A Bright New Year

I am slowly but surely slipping back into reality. I still have until Wednesday and believe me, I am soaking up every last second of this wonderful break! {a.k.a. stayed in my pajamas all day long!!!!}

Even though I stayed in my pajamas, I still managed to pull myself up for a while to get some work done and try to start preparing my brain for the 5 a.m. "WAKE UP CALL" on Wednesday morning! {That one's gonna hurt!} Although I do not love mornings, I am excited to get back and see my 16 little darlings. I really like to get them excited for second semester so I have a few things that I am going to use to get them back in gear! If you haven't started back...maybe you can use these little gems as well! If you are already back in school mode, it's never too late to "pretend" that it is on the lesson plan! :)

My kids love glow sticks. I have them in a cup and pass them out to "shining authors" during writing time. They are really something serious in our classroom. I thought about giving all of my kids one for Valentine's Day, but then I saw this little number on Pinterest.

So, why wait? Maybe this will cause some "bright" thoughts to process through their brains since they haven't done anything have studied and read ALL break...right?!? {Please tell me I'm right} Ha!

Here are the tags that I am going to attach. I have made several versions just in case anyone else would like to encourage bright thinking! You can download the tags {HERE!}


If you are looking for a New Year's Resolution writing, I posted this freebie a few days ago. You can click on the picture below to check out that post!


And if you need some engaging centers to whip those little brains back into shape, you can check out my Winter Wonderland Math Centers on TPT. These are wonderful for the month of January because they require minimal prep. work for teachers {Do I hear an AMEN?!?} and they review all of those basic math skills. You can check out my post {HERE} or you can check them out at my TPT shop!

Wishing you a wonderful return! Oh yes...and don't forget to enter in my giveaway for your chance to win 11 time savers wonderful units that will totally engage your students during the first few months back to school! It will end January 6th! Click on the picture below to check it out!


Now, I must prepare for The Bachelor. Is anyone else excited??? Are there any Ben fans out in the teacher blogosphere???


23 comments:

  1. Those tags are so cute! Thanks for sharing!
    I am excited for the Bachelor but I'm not a fan of Ben's. Hoping he'll grow on me! :)
    A Teeny Tiny Teacher

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  2. Love the bright New Year tags...will have to run out to Dollar Tree tomorrow and grab some sticks for my 22 kiddos. I'm back tomorrow, kids Wednesday....I got too attached to the sweats and jammies too:.(

    Happy New Year!
    4th Grade Frolics

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  3. Ahhh. love the glowstick tags. My kiddos love glowsticks as well so I will definitely have to do that!

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  4. I am so jealous you have until Wednesday! We had to go back today and I was SOOOO not ready! That bright year is such a cute idea!

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  5. These a precious and something my kids would love! :) I can't wait to pick up some glow sticks for a special treat. We went back today but a good third of our kids didn't!

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  6. So, now I'm super jealous because you have an extra day off! But, I wake up at 7:00 each morning, so maybe that makes up for it :)

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  7. I love the glowsticks! I'm so super jealous that you don't have to go back until Wednesday since I am scrambling at the last minute preparing for ToMoRrOw...

    Please follow my blog - I'm a newbie!! Thanks!

    Jamie at 2nd Grade Stuff

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  8. You have such cute ideas for the new year! This is my first year teaching & I'm anxious to see how my kiddos will be after break!

    A Chocoholic Teacher

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  9. I went back today and used the New Years hats and writing paper. My bulletin board is adorable. I taped real "blowers" to the picture of their face and taped the hats on top. ADORABLE. THANK YOU!!! You made my day!

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  10. Alright dearie....I just was so excited...I had to run out to Dollar Tree tonight instead of tomorrow:) Got my glow sticks...downloaded my tags...ready to roll:)
    Thanks!

    4th Grade Frolics

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  11. Oh. My. Word. Too, too, too CUTE! I will have to make a run to the Dollar Store tomorrow (my pajamas are saying they have missed me today). We might have to do a New Year activity each day!

    We went back today! At one point, I only had 13 kiddos and 2 of those were sleeping. I kind of liked having a class of only 11!

    Happy New Year!

    Heather
    Heather's Heart

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  12. I love your ideas for new years!

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  13. Very fun!! LOVE the glow stick idea!! I am watching the Bachelor as I blog stalk :) I can't wait to see the older woman come out!!

    Ali

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  14. Thanks for another opportunity for a giveaway, this is a great way to connect to new blogs!
    laurenjensen@live.com

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  15. I LOVE the idea for the glowsticks!!!

    Jodi
    fun-in-first.blogspot.com

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  16. I love the glowsticks! I made them up today!!

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  17. My kids started the day with the glow sticks with adorable signs today:) Blogged about it...come check it out:)

    4th Grade Frolics

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  18. thanks for the bright idea, i am a ben fan but wow there are some interesting characters already on the show. mary at apopovic@primus.ca

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  20. Any chance you are making the Bight New Year for the new school year??? :)

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  21. Hi - I would LOVE to use this for a new school year treat - would there be any way to edit it or make it editable so it could say 2013? Thanks a million. They are so very cute! kandiemccauley@hotmail.com

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