Do you volunteer at a school? Here are a few tips to consider as you do this very important work. Volunteers are wonderful because they can do a variety of things to help kids improve. Many times teachers just don’t have enough time in the day, and having volunteers makes such a difference!

1. Entering the Room

Try to enter the room without being a distraction. As you know, kids can get off task quickly if something distracts them. Start doing your work or wait for the teacher to get a free moment to talk to you and explain what he or she needs.

2. Where to Work

If you’re working with students, sit in an area like a hallway, classroom, or other common area where you can be seen easily.

3. Cell Phone

Put your cell phone on vibrate, etc.

4. Confidentiality

Anything you find out about kids in the school shouldn’t be shared with anyone outside of the school building. Basically, keep things confidential that you may encounter. But if something is concerning, speak with a school contact like a teacher, principal, nurse, or guidance counselor.

5. Appreciated

Remember that you are appreciated, even if the teacher doesn’t have a chance to tell you. Every minute you spend helping teachers and kids is truly valuable. Thank you!

What tips would you add to the list? I feel fortunate to be volunteering at my kids’ school regularly this year, so I’d love to hear your tips!
~Carrie

 

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Today, I’m talking about a truly classic book that is being made into a movie. The comedy based on Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day by Judith Viorst is coming to a theater near you on Oct. 10th, 2014.

 

The nice thing is, everyone, young and old, can relate to Alexander. Some days are just not as good as others. I just got this book from the library a few days ago. I had read it years ago, but I wanted to reread it and share it with my kids when I heard there was going to be a movie based on it. I highly recommend this book. Kids, especially, will have a great time identifying with the main character.

Here are a few extension ideas for after you’ve read the book:
Locate where Australia is on the globe. Is it far away or close to your home?
Ask “What other place could Alexander have said he’s moving to?”
“Have you ever had a day like this?”

The movie is starring Steve Carrell and Jennifer Garner. In the movie, their son Alexander wakes up with gum in his hair (just like in the book). Things get worse as the day progresses. It’s rated PG for rude humor including some reckless behavior and language. The movie looks entertaining, especially for older kids and adults! Some of the language in the preview seemed pretty mature. I’ll have to watch it myself and decide before letting my young kids watch it.

Have you read this book before? If so, what do you think of it? Have you seen the movie yet? If so, what did you think?

~ Carrie

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Would you have guessed the white headboard started out as a brown footboard?

Certain things are worth the money. For me, paying $450 for a wooden headboard when you buy a bedroom set isn’t always worth the money. I think it’s fun to be creative with headboards, especially if you already have a metal frame for the bed.

When we bought a headboard for my son’s room at a local consignment store, it came with a footboard that we didn’t plan to use. As we shopped around for headboards for my daughter’s white bedroom set, I saw the extra footboard leaning against the dining room wall. I had the idea that we could try turning it into a headboard to go with our daughter’s new white dresser and side table. I had seen people turn old doors into headboards on Pinterest, so I figured it would be a similar process and it might be doable.

Luckily, my hubby enjoys an occasional project like this. He agreed we should give it a try.

 

Materials needed:

sandpaper

white low VOC paint (1 quart)

wood for the legs (2 x 2 x 6)

mending plates (a pair of straight ones and a pair of 90 degree ones)

saw

drill

screws

Forgive me, I didn’t take a good “before” picture. But, the picture on the upper left is after we started sanding it. There were also some metal feet at the bottom that my hubby removed before the picture was taken.

Next, my hubby attached the legs using metal mending plates on each leg. He added a cross beam to each leg with what was remaining of the 2 x 2. This helped ensure it was sturdy and not wobbly. He attached the 90 degree mending plates to the cross beams. Finally, he and my daughter painted it with a few coats of primer and white low VOC paint. Voila! An upcycled headboard.

 

What is your favorite kind of headboard? Have you ever made one yourself?

~ Carrie

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Do you take advantage of your library’s service to put things on hold? If your library offers this service, it’s definitely a time saver!

Usually you can create an online account with your library card number. Then, you’ll be able to use the catalog and reserve DVD’s, books, etc.

If you’re looking for newer releases, etc., there may be a waiting list. Reserving it ensures you’ll eventually get to read the book or watch the DVD, even if there are a few people ahead of you waiting for it. For most items that have been released for awhile, there isn’t a waiting list. You should be able to pick it up one or two days after placing it on hold. You’ll usually receive an email when the item is ready to be picked up.

Here’s a list of things we’ve put on hold lately:

Diary of a Wimpy Kid book

A Barbie DVD my daughter requested

Rio 2 DVD

Carry On, Warrior by Glennon Melton

What have you put on hold lately? Or what do you plan to reserve?

~ Carrie

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It’s always nice to send at least a little something home with the kids in your class on the first day. Parents enjoy getting a little peek into their child’s day, especially on the very first day.

Some ideas of what to send home:

– any sort of activity you did that day that you don’t need to keep
– any of the first day activities that you might find on Teachers Pay Teachers.com
– a positive note saying “Brianna had a great first day of 3rd grade!” with the teacher’s signature

(I have a little sheet like the one pictured in my “First Week Toolkit” resource):

It’s an easy way to establish a positive relationship with parents and families, after you’ve spent a day with their child.

What’s your favorite thing to send home with the kids on the first day of school?

Have a fantastic first day!
~Carrie