Monday, July 21, 2014


Happy Monday friends!
I'm sure we're all getting our minds in back-to-SCHOOL mode. (I know, shouldn't have said the "s" word when it's still summer vacation!)
For this upcoming year I want to get kids even more excited about using technology in the classroom for both educational and "fun" things. I thought a great idea would be to incorporate the use of technology with positive behavior rewards. Students scan QR codes and earn their reward. Simple & fun! Kids love scanning QR codes! {It must be the anticipation of what the QR code will reveal.}
Whether you have one iPad, iPhone, etc. or if your whole class has them, you can still use this idea to promote positive behavior. I currently only have one iPad, but hopefully each child will be getting them this year in our district. That will be so exciting!!
There are 69 rewards included in this pack, so I can pick and choose which rewards I want to use. My class this year might not be so excited to get the "broom master" {sweep the floor}, but last year they were using my hot pink broom and dust pan to sweep every afternoon!
 At the beginning of the year I will introduce the rewards, scan some QR codes like a magic show and get students pumped up about what they can earn. I use the clip chart and Class Dojo app as a part of my classroom management plan, so this will be a perfect time to introduce some Scan & Earn reward coupons. {This can also be used without incorporating technology if you choose.}
I'll start simple with just a handful of cards--some for individual rewards and some for whole class rewards. I'll use individual rewards with Class Dojo and my clip chart. When students earn a certain number of points in Class Dojo they can choose a Scan & Earn reward and get a coupon to redeem that reward. For my clip chart, when students get to the top {outstanding} they'll get a chance to scan and earn an individual reward. View the complete list of rewards here.
Whole class rewards {such as "Butter me up!" popcorn party, "Let your light shine"-turn off the lights and wear glow bracelets during work time, "Dance Party! - 10 minutes of Just Dance or Kidz Bop music, etc....} will be used when students meet goals as a class. If you use Accelerated Reader, the whole class (and individual) rewards can be given when all students take a certain number of AR tests per week. Keep a simple class chart to display when students take AR tests {I count 80's and 100's --60's if a student has modifications}. Students want checks on their chart and this helps motivate them to read. Also, we set goals each nine weeks for students passing a certain number of AR tests that nine weeks and maintaining an overall average of 80% or higher. Students meeting their 9 weeks goal will pick from the rewards.
Class Dojo whole group rewards can be given when the whole class maintains a certain % of positive behavior for the month. Our goal was 85% positive. The app shows you the % of positive behavior points your class has earned. At the end of each week I record the % of positive points we've earned. {I reset my points each week.}
There are tons of ways to incorporate these coupons into existing classroom management plans.
Here's how to use QR code Scan & Earn Sweet Rewards:
http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/69-Interactive-Scan-Earn-QR-Code-Reward-CouponsUse-with-or-without-QR-Code-1329830


You can also use these positive behavior incentive cards/coupons without technology:
http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/69-Interactive-Scan-Earn-QR-Code-Reward-CouponsUse-with-or-without-QR-Code-1329830

http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/69-Interactive-Scan-Earn-QR-Code-Reward-CouponsUse-with-or-without-QR-Code-1329830

http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/69-Interactive-Scan-Earn-QR-Code-Reward-CouponsUse-with-or-without-QR-Code-1329830
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Thanks for stopping by the café today! If you've used QR codes in your classroom I'd love to hear how you've used them! 

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Friday, July 18, 2014

1st Giveaway Surprise!

My first giveaway has now ended! {I wasn't quite sure how this was going to work out when I decided to host a giveaway.} I mean, would anybody visit my little blog and take the time to enter my first contest? Yep! I had a few visitors stop by and register and I'm very grateful! :-)

So... with only a few entries for my first giveaway it was hard for me to only have ONE winner. You know, like in the classroom when only a few students are left out. We just can't let that happen! I'm truly thankful for those who visited and took the time to follow me/post on my blog for this first raffle, so today I'm announcing that each of you are my winners! Congratulations! Check your email for your binder covers & spines. {Melanie, I'm not sure why your name showed up twice, but thanks for entering!}

Again, thanks for taking the time to check out my blog and TpT store. I hope you enjoy the rest of your summer organizing with your new binder covers! Please stop back by the Crazy Critter Café. I hope to have more giveaways in the future!
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Monday, July 14, 2014

Time for a GIVEAWAY!

I'M HAVING MY FIRST GIVEAWAY! Today, 7/14/14 - Friday 7/18/14 at 10:00am.
 I love trying new ideas and what's better is when I can get them on sale or for FREE! So I'm trying out new technology skills and having a little raffle to give away my Binder Covers and Spines for Many Reasons and Seasons to a lucky winner! This is what you need to help get organized with some of your files for next school year. Just leave a blog comment about what you've been working on this summer to get organized and then follow my Teachers Pay Teachers store to be notified when I've posted new products. That's it! So easy to enter!
  {Click here to learn more about this product.}
 
I'm officially in "summer mode". Can't remember what day of the week it is, much less the date. Enjoying every minute of it! But I have been working on getting my notebooks and ideas together for when I start back school in August. It'll be here before I know it. {sigh} I love starting the school year, but it's hard letting go of summer vacation.
 My Pinterest boards have multiplied with pins. There are so many awesome ideas from teachers on Pinterest! Teachers are so creative!
What have you been working on this summer to get ready for the new school year? I'd love to hear your thoughts!  Leave a comment on my blog below, follow my TPT store and register to win the Binder Covers and Spines for Many Reasons and Seasons! Good luck {and hang with me as I try out my first raffle ;-)}.
 I'll be posting the winner on my blog Friday (7/18/14), so follow me by e-mail, Facebook, or on Bloglovin' to see if you're the winner!

a Rafflecopter giveaway
Thanks for stopping by the café!
 
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Thursday, July 10, 2014

Box Tops for Education DIY Collection Containers

Looking for your next DIY summer project? Want to help your school in a rewarding fundraiser project? Make Box Top collection containers! Save and wash any container: Pringles, tennis balls, Nestle Quick, Crystal Light, etc. ~~ anything you can cover with duct tape {Duck brand tape has a lot of colorful patterns}.
Cover your container with duct tape and add some Box Top clip art {found online}.*Adults/teachers  will use a sharp knife to cut an opening in the top of the lid.
Scroll down to check out some of our collection containers from this year. I decided to do this at the end of the year - during the last week of school as a fun time-filler. Students created their own design and were encouraged to bring their containers back next near full of Box Tops to receive a small treat.
Ultimately, my goal would be to do these at the beginning of school and get the kids motivated to collect Box Tops. But, as I thought about the craziness of getting the school year started, I went ahead and let them have this as their "summer project" {to collect as many Box Tops as possible}.
http://crazycrittercafe.blogspot.com/search/label/box%20tops%20for%20education


http://crazycrittercafe.blogspot.com/search/label/box%20tops%20for%20education

http://crazycrittercafe.blogspot.com/search/label/box%20tops%20for%20education

http://crazycrittercafe.blogspot.com/search/label/box%20tops%20for%20education

Thanks for stopping by the Crazy Critter Café! I'd love to hear how your class or school uses Box Tops as a fundraiser! What goal is your class/school working for? Feel free to comment!
Happy container-making! 



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Thursday, July 3, 2014

Phonics-Based Sentence Building

Hello July! Already?! I was sure I'd have tons of time this summer to catch up on blogging and share lots of the fun ideas I've been writing in my little notebook. Time is FLYING by!!
We just finished All-Stars ball this past weekend and, well, I guess my mind has been in beach mode this past week. Came home today to escape Hurricane Arthur. Friends on the east coast, stay safe!

I did finish my Sentence Solvers Short Vowel sentence-building pack on TPT. I'm so excited to start using these this year as I teach and review short vowels with the CVC pattern. My goal is to use these in the Word Work center after I introduce the format as a whole group. There are 3 pages for each skill, so I can introduce one whole group, use one in the small group setting, and have the other to use in a center.
http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Sentence-Solvers-Short-Vowels-Interactive-Sentence-Building-Activity-1306356


These printable sheets are great for reinforcing short vowel skills {CVC} and sentence structure. Students can self-assess their work in capitalization, punctuation, spacing, handwriting, and reading fluency, to become "Super Sentence Solvers". 2 variations are included for differentiation. If you decide to use these in your class I'd love to hear how it's going!

Have a great summer!


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