classroom encouragement

My students are busy taking the Iowa Test of Basic Skills (ITBS) this week.  I had planned all last week to make something cute to encourage my students to do their best.  Unfortunately, my scatterbrained mind totally forgot about that idea until Sunday night around 9:15 when I was talking to my mom on the phone.  A quick Pinterest search led me to this:

I, of course, wanted to make it my own.  45 minutes later, I was printing these bad boys out (and adding the extra gum):

Classic Katelyn -- having brilliant flashes late (for me!) at night.

Believe it or not, I really think it helped my students to keep up their positive attitude throughout the week.  The snow day on Tuesday probably helped them out too. :)