Summer Project #2

It was almost 10 o'clock at night and I started working on my second summer project. Darn that Pinterest!

I had seen on Pinterest several pins where a teacher took a twisty straw and could turn it into a little birthday treasure for their students. 

They looked like a Pinterest project that I could actually do...myself...and is very affordable thanks to the Dollar Tree. 

And a free printable from Morgan Lammert's TpT store. 

All I had to do was cut the ballon printable, tape it to the straw and then I was finished. Fancy that!!

I think my kinder kids are going to love them!! My next mission is to find a container to put them in.  

Happy...

For the LOVE of School Supplies

Oh my gosh!!! Nothing is more exciting to me in the summer than when the stores start putting out the new school supplies!! I've been stalking Target and Walmart for weeks. But today when I went, they were there...aisles and aisles of glorious school supplies!! 

I always have to reassure the people staring at me that "I'm ok. I'm just a teacher and I LOVE school supplies!" 

My older boys hide because I'm clapping and cheering. I try to be calm, but my plan always seems to fail me. 

Deals of the day:

Today at target I found 3 drawer towers in black with black plastic drawers. I bought four of them. I'm not sure what I'm going to use them for yet, but it was too good of a deal to pass up. 

Oooohhhh and at Walmart...

I found the sturdy kindergartener proof plastic folders. I use red for "Important Folders," green for writing and black folders for work folders. 

The 3 ring binders are for me and I am so in LOVE with them!! Black and white polka dots and chevron!! No way!!

Walmart price matched the Mr Sketch markers for $3.99 and the Crayola markers for 99¢. I think it's great that they price match and with a smartphone it is easier than ever. 

Today was a good day!

Liebster Award Nomination...

While on vacation in Branson with my family, I received some exciting news...

I was nominated for the 

by Cindy Price

Thank you Cindy!

To accept the nomination I must:
1. Link back to the blog that nominated me
2. Nominate 5-11 blogs with fewer than 200 followers
3. Answer the questions posted for you by your nominator
4. Share 11 random facts about yourself
5. Create 11 questions for your nominees
6. Contact your nominees and let them know you nominated them

My nominees:

Mrs. Pletcher and Mrs. Baker at Kindergarten Pals

Cool Teach at Kindergarten Tales

Susan at First Grade Friendly Froggies

Krazy4K

Mrs. Olson's Lucky Little Learners

My Questions:

1. What is your favorite grade to teach?

I like to teach kindergarten through 2nd grade.  1st grade might just 

be my favorite, but it is the one I have taught the least.

2. What is your favorite time of year and why?

I L-O-V-E the fall! We have cool weather, it's football season, and it is when my

 husband and I started dating in high school.

3. What was your favorite trip you have ever taken?

My favorite trip as an adult would have been our trip to San Antonio with our boys.  

There was so much to do and they loved it!

4. What was the last conference you attended?

I rarely get to go to conferences anymore...I know cry for me please...I love to go! 

But, I think the last one I went to was in Salt Lake City which was also my first and 

only time to fly!! I went to the Waterford computer training.  It was a great trip!

5. What was the last book you read?

The last book I read was The Daily 5.  I love to read "teacher" books!

6. How do you relax during the school year?

I go to the gym and "run" and do the elliptical to relax during the school year.  

I usually get up at 4 and try to get home by 6:15 so I can get ready on time.

7. How long have you been blogging?

I have only been blogging a few weeks.  I still have no idea what I am doing, 

but I enjoy the challenge of it.

8. Where did you go to College?

I went to the University of Central Oklahoma for my B.S. in Elementary Education. 

 I went to Southern Nazarene University for my Masters Degree of Arts in Curriculum and Instruction.

9. What is your favorite product off of Teachers Pay Teachers?

OH MY GOODNESS!!! How do I pick one?? I LOVE TpT like L-O-V-E it!! 

I really like all of Cara's products! 

10. Do you use a smart board in your classroom?

I do use a smartboard in my room, but must admit that I used it a lot more

when I taught 1st and 2nd grade.

Random Facts about Me:

I have known my husband since the 4th grade.

I LOVE snowcones and in the summer get one just about everyday!

I am a Gilmore girls expert!

I have had a secret (ok its not so secret) love of Michael Jordan since 

the 6th grade.  You could say I'm his #1 stalker. lol

I have a "pinning" addiction and I don't want help for it.

I love snow...well I love the thought of snow not actually driving in it!

I am a Thunder fan...of course!

I cheer for both OU and OSU because they are representing my state!

I am a NBCT!

I work on school stuff when I am stressed.

I am not domesticated at all.  I can cook but house things...not so much!

Now Your Questions:

1.  Why did you start blogging?

2.  What is the crazy thing that has happened at school to you?

3.  Where would you travel to if you could go anywhere?

4.  What is your dream job/grade level?

5.  Why did you start teaching?

6. What do you do for fun?

7.  How many schools did you go to as a child?

8.  Who was your favorite teacher? Why?

9.  What is your class theme or how is it decorated?

10. Does your school do a school wide theme? 

If so, what is it for the next year?

11. Do you sell things on Tpt? If no, do you plan to in the future? 

What is your link if you do?

My TpT Shopping Obsession

What did I ever do without one of the greatest teacher stores ever? One of the best things about this Teachers Pay Teachers...it's online! I can access my purchases from any computer!

 How did I ever teach a lesson, make an anchor chart, do guided reading or make a new center without it? I mean it! My teacher life before Teachers Pay Teachers came along required so much more work! 

I love that the tech savvy teachers have made my life so much better! My centers are cuter. My classroom is more organized. My groups run much better. It saves me so much time!

Someday I hope to be one of those tech savvy people, but until I am I have no problem buying their incredible products. 

I thought I would share a few of my favorite TpT stores. I have many  many favorites, but for now I will list just my top 5 stores. I've linked their names to their TpT stores and the "button" goes to their blogs! 

Happy shopping and blog reading! Oh...and thank you TpT sellers!

1.  Cara Carroll from The First Grade Parade
I couldn't find the "button" to share for Cara's blog, but you have to go read it! It is incredible and full of  great kinder and 1st grade ideas!
http://thefirstgradeparade.blogspot.com/

2. Julie Lee  

3. Jamie Mayas

 4.  Kim Adsit

5.  Deedee Wills and Dianna Jump Units

Oh My Parker!!!

This is not school related, but it's my crazy life! This morning I was up at 4:45 getting ready for the gym. I checked on the kids before I went in the bathroom to get ready to go. The boys were asleep so I shut their bedroom door. Lauren's door was still shut so no worries of waking her up. Everything seemed "normal."

I was finished getting ready and I was waiting on my workout buddy to text me that she was still in for the gym. I sat down at the computer to do a little "work" before I left.

 A few minutes later, I started hearing weird sounds coming from downstairs. I stopped what I was doing to make sure I was really hearing things...I WAS!!! I went back to the hall...hmmm all the kids doors were still shut. I stood in the hall and listened more. I kept hearing someone getting into what seemed like all the cabinets and drawers in the kitchen. The lights downstairs were off from what I could see from the top of the stairs. HOLY COW!! I was FrEAkiNG out!!

 I went and woke my husband up. I said, "Get up!!! There are REAL noises coming from downstairs. I think someone is in our house." He jumps up grabs a flashlight and baseball bat THANK GOODNESS not his gun and heads downstairs. I stood at the top of the stairs ready to dial 911 if needed. 

 I heard him fussing at someone. I FREAKED out more, but thankfully didn't hit send on my phone yet when I hear him say Parker! Parker?!?! 

 Parker is our middle child. Our 5'1" 9 year old! Our let's get into everything child. My son who earlier this week tried to burn down our house by "cooking" muffins in the microwave and started a fire son. Now, don't misunderstand. He is a very sweet and super smart boy, but oh my he is a mess!! 

 Anyways, back to today's early morning drama... J (my husband) came upstairs with Parker in tow. He explained that when he went down to the family room Parker hid behind the couch. Was he trying to die?!? It was a good thing J recognized him before he beat the living pulp out of him! 

Oh my! I never made it to the gym surprise surprise! How many calories can you burn from freaking out?! 

 J later discovered this...

He was setting the table?!?!  He used to sleep walk. Maybe that's what happened?? I don't know, but I really hope he wasn't planning to cook us breakfast after his little failed muffin experiment that occurred earlier this week. 

My life is never boring! 

Bloglovin

Here is an easy way to follow my blog once google reader is gone on July 1st. Follow my blog with Bloglovin

What a Mess...

I stopped by school yesterday to drop off my Dollar Tree finds and my newly dyed pocket charts. I was once again reminded of the huge mess I left it in when I left for summer break. Ugh!!

I moved rooms at school because we are adding a new special ed pre-k/kdg class in our hall. This is my 4th room at this school in 6 years. My wonderful husband came and helped me move everything over to my new room, but we just stacked EVERYTHING like 12 years of everything (well the stuff that's at school and not in my teacher's hoarding buried alive office at my house) on the tables and shelves and put it in the middle of my new room. Nothing was packed, sorted, or cleaned. Just piled and left for a later date. 

My new room might get painted too this summer which was reason #2 why my stuff still is in a huge mess in the middle of the room. Hopefully, I will find out soon if that will happen, but if not that's fine. I just feel the need to get started.

I can't wait to get in there and start making it my school home. I only live four blocks from school and drive by it usually when I leave my neighborhood. Around every July I can't seem to stay away. 

I have this strange need to get things ready early so I will be good to go on the day we first report back. With all meetings and back-to-school functions, time to work in my room after I report back just doesn't seem to exist. 

When do you start working in your room?

Finished 1st Summer project

The pocket charts are finished and I'm pretty happy with them. I'm so glad I no longer have to deal with the rainbow of  pocket charts in my class any more!

It was pretty easy to do. I found Dalovely's Teaching Ideas: Black Pocket Chart on goggle and then of course I had to pin it. I don't know how to do the fancy link thing yet but not to worry I requested a blogger book from the public library.  I figured it out!! Oh dear and watch out!

I didn't follow her directions exactly because I have a front load washer and once again being the not so sure how things work kind of person...I just used a really big plastic tub. My big boys were off to camp so I wasn't really worried about anyone getting in to a huge tub of black dye on my white kitchen counter. Yeah...not smart anyway you look at it! Bleach removes dye just in case you try this!

I mixed 2 bottles of  Black Rit Dye and used vinegar because the pocket charts were made of nylon and that's what the label on the dye said to do.  I think the post that I had read said she used salt. Anyways, I used very hot water to fill the tub.  I filled it  up enough to cover the pocket charts.  I did 5 at a time...I wouldn't recommend doing this.  My tub was too crowded and I ended up taking some out the next day and doing 2 at a time.

Also, the original blogger warned not to try to dye the cheap pocket charts. Of course, I tried it anyways and ended up sacrificing a cheap Target pocket chart, but since it was only $1 I'm okay with it.

I let the pocket charts soak overnight, but when I took them out I could still see some of the original color behind the clear plastic.  I opened that up more and back to the tub they went to soak some more.  The clear plastic stayed clear which shocked me.

I could still see green so I soaked it again. 

After a few days of this soak, dry, soak process, I finally was happy with the outcome.  The blue looks more like a midnight blue and the green looks like a very dark hunter if you look really close.  The yellow ended up  turning out the best.  

My husband said they look black to him so I will take it!!!

Dying Pocket Charts

I know this may sound strange coming from a kindergarten teacher, but I HATE all the primary colors in my classroom. They make me feel like I'm in a circus, but not the kind I would like. I don't mind the colors separate, but when they are all put together...it's complete circusville! 

The problem I run across every year when trying to rid my room of the dreaded color combination is my pocket charts. I have red ones, green ones, yellow ones, blue ones...see I can't escape it! I do have a few that are black and I LOVE them, but they are the file folder pocket kind and not the kind I use for my academic things. 

Well, I decided to do some research and where do all great teachers go to do research...Pinterest and google of course!  

Pictures to follow...

Five years

After dropping our boys off for their first overnight church camp, I stopped by my school just because I missed it and well...because I needed to check my mailbox. To my surprise, this certificate was there. Happy 5 years to me in this district! 

I also was able to look in my new room. Man I have a lot of work to do in there.