Monday Made It

Happy Monday (okay, maybe it's not so happy, when I realized I only have one more after this one before I go back)! All summer long, the big blank bulletin board in the back of my room has haunted me. I didn't know what I wanted to do. Then, I saw this bulletin board on Mrs. Lee's Kinder Kids. It was an inspiration to me!! My theme is owls, so I knew I had to do it!

With many hours and lots of help from my friend/co-worker, we finished it!!

I am absolutely in love with it! Now, go link up with 4th Grade Frolics, and show us what you made!!

10 Things I've Learned From Teaching

Today, I'm linking up with Miss Kindergarten, with 10 things I've learned from teaching. Sorry I've been MIA the past few days, but I haven't sat down much (know that feeling?)...OH wait, we're teachers :)

1. Kids tell all. They tell all about their families, dogs, friends, mom's boyfriend, etc. etc. I don't believe everything :)

2. As their teacher, you are a constant in their life. For some, you are the only constant normal. Hug them everyday. Make sure they know you love them. 

3. Teach them manners, and make them use them. It will take them far in life.

4.  Repetition, Repetition, Repetition. They need it for everything. Some catch on faster than others. 

5. Be flexible. Just when you have the perfect day planned out, something will happen. A fire drill, a kid gets sick, an unplanned assembly, a tornado warning, etc. Always be prepared to have to finish it later.

6. Wear comfortable shoes. Need I say more?

7. I've learned to stay away from certain stores if I don't want to hear my name 25 times ;) 

8. Ask questions. Especially if something doesn't seem "right."

9. Smile. It really can make your day better and someone else's better too!

10. Yes, we are there to teach, but have fun doing it! Be a teacher that everyone wants to come back to or have!

Liebster Award Nominee!!!

To accept this award I must:

1. Link back to the blog that nominated me

2. Nominate 5-11 blogs with fewer than 200 followers

3. Answer the questions posted for you by your nominator

4. Share 11 random facts about yourself

5. Create 11 questions for your nominees

6. Contact your nominees and let them know you nominated them

Read my posts below for all of my answers to the questions! I am writing 11 questions for my nominee, Mia at Diary of a Grumpy Teacher (how cute is that name)!

Questions:

1) What grade do you teach? What is your favorite thing about that grade? least-favorite?

2) What is one thing you want each one of your students to learn?

3) What is your favorite thing to do not school related?

4) What is your classroom theme? 

5) Favorite tv show & movie?

6) When do you start back to school?

7) Do you keep snacks in your room for yourself? (chocolate, etc)

8) How many students do you average in your class?

9) Who is your role-model?

10) What have you done this summer?

11) What is one thing you look forward to about this school year?

Happy Friday! I am off to set up for a yard sale! We haven't had one in 2 years, so it is time!!

Liebster Part 2

Thank you, Melanie, for nominating me for the Liebster award. See my post from yesterday for my first set of quesitons! 

1. If you weren't a teacher, what would you be? Probably a Pediatric Nurse. I really can't imagine being anything other than a teacher!
2. What is your favorite thing about your classroom? All of my bright colors (and owls). 
3. What do you like least about your classroom? some of the limitations such as can't put that there because that would be in the way (normal stuff)
4. What are you currently reading? I want to read Redeeming Love, but haven't downloaded it yet. 
5. How long have you been blogging? since July 1st
6. Pets? Funny you should ask. Growing up, I always had a cat outside. 4 years ago, my last cat died. Well, we decided to get a cat after we got married. It would be an inside cat. Let's just say, it didn't work out well. We are in the process of looking for him a new home or possibly us a new home that would have a backyard (we live in a townhouse). 
7. What school supply can't you live without? That's a tough question, but my husband would probably say COLORFUL pens. I did all my grading in different colors and loved it! I look at pens everywhere we go :)
8. What is your dream vacation destination? ITALY! Always has been. We hope to go for our 10 year anniversary. Only 9 more years to go!
9. What's on your summer bucket list? I think my biggest thing I wanted to do was to spend more time with family. So far, I have done that!
10. What is your "go to" blog? I am just really getting into faithfully following blogs, so that's a hard one to pick!
11. Favorite snack? anything sweet! I was craving ice cream earlier today! (I distracted myself with cleaning - lame, I know)!

11 More Facts:

1. I am extremely thankful for my teaching job! I know it's not easy to get one! I was an aide two years before I got my first job! God always provides!

2. I don't like thunderstorms. 

3. I have lived in the South all of my life, and wouldn't trade it! With that being said, I am a Auburn fan!

4. I met 5 of my students for the year today. They are attending "boot camp." I am loving getting to know them!

5. Getting up early was a rude reminder of what it will be like in a month. 

6. I have several hundred children's books, on all levels. Most were bought at yard sales or thrift stores.

7. One of my biggest pet peeves is for parents not to take care of their children. 

8. I sometimes fill my schedule way too much. I'm learning how to say no to some things.

9. My parents brought be duct tape tonight with owls on it. :)

10. I grew up playing softball and one of my favorite sports to watch is baseball!

11. One of my best friends is my 85 year old grandmother. I talk to her everyday!

I would be honored to nominate anyone! Let me know if you know someone because I still haven't found anyone with less than 200 followers (that hasn't been nominated), but would love to!  

Liebster Award

I feel so honored to have been nominated for the Liebster award by Brittany and Melanie (my name too)! Today, I am answering Brittany's questions and tomorrow, I will answer Melanie's. 

To accept this award I must:

1. Link back to the blog that nominated me

2. Nominate 5-11 blogs with fewer than 200 followers

3. Answer the questions posted for you by your nominator

4. Share 11 random facts about yourself

5. Create 11 questions for your nominees

6. Contact your nominees and let them know you nominated them

1. What's your best piece of advice for a first year teacher?  Have fun and remember to breathe! Don't forget that you have a life outside of the classroom (I still have to remind myself of this). Be nice to everyone :)
2. What's your favorite teacher website? Pinterest ;) for myself and I really like adventuretofitness.com to keep this kids active!
3. What is your dream job? I really believe that I am living my dream job! I don't dread going to work!
4. What's your favorite subject or topic to teach and why? MATH! I absolutely love teaching math! It's hands-on, and there are so many ways to teach one concept!
5. What's your favorite food? anything Italian (and of course chocolate) :)
6. When did you know that you wanted to be a teacher? I knew growing up that I wanted to be a teacher, from a very young age. It was just part of who I was!
7. What do you like to do during the summer? rest, rest, rest haha Besides resting, I like to shop, play with my nephews, go on trips, etc. Oh & I plan for the next year!
8. Who's your hero and why? My dad is my hero. My biological mom passed away when I was five, and he stepped up to the plate and never looked back. He has taught me so many things, and always to believe in my dreams. He married a wonderful woman, who has always treated me like her own!
9. What's your favorite organizational tool? all sorts of buckets :) 
10. What's the best pin you've pinned on Pinterest? There are too many to name! So, go check out my Kindergarten Board and feel free to follow me!
11. How you do you start off the school year? 99 MPH (haha). I start it with a smile, focusing on getting to know my students. I have to find out where they are so I know where to go!

11 Facts About Me

1. I love the Gilmore Girls. I am actually watching an episode now that was recorded.

2. The next two weeks, I will be teaching "Kindergarten Bootcamp." It is basically a preview for Kindergarten.

3. I am enjoying figuring out this whole blog thing. My goal is to learn something new each week.

4. I don't know how my classroom would be ready with out my husband and parents!

5. I taught 3rd grade the past two years, but I am looking forward to the change!

6. My Kindergarten teacher is still near and dear to my heart. We meet every so often for lunch and she comes and reads to my class!

7. I got married a year ago on June 30th. I am a very lucky girl!

8. I love to watch my students learn and want to learn more.

9. I have two nephews.

10. I go to Target 2-3 times a week. It's so bad that they know me by name.

11. I am a big sweets eater. 

12. I have so many projects going on this summer, it's not even funny :) Am I the only one?

My nominations: 

So, I'm a rule breaker. I guess I don't deserve the reward haha BUT, I have looked for an hour for blogs that have less than 200 followers and haven't been nominated. So, if you read my blog, and want to be nominated, LEAVE ME A COMMENT, and you can help me not be such a bad rule breaker :)

I hope you have a great week!!!

Gotta Slow Down :)

Wow! I was nominated for Liebster Award twice! I promise to do those posts later today or tomorrow!

I had a training for a new assessment we are doing this year two days this week, then I spent the evenings at school. I spent all day at school yesterday with my mom getting things ready for Monday (Kindergarten Bootcamp). I will be back up there finalizing things tomorrow!

Today, I have cleaned out stuff for the yard sale next Saturday, and am about to go to the grocery store. We are then going to visit my in-laws! So, once I slow down, I will be back to answer the questions from the award!

What does your weekend look like?

Wednesday Randomness

I figured it was time to share a little bit about me, so here are some random facts!

1. I married the love of my life on June 30, 2012. We just celebrated our 1 year anniversary in Myrtle Beach.

2. I was born and raised in Alabama. I have traveled many places, and there is no place like home!

3. I knew from a very early age that I wanted to be a teacher. I had an amazing Kindergarten teacher who has inspired me for a really long time!

4. I am obsessed with buying school supplies and anything with an owl. :)

5. I have two nephews. They are 9 and 7. They hold a very special place in my heart!

6. I taught 3rd grade for the past two years. In May, I found out that I would be teaching Kindergarten this coming August.

7. I am a Christian. I pray everyday that I will be the best teacher that I can be!

8. I sat through a training today for another assessment tool. I have to go back tomorrow. Don't they know I have a classroom to set up by Monday because we start Kindergarten Boot Camp?

9. Boot Camp is two weeks and just a preview of Kindergarten. Only two out of the seven teachers teach Boot Camp.

10. I am excited about starting a blog. Any tips are appreciated. Feel free to ask me any questions too :) 

Monday Made It

This summer, I had (still have) a list of many things I want to make for my classroom! One of which were the "I Spy" bottles. I made one with numbers and one with letters. I am probably going to make at least one more of each because I have all of the stuff!

Step 1: Measure how much rice you will need for the bottle. I used the big gatorade bottles, but I also have a mayonnaise jar ready to be filled. So, any kind is fine. Just make sure to run it through the dishwasher and let it dry really good!

Step 2: Color the rice. I put the rice in a baggie with 2 tablespoons rubbing alcohol and food coloring. The more food coloring you use, the brighter the color. I then put paper towels on top of a cooling rack and let it dry over night. 

I then used the funnel again to get the rice in the bottles. I used beads found at Hobby Lobby with letters and numbers. I will use the letter bottle in stations with an "I Spy" paper (another project). Make sure to hot glue the tops on, so they can't open them! (talk about a mess) :)

I plan to make one with sight words too! It is a pretty cheap project! 

Make sure to visit 4th Grade Frolics for more creative ideas! Happy Monday!

Blog Hop

I am really excited about getting to be a part of blog hops now! With this certain blog hop, there is a give-a-way at A Teacher Without a Class. Teaching is a Gift has free posters! I am so excited to read new blogs and I hope you are too!

Being Productive

Do you have to-do lists a mile long? or 2 miles? I know the feeling! I think I'm too scared to write it all out in fear that it might be 2 miles long. BUT, I have been semi-productive the last few days! July is going to be a busy month, which I'm not really accepting yet considering school starts back in August!

Have you been productive lately? (Don't worry, I've had my lazy moments too). I have so many projects going on that laziness is not an option anymore!

Follow the link to bloglovin' to follow my blog! I am going to be sharing my classroom ideas/projects in the next week!

Follow Me!

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Happy 4th of July!

 

 

 

 

Happy 4th of July!! Thank you all to who serve!

 

Some of my favorite lessons are ones teaching about American History! If only we were in school today! ;)

 

Today, my husband and I were low key due to very heavy rain. It was heavy enough that it flooded our street, but it did recede after a few hours!

 

 

 

Welcome!

I have been contemplating starting a teaching blog, and I have finally taken the leap! I can't wait to start sharing things I'm doing for my classroom this summer! Leave me some tips on the blog land :)