Poppin' Into First Grade

Okay, here is the bulletin board I have up outside my classroom. You see, all the kids in my previous classes know I LOVE popcorn (more than ice cream) so I just had to do this board. Makes me want some all the time.

As I was blogging I came across many teachers who made these cute little seats for their kiddos. So I had to make some. I used the file folder size crates instead of the regular size crates. I really love how they turned out. And, so do the other teachers in my building and now we'll be making more this weekend for the other teachers.
Our kids start on the 24th so I have just a few more days left to set up and plan. I'll get pictures up this weekend of the room. I've seen some really awesome rooms out there. I feel like I have "idea" overload".
Thanks for stopping by.

Help Wanted!

I need some help.  As I was blogging the other day I came across a teacher's blog who posted the cutest back to school poem that had a small bag of glitter attached to it. You are to give it to the kids the day or so before school starts and it's to help them not be nervous about going to school on the first day. It was so cute. Well, I can't find which blog it was and really would like to find it. You see, at my school our first graders are welcome to come the day before school starts, bring their supplies, find their desks and meet their teacher. It really is nice thing to do. It makes the first day run a little smoother. So if anyone knows which blog it's on I'd appreciate it. Thanks for your help!

Back in the Swing of Things

So, I spent a good part of the day in my room setting up all the furniture. I think I have that part done, at least I thought I did until I started blogging and saw a million wonderful ideas from all the awesome teachers out there. Blogging is soooo addicting! I'm hoping to get back there tomorrow, however, I do have a college bound daughter who needs to get shopping done before next week so that may be how we spend the day.
I'm hoping to get some pics posted of my room real soon, so be sure to check back.

The Heat is on, AGAIN!

OMG! I don't know how we are going to do it. Just these 2 days in our classroom and the temps are in the high 90's . I haven't even looked at the classroom thermometer. I don't want to know. I'm sure in December we'll be begging for heat again. Ahh, lovely Chicago weather!!

Pet Peeves

Alisha over at the Bubbly Blonde is hosting a linky party about our pet peeves of teaching ( why, I can't imagine having any pet peeves with these little darlings!) I have read about some real good ones and most of them fit into my own pet peeve catagory but here are a few more of my own. Enjoy!
1. When I ask a question, their hands go up, I call on someone and then they have to start thinking for the answer and then we are waiting for them to come up with an answer. This drives me crazy. They don't get it that they have to have an answer and then raise their hands.
2. When we take a washroom break together. They want to run down the hall like they can't hold it anymore, insead they immediately line up to come back to the room. They want to be the first one in line to come back. Then  once we are back in the classroom it never fails, within five minutes those are the same kids who need to use the washroom.
3. Slamming the lockers is another pet peeve. When I ask the locker helpers to make sure all the lockers are closed out in the hallway I can hear them slamming each and every one. It drives me nuts!
4. And, among others, pencil sharpening. When I am teaching a lesson to the whole class or reading them a story one of the little darlings decides to get up and sharpen their pencil.

I 'm sure there are  many other pet peeves (like ridiculous announcements over the speaker in the middle of a lesson) just give me a few weeks with the kiddies and I'll remember them. Be sure to hop over to the Bubbly Blondeand check out the other wonderful teachers' pet peeves.

                                   

Colorado Vacation

What a beautiful part of the world. My daughter and I flew out to Denver to spend some time with my sister and we did a lot of sightseeing. This is a picture of the famous Stanley Hotel up in Estes Park, Colorado. If you haven't been there it's a must. This hotel overlooks the Rocky Mountains and is just beautiful! Not to mention HAUNTED! This hotel is the place that Stephen King got his inspiration for the movie The Shining.
It is supposed to be haunted. They even give a "haunted" tour of the hotel, which we had to do. It was awesome and we got a ton of great pics. Anyway, yesterday when we developed the pictures we saw something interesting in the picture of Casey standing in front of the door where Stephen King stayed in and wierd things happened to him in there. It looks like a face on the door. Is this really a ghost or something? I can't explain it and am not too sure if I believe in ghosts but this picture is really creepy. What do you think?
Have you ever been there?  I guess I am trying to believe it's a ghost but I'm just not sure of it.
So, that's what we did last week and now on to more school planning. We start summer school next week for 2 weeks. It's more of a refresher for these kids.  Hope everyone is having a great summer. I've seen a ton of awesome units planned for the new year. Thanks to everyone for sharing them.  Have a great week!

Freebies Galore!

Be sure to check out http://justaddclipart.blogspot.com/2011/07/freebie-linky-party.html  for a linky party for a ton of awesome freebies. What teacher doesn't love freebies!!
Have a happy FIREWORKS day!

Happy 4th!!

I hope all you wondeful teachers out in blog world are having a great summer. I feel like mine just started even though we were out of school June 8th. I just finished my grad class for the summer so now summer officially starts for me. However, I have been reading Debbie Dillers books and now will start to create.
Woo Hoo!  Anyway, have a great holiday!

Welcome Summer!

Ok, school has only been out several hours and I am already thinking about next school year. Don't tell my daughter, she will think I am the biggest nerd. I haven't even finished packing up my room yet. The temperature has been in the high 90's and we don't have air conditioning so I had to leave early and hopefully tomorrow will be better. Any way, I hope everyone has a wonderful summer.

First Grade was a Slice!

And I mean it. This was one of the better years I've had. The kids were great. I had a good mix of highs and lows. I truly didn't have tears this year when it came to fighting. They all got along well. And to top it off, I didn't have any problems with parents. That's awesome! I've been teaching for 24 years and have had some interesting classes. This is one of my favorites and hate to see them go (don't get me wrong, I'm ready for summer). So, here is our last bulletin board of the year. I hope your year was just as wonderful as mine.
Now, on to more summer classes. Thanks for stopping by.