A Perfectly Perfect...Chrysanthemum

My most favorite time of year is the beginning!  New faces.  Fresh haircuts.  Brand-new school supplies.  And excitement for a fresh start!

I love all the back-to-school activities and building that strong foundation in the classroom to set everyone up for success for the remainder of the year.   I love setting up expectations of how the class will run and then building that mutual respect between teacher and students.  I love the eagerness and anticipation that comes with each new day...figuring each other out and what the new dynamics will be.  How will everyone fit together?  How will we work together as a team and still let our individuality shine?

A perfectly perfect book to launch the year with (and one of my most favorite read alouds) is Chrysanthemum by Kevin Henkes.  I'm not sure of any teacher who isn't aware of Chrysanthemum but just in case...it's the story of a little mouse who is confident and proud of who she is and what she is named.  Until she goes to school.  Then all bets are off and she begins to doubt herself.  It's a fantastically written story with so many literary strategies and themes woven throughout. 

Last year, I decided to once again read the story but this time, added a little more substance to it.  We turned it into not only a reading and writing activity but also a character building activity.  (If your child's teacher doesn't do this, it's definitely one that can be done at home with parents.)  

Together we read the story and had some great, in depth conversations (yes, it can happen with firsties!) about the emotions Chrysanthemum must have been feeling before and after she went to school.  We even made some text to self connections.  After discussing emotions and connections, we talked about our own individuality and how important it is.  Even when working in a team, it's still okay to have our own ideas and thoughts.  Our parents gave us our very own special and unique names on purpose and we should be proud of who we are.

Then, it was art time!!  After a quick discussion about colors, I passed out letters to each student matching their first name.  They labeled the set of complimentary colors they wanted to use on their letter paper in pencil to create their art.  Then they moved to the colors stations I set around the room.  I reminded them that this is an activity to celebrate individuality so they shouldn't pick a color just because their friend is picking that one.  (In fact, if you need to, you could cap each station-there are 3-to 8 per station or whatever your numbers are.)

Students worked on gluing colored tissue paper to their letters.

Letter templates for sale below.

Sorry for the blurred faces!  It's a privacy thing.

After gluing was done, I told students their parents had homefun that night (insert loud and happy cheers here!) Parents had to write some adjectives on a list to describe their child and return the following day.  

The next day after much review about Chrysanthemum's story and purpose we used those words to add to our own individual art.

Students copying adjectives onto their papers.

I loved hearing things like, "Wow! My mom thinks I'm smart!" 

or

"I am charismatic!  What does that mean?" 

or even

"I can't read my dad's writing."

It was heart warming and sweet.  What a great way to expand vocab skills, too!

Then we added a picture to the colored frame and hung it up for all to see.  It was great to have students reading each other's adjectives as they were being hung and even for the couple weeks after.  Parents were amazed that students were able to write/copy and understand some of the larger words they had written.  All this and it was just the first few weeks of school.  Woo hoo!

Here's one side (not hanging yet).  For the complete activity...

Shop at my store!

What a great way to launch the first few days of school!

Stay tuned...more is on it's way!

New and Improved!

Hello friends!

Today begins a new fresh start with this blog...er...it's design.  It took both a lot of patience and a lot of redoing and I'm grateful for both!  Thanks, Barb!

In honor of the new design I will be uploading some great products later today as a sort of "Grand Opening" sale...and by later today, I'm sure that by now you all realize it will more than likely be after midnight...which then technically will be posted tomorrow.  Needless to say, I have a fabulous reason/excuse as to why they are not quite ready...

Three reasons really.

Excuse #1, 2, and 3.  Love these guys!

With only a very quick two weeks left of summer (and a WHOLE LOTTA PLANS in there) I've been trying to balance life with a little extra time with my three favorite little people!!  Finished the classroom a couple weeks ago...minus some posters, nametags, and whatnot.  So for the little time left, we've been doing this...

I can tell you who didn't win...between us three!
Mom is a TERRIBLE bowler! 

And this...

Crazy girls!

And two little girls were stuck on this...

The never ending mini ferris wheel.  Hilarious!

And of course a lot of swimming, playing outside, and organizing, too, to get ready for the new school year...at home!

With an added bonus of extra mosquito bites.  A true sign of summer!

Needless to say, all that is school/classroom/home office related has been sadly neglected except for a few stolen working moments here and there.  And any teacher can tell you, a few stolen moments doesn't seem to ever be enough with the heaps of back-to-school planning and prep involved. 

So today is a mix of play and work...I will be posting some great back-to-school goodies later today...tonight...after midnight (let's be realistic here)...when the house is quiet and the playing is done...until bright and early tomorrow.  

More to come...

Facebook...Instagram...What's next??

I've shied away long enough!  In honor of summer (not hardly) I dove head first into the enormous FB pool.  Drowning for sure at first...but now my head is just barely over the water so at least I don't go into panic mode while navigating through anymore (well, kind of).  Why so scared you ask?  Great question...and this blog is not big enough for all the reasons I've made up over the years that I'm now trying to convince myself to get over.  So I'll just leave you with this link if you would like to check it out and "friend" or "like" me or whatever it is. #ohheavens 

And since I was getting so savvy with FB (ha ha ha!!) I thought, "Why not go on Instagram, too?!"  After all, I probably only take an average of 5 pictures on a given day.  Holidays, birthdays, special events can be upwards of 50-150 easy.  I'm a maniac behind the camera.  It really is ridiculous.  #thankgoodnessfordigital  

My poor but patient niece had to suffer through me taking over 150 pictures of her for prom!!  #triggerhappyforsure

The kiddos in my class (and anyone who knows me) usually know the camera is not too far away.  I LOVE taking pictures of my own lovies, classroom kiddos, activities in the class or around the school, and even most of my bulletin boards and hanging work (made by true blue firsties!).  I love capturing the memories!  For me, pictures are definitely my digital scrapbook of life.  I especially love looking back at the end of the year when putting together memory books (insert giant heart here) and seeing all the great fun and learning we've done all year.  Makes me happy!  Sooo...onto Instagram I went.  Thought it would be the perfect place to capture, store, and share those wonderful memories.  

I mean really...who doesn't want to see this precious one petting a snake on Instagram, right??!

Not much there yet...on either social media account but growing steadily.  

In other fantastic news, as a celebration of my blog being redesigned and no longer under construction (SOON!!!) I will be launching some brand new products for the 2014 school year with a tpt sale!!  

I love a good sale!  Hopefully you will be able to find some useful activities and goodies to use in your own classroom or home!

Stay tuned...

OuT Of cOntRoL!

Sometimes I feel like my life is just like the roads in Illinois...always under construction.  Just when they get one part improved or redone, another part needs fixing.  Clean the pantry...now the laundry has been neglected.  Do the dishes...now there are tiny toys sprinkled all over the front room.  Work on fixing up this blog...now no new creations have been made.  #creativejuicespaused  Boo!!!

So...when I feel like everything seems to be out of my control, I stumble down the cliche path...

Everything happens for a reason.  (which I strongly agree with...even though I might not always like it)

Tomorrow's a new day.

And my favorite......the one that gets me through ANYTHING...The Serenity Prayer.  I use it on my daughter when dealing with girl drama.  I use it when I have a bad day.  I use it when I'm standing in the check out line and the person ahead of me is scanning each and every item into their phone before handing it to the cashier (WHAT?!?) while I have three grabby children searching the endcap for that last hopeful item that Mom might buy (yeah right!).  

It helps me remember that I have no or limited control over anyone and/or anything else...not their actions.  Not their mannerisms. Not the content I teach sometimes.  Not how the person in front of me drives.  Not the construction on what feels like every road.  Not the little having a bad day in your classroom (or at your house...that never happens here.  ha ha ha)  

Sadly, I don't have control over those things.  

What I do have control over is how I respond and react to those things.   Just like we teach our kiddos...we each have the power and the ability to make good choices.  I can choose to let things upset  and frustrate me.  Or I can choose to let it go (cue the Frozen soundtrack).  As adults we often preach that to our children but we sometimes forget to buy into it ourselves.  #guilty  We forget that what seems like a huge deal for an 8 year old to them seems equally as big of a deal as a 35 year old may deal with.  It's easy to get carried away in the daily grind and to let other's choices effect us or control us. 

 I guess that's why I love me a good cliche.  Because tomorrow really is a new day.  

Either way...I am thankful that I have the serenity, the acceptance, the courage, and the wisdom to help me get through each day...in the classroom, on the road, at the store, at home...wherever and whenever I need it.

This year may fill you with moments that you need to remember the Serenity Prayer...or teach it to someone else who may need it.  Here's a little freebie printable to help you remember those encouraging words!

You can print it here, pin it, or download it from my tpt store.  

Enjoy!

Posters and Pals

I feel like school has already started...tonight the lack of sleep and working diligently these last 3 days to get my room ready has caught up with me.  I'm exhausted.  And yet I'm still awake.  Of course.  But before I head off to dreamland, I wanted to share...  

I was supposed to be making labels for my girls to help me sticker books tomorrow.  However, it's a little challenging to do that without the actual labels.  Oops!  Hmm...now I have to find a different job for them.  Anyway, since I couldn't make labels, I put together some workstation posters that you can find here.  There are two sets of posters.  One I use to post around my room. By adding coordinating numbers to my posters with a dry erase marker makes it easier for students to find their materials in the correct bin.  The second set are I Can posters.  These are placed at each workstation as well.  Students use this to reference if they finish the work early or are unsure of what to do.  

At the poetry station, each student has a poetry binder.  For that I Can poster, I laminate it to their cover page and insert it into the front of student's binders.  This is especially helpful for times when students may be working in binders but not necessarily during workstation time.  I like that they can sound out and read all of the words and then problem solve what to do.  Independence!!  Hooray!  

In other news, my great friend and coworker, has now become a fellow blogger, also!  Our teaching paths seem to have always crossed long before we even knew of each other.  So it makes sense that now that we are coworkers and friends we venture off together on the same blogging path.  She is SUPREME and her talents for designing and creating are unmatched!  Check out Amy's new blog!  She will not disappoint!

As for me...it's off to dreamland...until bright and early! 

And so it begins...

I absolutely LOVE teaching first grade!!  Besides my own kiddos and hubby (well, and family, of course!), there's not much else I love more than teaching.  When I was little (I'm sure like most teachers did) I would set up all the stuffed animals and play school for hours.  Days. Weeks.  All summer in fact.  My family made endless fun of me.  They thought it was just so humorous that I spent all day in school and then would come home to play school.  It made me happy though.  

So here I am...much, much older and still happy.  Although, now when I play school, as my mom likes to still say, I actually have little ones who respond and listen.  From August until May, it consumes my days.  And many nights, as most of my friends, coworkers, and family know.  Once that final bell rings in May and the buses drive away and the last tear is wiped from my cheek (yes, I'm a baby who cries just about every year), I start swinging from the chandeliers and thank heavens for summer break!!!  

Who doesn't love summer?!?! 

And when I say summer break...I mean June.  (Insert the "WHAT?!?" here.) 

Yes, I said June.  I sleep in (is that really possible with three kiddos who are early risers?).  I stay up late...not working.  I catch up on some tv that has been waiting through the insanity of May for me to watch it.  I enjoy the sun and playing outside with my kids.  I finally get to some of those house projects I've been meaning to do since...well...forever.  I transition to eating lunch at a slower, normal-person's rate of speed.  I take time to smell the roses.  Literally.  All for the love of June.

Then that pesky July rolls around and instantly I begin the rat race of getting ready for the upcoming school year.  For those of you who think we teachers enjoy a relaxing three months off every year and only work from 8am-3pm, I assure you, I can debunk all those theories and myths.  It's a lie.  Because when July comes blasting in with it's red, white, and blue, I know I'm in trouble.  Time to start planning curriculum.  When can I set up my classroom?  This year I will clean out all those overloaded cabinets and drawers.  And files while I'm at it.  Oh.  Goodness.  Way too much to do!!  Here's what I started with Monday 8am this week.

Yikes!! What a disaster!  But a couple hours later...and a lot of sweat and sore muscles, this was the progress made.  Not bad.  Not perfect.  But not bad.

Not quite done yet but at least it was manageable at that point.  Then, it was on to the behind-the-scenes work.  Cleaning out cabinets and drawers and getting organized.  I HEART to be organized!!!  My girls can tell anyone, our house (or my classroom for that matter) are never perfectly 100% organized but for the split second it is, Mom is a happy lady!!

With all the cleaning and my mind thinking of the endless list of things to do, I came across oodles of daily or weekly activities my kids love to do.  I set piles aside to bring home and get organized into units for the beginning of the year.  Which got me thinking???  Why not share some of these activities?  

The first activity I do every Monday beginning in October.  I give them a few months (we start early August) to learn routines and expectations and so to not overwhelm little firsties immediately with independent writing with an unfamiliar structure.  Every Monday, on their desks, sit a Weekend News paper.  After extreme modeling, brainstorming, and step by step directions, students enjoy coming in and sharing what they did over the weekend in their writing.  It's important for students to not only practice their writing skills such as conventions and structure but also handwriting, creative thinking, and yes, even some drawing and coloring but that they also get a chance to "talk it out."  So after silent writing, students share with partners, small groups, or even whole group.  Depends on the mood in the morning and how much we need to get going.  I like to have students do a little bit more writing after long breaks because I know they have lots to share!!  Firsties always have lots to share, but especially after breaks!  Here are my new templates added over at tpt.

We only write our Weekend News on Monday, however, we do calendar daily.  So over the years I have made, tweaked, revamped, tossed out, skipped and recreated several calendar booklets.  Since I have student led calendar time on the Smartboard, when the instruction moves a little slower, I notice some of my friends start getting quite squirrely.  Now, yes, I could shorten my calendar slides on the Smartboard, but I can't seem to figure out what to skip.  It ALL seems important!!  Alas, they are stuck doing it.  To help with the management issue (and for repeated practice!), I have my students work on their own calendars to follow along with our Smartboard Calendar Leader.  As the year progresses, some finish their calendar booklets and then just follow along and that works for me.  After all the modeling and direct instruction at the beginning, I want them to have independence and the autonomy to complete this task without me.  Here it is, fresh off the press!

And so it begins...

July is half over.  The classroom is taking shape.  Files are getting organized.  Love!  Class lists are being finalized.  And all things school have begun...again.

Summer is dwindling.  Extra time with my own lovies is becoming limited.  Boo!  The DVR is filling up again because there's no time to watch my shows.  Playtime is sparse.   Hiss!!   The tan is already fading.  Grrr!!!  How does that ONE MONTH off go that fast?!?!

But on the bright side...........it's almost time to play school again!!!

Check out my store at tpt to get your own Weekend News Templates and/or Student Calendar Books!!

Check These Out!

Looking for some new activities and ideas for your classroom?!?!  Check out these products over at tpt.  

This first one is a freebie!  Who doesn't love something FREE??

  

Need some new letters for your word wall?  Color-coded letters to quickly identify vowels and consonants.

And my absolute favorite is this one!  I love that it not only has easy-to-read wording for students but there's also a little extra on there to remind students of the power they have over their own behavior.  Love it!

Any of these can be found in my store over at tpt!  Check them out! 

What's With All the Changes??

Sorry folks!  For anyone who actually is reading this blog, you have probably noticed a plethora of changes over just this past week.  As I'm entering into this whole blogging world, I feel the crazy need to figure out how to design my own blog.  Definitely not because I just wouldn't rather someone fabulous and amazing create my blog design for me, but rather because there is a very. long. waiting. list.  In the meantime, I cannot seem to just "make do" with what I have sooo...it has undergone lots of changes in a very short amount of time.  Can you say #impatientperfectionist ?

I do realize the header of my blog has a GIANT white background and I've now spent several hours trying to read up on CCSS codes and editing HTML codes.  Not for lack of trying certainly, but I am calling it quits for now and it'll just have to be...for now.  Unless anyone knows how to fix that???

In the meantime, I have been working on some new/old products.  Old goodies that my kiddos have loved over the years that needed a little updating to make them NEW and fresh!!  One is a fantastic set of classroom incentives that are cheap, purposeful, and motivating...what teacher doesn't love that?!?!   I'll post the links to tpt when both are finished.  Stay tuned on those...

In the meantime, if you notice each time you check out the blog it looks a little different, don't be scared off.  Just trying to make it look exactly how it does in my head.  #isthatpossible?

A Labor of Love

Over the years I have tried numerous and various behavior management systems in my classroom.  While they were all good, like fashion, they seemed to fade and pass for me after a while.  Like overalls for example...they do the job.  They're comfortable.  Keep you covered and clothed which is most important.  But over time, you realize, they just don't work for you anymore.  That's how I feel in the classroom sometimes.  I like to tell people I like to reinvent the wheel and add more work for myself.  Do I really?  No.  Of course not.  Am I particular and like to change things up after a while?  Absolutely!!  My behavior management systems seem to be just like that for me.

I think the main idea is that as long as students know that there are expectations and your classroom foundation of respect and responsibility is set from the very beginning of the year, it really doesn't matter which behavior management system you use...  That being said, I don't always jump on the bandwagon with new trends immediately.  I like to get a feel for them, get my feet wet a bit, and then dive in.  So...I waited as it seemed everyone around me began purchasing and assembling their new clip charts to use in their classrooms.  There are MILLIONS of talented and creative people out there and I have seen a lot of great charts, but again, I stalled.  I continued using my old school "flip a card" method.  Overalls. Again.  It worked.  It did the job.  It kept the classroom covered as far as behavior expectations and consequences.  Didn't love it.  But it functioned.

Last summer I made the plunge and decided after seeing some great wording out there that I would invest the time to create my own chart.  So that's what I did!  I added extra wording on mine about power and choices because I wanted to send a clear message to students that this chart would solely fall on them taking ownership for their actions...successes or mistakes.  I piloted it this past school year and absolutely LOVED it!!!  I watched their little toothless faces light up as they were asked to move a clip up which made me often wonder why I waited so long to make this change.  

Anyway, remember that reinventing the wheel thing???  Well, since I couldn't just hang a chart in my room to use, I decided it must be very purposeful and clear to both parents and students.  I added a parent letter and behavior note (for those days when things just don't go well...).  Which got me thinking about all the good kiddos.....  How do their parents know they are always "good?"  So back to the computer.  I created monthly calendars for students to keep in their home folders and fill out daily to discuss with parents at home.  Lo and behold, my labor of love came to fruition.  A thorough, clear, purposeful, positive behavior management system to use for many years....Or until I ditch those overalls.

Sound like something you would be interested in using in your classroom??  Check it out!!

Click here to travel to my TPT store and buy my Rainbow Behavior Clip Chart System!

Behavior Chart Preview

My Store is Open!

After the great stomach flu epidemic passed through our house, I can happily say that even though it took a bit longer than I hoped, I was able to open my store on teacherspayteachers.com.  If you're in need of a fun back-to-school, hands-on activity to do with students at a variety of levels check out my Marshmallow Towers Team Builder.  I promise it won't disappoint!

A team in action!

I heart this activity!!  Every year I venture off to do it and am so thankful I did.  Within minutes of starting the activity, I can spot leaders, kinesthetic learners, negotiators, and even the quiet listeners.  It's amazing!  Already stocking up on my toothpicks and marshmallows now!!

In addition, I posted some Word Wall letters.  I know there are millions of designs and sellers out there (and they are AMAZE!!!) but if you are like me and just looking for one or two products to round off your classroom this year, these might be for you.  They are color-coded (because I'm crazy that way and need to make it purposeful) which is great for little eyes.  At numerous times throughout the year we talk about vowels and consonants and my students use this as their reference rather than yet another poster hanging in the room.  They are able to quickly distinguish the difference based on color.  I love it!!  I love it even more when the students notice it before I can point it out and are already telling their friends before I can "teach" them.  Makes my heart melt!!

I will post pictures of these products tomorrow! Fingers crossed everyone will be healthy and back to normal!

Check out my new TPT store here!

Stepping out there...

After years of kind nudging from my husband (in truly the most supportive way!), I am finally launching my own blog.  For better or for worse, it will be my attempt to share some of the activities I do or have done within my classroom throughout my years as a third and first grade teacher.  I have been blessed to have had the most wonderful students, families, coworkers, and administration support me and all my crazy (educational, for sure) ideas over the years.   Without them or the support of my own family and friends, I certainly would not be taking this risk.  So...here's to stepping out there...

I am currently working on uploading my first two products to TPT to help teachers get ready for the start of a new school year...not that we want to start thinking about that already.  Yikes!!  Both will be useful to kick off the year on the right foot!

Stay tuned...