Gratitude Journals Part 2

I wanted to do a quick follow up to the gratitude journals we did a couple of weeks ago. I am feeling so happy about them! I've asked the students to write at least two things in their gratitude journals each day. Most students have loved it and write more than two things. Some students don't write it down but share with the rest of the class what they are grateful for, and some students don't participate at all. I don't pressure them to come up with things, and I just hope that us discussing each day will still have positive benefits for them. 

I think it's important for the students to know that I am participating in this too. So I always write my gratitude items on the board. This also helps remind the students to write in their journals and hopefully gets them thinking about other things they can be grateful for. 

One of my favorite moments of the day is about ten minutes after the bell rings and right before we start math. I always ask the students to get their math assignment out, and as they are doing it I ask them who would like to share what they wrote. The responses are always interesting and range from everything like Angry Birds Go to family to friends to pizza to pets. A few of my favorite ones have been Miss Jarvie (It always warms my soul), my classmates (YES!!!), and forgiveness. I was blown away with that last one. Even sixth graders realize what a gift forgiveness can be. Overall, I am so happy that I did gratitude journals with my students. I am glad I started in January because I think it gave enough time for the kids to get comfortable with each other enough to share. This is a tradition I will most definitely continue on!

Target Dollar Section For The Win!

Oh man...I love Target. But sometimes I don't realize just how much I love it. My love has no bounds when it comes to this store. Seriously...any bad day can be turned into a good one with a little trip to this beautiful and majestic wonderland.

On a recent trip with my mom, I checked out the dollar section to see what I could find. I have found many awesome things there and usually they are things to use in my classroom. On this particular trip they had little silver letters made from card stock. I had seen them before but hadn't ever bought them. I decided I couldn't pass them up and got four packs. Each pack had one of each letter so I figured four would be good. And at $1 each, it wasn't gonna break the bank. I didn't know what I would use them for but when I got home, I decided I would turn them into magnets and put them on my metal desk at school. I quickly ordered the most amazing, mini magnets from Amazon and anxiously awaited their arrival.

I got my magnets and glued them to the back of the letters. I took them to school the next day and added them to the front of my desk. My desk faces the students so they can see the letters and immediately noticed them when they got there. Some of the students started making words and phrases which made my little heart so happy. I was glad they liked them and glad that they weren't too old for it.

Here are pictures of the process. They aren't too exciting but figured everyone just wants to look at the pics anyways so here you go. And yes - those are my Agnes and Dora leggings which I am so in love with. I have a few pairs and wear them to bed every night. So if  you haven't checked them out...you need to! Like right now. Go to the website. Buy a few pairs. You can thank me later!