I Can't Believe It!

I got an email last night that an Anonymous Donor funded the rest of my project on

This is my second project funded and y'all it was a big deal, because I was about to start sending out letters of pleas to businesses in my local area. 

My project lacked $249 from being complete and someone was generous enough to foot the rest of the bill!

So now my lovely kiddos next year and for the rest of my teaching career (if it lasts that long) will have a new and improved

listening center!

And I am getting this cart

for our math stations!

Okay..that's all I have time for today. I've got a Thirty-One party tonight with my PTA ladies! 

If you want the Large Utility Tote for only $10, tonight is the last night to order.

Spend $35 and get the tote for $10!

Click the link to place your order today!

Have a great weekend everyone!

Another EASY Organization Project

DONE!

Want to know what I've done now?  Well, it's actually something that I've done before and for some reason when I moved schools, I stopped doing it.

But, my lovely friend Staci from

convinced me that I needed to do it again. You can click on her button and it will take you to her post about her container obsession and her crayon organization.

While I was out shopping, I found that Sterilite now makes a small drawer set with FIVE drawers instead of three! How awesome is that. I can store my crayons AND not take up tons of space with 3 or 4 sets of drawers. I didn't like stacking them, because I just knew a kiddo would knock them down (and they did!). So this is an answer to ALL of my problems.

I also made labels for the drawers and taped them on the inside, like the tool box idea.

Forgive the orange look in the before picture...I should've used a flash and I didn't. Here is the full picture of the end result.

I am REALLY loving the polka dot frames from

So that's how I made the labels. And I know that you would LOVE a set for your own, right?
Well, click the pic and grab a copy for yourself! And please, feel free to pin!!

What I'm Pinning Wednesday

Since the Fourth of July is next Wednesday, I thought I would show my favorite holiday pins for that day. If you'd like to do the same, please feel free and link up with me!!!

1. I LOVE making cake pops and these are too cute. I might try to tackle this one for next week.

Source: myjuicecup.com via Laura on Pinterest

2. Here are a few healthier ways to celebrate the holiday.

Source: impressedinc.com via Laura on Pinterest

3. Cute wreath from color paper

Source: familyfun.go.com via Laura on Pinterest

4. I love these decorations for the home

Source: thebellalifeblog.com via Laura on Pinterest

5. And a little more sweetness

Source: allrecipes.com via Laura on Pinterest

All pictures can be linked through clicking on them. They will take you to the appropriate source.
I would love for you to join my Linky Party. I have one EVERY Wednesday. So, even if you can't make it this week, please remember me for the next!

Daily Five: Chapter 3 Book Study

Here we go with Chapter 3. I am really enjoying this study and reading everyone's answers to the questions. It's nice to know that I'm not alone in my struggles with my kindergarten kiddos. This book has been an eye opener and I am kicking myself for not jumping on the wagon when I heard about it a few years ago.

Tammy at Live, Love, Laugh is our hostess with the mostest this week. And she has posed a few questions about this weeks chapter. Here are my findings:

1. Establish a gathering place for brain and body breaks.
Do you call your gathering place anything special?
We have a gathering place in our room, but it's simply called "the floor". It's where we come for all of our whole group activities, lessons, calendar, morning meeting..everything! Maybe next year with my Hollywood theme, I'll call it the "actors table" or the "cutting room floor" or maybe the "actors guild". Ooh, talk about a vocabulary lesson =)

2. Developing the concept of "good fit" books:
Okay...so here was my one problem. Since I'm new to this concept, I'm having a hard time converting what they say about "good fit" books and IPICK for my kinder kiddos. To give you an example of my classroom make up here are last years stats: I had 17 students (at the beginning of the year), 3 could not even tell me the letters in their name, 7 were not familiar with more than 15 letters in the alphabet, 5 were able to least sound out letters, 1 was putting CVC sounds together and 1 was reading on a 2nd grade level. 
Do you just give them choices of leveled readers and picture books in the beginning? Do you wait until their reading skills have progressed? Does it matter if they are reading yet or not? 
What I usually do is choose books that go with our letter of the week and theme and have them on a shelf for students to look at. Sometimes they find words that they know, sometimes they write words that they don't know and bring them to conference time, sometimes they just look at the pictures for fun. I knew it wasn't a great process, but I didn't know where to go to from there. 
So, my kinder friends who have done this before, what do you do if you want to get this started at the beginning of the year?
 
3. Create anchor charts with students
How will these be visual in the room? Where will you store them? What about small spaces?
I am so excited to make my Anchor Charts this year. I've used them in the past but have not been consistent with them. I am also excited that I am getting a smartboard this year which will free up a lot of space on my chalkboard. That means I can put them all up on the board for everyone to see! 

4. Short, repeated intervals of independent practice and setting up book boxes  
How are you going to keep track of stamina? What will you use for book boxes? What are you going to put in those book boxes on the 1st day of school?
I have always taught in micro lessons, ever since I learned about Whole Brain Teaching. I think this will translate well to the short, repeated intervals needed for independent practice. To track stamina, it will be a lot easier with the cute signs that I found on Pinterest that other bloggers made. THANK YOU!!  I already have my book boxes in mind. I have a cubby cart that I've used for their "mailbox" in the past. It can easily be converted to their book boxes! Not sure about the first day of school yet though. Guess I need to make friends with my local library ladies and let my school librarian know ahead of time what I'm up to! Going on last years make up, I will definitely be including easy to read books like Brown Bear, Chicka Chicka Boom Boom, books with color words, picture books and level A readers. This year I will do something different though. I will have my chapter books out for the kiddos to read and not just the teacher. You know you've all done that before, had the kid friendly picture books out there for them, but kept your precious chapter books to yourself for whole group reading time. Not anymore!
 
5. Calm Signals and check in procedures  
Do you already have a signal? How will you handle check ins?
I do have a signal already, but I really like the idea of the chimes. In the past, I've used a rainstick which is nice and calming, but not always loud enough for them to hear. So, I have a bell that I use. It's not harsh, it's easy to hear and I only ring it twice. It's worked in the past, so maybe I'll continue to do it until I can get me some neat-o chimes!
Have you seen this pin yet? Love it! It's an old Playskool Xylophone. The bars were taken off and hung to make a hanging chime!
 

Source: redtedart.com via Laura on Pinterest

6. Using the correct model/incorrect model approach for demonstrating appropriate behaviors.  
Will you keep track of inappropriate behaviors? If they are not doing what is expected, then they are calling out for attention...what other ways can you give them some extra attention so that they can be more independent during D5?
Our school is incorporating PBIS this year. We are modeling correct/incorrect behaviors in EVERY area of the school building. This will be great when working in our classroom as well. We are also giving out "Panther Paws" for positive behavior. PBIS leads right into student actions in the classroom. If those calling out for attention see the others being rewarded for doing what's right, maybe they will change those behaviors. If that doesn't work, let them be the helper, let them show the other students the right way, let them be the star they want to be without calling them out or getting them in trouble. Also, with PBIS you have to keep track of inappropriate behaviors. This is going to be the best thing for me. I've not always been the best at documentation. Now I HAVE to be!

I'll be interested to see what others have to say about Chapter 3 and would LOVE thoughts from you Kinder teachers who are already using D5!

Next week, we will be heading over to Mrs. Miner's Kindergarten for Chapter 4! So excited for this one!

  
And lastly, please go check out my blog buddy Greg's site! He's having a 100 follower giveaway! I'm so excited for him!

  

Voting Begins Today!

Most Fascinating Voting begins today!!! 

Click the pic and you will be taken to their Google Plus page. Open up the comments, scroll down to my address (http://kinderkraziness.blogspot.com), when the +1 pops up, click it to vote for me!


Now that the important stuff is out of the way...

I have an update from Friday's post.  First, thanks to everyone who put in their opinion. I really appreciate it and have decided what I want to do.

I am going to remove my desk from my room and I am going to keep my small group table and one for my computers. 

As for the kids tables, I'm going to try something. I am going to keep 2 tables for the kids to sit at AND I am also going to create spaces around the room for them to work at. That way, they have a choice. If some prefer to sit at the table, then they can. If some prefer to sit on the floor or in a created space, they can.

This seems like an easier transition rather than pulling ALL of the tables at once. It will also give me a chance to see what the kiddos lean toward.

So that's where I am with the room situation. Now, if I could only get into my room to get this started! =)

Happy Monday!

Someone New Sunday

This week I would like to introduce a fellow Tennessean! I can't help but be partial to my bloggers from my home state! Today I would like you to meet Mr. Smedley from:

Smedley's Smorgasboard of Kindergarten

How long have you been teaching?

6 years, 3 in kindergarten

What is your teaching "style"?

My style involves a lot of hands on, interactive learning. We do a lot of art projects to reinforce our learning and we use technology from the time we arrive until we go home. My classroom is a family of scholars who are always working together, talking about learning and teaching each other. Of course we sing, dance, laugh and have way too much fun as we explore our world!

What is your most memorable teaching moment?

My first year in kindergarten I had a little girl who had months of severe head lice and had missed a lot of school.  She knew what was going on and would tell me, "Mr. Smedley, I don't want to go home" anytime we'd have to send her home. After this had gone on for months, I got a phone call from the office. My student was in the office crying because her mom had resorted to shaving her hair off as a solution. The child was devastated. She came to class wearing a hat, crawled in my lap and sobbed. I sent her on an "errand" and had a talk with the class. We talked about how sometimes mom and dad do things we don't like and we just have to do it. We read "Hooway for Wodney Wat" and talked about being different. As we were talking, one of my babies raised her hand and says, "Mr. Smedley, she's still the same Becky, right?" I said of course she was and my friend replied, "Then we still love her the same as we always did." And for the rest of the week we all wore hats to support our friend. The next day when she came to school and walked into class to see us all wearing hats, her face lit up because she knew she was among friends.

Why do you blog?

I decided to start blogging to share my ideas and experiences and eventually my creations. I bring a very unique perspective because I'm a male in a female dominated world. I want to share that perspective and hopefully inspire others. I also want to share the amazing things that happen in our inner city classroom to dispel rumors and expectations that inner city schools are all bad.

Where else can we find you?

Make sure to visit his newly opened TPT store and check out his Monstrously Good Behavior freebie

And please be sure to stop by and visit his blog.

Thanks for stopping by and have a great Sunday afternoon!

Say What You Want Saturday

Yay! I finally redid a button for my Saturday posts! Cute huh? Like the frame, you should go check out

She has them for free right now and they are adorable!!! Thank you Miss N!!

Okay, so we didn't get to go see Brave yesterday..I was a little bummed, but life got in the way. More importantly, bank issues got in the way. But it's okay...just an hour long conversation with the bank trying to figure out our lovely personal problems...just a peachy afternoon! =)

We are going to try and go Sunday when hubs is off work again. Maybe, not so many kiddos going on Sunday afternoon either =)

I so want to put ****squirrel**** right here, but I feel as though it's trade marked by a few other ladies =) but I did just have a moment!

Thanks to everyone who commented yesterday about the possibility of going desk"less" and table"less. I'm actually still in debate over things. I've actually made a pros and cons list and it's pretty even keel. I think I might just go for it and see what happens and if I see it's not working and they are not adjusting, then I'll simply switch back. I can get my tables back (hopefully!).

Now my big question is....do I ask my principal or do I just do it..you know the old "it's better to ask for forgiveness than permission." I so feel that way right now!

In the mean time, I went to a few yardsales today and brought home a few goodies.

1. A canvas dropped book storage for FREE. I am taking off the canvas and taking it to my crafty momma to see if she can make me a new one in a red and black material!

2. I could not resist this! I'm looking for small chairs and things for kiddos to use if I don't have tables. I found this little cowboys chair for $2! and had to bring it home. I may recover it to fit with my room or it may stay at my house for future little Cowboy fans in our family. I also had to buy it because the hubs is NOT a fan...he's a little more dedicated to the green and gold of the packers..ugh!

3. We have a great Facebook site here in Memphis called Better Than Ebay. I bought this Leapster with FOUR games for $15...ya'll I saved like $85 on this and there is NOTHING wrong with it!

4. This telephone table for $20. It needs some TLC but I thought it would be another great work space for the kiddos. So I'm sanding it down this week, spray painting it red and reupholstering the seat. What I also love is the deep pocket for a clip board or something on the side and a little shelf inside for supplies!

5. 3 Lap Desks..they were a little pricey for a yard sale and she had tons, but she wouldn't budge on the price. So I got all 3 for $6...you do the math =)

So what do you think?  Pretty good deals eh?

I'm now getting off of here and are going to work on some new Center Signs to fit the Daily 5 and give them a little Hollywood Flair. I should have them ready to post for my book study on Tuesday.

Enjoy your weekend!

A Link Up & A Question (I need your opinion)

Happy Friday Everyone! I am SO ready for the weekend. Today hubby and I are going to see BRAVE!!  I love me some Disney and even more so I LOVE all things Scottish! When they announced this movie over a year ago, I just could NOT wait. Are you going to see it?

That was not my pressing question that I mentioned in the title..I was just curious if anyone else was excited about this one =)

I am linking up with my friend Heather from Mrs. Shelton's Kindergarten.  This is her first linky party, so please help her be successful with it!! =)

You would not believe this, but when I began my teaching career, I DID NOT want to teach kindergarten. I was actually all set to teach third grade and then numbers changed and a last minute switch was made to put me in Kindergarten.  I took the news well and didn't go kicking and screaming to the "yellow hall" where the K rooms were. I took it on as a challenge =)

What I wish I had been told, was that it's not as bad as it seems. I fell in love with my first class of kiddos and really loved watching them grow. I think it's the one grade level where you can really see 5 year olds LEARN!

I also wish I had been told that glue sticks are much better than glue bottles. Ugh! I hate teaching the kids how to use glue bottles. Sticks sometimes aren't much better - I had a girl one year who LOVED them as a tasty snack..eww!  When we kinder teachers say you have to expect them to know NOTHING when they come in, this includes how to use supplies correctly! So remember that!

Click the button above to link up with Heather!

********************************
Okay, now on to the big question that I need help with.
I've been toying around with the idea of going table"less" in my classroom this year.
I've already got it set that I am getting rid of my teacher desk, but the thought of taking away tables that my kiddos sit at daily, frightens me just a little.
I've seen a few posts out there about teachers who have and they seem to really like it.

I still plan on keeping my reading table and computer table and maybe one round table for writing. Then I'm going to start hunting down kid furniture at yard sales (the little couches, chairs, tables etc).

So what do you think? Would you do it? Pros/Cons? 

Thanks for your opinions!!

Daily 5 Book Study: Chapter 2

Today I'm linking up with Caitlin at 

with the Daily Five book study.

Here are the questions and my answers from Chapter 2:

1. Do you trust your students? How do you build this trust? Are you able to trust them and allow them to be independent throughout all aspects of your day? Are you going to be able to stay out of their way?

A. As I reflect on the last few years, I believe that I do trust my students. However, I only trust some. You know, the ones who come into your room who already exhibit your expectations of behavior. You pick them out immediately to be your helpers (favorites, if you will). I trust them to do what they need too, the others, I try to build trust, but am still watching them like a hawk.

B. This year I want to build trust with ALL of my students. I know this can happen through modeling my expectations and continuing to model throughout the year. I can also build trust through letting them do more things independently. 

C. Those students that I trust, are trusted throughout all aspects of the day. I let them go to the restroom by themselves, get water, go run other errands for me. There are others who I partner up with a trusted student to do things throughout the day. I know this will have to change.

D. I am going to try my best to get out of their way. Again, this will all go back to how I model my expectations at the beginning. How I start off my first 2 weeks of school will determine the rest of the year! So now I have to trust someone even bigger than the kiddos...MYSELF! (eek! =)

2. How much choice do you give your students throughout the day? Do you go over your daily schedule with your students or is it just 'posted' in the room? 

A. My students have very little choice (it all goes back to that trust, right?). We work in whole group together, they follow a schedule for literacy and math stations (a schedule that I've designated for them), some days they don't even have a choice in play centers. I assign by table, group, partners..whatever. It's my schedule...boy do I have a big change coming in my room!!!  Yipes!

B. I have a daily schedule posted, one day we might go over our day, the next day eh, not so much. I am usually really good at going over it daily at the beginning of the year, but then I "assume" it is a routine for them and they should know what we're doing by now. Guess I need to change that too.

3. How are you going to create that sense of community where students will hold each other accountable?

I already create a sense of community at the beginning of the year. We learn about each other, we talk about things that are going on in our lives in morning meeting. We talk about of Classroom Norms and things we can do to act on these norms. I feel I do a good job with this, but can probably expound upon it and do even more. Showing the kiddos that if a friend is stuck on something, what can you do to help them or if someone is acting improperly, could you help them correct their behavior to help the me out. Wow, what great trust would that be.

4. Student ownership in learning? How do you instill this in every child?

This is when I bring in those lovely Anchor Charts. Make them interactive, let the kiddos have a say so in how they are going to learn this skill/topic. I have not always done this. I actually just started skimming the surface of the anchor chart world last year. Still thinking at the end of this year, why had I not done these before and what can I do to incorporate MORE. 

Also, show them why learning is so important. Ask them what they want to be when they grow up. What do you think you need to know for that profession? It usually all ends up back at reading/writing. 

This part of the book reminded me of a new commercial out where this kid keeps asking, "why?" Isn't that EVERY 5 year old! So we need to help them with the "why" so that soon, they are answering the question for themselves.  

   

5. Stamina! How are you going to build stamina with reading? independent work? Will you use a timer? Will you set goals?

This will be a challenging goal. I'm one who usually starts my stations after modeling and practice and give them 15 minutes for each rotation. This was usually disastrous, but remember from my last post, I was the hovering teacher who walked around making sure they stayed focused...even when I had 2 students over here finished in 2 minutes, and on the other end I had 5 students who still needed more time. I am ALL for stamina, setting goals starting with 1 minute and moving up to 10 or 15 minutes. This will definitely be a new experience for me.

I think, once stamina is built, I can do the whole "stay out of the way" thing. It will be hard, but if I want a more effective classroom, it's what I HAVE to do.

Next week we are heading back over to Tammy's wonderful blog to discuss Chapter 3!

   

I am also over at Ms. Kerri and her Krazy Kindergarten today. Go check out my post about The Secret Stories by clicking her button.

What I'm Pinning Wednesday!

I have been a bad pinner here recently! My summer went from laid back too holy cow in 1 day!
My PBIS team has been meeting regularly and we are trying to get things DONE so that we don't have to worry about them in July. So, that's why I didn't have a post yesterday. I haven't had time to read chapter 2 yet (well..I probably could have but The Hunger Games trilogy is AMAZING! And I'm almost done with Mockingjay).

So, my pins are not very impressive this week. I do however, want to introduce you to a pretty cool new blog that is ALL about pinning. Yay!

I am LOVING this blog! You MUST follow them for their great pins!

I honestly have no pins to share this week. I know..totally crazy. However, I'm still going to have the linky at the bottom if you want to join.

Welcome to my newest followers! Yesterday morning I woke up to 803. Today it's 836...that must meant that some of you are coming over from Mrs. Eberhart's blog!
So glad to have you aboard!

And if you don't know about Eberhart's Explorers, you need to jump over there now.  She's having a huge 1,000 follower giveaway. I'm donating to her awesome giveaway and hope to be at 1,000 someday. Over 800 though is still amazing...heck, I was surprised at 200 =)

Now, you can link up and show me what you're pinning today. I promise I'll get back on the pin boards as soon as my committee has everything in order.

One Away, A winner and A Nomination

1. I am one follower away from 800! Thank you to everyone posted about my giveaway and got me some new great followers!!  I am so excited.

When I started this blog last June, I did not know where it would take me. I started it because I saw all of the great things that everyone out there is sharing. I figured, I can share too. I'm a pretty decent teacher who sometimes knows what she's doing. Some of my posts have been amazing and some have been NOT so amazing. But it's all a big learning process and I'm still growing, not just as a blogger, but as a teacher. I've been teaching for 10 years and though I don't claim myself to be a veteran, any veteran teacher can tell you, there is ALWAYS room to grow. Not only have I learned things along the way, but I think I've made some great new friends. Especially those from across my state, my awesome Tennessee teacher buddies who I NEVER would've met otherwise. I love my blog friends! They are a great support group!

Okay, enough of the sappy stuff right? =)

I bet you ALL want to know who one my giveaway right?!

2. Well, there can only be one winner and I am proud to announce that:
a Rafflecopter giveaway
Congratulations Janine from Faithful in First!!  I've got an email going out to all of my lovely bloggers who helped me with this and they will be contacting you directly. And I will too =)

3. Lastly, I woke up this morning to an email that said my blog had been nominated because of one of my Say What You Want Saturday posts!!! I couldn't believe it!! I am so excited!!! I wish it would've linked back to which one!!  I've had some great posts on Saturdays!!!
I really know how to over use an exclamation mark!!!

Here is my lovely button for the nomination and I can't believe the company I am in. There are a lot of amazing Kinder Teachers out there!




So thank you followers! I really appreciate each and every one of you. I would not have even been considered, if it wasn't for you. Voting is from June 25 - July 2! Can't wait to see what happens.

I'm sorry I don't have much educational content here today. I just had to say thanks to everyone. I'll be back tomorrow with my Daily 5 Chapter Two review. My eyes are definitely being opened. =)

Happy Monday!