Look what came in the mail..... my Erin Condren Lesson Planner! I was out of town when it was delivered and when I got home, I had this nice surprise. I saw a friend post her life planner on Instagram and looked at the website in hopes to order my own. To my surprise there was a Teacher Planner! I watched the video and was hooked, so I ordered one to keep me organized.

Here is what I found inside the pretty box. My planner, two matching notepads and felt tip markers. I also received FREE sticky back labels for gifts and a $10 gift card. Now that means I'll have to order more goodies.

 I checked out the inside of my planner right away.  It really is going to be a great organizing tool and I'm excited to start using it. I don't go back for another week, but I put a few things in my planner already! My sweet dog, Asher, was watching me plan. :) I'm sure it will be filled with more soon, especially the color coded planning pages that I LOVE because they will be so easy to use!!

I found this scotch brand washi tape at Target! It's so cute and looks great in my planner (see how I used it in the photo above). I haven't been able to find washi tape anywhere other than online and now Target has it so.... go get some!! :) I think I will use the tape on some clothespins for my behavior clip-chart as well. 

First Post and Getting Ready for School!!

Hey! I'm Lauren and I've been getting ready for my second year teaching Pre-K.  I am so thrilled to be writing my first post! My classroom has been touched ONCE this summer (yesterday) and I need to go back soon.  As soon as my room is finished I'll share some pictures. I have been gearing up for school, looking for deals and crafting all while taking my first masters courses. :) First, I want to share my new pencil door hanger. I was inspired by a picture on Pinterest and with the help of my dad cutting out the wood, I have painted a cute sign to hang outside my door. My students call me Miss Lauren because my para and I share the same last name! I still need to add the wire hanger, but here it is:

Next, I LOVE Target, as do most women, but as a teacher I go for the dollar spot! These are a few things I found while there: smiley stickers that the kids will use to trace their names, ABC stickers for a chicka chicka boom boom name activity, chalkboard bubble, animal flash cards for the science center, some crayola magnets that we'll use for sorting and a 6 in 1 hammer, but that was $3 (sorry for the flash reflection).

Look what the chalkboard bubble will be used for! I turned it upside down and used my chalk markers for the writing.  The kids will hold it up for a photo on the first day of school! Last year I did the frame, but this is quicker and easier to store. The kindergarten one is for my mom, she's been teaching K for 28 years. :)

I also found some books for the first day of school, a dinosaur book and a new Pete the Cat that goes with our transportation theme. Who doesn't love Pete?

I also went to Walmart for their 25 cent glue sticks, die cuts, and a crate to make an extra seat for my writing center.  Last year I had a lot of kids go to writing, who knew, so I'm hoping my new students like it just as much. I also found some cute pirate notebooks that I'll use to jot down observations. Our beginning of the year theme is pirates, so I was excited about that.

Finally, I bought two more great items for the writing center. Notebooks from Office Max for a penny each and some name plates from Joann's for $3.99.  I'll add each child's picture and name so they can practice name writing! I don't use them on our tables, but I'll explain that later when I get my room ready. :)

I hope you enjoyed my first post and found some fun items that will help you get ready for school to start!