So many things to be thankful for!

Well, teacher friends, our first 2 weeks of school are behind us and I have so many things to be thankful for. I have a wonderful class of 25 (yes, 25) students and awesome parents to work with this year! I have an A-M-A-zing teaching partner and a fabulous new administration that is super supportive! Here a few final pics of the room arrangement to share…

Book Center

   

Our Listening Center this year will only accommodate 2 students – for very good reasons!

 

Birthday Board & Polka Dot Cabinet

The polka dots were made with pre-cut circles from the Dollar Tree. There was enough in 1 package to do the whole cabinet.

Word Wall Fun

The letters were made using an awesome font from Lettering Delights called Funky Chicken – absolutely LOVE this font!

  

Totally Pinterest inspired.. Just a little daily reminder for myself, especially when things get tough. :-)

Rug Area, with books behind it.

Oh yeah, almost forgot.. won this last week from The Schoolbox

And, finally my biggest reason to be thankful…

Kelie

Randomness at it’s Best

So, I know this is a super random post, but, I went to school today and am FINALLY close enough to take some time off. I can hardly believe we go back to school a week from today. Here’s a few picks from what’s been done so far…

The first item on my agenda today was to get my boards together.. Still waiting to see if our custodians are going to grant my white board wish, so 1 is unfinished, but most are pretty much done. This is the helper chart – still needs a label at the top!

This rainbow pocket chart makes a wonderful chart for center rotations. My groups are color groups (red, yellow, green, blue, purple). This year I added a tape strip down the center to differentiate for literacy centers and math centers. When I get the kids grouped, I will add a colored piece of paper for each group that lists the kids in the group. It has worked really well in the past; if a child has a lost look on their face during center time, I simply tell them to check the chart (or one of their precious friends will help them with this!).

Here’s a wider view of the focus wall. As I move into 1st this year, I’m still trying to get a feel for what I will need on the math and literacy wall. Any helpful hints or tips?

The writing center still needs a little work, but it is a start. I found this super cute table and two chairs at a yard sale for $15 total – with polka dots already painted on!

I have to share this A-DoR-a-bLe door hanging that was waiting on me when I got to school last week! One of my absolute favorite teachers painted this little goody to hang on my classroom door, so you know it was hanging up THAT DAY! (Thank you, Mrs. Frye – I LOVE it!)

To spread a little random your way, if you are still needing school supplies you MUST check out Walgreen’s this week! They have absolutely amazing deals on 3M hooks (2pk for $3), pencils, folders, highlighters, dry erase markers & cleaner, and my favorite – sheet protectors (which I use for nearly everything!). Hopefully this is something you might be able to use!

Hugs coming your way as you sweet teachers prep your classrooms this week!

Take care,

Kelie

…and the winner is…

True Random Number Generator Min: 1 Max: 73 Result:45 Powered by RANDOM.ORG

Today is the big day!  A big congratulations to Kelly B – from -

 http://busyinkindergarten.blogspot.com

I will email you shortly to get your address.

Thanks again, for all of the sweet comments – I really appreciate all of you that participated in this event.  Thanks you for your kind words and for sharing such wonderful ideas!

Kelie

Last chance to participate in our giveaway!

Alright, gals, I’m so excited to see who will win this back to school goody basket! Just 2 more hours to enter the giveaway. Just a few reminders…
-If you are a “follower”, leave me a comment letting me know you are – 1 entry
-If you become a “follower”, leave a comment letting me know you are new to the club – 1 entry
-Add my blog button to your site, leave 2 comments – 2 entries
-Blog about this little giveaway, leave 2 comments – 2 entries
Easy peasy, lemon squeezy? Yes! It is! I will announce the winner sometime tomorrow morning. Good luck friends!!

(ps - can we make it to 100??)
Kelie

Finally 50 Giveaway

Finally at 50 giveaway!!

 

I am so excited to have reached 50 followers! Thank you all for coming on this learning experience with me! I am learning so much in the process from all of you awesome teachers out there! I get inspiration from you daily. So, I wanted to give a little something back.

Included is:

two handmade pointers

• an apple notepad
• 2 boxes of dominoes
• 1 magnetic black & white polka dot pocket
• 4 pack of programmable spinners
• (1) 3 pack of black & white file folders
• handmade teacher clipboard
  

 

Sound like anything you'd like? Here's how to enter the giveaway:

-"Follow" my blog and leave a comment – 1 entry

-Add my blog button to your site and leave a comment – 2 entries

-Blog about this giveaway on your site and leave a comment – 2 entries

This giveaway will end on TUESDAY, JULY 19 at midnight. I will announce a winner on Wednesday, July 20, 2011. Good luck and thanks again for being such an inspiration to me!

Kelie

Back to School Class Books - FREEBIE

Just wanted to share with you all a few little class books that I like to make in the beginning of the year with Kindergarteners.
They are probably applicable for 1^st graders too!


There are three different books included in this file: We Like to Eat (students add pictures of something they like to eat and write the word on the line), Chicka Chicka Boom Boom (add students pictures and they can write their name), Our Hands (students will either trace or stamp their handprint and write their name on the line). These make great books to use in the book center for early readers. Let me know what you think!

Directions: Print (1) copy of the cover page for each book and enough copies of the second page of each book for each child in your class to complete. You might also want to complete a page yourself to add to the class book - I always do!

Class Books

Kelie

Can you spot a giveaway?

Hello friends! I am getting close to 50 followers now, and I'm ready to host my first giveaway! Be on the lookout for something red, yellow, black and white!

Kelie