In celebration of turning 29 {again!}, I'm having a little sale!
Also, if you're not following me on Facebook yet, hop over and click like. There *might* be a little surprise today. :)
I am so excited to have Tanja guest posting for me today. Being ready for a sick day, emergency, etc. is always one of my weaknesses...I'm always calling a friend, running early to the school, etc. But, this year I'm determined to be prepared and you can too with these tips from Tanja!
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Hello every one! I'm so happy to be here and guest blogging for the fabulous Vickie :)
Quick little bit on me. I'm Tanja from Journey of a Substitute Teacher:


I sub for grades K-5 (and do all the other fun stuff like PE, music, library, computers, etc.). I've subbed for six years now, so I'm fairly safe in saying that I know what I'm doing now hahaha. This last year has probably been one of the craziest with our payroll being cut, people leaving the district, and me being pulled in all directions. But I appreciate those teachers that helped make my day go by easier. And you can help out your subs too, with a few tips.

1. Prep for a Sub
I can tell you it is a sub's not so fun reality when they go in a class and there are no lesson plans. We understand that sometimes emergencies happen, but you can prepare as much as you can with a sub tub (or box/binder). Some teachers I sub for have these all set up. It has the class procedures, behavior management, phone numbers of teachers/school employees, and a generic sub plan. Sometimes there are special read aloud books and activities tucked in, that aren't normally done on a regular basis, that make things even more special.  I even subbed for a teacher that five days worth of stuff ready just in case!

2. Things to remember
Most of you won't know who your sub is. It could be a little old granny or a young hipster teacher. Plan accordingly so that either of these teachers can handle the day! We'd rather have too many things to do than not enough. Unless you know the sub, planning a explosive science experiment or a field trip may not be a good idea (yes, I've done field trips and science experiments lol).

3. Activities for subs
Like I said, we'd rather have too many things and not get to them, than not enough. What kind of activities in addition to the daily stuff? Depending on you and your class, there could be chance for the sub to do art time, choice time (aka free time), board games, etc. Maybe there is something you wish you could do with your class but never have time for it. It often gets put in my plans to do a choice time to let the kids just be kids. Or art with watercolors and just let the kids paint whatever they want. The second to the last day of school this year, the kinders I subbed for got to watercolor for 1/2 an hour. The number one question that I got asked so many times, even though I told them they could paint whatever was, "We really can paint whatever we want?" So sad!

4. Behavior Management
Whatever you use as behavior management, please let your sub know so that they can use it. Having as much as the day/class be consistent and normal will help the day go by smoothly. Whether it is a clip chart, punch cards, table points on the board, your sub should know. Also let the sub know how you grab your kiddos' attention. Do you have a special song, clap, or saying? Kiddos need their routine!

5. Some extra info tidbits
I may get some flack for this by other subs for what I'm about to say, but I know the subs in my district would stand with me (and this may not be part of what your district does). Leave something for us to do. I often get told to sharpen pencils, wipe the tables, and tidy the room. But then I'm still left with an hour to twiddle my thumbs in the class (and Pinterest is blocked darn it!). I don't mind copying/cutting/laminating. If it helps you out and I'd be sitting on my butt for an hour, then let me help! 

*Seating charts are helpful! We can learn a few names that way. And we can tell then if Sally is trying to sit by Natalie even though Sally is supposed to sit by Sam... oh yes, I've busted several children with a seating chart. 

*Leave room on you plans for you sub to write you a note, or a piece of paper so they can. I always write a note to the teacher. I tell them what lessons I got to, where I left off, who was a great help (who wasn't), and if there is a message for them or something happened (like a fire drill, etc). 

If you have no clue where to begin in getting ready for a sub, start with a binder! I have a freebie over on my blog that you can grab to help get ready. I also have a monthly series where I try to help teachers (and subs) get prepared!


Thanks again for letting me chat and hopefully I helped you out and you aren't so stressed about having a sub!


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Where in the world has summer gone? Can you believe it's the end of JULY already?? Somebody please explain to me how the past 2 months have passed by at warp speed!!
Ok, I may be being a little dramatic, but it does seem like every year the summer passes by faster than the previous one. Maybe it's because I've been busy playing with this little cherub (and I apologize for those of you who follow me on Instagram for bombarding you with pictures of her daily!!)
She's just a little obsessed with this version of Brown Bear where you slide a tab to see the next animal!
All of sudden this week I started to get in panic mode about the upcoming school year...how am I going to balance the beginning of school with a little one when in previous years I stayed until 9:00 at night? What am I going to do about this new reading series we're supposed to teach "with fidelity" when I'm used to creating my own lessons? Then, to add to my panic, I was told last week I'm moving rooms. Now, for all of the portable's issues, I actually liked my little paneled portable {mainly because it's the only room with a Promethean Board and one of the only rooms that allows teacher control of the temp}. However, I am moving into a huge room with 3 huge closets, so I am super excited and nervous all at the same time! My sweet granny {who gets roped into everything} came to help me start moving stuff yesterday:

Can you spot my little helper?
In the midst of the craziness, I have been able to get a little work done. I finally finished my shape pack and am super excited about it. Click the pictures below to check it out on TpT. It's on sale until midnight tomorrow for $5!

I also updated a few things in my beginning of the year center pack. If you already bought it, be sure to download your new pack! You can check it out by clicking the picture below.
I would love to give away one of each of these packs to 2 lucky readers! Leave me a comment below telling me how you're spending these last days of summer and I'll pick a winner some time tomorrow. :)
Umm to say that I'm a little bit addicted to school supplies is an understatement! I can remember being in elementary school and my granddad coming home from work with a surprise for me. While most kids would be getting a doll, some candy, or what not, he would bring me new pens from the office supply store! {I was a dork!}
When I popped in Wal-Mart today to grab some things, I might have had some heart palpitations when I saw the back to school aisles already out! Back to school time might be one of my favorite times of year and one big reason is all the new supplies. The only downside is that I remember what the prices of all these items was 9 years ago when I started teaching and they have gone up quite a bit! Now, if you follow me on instagram, you've already seen some of these pics, but here's what I scooped up:

New pencils {I LOVE this brand!} and erasers
Markers for .97 a pack!
Colored pencils also .97!
Crayons .50 {way back in the day these were .20!}
Now when I saw these, I thought I had died and gone to school supply heaven!! Each pack has various shades of each color...these were .78 I think
Lots of folders .17
Love these composition books...only .97!
We go through tons of glue and I HATE using glue sticks on anything other than copy paper, so I always stock up in the summer {These also used to be about .20 and are .50 now}
Glue sticks for cut and paste centers .50
Lots of notebooks .17
I have no idea what I'm doing with these, but I had to have them .97
I also have yet to figure out what to do with these mini notebooks, but they were so cute. I think they were .89
These actually came from Office Depot and are half off right now! My aunt bought me 8 packs...how lucky am I??
She also bought me these sharpies that were half off...best aunt ever!
These were a few of my Michael's finds from the other day. Cute primary colored border to match my theme, ribbon, lots of sponge brushes and some ink pads that were marked down to $1!
And last, I can't make it through getting my room ready to go without a snack and I am addicted to this stuff!

Sorry for all the pictures! If you're on instagram and find some awesome goodies, be sure to insta link with Alisha...I love looking at everyone's finds!
Hey guys! It has been a whirlwind of a few weeks here! We have been to Birmingham, to Nashville, to North Carolina, back to Birmingham, and back home. My sweet, sweet Aunt Eula {who was actually my great, great aunt} passed away, which led us to North Carolina. It was Ellie Grace's first long car trip, first flight, and first time to meet our family there. She did very well and it was nice to catch up and reminisce about all the things we remembered, loved about, and learned from my aunt {she taught first grade for over 30 years!}. During that trip and since, I've been working on some new posters for my classroom. I've seen tons of really cute decor packs, but none exactly like what I wanted, so I created one. It includes primary colored alphabet, numbers 0-20, 2D and 3D shape, and color posters in a polka dots, chevron, and stripes. I really do like the way they came out! If it's something you're interested in, click the picture below {it's on sale for $5 today and tomorrow!}.


Something else new that happened when I was gone was that Google Reader went away. I've personally always read blogs from my dashboard and went to the actual blog, but I've also started using Bloglovin' and am liking it so far. I would love if you would continue to follow me with Bloglovin' {that way you don't miss any of the fun!}.
Now for something old. I'm linking up with Cara for Throwback Thursday...here's a post from last summer {these are now updated to include 4th and 5th grade!}


I love sending my new kiddos postcards before school starts! I think it sets the tone for our year and really show the kids and their families that their teacher cares :). I usually buy some, but decided to make my own this year and thought I would share with you. There are 3 different front sides (for K, 1st, and 2nd) and 3 different backs (we have Open House, so mine says that and I also teach in a small town and already know a lot of the kids so I put "see you" on mine, but added a version that says "meet you"). You should be able to print the front side, then (depending on how your printer loads paper), put the paper back in and print the back. I would love for you to let me know if you're able to use these (or if they don't print correctly!!).

Can you believe we go back to school in a month??
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