Happy Monday!
Which I can say without any hesitation because it’s Monday of summer vacation so it doesn’t feel like a Monday.
So . . . I say it again! Happy Monday!
I’m linking up with my Freebielicious girls this week . . . with Must Have Monday today. (That’s another way I knew it was Monday.)
When I was sitting down to think about what I MUST HAVE in my classroom, several things came to mind.
It was hard to narrow down, but I did it for you and I’m only naming two MUST HAVE items.
I can’t explain my love for these pencils. Especially when they are pre-sharpened. PURE LOVE.
My friend, Ericca, gave these to me as a gift because we both share the same love and adoration for all things Ticonderoga. AND LOOK AT THESE! They’re regular pencils, but they are BEAUTIFUL COLORS.
So I use these all around my room and I know immediately if one of my kids took a pencil from my back table or my desk or the carpet area.
Because the colored ones are ALL FOR ME.
ME ME ME.
MINE MINE MINE.
MUST HAVE.
2. A level.
I have been using a level FOR YEARS now to make sure my bulletin boards and borders are straight. I also use it to make sure that the papers on the boards are straight.
I do not want to be teaching a lesson when I notice out of the corner of my eye that a border is leaning to the left because I will want to stop teaching right then and there and fix it, but I won’t be able to because I am teaching so then I will experience sheer torture as I wait for my lunch break in order to fix it.
Yes, this is my life.
I have a small level that Steve gave me.
And then I saw Lauren at A Teachable Teacher using this:
YES!!!!! That’s her phone and a free level app and that is called PURE GENIUS.
You know what I’m going to be using from now on . . . which I guess means Steve can take a break from trying to engineer our Straipler idea.
Yes, the Straipler idea.
I might have told you this idea before but, either way, do not steal this idea (or the name) and engineer it yourself or I will have to sue you in a court of law. And I think I know someone who knows someone who might be a lawyer so don’t even go there. I know people who know people who might go to court every day and will sue the pants off of you. I think.
My friend, Susan, and I came up with the idea of putting a level INSIDE of a stapler so that you only have to hold one thing when you’re trying to get your boards straight.
I mean, putting up bulletin boards is hard work. You’ve got your level (or now your phone), your stapler, and whatever it is that you’re stapling. That’s a lot of things for only two hands to hold, especially if you’re standing on top of something that you shouldn’t be standing on top of, and you’re having to activate your core in order to hold yourself still and to keep from falling.
YOU try to hold yourself still while actually stapling something to the wall.
So yeah.
A level inside of a stapler. Which we decided should be called the Straipler. Get it? Straight. Stapler. Straipler.
But in the meantime, I’m going to be using my phone!
There.
Those are my TWO MUST HAVE MONDAY items.
What are yours??
You NEED to make the straipler!!!!!! That is the best idea ever!!
Whoa that straipler is so cool! I love the Black Warrior pencils…I believe Ticonderoga makes those as well. Just a great pencil. Happy Monday!
How sad is it that on this Monday of my summer vacay I am going to comment on pencils. It truly is the little things. We also use Black Warrior pencils for our all important test in the spring. I asked our principal if I could keep one for myself and she said yes! I then had to go buy a bunch:) Yes, talking about pencils gets me excited for the new school year! I like your straipler idea…genius! Looking at something crooked without being able to fix it is like having an itch you can't reach…unbearable!!!
Ticonderogas all the way!!! Love those colored ones!! I think you're onto something with that Straipler! 🙂
Sarah
A Sunny Day in First Grade
Oh I'd buy this! Make sure you post when you're finished with your kickstarter! 😉
I love a good pencil. I bought some washi tape and I put it on ALL of my supplies. After a few months of school I look around the room and mentally and thinking "That's my pencil, those are my dry erase markers, I see where my glue sticks have been going…" Sigh.
Brenda
You Might Be a First Grader….
I've never seen these pencils before, but love them already. I will have to get some for this coming year. Also, that level is cool! I am ready to download it because I have a hard time keeping my bulletin boards straight so this would really help. Thanks for sharing! Kristi Teaching Little Miracles
…..just got the level app…..thanks for the idea. No more crooked Bulletin Boards for me!
Stephanie Ann
Sparkling in Fourth Grade
Love the level app suggestion! I will have to check that out now!
Jessica Zannini
Notes From The Portable
I use a level app on my phone. I got the idea from my dad, who uses it for work. 🙂
Fun in Fourth
Oh I think I need that phone app!!!! and those beautiful pencils. But it still is not a new school year if I don't buy myself a new set of colored sharpies. My sweet husband went to Staples while we were in Vegas and bought me a million packs of black sharpies. While I love the gesture and the sharpies….I did mention to him that, you know, I still need a new set of many colored ones. Wonderful man that he is smiled and said, yes, I know. I told him not to worry….I would watch the sales.
Terri Izatt
KinderKapers
I love the colored Ticonderoga pencils, but cannot find them anywhere. Not even their website. Are they a seasonal item? I realize you received them as a gift, but does anyone know where/when to purchase them?
I don't think people realize what a tough workout bulletin boards are!
Love the level app! Can't wait to see you and your husband on Shark Tank with the straipler!!
THOSE PENCILS.
And I need that app – my classroom is never straight haha
Anisa @ Creative Undertakings