Merry Christmas and Handmade Christmas Thank you Cards

Merry Christmas!! Hope everyone had a wonderful day yesterday! With Christmas and my birthday so close together I always have a lot of thank you's to write. This year I have even more to write because I have such sweet students/families!!

This was my project today. I created these inserts for thank you cards to save me some writing. I have not posted them on TPT yet. Let me know what you think and if you would use these.

Keeping Desks Clean...

I was wondering if any of you had any suggestions how to encourage tidy desks? I teach little ones and am looking for new ways to encourage organization.


Thanks,

I am still here...

Hey there,


I cannot believe how long it has been since I have blogged!!! My first year has been amazing thus far. It is such a blessing to work with wonderful colleagues!! Yesterday we had our first program (Thanksgiving Play). They were such cute Pilgrims!!



Right now I am planning Polar Express Day!!! What are some activities you do? Also, what are some fun ideas for a classroom Christmas party?


Happy Thanksgiving!!

A Month Left and Beginning of the Year Must Dos!!

Thanks so much for all the wonderful comments about my room!! A month from today I will be with my cute Firsties!! I can't believe how fast it is approaching. I am currently working on lesson planning. What are some must dos that are easily overlooked by new teachers?

Thanks,

My Classroom!! :)

Hi everyone here are a few pics of my classroom!! My theme is polka dots! I love how it turned out!!





My birthday board which was inspired by pinterest :) !!



Our Calendar Wall



Helpers and Student Of The Week.

Have You Checked Out?...

Hey there,

It has been awhile since my last blog!! I have been busy getting my classroom ready and planning for next year!! I love how my theme turned out.

Last night I was searching on youtube for some educational videos and came across Teacher Tipster. If you haven't check his videos out I would definitely recommend it!!

Here is one of his tips I really like:



Enjoy and have a wonderful weekend!!

Student of Week?

Hey there,

Hope you all are having a wonderful week!! I have been busy getting ready for next year!! Does anyone make custom student of the week posters? I would love one that is polka dot themed and says "In The Spotlight". Thanks so much!!

First Grade Classroom Jobs...What Do You Like?

Hey all,

I hope you all are enjoy your summer thus far!! What are some of the classroom jobs that you have to have in your classroom?

I have found several free classroom job printable(s) but wanted to get some feedback :)


Thanks!

It came!!....and another classroom creation :)

Hey everyone my Erin Condren planner has arrived!! I know I said I would post pics but haven't gotten around to taking any. I absolutely love it!! I can't wait to start using it next year.

I also, made these numbered calendar routine cards. I was inspired by this idea on Doodle Bugs Teaching post.
I thought this would be good for my class at the beginning of the year while they are still learning our calendar routine. Also, this would be helpful when a sub comes.








Here is her version:

Here are my cards which I am going to put on Popsicle sticks:

                                                         

Have a wonderful Sunday!

Calendar Time

Hey there,

This week I started decorating my classroom!!! Yes, I know it is early but I am so excited I couldn't wait! I am working on my calendar area and was wondering if any of you had suggestions of where I can buy calendar pieces. What is your calendar routine?

Thanks so much!!

Calling all lower elementary teachers :)

Hey everyone,

Hope you all are having a great week. I am beginning to level my classroom library for my first graders next year. I have a lot of read-aloud books and want to add to my independent reading/guided reading library. Is there any great websites where you can print out little books? Where do you like to buy these books. What are some of your favorite books for beginning readers?

Thanks.

Library, Rules, and a Great Llink

Hey there,


What are so must books to have in your classroom library for First Grade?  Also, what is one of your favorite places to get books for your library besides garage sales?

I thought I would share a great link for decorating a classroom!! Melanie at SchoolGirl Style 

has some wonderful ideas!! If you haven't checked out her site I would highly recommend it.  I also have been thinking about my classroom rules.  Here is what I have come up with so far.  F.Y.I they are still a work in progress.

Any Ideas?

Many of you know I love polka dots !! I have decided that this will be my theme next year.


I have thought of a lot of bulletin board ideas.

Here are some of my other BB names:

Reading Spot

Writing Wall: "Write" On The Dot


Student of the Week: Student Spotlight


Calendar: The Meeting Spot

Behavior: Spotted Making Good Choices (?)


I am trying to think of something cute for my class jobs, student work, birthday board, and behavior. Any ideas? Other BB ideas are welcome :).


Thanks,

Exciting News!! and a question :)

I got a job teaching first grade :) starting in August!! I feel so blessed and am excited to teach this grade.  Needless to say, my summer will be filled with meetings, planning, and decorating.

In preparation for next year I decided to order a lesson planner from Erin Condren. I have been debating what to do and decided to order it.  It has everything I want.

I can't wait!!

What are some of your favorite colorful pens you use?


Here is the design I picked!!





I am hoping to post more pictures when it arrives :)

Attention Getters and Planning

Hey there,

Have you seen these?  There are some really cute ones!!  *Click on the second poster to get copies*


     



Also, where do you get your lesson plan books? Or do you have a template that you like?

Thanks!!

Absent Student

Hey there,

I'm sure you all have seen this idea floating around pinterest and blog land!!

I was inspired and thought I would recreate my own.

Online version:

My Version:

The Clipart is from: The Pond
Border: Tracee Orman.

What Are Your Favorite(s)?

What are you favorite anchor chart and whiteboard markers? Do you have a particular lesson plan templete and/or year long planning sheet you like? Hope you all are having a wonderful week!!

Inspiration and Adorable Clipart for Teachers

Hey there,

I was perusing TPT and came across Littlest Learners sub plans. It gave me an idea to create this for my future class but with a few graphic changes (graphics from The Pond ). If you haven't checked their graphics out I highly recommend it. As I mentioned this was not my idea :). I would highly recommend a visit to her site!! It has a lot of interesting and fun resources.

Thanks again Littlest Learners!!!

Mother's Day Activity

Happy Friday Everyone!!!!

Hope you all are having a wonderful week? I am sure you all preparing for the end of the school year.

Here is a classroom freebie for Mother's Day (just click the picture)!!  Also, what do you do for Mother's Day in your classroom?

Enjoy and let me know what you think (TPT feedback)!!

Have you heard of this classroom managment tool?

Hey there,

Have you heard of ClassDojo? It is a unique classroom management tool that looks like it would be very effective.

Here is the link:

http://www.classdojo.com/

I just set up an account today and can't wait to use it!!!

Homework Packet and Technology

Hey there,

Hope you all are having a wonderful week. My homework packet is now posted on tpt!! If you would like a copy just click the picture below.

I would love some feedback on my TPT products if you have time :).


Also, what are some ways you incorporate technology into the classroom? These are some ways that I have used it in the past.

1. Videos
2. Power point
3. Website
4. iPad apps

Thanks so much!!

Homework Linky Party...What do you do?

What do you do for weekly homework? Have you used packets before? What kinds of activities do you assign in your packets? During student teaching I saw how beneficial they can be.

Here is what I have created. It includes a cover sheet where daily homework is indicated. There is also, a reading log and a high frequency worksheet. I will be posting it on TPT soon!!

Let me know what you think!

Classroom Mascot Ideas

Hey there,

Hope you all are having a wonderful week!!

Do any of you have a classroom mascot? If so, what do you do?
One idea that I really like is having students take the mascot home for the week and document their adventures (maybe in a journal). Then, at the end of the week they would come and share with the class their week in pictures/writing.

Another idea is to have the student of the week take the mascot home.

I would love to hear your ideas!! Thanks!!

Essentials, Extras, and Everyday Lessons ✎

Hi there,

What are some beginning of the year essentials that you love?

What are some extra supplies that you like to have but are not a must?

Also, what are some of your favorite ways to organize your lesson plans? One of my essentials is sticky notes (especially if they are cute). I use them all the time!!


F.Y.I-  I love seeing pictures of teacher ideas!!


Thanks!

 

Patience, Picture Books, and Possible Resources

Hi there!!

Hope you all are having a great week!!

Today I submitted an application for several openings  at a nearby school !! I am excited to see what happens!!

Many of you have knowledge and experience that you have gained over years of teaching. I have a lot to learn as a newbie and have a few questions.

What is/are your favorite teaching resources?

 Also, what are your two favorite picture books? I am wanting to add to my teaching and classroom library. F.Y.I. I already have Harry Wong's book.

I would love your feedback!!


 Thanks,

Easter Freebie

Happy Easter everyone!! Hope you all are having a wonderful day!!

Are you in need of an after Easter Activity? Here is one that I just created.

Let me know what you think!!

Enjoy!!

Busy/Fun Three Days, Giveaway, and Easter!!

Thank you all for participating in my giveaway!!

Congratulations to: Constance, Miss Ice @ Third Grade Sprinkles  , Holly @ Always Learning, Heather @ Mrs. Shelton's Kindergarten, and Lori @ Teaching With Love and Laughter !! I hope you all enjoy the packet!!!

I have been quite busy this week subbing Monday, Tuesday and tutoring today!! I had a wonderful two full days with a great third grade class!  They were very well behaved and enjoyed the activities we completed.  I can't wait to sub for them again!!

Tutoring went so well today my student was focused and very eager to complete his activities. I introduced some new activities which he was very excited about.  One of the activities we worked on was letter recognition and matching.  I had him use magnetic letters and match them to letters on a worksheet I had made. This activity was definitely effective and a success. While matching the letters he told me "This is such a good idea".  Lets just say he made me smile :).  I absolutely love teaching!!

On another note, since it is almost Easter I wanted to ask what you all do in your classrooms around this time of year?