You know I love me some good Target finds.  Specifically when they cost me a big fat dollar. Love it.  {Sidenote: How many of you are excited for pay day tomorrow?!  I’m raising my hand high!!!}

Anyway, here’s what I found yesterday…

Okay, these Olivia Valentines are just precious — and they’re one of my best Target finds recently!

I teach from the Treasures reading series and Olivia is one of the stories we having coming up soon, so I couldn’t help but snag this $2 deal.  Though our laminator is broken for the umpteenth time (grrrrrrr!), I intend to laminate the Valentines and use them at a center as story starters.  Students will be instructed to select a card and write a story about Olivia based on the picture on the card.

Click on the picture below to download a copy of the story paper I’m going to use with this activity…

I also picked up a popcorn container for a buck.  To use with “popcorn” words (sight word/high frequency words), of course.

If you’re a “Bucket Filling” school/classroom these buckets would be perfect!

I also bought this DIY box and will show you soon what I’m using it for!

And, lastly, just a fun motivational tool…

These are “Smarty Pants.”  They hang in my classroom and are filled with Smarties candies.  {The bottom of the leg holes was sewn shut and then the belt loops were cut and sewn together over the hanger.}

My mom saw this idea somewhere and made me a pair.  My kiddos LOVE them.  I recognize students with a big to-do, explaining to the whole class why that student received the award, and then we applaud and carry on.  Not only do I give them Smarties candy, but I also give them a “I’m a Smarty Pants!” sticker to wear around, and write a nice note to them explaining why I’m proud of them.

This is a great tool because it encourages academic achievement for all levels.   For instance, I usually give it to kiddo who has an “ah ha” moment and finally understands something, or a student who wows me with his/her understanding of a topic, or when a kid just says something smart. Often times, the kids would rather forgo wearing the sticker on their clothes and would rather put it in their planner so their parents see it.  So cute!

Click below to download a copy of the Smarty Pants label, stickers, and note. {The stickers were made for Avery Nametag template #5395.}

By the way, I’m totally linking up with my dear blog friend Abby at Our Snyder Stories.  She’s hosting a weekly teacher link called Teacher Talk Thursday.  Click HERE to play along!

Happy Thursday, friends!  And thanks again for following me over here 🙂