Vista Print who? (stamps only)

I paid $6.25 each for these stamps on RubberStampchamp.com. They have a special going on for  self-inking stamps. Also they have FREE SHIPPING on orders over $10! So basically I only paid $12.50 for these very HIGH-Quality stamps. PLUS they ship faster (about one week for me with NO extra costs!)  than Vista AND are Bigger. Still not convinced? You can get them in ANY color (red, blue, pink, purple, etc.) AND they already have pre-made teacher stamps! I'm so glad I found this site! Hope you can benefit too.

Positives

 Here are a few things that I have accomplished thus far:

• Created Writer's Workshop format for my class. This is my FIRST time doing WW. No one else in my school does it to my knowledge. Well, it is my second year teaching...
• Created Morning Message topics. Our school using Open Court Reading, so I plan to integrate the English Language Conventions topics (along with my own) through our Morning Message. Decided on journals for writing the morning message.
•  Finalized Morning Meeting procedure
• Created, laminated, and cut out Homeworkopoly board and pieces. 
• Created Brain Bubbles
• Found terrific spelling homework alternatives HERE for students to choose from . I found these a while ago and cannot remember who the creator is. If you know, please tell so I can give her credit. 
• Sorted library books by genre/author/theme, created book bin labels and book labels. Stamped books with my name. 
• Found out that I don't have to spend money on Mod-Podge. Glue and water works just as good. I love PINTEREST!!!!!

Although I have done more, my To-Do list still seems sooo long. I hope I can get it done! 

Update

Hello all,
I haven't forgotten about Blogging. In fact, I read the blogs of other teachers daily. I just have nothing exciting to say and I have been very busy with creating documents, activities, curriculum, and buying things for my class. Target, Dollar Tree, Home Depot, Goodwill, and Wal-mart are my new best friends. I literally eat, sleep, and LIVE this classroom. To top it off, my classroom is in a building that my school is renovating and may not be ready until the second week of August! School starts the third week, and let's not forget the PD days. I fear that I won't have any time to fix my classroom up like I want it. However, I  have faith that everything will all come together.

Line Activities, Entry and Exit Password

• While standing in line, if we are doing a bathroom break, and if my students have earned it, I do a line game called Statue. I learned this from my mentor teacher while student teaching. It is an easy, quick, and quiet way to calm students. The students stand in line, one behind the other. The teacher says, "1, 2, 3 STATUE!" and by three the students have to stand still, like a statue. I then call on the statue that is the best and most statue-like (which basically means absolutely no moving!). That person then comes up and then they are the statue caller. They choose the best statue and the game continues. The best thing about this game is that it doesn't require a teacher to monitor it and it is not a loud game. 

Exit Password Hand

• Last year with my kindergarteners, I did an entry and exit password. I think I will continue this year in 2nd grade. I laminated two different colored handprint cutouts and taped one on the wall inside my classroom and the other on the wall right next to my classroom door, at child level. Twice a week, I wrote a different sight word from that week's list on each handprint. In order to enter/leave, students had to read the sight word correctly and slap the handprint. My kids LOVED it! They also would complain if I forgot to put the sight words on the hands for that week! 
• It's such a fun way to reinforce learning. You can also do it for letters, numbers, colors, etc for younger kids. 

My first Google Doc

Hello,
Earlier today, after the last day of Singapore Math training, I told myself that I wouldn't do anymore job related things until at least Monday. To accomplish this I told myself that I can't look at teacher blogs. Welp, that part worked! However, of course I ventured to the wonderful land of Pinterest. A teacher's Whole Brain Listening poster inspired me to create one of my own. I decided to share my Are You Ready to Learn Poster with you because I am always borrowing ideas and creations from other teachers. I love to give back. :)

This poster has to be printed on legal size paper. This is kind of plain, but it's my first time doing it. When I print it off, I will make a cute border around the page using skinny markers. Enjoy!

Also, the little boy character I got from digiwebstudio.com/. They are currently having a $1.00 clip art sale on a lot of their merchandise. Check it out!

Day one

My school is being trained on Singapore Math. This will be our second year using the program. It will be my first year. You have to.make a lot of the materials but the program seems like an excellent way to get our students to really grasp many math concepts. More info to come.

I've joined my first Linky Party!

Hi there! I'm really trying to get into this blogging thing. So I'm joining in on a Linky Party sponsored by Ms. Bainbridge. She is awesome!  Check her blog out here!

She writes, "We've all got those "things" that we say.  What is something you always say to your students?  Maybe it's something cute that you love... or maybe it's something that you heard them start to say to each other that made you go "uh oh!". 

Here are a few of mine (that I can remember):

• Excuse me (to get attention)
• Oh NO! (when it gets too noisy)
• Uh oh!
• That is NOT appropriate for school - I had quite a few of these in Kindergarten :/ 
• Is this your very best?/Did you try your very best?
• You are not a baby anymore

It is really fun seeing other teachers' comments and phrases. I'm pretty sure my kids have a slew of other sayings that I can't seem to remember. Have a great week!

Behavior

I have decided to continue to use a behavior chart in my classroom. This year,  my chart will go with my ocean theme. I created this on my computer using pictures from the web.

• Smooth Sailing (Green)- Great day!
• Rough Waters (Yellow)- Warning
• Stormy Weather (Orange)- Loss of Privilege 
• Shipwrecked! (Red)- Note or call home

I'll get around to laminating and assembling on posterboard. I use a number system in my classroom, so instead of having the students' name on the clothespin, I have their number. They are renovating my classroom so I probably won't be able to get into it until the end of this month or early August. :( 

Also  there is a behavior contract that parents and students must sign. In addition, in the Parent Welcome letter, I explain more about classroom rules and my system. 

For incentives, I usually do random prizes or snacks for students who stayed on green or yellow, Homeworkopoly, and Caught Being Good.

Geeked.

My VistaPrint items are on the way. This was my first time ordering from the company, after seeing the overwhelming reviews and ideas from other teachers. I can't wait to see my items!
Awesomeness

Word Wall- My students learned about 110 sight words

For Halloween, a witch crashed into our door! 

More Kindergarten Photos

Here are some more photos from this past year in kindergarten.

Farm Unit

Decoupage pumpkin that whole class helped with for Thanksgiving lunch

Summer Finds (1)

In addition to planning, I have also been doing a bit of shopping for the upcoming  year.  My theme for this year is a combination of ocean and beach elements. The decorations are from Dollar Tree and the basket is from Goodwill. I don't know exactly what I will do with the decorations but  I'm thinking about putting the basket in the writing center to organize . Any more ideas?

More Photos

My unorganized desk area, student mailboxes, my mailbox (didn't last two months!), Writing Center, and Word Wall

Oh how I hated that wall mural! :)

I am actually proud of myself for being able to pull my room off with a limited number of days, resources, hours of sleep, and sanity. Last summer was a consistent struggle for me. However, I am so excited about teaching second grade this year!

First Year Pictures

Here are some pictures from my first year as a teacher. I taught kindergarten. OH, what a year! I survived! I'm still getting the hang of this blogging thing.

Cool beans

HELLO!
I've decided to start a blog to chronicle my life as a first year second grade teacher. I enjoyed my time in  and learned a lot in Kindergarten this past year but... Second grade is my favorite grade!