Thankful for Fall Break

So, we are off for a full, FABULOUS week of Fall Break, and I couldn’t be more thankful! This time around, though, the hubs and I have different Fall Breaks, so we are limited in what we can do. We chose this year to stay home and just rest. I can’t tell you how much I am adoring time with my little guy at home by my side. It’s such a peaceful time!

Of course, I never really take time away from dreaming, planning, scheming what’s coming up in the classroom. Gotta keep it fresh, ya know? Just before Fall Break, we learned that our grade level is getting Promethean Boards at the end of the month. I truly could not be more excited – but also a little nervous! You see, I’ve never used a Promethean Board before. I L-O-V-E technology, so I’m not too afraid, just ready to get started. I have so many questions!

Pinterest friends, you understand. This means a new Pinterest board, right? I’ve found some wonderful resources already. One of my sweet second grade friends shared ww.promethenplanet.com with me. When I explored it, I thought I’d hit the jackpot! Another resource that I was reminded of on Pinterest was www.starfall.com. Click the picture below for an awesome little Fall reader.

Has anyone else used Starfall on their interactive white board? What are some other resources you rely on? Any advice for a Promethean newbie?

Happy Fall, Ya’ll!

Kelie

Thrift Store Thursday

(Sneak peak of the finished product)

While scoping out Pinterest the other day, I found this awesome napkin wreath by Amy Locurto. I was immediately inspired!

When I saw it, I fell in L-O-V-E! I had to have it for my classroom.. but, of course, it had to have lots of primary colored polka dots!  It looked easy enough; grapevine wreath, ribbon, and cocktail napkins.

So, today, as I was out and about, I found this sad looking little grapevine wreath at my favorite thrift store for $2. Looks pitiful, huh?

It originally had fruit and flowers glued to it, but I took all the extras off.  I found these napkins at Target for $2 a pack (I bought 2 packs).

Once I got all the little goodies off the wreath, I opened up the napkins and started twisting them at the folded corner. They looked like this…

Then, I just stuffed the twisted ends down into the crevices of the wreath.

And I stuffed, and I stuffed… This was the end result…

Total spent for this little doozy – $6. As my kiddos say, “Easy peasy, lemon squeezy”!

Now, I’m wondering if it needs an initial in the middle? What do you think?

Kelie

Dusting off the blog– freebie alert!

Okay, ya’ll .. I can’t believe it’s been so long since I’ve blogged. This past school year was the year of “all new” and I must admit that blogging just fell off the priority list.

This last year, I looped up to 1st grade with my previous Kinders and it was an amazing experience! For me personally, it was learning a new grade level, a new teaching team, a new math curriculum, a new administration, a new evaluation system to learn and moving into the Common Core. Sound like fun?? It was definitely a challenge, but in the end it was a great year of learning and stretching myself to try new things. Anyone else have a year like that?

Even with all the changes, I have to admit that I caught the serious Pinterest bug! I just cannot stay off of it – there are just so many great ideas out there to try and to share. I’m pretty sure that the idea I’m going to share with you originated from Pinterest, although I’m not sure it’s original contributor. Either way, it’s a great idea and this is my spin on Word Work plates…

When I was walking the aisles of Walmart today looking for school supplies, I found these awesome divided plates for $1 each and I immediately thought Word Work! (I saw them in white, turquoise and green) I came home and whipped up some letter tiles – consonants are black and vowels are red. You could even add diagraphs and blend cards if you wanted to make it more interesting!

Students can build words using the tiles, just print on cardstock and laminate. If you think you can use this in your classroom, please feel free to click on the picture above to get your copy of the letter tiles.

I’d love to hear what you think! How will you use them in your classroom?
Kelie

My Top Ten List



Really? Are you serious? Oh my word - I can hardly believe it – my little old blog got selected as a Top Ten and I am just in shock! I would have never expected this! Thank you so much to Jennifer at First Grade Blue Skies for nominating this little blog as one of her Top Ten visited blogs. It is definitely a work in progress and it has been a wonderful learning experience for me. I still have a long way to go!
When I think about what my favorite blogs are, it’s really hard to narrow it down to just ten. I follow more than 40 blogs and I have learned something from each of them. The fantastic things you share help me keep my teaching fresh and I cannot thank you enough! So, here are just a few of my faves – these are my go-to girls that I regularly stalk read for the best ideas:

Dr. Jean & Friends

And, one of my newest faves, Frolicking Through First….(sorry – I was having trouble finding a blog button for this one), excellent new blog! Hope you all have a relaxing Labor Day Holiday. We are having a lazy, rainy, stay at home kind of day!

Kelie

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