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January 26, 2016

Tricks of the Trade Tuesday ~ Teaching Tips & Tricks

Tricks of the Trade ~ Teaching Tips & Tricks
Welcome! We are so HAPPY you stopped by!

I am so excited to bring you another fun tip!

If you have any "Tricks of the Trade" you would like to share on our blog, please feel free to email us!

Today's tip is about bringing balance to your teacher & home life.  As teachers we are crazy busy and there are never enough hours in the day to get everything done.  Many times we are bringing work home and we do not have enough time for our families or for getting healthy.
Here is my teacher tote that travels with me daily!
I have an idea that may help save you time after school.

Get your walking in at recess!  I am not a runner, but walking is my choice of exercise.  During recess, I make laps around the playground and I can see so much more that goes on with the students.  I have a few friends that like to walk with me and we are getting fit together! It is really a win-win!  If I get to 10,000 steps before I get home ... no gym that night and I gained about an hour in my evening!

Yep ... that is me walking!
Getting Steps in Daily

One of my BEST gifts I got for Christmas is my Fit bit!
It ROCKS!!!
Fit bit
I really didn't want to spend the money on it but now I wish I had gotten it sooner.  I LOVE it! Not only can I set silent alarms on it and be on time to events but ... I can see if I am getting enough sleep, steps, watch my water intake, etc.  It has really helped me focus on my health! Thanks, mom!!!

We hope this trick helps you!
Happy Teaching!

January 19, 2016

Tricks of the Trade Tuesday ~ Teaching Tips & Tricks

Tricks of the Trade ~ Teaching Tips & Tricks
Welcome! We are so HAPPY you stopped by!

I am so excited to bring you some more tips Alison and I use in our classrooms!
If you have any "Tricks of the Trade" you would like to share on our blog, please feel free to email us!

Today's tip is a recreation of something I made years ago!
A dry erase "To Do" list!

I was tired of printing sheets to write my "To Do" lists on, using them up, and throwing them away.
It seemed like such a waste of paper.

I try to reduce, reuse, and recycle as often as I can!

Take a look at my old version of my "To Do" dry erase frame. Eeeeek!
It served it's purpose but it had too many lines.
Dry Erase Frame, Planet Happy Smiles

Materials to create this project:
*printable "To Do" list
*cheap picture frame
Dry Erase Frame, Planet Happy Smiles

Here is my new and improved version.
Dry Erase Frame, Planet Happy Smiles

The completed project with my "To Do" list ready for tomorrow! I like that it will sit out on my counter and I will see what I need to get done at a glance!
Dry Erase Frame, Planet Happy Smiles
It takes some maneuvering to make sure it is in the frame correctly.
You could also just laminate the list, attach it to a clipboard and you can travel with it! I am going to add one in a clear sleeve to my binder.

I hope this tip saves you time and money!
Happy Teaching!
Karen and Alison



January 12, 2016

Tricks of the Trade Tuesday ~ Teaching Tips & Tricks

Planet Happy Smiles ~ Tricks of the Trade

Welcome! We are so HAPPY you stopped by!

I am so excited to bring you some more tips Alison and I use in our classrooms!
If you have any "Tricks of the Trade" you would like to share on our blog, please feel free to email us!

This week's tip is brought to you from my (Karen's) classroom.

 Need more dry erase boards and erasers but low on cash?

Try this ...
Have you ever had a binder that split at the spine?  I bought some cheap 1/2" binders at a Dollar Store and they are all falling apart.
No Worries!

Detach them from the spin and turn them into dry erase boards. So that is 2 for the price of one!
Planet Happy Smiles ~ Teaching TipsPlanet Happy Smiles ~ Teaching Tips
 The cool thing is ... you can stick worksheets in the clear pocket and they become an instant "write-n-wipe" station.  There may also be a pocket on the back to hold other materials. Save on copies, they are interactive, and more durable than the plastic flex pockets.
(I still love those, too!)
Planet Happy Smiles ~ Teaching Tips
Another item you can cut up ... 
Erasers! My dad cut my large erasers into fourths and I was able to share them with others.  I love them! They have lasted for years!
Planet Happy Smiles ~ Teaching Tips
Here is how I store them for each table. I got these tubs at Dollar Tree and I use them for several things.
Planet Happy Smiles ~ Teaching Tips
We hope you can take one of our tips and use them in your classroom.
Happy Teaching!
Karen and Alison

January 8, 2016

New Year's Resolution Blog Hop

Hello, Friend! We are so HAPPY to have you join The Classroom Clique's blog hop! I love working with these talented ladies! We hope you discover some new blogs and grab some freebies, too!

My resolution for myself is to get fit! It is so easy to take care of everyone else and neglect yourself.  It is time to get back in shape! I am a member at the YMCA and I also got a Fitbit for Christmas. I have even been drinking a little more water.  So far I am making progress on this goal.

My resolution for my friends is to show them how much they mean to me more often!  There are so many ways you can do this.  Like personal notes, a small gift, and just checking in with them.  I want to be more involved in their lives!

My resolution for my family is to have game night every Friday night.  I am hoping that all electronics are put away and we all sit together, talk, laugh, and become a stronger family.

My resolution for my class is to build their confidence.  I also want them to continue doing Random Acts of Kindness on a regular basis.

My resolution for my school is to find one thing I can improve or donate my time to and make it GREAT.  I currently am the Box Top Coordinator and I would like to take it to the next level!

My resolution for TpT is to make positive changes to the store. Bringing quality items that have been tested in classrooms before they are put in out store will always be what we do!

I want to get to know our customers on a first name basis and really reach out.  I want to know your needs, goals for your classroom, and hope I can help you reach them.

I would love to see our items in use.  If you have any items you are currently using, please send us photos to planethappysmiles@gmail.com.  

Winter Note Cards Planet Happy Smiles


January 6, 2016

TPT Gift Card Giveaway!!!

My friend, Kelly @ An Apple for the Teacher is having a terrific GIVEAWAY!

Enter this giveaway right here! Her monthly $25 Teachers Pay Teachers gift card giveaway has morphed into a $75 Teachers Pay Teachers gift card giveaway! We were in on the donation to this giveaway & we hope one of our viewers wins!!!
Best of Luck!
Karen and Alison

January 5, 2016

Tricks of the Trade Tuesday ~ Teaching Tips & Tricks


Planet Happy Smiles ~ Tricks of the Trade

Welcome!  I am so excited to bring you some little tips Alison and I use in our classrooms!
If you have any "Tricks of the Trade" you would like to share on our blog, please feel free to email us!

Planet Happy Smiles ~ Tricks of the Trade
This week's tip is brought to you from Alison's classroom.

 Need more dry erase boards but low on cash?

Try this ...
*Get some of the cardboard dry erase boards (Target Dollar Spot ...sometimes)
Dry Erase Board

 *Cut them down the middle, separate, and now you have two for the price of one!
Dry Erase Board

The Target Dollar Spot also has bins like these at times for $3.00.  Perfect for storing each table's set of boards, markers, and erasers!
StorageStorage
You might find other classroom items you can cut in half and make the most BANG for your buck!
We hope you like this tip!
Check back next week for another quick tip!
Karen

January 3, 2016

Monthly Goals for 2016 (Jan)

January Goals Planet Happy Smiles
This year, we will be teaming up with some FANTASTIC bloggers, like my blogging buddy Jacqueline @ The Little Ladybug Shop, and sharing monthly goals. By making monthly goals we hope to stay focused and accomplish more!

Here are my goals:
Family Goal: I want to have game night every Friday night.  I am hoping that all electronics are put away and we all sit together, talk, laugh, and become a stronger family.
TpT Goal: We are always looking to improve our store and make it better for everyone. I am going to keep changing the covers to square covers, tackle my fears and Periscope, and send monthly newsletters.  If you are following us on TpT you already got your first newsletter of the year. I would love to hear feedback! I would also love to do a newsletter straight from the blog with freebies you can only get in our newsletter.
Please join our email list on our blog!
Educational Goal: I am going to make each moment count in the classroom.  I try to be "on" the entire day but some days can be harder than others.  I was sick before the break and I know I was not at my best. My goal is to find that energy to be"on" all day, every day.
Personal Goal: Going to the gym and eating healthy are on my get fit plan.  I have already tackled the gym by walking 2 miles! Yea me! I have also not gone through a drive through since the new year started.

Now it is your turn!
Download the image below and add your January goals to it.  Then upload it onto your Instagram account using #IG2016GOALS  Tag us on Instagram @planethapysmiles so we can see your post!
We can't wait to read and be inspired by your goals!
January Goals Blank 
Happy 2016!
Karen

January 2, 2016

New Year's Resolutions ~ Now What?

So you made New Year's Resolutions ... now what?
Mastering those New Year's Goals can be challenging!
I want to succeed in all of the goals I have set for this year. Here is how I plan on making strides for success. (I am also a very visual person.)
So I made a trip to Ikea over the break, I love Ikea!
I found these cute little jars at a great price. As soon as I saw them, I knew they were perfect! When I got home I created and printed labels to fit on the jars. I made them to fit on the lid or on the side of the jars.
I put one resolution on each jar and I also made jars for both of my younger kids. Below is my picture with the labels attached. 
I found a variety of objects that we could use to drop in the jar as we accomplish each goal daily/weekly.
 
Corey loves Legos, so they are perfect for his jar!
Items you could use:  glass blobs, sea shells, small river rocks, pennies, jewels, money, etc. Anything that will fit in your jars.
Now, here is how it works ...
*Each time you complete a task related to your goal you add a "counter" into the jar. This helps record your progress, it is quick & easy, and it is fun to watch the jar fill up!

*If the jar gets full, you can reward yourself for all of the progress you are making, empty the jar, and start over. You can even record the number of days you have worked on that goal.

*If you feel that a goal has been accomplished, you can simply change the label and start a new goal.

By the end of the year I am hoping to see progress on all of my goals!

For the little kiddos ...
I am going to allow them to drop a counter when they are successful with a variety of tasks. 
They can earn multiple drops in a day.
(Ex. Brushing their teeth, making their bed, homework, reading, etc.)
My goal for them is to build good habits!

On an organizational note:
These jars would be great for small items like paperclips, push pins, small erasers, buttons, etc.
I think the lids would be super cute painted a variety of colors.
I think I may need to go get some more jars.

I hope this helps you achieve your goals & dreams!
Happy New Year!
Karen

January 1, 2016

Currently ... JANUARY 2016!

I can't believe we have already begun our new year! A new month and time to link up with Farley for another edition of CURRENTLY!
http://ohboy3rdgrade.blogspot.com/
Here is Karen's Currently:
Currently ~ Planet Happy Smiles
Listening:  To the sweet sound of silence.  Everyone in my house is either asleep or out.
Loving: Winter Break!  I am loving every minute of the break ... even when I was sick in the beginning.  I really needed to take a break and get some energy back!
Thinking: I need to get dressed and get the day going.  I am spending the day with my mom.  So excited!  We are going to Ikea, lunch at Papa's, and to the movies.
Wanting: I really want to organize my closet and purge over the holiday.  I also want to turn all of my hangers around backwards.  I have tried it once before... maybe it will work this time.
Needing: I am dying to create some of the hands-on activities I have in my notebook.  I really want to use them when I go back!
One Little Word:  FOCUS!  I need to to focus on God, my family, my self, and my goals!
Happy New Year!
Karen


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