Back to School 2013

Holy Moly!  I feel like I'm swimming with the sharks and I can't keep my head above the water.  Somebody please tell me things will slow down!!!!!!  We started back last week Thursday and then a full day on Friday.  My friends I am out of  "school shape." Is there such a thing?  You know the shape you have to be in to be a happy, energetic, stand on your feet all day, be ready to change plans on a moment's notice shape, yep I'm out of that shape!! Is anybody else?

 

We started last week with a fun reading activity using "Pete the Cat." Then I quickly make up a writing craft for my firsties to do!!

 

 

I took a few snapshots of my classroom to show you!

 

Walking in through the door!

 



This is how my tables are set up. I had Home Depot cut wooden blocks and then a friend cut the slits in the middle, I spray painted them five different colors {which will be my reading groups} and then their name tags fit in them.  They are turned around so I didn't give away any of my kiddos names.  The pink basket will hold supplies and any packets we will work on in class.

 Another shot of my tables!

 

 My calendar area!  Many of these items came from Erica Bohrer's Packet and can be found {HERE} 

 This is my classroom library area!  The poster came from Lesson Plan SOS!

Another view of my library area!

 

 

That's all for now, I have to go and fill my wish list for the huge TpT Back to School Sale.  Come on over and get your shop on, my store will be on Sale.

 

Graphic courtesy of The 3AM Teacher!!

 

 



Guess How Many Dum-Dums!!!

Wow!  I feel like summer has just passed me by!!!  I don't even really feel like I have had a vacation.  With the three kids in activities and taking my last ESL class, I have been BUSY!!!  I want to apologize for my lack of blog posts and lack of TpT products!!

 

Among all that, I also switched schools this year.  I am super excited about the move for many reasons.  Much closer to my house, kids can go to school with me, and finally having a teaching partner.  You guys, in my 10 years of teaching, I have never had a teaching partner and boy am I excited to finally have one.  It was the perfect move for me and my family and I was able to stay in first grade.  How PERFECT!!!

 

 

So I have been working in my new classroom all summer long and am in love with what I have done so far.  I will post pictures once it's completely done.  But I wanted to show you one thing I made for my classroom, and this is your chance to WIN anything from my TpT store!!! 

 

I will choose two winners, here's how to WIN!!

 

1.  Guess how many Dum-Dums it took to make my sucker tree!

2.  I need a name/label to put on the canister, if you come up with a clever title and I pick yours, you will win!!  You can leave two entries, one for the number of suckers and one for the title/label. 

 

Maybe you want one of these from my store!!

 

 

O.K. here is the sucker tree!  Remember you can enter two times!!  Good Luck!

I will choose the winners sometime on Monday!!

 

 

Back to School Sale!!

Every girl loves a back to school sale especially me.  So I was excited to hear that TpT is having a sale where you can earn up to 28% off all items in my store and many other great teachers.  So stock up and save for the upcoming school year.  Follow Amanda at The First Grade Garden and join the linky party, just click the image below.  Happy Shopping in my store, just click {here}.

Postcards and Giveaway!

It's hard to imagine that I have to go back to work in three weeks.  Where did the summer go?  I got a lot of stuff done, but there is still so much more that I need to do before I go back.  Last time we talked, I let you all know that my husband and I are expecting our third child in November!  We have two adorable girls, ages 8 and 3, so we were really praying for a boy this time.  Wouldn't you know it, the good lord answered them and we will have a sweet BOY sometime around November 28th.  We couldn't be happier!

I gained some motivation and created some "Back to School Postcards" to give students on the first day of first grade!!  I haven't done a giveaway for some time now and I am due for one.  Here's how to get a free copy of my "Welcome to First Grade" Postcards.

Leave me a comment with an awesome BOY name (first and middle).  You have until Tuesday at midnight to enter.  I will choose one winner at random Wednesday.  Please leave me your email so if you are the lucky winner, I can get these to you.  If you are not a first grade teacher, but would like me to create some for your grade, please let me know and I would be more than happy to create some for you!!