Open House Excitement!

Today was Open House/Family Fun Day. It was so exciting to meet some of my students and their parents. I had about six students and their parents come today. I found out yesterday that I have 18 kids in my class... the numbers may change though. I am just so excited for Monday- The First Day of School!! The kids were all very sweet. I have worked so hard in my room and it all paid off today when one child walked in and said (wide-eyed and mouth open) "Wow! This room is NICE!" I said, "Thank you. Are you excited to come to school on Monday?" He replied, "I am now!" Priceless!

It Is FINALLY Finished!!!

My classroom is finally ready for the first day of school (minus the name plates and a few other things that need names on them... don't have the list yet). Be sure to check out the "after" photos on the page at the top! :)

My Happy Dance!

Ok, if you know me (in person) you know that I am not one to brag on myself... but I was so thrilled yesterday that I just have to share this with you! I have worked so hard in my classroom. I have spent days upon days and hours upon endless hour in that room... and I am really starting to be proud of my room. (I'm not letting it go to my head, though... don't worry!) Anyhow, yesterday our district had a Back to School Bash (an academic and health fair). I decided to head over there (I haven't mentioned this before, but I drive 50 minutes to work and 50 minutes back) and see what this Bash was all about. I found our school's table and hung out there with the teacher who had volunteered her time for the day to be in charge of our table. Anyhow, I got to meet all sorts of people in the district and everyone was so nice! My principal got there and was shocked to see me there! I was so pleased with myself. I didn't think anything of going, because I really want to be a part of my school, but I think she was surprised because it was not required and I live nearly an hour away. She introduced me to all sorts of board members and other people in the district.  She told the board members that my room is awesome and that when they come to the school they just have to stop in and see it! I was so pleased with myself! I mean, I love my room... but I just thought it was such a huge compliment coming from her. She also told people that I have such a positive attitude and energy and she is excited to see how my first year goes. I am thrilled! I cannot wait to see how it goes, either! I am so glad that I work with/for such a wonderful woman. I am so thankful for this opportunity. One week from tomorrow my school year begins with the kids. Wish me luck!

I've Been Reading

I have been reading "Teaching With Love and Logic" and I love it. I have not finished the entire book, nor do I expect to be an expert after reading it one time, but I do plan to put some of it's ideas into use in my classroom. I love the idea of not explaining a consequence to a child in anger or when the child is upset. They suggest waiting until the child (and you) can think logically and not emotionally. I mean, it seems so simple, but how often do teachers say, "GO OUT IN THE HALL WAY!" (Or something to that affect?) It happens all the time. Then, you're mad, the kid is mad, and the situation turns ugly. The teacher ends up going home stressed out and the kid is crushed. No ones like to be yelled at... and I really don't like yelling at people. So, I'm thinking I'll try their approach of telling the child that you are disappointed in their actions (or however you want to phrase it) and then telling them you are busy teaching now and will speak to them about a consequence later. The thing I like about this idea, too, is that many times a kid punishes themself more than I ever would just by thinking about how awful whatever they did was. Not that I want them to think negatively about themselves, but that I want them to own up to their actions/mistakes and take responsibility for them. It's all about teaching them to grow up and be responsible.

More Pictures of the Classroom

It's almost finished!!

leaves over the cabinets... still missing 2.

Posters over the cubbies and I put a cute little boarder on the top of the cubbies... it's amazing what a little hot glue can do!

Back corner of the classroom... computer area and reading nook. Almost done!

Hanging decorations above my desk area and new banner that says "What's the Buzz?" over the curriculum board. 

Closer view of my desk.

Behavior chart and consequences clearly stated.

Celebrations board. We use Dr. Jean's celebrations. 

I have spent the day working on work station activities. I have made about 10 more activities. I am really excited about the way they are turning out. I think so far I have about twenty activities. Seems like a lot... but they won't last me for too long because the kids can really only do the same activity once or maybe twice depending on the activity. I bought a hanging file box and am storing all of my work station stuff in it. A lot of my work stations are file folder activities, so it works well for that purpose. I also bought a laminator machine at Walmart last night. It was only $25. I have used it to make game boards and things like that. I'm pretty excited and it works really well!

I have so much to do between now and the day school starts. I have been working on activities to do the first few days. I'm worried about feeling stressed out when school starts so I am trying to get a ton of things planned so I don't run out of activities. Of course, I plan to spend a great deal of time on procedures the first week because I have been told and have read that if you spend time on that the first couple of weeks you don't have to constantly spend time on it later in that year. Then, since you have taught the procedures and the kids know them you can say, "And what is the procedure for that?" and they should be able to tell you. We shall see!

I am very excited about school starting. The kids come back on the 16th. I can't wait to meet them and get this year started. I am a littler nervous, but I think the more I plan and prepare the less nervous I will be. Wish me luck!!

Work In Progress

Just a sneak peek of my work-in-progress! :) I have worked in the room for 3 full days. I had no idea it takes so much work to set up a classroom!

Cabinet of math manipulatives.

Writing cabinet...

My desk area.

The mess. View from back corner of room.

The beginning of the classroom library.

A bulletin board we'll use each day during morning meeting.

This Should Be Fun...

The pile of stuff that has to go to my classroom is growing. Yikes! It is currently taking up a large portion of my dining room. Should be fun to move all of this! I also have stuff in the attic and at my Mom's that has to go to my classroom too. This is certainly take more than one trip. Great. hahaha!

I am really excited that about half of these boxes are books. I really want to provide the kids with an awesome classroom library. The tiny desk is for our bunny (that is yet to be named) who will go home with a student each weekend and they will write a journal entry about the bunny's weekend and take a few pictures. During the week, the bunny will sit in the desk that will be located in our classroom library.