See what I did there?! In all seriousness, happy Tuesday!! Did y'all have the day off yesterday?! We did. All 3 of my boys had a "man day". That basically consisted of a lot of bathroom jokes, lunch out at Chili's, and a trip to Home Depot. I spent the day putting the finishing touches on my presentations for next week's Tennessee First Grade Conference. Will I see you there?! I sure hope so! If y'all haven't learned about bats yet, or even if you have, I just wanted to share a few things we've done in years past and give you guys a few more freebies to add to your ever growing collection of … [Read more...] about It’s Tuesday & I’m a Little Batty
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FrankenFUN!
During this time of the year, I'm always looking for ways to incorporate the "holidays" into our learning. I think it's really important to be sensitive to negative connotations this time of year can evoke. Let's be real. Not everyone is a fan of Halloween. And I know many schools/districts don't approve of the symbolism that goes along with it all. But that doesn't mean we can't make it fun :) Halloween has always been my favorite. I mean, I LOVE Christmas....errrr..Winter Holidays?!!?!??!...but there's just something about Halloween. It reminds me of my childhood. I can still smell our school … [Read more...] about FrankenFUN!
Take Me Back & A Freebie
Hello October. I missed you. Don't you feel the same?! I took a break from blogging and whatnot to enjoy a very special Texas tradition...Antique Week in Round Top! I spent a day there with the girls and another day there with my mom and her friend. When it was all said and done, I ended up with a muddy pair of boots {my own}, two chairs, two quilts, some farmhouse decor, and great memories : Since I'm still trying to get into the swing of things...and get this … [Read more...] about Take Me Back & A Freebie
Columbus Day Fun & a Little Sale :)
I spent the day yesterday helping some of my teacher friends get ready for their Discovery Day! SO fun!!! I love the idea of having "theme days" to teach particular concepts and events. My friends are incorporating the Columbus Day holiday into a day of learning they're calling "Discovery Day". Instead of focusing on Columbus being the first to discover America...which, by the way, is highly disputed...they're focusing on exploring, new discoveries, and Christopher Columbus' explorations. I came up with a few craftivities and printables to help them supplement their Discovery Day plans and thought I'd share … [Read more...] about Columbus Day Fun & a Little Sale :)
Alphabet Questions Answered!
Happy Saturday, y'all! Anybody else feeling like this today?? Hahaha. I wish that were true. I did laugh at the thought of doing housework, but I'll be running around with the family all day, so I actually have to get out of my pj's. Darnit. Moving on. Y'all had some really good questions about my last post on Small Group Alphabet Instruction, so I wanted to answer those for you here in case anyone else has the same question :) I hope this helps!!! The only video I have is this one of my antsy son. I asked him to recite the alphabet with motions the way he was taught by his … [Read more...] about Alphabet Questions Answered!
Small Group Alphabet Instruction (AKA – The Longest Post EVER)
Yesterday I posted all about how I introduce the alphabet in my classroom. I told y'all a little bit about what I do during small group and showed y'all a little sample of what that small group instruction entails.... Now let's go ahead and dive a little deeper. Before I get started, let's quickly talk about some invaluable resources I've used in my classroom to help teach and reinforce letter recognition and letter to sound linking. These are materials I use during small group, tutoring, and I keep these out in literacy tubs as well. This isn't everything I use...it doesn't even really touch the surface...but … [Read more...] about Small Group Alphabet Instruction (AKA – The Longest Post EVER)
All About the Alphabet
When I hosted a little Coffee Talk a few weeks ago, one of the things a few of y'all wanted to know about was how I introduce the alphabet to my Kinder friends. Instead of answering with a little blurb, I felt like this was a concept that deserved a lot more than just a little explanation. So let's get started, shall we?! Before I start, I think it's important for you to know that I wholeheartedly DO NOT believe in "letter of the week" alphabet instruction. Although letter identification and letter to sound relationships should be taught systematically and thoroughly, the sequence and spacing of instruction doesn't need to … [Read more...] about All About the Alphabet
Apples, Apples, EVERYWHERE!
How many of y'all felt a little shift in the weather this past weekend?! Us?! Notsomuch. My Facebook feed was full of friends in other cities and states talking about the gorgeous fall weather & pictures of pumpkin spice lattes, infinity scarves, boots, fires in the fireplace, and weather report screenshots reading temps between 50 & 70. Lucky you. I lie. While I'm looking forward to Fall and all the nostalgia and comfort it encompasses, I don't want the weather to change. I'm a summer girl all the way. Okay, okay. I could do without the 90 degree temps. But I'd love for it … [Read more...] about Apples, Apples, EVERYWHERE!
Tutorial by Request
In yesterday's post, I added this little picture of an example of what my name cards look like that I add to my Word Wall and use for various name activities at the beginning of the year.... A few of you said you didn't know how to make that in Power Point and wanted to know how it was done, so I put together this little tutorial and I hope it helps you out!!! I forgot to mention that I used KG PRIMARY PENMANSHIP as my font for these name cards. I do hope this helps to clear up any questions you had about creating name cards in Power Point. I've been using PP for the last 10 years because it's … [Read more...] about Tutorial by Request
Let’s Talk Word Walls
If you’re a teacher, there’s a good chance you’ve got a Word Wall in your room {either by desire or demand}. 9 times out of 10, the Word Wall you spent hours planning, setting up, & prepping is just a piece of wall décor. Am I right or am I totally off base?! Maybe I’m just speaking from experience. Hopefully you know what I’m talking about! I’ve always had a bit of an issue with my Word Walls. They’re not conveniently located. At all. And really, that’s all my fault. I could make it more accessible. I would always start out the year with a BANG….like we all do. I would … [Read more...] about Let’s Talk Word Walls
Coffee Talk
This past weekend I hosted a little "Coffee Talk" over on my FB page. I had so much fun chatting with the teachers who stopped by. And I felt like a lot of their questions deserved more than just a little blurb of a response. So I'm going to blog about a few of these things in greater detail over the next few weeks. Here's a list of things we came up with... I figured I'd check in with you guys too and see if there's anything you'd like me to add to the list?! Just leave a comment and let me know! Have a great Monday! … [Read more...] about Coffee Talk
Currently
I'm linking up with Farley today for her monthly "Currently" linky. I'm not sure why I torture myself with the news. It makes me all kinds of sad. And scared. But when I do tune in, my channel is set to HLN. I love Robin Meade. We recently found a new church. Two years in the making. And I LOVE it. It's cute. And tiny. And nestled in a sea of trees. I love the congregation and all the sweet people who have made us feel at home this last month. I'm 12 kinds of excited for the start of the LAST season {sniff, sniff} of Sons of Anarchy. 7 more days, people. … [Read more...] about Currently
(Short) Vowel Fun for Everyone!
Happy Labor Day! We spent our day doing a whole bunch of nothing. I love those kind of days. Mr. Spouse had to go in for a few hours today and the boys and I hung out around the house...playing MarioKart Wii...cleaning up...and fighting off a bug that {as Grant said} "surviveth in the water!!!!" That miraculous water surviving bug was the sole reason they refused to swim this afternoon. Oh dear. When the boys are home, I have to force them to take a little "down time". They aren't really big nappers...unless they're in the car...and that's really a shame because I could nap for hours :) … [Read more...] about (Short) Vowel Fun for Everyone!
Wayback Wednesday…A Behavior Management Idea!
Today I decided to take a little trip down memory lane. It's time to go WAY back. And when I say way back I mean 2 years ago ;) Hahahahaha. Seriously though. It seems like this summer was WAY back when. Dang time goes fast! I know how important behavior management is...especially at the beginning of the year. I really believe strongly in hitting expectations hard at the beginning of the year. No matter how you do it...whether you have rules or not....whether you incorporate a color system or not...whatever works for you! Setting expectations is IMPORTANT. I always feel that if I do … [Read more...] about Wayback Wednesday…A Behavior Management Idea!
Back To School
It's August 25th. For most schools here in Texas, today is the first day of school. This is an event my boys have been anticipating for the last month. Once all of our summer travels were over, they would excitedly ask, "when do we go back to school??!?!?!?!?" For the last few weeks ,the excitement has been building. The boys met their teachers last week {they are all so PRECIOUS!!!} and they haven't been able to stop talking about school since they walked out of their brand new classrooms on "Meet the Teacher" night. Excitement would be an understatement. I decided to do a little something special … [Read more...] about Back To School
A Look At My Day
Hey y'all! It's Thursday and that means today's Teacher Week Topic is WHEN.... It's all about our schedules today! I've taught for 13 years. In those 13 years, I've taught at 4 different schools and in 3 different grades {K-3}. Each year I feel like I have the "best schedule ever". Really. But I have to say, the schedule I've had the past two years just might take the cake. Let's take a peek, shall we?! Now let's break it down. Our kids all meet in the cafeteria every morning. That means no parent drop offs in the classroom. Except for the first two days of … [Read more...] about A Look At My Day
Organization & A Sale!
Today I'm linking up with Blog Hoppin' for Teacher Week. Today's topic...ORGANIZATION. I know I've talked to y'all a little bit about staying organized. You might remember me telling y'all that I always start out the year organized and ready to go, but after the first day the wheels fall off and I usually don't find them until the last day of school :) Here are just a few of things I do & use to TRY and stay organized throughout the year. TRY being the operative word. I keep all of my files in the plastic sterilite drawers labeled by month. This has helped me a TON!! … [Read more...] about Organization & A Sale!
It’s Teacher Week, Y’all!
Have y'all heard?! It's Teacher Week over at Blog Hoppin'! Today's link up is all about the WHO. I'm linking up with my girls to tell y'all a quick little bit about me. Just a quick little snippet :) {On a more random note, what in the world is up with my picture? It looks like I tried a little Portraiture action on my face and I SO did not!!! Why is it so hazy looking?! I didn't use a filter...I mean, I need to, but I didn't!!! HELP.} And if you're anything like me, you like to try and plan ahead, so here's a little schedule of what we have in store for the rest of the … [Read more...] about It’s Teacher Week, Y’all!
New Year, New Look!
Hey y'all! Notice anything different?! A-hem {{cough}}. Anything SPECTACULARLY different?!?!? HELLO NEW BLOG DESIGN!!!!!!!! I.am.IN.LOVE. You can't see me right now, but I'm swooning. It's a brand new year, so I figured it was time for a brand new look. And I seriously couldn't be happier. It's so ME!!! The colors, the graphics...did I mention the colors??!! I LOVE! And I have Tenille from Designs by Tenille to thank! She was AMAZING to work with and pretty much knocked this one out of the ballpark :) I'm even having her re-do my train wreck of a mess … [Read more...] about New Year, New Look!
A Little Tutorial
Yesterday I shared this picture on my Instagram. I had a few people ask where I purchased and if I didn't purchase it, how did I make it?! SO...I figured I'd do a teensy little tutorial for those of y'all that are interested. I grabbed all the supplies at Michaels. Then I typed up my little list of doable chores for my boys. I used KG Let Her Go Solid at 16pt. My boys are 5 & 7 and we try *really* hard to make them as independent and helpful as possible around the house. Their chores aren't insanely crazy, but they're just enough to give them a good sense of responsibility and make them helpful … [Read more...] about A Little Tutorial
A Few Little Tips
While everyone is headed back to school, I thought I'd share a few little tips that have helped my classroom setup TREMENDOUSLY over the years. You might have already seen these before, but just in case you haven't, I thought I'd share them again :) Whatever helps....right?!?!! Last year I added command hooks in all of my academic areas with the intention of storing my anchor charts for each of those subjects. I just attached the anchor charts to binder rings for hanging. That turned out to be one of the best things I did for my classroom! My kids were easily able to access all of our anchor charts so when they had a … [Read more...] about A Few Little Tips
GoNoodle is Hoppin’!
In case you haven't figured it out by now, I'm a pretty happy person. Life's too short to be ANYTHING but happy. Don't you agree?! I want the kids in my classroom to feel the same way EVERY.SINGLE.DAY. When you think about it, many of our kids might be the happiest they'll be all day long when they're in our classrooms. It's my job...my privilege...to make them feel safe, loved, and yes...HAPPY. I may not always succeed, but I'll tell you what. I try my darndest to make sure it happens! When my boys get home at the end of the day, I pray they feel the same. HAPPY. I know their teachers … [Read more...] about GoNoodle is Hoppin’!
Back to School Tips – The Readers Edition
I know at the beginning of the year I need all the help I can get. I don't have all the answers. I don't have the best ideas. I never have and I never will. I absolutely LOVE brainstorming and getting help from other teachers! I mean, I'll take any help I can get to make my year start off smoothly!!! Especially when SO many of you have such AMAZING ideas!! About a month ago, I asked my Facebook readers to give me a few back to school tips and I got some great ideas! These are the kind of ideas that made me go, "DUH!!!! SO simple!! Why didn't I think of that?!?!?" Hopefully … [Read more...] about Back to School Tips – The Readers Edition
Celebrating Mistakes
Have y'all ever read this precious book??? It's all about a little girl named Beatrice who is a perfectionist in every sense of the word. She was known as the girl who never made mistakes....until one day she did :) I absolutely ADORE this story for SO many reasons. Kids can be SO scared to make mistakes. Whether they come from a home where mistakes aren't embraced or they're just natural born perfectionists, they're {sometimes} terrified to make them. I started reading this book at the beginning of the year to teach my kids that mistakes are OKAY! I want my kids to know that I make mistakes … [Read more...] about Celebrating Mistakes
