Can y'all believe it's already MAY?!?! As in we only have 25 more days of school left?!?! WHEN did that happen?! Seems like I was just welcoming 18 new 5-year-olds into my tidy and organized classroom. Now those 18 not-so-new 5 & 6 year olds are a little bit older, a WHOLE lot smarter, and my classroom is anything but tidy and organized. I know I'm not the only one! April was a BUSY month for my little family. Birthday parties. Sleepovers. Easter. Family visits. Out of town guests. Trip to Dallas. And a little bit of everything in between. And even thought it … [Read more...] about Past & Present
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Schoolgirl Style Reveal ~ Woodland Animal Collection
If y'all are anything like me, you're already thinking about what you want to do differently next school year. Namely, decor and all things organization. Now, don't get me wrong. I love what I've got goin' on, but I like change...especially when it's cute. No one knows cute better than Schoolgirl Style {can I get an amen?!} Did y'all know she just launched her brand new store website?!?! Swoon. And guess what?! She's adding 16 brand spankin' new collections to the shop! Eeeek!! Sixteen, people!!! And she's revealing them one day at a time. I can hardly stand it. I was absolutely … [Read more...] about Schoolgirl Style Reveal ~ Woodland Animal Collection
The Naughty Numbers
One of my favorite things about teaching is the people with whom I teach. I love my team. I really, really do. I love that we all have our own little set of experiences and talents we bring to the team. I love that we all love to share. And I love that we're all brunette ;) Ha! Okay, so that last one was a bit of a stretch, but I'm pretty sure brunettes have more fun :) All that to be said, one of the best things about having an amazing team is the collaboration that goes on behind the scenes. It never seems to come from our regularly scheduled planning periods, rather those off the cuff … [Read more...] about The Naughty Numbers
Well, Isn’t That Clever?!
I'm gonna brag for a second. I have smart friends. Really smart. Very talented. Extremely CLEVER friends. And I love to be around them because I have no less than 5,089 "a-ha!!!" moments when I'm with them. Now let's change gears for just a second before I go braggin' on my clever friends. I've often been asked how I assess and/or know exactly what my kids are doing when they're working independently in literacy/math stations. I have a few different things I do, but when my very clever friend, Deedee, told me what she does, I immediately knew I had to change the way I was doing things! Deedee … [Read more...] about Well, Isn’t That Clever?!
A Little More Fluency Fun + A Giveaway
I intended to blog about more of our insect fun last week, but time got away from me. And then I had to pack and get ready for a weekend with the girls. If you're following me on Instagram, you might have seen a few little pics of my road trip to San Antonio this weekend. Several of my sweet blogging friends met up in SA for the Neon Dash...and lots of eating...shopping...and more eating. The best part of any trip, of course ;) Before the race... And after .... Friends are, by far, the best thing about blogging. What precious, PRECIOUS people these girls are and what a FUN weekend we … [Read more...] about A Little More Fluency Fun + A Giveaway
What’s the Bug Deal?
Just wanted to pop in real quick and share a few things we've been up to this week! This week we're learning all about insects. Since there's SO much to learn...and so many little insects to cover...we're taking two full weeks to learn about these little critters. This week is a big introduction to insects. Here's how we started our learning... I also introduced this song. Obviously this isn't an original! It's been around for ages and my kids LOVE it. Even my own two littles!! They get such a kick out of singing this when they come in my room after school. We're taking a closer look … [Read more...] about What’s the Bug Deal?
Plants Aplenty!
Last week our class was immersed in plants. Lots and LOTS of plants!! We started the week tapping into our schema about plants and learning lots of new info. And then we moved right into diagrams and labels....and tree maps, too! I created this same anchor chart last year and used it again this year to guide our independent writing and hands-on activities. I made the kids responsible for adding to our tree map. I love their inventive spelling :) This year I had the kids assemble and label the parts of a flower. We used the info from our tree maps to create our little Flower … [Read more...] about Plants Aplenty!
A Little Recap. That’s All.
I know many of y'all are on Spring Break, but I am not. In fact, I think I need ANOTHER week off. We are just getting back in the swing of things after an ever so glorious, albeit way too busy, Spring Break. {tear, sniff}. I can smell Summer just around the corner and the fragrance is OH so sweet. Sweet, sweet summa-time. Now before I start daydreaming about being poolside, I'll go ahead and recap what we've been up to these last few weeks. We had lots of presidential-sized Kindergarten fun. As you can see, we're working on our handwriting. That to be said, heck if I'm not so excited … [Read more...] about A Little Recap. That’s All.
You Requested. I Created.
Hey y’all! I promise I’m not turning into a once-a-week blogger, but I’ve been a bit preoccupied lately. I’ve been knee deep in redecorating my master bedroom these last couple of weeks and that’s pretty much how I spend my nights. Planning. Pinning. Pinning some more. And decorating. We’ve got ‘er painted. We have the bedding. Now I just need to find the finishing touches and finish painting a few pieces of furniture! It’s almost there!! Moving right along… I received the sweetest messages/emails last month asking if I’d be willing to create an interactive math printable packet … [Read more...] about You Requested. I Created.
Fluency Fun and a Sale!
Well…hello there! Long time no blog. My days have been crazy and I’ve been enjoying my nights with the family. When people used to tell me that kids grow up fast, I halfheartedly listened and nodded. Y’all. They weren’t kidding. I blinked and my boys grew up. They’re still not done growing…Praise God!…but wow. They’re not babies any more…at all!!! I savor every single minute I get with those two! Life’s too short to miss a beat! So you’ll have to forgive my absence, but I was lovin’ on my boys and busy making memories. The great news is that I have A LOT to share!!! … [Read more...] about Fluency Fun and a Sale!
5 for Friday…The Valentine Edition
Happy Valentine's Day, y'all!! Do you like to celebrate?! Or do you think this is a pretty hokey 'holiday'?! Honestly, I love it. And like I said before, it's not because of the "lovey-dovey" idea behind it all. It's just so darn nostalgic for me. I mean, were elementary school Valentine parties the best or what?! This week I'm linking up with sweet Kacey over at Doodle Bugs Teaching for her weekly 5 for Friday linky. 1. Tell me this isn't the most precious thing you've ever seen. Of course, I found the idea on Pinterest. I'm not giving credit to Pinterest because Pinterest … [Read more...] about 5 for Friday…The Valentine Edition
Vegas, Baby!!!! {I Teach K/1st}
I don't know about y'all, but I love Vegas. I really do. There's SO much to see and do! And I'm NOT talking about gambling!!! We used to go every single summer with my family. I remember sitting at a Pai Gow table with my mom, brothers, and sister {where was dad?!} 'til 4 in the morning one time! We had such a blast watching these crazy guys play!! I definitely sat at a Hold 'Em table for quite some time and eventually lost out. Playing in the World Series of Poker is still on my bucket list. For one of my birthdays we went to see the Rat Pack at The Sands. Ohmiword. The absolute … [Read more...] about Vegas, Baby!!!! {I Teach K/1st}
Last Minute Valentines {My Favorite Pins Edition}
I know Valentine's Day is an especially cheesy {commercial} holiday, but I love it nonetheless. Really, I love ANY reason to celebrate. This just happens to be one of my favorites. Not because of the "lovey-dovey" idea behind it all, but it brings back SO many childhood memories. Class parties, popcorn balls, Valentine exchanges, decorating shoe boxes...I could go on and on. Mr. Spouse and I don't go out of our way to make Valentines a big deal. In fact, we have a Valentine Day tradition I ADORE. We started it when I was pregnant with my first. We don't love waiting in lines for anything … [Read more...] about Last Minute Valentines {My Favorite Pins Edition}
Conversation Heart Math. A Fun, Hands-On Freebie!
I'm always looking for ways to make learning hands-on and FUN. Just like all of you, I scour the dollar bins at Target/Dollar Tree/Wal Mart/{insert store name here} in search of the *perfect* hands-on manipulatives/counters. Don't we all love making learning fun?! Turning the ordinary everyday things into learning materials for our littles?! Of course we do! And just like you, one of my favorite seasonal counters to use during the month of February are the tried and true...and completely disgusting...conversation hearts. {Y'all...I'm not a fan. They have the consistency of chalk and I'm really not … [Read more...] about Conversation Heart Math. A Fun, Hands-On Freebie!
100th Day Fun for Everyone!
I’m gonna throw out a little confession. Once upon a time, I did not think the 100th day of school was a big deal. I really didn’t think anything of it at all to be totally honest. As the years went by, I realized it was kind of a big deal and each year since I made that shocking revelation, I’ve been trying like crazy to do everything I can to make the 100th day extra special for the kids. Of course, it really does help being at an all K school where these “kind of a big deal” milestones are embraced and celebrated by everyone on campus. I always feel like I have a list a mile long of things I want to do for the 100th day, but … [Read more...] about 100th Day Fun for Everyone!
Coming Up…
I love weekends where I have absolutely NOTHING planned. This weekend was NOT one of those weekends. My oldest played another exciting game of basketball yesterday {I should also add that these games are nothing short of comical} and then we enjoyed a little family lunch in town. After lunch, I rushed home to take a little siesta and then headed to the other side of town for an auction dinner in honor of my alma mater. Y’all. Let me just tell y’all this. I left a little piece of my heart behind in high school. I mean, I wouldn’t go back to high school to save my life, but a little part of my heart … [Read more...] about Coming Up…
100 Days…We’re Almost There!
Can somebody tell me how it’s almost the 100th day of school?! I’m not complaining. Trust me. But really?! I feel like the years just go by quicker and quicker! I’m sure y’all are like me on the 100th day. Scrambling around like a chicken with your head cut off trying desperately to fit everything in you have planned. I guess I tend to OVERplan. Not the worst thing I could do, but I always feel so let down after it’s all said and done because I just don’t have enough hours in the day to do it all!!! So this year I decided to spend the entire week leading up to the 100th day doing … [Read more...] about 100 Days…We’re Almost There!
Hello.
Hello there. I’ve been a little tied up the last couple of weeks. I’m glad to be back. My sweet nephew turned one on the 25th and I was commissioned to bake the cupcakes and fancy up a few chalkboards. Did I mention that I baked 72 cupcakes?! I only frosted 60 because our sweet little pug ate a dozen. C’est la vie. That just meant I had less to frost, so I wasn’t complaining too bad :)Little Man had a Mustache Bash and it was presh. I mean seriously…is he not the cutest thing?! A few of y’all saw the chalkboards I posted on Instagram and to answer your questions… These are the chalk markers I … [Read more...] about Hello.
Do The Digraph!
Okay. I was recently re-introduced to a childhood favorite while skimming through Netflix trying to find a movie for my boys. Do any of y’all remember this show??? Don’t judge. I grew up with two younger brothers and one TV in our household. I grew to love it. But it wasn’t until a few days ago that I realized just how awful it was. And now I can’t get the theme song out of my head. This has absolutely NOTHING to do with my post, except to tell you that I’m singing “Do the Digraph” to the tune of the theme song, “Do the Mario”. Addicting people. Awful and addicting. You can thank me for … [Read more...] about Do The Digraph!
There’s SNOW Time Like Winter!
Just stopping in for a quick minute tonight to share a few things that have been keeping us busy this week. Write the Room has been keeping us up on our feet and moving around. This is my kids’ absolute FAVORITE activity so it’s no surprise that I have to change these out quite frequently. These last couple of days my kids have been identifying word families and writing CVC words {from my January Write the Room packet}. In our sight word center, the kids have been digging through the snow to find words. Once they find a word they know, they count out the number of letters in the word and use the … [Read more...] about There’s SNOW Time Like Winter!
And We’re Off…
Am I the only one that stresses thismuch about the regression of my kids after a long break?! I do this even after 3-day weekends. It's a sickness. I worry they'll forget absolutely everything I've taught them and they'll come back from break starting over at square one. Thankfully, that was not the case today {insert dramatic sigh of relief here}. In fact, I'm excited to say a lot of my babies progressed these last two weeks!! {Doesn't it always seem like a little light bulb goes off after winter break??!? Why do I worry?!??} I did running records on all of my kids today and ohmiword. Completely and … [Read more...] about And We’re Off…
Break Over & Staying Organized
Teachers are a crazy bunch, aren't we?! We get two weeks off for the holidays and still want MORE time off!! HA! I know I'm not the only one wishing for another week?!?! Am I ?!?! I still haven't taken down the Christmas decor...done ANY laundry...gone grocery shopping for the week...cleaned {dear Lord it's bad}...planned for the upcoming week...or anything of importance. My break was used for just that...a BREAK!!!! As usual, I've saved everything for the very last minute because procrastination is what I do best. Now it's time to get back to the proverbial grind. I'm excited to see my … [Read more...] about Break Over & Staying Organized
A Resolution and Some Crafting/Creating Inspiration {Chalk Style}
HAPPY 2014!!!! I spent this year’s NYE surrounded by my family. The absolute BEST way to start a brand new year. My boys were SO excited to stay up ‘til midnight. Only one made it and he said it was the BEST party ever. Bless. They even got to drink their Kool Aid from the "fancy" plastic flutes ;) My mom & my sister. I love. I spent the better part of New Year Day {ummm…night} cleaning up puke. My littlest decided to get the same bug I had and OHMIWORD. It was a war zone in here last night. AW.FUL. I’m pretty sure I did about 3 loads of laundry between … [Read more...] about A Resolution and Some Crafting/Creating Inspiration {Chalk Style}
HAPPY NYE!
How will you be celebrating?! Staying up ‘til midnight just to see the ball drop, sneak in a kiss, and then head to bed? A night out on the town? Or are you all, “WHO CARES?!?!?!” and going to bed early?!!?? This will be the first year since the boys were itty bitty that we’ll actually be welcoming 2014 in the comfort of our own home. Yay!! My siblings will be driving out to celebrate with us, so this year we’ll be ringing in the new year with family…there’s just NO better way to celebrate a holiday!!! Making it to midnight will be a miracle, so we’ll see how that goes. I came down with a little bug a couple of … [Read more...] about HAPPY NYE!
