August is all about a summer of preparation to make it to the first week which is inevitably about survival.  

I am not going to tell you how to survive the first week in the classroom, I am going to tell you how to survive the first week as a human.

First, I have to recommend Downlite bedding!  Think of amazing hotel bedding and then put it in your own home. Boom! Magic.  

Better yet, since they love teachers they've given me a code to share with my followers to take 15% off everything at Downlite Bedding Company. Use code DYGEN15 to treat yourself to a great night’s sleep! 🙌🏼

Let's keep going! 

Great day shoes...I have always sworn that Sketchers go walk shoes are the ugliest, most comfiest teacher shoes out there and I think they heard me because they finally made a cute pair! I have plantar-fascia because the universe sometimes hates me and these have been such a relief! Whoop whoop! Click below if you want to check them out. 

​ Remember as an Amazon associate I get a small amount for qualifying purchases and it doesn't cost you any more.  Win-win!

Great night shoes...or day shoes..I'm not here to judge and before I found the awesome memory foam shoes above I kept a pair under my classroom desk. The students thought it was hilarious.

Below I give you extra, fashionista, and adult-a

​and my favorite ADULTING STICKERS for you and your teammates.  

In the world of social media, decorating your classroom can be daunting.  If you're struggling to get started, take a deep breath and remember it does not have to be done all in one day.  It is okay to start small!  Here are my simple tips to decorating your classroom.  Since teaching is an ART no two classrooms will be the same--if you're really excited about something or advice doesn't work for you, that is perfect! 

• Pick a color scheme...possibly two or three colors or a pallet that compliments each other.  My pallet is black and white (polka dots) + neon colors. I do not plan on creating a theme each year because I don't have the restraint to not take it too far each year.  I've read some teachers share that they incorporate themes that compliment their color pallets.
• If you're in a new grade or new to teaching, you can decorate as you go in order to make it more purposeful!  In fact a fully decorated classroom can be intimidating to students.  There is nothing wrong with student created decor! It helps make the room theirs!
• Be mindful of visual clutter.
• Just because it is cute does not mean it is curriculum (this is not anti-cute and anti-fun, just make sure everything isn't just cute).
• Cloth is my favorite for bulletin boards because it lasts forever! When my budget is tight I get $1 plastic table cloths.
• Ask the teacher next door, sometimes teachers set out what they don't want anymore in the work room or sometimes there are community supplies!
• If your budget is super tight just display student work! You can’t argue with that.

Below I’ll share some of my personal favorites. As an Amazon Associate I earn a small amount on qualifying purchases. 

Display what you're learning with anchor charts using easel pads and markers.  Educational, personalized and affordable!

Personally, I am a big goal setter.  I have a list of long term goals in my notes in my phone, I set goals each August and New Year, and I often set a few in-between.  

My big goals for the upcoming school year are:

1. No purchasing new clothes until 2020 unless it is an emergency (such as needing to replace a staple or a special event).
2. No coloring my hair until Summer Break.
3. I will produce and put out one podcast a month.
4. I will put out five items for my TPT store each week and make enough income to pay for my Netflix Subscription (ongoing).
5. All of my students will reach benchmark on our reading assessment by EOY.
6. 90% of my students will write 2-3 sentences by the end of the school year and 100% will write at least one sentence by EOY.
7. I will have at least one brand rep opportunity through my Instagram by December. (I actually met this goal a week after writing it, so I've upped it to 3, push goal 5).
8. My research goal is to study and implement Responsive Classroom.
   
9. My dream goal is to attend Get Your Teach On.

Since I think this important, I have created a teacher goal setting freebie on my TPT store.

​Just like we want our students to know their goals and what they’re working towards, we need to do the same. Do not feel obligated to fill each line and each section—only write goals that are meaningful to you.
 
Print this sheet and use it to set your goals for the upcoming school year.  If you share on social media, please tag me! I’d love to see how you use this resource!

Last year I posted my I Can Statements on my whiteboard and it took up so much room!

So this summer my goal has been to create a new process.  I have looked at examples on blogs, pinterest, instragram, and more to create my own Standards Signs for a word wall.  I am all about simple in the classroom and doing anything I can to use black ink so I can print it at school! HA!

Uses:
Print your signs out on cardstock. Colored Astrobrights if you’re feeling crazy or want them to match your classroom theme!


Then laminate these sheets on colored paper of your choosing. (PS. Amazon Basics has amazing, affordable laminating sheets!)


Use them to write your daily/weekly objectives.

As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

One of my goals for the 2019-2020 year is to start using morning bins.  I haven't worked out the details yet, but I will share those as I go along! 

I have created labels and desk cards for each student to track their progress through the bins.

I found this quote a long time ago, so I can't take credit for the idea. It's been in my classroom and I decided to update it with my new neon classroom theme this year. I am in love!

It isn't perfect, but my students will not feel less loved and as I've said before, I'm not going to let perfect be the enemy of good.
​

If you want to make your own, I will complete disclose I used my Cricut, so that made life a lot easier!

I also have a great Cricut for Teachers (unofficial) group on Facebook if you want more tips and tricks! 

You can find all the tools below (please note, I do get a small proceed if you choose to purchase from any of my links below, but I promise I would never share something I haven't used myself!).

As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.