Open House, Free Smilebox, and a giveaway

I'm sorry I've been inconsistent about posting lately. As my year winds down (only 12 1/2 days left), I'm so busy with Open House last week and my plans for the rest of the year, report cards, etc. We have a big field trip to the zoo this Thursday too. I thought I'd post today about Open House and a giveaway I found this morning.
One of the things I did for Open House was play a Smilebox video of pictures from throughout the year. It was so cute! Have you used Smilebox before? If not, it's super easy and looks so professional with music, fading between pictures, and captions you can add. Unfortunately I probably shouldn't post photos of my little kiddos, but here are the opening shots of the slideshows.

 I had looked at Smilebox before but didn't realize until last week that you can get a free subscription as a teacher. Free! FREE! As in no money- and it's normally $39.99 a year. Just scroll down to the bottom of the homepage and click on Teacher's Toolbox. It took a day or two to hear back, but the slideshow I put together was fun! There's one that's zoo themed..... Thursday night I'll put my pictures in and show it to the kids on Friday. That should be fun! Just click here to go to Smilebox.

Here are some of my Open House pics:

I love my pencil vase from Mrs. Cockrell, my Bloggy Christmas Exchange partner.

Kids measured the height of zebras and giraffes with 1 inch squares of paper.

I just adore the Safari Guides in the window.

The books on their desks are a Math Journal (math projects from throughout the year), book of writing projects, and African Animals they made and wrote about.

Thanks to Deanna Jump at Mrs. Jump's Class for her Zoo Animals packet and patterns for the big animals and Mrs. D. Lue Pann from Buzzing About Second Grade for the Safari Kids packet and patterns. They are soooooo cute and a big hit!

Have you been over to check out Learning is Something to Treasure yet? Lisa is just getting going and is already at close to 100 followers! She's giving away TPT gift certificates and aren't those the greatest! Just click on here to pop over to her cute blog.

Hope you have a great beginning to the week! I know some of you are finished with school this week- congratulations to you! I'm off to spend some time on Pinterest and blogstalking.

 Chrissy