Amazon Deals for Flexible Seating

Flexible seating in schools are becoming more and more popular as both teachers and administrators learn about the benefits of it. When I bring home schoolwork I almost never sit at my desk. Instead, I like to cuddle up on my couch with a cup of coffee (or wine) and get cracking. Why is it that we expect 5 and 6-year-olds to sit at hard desks all day? Shouldn't we give them a comfortable learning environment and also a choice about where they learn as we do at home? Why do we expect more from our students? Let us provide a fun, enriching environment for our students where learning becomes both fun and natural for them. 

I think the hardest part about using flexible seating in my classroom was the lack of funding for it. Most of my unique seating choices in my classroom came from yard sales or Facebook Marketplace which I paid for out-of-pocket. Every once in a while I purchase something new for my room, usually from Target or Amazon. This July 15th and 16th are Amazon Prime Days where you can find steeply discount products for your classroom. Every year I stock up on my back-to-school items during Prime Days and have them shipped directly to my classroom. I put a few Amazon finds together that would be perfect for any flexible seating classroom. Some splurges and some more modest items. Fill your carts now and check out on Prime Days! Happy shopping!

* You do need Amazon Prime to get discounts. You can sign up for a free trial for the month, but you'll need to remember to cancel before the end of your month subscription. 

1. These inflatable empire chairs!

2. These 18" stills that come in 14 colors! Set of 4

3. For multifunction storage, this bookcase/reading nook! 

4. This peanut balance ball for your wiggly learners! 

5. A double chaise lounge is a splurge, but perfect for reading!

6. A table and chair set with build in storage!

7. Lap desks make every space in your classroom functional!

8. Small cubbies for individual student supplies

9. Tents always provide a fun and quiet reading environment!

10. A comfy couch

* This post contains affiliate links at no cost to you

Plus 1, Minus 1 Bingo: An Addition & Subtraction Fluency Game!

Learning addition and subtraction facts fluently to 5 is quite the task for most kindergarten and first grade students! If they simply learn the concept or adding one and subtracting one, they can tackle a lot of those facts!

Using this game, students begin to strategize by deciding which number to cover, thus learning their facts fluently!

Here is how you play!

1 - Copy enough for your small group or class. I recommend using a fun-colored cardstock and lamenting a few to reuse throughout the year,

2 - Use a 10-sided die (you can get them on Amazon Here. They are honestly my favorite math manipulative!) Students can use the number line at the bottom to add 1 or subtract 1. For example, if the teacher or student rolls a 4, they can subtract 1 to get 4 or add 1 to get 6. They place a chip on the number of their choice.

3 - First player to get 6 in a row wins!

I usually play several rounds. I give this to my educational assistant to play with a group of about 4-5 students during math rotations. Eventually, I put this game in a bucket and the students play together independently!

Get Plus 1 & Minus 1 Bingo HERE!

         

* This post contains affiliate links

Year-End Amazon Deals for Your Classroom

Getting back into the swing of things after a long break is tough. I found some great Amazon deals to help get your classroom ready to go in 2019!

Sharpie 1949557 Color Burst Permanent Markers, Fine Point, Assorted Colors, 24-Count

List Price: 24.39
With Deal: $8.59
You Save: $15.80 (65%)

All-New Fire HD 8 Tablet | 8" HD Display, 16 GB, Black - with Special Offers

List Price: $79.99

With Deal: $49.99

You Save: $30.00 (38%)

National Geographic Kids 1 Year Subscription

 List Price: $39.50

With Deal: $15.00

You Save: 62%

National Geographic Little Kids

List Price: $39.50

With Deal: $15.00

You Save: 62%

Mr. Sketch 1924061 Washable Scented Markers, Chisel Tip, Assorted Colors, 14-Count

List Price: $14.99

With Deal: $7.19

You Save: $7.80 (52%)

Oregon Scientific SG268R-K Smart Globe Adventure AR World Geography Educational Games For Kids

List Price: $72.90

With Deal: $59.99

You Save: $19.96 (25%)

Osmo Genius Kit for iPad

List Price: $99.99

With Deal: $79.99

You Save: $20.00 (20%)

22 of My Favorite Things for My Classroom That You Can Order on Amazon Now!

Prime Day is July 16 - July 17 which means tons and tons of deals! This is always a good time to stock up on things for your classroom. Here are 22 of my favorite purchases I've made for my classroom on Amazon. Stock your carts now!

In order to get Prime Day deals, you must have Amazon Prime. To sign-up, use this affiliate link (at no extra cost to you). 

1. These industrial wire bins for your classroom library! These are nice and wide so books of every shape and size can fit!

2. This file organizer with 2 drawers! Perfect for organizing assessments!

3. A paper towel holder because we all know that classroom paper towels don't actually work! This one can be screwed into the wall to save precious table space!

4. These 10-sided decahedral dice! Perfect for using in math games where you need numbers 1-10. These dice in dice provide 2 numbers! Seriously guys, the best ever. You need these!

5. A label maker to make sure everything in your classroom has a place! This baby turned my closet from a hot mess into a perfectly organized space! 

6. These number pops are prefect for students learning numbers 1-10. 

7. These dry-erase fact family boards! I love these because they limit the need for worksheet which means less copying for you! I put these in my math bins as an independent activity during guided math.

8. You will find about a millions ways to use these kitchen timers! They have super strong magnets and clips on the back!

9. These ice cream scented dot markers might be my favorite thing ever! 

10. No more stole Diet Cokes in the crowded faculty fridge with this mini compact beverage refrigerator!

11. These stackable bins are what organized classrooms are made of! I put all of my math stations and word work in here and simply change out the bin as we learn new games. This way I never lose a game piece!

12. Upgrade any surface in your classroom with this marble effect contact paper!

13. Class up your classroom with a glittery chandelier! 

14. Tiggly interactive learning games for iPad! This is a fun and hands-on way for students of all levels to practice phonics, vocabulary, subtraction, addition, shapes, and so much more!

15. Sugar Rush scented gel pens! I put these in my work on writing area to entice my more reluctant writers. 

16. Gaiam Balance Ball Seat for your wiggly students!

17. This 12-drawer cart for a perfectly organized Work Work station! 

18. This beautiful rose gold framed monthly calendar. Never lose a calendar piece again by using a dry-erase calendar. 

19. A 10-slot dry-erase marker holder wall mount. 

20. The world's cutest and environmentally friendly lunch box set.

21. Enjoy coffee and tea even when you're not on prep with this cordless kettle!

22. 3-tier utility cart

Last Day of School Gifts for Coworkers or Students

Let's face it. The end of the school year is CRAZY! As much as I think I prepare for it as spring approaches, it always sneaks up on me! At my school gifts and favors are the norm. Now, I'm a girl on a budget and a tight schedule so I was looking for something original, cheap, and low maintenance. I saw these drink floats on Amazon and just knew this would be my end of year favor.

I posted pictures of the favors I made for my adult coworkers. I made 2 versions. Kool-Aid packets with umbrellas and straws for my students and wine versions for my coworkers who really earned a drink this year (it was a tough one). Here is a list of everything you will need to make these favors (san wine) for your coworkers and students. Good luck!

You'll need:

                

Subscription Addiction: My Honest (and Unsponsored) Review of Subscription Boxes

As summer slowly approaches, I wanted to focus a little less on work and more on the fun little things that make life just a little easier. I've recently become obsessed with subscription boxes. Some have been much better than others so I figured I'd break it down for you in a totally unbiased, unsponsored way. Over the next few weeks, I'm going to share some of my experiences, both good and bad, with subscription boxes!

First, I wanted to begin with my FabFitFun box. I know; I'm basic. I first got the box when I saw they had a Kate Somerville exfoliator I use that costs $75. Considering the box was only $50, I figured I could get that and some other goodies. I was pleasantly surprised when I really liked the other products in the box. Here are my pros and cons of the FabFit Fun Box!

1. It really is a good value. 
It's sometimes hard to trust all those Instagram #ad posts I see about FabFitFun. I figured it was a box with junk, but was pleasantly surprised at the quality of the products in the box. 

2. Customizations
When you subscribe for a year, you get to customize your box! When customizations open, you get to pick out about 4 of the products that go into your box.  

3.  FabFitFun TV
When I subscribed for the year I also go at home workouts and other benefits on their website. I really like the barre classes online!


Final Thoughts: Overall I think FabFit Fun is a great deal and you get tons of cute, high-quality products. If you'd like to see more, use my affiliate link HERE and get $10 off your first box!

Digital Behavior Charts Using Google Sheets!

Let's be honest; behavior charts are a lot of work. Between managing each section of the day, sending it home each night, having it returned each day, and making copies for your records, it's no wonder why so many can be less than effective. I utilize Google Apps a lot in my room, and I knew there was a way to use Google as a tool to make my life a little bit easier.

Below is a picture of my behavior chart. I made it using Google Slides. It's super easy to make, but if you want a free copy of mine, head on over to my Instagram page (@happylittlekindergarten) and find out how to get a copy of mine for FREE. 

Here's how I use mine:

1. Instead of sending home a paper each night, I simply share my Google Sheet with the parent. I encourage the parent to download the Google Sheets App on their phone so they can checkin throughout the day. 

2. I also share this with my student on Google Classroom. Tip: Only allow the student to view this in the 'advanced settings'. 

3. Make a copy and add pages for each week. This way you can make sure you have every copy of the behavior chart for your records. 

4. Add comments in sections to describe why the child didn't each a checkmark by clicking 'insert' and 'comment' in the section. This can help explain behaviors to the parent, principal, behavior specialist, etc.