Back to School Shopping and Getting Back into the Mindset (slowly!)

Phew!  Just got back from a whirlwind trip to the States for back to school shopping.  Got a few good finds and a few things I have been hunting down.  

I can now finish my clipboards bucket using a large orange bucket I found at Superstore, stick on letters from the Purple Camel store and colourful circle wall decals from Target.  I will post a picture of the finished product soon.   My inspiration was this picture I found on Pinterest.  I can't link back to the original site.  If anyone knows the original source, please let me know so I can link to it.  

I picked up more than a few packages of 10 Crayola markers for $1 at Target. These are for student use, but only under my supervision for special art and other activities.  The kidlets know where they are 'hidden' and can use them with permission.  I put on a letter home on the first day of school 'No markers, please.  Only crayons and pencil crayons."  In my first few years of teaching I learned that markers and primary students don't mix unless closely supervised.  One indoor recess, I returned to find several students with marker all over their faces and arms!  Hence, my strict marker regulations.  I also found sparkly pom poms in the Target dollar section for those giving away 'sparklers' this year.  

My first project when I get back into my classroom is going to be organization!  I bought closet shoe and sweater organizers to hang in my closet to help with much needed storage.  I suppose I have no need to store all of the chart poems and songs I painstakingly laminated and mounted on hangers since they are all on the Smartboard now.  I will need to find another use, perhaps hanging in an accessible place where students can grab and read for Working With Words time or Read to Someone.  

Now my shopping is done, I have no more excuses, time to start planning, preparing and organizing.  

Has anyone read "The CAFE Book" by Gail Boushey and Joan Moser?  I have it and it is my goal to get through it this week.  I have seen many pins on Pinterest about the CAFE board, but am wondering how it works for you?  Any thoughts, advice, etc. would be helpful!  You can get it here.  

Cheers!

Melanie  :)