Classroom Digs

It's OFFICIAL I am a First Grade Teacher!!!

Last night I went out to dinner with some teacher friends. I thought I was only meeting up with two of them, but my friend Christy surprised me and invited the crew. It was so nice to celebrate with them. It was also absolutely nerve-wracking waiting to here if I got approved by the board.

As you know I got hired and sure enough I was at the school at 7:00 am this morning and left at about 7:30 pm. I am excited to say that my room is finished other than a few odds and ends (organizing). I am only lucky girl because I had lots of help today, without Christy, Lori, Angie, and Abby I probably would still be there in a mess of clutter. Thanks girls.

Here's the reveal.....hope you approve.

I turned my desk into a Jeep. I'm super excited about how it turned out. I put a long table off the side to use for guided reading. 

Looking through the door....
I have twenty students so I decided to organize the desk into four groups of five. I have a ton of space.

Word Wall
This will also be used for the Daily Five

Morning Meeting Calendar----work in progress

The kids will use clothespins labeled with their number to choose what they want for lunch.

I've seen this all over Pinterest and in many classrooms, so I had to add it to mine.

Each week I will have a King or Queen of the Jungle----the sign flips over for an easy switch.
The baskets below will be used to turn in homework and papers.

Yay, A special birthday desk. The balloons on the door will eventually have the kiddos birthday listed.

My little reading area is a work in progress. I need to get a small rug and organize all of the books.
Don't pay attention to that hideous green cart----it will be getting a makeover this weekend.

My Behavior Clip Chart
---- can be found at my TpT store.

This is going to be my listening area. The coolest part is that the headphone are animal print.

This is the writing area which will be used for the Daily Five.
 It also is a work in progress that needs more supplies.

Student Jobs aka Jungle Tours
The luggage tags with their number will be added tomorrow.

A mess of a mess of math materials.....needs organized ASAP
Well after I buy some new baskets

After a little over 12 hours working in the room I can say that I am completely exhausted, but so pleased with the results. Now I'm off to bed to get some much need sleep so I'm ready for my 7:00 am training.

If you would like to link up with Blog Hoppin' click below!

Let's Talk About Me

Teacher Week Link-Up

1. I love to shop and I'm really good at! 

 

 

Just some new items for school.....I'm so in love with the sweatshirt from Banana Republic that I'm going to get it in gray as well as the top from the Loft.

2. We go all out for Halloween.

3. I am a morning person and am usually in bed watching t.v. getting ready to fall asleep around 8

 - - -Total dork- - -I know.

4. I LOVE books

5. I ran my first 5k a couple months ago.

 

6. I used to be a blonde fake blonde, but my hair was DAMAGED so I opted to become a brunette. 

7. I love eating junk food.

8. I talk a lot and usually am loud - - -unless I don't you, then I'm a shy girl for a minute LOL. 

 9. I love to dance! I have a dance party every Saturday morning while I clean the house.

10. I drink Pepsi instead of Coffee every morning.

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Organized Clutter

Does anyone else's  house or classroom look like this? Or does anyone feel their life is organized clutter?  It's exhausting!

Ugh!!!!

Organized Clutter at its finest!

So the other day I decided that I was going to try and organize all of the school materials I have been gathering over the years (that have been kept in my game room out of sight).....and has become what I like to call organized clutter. My intentions were to organize everything and put it right away. However I am at a total stand still until Tuesday.  Your going to have to stop back Monday night to hear why!

Anyways I went from organizing to creating like its my job----FYI I love to organize and create so I guess it's a win win other than the mess of a game room I now have.

Animal Print Much....

 I stopped by the teacher store this morning and picked up some goodies! Super excited I got the free desk calendar!

Love New Things

It's the most wonderful time of the year.....

I know you may think I'm losing my mind, but lets face it- - - it's TRUE. 
Who doesn't get excited about new school supplies and FUN classroom decor. 
I love letting my inner organizista and craftista shine. 

So today on my way home from a lunch date with Josh I stopped at Wal-Mart for some printer paper, but of course some other things were just calling my name........clearly you'll understand why I couldn't pass them up. 

                      

From my blog stalking, I know that everyone is loving the 3 drawer organizer as am I. 

I am going to create and print some super cute labels (jungle themed of course) and attach to the front of the drawers....COPY, GRADE, and FILE

My favorite purchase of the day was the Photo Booth Props. I was thinking that on each student's birthday we could take a silly class photo. The birthday student will get a copy of their photo and then it can also be added into the end of the year slide show.

As you can see I bought a folding table today too. I love that it is black. I was thinking that I could use the crate seats I made last summer to go with this. I love that fact that if I'm not using it I can easily fold it up and store it.

I have to let you all know that I have the BEST FRIENDS in the world. One of my besties Christy, bought me these cute little mats. Can you believe they are bath mats? They are perfect for when students are working around the classroom and are out of their seats. Students will have their own fun little space. If you work with younger students these would be perfect for budding reading spaces. Older students can use them for independent work. 
                                             

Made-It Monday

What better way to reenter blog-land.....

I'm back linking- up with a Made-It Monday post

I know I keep saying that and blah, blah, blah..........
You have to trust me this time. Sometimes life gets too busy and we prioritize. Unfortunately my blog was put to the bottom of that list. I have decided that it needs to move on up! When I set my mind to something it happens. I also have a little feeling that some good things are going to be happening in my life in the near future. If my dreams come true I will have so much to blog about you'll wish I was on vacation. SO I am back at it officially!

Today's fun is going to be a DIY welcome sign.  It is super easy and fast to make. The best part is you can make it to match your theme or use any word/saying you like. 

Supplies needed:

Wooden letters that spell out the word welcome (or your word of choice)

Scrapbook paper or material in any desired print

Spray adhesive

Scissors

Marker

Small Screw Eyes 1/2 X 1/2"

Clear fishing line

Ribbon 

Mod Podge (optional)

Steps to create:

Step 1: Lay the wooden letters face down with the backside facing up on the scrapbook paper or material and outline with a marker.
Step 2: Cut out the letters and place them on the wooden letters to check sizing (Your wooden letters should now be turned to the front side). Make any adjustment cuts needed then lay the cut-outs to the side.
Step 3: Spray the wooden letters with spray adhesive and place the cut-outs on top pressing firmly so it sticks. 
Optional Step 4: Coat the letters with Mod Podge and allow to dry.
Step 5: Attach the Small Screw Eyes to the tops and bottom of each letter (the last E only needs attachments at the top).
W-4
E-3
L-2
C-2
O-2
M-4
E-2
Step 6: Use the fishing line to attach the letters to each other. In the picture above I used a small ribbon, but I'm going to change it to clear fishing line so it looks cleaner.
Step 7: Attach ribbon to the top of the W for hanging purposes. I'm going to add a bow or something to the top to jazz it up as well. However, if you prefer you can use fishing line instead. 

SiMpLy StATed

Wishing 

You and Yours 

A Very Happy Holiday

Season

Busy As A Bee

Like most of you, I feel like I have been going non-stop. I started off the school year as an Instructional Aide in a Kindergarten classroom. We sang, we danced, we practiced our letters and numbers, and getting into a routine. Four days into the year I was pulled out of Kindergarten and moved into Fifth Grade. I knew this was coming, so over the summer I met with the fifth grade teacher who I am covering for while she is spending time with her new little bundle of joy! I felt that after meeting with her a few times I was prepared. Let me rephrase that.....I felt prepared enough to get by until I actually got my feet wet. We've all had that felling right? I've been in fifth grade for about 3 weeks now! I absolutely love it. Everything is falling right into place. I get to teach Literacy and Social Studies to 52 kiddos plus I get to work with some amazing teachers! I have to admit it is totally different from my first placement and last year's placements in kindergarten and 2nd grade. I have to remind myself that these kids aren't going to appreciate all of the "cutesy" stuff. Notice I said all....they still like some of it. During my first week in fifth grade, I had a student asked me if I was a music teacher. My response back was: No, what makes you think that? He told me it was because I sing everything. I just started to laugh at myself. 1) because it was true and 2) because I am a horrible singer. It was then I knew I'd be taking a different approach on my teaching. Don't get me wrong....I still sing. I swear it keeps them alert and interested.

While I've been MIA, I've been working on lesson plans, lesson plans, and lesson plans. Did I mention I've been writing lesson plans and trying to make them exciting and fun just like all of you? I also have been trying to give my husband as much attention as I can in the evenings and on the weekends. Hence, why I haven't been posting. Does anyone else's husband have a hard time adjusting to a new school year. Don't get me wrong Josh is so supportive of my late nights and homework, but he is also use to having all my attention all summer long that when school starts it takes some time to adjust. On another note....I've spent a lot of time on TPT. Sometimes it is just easier to use the brilliance of someone else. I would love to be able to create everything I need by myself, but let's face it----not always going to happen. So thank you to all of the brilliant and creative educators! I truly appreciate all of your hard work. One thing I have created is for writing workshop. It is just a simple clip chart that students will use to let me know where they are in their writing. Usually I would add some cutesy clip art, but I stopped myself.

Here's to a great year :)