Friday, August 5, 2011

Meet & Greet- Plus Something Sweet!

This week we have eat out every night because I haven't been home. I have bags under my eyes, my fingers hurt from opening and closing binders, my hands hurt from cutting out popcorn shaped words, and my back is killing me from climbing up and down- putting things in cabinets and hanging things on the wall.

This week I went to sign out of school one day and realized I had been there 12, yes 12, hours. I started wondering if I should just get my mail delivered to the big brick building on the bypass since that's where I've been everyday.

I guess by now you all have guessed that it is the week before school starts and we had our teacher inservice days on Tuesday through Friday of this week. Most of that time was spent in lovely and very *informative* meetings so we didn't get too much accomplished in our rooms during the day.

Thursday night was our Kindergarten orientation. I have been excited about trying out these new ideas. I can't wait to share them with you!

A few years ago (when times got tough and we stopped getting classroom supply money), I started making a classroom wish list and putting it on the board during orientation. In the past, I have just put up sticky notes with the items I want (usually one item per sticky note) and the parents that choose to participate can pick up the ones they would like to purchase. Items I usually include are: Mr. Clean sponges, air freshener refills, AA and AAA batteries (for air freshener sprayer and remote controls), sponge brushes, ink cartridges for our classroom printer, cardstock, etc...

This year, I decided to make it a little cuter. After all, a bunch of yellow sticky notes on a board are not very festive!!! I wrote my items on cute little apples:



I drew a tree on the board and wrote "The Giving Tree". Parents could pick an apple from the tree. It turned out really cute!!! ( Sorry for the rough photos. I had to use my iphone. A classroom digital camera is on my digital wishlist along with 18 Ipads and a ton of other things!)




Another new thing I'm trying- e-mail magnets! I got the idea from an online professional development class. One of the other participants mentioned it. I made the design in PhotoShop and then used Vistaprint to print them. I think I paid less than $7 for 24 of them! Too cute!!! I know every parent doesn't have email, but if the parents who have it would utilize it, it would be great! I wanted to really encourage it this year, so I thought the magnets would be great for them to stick on their refrigerators or filing cabinets at work.




And last, my favorite new thing that I did this year....

I ran across this cute little poem a while back and I really wanted to do something with it for orientation. I made cute little tags and tied them to the apple stems with ribbon. I cannot tell you how adorable it was!!! I thought it turned out so stinkin' cute!




Here's the really fun part! I want to share these with you!!!!!! If you would like to have a FREE copy of these cute little tags (without my name, of course!), please go over to the side and become a follower, share the link to my blog, leave a comment and let me know where you shared and where to send the file. EDIT- JULY 2012- Due to the high volume of emails, please visit my TPT store to download the tag for FREE!!!


Photobucket

75 comments:

  1. I now follow you! Very cute, and I would love a copy of the poem.

    Kristen
    first-grade-teachers.blogspot.com
    kwalsky@gmail.com

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  2. I am now a follower. I'm putting your button on my blog. I LOVE the "giving tree" idea!
    You can send the poem file to teachertam2@gmail.com
    Teacher Tam's Educational Adventures

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  3. These are the cutest things ever!! I am now a follower and am sharing your blog on facebook! :) You can send them to julia.powell87@gmail.com

    Thanks so much!

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  4. I am following. Neat ideas!
    srussell@fort-dodge.k12.ia.us

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  5. I am now a follower. I found your blog from Kindergartenworks blog. I love your giving tree idea. I have never tried that in my room, but I may this year. Thanks for sharing your wonderful ideas.

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  6. I'm a new follower! Thanks for sharing these great ideas--love the email address magnet!

    mspreppyblog@gmail.com

    Ms. Preppy's Adventures in Primary and Polka Dots

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  7. I love your ideas! I, too, give my parents a magnet with my contact information on it so they can keep it on the fridge. I think it works great! I would love a copy of your poem. kindergartenwhaletalesATgmailDOTcom. Thanks!

    kindergartenwhaletales.blogspot.com

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  8. So cute I would love the poem! I just followed the blog.
    pruetts@rcschools.net!
    Thanks!

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  9. I love the "parents are teachers too" poem!!! I shared your blog on face book and signed up to follow your blog via email!!!!! Where on earth do you find the time!!! :D

    You can send it to cwestbro@columbia.k12.mo.us Thanks Bunches!

    Cherri Westbrook

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  10. Love, love, love your ideas! I posted your blog on facebook.

    Please send the poem tag to mojusuzanne@yahoo.com

    Thanks!

    --Suzanne

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  11. Love it! We have our open house this week! I hope I can get mine before then!

    Following!

    Thank you!

    Ammie
    bradleya@guilford.k12.ct.us

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  12. PS: You button didn't work on my board?? I am not sure if something is wrong?

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  13. These are adorable!! I am now a follower and am sharing your blog on facebook! :) You can send them to AndreaVDalton@gmail.com

    Thanks so much!

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  14. These are so cute! I am a follower now, and I repined it on pinterest and sharing your blog on Facebook. . My mom would love these for her class! Thank you! BNavarro0331@yahoo.com

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  15. Absolutely adorable. I am now a follower and reposted to my Facebook page. Please send the "parents are teachers too" tag to slmerta@gmail.com. Thanks!!

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  16. So cute! I am a follower now and repinned the link to your blog on Pinterest. I would love the Apple Tag. Kbandur@sd25.org

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  17. So adorable! I do something very similar and would love the apple poem! gclark@bridgewayca.org

    Thanks so much!!

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  18. I would love the "parents are teachers too" tag! I am now a follower and repined the link on Pinterest. Please send to
    sharinewman@me.com

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  19. I would like to have a copy of the tag. I shared your blog on facebook and followed you through google. My email address is brush_h@yahoo.com

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  20. Love the magnet and poem idea!!! As a teacher and a parent!!!

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  21. Love the magnets and poem! Would love a copy. Thanks for sharing :). Email paulinatawil@gmail.com

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  22. I am a new follower!! I LOVE your blog! I would love a copy of the poem! Please send it to stacyd313@gmail.com

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  23. Hello! I am a new follower. Love your ideas! I shared a link to your blog on my blog http://love2learnandshare.blogspot.com/. Could you please send me a copy of the apple tag? Thank you!!! My email address is dana_m_baker@yahoo.com.

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  24. Hello! I am now a follower. Love this!!! Could you please send me a copy of the apple ideas and tag? My e-mail is ruskieroo@centurylink.net

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  25. Hello! I am a new follower. I love you ideas for orientation/Open House. I would love a copy of the apple poem and would also appreciate information on how you make your magnets. I want to mail them to incoming students with a list of important websites. I shared your link with my follower collegues.

    Laura Diak
    5th grade
    laura.diak@stjamesmillstadt.com

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  26. Hello! I am a new follower. I cannot wait to implement your ideas! I would love a copy of the poem!
    oliver.johna@gmail.com

    Thanks!

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  27. Hi! I'm a new follower. I love your open house ideas. I would love a copy of the poem!
    Thank you!

    Leslie Moore
    rlapw8614@yahoo.com

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  28. I am already a follower :-) You have such cute ideas! I would love a copy of the poem! I pinned this post of pinterest and you are on my list of blogs I follow!

    Jenny
    jenny.zuniga0@gmail.com

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  29. I am a new follower and would lovew a copy of the cute poem.
    Thank you.
    Corey
    poolsideteacher@gmail.com

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  30. Hi there! I just found your blog through Pinterest. I am now a follower and can't wait to read about more of your awesome ideas! I love the idea of giving parents apples during open house and would love a copy of your poem. Thank you so much!

    Antoinette :)
    nettewright92@gmail.com

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  31. I am a new follower and found you through a link on pinterest! I would really enjoy the copies from your meet and greet!

    Thanks a bunch!
    Renee

    simplymademeals@gmail.com

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  32. Hello! I love love love your blog! You have such great ideas and tips. I look forward to using many of them in my Kinder classroom this fall. I have shared your blog with my friends on facebook, and have also repinned your blog on Pinterest. I would really love a copy of your apple tag. Thank you so much!!!

    Kristen
    kselves18@gmail.com

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  33. Hello! I am your newest follower. You are so creative! I love your blog! You have such great ideas and tips. I look forward to using many of them in my Kindergarten classroom in August. I have shared your blog with my friends on facebook,and Pinterest. I would really love a copy of your apple tag. Thank you so much!!! Please email to kyelich@lcscmail.com
    Kim Y

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  34. wow how on earth have i been missing your blog? just found for the first time today & cant wait to keep looking around. I would truly appreciate your apple tag...love the tulle! smskdg@hotmail.com

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  35. I would love a copy of the poem! Thank you. I found your blog through Pinterest! kcluvs2sun@hotmail.com

    Casey

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  36. Your copy of the poem is adorable. I love that you attached it with a bit of tulle. : ) I'd love if you could send me the copy to my email at megan.johnson@my.minotstateu.edu

    I just added your blog to my list of Inspiring Kinder Blogs at http://sprinklesunshinekinder.blogspot.com/. You are the first one on there! Come on over and follow if you like.

    Thank you!
    Megan

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  37. I love this ... I am now a follower and have added your blog to my classroom website!
    Would love the template elizabeth052@aol.com

    Thank you so much
    Elizabeth

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  38. These are great ideas...I am now a follower and will share your link on facebook...Thanks, Donna

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  39. I am a new follower and would love a copy of poem. It is so cute!

    Thanks

    Please send to:acornelison31@gmail.com

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  40. Just found your blog! I am now a follower and excited to get some new ideas! I would love the letter and tag you use for open house. I really like my parents to feel as though they are a part of this crazy teaching thing we do!
    Headleyfamily@comcast.net

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  41. I found your blog via pinterest! Love it... I am your newest follower. I pinned your meet the teacher apple with the link. I would love a copy of your freebie to use at our upcoming meet the teacher night!
    cln254@gmail.com

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  42. I have started following you and I also found you on Pinterest! The black and white polka dots caught my eye. :) I would love to use your freebie at our Open House!
    judy.eason@comcast.net

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  43. love the magnets and apple poem...pinned both of then on pinterest...would love to have a copy of both...ealjordan@hotmail.com

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  44. Love your ideas! You are very clever! I would love to have a copy of your poem ! ...mgerling323@gmail.com THANK YOU FOR SHARING!!

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  45. Love your site. I became a follower.
    Thanks for sharing!
    I would love a copy of the apple tag for BTSN.
    Pinned on Pinterest

    natsinger3@gmail.com

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  46. Can't wait to do the parent apple....I would like the template. I would like to try to add my name, but I love you clip art.

    Please send to zredfern@q.com

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  47. I just became a follower. Could you please send me the apple tags and first day files? Love it. My e-mail is ruskieroo@centurylink.net

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  48. I just became a follower!
    Shared on Facebook and twitter.
    Please send the files to purplemoon831@yahoo.com

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  49. I am now a follower. Shared on Twitter. Please send the files to rkccpayne@att.net

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  50. I love all your ideas! I think I am a follower now. My email is jlwillia@gmail.com
    Thanks!!!!

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  51. I started following you and am in love with the files! Shared on Pinterest and Facebook. Can I please have! thecarterlife21@gmail.com

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  52. Your blog is really cute! I found it from pinterest. I had to start following you. Can you please send the file to aprilbernico@yahoo.com. Thank you!

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  53. I am a new follower of your blog and I linked it on my Facebook for my other teacher friends to find. Love this cute poem for meet the teacher night. Will you please send it to callie.rezzonico@gmail.com

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  54. Hi! I'm a new follower and I love your blog ! I shared your poem/apple idea on pinterest. Please send me the file. I would love to use it on parent night. Thanks beebeetwins27@yahoo.com

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  55. would love a copy of that poem on the apple... vanders@tampabay.rr.com

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  56. I would love a copy of the poem. I love the graphic! Hillaryborrelli@scusd.edu Great stuff on your blog; I shared on pinterest so friends could see it too.

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  57. I now follow you! You are very creative, and I would love a copy of the poem. I posted on facebook, and pinned on Pinterest.

    Abbey
    Abbeyrimes@gmail.com

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  58. I love the website!!! I posted on FB & pinned on Pinterest. I would love to have a copy of the apple tags.

    Adrienne
    davis_7804@yahoo.com

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  59. I love your blog. I became a follower ... I would love to have a copy. Your help is very much appreciated.
    Notch8@cfl.rr.com
    Thanks,
    Sally

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  60. I'm following your blog! So many cute ideas! I shared your site on FB. I'd love a copy of the parents are teachers too poem.
    lmcintosh@gcsc.k12.in.us
    Thanks!!

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  61. I just shared a link on facebook. Will you please send me the cute tags for the apples at the beginning of the year to kathy.ivie@bossierschools.org?

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  62. I love your blog. I would love a copy of your poem. I am a follower.

    Kbandur@sd25.org

    Thanks!

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  63. I follow and I shared your blog on Pinterest on my school board.

    queenstacey25@gmail.com

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  64. I referenced you today on one of my posts. I LOVE the idea of making a communication card a magnet!

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  65. I just found your blog via pinterest! Those magnets are awesome.. I have done the apple poem for several years now, but never figured out a way to attach the poem, thanks for sharing :) excellent blog I'm in love with all of your fantastic ideas.
    Come visit teaching fashionista

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  66. Wow. Please sen me a copy of your tags:)

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  67. I just joined your blog and shared on pinterest! Please send me a copy of your "apple" poem! wallacea@mineolaisd.net
    Also, what website did you use to order your magnets? Thanks! LOVE your blog!

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  68. Hi! I'm following you, and I shared your website on my facebook. I would like a copy of your poem and the cute little tags. Thank you for sharing your ideas!

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  69. Thanks so much for sharing your orientation idea. Please send me your "apple poem" and tags. I can't wait to use them. Please send to: teasista@gmail.com. Hopefully I'll get them by Wednesday of this week. I have shared on pinterest but will also share with other teacher friends, once I get their emails. You have so many wonderful ideas, I plan to use some others.O, by the way, lovw your blog name. Too cute!

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  70. THANK you very much for this lovely freebie!

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