Summertime

It is summer and we are loving it!  Sleeping a bit later, staying up later, hanging out in pjs all day and having fun is the name of our game.  I'm busy looking for fun activities to use next year.  Looks like I will be in kindergarten again......more to follow on that in a later post. 

I am starting to look for organizational tips that are out there so that I can be even more organized!  My teammates just shake their heads at me when I say my closet is a mess.  I guess I'm the only one who thinks that!  I want to get one of the storage drawer cabinets from Lowe's if it will work in my room.  I'm also thinking about doing notebooks for my themes and files.  That will take several notebooks and page protectors.....maybe they will be cheap at back to school time!!  I'm still debating my monkey theme or going to polka dots.  I really like the polka dot idea but there are several things I'm going to have to remake or purchase.  Hmm......not sure what I will do.  Lots to think about!!

I'm found!!!

Sorry that I haven't posted in a LONG time!  It's been a crazy few months in kindergarten.  I have been perusing blogs during the break looking for some new fabulous ideas and boy did I find some!  Now if my printer ink will hold out for me to print them.  I'm thinking maybe I will have to go into school a day early and fire up the copier to print out all my goodies.  I'm also considering delving into making some things but I honestly have no idea where to start.  The graphics at Scrappin Doodles are wonderful but I was a little overwhelmed at where to start!  I think I just need to take a bit of time and figure out what I have and what I need to get things going this semester. 

I am really excited about 2012!  There seems to be lots of things in store for my family and hopefully me professionally also.  We plan to move closer to my husbands job this summer and I hope to find a new job at a new district for next year.  It will probably entail me moving to a much larger district so that makes me very nervous!  We will see what happens-I am going to stay optimistic that this is the year for me to make this happen.  I'll keep you posted. 

I'll be back later with some things that we have done since I last posted and some things I plan to do when we return on Wednesday.  Wow-can't believe my vacation is almost over!  So glad that I don't have to go back tomorrow like some of you though.  I'll be thinking of you when I'm still in my jammies in the morning! 

Zero Hero Day!

We had a visit from Super Hero Zero yesterday for day 20.  I can't believe we've made it that far!  We asked our school secretary to be our Zero Hero this year and she does a WONDERFUL job!  The kids love it and are mesmerized by how she really hams it up.  Here are a few pics from her visit.

Super Hero Zero's entrance

Listening and counting to 20 with Zero Hero

She brought a wig so that the kids wouldn't recognize her.  The first time we had a lot of kids say "she's not real." or "that's the principal!" 

Enjoying our Zero snacks- chocolate donuts!

We had a great time learning about 20 yesterday.  We even did the Zero the Hero book that I found by Growing Kinders on TPT.  I am really loving that packet and I made the books that are included.  I would suggest it to anyone! 

I will be back to show you some pictures of our Aa  and Bb week and also some apple activities that we have been doing.  Until next time....

Megan

Another Week Down

We made it through another week!  This one was a bit more challenging!  They definitely were testing what I would or wouldn't do as far as correcting behavior.  By mid week I was about to pull out my hair!  I tried to introduce some of the whole brain teaching ideas and so far what I did introduce they have really understood.  I did the class-yes! and we tried the hands and eyes.  I am going to introduce the rules next week along with the scoreboard.  It will take a bit but we will get it I think!  I hope that it makes my life more stress-free. 

We have finished our color unit and we are starting with the alphabet next week.  The letter A is up first.  I'm still trying to find my way with activities for a whole week for each letter.  I don't necessarily like going in alpha order but I don't want to change my way and cause hard feelings already.  Change is hard and that's why some of the same things have been done for years!  I think it's time to break out of that mold.  One thing at a time though! 

We had Open House and I was very sad.  Our parent participation has dropped drastically at school.  I had two families come in this time and only four came into Meet the Teacher night.  Both of my Open House attendees came to Meet the Teacher!  It makes me very sad for the students.  What has our world come to?  Parents just don't understand how important it is to be involved. 

I have not forgotten my blog...

I have just been swamped and stressed with this move to Kindergarten the past few weeks.  But, we have started school- 8 days in to be exact!- and I am really loving this move.  It has been the best thing for me I think.  My kids are so sweet and loving.  I have a few stinkers but they are ones I can handle.  I can't wait to see what else is in store for us. 

We have been working on colors and will continue with that this coming week.  Chicka Chicka Boom Boom was a hit with them and we have another activity to work on with that this week.  I can say there are a few things about the curriculum that I do not like.  We do journals daily and I am just not seeing the productiveness coming out of them...yet.  I'm hoping I see it soon!  I feel like it's art time because they spend the majority of it drawing and coloring.  I do have to brag though.  I let them try to write the date on their page last week and almost all of them could copy it off of either the whiteboard or SMART board. That was so exciting!!!!! 

I am going to try and post pictures of my room soon.  My camera battery died and I hate my school camera.  It doesn't take clear pictures.  I have to pick up my battery at my aunt's today and then I will get pictures taken.  Have a great weekend all!

Giveaway!

I don't usually do this because I only have a few followers but Little Warriors has teamed up with Deedee Wills to do a fabulous giveaway.  Go over there and check it out! 


http://www.littlekinderwarriors.blogspot.com/
(Sorry-new to this blogging thing and can't figure how to link with her button!)

Done!

I can't believe it but I am actually pretty much finished with my classroom.  It will be a work in progress as the year goes I'm sure but that's just part of getting used to a new grade level.  I still have copying to do and labeling names on everything. I don't like to waste labels so I want to make sure no one drops before I label.  I'm staying away from there for the next four days because we have to return on Monday for in-service.  I'm not looking forward to that.  I would rather be there with kids but it has to be done.  I forgot to take pictures before I left because I was in a hurry to get home so I could leave again!  It's been a busy hectic week! 

On another note, today is my wedding anniversary.  Hubs and I have been married 8 great years.  We've definitely had our ups and downs but I wouldn't trade him for anything though as he is my best friend and a wonderful daddy to our two little boys.  Here is a family picture from last Christmas.  Our first family picture since we have had both of our kids.