorable clutch to carry the planner, pens, etc. and this t-shirt.
 
You truly need to check out their site.  You will fall in love!
Plus, if you are placing your first order, you can receive $10 off by clicking HERE.
 
Erincondren.com gave me this product to review, but the opinions are all my own.
 


A Bright Minds Partnership

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I am thrilled to announce that I am partnering with Astrobrights as one of their Bright Minds Edublogger Ambassadors this year with these amazing ladies. 

I have partnered with Astrobrights in the past for their Colorize Your Classroom campaign, and I have always been so impressed with this company.  They truly care about teachers and students and want to make the teaching world a better and brighter place.
This is the perfect partnership because I LOVE color!  I’m happier when things are colorful.  I love to decorate my classroom with bright colors, and I like to use color in my lessons as much as possible.  Colorful paper makes everything more exciting and engaging.
As a Bright Minds Ambassador, I’ll be posting creative ideas throughout the year about how to use color to enhance learning.

I’ll also be sharing opportunities for you to engage with Astrobrights, and let me tell you, they have some really exciting things planned!
The other Astrobrights Edublogger Ambassadors are ALL amazing!  If you aren’t familiar with each of them already, you should be.

 April McNair from A Modern Teacher  Instagram @amodernteacher

 Jennifer White from First Grade Blue Skies  Instagram @firstgradeblueskies

 Maria Manore from Kinder Craze Instagram @kindercraze

 Marsha McGuire from Differentiated Kindergarten  Instagram @differkinder

Reagan Tunstall from Tunstall’s Teaching Tidbits  Istagram @reagtunstall 
 

Be sure to follow @Astrobrights on Instagram the week of Feb. 29 for a Bright Minds takeover!  You’ll get a peek at who we are and why we love color!
To learn more about the Bright Minds, visit thepowerofpaper.com/ambassadors.