Here's to a New Year

I had every intention of writing about my classroom set up this year. 

However, this is one of the only photos I took of my classroom so far. 

Last week was busy. Busier than any year so far. 

Including the year I was hired in September and had two days to set up my room. 

Between moving rooms, being team leader, and having a team of all new to K teachers, I was stressed. 

Not to mention those extra 4 kids I got Friday afternoon. 

We have a whole extra class between us right now, and they can't hire a new teacher for at least a month. 

Then the copier at work died, and won't be fixed until Monday.

All that to say, taking pictures of my room was the absolute last thing on my mind. 

Maybe I'll remember this week, or maybe those 22 5 years olds will make me forget. 

Either way, I leave you with my favorite student quotes from last year. 

Hopefully this new bunch will keep me laughing just as much!

Student 1- (points to picture on my desk) "What are you doing there?"

Student 2- "They're taking a picture! Duh!"

Student- "How did you grow up?"

Me- "What do you mean?"

Student- "Well I know you were a baby once, but how did you get to be an adult so fast?"

Working on a sample math problem. 

Me- "How do you know 8 is greater?"

Student- " Because they circled it for you!"

Student- " My mom is 99 years old. On her birthday she'll be 100!"

Student- "If you keep putting sand in your shirt your momma gonna say take a bath!"

Science Prompt: Draw a picture of something that moves slowly.

Answers: A Baby. My Grandpa. 

Student- "I'm allergic to kissing"

Student 1- "Why did we get new markers?"

Me- "Well a lot of them disappeared when I was out."

Student 2- "I think a marker monster must have ate them!"

After talking non-stop for 20 minutes. 

Student- "My aunt says one day I'll learn to keep my mouth shut"

Me- "How will you learn that?"

Student- "Someone will probably punch me in the mouth for talking too much."

It's That Time of Year

It's time. 

Today starts my official first day back,and by official I mean paid and have to show up. 

We all know I've been in there almost every day for the last two weeks!
This year is bringing about a ton of changes for me, but I'm really excited.
First I became the K inclusion classroom teacher,
Then I moved rooms,
Next I became team leader.
If that wasn't enough my entire team from the past two years was broken up,
So it's me, 3 new to K teachers, and a para.
Plus those 8 ESE students and 10 "typically developing" students.
Whew, that's a lot.
Of course, leave it to me to decide to change up lots of stuff this year!
It's going to be a major learning and growing experience, but I'm excited for the challenge. 

To start the year off right I made some cute beginning of year gifts.

Everyone on my team is getting one of these today as first day pick me up.

Everyone got a cute patterned composition book, post-its, sharpie, and highlighter.
Not shown, Dove dark chocolate.
What teacher gift is complete without chocolate?


I love how the gift tag came out. I saw the wording somewhere on pinterest.

I just started working on my student's gifts for Open House.

I printed it on bright paper to match my theme.
I'll punch holes on top and bottom and slip a pencil in.
Click the picture to download this freebie!

 

Colorado 2014

Colorado is always so beautiful and this year was no exception. 

It was also really nice and cool, a wonderful change from 90 degree South Florida. 

One of our first days we were able to go to dinner with friends of ours who just moved there. 

We went to this really weird burger place, it was great!

We spent the rest of the trip hanging out and hiking. 

We also spent a day in Breckenridge, which was one of the things I wanted to do the most!

 

So beautiful!

 
Our first hike of the trip, the tree house.


Of course I had to spend time snuggling this cute 5 month old!
Love my niece!


One of my favorite nights!
Most people went to a play, but we stayed back.
We spent most of the time playing with this cutie!
He loved popping the bubbles Riley was blowing for him.
I was so impressed with how they sat on the grass!


SO much joy!

 

She had so much fun with this dollar store kite!

Classroom DIY Crate Seats and Chart Stand

So excited to finally be linking up and showing the things I've been busy making for my room!

I finally made crate seats for my classroom!

I've been wanting to make them for awhile and just haven't gotten around to it.

I made 4 of them for my classroom library and love how they turned out. 

I bought the crates at Walmart for under $4.

Take the crate with you to Home Depot! 

The man I worked with was great and kept trimming it till it fit with enough room for my fabric. 

 I stapled on three sides pulling the fabric pretty tight. 

I flipped it over, stuffed it with poly fill, and stapled the last side down. 

I then attached another piece of fabric in a loop for a pull. 

TADA! I can't wait to use them!

I saw the coolest way to make your own chart stand using PVC pipes somewhere online.
I can't for the life of me find it now!

I've been wanting a way to hang my chart paper near my carpet area, but didn't want to spend a ton.
I was able to make this one for under $10.
It fits my largest chart paper.
I purchased two pieces of PVC pipe, two elbow connectors, and 4 T-connectors.
I used two 30" and two 40" pieces for the frame, plus the elbow and two T.

The Frame

I added two 2" pieces from the bottom of the T connectors and four 6" pieces for the stand.
I need to get ends for the legs because it slightly rocks without it.
I used old shower curtain rings to hold the paper.
I'm so excited to use this in my room!

I've been bury working on so many products for teachers pay teachers.

Focus Board Header!
I can't wait to put this up in my room this week!

ABC Apple Matching, Chalk Board Class Jobs, Number Clip Cards

Apple Number Clip Cards

Don't forget to check out TPT for their back 2 school sale!
You can find all these products and more in my TPT store for up to 28% off!