Welcome to 2016….well, almost!

Welcome to 2016…..well, almost! 

I know, I know!!!! We haven't even had Christmas yet but seeing as I fly off to Las Vegas for NYE (big whoop!) this year I know I won't have time to sort out my first day back in the downtime between Christmas and school starting again (oh poor me!).

I love my classroom during the run-up to Christmas but once all of those gorgeous cards and colourful calendars have been sent home and the tinsel is packed away, it looks a little sad and empty and I feel a little lost!

Luckily, I planned ahead and took some NYE themed photo booth pictures of my class ready to peg up  to overcome the miserableness of bare-walls syndrome and to kind of make me feel organised!! 

Obviously there is far more to the job of a teacher than making the walls pretty but….!

How do you approach the first day back with your class? Do you launch yourselves straight back into the routine? Do you take it easy and play a little fast and loose with the time-table? 

Me, I like to strike it somewhere in the middle. 

We're all tired (yes I mean WE ME!) and struggling with the sugar withdrawals but I'm also highly aware that every moment is a vital learning opportunity. 

Yes I am that mean teacher who likes to get them straight back into the habit of writing!

On the first day back I like to run some 'circle-time' type activities and give the children a chance to share what they have been doing over their time off- I learn an awful lot about them during these chats! 

We like to reflect on the year just gone and remember all of the fun we had in class- 

You can click here to snag yourself a copy from my TpT store! 

I love using these activities with the children as they celebrate all of the positives and the sense of community our class shared before the Christmas break. 

After we have had our morning snack and are feeling refuelled and energised I then like to introduce some more focused written work. 

This year I will be getting my children ready for the hard work ahead by making wishes and thinking of achievable goals. 

I don't want them to simply set a goal but also explain why they want to achieve it, what it will mean to them and how they will get there. 

Do you encourage your children to goal set? How do you go about it? 

I'd love to hear your plans for the first day back...

'Twas the week before Christmas break….5 teacher tips and treats to see you through! Xx

Worn out? Check! 

 'Comfy' clothes for school? Check! 

Desk a mess? Check! 

'To-do' list a mile long? Check! 

Glitter in unmentionable places? Check! 

In need of a spa day? Check! 

This can only mean 1 thing……it must be the week before Christmas break! 

Teacher-wellness at this time of year is very important so, in order to help you to take a moment for yourself and get into the festive spirit too I've complied a little list of teacher tips and treats...

Monday
School- have all cards, calendars and decorations made ready to be sent home at the end of the day to avoid that last minute panic!
Home- indulge in a minced pie whilst taking 5 minutes to enjoy the twinkling christmas lights on your tree.
Treat- Scholastic Voucher Codes and Discounts for December
Click here


Tuesday
School- double check all assessments are done and get that data handed in (if you haven't already) so you're not sat on Thursday night still compiling it!
Home- take a hot bubble bath to some festive tunes!
Treat- Paperchase- Treat Me


Wednesday
School- colouring in is therapeutic- let the kids doodle away to some festive tunes while you make sure you've got any paper work ready for those who need it and you've got the photocopying done for the first day back in January- I know this seems early but you'll thank me later!
Home- get in the festive mood with a Christmas film and a few chocolates!
Treat- Bodyshop- Voucher Cloud deals for December click here


Thursday
School- take down the festive displays and get the boards backed ready for the first week- there's nothing worse than realising you still have all of your festive stuff up when you just want to go home on the last day!
Home- Prep a tasty meal to have when you get in from work tomorrow- you deserve a feet up end to the Autumn term!
Treat- Dorothy Perkins- Voucher Cloud deals for December click here


Friday
School- let the kids watch a DVD and take some time to file any paper work, tidy your desk and do some general housekeeping- you will not be wanting to do this once the bell has gone- trust me!
Home- Glass of wine? Hot chocolate? You decide- it's officially the holidays!!!!!! Celebrate!
Treat- Photobox- Hot UK Deals codes for December click here


And to help you stop getting snowed under and keep your Christmas cheer I've made a little checklist for you to use-

Have a wonderful last week of school- let's make it a stress-free one!

Festive Freebies and Dollar Steals!

As I am sure you are well aware by now, I am part of the Global Glitter Tribe and we are currently hosting a 12 Days of Giving link-up. 

I know that at this point in the term both myself and my class are worn out! We are ready for the break to arrive and, seeing as it is the season and all, at Global Glitter Tribe we figured what better way to support each other than to share some amazing and FREE products which may just help you survive the next couple of weeks!

There are freebies galore, link-ups to read and a give-away to enter!

Click here to visit and snag some goodies yourself!

This got me thinking- what lovely festive freebies do I have in my store?

Well….

This 'Winter Warmer: Addition and Subtraction Word Problem' task card set is a MUST! 

Not allowed to use Christmas themed products? Have children who don't celebrate Christmas? 

Don't worry- this product is totally winter themed and includes items such as snowflakes, hot chocolate, scarves and snowmen in it's word problems rather than Santa, trees and gifts!

My Easter version of this forever freebie snagged over 300 downloads in its first day! 

Of course I couldn't blog without mentioning my part in the 'Holidays Around the World' collaborative product from the Global Glitter Tribe- 

It is a forever freebie and features products to support the teaching of Christmas in the UK and New Mexico, Hanukah and New Years! 

This is my contribution- 

Snag your free copy by visiting my TpT page. 

Although these aren't freebies, they are $1 steals and rather fantastic (even if I do say so myself!)

So….got a seasonal freebie? Why not head to the Global Glitter Tribe now and link up your product or blog post?! 

Frankie Says….. Shameless Self Promo!

So… I don't often blog just about a product I've created but I really want to share this one with you as I am super duper proud of it and hey… why shouldn't I make a fuss?!

Do you like to link holidays and celebrations in meaningful ways? 

I love activities where children have to work problems out and solve in a fun and practical way rather than always recording their work on a sheet. 

'Frankie says…' ticks that box for me! It is active and engaging- children have to use an appropriate method- for most of mine it was using objects- to workout if Frankie's statements were true or false. 

Task cards can then be sorted into a 'True' or 'False' pile using the poster cards included. 

I snagged some Frankenstine 'loot' baskets which added a WOW element to the activity- 

'Frankie says…' is currently 20% for Halloween so make sure you snag it before the month is out!

Already finished school for Half Term? No problem - get Frankie ready for next Halloween! 

How do you like to bring Halloween into your classroom? 

Is it a no, no in your school?