In a few short weeks, my first graders will be making their Valentine sacks.  This is always such a fun time for them and I enjoy watching their creative juices flow.  Oriental Trading has so many things to pick from that I think will be perfect for each of their individual creations! They will start with the traditional white sack, and from there it will be totally their creation.  Water colors, buttons, strings, jewels and scrap booking paper will be available to them.  How much fun is this going to be for them!!!!  To go with our classroom theme, I ..read more

Every year my family always has a Christmas party together.  This year we chose some Oriental Trading items to make our party a bit more festive!   No party is complete with out a table full of food & drinks.  These are just of few of the items from Oriental Trading that I will be decorating my table with.     Christmas Red  will  definitely be the dominating colors on my table!  The Plastic Tablecloth will make clean-up so easy!  We won't be eating dinner, but we will have a bunch of snacks...these Round Red Plates will be perfect ..read more

Synopsis: As a big storm approaches, two strangers arrive in the forest. All the animal families, safe in their homes, are worried, unsure of their motives. So, they all turn them away when they ask for shelter, and the strangers are left to fend for themselves. But then the fox family is suddenly forced out into the storm, and they must ask these outsiders for help. Will they find it in their hearts to give it? In my first-grade classroom my students love to be read to… especially those with animals in them. As the story progresses the pictures themselves give you the feeling that the s ..read more

This cute book is about three young girls that are best friends.  Their school is going to have a talent show and Annie suggest that they enter as an all-girl singing group.  This seemed like a wonderful idea to Lillemor & Lilianne until they realized that they were going to have no say about the song they sang, the name of their group, or even what they wore!  They quickly realized that the talent show was really going to be all about Annie!  The group breaks ups and Annie decided to do a solo performance.  The other two girls decide to do a duet.  All th ..read more

Book Description:  FBI agent Declan Grey is in the chase of his life--but isn't sure exactly what he's chasing after. Threatened by a terrorist that "the wrath is coming," Grey fears something horrible is about to be unleashed on American soil. When his investigation leads him to a closed immigrant community, he turns to Tanner Shaw to help him. She's sought justice for refugees and the hurting around the world, and if there's anyone who can help him, it's Tanner. Tanner Shaw has joined the FBI as a crisis counselor . . . meaning she now has more opportunity to butt heads with Declan ..read more

Every year I try to do something fun for our fall party in my first grade classroom.  This year I decided to have a MONSTER DAY!!!  I had so much fun trying to find fun ideas (that can be made educational) from Oriental Trading that I think they are going to LOVE!  They have so many monster ideas and it was so hard to pick.  I finally decided on these fun things. Monster Bean Bag Toss Game – I am going to set this game up at a math center.  Students will throw a bean bag to knock over the plastic cans.  Students will add up the number of cans ..read more

I’m so sad!  My summer break is almost over and I didn’t even get a single one of my to do lists completed!  The one thing that I did do was meet up with my Siblings in Niagra, New York.  It was so beautiful there and I didn’t want to leave… But… my classroom is calling me… Have a great year everyone ..read more

60 is a big one!  Surprising my sister with a party to celebrate was so much fun.  Instead of the traditional BLACK we decided to go with fun colors. Oriental Trading had so many items to pick from which made planning for decorations so much fun! The decorations I went with were the BRIGHT & BOLD birthday items.  This plastic banner was the perfect size to hang over one of our food tables.  I was a bit nervous when I opened the package because it didn’t say 60 on it!!!  After my initial panic attack…I realized that several milestone dates were included in the ..read more

In just a little over a week, my husband and I will be hosting our annual 4th of July picnic for our church.  This year we wanted to make it extra special for all our guests by have a few treats and decorations.  Thank goodness for ORIENTAL TRADING  and their wide variety of patriotic items it was easily accomplish!  Candy Buffet anyone???  I started off with some red containers from Oriental Trading's patriotic selection to put all the goodies in.   There are 3 sizes (2 of each).   They are the perfect size.  I am saving the ..read more

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