Back to School Mail Packet

When I was a kid, I loved getting mail.  It was so exciting to see an envelope or package with my name on it!  Assuming it isn't a credit card or life insurance offer, I still get excited to get mail!  This is exactly why I love to send out a fun packet to my students in early August.  I hope it will help them get excited about the new school year!  Here is what is in my August mailer this year:

I included:

* Welcome letter
* Hand-written note on a customized post card

* Parent questionnaire

* List of tips for helping a child be successful in school

* Paper bag with activity instructions 

I had these adorable post cards made through Vistaprint.com: 

I think the kids will enjoy receiving these packets in the mail!

One of the smartest purchases I have made is my customized signature ink stamp.  It simply states my name, with a cute apple next to it.  I ordered it from Stamp Out Online (http://www.etsy.com/shop/stampoutonline), and it cost just under $22 (including shipping).  So far I've used it for return addresses (with my school return address stamp), inside my classroom books and novels, and at the top of post-it notes and paper to make personalized stationary.  I highly recommend one!

You can get one from http://www.etsy.com/shop/stampoutonline

It's in the Bag!

Here's a fun little assignment to mail out to your students with your welcome back letter!  I have seen many variations of this activity, and this is my take on it.  It would require you mailing out a paper bag with this note attached (I found colorful paper bags online, but I also think Target sells paper bags in some neat colors).  Students are required to fill the bag with five-six items that will help the class to learn about each other. *Note: if you come across this activity and wish to send it home with students on the first day of school, let me know in the comments and I will make another document that asks students to bring the bag in the following day.*

If you'd like to use this fun "get to know you" activity, feel free to download it here! As always, this is for classroom use only, not for resale.  

https://docs.google.com/file/d/0B_LHkEsonDOPT0szcFI4YlU5Zmc/edit?usp=sharing

Preparation Continues...

After a lovely trip to Canada to visit my family, it was right back to the classroom this week.  The custodians moved my furniture into place (what would we do without our amazing custodians? Mental note: bring in Dunkin's for them next week!). Things are falling into place, and the classroom is starting to become my own.  As I was organizing and decorating yesterday, I realized that I needed a new cursive alphabet to hang above my Smart Board.  I searched high and low to find something that would match my classroom theme, but came up empty handed.  The best thing to do when in this predicament? Make it yourself!  So here's what I made:

They're a turquoise/yellow theme, and each 81/2 x 11 prints two letters.  If you'd like to download it for yourself, here it is:

https://docs.google.com/file/d/0B_LHkEsonDOPTm10UVFremdvNW8/edit?usp=sharing

I will be mounting and laminating my letters!

Please enjoy it for free in your classroom- it is not for resale purposes (I make things with the intent to share with my fellow teachers, as many of you do!).   The background patterns were purchased from NineEighteen on Etsy.