Teaching Heart is having a back to school party!

"Teaching Heart ( www.teachingheart.net ) is hosting their annual back to school party on July 24th till July 30th.  Each Day a new prize!  Gift cards, Books, Teaching Heart Products, and more!!!  Plus a free printable will be posted during the week.  You need to visit the blog at; http://teachingheartmom.blogspot.com/ 
daily to check out the prizes each day and enter for the ones you want to win!!!"

First Grade O.W.L.S. Giveaway

First Grade O.W.L.S. is having a 100 follower giveaway.  Visit her site for your chance to win an item from her friend Dee Dee Wills TpT store AND a $25 gift card to Target. 

Keeping Records - FREE

We all know how important it is to keep a record of the conversations we have with our parents.  The best way I have found to keep track of all those phone calls, conversations in the lunch room, front office, at parent pick-up...(you get the idea) is to create a parent communication binder.  I put this form on each desk at Open House (which is just before school starts).  Before the parents leave, I ask that they fill out the top portion of the form and leave on the desk.  Once they are all filled out, I place each form in a sheet protector and then put them all in a binder.  I keep the binder right next to my phone.  Every time that I talk to a parent (well, almost every time...) I write down the date, who I spoke to and the gist of the conversation.  I like to keep these forms in sheet protectors because then you can use them like an envelope to put all of the notes that you receive from parents.  Imagine...all that communication in one spot!  Click the picture to download FREE!

Blog Button Giveaway

Sister Teachers is have a giveaway to celebrate 50 followers.  They will custom design a blog button for the 2 winners.  Their giveaway is easy to enter so head over for your chance to win!

Gift Card For Your Creativity

Color Me Happy in Kindergarten is looking for some creative ideas on how to use Altoid tins.  She is even rewarding the most creative person with a $10 gift card to Target.  Head over to her site to share your ideas!

Blog Mixer Linky Party!

Yearn to Learn is having a blog mixer party!

1.  A new kid on the block blogger - Fantastic 1st Grade

2.  A blogger in my grade level - First Grade O.W.L.S.

3.  A blogger in a different grade level - Blog Stalker

4.  A cute blog button - 4th Grade Frolics

Open House Scavenger Hunt!

It's hard to beleive that summer is nearing an end and that I have to start thinking about going back to school.  I was thinking about all of those back to school things that I need to accomplish or get copied.  (Although it's way more fun looking at all the ideas on everyone's blogs!) 

Our school has an Open House prior to the students starting.  It's an informal night where the parents and students can come in to the school, find their classroom, meet the teacher and their classmates.  There is no presentation involved, just an informal meet and greet.  To help the parents and students feel a little more comfortable on this night, I place a scavenger hunt just outside the classroom door.  Each student takes one before coming in to the classroom.  Right away they know what to do and don't feel awkward or look lost, wandering aimlessly around.

Click on the picture to get your own Open House Scavenger Hunt.  :)