Trying to Get Moved In

Here are a few pictures from the first day I arrived in my new room.

I meant to take some as soon as I got there, but ended up talking to others and forgot.

Imagine this space with about 30+ desks stacked in it as well.

Right wall. Great closet in the corner with shelving. All the desks were right in front of me.

Back wall with my super sweet hubby. Boxes and boxes that need to be unpacked.

Left wall when you walk in.  Yes that is an exercise bike.  Judging by a pic in a minute I really need to keep it!

Front wall. Eventually where my calendar will be.  All of the boxes are just my books!

Day two I tried to get my books unloaded.  They are the biggest move.  The filing cabinet was moved to the back by the closet.  I moved my desk to the back corner and my closet was full of Reading Street boxes, so they got cleared out and sent to the proper rooms.

Getting my books in their boxes.  I hear the eliptical calling my name.

This is from my desk looking out.  It doesn't look like I did much but I emptied 5 boxes and 3 crates!

I forgot to take a picture of my closet so I will do that when I go back tomorrow.

One week before the kids arrive!

On a lighter note, look what hubby updated for me.

My Movie style stool with film strips on the legs.  Too cute!

My puppet theater (3rd paint job for 3rd theme)

He did film strips down both sides.

Who has the greatest hubby?

I DO!!!

I'm still here

Just letting everyone know, I'm still here.  I went up to my classroom today (pictures coming soon) and I have no clue where to start!  It's very hard to start fresh in a brand new place.  I've had the same furniture, the same set up that has worked for me for 8 years!  I knew what to expect when I went to my old classroom.  I knew what would be waiting for me.  Today, I didn't and it was a shocker.  My room was previously a computer lab with about 30 something desks in it. Seven tables and a few other things here and there.  But I didn't let it get me.  I have an awesome team and a rockin' plant manager and we got things taken care of. 

I'm going back again in the morning to get things in place.  Taking baby steps, but sometimes baby steps are what you need.

I'm still SO excited to be at my new school.  I loved pulling out of my driveway at 8:40 this morning and pulling in the parking lot at 8:45.  Woo Hoo!

Now I'm about to go jump on my labels and put them through my NEW Scotch Laminator. =)

Teaching the Alphabet Link Up: Letter X

Hi All!

I'm teaming up with Mrs. Parker at 

and we are Teaching the Alphabet!

There are several teachers who are involved with this link up!

I was given the wonderful letter X.

Fun right?

It really can be, I promise!

I compiled my Top Ten favorite ideas and put them together in a little freebie for you!

I hope you can use them in your room this year.

Be sure to link up with the other letters of the alphabet by clicking the button below.

*Content Removed due to new DJI Copyright ruling.*

Busy Today

I'm sitting for a friend. Four girls, ages 5, 6, 7 & 8. 

You would think I could handle this since I teach kindergarten..right?!

I am worn out!

Luckily, they found my linen closet and I let them take out all of the blankets.

It's fort building time.  

We've also painted on canvas (and done a little painting for me, free labor that's fun!) =)

and watched Disney's The Ocean.

Only 3 more hours to go.

I'll be back tomorrow with some freebies.

The Last Three Reading Street Journals

I typed out these last three journals in a hurry this morning.

It was a little easier, since by the end of the series, you hope that students are writing on their own, so many are left blank.

I did this this morning because I thought tomorrow was going to be moving day for me.

As I was finishing them up, I got an email that the school won't be open until Friday.

Oh well!  At least they are done and are here for your viewing pleasure.

 

Units 4, 5 and 6 of the Reading Street Series.

SF Journal Unit 4

SF Journal Unit 5

SF Journal Unit 6

Keep Calm

As everyone else has, I too have a new obsession with Pinterest.

And while exploring the awesome pins, I constantly run into versions of this:

You know you've seen it out there.  I was amazed at all of the different posters that have been adapted from this saying.

I was curious to know where this all started from and looked it up.

As everything is, I found it on Wikipedia.

It's a very interesting write up.

It apparently came about in 1939 by the British Government during WWII.

There were only a few copies made.

The poster was rediscovered in 2000 and the resurgence began.

You can read more about it HERE.

Here is my version:

Giveaway at Pocket Full of Kinders

is having the cutest giveaway.

1. $30 to a cute little store called Hue 529

2. $10 Gift Card

3. Cook Book

3 winners!

Go check it out HERE!

Postcard Exchange: Looking for more states!

Postcard Exchange Update

We need 19 states to compete the postcard exchange. Please view the list of states available. You DO NOT have to have a blog/wiki/ website to participate! If you are participating in another exchange please tell your teacher friends about us! We are needing teachers from the following states:

• Alaska
• Connecticut
• Delaware
• Idaho
• Maryland
• Minnesota
• Montana
• Nevada
• New Hampshire
• New Mexico
• North Dakota
• Oklahoma
• Pennsylvania
• Rhode Island
• South Dakota
• Utah
• Vermont
• West Virginia
• Wyoming

Go to Barrow's Hodgepodge HERE for details!

Giveaway at Herding Kats in Kindergarten

Jennifer over at

Herding Kats in Kindergarten

is giving away $10 to

 

Not Teacher Related, but Another Side of Me

Today I am working my side job.

Most of us teachers do a little extra something to help supplement our wonderful pay.

When I was single, I worked as a full time teacher, part time waitress/bartender, and sang in a band. It payed the bills and kept me semi-afloat.

Now I'm married and while I dropped the waitressing gig, I still sing in a band (only rehearse 1 night a week and gigs are hard to come by right now) and sing with a chorus (only rehearse 1 night a week and I just joined, so I don't perform with them yet).

And for almost 2 years I've been a Demonstrator for Uppercase Living.

Today I have an Open House with some friends and am excited, because I haven't been doing very well these past few months.  Our company is going through a BIG change so I hope that will amp up my selling spirits and get me back in the mood to do what I LOVE to do.

Don't know what Uppercase Living is? 

Check it out by clicking on the picture.

Just curious, how many of you have another job that you do besides teaching?

Comment below to let me know.

Giveaway at 4th Grade Frolics

is giving away the CUTEST bracelet I have ever seen!

Go to her page HERE to find out how to win this:

 

 

A Whole Lotta Linky Party - Day 5

Today's writing assignment is: Letter Writing

Write a letter to the author of a blog you admire. Be sure to include a link to the blog and the reasons why you enjoy reading it. 

Dear Kristen,

I absolutely adore your blog!  Your ideas, your organization, your blog layouts, etc. etc. etc.  You have everything so together and cute.  I love how dedicated you are to your blog.  Your video tutorials are a great resource, as well as your technology tips.  I also love that you love to share, like me.  Keep doing what you do and doing it so well.  Maybe one day, when I stop spending my money at Target and the Dollar Store, I will get one of your blog designs.  Thanks again for keeping such a fantastic blog going.  You are a great inspiration to me!

Your Blogging Friend,

Laura @Kinder Kraziness 

Voice Volume Chart - Take Two!

Ok..I'm going another round with this one.

Next time, remind me to proofread my work!

If you were here earlier today, I posted a voice volume chart.

It looked cute and adorable, but it was wrong!

I screwed the numbers up.  I didn't want it to go from 1-5, I wanted it to go backwards, but I got flustered when working with it and kind of lost focus.  So, here is Take Two. (Ha, that's pretty funny for me since I'm doing the Hollywood theme..get it..Take Two!) and Action!

1st here is the full 5 Volume Voice Level

By the way, I adapted this from Katie Mense over at Little Warriors.

She has a few different themes, if you're not in the mood for Hollywood.

You can check her out here!

Voice Volume

The second is a 4 Volume Voice that goes from 3-0. 

Next time I will check with school procedures before making my own. My former school didn't have a Zero Zone implemented, so I just did my own.

Anywho, there are now two versions, take your pick!

Voice Volume 0-3

Thanks again to Thistlegirldesigns.com for the cute graphics!

A Whole Lotta Linky Party - Day 3 & 4

Sorry for missing out yesterday.  As I posted, I just had no motivation to write.  Instead, I prepped my students take home folders and put together some journals. At least I feel a little more accomplished.

Today, I will combine yesterday and today's writing prompt.

Wednesday: Who is your favorite children's book author?

I LOVE KEVIN HENKES!

He has brought us so many wonderful stories with great morals.

Chrysanthemum - Don't judge friends by their differences.

Owen - It's ok to have something that keeps you safe, don't be ashamed to show it!

Lily's Purple Plastic Purse - Mind your manners and show Respect to your teacher.

Wemberly Worried - It's ok to be afraid of new things, but you won't know what it's like until you try.

Julius, Baby of the World - We should always be there for our siblings.

Chester's Way - It's ok to be different and to do things our own way.

Sheila Ray the Brave - Another book that shows that our siblings can help us out sometimes.

A Weekend with Wendall - When you cause trouble, trouble comes back to you.

How can you not love these stories.  Thank you Kevin Henkes, thank you!

Thursday: Share a recipe that you often make during the school year.

I am not the greatest cook in the world.  I am all about some Hamburger, Tuna or Chicken helper! During the school year, I usually use a company and buy our dinners premade so all I have to do is stick it in the oven and make the sides to go with it.  

Is that sad or what?

Would you believe that I used to sell Pampered Chef?

So, when I do cook, I usually use one of their recipes, since I have every single cookbook made by the company.

Here is one of my favorites:

via

It's yummy!

Not in the Mood

Have you ever had a day when you are just not in the mood to write anything?

I'm having one of those days today.

I have so much other stuff to do, so this is all you get from me.

Sorry =/

I promise I'll be better tomorrow if I can get everything accomplished today.

P.S. Pray for the teachers in the Memphis City School system.  It was announced yesterday that their school year would be delayed indefinitely.  They are waiting for the city of Memphis to bail them out of debt.  Such a greedy greedy school board.  Now many teachers are wondering what will happen next, especially to their jobs/pay.  My mom is one of them and is 3 years from retirement, how awful to have this happen now.  Pray for the students as well, there are so many who NEED to be in school, this is just awful all the way around.

A Whole Lotta Linky Party - Day 2

Today's prompt is:

Complete this sentence, “Based on the illustrations alone, my favorite picture book is _________.” Use photos or additional sentences to support your choice.

 

Based on the illustrations alone, my favorite picture book is:

 

Of course, I love the book too! But the illustrations are so mesmerizing!

I also love the way she makes the words a part of the pictures.

 

 It's just so much fun!

 

 All of the colors and how each chihuahua has their own color and personality, it's just brilliant to me.

 

I love reading this book as well.  I, of course, am one of those cheesy teachers who has the most amazing Spanish accent you've ever heard (haha!).

And the kids eat it up! 

My First Pinterest Re-do

I just recently got on Pinterest.  I had to see what all the buzz was about.

Yipes! There is a lot on there!

I found an easy project to do.

First pinned by Melissa Fortenberry

Awesome, right?

So I retyped and added a little clip art flair!

Enjoy!

4 Star Line

A Whole Lotta Linky Party - Day 1

 

How I'm Spending my Summer Vacation

by Laura 

My summer started the last week of May and only has 2 weeks left.  It started off with a week of resting and chilling out.  Then I had an interview at a new school.  The interview was on Friday, June 10th and I got the call Monday June 13th that I had been offered the job. I very happily accepted!

My new school is within 3 minutes driving time from my house, compared to the 30 I had been driving for the past 8 years. Needless to say, because of the economy, I was stoked!

The best part was that my new principal said..."you will be teaching kindergarten!"

I know I could teach any grade, but kindergarten is what I know and love.

The rest of June was non-eventful, minus the trip to Nashville to see New Kids on the Block and Backstreet Boys!  Ahh, to relive the days of my youth =)

July has been kind of boring as well.  I've mainly spent it blog stalking and creating things for my own blog.  It has also been spent with Professional Development classes and trips to the teacher center. Yes, the life of a teacher is never ending.  And who says we have summers off.

I know I don't!

The reason for know trips, my husband is jobless at the moment and decided to go back and get his GED.  He is wanting to go to school to be an X-ray technician.  I'm so proud of him for finally doing this.  I may nag sometimes for the way money is so tight around here right now, but he's doing what he needs to do and we'll be fine.

And that's how my summer has turned out this year.

Link up with us at Clutter-Free Classroom!

100th Day Ideas and Linky Party

I'm linking up with TBA about the 100th day of school!

Click the image to link up as well.

So, what do I do for the 100th day of school...TONS!

1. Take 100 steps from our classroom.

100 Steps

2. Necklace with 100 Fruit Loops.

3. Read Miss Bindergarten Celebrates the 100th Day of Kindergarten.

4. 100 exercises (10 of each) Run in place, sit ups, squats, jumping jacks..etc, etc.

5. Write about what you would spend $100 on.

6. Draw a picture of what you would look like when you're 100 years old.

7. I had a colleague who was a little more outgoing than I was and would dress up as a 100 y.o. lady with a walker and everything.  My kids LOVED it!

8. One year the students did a home project and put 100 items on a shirt.

9. Each student would bring in a paper bag with 100 small items in it.

The would write 3 clues on the paper and read it to the class.  

The class would have to guess what the item is.

*Content Removed due to new DJI Copyright ruling.*

10. 100 minutes of reading.  I set up a schedule for parents to come in and read 1 or 2 stories throughout the day and we time them until we reach 100 minutes.

What do you do to celebrate?