Going Places

I may or may not have used this bulletin board theme last year (and maybe the year before). BUT, in my defense, I really love it! Even my Pinterest search didn't result in any ideas I liked better...at least not enough to spend more time cutting letters. So here it is...again!

And my bookshelf is full of books that will help me bring geography alive in my classroom! Don't get me started on the importance of using literature in the social studies classroom. That's a whole other set of blog posts for another day.

Then there's this little gem hanging over my desk. I tore out full-page maps from an old atlas, printed and glued giant, grey letters to spell EXPLORE, punched holes in the corners, and hung them on rick rack. VOILA! Super cheap, easy craft - my kind of classroom décor.

Find a Geographer - AWESOME "Getting to Know You" Activity

I don't know about you, but I can't believe August got here so quickly! And not just the beginning of August - the MIDDLE of AUGUST. School starts in four days, and I just opened my classroom door today to dust of the tables and dig out all the things I threw in a closet the last day of school. I told myself all year long that I would take the whole summer for myself and my family...and I DID!

So, summer was amazingly fantastic, but I have to admit I had a moment of minor panic when I got to school today and remembered all the things I needed to do to get ready. And there are also professional development meetings to consider. SO I'm officially in last minute hurrying mode, which is (I hope) when I do my best work.

Luckily, I've been creating items for my brand new Teachers Pay Teachers store:

SOCIAL STUDIES THE WRITE WAY

So I do have a few things ready to go for the first week. One of my favorites - and the one I plan to use the first day - is a people hunt called Find a Geographer Who... 

It's FREE on my TpT store! Follow this link and download it for FREE today. I would be ever so grateful if you could also leave four stars and a vote. I'm a TpT newbie and need all the stars and votes I can get! Follow my store if you'd like to see my new products as I add them throughout the year.