Saturday, July 7, 2012

Classroom Themes Linky Party Fun!

Well, in my last post I told you that I am turning my attention to redecorating my classroom (Just wait until I post the pictures of the "Before"!) and back-to-school prep. I go back to work on the 25th of July! It is coming up too fast.
 
This year, I have decided to try a themed classroom...for the first time. I am excited. Apparently, I have been missing out on this popular trend. If you are still trying to decide on a theme for your classroom, then this is the post for you because I am linking up with Corrina from Surfin' Through Second. She is having a Classroom Theme Linky Party! Yay. I love parties.

My classroom theme is going to be...owls. I love them. I've also picked tangerine and lime colors to keep things bright and fresh. I need light...lots of light!
Anyway, I have been working on things that I will need for my classroom. I haven't purchased anything yet, other than a few cute pencil pails in the dollar bins at Target.

But, so far I have created...


So, above are are my teaching notebook cover and spine inserts.  Also, I created a S.O.A.R. students binder cover to keep my students organized. 

AND
I also made some classroom posters and forms.  Here's a Teacher Tip for anyone who uses Accelerated Reader in their classroom.  I print a couple of the forms on the right and randomly stick them in my printer.  (Insert them so any new print jobs will print on the other side of the paper.)  If a student gets 100% on their A.R. test, and it comes out on this form, they get a small prize from my Treasure Jar!  My kids loved it, and it really emphasizes reading for comprehension, not just reading to make weekly # goals.  Want to keep it even easier?  I mean we're busy right?  Just stick a few sheets of colored paper in your printer.  Whoever gets a 100% TOPS report on a colored piece of paper, receives some sort of recognition.  "Easy peasy, lemon squeezy!"

The owl on the left is for marking my table numbers.  I will print out two owls for each table.  I plan to cut them out, and glue them back-to-back, and then laminate them.  Then, I will cut them out (again) and hang them from the ceiling over each table.
The smaller owl on the right will be cut out for each table, and I will put a magnet on the back.  These get posted on my white board to manage table points.

Are you sick of me yet?  Because there is more...

The first one on the left is to keep me organized.  I'm going to post this by my teaching area....somewhere.  The other two pages go with our Classroom Birthday Book.  I create the cover (middle image) and all the kids write a letter to the birthday boy and/or girl.  Then, I just bind it all together.  Need easy, inexpensive birthday gift ideas to recognize your students' birthdays?  Visit this earlier post.

Honestly, there is more...but I think you get the picture here.  I can't wait to put it all together.

You can find the Differentiated Behavior Punch Cards that go with my owl theme in my Tpt store, HEREThese cute owl-themed behavior cards can be used to motivate a wide range of students. When students accomplish a task or other goal, simply punch a hole in a number on the card. Don't want to use a hole punch? You can also use a unique stamp, or sticker.  These can be used to motivate students in the areas of behavior, homework, reading, and math achievement.  These were definitely one of my favorite motivation tools from last year.  I have to give credit to Rachelle Smith over at What the Teacher Wants for this idea.  She has graciously granted me permission to put my own spin on her idea.  Thanks, Rachelle!



I also have Pirate themed, Beach, and Jungle (Zoo) Animal themed behavior incentive cards in my store, as well.  Click on any of the images below to take you to my TPT store.


I will be offering Space, and Dinosaur cards soon.  I even have a FREE Apple and Polka Dot set, just for you!

Wow, you made it to the end of this very long post.  I am very impressed with your "stick-to-it-ness"!  I would love to hear what theme you have planned for the coming school year. Leave your comment below.

Have a great day!

26 comments:

  1. Your owl theme is so cute!! I AM going to be checking out those pirate cards that you have in your store!! :)
    Lisa
    Learning Is Something to Treasure

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Lisa, I love owls and monkeys. I might try monkeys next year.
      I hope you like the pirate cards. I just posted them this morning.

      Nicole

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  2. Your owl theme is precious! Love the table numbers

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  3. I love the owl theme-it will be so cute!
    Jennifer
    kindertrips

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    Replies
    1. I hope so. I have to admit that I'm a bit anxious about "committing" to a theme. I tried to make sure that I at least picked a shade of green for my colors. I love green! So next year, the tangerine might go, and I'll just pair it with another color. That's the plan, anyways.

      Thanks for stopping by Jennifer.

      Nicole

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  4. Your binders are super cute and I really like the owl magnet idea to manage your table group points. Nice job. :)

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    Replies
    1. Thanks Catherine. I am really excited to see how my ideas will come together in my classroom. Now....to find the time!

      Nicole

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  5. So cute and I love the colors. I really like your binder covers and your birthday chart... I am going to have to make one of those! I totally got distracted by all of your other goodies! Thank you so much for linking up and sharing your ideas.

    Aloha,
    Corinna
    Surfin' Through Second

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    Replies
    1. Hi Corinna,

      I'm so happy you stopped by. Thanks so much for giving me inspiration for a blog post today. I had nothing. Love your blog, too!

      Nicole

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  6. I am going to be doing an owl theme too! I love your ideas! So cute!

    Fancy Free in Fourth


    Thanks for sharing!

    Layla

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    Replies
    1. Hey Layla, Oooohhh - we need to stay connected! I will be checking your blog to see what you put together. Should be fun!

      Nicole

      P.S. I saw on your blog that you are a SC girl. I'm in San Diego. Where are you?

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  7. The owl theme is so cute and so hot in all the stores right now. Super fun to cordinate and match everything. Keep us posted with pictures so we can see how it turns out. You're off to a great start=super cute!
    ~Christy & Tammy

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    Replies
    1. Thanks ladies, I appreciate you coming through and having such encouraging words for me. I'm new at this "theme" thing, so I appreciate it. I will keep you posted.

      Nicole

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  8. I'm visiting through the linky party, and I'm your newest follower. I have taught 3rd grade for 14 years, but will switch to 2nd grade next year for the first time. I'm so excited to find your blog! I did an owl theme last year. I think you'll have fun with it! All of your stuff looks great! I go back on July 25th too! Yes, it's going by way to fast!!! I'm excited to share my classroom theme too. Come by when you get a chance.
    Waving from The Teacher's Chatterbox,
    Rebecca

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    Replies
    1. Hi Rebecca,

      Oh, I'm so glad we found each other. You will love 2nd grade. I moved to 2nd grade from 4th about 8-9 years ago. I loved it immediately. It is such a good age level. So sorry to hear that they are dragging you back to work early too. I will go back kicking and screaming. I only have 4 weeks off this summer (I sound so spoiled.)I will definitely check out your blog and I'm sure will become your newest follower. Looking forward to sharing ideas with you.

      Nicole

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  9. Cute! I love owls and I think it's great that decided to pair them with bright colors. By the way, my second grade teachers was also named Mrs. Rios. Too funny!

    Aimee
    Primarily Speaking

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    Replies
    1. Hi Aimee, Thanks for the positive feedback on my classroom theme. Love that you stopped by.

      Nicole

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  10. Yeah! Another San Diego blogger. I am in Fashion Valley area, but teach at the beach. I love your pirate theme. They are going in my cart.
    I am at 2ndgradesunshine.blogspot.com
    So glad I found your blog.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yay, Eileen. I live in Chula Vista, and am teaching in south San Diego. How cool is that? I will definitely have to go check out your blog now. I'm glad you like the pirate cards. :)

      Nicole

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  11. Replies
    1. Thanks, Misty. You can't have owls? Why?

      Nicole

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  12. I am doing owls too. I've gone kinda crazy with it. I have some of the cutest fabric. I don't have 2 particular colors like I intended, but just cool bright colors to match the border I first bought. I can't wait til it all comes together.

    Stop by sometime.
    :)
    Tamera
    http://myheartbelongsinfirst.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Owls is such a fun theme. It is easy to go crazy with it. I look forward to seeing on your blog how it all turns out.

      Nicole

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  13. Just found you through the linky party. I'm excited to have another 2nd grade blog to follow. :)

    Amanda
    Teaching Maddeness

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    Replies
    1. Hi Amanda,

      I am so excited that you have found your way to my blog. I have been following you since first designing my classroom website. Your site was very inspiring.

      Welcome, and I look forward to sharing ideas with you.

      Nicole

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