Thankful Thursday

Two weeks ago I made it to the final round for interviews. I was so excited! I really thought this was my year. I have been buying and creating things for school nonstop. Unfortunately I didn't get a permanent position but...on the bright side I was asked to cover a maternity leave in a fifth grade classroom for about 12 weeks, then work as an aide in a kindergarten classroom for the upcoming school year. I am grateful for every opportunity that I'm given. Each new experience facilitates my growth as an educator.  I am looking forward to teaching fifth grade (any suggestions or ideas would be greatly appreciated)  and I can't wait to work with the little ones!

Going through this process has taught me a little bit about myself. I have confidence in my teaching but I am not one who likes talking them-self up. I actually feel pretty uncomfortable doing so. My family claims I'm just humble---Well I've decided that I have until next May to get over that. I'm getting a position next year!

 Enough of my babbling.....

As I said earlier, I've been buying and buying and buying things for my classroom. I wanted to take the time to share some of the things that I absolutely love and can't wait to put into a classroom!

                                                           

I bought these bump-i-doodles  at Target.... I planned on using them in my reading and listening areas! I purchased two of each. I love the fact that you can unzip the cover so you can take them home to wash.

 I LOVE that the colors match my jungle theme! I bought three of these cascade files from Target. I planned on hanging one by my desk , using the other two for graphic organizers and/or station materials.

I bought a ton of these black crates from Target of course. I planned on using them to organize my materials into lessons/units. I really want everything I need for a lesson to be in one spot. I also was thinking about turning some of them into little seats. Add a covered cushion and some jungle themed ribbon!

Last year I was a LTS  in a fourth grade classroom. These were one of the first things I bought.  I had the student desks arranged so there were five groups. Each group had a cart with materials they would need.  There wasn't a lot of room in the desks with all of their books. I filled the drawers with dry erase boards, flashcards, paper, makers, crayons, colored pencils, calculators, and manipulatives.  Each week a student was in charge of keeping the cart organized. It worked out perfectly. They boys and girls always knew where their materials were.

Super cute table lamp from Wal-Mart. I planned on putting this at the writing station.

Last but not least are my Pinterest inspired signs

What a Wonderful Wednesday

Does anyone else feel like there's not enough time in the day to get everything done? Believe it or not my morning started off productive. I gave my dog Marley a bath, took him for a walk, and cleaned the house all before 10:00 am....plus I did a couple loads of laundry! Here's where things started to get off track----I went to the mall. Tomorrow is a really big day for me so of course I needed a new outfit and a super cute pair of shoes!!! Hopefully I'll be able to tell you about it in a couple of days:) Wish me luck.... 

I am in one of those weird moods today...all because of tomorrow. It's one of those super excited but nervous all at the same time. To keep myself busy I decide to create a super cute 12 month calendar! I have it posted in my store for $1.50, but if you would like to make your own here's what you need to do:

1. Go to Scrappindoodles.com

2. Purchase and download: Monthly Toppers for $3.50

                                         Calendar Templates for $2.99

3. Open a new Word or Publisher Document.

4. Decide if you would like your calendars to be formatted as portrait or landscape.

5. Click insert picture then find your calendar template folder and add either the portrait or landscape option.

6. Format the calendar jpeg/png to your preferences (sizing) making sure to leave room at the top for the month topper. 

7. Draw text boxes over the spaces where the days of the week headings belong. Type, choose a font, and size.

8. Click insert picture again, then find your monthly toppers folder and add one of the options. 

REPEAT steps 5 through 8 for each page.

****If you are working in publisher, after creating the first page just created 11 other duplicate pages and go back and change the picture for each month.

I hope you enjoy! Eventually I plan on making a jungle themed one! 

Feelin Good

What can I say.....I'm pretty excited that in one weekend I started a blog and created my own TPT Store. Although, my husband is a little annoyed that I won't get off the computer. I think he is just getting tired of me asking him every five minutes to check out what I've done. I have to say he comes right over and tells me how awesome it looks. This is one of the reasons why I love him so much. He is always supportive of my new and crazy ideas. I have to admit I have no clue what I'm doing, but at least I'm trying! For the past couple of months I have been a blog stalker... yes I said it a blog stalker. Wow! All of the blogs I have been stocking are fabulous. What are the secrets of blogging? Please be patient with mine. I really am just playing around trying to figure things out.

I did decide to put some of the classroom decor I've been creating on my TPT store. It is mostly jungle themed of course. Everything is a work in progress. As I blog stalk...I see so many unique things--- that it motivates me to make my items more creative. So I want to thank all of the bloggers and creators out there. I think we all bring out the best in each other. If you get a chance stop by my TPT store and while your there make sure to grab my Behavior Management Freebie.

Here goes....

This past year I got to work with an amazing educator. Not only did I think she was outstanding, so did the parents at our school. She was named THE OUTSTANDING EDUCATOR for the 2011-2012 School Year.  She truly is an intuitive teacher. Never did she settle for anything less than the best for her students--- if you know what I mean. Over the past year my view/style of teaching has dramatically changed---with guidance from a friend.

You probably are wondering why I am rambling about someone else....if it wasn't for Christy I probably wouldn't have ventured into the blogging world.  Plus anyone who introduces you to Pinterest deserves a BIG SHOUT-OUT. 

As I figure out what I'm doing more posts will follow. I promise it will become more exciting. I've been creating some jungle themed classroom resources that I hope to post soon.