Texas Size Link Up: Back to School Binder Organization and Freebies

One thing I've been working on this summer is connecting with other educators via social media. I'm excited to be joining in with The Little Ladybug Shop and Planet Happy Smiles from the #tpttexastribe for a Texas size link up! Everyone is sharing #organization #tips #ideas #freebies to get you ready for back to school! 

One one way I stay organized is sorting my files and supplies into binders and bins by subject, topic, standard, season, and holiday. I always know where to find what I need and it makes it easy to put things away in the correct place (the hard part!). I created these editable binder covers to match my Dots on Turquoise color scheme. They are ink friendly, color coded, and have adorable Melonheadz kidlettes!

I'm giving a copy to a lucky follower, make sure to enter the Rafflecopter!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

I'm currently obsessed with Thinglink, so I created one with links to my #b2s freebies for you! Make sure you scoop them up! Simply click on the little circles and it will take you where you need to go. If you haven't used Thinglink, you have to try it out! It is free image mapping and the possibilities for how you could use it in your classroom are endless! 

Thanks for stopping by to get the scoop and make sure to visit all of the other fabulous bloggers participating in the Texas Size Link Up!

Back to School Supply Organization for Busy Families

I have been obsessed with Periscope all week thanks to Angie from Lucky Little Learners and Ashley from Schroeder Shenanigans in Second broadcasting from Vegas! Who else is a new addict? Leave a comment with your Periscope name so I can be sure to follow you. If you haven't checked it out yet, you MUST! I can't wait to use it in the classroom! #periscopeteachers

I did my first live broadcast today about my Walmart back to school deals, the Walmart Savings Catcher app, and how I organize for back to school with four kids. Oh my gosh, y'all, I was so nervous!! It is harder than you think to record the video, concentrate on what you want to say, while reading and responding to comments, and trying not to get sidetracked. I talked too fast and next time I will slow down so I can spend more time interacting with everyone. I also thought I had stopped the broadcast, but it was still filming live as I walked around my messy kitchen and told my kids they could come out of their rooms. hahaha I'm sure the viewers got a kick out of that!! It is on until tomorrow morning if you want to check it out.

Walmart has some great supply deals this year! Here are some that I scooped up.

In my Periscope, I talked about how I use the Walmart Savings Catcher app to price match. If you don't use the app, you are missing out! It is a quick and easy way to make sure you are getting the lowest price.

All you have to do is scan the bar code or qr code on your receipt after your purchase in the Walmart Savings Catcher App, it electronically searches for lower prices, and sends you the difference on an e-gift card. It will send you an email to let you know it received your receipt and another email letting you know if they found a lower price. If so, it takes about a few days to a week to get your refund. I printed my e-card and keep it in my wallet to reuse every week. Like I said, quick and easy!

I also shared how I stay organized with four kids using my back to school checklist and a tip on how to store supplies. Several people asked me to share my checklist, so I created an editable PowerPoint file that will allow you to type in your own information. I made several options for you; create your own table or use a pre-made table for 1-4 kids. Hopefully, one of these works for your family!! 

Click HERE to download my Back to School Family Supply Checklist Freebie! I hope it helps you get organized for the new year!

The large, plastic, $1 bags that you can get at Marshall's, TJ Max, or Michael's are a great way to store your child's school supplies! They are large enough to hold all of the supplies and the 12x18 construction paper fits perfectly! I tell the teacher she can keep the bag, because teachers always need more bags to cart stuff to and from the school. 

I hope you got some great ideas to help save you money and get organized! Thanks for stopping by to get the scoop! 

First Day Teacher Survival Kit and a Freebie!

How is everyone adjusting to getting back into the swing of things? Our teachers went back to work this week (officially) and have been working around the clock. It isn't easy to go from lazy days to waking up before 6! I've been dragging this week and next week is going to be even worse! 

We had schedule pickup at the intermediate school for my oldest two kids on Tuesday and Meet the Teacher at the elementary school for my youngest two on Thursday and Friday. Between those two events, my oldest broke her toe, my son needs braces, and my Nana found out she is having heart surgery next week! Perfect timing, right?!?! UGH, so you see why I missed Five for Friday, but I digress. 

My first grader's teacher is new to our school and I wanted to make her feel welcome, so I made her this First Day Teacher Survival Kit! I always give a small gift at Meet the Teacher, because I love spoiling our teachers! She seems wonderful and we are excited to have her!  

I actually had almost all of these materials on hand, because I am a school supply hoarder always prepared, so it was really easy to put together! At first, I started with only a few items that I was going to put in a mason jar with a ribbon around it, but then I started pulling out all sorts of stuff for her out of my supply stash. A plastic shoe box bin ended up being the perfect size and a teacher always needs more bins! I would have used a bin to match her classroom, but at the time I didn't know what her theme was, so I went with a clear box with white lid. 

See that circle tag, it says "We are looking forward to a bright year!". I made that tag first, to go on the mason jar. I made this Survival Kit card after I compiled all the items I wanted to include.  I'm sooo happy with how my First Day Teacher Survival Kit card turned out. I made it into a freebie for you! I know that everyone will have different items in the kit, so I included blank editable pages so you can add your own text. These kits make great presents for new teachers, student teachers, substitute teachers, and team gifts! 

Go scoop up your free copy!  I appreciate your feedback!

Here is my sweet girl in her new classroom with some of our favorite back to school books! Her teacher loved her gift! I love how organized her room is!! I just know it is going to be a great year!  

P.S. she has an owl theme, so you know I'll have some owl themed freebies coming soon! 

Good luck to everyone starting on Monday! Remember, nothing matters more than building relationships with your students!

Who am I?!

I'm linking up with Blog Hoppin' for Back to School 2014 Teacher Week!

I shared a little about myself last week with Falling Into First's fun Meet the Teacher Linky! You can read about me here.

My name is Stacia, pronounced stay-sha, and I'm a new Texas teacher, blogger, and TpTer! I'm having so much fun getting to know everyone in the teaching blogging world!

I have four kids and they keep me on my toes! They are going into 1st grade, 3rd grade, 5th grade, and 6th grade. They are my life! They each have their own very unique personality!

Thanks to Amy from Step into 2nd Grade for the template!

Thanks for stopping by to get the scoop about me! Go link up with Blog Hoppin' for Back to School 2014! I'm looking forward to learning more about you!

Five for Friday August 15th

It's a Five for Friday post...on a Saturday! Don't judge, it is my last week not knowing what day of the week it is! Next week it is back to reality. I'm linking up with Kacey from Doodle Bugs, better late than never! 

My kids are home and it is our last week before the craziness starts! We have all be working on adjusting back to our normal routine. We ran errands, went to the library, play dates at Bouncing Bears, back to school shopping, and went on a day trip. I don't have any good pictures to share. Honestly, we were too busy having fun! The only downside to my week, I had to give up my Peanut Butter Captain Crunch and actually start cooking again. It has been torture I tell ya, but they are worth it! 

I linked up with Falling Into First for the Meet the Teacher Blogger Linky! It was perfect timing, because I need to finish my "About Me" section on my blog. It was fun reading about everyone and getting to know other bloggers!

We went to the Blue Bell ice cream factory. Blue Bell is one of the best things about Texas, along with Shipley's Donuts! If you have never tried it, you are missing out! I have been meaning to take the kids there for several years and we finally got around to it. I was surprised at how easy of drive it was; we probably would have gone a lot sooner had I known that. We had a lot of fun touring the facility and the free ice cream was a hit! You can see how my son LOVES posing for pictures! He is at that age, too cool for everything.   

My son had a tooth pulled at the dentist. He said he doesn't believe in the tooth fairy. He had the nerve to say that I was the tooth fairy! Can you believe that? Like I have wings and money to spare. Silly boy. I made him put his tooth under his pillow anyway, but the tooth fairy hasn't come yet. I told him it must be because he said doesn't believe! You don't believe, you don't get presents! Boom Mr. Skeptical. Remember that before Christmas, or Santa will bring you underwear in your stocking.

My kids are growing up. :-( 

I finished my First Day of School sign for student pictures! A little late, but hopefully someone can use them! I added signs for my first day, 100th day, and last day of this school year. I also added three color options, turquoise, red, and lime green.

You can get your free copy here. I would appreciate your feedback!

I will put the sign in a frame for students to hold while I take their picture. Actually, it is a perfect job for a parent volunteer. ;-) I LOVE student pictures throughout the year; it is amazing to see how much they grow! These are a perfect addition to your scrapbook and/or make a great parent gift!

That is about it for me; it has been a pretty slow week. Just spending time with my kiddos before the school year starts and things get CRAZY!!! They were gone most of the summer, so I am trying to squeeze in what little time I can. I have a TON of TpT projects that I still haven't finished, but my kids come first.

Thanks for stopping by to get the scoop!

Five for Friday August 8th

I'm linking up for Doodle Bugs for Five for Friday! 

I finally received the check from the insurance company and was able to sign the papers to buy my new van! It is beautiful and I love it!! I have posted a picture before, but it is officially ours now! 

The insurance check cleared the day of the TpT sale...yeah...so you know...I might have gone a little crazy! If you follow me on Instagram, you saw what I purchased. I mostly stocked up on clip art, since I'm not in a specific grade level this year. I did manage to stay within my budget and I'm super excited about the sets I bought!

I posted my very first paid TpT product, my binder covers!!! I have even sold a couple already! I am like a kid on Christmas morning every time I get that email! It is such an awesome feeling!! I feel honored that people would spend their hard earned money on one of my products! I'm excited about starting this journey and thankful for the opportunity!! They are on sale until Sunday.

I've already been working on adding more covers to this set with all the new Melonheadz sets I bought during the sale!

I spent lots of special time with this girl! Her birthday always gets overshadowed by the 1st day of school and my other kids are coming home tomorrow, so we went out and celebrated early! After we picked up the van, we went to the mall, got new school shoes and clothes, Build a Bear, rode the carousel, got a free Lego set at the Lego store, and had Freebirds for dinner. She said it was, "The Best Day Ever!" She always says that, but I agree with her this time! 

I went shopping with Susan from Caterpillar Wings and helped in her classroom for a little bit. I don't feel like I helped much, but we had fun visiting! Her classroom is already looking amazing, I can't wait until she reveals it!! We found this amazing turquoise five drawer cart at Big Lots. I blogged about all my turquoise finds!

I finished a treat bag topper that I originally made for Susan. She wanted a quick and easy treat for Meet the Teacher, so she bought a big box of Goldfish at Costco! I added options for the beginning of the school year, end of school year, and all purpose gifts. I just posted them on TpT and they are on sale until Sunday!

Thanks for stopping by to get the scoop on my busy week!