[August Welcome to First Grade Postcards]

Wow. Summer has flown by.  Just took my own munchkins shopping for their first day of school outfits, wardrobe necessities to complete their wardrobes, and school supplies. That really made me realize that we are on the downhill side of summer break!  I can't decide if I'm more sad about summer coming to an end or more excited about a new school year starting!

Anyway. . .these are the little postcards I'll be sending to my new little first grade friends in just a couple of short weeks. 

These are meant to be printed front to back on heavy cardstock and mailed as postcards.

Alphagraphics does a great job of printing at a very reasonable price.

Images on the front of the cards are used courtesy of Sprouting Seeds Studio.

Image on the back of the card is a ScreenBeans image.

Curly font on the front is "Cupcake" (Miss Tiina - link is on the sidebar).

Please respect copyright.  Don't share the file.  Direct your friends here to download their own copy.  Please consider a kind word of thanks when you download these.

Have a great day!

[Getting Ready for First Grade] July Postcards

As soon as I can acquire the addresses of my new firsties, these little cards (printed front to back on heavy white cardstock) will go out in the mail.  Kiddos LOVE getting mail addressed just to them, and these will give my new little monsters (and their parents) an idea of some of the things that need to be common knowledge for first grade.  I'll have another to send out in a couple of weeks with some new skills for them to work on. 

Can't believe that in a couple of weeks, it will be August. . .

If you download these, please leave a comment.

Please do not post these on your blog, instead, please direct visitors here to download their own copy.

Thanks!

All elements used on these cards are from Sprouting Seeds Studio's School Days Collection FREE digital scrapbooking kit.

{April Postcards}

Just a "hoppy" little postcard to tell my kiddos what they did this month that made me smile.  :)

I LOVE this - it makes me really look for the good and celebrate it.

I KNOW the kids LOVE getting these in the mail!!

Image is linked to the download (4 on a page).

Clip art used courtesy of http://www.djinkers.com/ .

Papers used courtesy of http://www.sproutingseedsstudio.com/ .

Comments are always appreciated!

Happy Spring! 

{lucky}

Every year I am convinced I have the best little class.

I really, truly, adore my kiddos, and I want them to know that I really, truly adore them.

I also want them to know that I notice the great things they do on a daily basis - things such as cleaning up without being asked, being a good friend, sharing, helping, consistently following the rules, or solving a problem.

For many years I have made a habit of sending little notes in the mail just to let these precious little munchkins know that I notice the good things they do.  My opinion is that it's also very valuable for the parents to hear these good things about their children.  I try to make a habit of recognizing each child verbally in the classroom when they do something great, so these little notes are just the icing on the cake.

Now, those of you that know me, know that I can't just send these notes scribbled on a piece of paper torn from a notebook, lol, so I create a set of note cards, print enough on heavyweight cardstock for each child in my class, attach address labels to the backs, and really watch for great things that are happening in my classroom.  As soon as I notice something great, I grab that student's card from the pile, jot a quick note, and pop the card in the mail.  When those notes are gone (usually in less than a month!), I can create a new set, knowing that I have shared a postitive happy moment with each child in my class.  I KNOW that the kids LOVE to get these!

As an added bonus, this really gets me watching for/finding the good in my students.  I find I'm a lot more patient/loving/understanding/positive when my focus is finding good.

Here is this month's set:

Clip art is courtesy of http://www.djinkers.com/ and the other design elements are from a free download (Happy Holidays 1) courtesy of http://www.sproutingseedsstudio.com/ .

Image is linked for you to download and use if you'd like.

I guarantee your kiddos (AND their parents!) will love receiving a note from you!

I can't wait to start using these!

Please remember to play fair.

Don't take credit for the design or elements.

DO take credit for nurturing positiveness in your classroom!  :)

And. . .comments are always welcome.

Happy March!