Pictures of my classroom and Scholastic Book Order

So... finally I have the pictures of my classroom all ready. The first day of school started on Thursday.  Thank goodness it was only Thursday and Friday because by Friday night I was exhausted.  I have the sweetest group of kids this year and I am so excited.  I am sad because on Monday we will start switching classes and I won't see them as much, but I'm also excited because I will get to see my math classes. 

Here is my room:

This is my I Wonder Board.  On the first day students put things that they are curious about on a post it and stuck it to the board.  Each Wednesday we are going to discover a new "Wonder."  They were very creative in their ideas.  I can't wait to learn and discover with them. 

 Here is my library... a work in progress.  I am still organizing and changing it as we speak.  By December I hope to have it label and sorted by genre.  I also want to put labels in every book that allow students to see different levels.

 Here is my science board.  This is where I put posters and other information relevant to our science curriculum.  I found this great shiny paper at the dollar store.  I thought it went really well with the peacock boarder.

Then, last but not least... the V.I.P. board (Very Important Person).  Students put their photo's and collectibles on this counter as they share them throughout the week.  Leroy, the lobster, goes home with the V.I.P. student each week.

Leroy travels with a book that students have to write in to tell about their adventures.  Students love writing in the book, and many include pictures from their time with Leroy during the week.

That's my classroom.

As far as Scholastic Book Orders are concerned I wanted to let everyone know that you can set this up for parent ordering online.  You all probably already knew this, but it if you didn't it is super easy and so much less hassle.  Go and sign up on scholastic website, it is self explanatory.  I have already had two parents order online and it's so nice.  I only have to pass the books out when they come. I don't have to deal with any money or slips.  Check it out, it's well worth signing up.

Hope you all have a great week. 

Last Day of Summer and My Birthday

Today is the last day of summer and my birthday. I can't believe that we go back to our first work day tomorrow. My classroom is pretty much ready because I've been in this summer.


I didn't go in today... I enjoyed the day with my husband! But I have started a few projects:

1. Found these on Pinterest as well as other blogs: Clipboards. I have chosen to decoupage the back of my clipboards in hopes that I can identify which ones are mine and hopefully have more at the end of the year! Yes I am doing all 25 clipboard this way... but I'm only doing the back. I've cut out all the papers I need and am ready to Modge Podge. I have done a couple already. If you're interested in trying this project, I suggest heavy paper and patience. If you do use lighter weight paper put the first coat of modge podge on the clip board, glue the paper down and let it sit. Then put your second coat on the paper and clipboard -- this will help it not bulge and wrinkle. Here is my project in the works.

2. This is my target find.... and an idea I've seen on many blogs  I found these cute little boxes at Target in the dollar section. Then I created pictures in paint. I love this idea because my kiddos always take forever to get a pencil if they are missing one. I always had a pencil box but not a sharpen and un-sharpened, hopefully this will help students get a pencil quickly. I also made it one of my student jobs to sharpen pencils each day. I love it!

Well wish me luck tomorrow! It's the first work day... I'm excited about everything... except waking up early!

Giveaway and Linking Party!

I have so many things to do right now but wanted to share these two very fun things.
First:
Over at The Teaching Thief there is a giveaway for these great expo markers:

While you're over there check out her blog she has some great ideas.

The teaching thief is doing this great linking party!
Here are my Top 10 Teacher Must Haves for Back to School:
Number 10:

I absolutely love sharpies - at the beginning of the year I always buy my own personal set and put my old ones in a bin for the kiddos to use on projects and such.

Number 9

Yes that is a box of Cheerios.  This is an easy way to provide snack to my kids. I usually keep a box of Cheerios or Kix underneath my desk all year and no one goes without a snack. 

Number 8

I love new colorful paper! 

Number 7

LOVE, LOVE, LOVE paper clips and these clips above... I call them banana clips.  The best thing about the beginning of the year is the paper clips container is always full!

Number 6

A new outfit... this dress is from Lane Bryant and I have already gotten it for the first day of school.

Number 5

I love this calendar.  I get it at Walmart each year.   Mine has polka dots on it!

Number 4

Library Pockets - I use these for everything!  It's nice when I can find the colorful ones, it makes my classroom more fun!

Number 3

I love new pens, especially colorful!  I also like the felt tip ones!

Number 2

This I already have but I had to list it.  I cannot live without my net book.  It is the best purchase I've made and it goes to and from school with me!

Number 1

My alarm clock is so important.  It is going to be so hard to get up come Friday morning, so a good alarm is a must!

Top Ten Reasons You Know its Back to School Time

This was a cute linking part that I wanted to join at Tunstall's Teaching Tidbits.
I loved the humor in her top ten... you have to check it out!  I was laughing out loud as I related to each item on her top ten list.
Here is my Top Ten Reasons I know it is Back to School Time:
10 - I am actually excited about routine.  I am looking forward to long days and getting up in the morning!  You know this is because I have exhausted my summer activities.
9 - I have shopped, and shopped, and am still looking for little things to use in my classroom.
8 - Not only do I shop, but I pick up things and think that is so cute how can I use it in my classroom.
7 - I'm training myself to go to bed early and wake up early.
6 - I am making sure that all loose ends are tied up... during the year the bank is closed or it's hard to make phone calls if you need to.
5 - My classroom is full of a new year energy - I'm excited and full of ideas.
4 - Bulletin Boards are new!
3 - My classroom is actually clean and organized and everything is put away in it's very own spot.
2 - My todo list is very long and growing longer.
And the number one reason that I know it's back to school time....
I've been in my classroom as much as I can for the last two weeks. 

Hands-On Math Linking Party

I loved this linking party.  I am so excited about teaching math this year, especially since it's part of my graduate degree work! 

The linking party question over at Jasztalville: Where Inquiry and Creativity Rules is How do you make math hands on?

I love to provide games to reinforce skills.  Check out an earlier post Games, Games, Games.  I also was intrigued by 4th Grade Frolics vocabulators.  I have put a little spin on these to work with my math units.  I will post this as soon as I've got them finished.

Lastly, to make math "hands-on" we do a lot of moving.  I play Simon-Says with geometry concepts, work in stations, and sing songs.  You can find many great videos to go with math songs on YouTube!  We have a lot of fun! 

Advice for new teachers linking party....

Check out Fun in Fourth's linking party:

I loved this idea because the first year you're teaching you need all the help that you can get.  Plus, I was so fortunate to have the BEST help ever, and the most caring teachers to work with, so I'd like to pass that on.  I think it is also important as veteran teachers to read through different teachers thoughts and ideas and advice.  It allows us to reflect on our practice and gives us a few reminders that we sometimes need.  So, here it is my advice for new teachers:
1. Make sure you are having fun everyday - I love waking up in the morning and thinking "Yeah, I get to go to school today!"
2. Don't take too much home... yes, you may have to do some at home... but remember you need to rejuvenate too!
3. REFLECT! Think about your lessons, your students and yourself.  What went well? What could I do differently?
4. (This one comes after going to graduate school the last year and a half) Remember, everywhere, every school is going through something similar to what you're going through.
5. Don't listen to what others say about your kiddos coming in.  Keep a fresh slate and they will surprise you, and if you want advice about students go later after you've met them.
6. Beg, Borrow and Steal - from everywhere!  Internet, non-educators, students, teachers, etc...

Winner, Winner!

Congratulations Mrs. Owens from Go Fourth With Owens
She has won this cute little necklace to start out the year. 

If you were interested in these necklaces and did not win I do sell them.  They are $10.00 plus shipping and handling.  Here are some more examples, but if you have certain colors or beads in mind, I will work with you to get what you want. 

Also, I wanted to thanks Tamara from TBA for the shout out!  I am new to blogging and have enjoyed getting 15 followers this week and I know it's all because of her shout out.  I am going to enjoy this community and think it will be a great addition to what I already do as a teacher.  I should have known that this would be a wonderful place due to the fact that it's made up of wonderful teachers!

Hanging out in my classroom!

I went into school today, which is nothing new, I've been in there a few times the last few weeks.  We have about two weeks before we start and I'd rather mosey in later in the day and enjoy that "getting ready time," rather than be running around when we have meetings and other things going on.  My classroom is almost set, despite a few planning things and writing names on things. 

The best part of my day was meeting a colleague that works in a school across the county.  She wanted to see how I did centers in my math class.  I was excited to share, but it was also exciting to get her great ideas as well.  As a teacher I wish we had more time to do this, I guess that is what blogs are for!

Anyway, I wanted to share some of the things that I did today:

This is a chair that I had from a previous year but it was all ripped up.  I recovered it, I am pretty proud of it!

These came from Target.  One of the blogs I had read (if it's you take credit) went shopping at Target in the $1 section.  I usually don't think about Target in my school shopping, but this was a great find.  The buckets were $1 each and the stickers were a $1.  Total cost of this adorable little holders $3! 

Here are my clothes pins.  I use these clips for attendance, and drawing names for different things.  I still have to write their names on them, but this year I added a fun pom-pom!

Hope everyone is enjoying those moments in their classroom before the students get there!