Reflections...and would love your help!

It is official. I am on summer break. It took me wayyyy too long to finish packing up my classroom. I guess it was because last Monday we still had a teacher workday even though the kids got out that previous Friday. Teacher Workday?! Yeah right! As I spent most of that day adding more paperwork to records that I thought were finished...nope. So of course I had no time to really work in my classroom and get things packed up.

I of course had to return on Tuesday, Wednesday AND Thursday to get my classroom in a packed up manner. Well technically if I was really "dumping" and "stuffing" I could have been done on Tuesday. But I wanted to take this "extra" time to actually go through stuff and organize so everything is neater for the upcoming year. While doing this I did not use as many boxes as I have in previous years, yes we have to pack up our whole classrooms each year... especially when the principal doesn't tell you what grade you will be teaching next year!! Frustrating. But I packed to stay in my current classroom, so fingers crossed.

The one thing I enjoyed doing while "packing up" was organizing my literacy work station materials. How do you all do it? This was the first year that I completely did LWS in my classroom. Like I wouldn't budge even to go back to our boring reading program stations. I did literacy work stations all year. However, I did slack off on a few key activities that my kids loved to no end but they of course got me back on track. But I LOVED stations and the way everything worked out this year. When I first began planning for stations back in July while I was blogging and checking out everyone else's ideas, I did not have a clue how to really "start" stations. You know, starting by having the conversations about rules and procedures... there really isn't a script around that can tell you all that you need to know. I did start off with three stations at the beginning, as I was trying to follow our "boring" reading program, then every 3 days I would add on another station. For the first two weeks I think the kids 4 stations they were rotating out of. And each week it seemed as if I would add on another station thus ending with 9 stations before I introduced computer station as last. I just knew that my kids would fight to get to computer station even though they did the same programs over again. Anyone have any other literacy websites your students use on your computers? We mostly used starfall.com and pbskids.org (only on Fridays). In total, I had 10 stations, with one station on each rotation not being used. I still have to figure out how to truly call my students to my table as I was not a station.
This summer I need to think of other ideas to make several of my stations more fun and exciting... I always love any ideas anyone wants to share. Those stations are:
-library (not just reading a book, but what else can they do?)
-magnetic station (I need to implement the ideas from Make, Take, Teach to enhance my station)
-pocket chart station (This was the most dreaded station...even if I tried to have poems, sorts, etc in which they could practice previously taught skills... trying to add in a recording sheet wasn't making it better either.)
-listening station (I just need to perfect the task cards and better model the recording sheets)

**Deciding what I want to really keep and what they can really take home every week. Because I was left with a lot of things that I did not have a date for and really had no clue what they were talking about (library and listening station recording sheet). Plus, I need to fit in a sharing time... where do I really find the time?

As reflections go, I just need to figure out how to be more organized. In addition, I also "TRIED" to do math work stations. Were they successful? Somewhat. Now those stations I definitely slacked off of and that was due in part to testing that always comes up at the end of the school year. I didn't really realize that I had been skipping math work stations until one of my students asked (pointing to the math area of the room) "how come we don't go over there anymore?" At first I didn't understand what she was talking about then it dawned on me. So we had been missing it enough that she not only forgot what we did over there but asked why didn't we go there anymore. Alas, I want to do better with that too. So my to-do list is not long but it is definitely broad categories that I need to tweak or figure out a way to implement for next year.

To Do List:
-Tweak literacy work stations
-Re-organize math work stations (I kind of like Kindergarten Works' ideas)
-Implement a writing program!! (my grade level does not have a good program we all follow, it is just random things put together. I want something in place that tells me concept by concept of writing my students should doing each month and where they should truly develop with their writing by the end... any ideas?)
   -math journals? (a bust this year)
   -writing journals? (fell off the way side around March)
   -poetry/word study notebooks (wanted a place for spelling tests to go and a place to work on our poems too)

That's enough reflecting for now... on to making some things work. Oh don't forget that Google Reader disappears July 1st so head on over to Bloglovin and let them download all of the blogs you follow. And Follow my blog with Bloglovin It is simple but if you need a tutorial check out it out here.

Enjoy!

Happy Teacher Appreciation Week!

Well teachers, here is the time where your students, parents and administrators get to take some time out and pamper you. The pampering varies from each school and district you work in. When I was teaching at the private school, the parents loved on us (I miss that... just a bit). And when I was student teaching I got to experience a wonderful staff and PTA during teacher appreciation week. Different events happen throughout the week whether they are to honor a teacher or field day or "End of the Year" shows... Just take some time during this week to show appreciation to yourself. You deserve it. You've been working really hard during the year to get your students prepared for their next grade level and it is your turn to treat yourself.

Speaking of treating yourself... did you know that TPT was having a mini "TPT Appreciates YOU" sale? It is only for May 7th-8th up to 28% off of your favorite things you have in your wishlist that you haven't bought yet. And to show my appreciation to all those teachers around the world doing what they love, I am having a sale May 8th-10th with up to 15% off my products at my TPT store. 

Think about it... treat yourself (or your kids) to something nice.:) Have a great week! Remember today is Nurses Appreciation Day! Thank a nurse for all that they do for us. My school definitely would fall apart without a nurse, so I am definitely thankful for our nurses (2--we are a big school).

I Teach K! Conference

 Ever since I started blogging I learned of this conference and I've been wanting to go... Hello? Vegas and kindergarten teachers? Nuff said.
 But Rockin' Teacher Materials is presenting at the conference and is offering 2 tuition free vouchers to attend the conference. Check it out!

How would you like to win a free pass to the 'I Teach K!' conference in Las Vegas this July? 

Oh, and it gets even better than that! You will also win a certificate to take a friend along with you! No one wants to go to Vegas alone!

Go to her blog and enter... you get up to 7 entries for the next SEVEN days! Get there or be square!

Spring is in the Air!

   It has been so long since my last post. I have survived the first week back from spring break. Boy was it a LONG one! The kids did not do too bad with transitioning back into the classroom. Of course I had those one or two who kept saying "I want to go home"... and it wasn't even 9am yet!
   Anyways I have been dabbling a bit on new ideas to put into my TPT store. I would have more if my computer didn't decide that this was the week it wanted to crash and stop working... I guess all those blog ideas and TPT finds really "weighed" it down. So I've been slowly trying to get my computer to love me again.
Grab yourself a freebie, Color by Word Family: Short I... I can't seem to figure out how to get a picture of the title page onto my blog. It seems I am not that blog savvy as I thought. While there check out my TPT SALE for April 15th ONLY (It's my dad's birthday).Leave me a comment while there. Enjoy! And Happy Spring!

100th Day!

It has been a long time since my last post, my apologies. I wanted to show some pictures of our 100th day celebration. What do you like to do? My kindergarten team LOVES to do Round Robins... We seem to do them for every holiday, which takes away some of the monotony of everyday life at school. Well we created a few things which were inspired by my findings on Pinterest. I feel like I should have blogged it under Made It Monday but our celebration was on a Friday.
I can't seem to get things to work for me today but I am just going to list what I used:
My 100th Day Counting Mat
If I had 100 dollars I would buy... (writing)
Race to 100
My Happy 100th day sign (the one I saw was horizontal and mine is vertical)-the kids got a chance to go through the zero and pose for their pictures.

Our kinders had a blast!

Happy New Year 2013!

Happy New Year to you and your family!

 I woke up this morning and thought I should ring in the New Year by updating my TPT store. I have added two new products in my store: Frosty's Letter Sorts and Frosty's Number Sorts. Of course as I write this I keep thinking of new ideas to add/update. However, I can't seem to figure out how to get a screenshot of what it looks like posted on here, sorry. But check out my TPT store because I am having a sale on my WINTER products, 20% off until Friday January 4th. See, I have to go back to school tomorrow so to make this week not be a dreadful week, I thought I would have a sale.

 There are other TPT sellers having a sale too. So ring in the new year with some new products:) Have a great day!

Hurry, hurry don't be late!

Have you been enjoying a fellow bloggers' 12 days or 25 days of Christmas freebies? Well I have and I have one for you that you need to click fast to go find. Hit in your search bar and look for First Grade a La Carte. Tonight is her last night of her 12 days celebration. She has been putting a time limit on her freebies and tonight it is just the same except you get an EXTRA hour.

 What is my fuss? You can go to her TpT store and pick one thing $5 or less and email her (go to her blog) for her specific instructions) and she will send it to you for FREE. Oh yeah! I love free too!

You have until 10pm EST. for those bloggers 3 hours behind.... Lucky you. But don't get busy and forget you need to track down the info and get something free! Enjoy!

Cyber Monday TPT sale! (plus Bonus Tuesday)

I did it! I am hosting my FIRST sale at my TPT store. It is quite exciting. So Teachers Pay Teachers is hosting a sale called Cyber Monday and Bonus Tuesday... doesn't that title make you think you are going to be online all day?

I think so because I already have stuff on my wishlist for things to buy on sale day. Many of my favorite bloggers are participating in this sale too. I can't wait to get the things I have been "drooling" over for months now on discount. So at my store you get 20% off including my 3 new products I just posted this weekend. I know, but it's my first sale! Go big or go home!:) And Teachers Pay Teachers is adding in 10% to my discount and you could get up to 28% off! See below for the promo code to use as you stock your shopping cart of fun things for you and your kiddos to do from now until the end of the school year. Click on banner to go to my store:)

Button by Ashley Hughes

  I am a little nervous about the sale but I feel a part of the "team" of tpt sellers. So don't forget to go shopping on Monday and Bonus Tuesday for some great buys. I have listed a few of my favorite sellers below:
            If you have a store, join the linky party (scroll down) and get your store some recognition.:)

While hunting for my faves, I found a new blogger... Teaching the Littles


 Happy Shopping! Enjoy!

Pinterest Creations

My goal this year is to try more things that I have found on Pinterest. Is it as addicting for you as it is for me? I can pin things like crazy but I was never daring enough to actually try it and see how it went unless it came with a template or something. Here are some things I have tried and actually completed with my kids. Now it is on to find Christmas/Hanukkah/Kwanzaa stuff. My motto (and my principal's motto) is to be MORE hands-on... we are sort of in a paper shortage again... now we have to get what we want copied approved!! I still have my own paper but now I want to use my construction paper!

Pinterest

Pinterest

This was another cute idea for Halloween/Red Ribbon Week. I needed myself to get into the Halloween spirit but we were also supposed to be doing more red ribbon stuff with our kids rather than Halloween. (Bummer, I know) But this way it fit into everything. The kids got a kick out of it and this was one of those projects that you have to let the kids "go" with it. I do find that difficult... to let go and let them do it how they want. You know when you see something (on Pinterest) and you want to copy how it looks exactly, but when you hand it to a child they sort of run with it in a different way... that is what happened here and for my next project.

Via Pinterest from Literacy and Laughter

 Aren't these cute? This project turned out great but boy did it take a long time... we had to postpone our ice cream party til Monday as our turkeys took the whole time. But if you click on the picture check out some of their answers. And I wrote exactly what they said (even that was hard for me). I'm a work in progress.

Speaking of our ice cream party... my kids are celebrating how many compliments that they got since the last party. I found this idea off a blog somewhere (if it is your idea please let me know) to hang paper chains/links  up for each compliment you receive and have it measure something across the room before you can have your next reward. Well my kids got 24 compliments in September (it wasn't even over yet) and our chain started at the top of the bulletin board and went to the floor. From there we started a new pattern color and used the edge of the bulletin board wall to the end of our carpet for the next reward (a cookie party). Then I let the kids vote on their next compliment prize and they voted for ice cream (popsicles and popcorn lost). In order to get that party they had to get the compliments to reach from the end of our carpet pass the green table. Maybe  I should have done a table further away but we were on a roll and I went with it. So now my kids have earned 94 compliments and it is only the middle of November. I still have 2 compliments to add from Friday. If we reach 100 compliments, I might have our 100th party early (our 100th day of school always happens around Valentine's day... boo!) I can see it now... asking the parents to bring treats so we can celebrate and practice counting up to 100- we sing our I Can Count to a Hundred song (Jack Hartman) every day, but to put it into practice would be great.

So after that celebration happens, does anyone have any other ideas for rewards? I might try to see if they would want to have double recess for a whole week... Double recess was our first September prize and they seemed to have liked that. I am open to all ideas. Thanks so much! Here is one more picture to leave you with... it is a labeling activity I had my kids do with a partner. They labeled "the teacher" then they labeled their partner.

Pinterest

Have a great weekend! Enjoy

Join the Giveaway!

Have you guys checked out the new blog Freebielicious? It is just like it sounds... freebies galore! If you haven't visited yet, you should as they are having a giveaway until 8pm EST. The blog is mostly made up of Pre-k to 1st grade freebies but many of the authors are giving away so many goodies. Especially some Halloween units you might want to do with your class in the upcoming weeks. So hop on over to sign up and give yourself a chance to win. It is very easy to enter, 3 ways (Pinterest, Facebook and become a follower), all three are good places to always stay on top of the freebies. Good luck!

Oh and if you follow them on Pinterest you already get links to some freebies you might have seen floating around Pinterest already. Especially the Candy Corn Match Up! I can't wait to start printing and laminating so it is ready for my students on Monday.