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!

 

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!

The End is Near

The end of the school year always sneaks up and then rushes by!

I have been so busy with everything happening recently. 

Not only have I been busy with the usual end of the year stuff, 

but we had a lot of school activities as well.

Not to mention, many changes for me next school year. 

I will not only be Kindergarten team leader, but I will have the inclusion class. 

This means any of the ESE students will come to my room and I will have a full time aid. 

I'm excited for all the changes, but it also means packing and moving classrooms!

With only this week to go I worry it's not going to get done!

1// We had swim for two weeks. 
Hot and sweaty called for a daily top knot.

 2// Class Butterflies! 
We spent the month raising them from caterpillars. 

3// Pony Races! 
One of my favorite things we do at the end of the school year. 

 4// Career Day!
Although the beginning of our crazy end of the year schedule, the kids always love it. 

5// Field Day!
Why oh why do we do these things in May? 
90 degree weather, I am not a fan!

 6// We Like To Move It Move It!
I started using GoNoodle in my classroom and the kids love it!
If you're a teacher check it out!
It a website full of 1-5 minute brain break activities. 
I use it for indoor recess, getting out wiggles, calming down, and class rewards.

The Other Side

While there are many times that I am utterly shocked in a negative way about what comes out of my student's mouths there are also many times where their complete innocence has me laughing out loud. 

Sorry I'm not sorry for laughing at my students. 

They don't know I'm laughing at them, it's all good. 

This has nothing to do with this post. Pictures of my class is probably a no no!

Here are some of my favorite student quotes from this year.

Our last unit was on neighborhoods. We were reading a book about maps.

Me: Then you turn east

Student: East, you mean like the Easter Bunny?

Yes, exactly like the Easter Bunny. At least he understands word parts?

One plus about Kindergarten is that you get complimented a lot on your clothing choices. 

It's nice to know my jeans, Toms, and sweater are so appreciated. 

One morning I was wearing a statement necklace. 

Student: I like your necklace, it looks like bouncy balls!

If you want to impress a Kindergartener identify with their interests.

I can't tell you how cool I was for seeing Wreck-It Ralph.

We're learning about different types of energy in Science right now. 

The other day we were doing a sorting activity on objects that give off light, heat, or both. 

Me: Can someone tell me something that gives off light and heat?

Student 1: A bombfire!

Student 2: Like a bomb?

Student 1: No, don't worry, they just call it that because it gets really big!

At least he can justify his answers!

 

The Way to My Heart

I love holidays. 

All of them!

So of course I was ready for Valentine's Day.

We had a great time at school celebrating!

We made a new bulletin board for the back wall on the 100th day of school.

All of the students got to give reasons they loved Kindergarten and people they loved in Kindergarten.

We passed out Valentine's Cards and let me tell you, my class was so sweet. 

We spent the rest of the day doing heart activities, reading valentine's books, and watching a valentine's show. 

My Valentine to the class

It was a great day!

Then, I went home to my wonderful husband. 

We've never really celebrated Valentine's Day too much. 

Typically, we'll do something small and then maybe dinner and a movie. 

When we were dating we never even celebrated on the actual day. 

Christmas and our anniversary were right before Valentine's Day, 

so it's a lot packed into a few months. 

My husband definitely knows me, I came home and he had spent the day doing the dishes and cleaning the bathrooms and our bedroom. 

He even dusted!

It was wonderful, we ordered in pizza and Kyle got cheesecake from Cheesecake Factory.

I, of course, made him some yummy treats. 
   2 ingredient fudge                                                 Homemade Chocolates  

Reese Cups

What the?

As a teacher, I tend to be constantly amazed at the things that come out of my student's mouths. 

Not always is that amazement about something good.

Way too often I've realized that my students say things that are completely inappropriate for their age.

Many times I give them the benefit of the doubt, 

Only to find out from their parent that they do know the meaning of the word they said.

I have even had parents question if they called me the word, or simply said it. 

I'm sorry, but if I was told my 5 year old was saying curse words at school it wouldn't matter how it was said. 

There is of course your fair share of "he said a bad word"

Later to find out that "bad" word was stupid, dumb, poopoo head, etc.

And you get your hilarious phonetic spelling of the word come, 

that many times makes me wonder what others think when they come in during writing. 

Sadly, you know you're a public school teacher when you've been flicked off and cursed at by your 5 year old students. 

Have you ever experienced something outrageous from a little kid?

Peacoats and Plaid

Life Lately

Whenever my schedule gets a little off track it seems like it takes forever for me to catch up!

My beautiful childhood best friend got married to the love of her life on the 30th. 

I took off work to be in the wedding and let me tell you, it's more stressful to be away from class than actually in it.

The wedding was gorgeous despite the windy day and we had a great time together. 

True to form I have no photos. 

At least this time I have somewhat of an excuse since I was in the wedding.

Later that weekend Kyle and I bought our first Christmas tree!

My family has always done fake trees, so for our first Christmas we decided to purchase a live one.

Update on Kyle's countdown:

It's been going pretty well. I can't believe we're almost halfway done!

Some of the things have been, 

Quality Time- Setting up our Christmas Tree

Acts of Service- A back rub

Words of affirmation- notes about things I love or am thankful for

Gifts- S'more night

I've been crazy busy at school. I can't believe how life seems to get away from you when you're constantly busy. 

Christmas is quickly approaching and I've been loving starting all of the Christmas activities with my students. 

It's so exciting to see how much they are progressing!

Some of the things we've been working on are colors and sorting. 

I found this great magnet activity at the dollar store that paired both together. 

This little cutie was so excited that he was able to do it on his first try!

I love watching their joy when they are so excited about their learning.

Hopefully I'll be able to get back on track with everything instead of coming home and crashing!

All The Little Things

The past few weeks have been super busy!

I can't believe how quickly time is flying by and Thanksgiving is almost upon us. 

A few weeks back I went to my childhood best friend's bridal shower. 

It was at a cute little tea house.

We were able to try all sorts of yummy teas, which was fun since I don't like buying different flavors of tea in case I don't like them. 

Later that same week, Kyle drove up to his best friend's bachelor party. 

I followed close behind the following day to get there in time for the wedding festivities.

It was a beautiful wedding, although pretty cold for us Floridians since Sandy had just brought through a cold front! 

Luckily, the rain stopped in time for their outdoor wedding and cocktail hour. 

First Dance

Their Cake Topper

 

The three best friends finally all married.

  Before we left, we met our cousin Amanda in Downtown Disney for lunch. 

Despite the crazy traffic there that afternoon it was nice to get a chance to see her. 

After looking at multiple places, we finally found a couch that we both liked. 

It was our first big purchase together and we love it. 

Now we just need to host a movie night.

School has been a little stressful. 

I feel like I'm constantly trying to keep up with all the meetings and things to do that aren't teaching.

Plus, my little demon child completely drains me everyday. 

If I didn't have him in my classroom I honestly feel like I would enjoy teaching so much more. 

He just takes up so much time and energy that I don't know what to do anymore. 

On the plus side, I got my first scholastic order of the year in. 

Any other teachers get extra excited to see that book box?

YOLO LinkUp!