Newsletter

Here is the newsletter that was sent home last Friday, 8/29/2014.  I am hoping to post all newsletters on the blog as they are available.

Routines and Play

Day 2 is done and what a great day it was!
We are learning our routines fast.
- almost all home-school folders were brought back
- we know when to stop and listen when Mrs. Young rings the special chime
- we know how to line up after recess
- we have been reading lots of stories!!!!
- we played a hide and seek (find the mouse) game
- we are learning how to share materials around our room
-  we are having FUN!

Time for School!

We are off to a great start!  17 beautiful new students + 1 excited (yet slightly tired) teacher = HAPPY TIMES!

For the next few weeks our focus will be on:

• routines
• each other
• our school community
• our names
• shapes
• counting 

A typical day for us at the beginning of the year looks like this:

• welcome, attendance, gathering take-home folders, lunch count
• discovery (community play in the classroom) - during which children are called individually to sign in for the day
• calendar, morning meeting, review schedule board for the day
• music and movement activity
• story
• recess
• math
• lunch and recess
• literacy activities
• snack
• specials
• writer's workshop
• wrap-up of day, pack up and dismissal

Here are the latest pictures of our room!  ENJOY:

End of summer

It has been an amazing, fun-filled summer!

     - setting up my new classroom

     - transporting my daughter to Oliver rehearsals and helping out for 8 wonderful performances

     - a super-relaxing kayak trip

     - a week long graduate writing class

     - reading lots of professional resources

     - working with local teachers to re-vamp district math assessments

     - another graduate course: Leveled Literacy Intervention

      And now...,,.

A one week trip to Maine! 

Next week, it is back to school for me!   

I just typed up my welcome letter which I will mail out to my kiddos next Monday.

Click on the picture below if you would like a preview.

Painting

Started re-painting the kitchen set today. Had to stop the re-assembly until new hinges can be purchased tomorrow. 

Now I am trying to decide how to re-do the stove top burners......not really keen on painting them on.    Thinking maybe I will modpodge some on.   

Big thanks to my hubby for all his help!

Classroom Curtains

With the help of my oldest daughter and a color wheel, I chose colors for my curtains.   I am fortunate in that all my door frames and cubby frames are metal....so I was able to whip up curtains that can easily be put up and taken down.  Can you say MAGNETS people!??!    Click here to see my inspiration for this project.

Kayaking!

Clearly, this has to be the most relaxing thing I have done all summer.  I give this adventure a 5 star rating!!!!  Anyone who can, should take a trip down the winding Clyde River and feel their stress melt away.  For more information, visit:  http://www.clyderiverrecreation.com/

The "Why I should Get a Bunny" Presentation

Click on the picture below to view the Google Presentation my 11 year old daughter created in order to charm her father and I into allowing her to get a bunny.  Enjoy!

Thumper Young

 Meet the latest addition to our family, Thumper Young.

Thumper came to us by way of our youngest daughter, Victoria.   Knowing the way to her "techie teacher" mom's heart, she presented me with a Google Presentation on why she should be allowed to purchase a bunny with her birthday monies.

Needless to say, her efforts were rewarded.   I will post the presentation for your viewing pleasure soon.

Writing for Understanding

For a week, this summer I was able to attend the Vermont Writing Collaborative's Summer Institute at the beautiful Lake Morey Resort in Fairlee, Vermont.

One word:

AWESOME!!!!!!!!

I learned how to foster, nurture, encourage, and guide budding writers to compose their own writing that is well-organized and content rich. 

I highly recommend this week-long institute to any and all teachers of writing Pre-K though High School.

Be sure to check out the link to the VT Writing Collaborative and browse their great resources!

Fabric crate covers

So happy with how this fabric crate cover came out! I can't wait to make more! No more ugly hanging file crates for this gal!!!!!!

Thank you Laura Gunn for this free printable! Click on the image above to download your copy!

Summer Transitions

Summer Transitions

My current feelings:

Excited

Overwhelmed

Energized

Excited

Creative

Ready

Excited

Did I mention that I am excited????   I can't wait to begin my new adventure teaching kindergarten at Newport City Elementary!

It's like coming home.  I will be in the same, yes the VERY same room I attended kindergarten in!!!

There is sooooo much to do!  Cleaning, organizing, painting, sewing, and on and on.....

Here are some before pics of my new room: