Oriental Trading Teacher Wish List

Did you know that Oriental Trading has a wish list feature for teachers?  

They do!  You can put educational items you want for your classroom on your list and parents or friends/family can purchase these items for your classroom.  How cool is that?  Each year I have a parent, PTO, or a family member or friend who ask what we need in our classroom.  I am excited to be able to share my Oriental Trading Wish List.

To do this, first create an account on Oriental Trading (or use one you already have).  Next, click on the Wish List underneath where it says "Hello, ____ Your Account".

Simply add items to your wish list by clicking "Add to Wish List".  When you're ready to share your list with parents, your principal, family/friends...just click share and you have options on how to share the link.

My box came in last week with some exciting resources to use in my classroom.  Below I'll show you some of the things I had on my teacher wish list.

In kindergarten we do lots of ten frame counting.  I love how the trays can help ten frame practice be hands on and how small objects/counters can fit inside.

My kindergartners can now PLAY at a play center time!  Wahoo for small victories.  I was lacking in building sets and was happy to snag up these snap into place builders.  Many possibilities for building!

This pack comes with LOTS of different community helper books.

These shark counters fit perfectly in my ten frame trays for math small groups.

I love these! Can't wait to read them to my class when I introduce Silent E/Sneaky E to my students.

I did not have any word shape activities.  Students can build the words at our word work station.

I'm so excited for my students to use these new resources in our classroom.  I was in need of some math activities, play center activities, and word practice!  Thanks Oriental Trading.  

Happy wish list shopping everyone!

**These items were given to me by Oriental Trading for a review.  This blog post is my own opinion of the products received.

My 9 Favorite Back to School Books for Kindergarten

Today I want to share with you my favorite back to school books for kindergarten students.

I read all 9 of these books within the first couple of weeks of school each year.  Below (in no particular order) I'll provide the book and a short blurb about each.  Also in the link of each book title, I provide a cheap place to purchase the book (Amazon or Scholastic).

1. Gingerbread Man Loose in the School by: Laura Murray.  Gingerbread thinks his class abandoned him after they made him.  He goes on a search throughout the entire school to find his class.  This is a great book for introducing to kindergartners about the nurse, principal, library, gym, and other people/locations in your school.

2. Chu's First Day of School by: Neil Gaiman & Adam Rex.  Chu is ready for his first day of school.  All of the other animals have special talents and we have to wait till the end to find out Chu's talent.  Shows students that we all are unique.

3. David Goes to School by: David Shannon.  David is an ornery boy who learns that school comes with rules.  Students will laugh and giggle at David's antics at school.  

4. On the First Day of Kindergarten by: Tish Rabe.  A kindergarten version of the "12 Days of Christmas".  The repetition of the words allow students to help you read and chant along.

5. Manners in Kindergarten by: Carrie Finn.  A must read when teaching students about how to use manners in a school setting.  

6. Monstergarten by: Daniel J. Mahoney.  Patrick the monster is scared to go to school.  This book is great to talk about trying new things and about how sometimes we can be scared.

7. Pete the Cat Rocking in my School Shoes by: Eric Litwin.  Pete the Cat is always a must read in kindergarten.  This book is great because it shows Pete going to different places in his school during the day.  Students will love singing the song with you!

8. The Pout-Pout Fish Goes to School by: Deborah Diesen. Mr. Fish is scared about going to school and wonders if he can do all the things they do in school.  This story is great to show students that everyone gets nervous sometimes but not to worry because we will learn everything we need to know.

9. The Rainbow Fish by: Marcus Pfister.  Rainbow Fish learns that being kind to others makes other people happy and can also make yourself happy.  That having it all, may not mean you are happy!

I hope you enjoy your first weeks with your students and read some wonderful books together!