Mrs. Wheeler's First Grade Tidbits: Sunday 6 April 27, 2019

Hi and welcome back to another Sunday 6! I have been on a 2 week hiatus! Easter was last Sunday and the Sunday before I just didn't have time to get my post up. Nonetheless, I am back! Here are 6 random happenings from my week last week! Enjoy!

Ok, I know I've shared this before (and recently) but it is seriously a game-changer! This is a newer product in my store. It's an "Early Finisher Board." To assemble, you put Velcro on the board and on the choice cards. Each day or several times throughout the day, you can change the early finisher activity. Having this visual eliminates kids asking "What should I do now? I'm finished." I tried to included activities that aren't ridiculous and don't take tons of prep...think coloring, play-doh, flash-cards, etc...*I have also included an editable page so you can create your own, specific activities. I usually change mine twice...once in the morning and then once for the afternoon. Click the cover below and experience this greatness! Hahaha!

If you have been with me for a while now, you might remember that I used to be an extreme couponer! I love saving money and finding good deals! I began my extreme couponing adventure about 8-9 years ago. I have since stopped because the tv show ruined it and it became much harder to do. One thing I did keep up with, however, is the Ibotta App. Through this app, I simply look through grocery store rebates that are currently available. I click "add" to add them to my list. Then, when I go to the store, I make sure to buy those items. When I get home, I open the Ibotta app, snap a picture of my receipt, and scan the items I bought. It takes no time at all! I get the money back into my account. When I reach $20, I cash out for gift cards (I love getting Starbucks or Sephora!) or deposit the money into my Paypal account. It's so good! I have earned $900 back over the last 3 years doing this. You can, too! Just click this link to sign up and you will get an extra $10 after you redeem your first rebate!! You will love it once you start! I am obsessed!

Below are a few photos of things I got this week.

I got $10.05 back for the items below:

This screen shot was for a trip earlier in the week, where I got $10.70 back.

I picked up the face cream for just $8.89 at Kroger. Regularly almost $20.00!

I got my most recent Kindergarten Crate! If you aren't familiar, KC is a monthly subscription box created for teachers! With your subscription, you receive a themed box each month. Inside you will find a grade-specific read-aloud book, a student activity, classroom supplies, and a teacher gift (woo hoo!). KC can be purchased one time, in a 6 month subscription, or in a 12 month subscription. The gals at Kindergarten Crate recently added a pre-kinder box and a 1st grade box. When I saw they had a 1st grade box, I knew I had to have a subscription!! Our days are full of box curriculum and the Kindergarten Crate has been providing more fun for us!

The Kindergarten Crate is shipped on the third week of each month. The box you get is intended to be used the following month. For example, the third week of April, my box below was shipped. It's the May box and is meant to be used in the classroom next month. Take a look at what was inside this month's box! Can you spot the theme?! My kids love little "figures" and they are going to swoon over the ocean animal figures that are in this box! Are you loving that teacher tee, or what!? I can't wait to wear it to school. So fun. *Side note: I always love that KC includes a picture book. It's a great way to build up your library!

Disclosure: I received my subscription in exchange for marketing. However, all opinions about the Kindergarten crate are my own.

We have been earning our whole-group classroom rewards pretty steadily! Last week we celebrated earning a gum party! I picked up a few packs of gum and let the kids pick the piece they wanted to chew! It was definitely a hit! You can check this pack out below; there are many options included!

We have a beautiful, big deck on the back of our house. However, it has aged. It was here when we moved in 13 years ago and we believe it had been there for at least 12 years prior. We usually power wash it and re-stain it every few years, but many of the boards were splitting, so we decided to replace some of them. "Some" turned into "all." Hahaha! Mr. Wheeler has been replacing all of the boards and it has been a tremendous job. He has nailed every nail in by hand. He is just about finished. The only thing that he left was the actual frame of the deck. He's put in new benches, steps, and of course a new main area of the deck. The next step will be to power wash it and get it stained. We are looking forward to enjoing it this summer! We're also in the process of finding a new patio set, because it just so happened that our patio table broke after 13 years as well. LOL.

Here he is about 1/3 of the way through the main deck board replacement.

Do you use Bob Books in your classroom? Have you seen them before? I have used them for many years. I have used them during small group time as well as during silent reading time. They have a clean layout, short words, and simple Phonics skills. I have a bucket that is called "Readers" and I place the Bob Books in there. I notice that many of my students who are just learning to read will select from that bin. These books help build confidence! You can check out Bob Books by clicking here.

I recently got a chance to check out a new set from Bob Books: Animal Stories. Most of the words in this new set are mostly one or two-syllable words and contain short vowels. This set also has tons of repetition and introduces consonant blends. The silly animal characters will be sure to keep students' interests high! This year, I have several students on academic IEP's and are just now beginning to read. I know they will love these books. The level of words in them is just right. I am looking forward to trying these new Bob Books with them!

Disclosure: I received this set of books in exchange for marketing. However, all opinions about Bob Books are my own.