Summer Shopping

Shhhh.  Don't tell my husband.

Oh wait, he drove me to the store.  Oh well, he already knows that I HAVE to always be on the lookout for something for my classroom.  Not shopping for my room would be like, well, not breathing.  Check out the interactive picture below to see my latest purchases!

Classroom work

It's that time of year again.  Inventory what I have, what I need, what I can let go of, and rearrange!

Setting up a new math program has me busy too!

Is it vacation yet????

Latest Happenings

Lot's has happened in the past 2 weeks!

We have made circle maps of letters we are focusing on for letter formation, sound association, and identification:

  

  

We have been having a blast learning about our friends through Star of the Day!

We are learning about our world as we explore high interest, non-fiction books in Readers Workshop.

We are author's and illustrators in Writer's Workshop!

Thanks for looking!

 

Linky Party!!! Bulletin Boards!!!

This Link Up stuff is new to me, so please have mercy!

I may have linked up the wrong dates or something.....I am working on it! 

Phew!  Ran to my room, and have some bulletin boards to share.

First up is my Math Wall:  Hover over the picture, than over any of the black dots in the image below to learn more!

Frame for picture taking of each child on day 1!

Letter Linking chart and letter focus wall.

Word wall - I love purple!

This year I am going to re-vamp how I do jobs....from 5 to 1!  I will have 1 student of the day which will rotate all year long.  I am looking forward to easier job management with this one!  No more asking and checking to answer question like: "Who is the lights person today?"

I am also going to utilize the 'new-to-me' idea of Brag Tags.  BUT....I want a different name (I am not especially fond of using the word brag.)  Suggestions welcome!!!

What Worked Well Linky

Today I am joining my friends at Kinder Tribe for a What Worked Well link-up!

Line up dots!

I LOVE them!  I use a self-adhesive vinyl sheet.  Mine are about 5 and a half inches in diameter and were cut by my daughter using a Cricut machine.

Why use dots?  Well, here a a few reasons:

• They add a great POP of color....and I LOVE color....the more the better!
• They give kids a good sense of proper space. 
• They can can be written on.  I write numbers on mine in black permanent marker.  (I did have to touch them up a few times throughout the year.)
• They last!  Seriously.  I did not have to replace a single dot all year long.  
• They come in lots of colors.  
• They remove easily.  I was a tiny bit worried that I would be chased down the janitorial staff if those suckers stuck too tight....but VOILA!  They peeled off like magic!  

This year, I have moved into a new room, and I already have the dots down.  (Insert your own happy teacher dance here!)

If you try the dots in your classroom this year, or want to know more, leave me a comment!

Classroom set up

New word wall and alphabet chart are up!

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.

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: