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Ericas Ed-Ventures

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Back to School Night Tips and Ideas

I recently posted the photo above from last year’s Back to School Night on instagram and I had a few questions keep coming up.  I thought I would write this post to explain how I do Meet the Teacher/Back to School Night.

We usually have Meet the Teacher Night the first or second week of school.  Ahead of time, I prep my PowerPoint presentation, the general information packets, and folders you can see on the students’ desks.  The water bottle tags are a freebie and I have the link to get them towards the end of this post.   The water bottles are a big hit because we have no AC and 15 to 30 parents in one room only adds to the sweltering factor.

Here is a breakdown photo of what I have out on Meet the Teacher Night.

Here are the links:

  • Farmhouse Number Posters
  • Meet the Teacher Night Presentation (which includes my general information packet)
  • Folders (sponsored link)
  • Plain Shipping Labels for Folders (sponsored link)
  • Folder Labels – (free through form below)
  • Neat Seats by my friend Michelle Oakes of Fabulous in First
  • Farmhouse Alphabet Posters
  • Water Bottle Tags (free through the form below)
  • Farmhouse Name Tags (FREE)
  • Fans – Hobby Lobby
  • Table Caddy (sponsored link)
  • Table Caddy Labels

Here is a quick video preview of what is in my presentation packet.  I did not talk about the General Information Packet but that is also included as a Word document in the zipped TpT download.  This slideshow will also play in GoogleSlides if you don’t have PowerPoint.

Here are some things I talk about during my presentation:

  • Myself
  • Procedures
  • Take Home Folders
  • Class Directory
  • First Grade Words of the Week
  • Math – we use a textbook company’s curriculum
  • Science
  • Social Studies
  • STEM
  • Writing Workshop – I use Deanna Jump and Deedee Wills’ amazing units!
  • Classroom Managment
  • Homework – We don’t give much!
  • Book Baggies
  • Shutterfly Site – I put our class party sign up sheets on there.
  • Student Scrapbooks
  • Star of the Week
  • Birthdays

At the end of my presentation, I direct parents over to my Helping Hands Donation Board. If they would like to take a donation card they can, but there is no pressure.  (FYI -This photo was in my living room, I forgot to take a picture of it in the classroom last year.)

I also place the parent teacher conference forms on clipboards near the donation display.

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[convertkit form=5064786]

 

As always feel free to pin:

Filed Under: Back to School, Farmhouse Decor, Uncategorized

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📚 Back-to-school magic starts with the right read- 📚 Back-to-school magic starts with the right read-alouds!
These are my absolute favorite first-week books for building classroom community, easing those first-day jitters, and setting a positive tone from day one.
From Our Class is a Family, All Are Welcome, The Book of Rules, and so many more — these stories never miss.

Which one is a must-read in your classroom? Drop it in the comments and I will send you the links to my follow up activities!

#BackToSchool #ReadAlouds #picturebooks
These play-doh first day gifts are cute and practi These play-doh first day gifts are cute and practical!  The play-doh gives your students something fun to do while you are busy greeting students at the door.  Then once everyone is in, then you can unpack supplies as a class. 

Want the link to the FREE tags and to see what else I do on the first day?  Comment “first day” below and I will DM you the links!

#teacherhack #teacherfreebies #playdoh #teachersfollowteachers #backtoschool
How do you handle this situation? Do you put the How do you handle this situation?  Do you put the new student at the end of the alphabetical list or do you start over with a new one?
I know I am next for a new student (I have 24 kids and everyone else has 25), so I am holding off until the night before the first day.  I wish I could just wait but I like modeling where their bags and mail goes, both of which are set up using numbers.

True story: One year on the first day, I had a no show.  Then I was assigned a new student.  That student fit perfectly in the alphabetical order spot that was left.  I should have played the lottery or something.  What were the odds of that?!

#teacherproblems #teacherhumor #primaryteacher
5 things that are worth the money for your classro 5 things that are worth the money for your classroom!

1. A color printer.  We don’t have color printers at school and this has saved me from having to remember to print something at home. I brought in mine from home and then bought a new one for home. 
2. MacBookAir - This is my personal laptop.  I bring it home on weekends and holidays but for the most part I keep it at school.  I did need approval to get it on our district WiFi, which meant my phone could not also be on the WiFi.  There is a one device per teacher rule.
3. A lay-flat binder for my plan book, dismissal binder, and sub binder.  These save so much space and they are flexible. 
4. A laminator at school and a laminator at home.  It took me many years before I caved and bought another one but again, it saves me from remembering to laminate at home and I can also laminate during snack time and preps. Matte laminating is also worth the splurge.
5. My teacher toolbox! This toolbox has been with me for over 10 years, I just change out the labels to go with my decor theme.  Everything has a place and it keeps my desk organized.

Want the links?  Comment “links” below and I will DM you them. 

#classroommanagement #amazonfinds #classroom #teacherhacks #firstgradeteacher
✨Center time just got so much better! ✨ These 1st ✨Center time just got so much better! ✨
These 1st grade phonics-based literacy centers keep my students engaged, independent, and actually cheering when I say it’s center time. 🙌
Year-long skills that spiral and build (short vowels → digraphs → blends → vowel teams → multisyllabic words and more), primary lined recording sheets, supportive visuals, and activities that are easy to prep once and reuse all year.

Perfect for Science of Reading classrooms, Fundations® users, Daily 5, or anyone who wants structured, decodable practice while you pull small groups.

My students know exactly what to do… and I get to teach without interruptions. Win-win! 📚💛

Comment LINK if you want a full year of ready-to-go phonics centers and a free sample set!
#PhonicsCenters  #LiteracyCenters #FirstGradeTeacher  #Phonics #WordWork ReadingCenters
🌻Sunflower Classroom Decor Room Tour🌻 This was my 🌻Sunflower Classroom Decor Room Tour🌻

This was my room decor before the pastels.  It worked well to incorporate my old farmhouse items (my decor theme before that) and as a bonus it made my Ukrainian students smile (the sunflower is the national flower of the Ukrainian).

Do you want the links?  Comment “sunflower” below. 

#classroomdecor #tptcheckoutmyclassroom #firstgradeteacher
Teacher Tip: Sort and store your printables for th Teacher Tip: Sort and store your printables for the upcoming weeks in a file tray above drawers for the days of the week.  This helps to keep you organized for the weeks ahead.
Save and use leftover colored copies as dividers. This makes them less bulky, than if you had used binder clips.
When you near the end of the week, pull the papers from the tray and sort into the weekday drawers and centers.

Have questions?  Ask them below!

#classroomorganization #classroommanagement #teachertips #teacherhacks
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