Communicating with Families

As a first year teacher, I was looking for a way to keep my parent communication game STRONG. Something simple and easy.  

& boy did I find it!

Have you heard of Bloomz?!

I LOVE THIS!

Check out the website by clicking HERE!

Let me tell you a few reasons why I am LOVING Bloomz!

#1

Communication is easy and SIMPLE.  Bloomz takes on a format that is similar to a private Facebook group.  I can post things, parents can like or comment on the posts.  Parents can get push notifications whenever I post something, and they also get an email.

#2

The instant message feature!  I can easily message parents (or parents can message me).  This allows for a quick and easy way to ask or answer questions.  EVEN BETTER, parents can message one another!  This can help cut down on parents wanting to set up play-dates but not knowing how to contact other parents!

#3

You all HAVE to check out this parent teacher conference tool.  All you have to do as the teacher is set up the days and times that you are available for parent teacher conferences.  For example, my school sets aside the Monday and Tuesday before Thanksgiving for PT conferences.  I just select those days and whatever times I want. (It also provides an EASY option for setting aside a lunch break!)  Once this is setup, it notifies parents and they go in and select a time for a conference.  HELLO SIMPLICITY! : )

#4

One of the best things about Bloomz is the privacy and security.  There are two ways for parents to sign up:  You can invite them using their emails, OR you can give them a class access code.  What makes this even better, is as the admin of the class, you can set it so you have to approve all members who want to join.

SO...

What are you waiting for!?  Go on over and check out Bloomz.  I am SURE this will make your life easier... at least in terms of parent communication ; )

Do you have any tools that you think make classroom management or communication SO much easier? I'd love for you to share! 

Thanks for reading : )

Monday Made It!

I've been excitedly following this link-up all summer, and now I am able to do it! Yay! : ) 

I'm linking up with 4th Grade Frolics for Monday Made It!

Up First,

Teacher Toolbox.  This idea is ALL OVER pinterest, which is where I first saw it.  Seriously, how did things happen before pinterest?!

This is what I started out with:  

You can find it HERE!

The first thing I did was spraypaint it – pink – OF COURSE ;) –

Then I worked on the labels for the drawers.  I used the template from Fun in Room 4b, which can be found HERE!

I changed the font to a KG font, and printed them on astrobright paper.

The next step was cutting out scrapbook paper to the shape of the drawers, and layering the labels! I used double-sided tape to keep the labels in place.

I love how it turned out!

 SECOND!

I just finished putting together these back to school goodies for my new grade level team.  I also saw an idea similar to this on pinterest.

I wanted to do something nice for my new grade level team (and one for the other new teacher in the building) as the school year started, and this was simple enough and cute!

Why I'm Here

I’m here.

If you are here, let me stop and say . . .

THANK YOU!

The fact that you are taking the time out of your day to stop and read this means a lot to me.  Let me tell you a bit about myself:

First, my name is Allison.  It’s nice to meet you : )

I am a first year teacher.  I’m gearing up for my first year in this wonderful thing most call a profession, (but we know to be a passion).  Here’s what I know about my first year:

            It’s going to be crazy. I’m going to be tired. I’m going to be so busy I won’t have time to stop and thing. 

            Most importantly? I’ve never been more excited about something.

Here’s what I don’t know about my first year of teaching:

            How much will it truly consume my life? Will I even have the time (or energy!) to blog?

If you’re a veteran teacher, or a teacher who has even just a few years under your belt, you might be thinking that maybe I’m in a little over my head. First year teacher and new blogger? Let me tell you WHY I have a blog.

#1 Reason?

REFLECTION.

I want to reflect, daily of course, but ideally weekly on this blog.  I want to share with you my highs, my lows, my stumbles, and my A-HA moments.  The more I share, the more reflection that I can do.  With that being said, if only two people read this, it will be okay.  Why? I will be a better teacher because of the reflection being done, and that is all its really about right?

Secondly, I want to provide a place for other new teachers that come after me, or pre-service teachers to get an inside look into the first year.  That is something I would really have appreciated.  SO, if you are a first year teacher with me, or a pre-service teacher, come along for the ride.

Lastly,

I joined instagram first.  I love it.  The positivity and support provided over social media for teachers is amazing.  The teaching community is amazing.  A family friend, who happens to be an administrator in the education field, told me once to keep going to conferences.  That is where the positive people in education are, and that positivity is infectious.  This online community that I have found, full of teachers sharing their bright ideas, and most importantly their PASSION, is to me, a conference FULL of positive, supportive educators one internet click away : )

P.S. - Can we just talk about how talented Kristen is from Chalk and Apple Blog Designs?! Love this look!

Thanks for reading!