Woo Hoo...Day 2!

Hold the phones...it's well before midnight and I'm actually getting to fulfill my goal for the day...adding another post for this week.  Woo hoo!!

Of course, it goes without saying that my sub plans are not quite finalized for tomorrow, my house is   still a mess (for me!), and I still have a bag ready to burst at the seams with STUFF to go through.  But...I set a goal and gosh darn it, I'm gonna do it!  (insert smiles here)

My goal was to post at least one picture a day this week.  Why you ask?!?  Great question.  

The answer...why not??  

Sometimes I overwhelm myself with the plethora of lists and things to do.  Anyone else do that?  Every teacher (and mom) out there is screaming, "YES!" right now.  I can feel it.  

Okay, maybe not sometimes I overwhelm myself.  Maybe most of the time.  That being said, I wanted to take one insanely crazy week (although, really no different than most weeks when I compare) and set some attainable goals for myself to be able to check off at the end the day and feel good.  

And this blog was it.  

So...here is my daily picture (I actually have 4 because I really can't control myself when it comes to taking photos).

As I was leaving tonight and thinking about all the fun stuff I could write about, this seemed like the logical winner.  

Our Tooth Tree

After teaching third grade for 10 years, the occasional missing tooth never seemed to phase me very much.  Go to the nurse.  Get your tooth treasure box.  Moving on.

When I came to first grade, teeth looked SO AMAZINGLY DIFFERENT to me.  Probably because most were missing them!!  I had never sat in a classroom and taught to so many toothless faces.  It easily (and strange, I know!) became one of my most favorite things about teaching first grade.  

And just when I think I might be getting a little numb to all the missing teeth...enter the blood and wiggles.  Love it!  I'm not a squeamish person.  After all, I am a mom.  I was a nanny.  I am a teacher.  Every imaginable fluid and grossness has been on me at some point in my life so I'm not really phased or traumatized by the blood.  Am I numb to that?  Sure.  

However, when I see a 6 year old, missing all her front teeth within the last 48 hours, looking like a 90 year old man, I quickly realize, how do you ever go numb to this sort of cuteness?!?!  

All their words become lispy and they try desperately to figure out new placements for their tongue while speaking.  First grade favorite all over again.

Enter the tooth tree.  A couple years ago, I found these great fake trees at a garage sale.  While I like the greenery in my classroom, they also needed to serve a purpose.  I'm all about "Everything being on Purpose."  A tooth tree.  When a child loses his/her tooth, I give them a tooth cut out (found at most teacher stores).  The toothless wonder writes his/her name on the tooth in bold marker, adds a mini tooth sticker, and hangs it like an ornament on our tree.  Doesn't look like much at the beginning of the year...but by the end, holy smokes!!  We have lots and lots of teeth dangling from our branches. Each time a child loses a tooth, if they already have a tooth on the tree, they simply add a sticker.  I also give them a larger sticker to wear and a pencil for the first one of the year.  They love it and it's a quick easy way to recognize their big moment!  

From teeth to stars...

Last week, I was the "Star Student" of the week.  Here's a look at my star corner. 

(the wall portion anyway)

I brought in my treasures and shared my special week to model for kiddos what they would be doing each week.  I spent a lot of time (too much time) coloring and designing my poster in the hopes of inspiring them to do the same when it is their turn.  Minus the posters (which can be found at most teacher stores), everything I do is included in my You're A Star packet here. 

I always get so excited to see what students bring and to hear them present to their peers.  So sweet!

From teeth to stars to spots...

Next up on my picture hunt, I stepped outside my classroom to share this bulletin board.

Normally, I change up my bulletin boards yearly especially when I know I have siblings coming up.  However, I created this one last year and LOVED it so much I couldn't bear to take it down yet.  Last year, I happened to be in the Hobby Lobby clearance section and found a circle cutter.  #inheaven  Later that same day, I was splurging on my usual bulletin board border and found this border.

spots + dots = match made in heaven

Lo and behold...this bulletin board was created.  First Graders Have Been Spotted.  

The amount of time and fun I had cutting out these silly circles was definitely worth it.  The people on the board change every two months.  I have the students draw and color exactly what they look like on the first day of school.  I hang them up exactly as is.  After a couple months, I take them down, save them for end of the year memories (more on that later...much later), and then they create a new person matching them on that date.  I love these sort of keepsakes that show how students have changed and grown just as an artist throughout the year.  

This bulletin board also helped inspire one of my Smartboard Attendance pages.  

You can get yours here.  

Tomorrow I'm getting ready to AIM.  SHOOT.  SCORE.

Wanna know more??

Check in tomorrow to find out how I use this in my classroom........

Day 1...Goal Met!

My eyes are half-closed.  There is drool on my shirt (luckily, not my own!...although, is that better or worse?!?!).  And about 30 minutes ago...I was ready to throw in the towel.  Exhausted!

And...if it weren't for the goal I made myself...and posting about it (why on earth did I do that?!)...I would have easily given in.  However, I know me well enough to know that having put myself out there to all of you, I couldn't quit on day 1.  Not after having thought about it ALL. DAY. LONG.  Truly...I was thinking about it since 7:30 this morning all the fun stuff I could post tonight.  #notaquitter  

My goal was to post at least one picture.  Got it.

How about this handsome, precious, and smiling guy??

Yes, he is indeed holding a shark.  He LOOOVES sharks!

Be still my heart.  

One year ago at this time, this stubborn but cute little guy was just deciding to take his first steps.  (Had to wait until the first day of school when Mom was not around.  #stinker)  A year later here he is on is way to his first day of preschool (little guy preschool...not the grueling and task-oriented painting and ABCs learning preschool that my 5-year-old keeps thinking it is).  Love.

Still...it was a big day around here.  Maybe more for his sisters who were beside themselves at seeing this guy with a big boy backpack and dropping him off this morning.  Yes, there were actual tears.  From the 8-year-old.  That's right.  The 8-year old.  She was so tickled and happy for him.  Oh geez!  What will she do when he starts Kindergarten?  I better buy stock in Kleenex now.  Gotta love how much they love their siblings!!

Anyway, once at school, I had about 5 minutes before the kids came in to get ready.  Love those mornings.  Got the Smartboard up and running for morning attendance and headed off to make copies.

You can snag your attendance boards ready to be edited for your class here.

There are themes for the whole year plus two extra pages to use for general use...like the Spots above.  Many of these can be used from any grades Kindergarten through third.  I love it as just one more chance for students to interact on the Smartboard first thing in the morning.

Later on the in morning, I was sooooo excited to do some great word work with my kiddos from my new Super Spelling Packet.  However, time got away from me and our morning work took longer than usual.  #flexiblelikeanOlympicgymnast

After tweaking our plans, we worked on combining our new decoding skill...Eagle Eyes (more to come later about this skill)...with some word work.  We are practicing our classroom behavior during guided reading groups while being introduced to various stations whole group these last few weeks.  While students were working at their seats on a future word work station, I took the opportunity to pull some friends to "practice reading" together.  For me, this part was more about practicing those behaviors and routines of actually coming to the table and what is expected of the others.

Needless to say, they did awesome!  I was able to use my new and improved Dolch High Frequency Word List from my Super Spelling Packet to assess some kiddos.  Even though there are 220 words on the list, I found the cleanliness and simplicity of the page, allowed me more room to write notes about student observations and keep my focus on the task at hand.

The checklist and word cards are available in this packet.  (Even though sight words are not "Spelling Words" per say, I have included them in my packet because I think it is important to be able to know the word by sight but also exposure to spelling and making words is never a bad thing.)

After school, I found myself with zero meetings on the calendar.  WHAT?!?!?  I know, it's crazy!!  I'm like the meeting queen and time afterschool for me to actually prep for the next day is almost always impossible.  I find myself taking oodles and oodles home every night.  But today was a whole other story!  Today I got to actually do some much needed but quick organizing and hanging around the room.  Woo hoo!  Yippee!  Yeehaw!!  #thrilledladyhere

The first week of school my kiddos learned all about our brains and where we store our information...in our hippocampus.  That's where we keep it if we need it again long-term.  We now refer to gaining information as "stuffing our hippo."  I love it!  My kiddos feel so proud when they talk brain talk.  It's powerful.  We made Hippo Books to be able to learn the information and then store it in a written down, quick reference/resource spot.  Well, two weeks later, I finally found a space to hang them.  Can't wait for the kids to see them tomorrow!

More about the Hippo can be found in my store.

As for tonight...this hippo is stuffed and in need of some sleep.

It was a busy day all around.  Tomorrow I have more in store for y'all!  It was close though...I thought for sure my exhaustion would win tonight.  Glad it didn't.  #keptmyword

I'm proud that at least for tonight, I met my goal!  We'll see about the rest of the week.  

More pics tomorrow and another new goody...

New week, New goals

Last week was a sad, sad state for this poor little blog.  

It was neglected.  Ignored.  Surpassed.

But...not forgotten.

Most weeks I feel like a chicken with my head cut off.  Okay, maybe not that drastic.  But certainly overwhelmed and out of time most days.  Like millions of other teachers August through June.  Last week may have topped the charts for me though as I found myself at school 4 out of the 5 nights.  I was a parent attending my own girl's Parent Orientation on two different nights, presented for parents at my Orientation (more on that later this week), and then stayed after many nights to prep for subs the following days for meetings.  Somewhere in there I think I taught some great lessons.  Maybe.  It's all a blur now.   

Anyway, I would love to say that this week will be calmer and my little ol' blog will take priority, but I can't promise anything.  It's shaping up to be another crazy one.  Thank heavens for this 3-day weekend!  I got a little rest and a little time to create.  #yippee

Here's a look at what we've been doing and some new items in store for you now!

Our class participated in our annual Marshmallow Towers challenge.  In 15 years of doing this activity, this was the first time I overheard a student asking God for help!  As I gave the "time check" warning, one little boy shared with his team, "I hope God will help us."  #diedwithsmiles

Not sure that God is worrying about how tall we make our marshmallow towers...might have bigger things on his plate...but oh, how it made me smile!  

If you're interested in doing this fun teambuilder, check out the freebie!

Then we did our Chrysanthemum activity.  Absolutely one of my most favorite picture books to read!  Love the way Kevin Henkes writes.  After reading the story and having great conversations about Victoria not "speaking with good purpose," we moved to our seats to review some color tips before starting our next part.  Check out our poster here.

These crayons have been one of my favorite additions to our class this year.  We used these before starting our Chrysanthemum letters.  We talked briefly about the color wheel and opposite (complimentary) colors.

Find your own crayons here.  They are perfect for viewing across a large room without taking up too much space in your room.

Then students split up and moved around the room to create their own letters.  Priceless!

Get the entire Chrysanthemum activity here.

(If you've have already purchased and downloaded this product, please go back to my store and download it again.  I noticed and fixed a typo!  Oops!)

Since we've already been in school a couple weeks now, my brain is already thinking about guided reading and workstations.  I have started prepping my kiddos for some Word Study stations as I think those as some of the easiest to teach whole group and then gradually release them for independent practice.

I have oodles of games and activities I have done over the years.  Many of which have been done in both third and first grade.  #notreinventingthewheel

Last week we tried out a couple to get our feet wet for some of our first literacy workstations in the next few weeks.  I always like to start with something very hands on to help motivate learners and get them moving.  Sooo...we did Stamp Words.

Anyone who knows me would agree...I HEART FONTS!!  So it's a reasonable requirement that every time I go to Target, Walmart, Hobby Lobby, or Michael's I check out what alphabet stamps are in the clearance bins.  (I also heart sales!)  Over the years I've collected quite the assortment of stampers...all in various fonts.  (One of the many things my husband often wonders why I have so many of...like shoes, clothes, hair accessories...right!?!)  I love setting up each table with stamps and some ink pads and letting them go to town exploring words with stamps.    

It's also a terrific activity to model, model, model the expectations with the materials the first time.  This way when students go to stations independently you can be sure all your juicy ink pads won't be left open to dry out or stampers sprinkled around the room.

To get all of these super spelling activities, visit my store.  I love these activities!  After being taught, many can be used for small groups, partner review games, independent practice, or even for a substitute if needed.  I love leaving notes for a sub that says, "Students will know exactly what to do."  How responsible of them!  

This week I'll be doing more of these activities and posting some pictures for you to see them in use.  

Tomorrow starts a new school week.  New week...New goals...

My goal for this insane week ahead is to post at least 1 (or more!) picture each day of an activity we have done this week.  Check back in tomorrow to be sure I've met my goal.  (Although, it will have to be after bedtime for the kiddos.  Ain't nothin' happening 'round here when the littles are awake!  That is for sure! #lovethemadness...or do I??)  

Stay tuned...

Blog? What blog??

I think the title captures it best...

It seems as though these past three weeks (wait...the third week isn't over yet!) have been a complete blur.  I think I blinked somewhere between the time I received my class list and now and it was gone.  Every teacher everywhere knows exactly how I am feeling right now...I am sure of it.  You prep.  You cut.  You hang.  You clean. You decorate. You spend.  You decorate some more.  You copy.  

And then they come.

Then you blink and time has gone by so quickly you can't even believe it.  

Or at least I can't.  

It's been well over a week now since my last post and oddly enough this has become (even just in this short while) my therapy if you will.  I heart writing.  Every student I've every had will tell you the same.  Some will even grimace and groan while saying it...but nevertheless, I do love writing.

When I was in second grade we had to keep a journal at school.  It was used more for free writing rather than teacher directed prompts or guided writing I suppose.  Either way...from there a long, long, long line a journal writing ensued.  (What makes my mom crazy to this day is that I still own all of them from second grade till now...and she can't open the trunk where I keep them.  he he.  Can we say nosey?!?!  Kidding, Mom!  Sort of.)

So I guess it's fair to say, I haven't gone to therapy in a while and I'm going through a little writing withdrawal.  My head is getting full.  I'm starting to itch.  My knees are shaking.  And I just need to write SOMETHING.  ANYTHING.  

What's funny to me is that over the last three-ish weeks, as we have done activities and established new routines, I have soooo many topics I would LOVE to write about.  But as every teacher knows....finding the time is truly impossible.  Or rather IMPOSSIBLE!

Unfortunately, this is not my week though to find the time to post about all the fun back to school activities we've completed or new things I have created.  Tonight is just about sneaking in a few minutes to say, "Phew...it's been a while!"

Balancing both the teacher and mom hats this week have proven to be a little challenging due to all the Parent Orientations (my own girls and my classroom one), cheerleading commitments, and non-teaching related work commitments.  However, "THIS IS IT" so...I'm taking my 15 minute break.   Parent orientation prep can pause briefly.   The house is quiet so the mom hat can come off momentarily.  Other work related tasks are calling my name but will just have to wait a few seconds longer.  

For this teacher needed a 15 minute therapy session...even if just to ramble.  Ahhhhh...feels good.

#therapeuticrelief

A bit of everything

I'm cutting it right down to the wire...

I promised some goodies this weekend and I try to always keep my word.  Even if it is Sunday night at exactly midnight when I'm posting this...  Oops!  It's amazing how fast the weekend goes...especially when you have your own kiddos and their activities to contend with all weekend.  

This house is now quiet and everyone is fast asleep getting rest before our first full week of school.  And boy do we all need it!  Last week was a whirlwind of celebrating a wedding with family to inservices to planning to presenting to teaching all those brand new back-to-school routines and expectations.  

By Friday night, I was OUT. COLD.  

And then I blinked and the weekend was over.

So rather than share a lengthy written post, I thought I'd do a "Sunday Snapshots" of sorts.  Here's a look at a little bit of everything I've been doing lately...in pictures.

Getting the classroom ready...

my reading nook

guided reading bins for quick access (with new labels!)

color wheel and crayons (available for purchase!)

a new and improved student reading bins

cutting, cutting, and more cutting...

Hanging with these fab people...

the girlies

my little guy

family time minus one

a little wedding fun on the bus

more fun on the bus

Doing hair... (just a hobby, clearly not a professional!!)

doing lots of hair!

lots and lots of hair!

Sending my own kiddos off to school...

starting Kindergarten

starting 3rd grade

Being a proud mom...

cheering

Finishing up products to share...

Crayon posters available in my store!

Get your hippo goodies!

Posters available, too!

Clearly, a little bit of everything!  Check out my store for more goodies to help get your classroom ready for the 2014-15 school year.  

More products in the works...but not tonight.  Tomorrow those 6 and 7 year olds need me to be at my best!  Therefore, I think it's time to join the rest of my sleeping house.... Zzzz.