Ok, let's admit it. We all love teaching or we never would go through everything we do. We love the kids. We love reading aloud. We even love recess duty. However, do we HAVE to go back? I know, I love it. I love vacation also! My kiddos and I sleep in. We play outside. We take day trips. We run around crazy. I adore summer vacation. I am as bad as the kiddos when it comes to thinking my carefree summer days are over.
Now, to be honest, I have already spent hours in my classroom getting it ready. Yup, I am one of those teachers. I want to walk in the first day (ok,, I will be back the second day because I am out of state the first teacher work day) and plan not organize and do my room. I am so much more relaxed when that part is already done.
It looks like I am going to have a BIG class this year. I will probably have around 24 first graders. I know some of you will probably think that is small, but I had 17 last year so the extra 7 seem enormous to me. I looked up their pictures from Kindergarten though and they are so cute. I can't wait to meet them. Open House is the day before school starts. Woohoo!
What do you have to do to get your room ready for school?
Thursday, August 3, 2017
Monday, October 3, 2016
October Fun
Happy October! A month of ghosts, spiders, witches, .... plain old Halloween fun. I love making my centers, seat work, and interventions around a theme. For example, we still need to practice our math facts but I redo the game sheets with Halloween characters.
I have learned that my students get more excited to learn when I have use a theme! Yes, it is a simple change, but it's all about getting students excited about learning, right? Well, here is a simple way. Add simple clipart to a routine worksheet. Write a short story about holiday characters working on the needed skill. Think like a kid - make it fun and simple. Enjoy!
Plus One and Minus One Cover Up
Directions:
Only one die is needed. Roll the die and follow the directions by the title
name of the game mat. For example, “Plus One” would be to roll the die and add
one to the total. Cover any answer that corresponds like in Fast Fact Speed
Roll. The first student to get five in a row wins! This can be played in groups of 2 - 3.
If you want more of these activities, I have an entire Halloween Unit for sale on Teachers Pay Teachers.
I have learned that my students get more excited to learn when I have use a theme! Yes, it is a simple change, but it's all about getting students excited about learning, right? Well, here is a simple way. Add simple clipart to a routine worksheet. Write a short story about holiday characters working on the needed skill. Think like a kid - make it fun and simple. Enjoy!
Wednesday, September 7, 2016
What Was in the Corn Dogs Today???
My kiddos were the best listeners this morning, then we went to lunch. After lunch, I blame a secret ingredient in the corn dogs (LOL), they couldn't listen no matter what I did. What happened? Let's be honest, nothing happened. They are kids! The weather during recess was BEAUTIFUL and they wanted to play. They want to scream and run and just have fun. Who can blame them? I want to do that too! Well, getting through the rest of the day came down to tricking them into learning with singing, extra moving activities, cutting, gluing, coloring, and discussing with neighbors.
It is only Wednesday and this means we still have TWO MORE DAYS this week. And, tomorrow is Thursday, the dreaded day of the week. I don't know about you all but Thursday always seems to prove to be my hardest day. It is late enough in the week that the kids are getting tired. However, it isn't Friday yet and close enough to the weekend that you can almost touch it. Nope, it is just Thursday. I try to make it sound better by calling it "Friday Eve". I mean, that sounds better doesn't it?
Well, here we go... almost to Friday Eve and then Friday!
Ok, wait, one good thing about tomorrow is the first football game of the season (no more pre-season)! I am a die hard Bronco fan. I am born and raised in Colorado and we bleed Orange and Blue. Didn't you know God was a Bronco fan? If you aren't sure, go outside next time there is a sunset and check out the orange and blue!
Have a great day.
Wednesday, August 31, 2016
A New Year... New in SO Many Ways
So, there is a million different places I could start this post. Personal...classroom...where to start? Ok, let's start with the school news:
Students started on Monday. This week is the first week and it is a FIVE DAY week for our little firsties. FIVE FULL DAYS. Ok, those that aren't teachers, I know you do that all the time. But, when you start a school year with six and seven-year-olds that are used to summer freedom and you confine them to a classroom for five days in a row plus you add in rules, waking up early, no non-stop snacks, yadda yadda yadda; it makes for a very long week. The best part, however, is that my class is so stinking cute. They smile! They giggle! They love to color! They even think I am funny! Whew - woohoo for me. I just love these little sweeties.
For all my readers that know me, you know I became a teacher because of my mom. She truly was the most amazing teacher. She retired seven years ago and continued to sub, volunteer in the classroom, and make games and activities for my students. She loved her freedom but always told me that she missed the classroom. She was known in our hometown as one of those AMAZING teachers that every student wanted and every parent prayed for. She loved every student that walked into her room and her pure joy for teaching and her optimistic spirit was inspiring. My goal in life was just to be half of the teacher she was because that would mean I was successful as a teacher. Well, my mom, my best friend, my mentor, passed away on August 13th of this year. Yes, two and a half weeks ago. Some of my final conversations included her mentioning school this year. My heart is truly broken and I am trying to be as good as her in the classroom because I now know she can see me teach all the time. Did you know how hard it is to find books for a classroom that won't make you sad about moms? Here's a hint: Say no to "Llama Llama Red Pajama" because the message of a mom never being far away (even if you can't see her) is so sweet but too hard.
On the second day of school my little first graders were being pulled out of the classroom to do some testing. Every time one of my kiddos left I said, "Don't forget to smile" because it made them feel a little better about leaving. Later in the day we read "No, David!" Then, we were going over rules for the classroom and school. When I asked my class for rules for our classroom the first rule they came up with was "Don't forget to smile"! That is a rule my mom would have definitely had in her room. I couldn't help but smile. I am so thankful for my class.
So, there is a million different places I could start this post. Personal...classroom...where to start? Ok, let's start with the school news:
Students started on Monday. This week is the first week and it is a FIVE DAY week for our little firsties. FIVE FULL DAYS. Ok, those that aren't teachers, I know you do that all the time. But, when you start a school year with six and seven-year-olds that are used to summer freedom and you confine them to a classroom for five days in a row plus you add in rules, waking up early, no non-stop snacks, yadda yadda yadda; it makes for a very long week. The best part, however, is that my class is so stinking cute. They smile! They giggle! They love to color! They even think I am funny! Whew - woohoo for me. I just love these little sweeties.
For all my readers that know me, you know I became a teacher because of my mom. She truly was the most amazing teacher. She retired seven years ago and continued to sub, volunteer in the classroom, and make games and activities for my students. She loved her freedom but always told me that she missed the classroom. She was known in our hometown as one of those AMAZING teachers that every student wanted and every parent prayed for. She loved every student that walked into her room and her pure joy for teaching and her optimistic spirit was inspiring. My goal in life was just to be half of the teacher she was because that would mean I was successful as a teacher. Well, my mom, my best friend, my mentor, passed away on August 13th of this year. Yes, two and a half weeks ago. Some of my final conversations included her mentioning school this year. My heart is truly broken and I am trying to be as good as her in the classroom because I now know she can see me teach all the time. Did you know how hard it is to find books for a classroom that won't make you sad about moms? Here's a hint: Say no to "Llama Llama Red Pajama" because the message of a mom never being far away (even if you can't see her) is so sweet but too hard.
On the second day of school my little first graders were being pulled out of the classroom to do some testing. Every time one of my kiddos left I said, "Don't forget to smile" because it made them feel a little better about leaving. Later in the day we read "No, David!" Then, we were going over rules for the classroom and school. When I asked my class for rules for our classroom the first rule they came up with was "Don't forget to smile"! That is a rule my mom would have definitely had in her room. I couldn't help but smile. I am so thankful for my class.
Wednesday, June 29, 2016
Summer!
Ok, it is technically summer, but I haven't had any time off yet. That's ok, I mean I have had family time, vbs, more family stuff, ... HOWEVER, I am super excited about some time off. I had a great year and my students taught me A LOT. And, yes, we all know there are "those" students that teach us more than any other kiddo in the class.
Crazy enough, we have been out less than a month and I am already ready to go into my room and start re-organizing, getting stuff ready, ... you know - the FUN stuff that we all get so excited for when we actually have time to do them? I mean, I want to get my math manipulatives where I actually can use them this year. Wait, what? Organize my library books again so they are in themes? That is just crazy thoughts, right? I will do it!
I hope you all are enjoying your break, night, etc. Happy summer to everyone!
Crazy enough, we have been out less than a month and I am already ready to go into my room and start re-organizing, getting stuff ready, ... you know - the FUN stuff that we all get so excited for when we actually have time to do them? I mean, I want to get my math manipulatives where I actually can use them this year. Wait, what? Organize my library books again so they are in themes? That is just crazy thoughts, right? I will do it!
I hope you all are enjoying your break, night, etc. Happy summer to everyone!
Thursday, October 15, 2015
Just keep swimming...
Did you ever notice that most teacher posts always address the best of teaching? Well, let's be real. Sometimes we have a hard day. You plan awesome activities, you have engaging lessons, you are on top of your game and you have a little kiddo that isn't playing into it. It definitely happens. The best news is that it happens to all of us! And, we survive. Here is my take on it...no it is NOT fun. You will scream in your head "WHY?" but we all know, this is a little kiddo and something has happened that he or she is upset about. Take a deep breath and just keep swimming. Remind yourself that this will pass, the kiddo will come around at some point, and you have a classroom full of other kids that want to do the plan.
JUST KEEP SWIMMING! Don't let one kiddo ruin it for the rest. Take a deep breath and don't drown in your frustrations. You can do it! You can and you will!
Can you tell I might have had one of those days today? I wish that as a veteran teacher it got easier, but it doesn't. Sure, I might have a few more experiences to compare it to and to use for ideas but I can't stop them from happening. I took more than one deep breath today. I might have been very thankful when the last bell of the day rang. However, I still love my kiddos! All of them! Even the one that pushed me to the edge today. BUT, I won!! I left the day with a smile and so did my student. I still love teaching. I love my class. Chalk one up for me today. I might have had to wear some "floaties" to keep me swimming today, however, I survived and I am ready tomorrow. Bring on Friday!
Did you ever notice that most teacher posts always address the best of teaching? Well, let's be real. Sometimes we have a hard day. You plan awesome activities, you have engaging lessons, you are on top of your game and you have a little kiddo that isn't playing into it. It definitely happens. The best news is that it happens to all of us! And, we survive. Here is my take on it...no it is NOT fun. You will scream in your head "WHY?" but we all know, this is a little kiddo and something has happened that he or she is upset about. Take a deep breath and just keep swimming. Remind yourself that this will pass, the kiddo will come around at some point, and you have a classroom full of other kids that want to do the plan.
JUST KEEP SWIMMING! Don't let one kiddo ruin it for the rest. Take a deep breath and don't drown in your frustrations. You can do it! You can and you will!
Can you tell I might have had one of those days today? I wish that as a veteran teacher it got easier, but it doesn't. Sure, I might have a few more experiences to compare it to and to use for ideas but I can't stop them from happening. I took more than one deep breath today. I might have been very thankful when the last bell of the day rang. However, I still love my kiddos! All of them! Even the one that pushed me to the edge today. BUT, I won!! I left the day with a smile and so did my student. I still love teaching. I love my class. Chalk one up for me today. I might have had to wear some "floaties" to keep me swimming today, however, I survived and I am ready tomorrow. Bring on Friday!
Sunday, September 7, 2014
Sunday Night Football - and Sunday Night Planning!
Yes! I am wearing my Denver Broncos shirt and watching my team beat the opponent! Woot Woot! Yes, that is a true sign that fall is upon us. The other sign? My lesson plan book is my snuggle buddy on the couch. I honestly feel like I do my best planning when I hear the crowd cheering on the tv. They are cheering ME on right...right? Ok, I know that isn't even close to being true but it makes me fell better.
Tomorrow we start two days of school-wide testing, therefore, my normal reading groups are non-existent. I had to find an activity that my entire class could do without any pull-outs, reading grouping, core curriculum... WOOHOO! This is means TWO DAYS that I can have a little bit of freedom to read aloud, incorporate the standards while creating fun activities, etc. Yes, it was harder than just opening up my teacher's manual. It definitely took more time to plan. However, it also made me excited to go to school in the morning, pull the kids over to my reading area, and tell them we are going to read "Princess Pigtoria and the Pea". You guessed it, we will be talking about the "p" sound at the beginning of words. We will also be discussing the beginning, the middle, and the end of the story. Watch out - we might even do predictions and summaries too! So yes, it took more time but I am so excited. I love reading fun books with my students. We have a great all around core program but the freedom for two days is pretty exciting!
Woot! Woot! We are now up 31-10 in the fourth quarter. My lesson plans are done! I think this has been a very successful Sunday Night!
Tomorrow we start two days of school-wide testing, therefore, my normal reading groups are non-existent. I had to find an activity that my entire class could do without any pull-outs, reading grouping, core curriculum... WOOHOO! This is means TWO DAYS that I can have a little bit of freedom to read aloud, incorporate the standards while creating fun activities, etc. Yes, it was harder than just opening up my teacher's manual. It definitely took more time to plan. However, it also made me excited to go to school in the morning, pull the kids over to my reading area, and tell them we are going to read "Princess Pigtoria and the Pea". You guessed it, we will be talking about the "p" sound at the beginning of words. We will also be discussing the beginning, the middle, and the end of the story. Watch out - we might even do predictions and summaries too! So yes, it took more time but I am so excited. I love reading fun books with my students. We have a great all around core program but the freedom for two days is pretty exciting!
Woot! Woot! We are now up 31-10 in the fourth quarter. My lesson plans are done! I think this has been a very successful Sunday Night!
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