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.

Why I Teach First Grade

Okay, here's another reason I teach first grade. The class was lined up to go home today and one of the kiddies said, "Don't for you have to go to school tonight." I said, "Yep, I have just enough time to go home, take a short nap, have a snack and head to class." Well, one of the girls said don't forget to take a shower first and I told her I don't have time before class and why, did I smell stinky? She responded  with, "Well, you never tell us when you take a shower and you're supposed to so you probably haven't had  a shower yet this school year." We all were laughing with that one. Kids say the darndest things!

Out of this World

This project turned out great. We have been doing a unit on the solar system so we painted the earth. First they sponged painted the land and then they sponged the water. After it dried we painted pearlized paint over the whole picture and when it dried the whole picture was covered in glitter to look like the stars. They were so meticulous painting the earth, it was cute. Another easy project to do.

So, I just had to show you this picture. For mother's day my daughter and her friends did a breast cancer walk in Chicago and one of the houses on the route decorated their garage. It was so funny, everyone was
taking pictures. We had a great time, and the weather was perfect.  Anyway, thanks for stopping by.

Our Class Library

Last summer myself and a few other wonderful teachers in our school organized our classroom libraries. I sorted my library books according to genres. These pictures don't look like much but this is only some of the bookshelves. I have alot more shelves of books and bins. Now, this summer I would like to go in and sort them according to reading levels. I have my summer project cut out for me. Anyway, did anyone watch the royal wedding? I did and we even put it on in the classroom and the kids really got a kick out of  it. Now all the little girls want to be princesses. Their journal topic for the day was "What do you have to do in order to be a king or queen?" I loved their answers. They were, you have to have a lot of gold, you have to own a crown, you have to marry a handsome prince, you have to live in a castle with a moat. They are so innocent at this age and that's why I teach the little ones.  Thanks for stopping by.

Great Target Finds

Aren't these cute? I found them today at Target and they were only $1.00. What a deal! I know the kids will love them. They can use them when they are reading the room. I just love Target dollar bins.

Easter Baskets

So, here are the Easter baskets we made out of egg cartons. The pictures don't do them justice. When you see them in person they are so cute. The cardboard cartons work better than the styrofoam ones because they bend easier. I put them together and the kids glued the tissue in them. We are off school today and Monday and back on Tuesday for 5 weeks and then we are done. The kids are ready for summer break as much as I am. Anyway, have a great Easter and thanks for stopping by.

"Chick" This Out!

Aren't these adorable! Our wonderful preschool teacher did these projects with her 4 year olds and they turned out wonderful. I just had to post it. I'm not sure which blog she saw them on. After our chicks hatched in our room we went ahead and made the same chicks hatching (their's turned out better). Anyway, thanks for stopping by.
Be sure to stop by in the next day or so. I will post a pic of the easter baskets we made out of egg cartons.

When I Plant This Seed...

Did you ever read the story by Keven Henkes, My Garden? Well, if you haven't it's a must. The kids really like it and the pictures are beautiful. Anyway, after we read the book the kids write about what they hope their seeds grow into. Some of the answers are a riot. Here are a few from my class. My favorite one is the little girl  who wants hers to grow into a donut bush. Wouldn't we all like that?!