Summer!!

Geez...it seems like the only time I ever blog is during the summer.  I guess this year was super busy and crazy all at the same time.  It was over too fast.  Here I am with my youngest napping and my oldest entertaining herself with her toys.  What else would I do?  BLOG!!!  

This is what I left on June 2:

It really looks sad once you pack everything away, but I like how it's a fresh start for the next year.  I already have things that I will change, but for now I look through pinterest for fun ideas and different classroom arrangements.

I really am excited to see what happens.  I will be taking a break from being the inclusion classroom next year, which makes me sad and happy all at the same time.  My oldest daughter will be starting kinder next year and this change will hopefully help me stay more focused on her and the success that she has.  I am very excited and scared all at the same time.  She is growing up too fast.

Hopefully I can get some projects done even though I brought absolutely nothing home to work on.  (score one for me/mommy)

An almost finished room

Here is my room in pictures.   I still have a bit more to do...adding student work, a curtain for my computer table, table signs, and a few finishing touches.  

It's game time

I can't believe the summer is almost over.  Today we were allowed into our classrooms for the first time.  I stayed for at least 6 hours.  Thank goodness my daughter was entertained by another teachers kiddos and by her own classroom.  Her teacher was nice enough to let her play for awhile.

This year I moved to a new room...and it is fabulous.  It has a great layout.   Here is what I did today.

This will be my small group area

This is the writing area.  I am going to use the board to display their writing.

This is a view of the math shelf and my word wall.

A view from the front door

Large group area

It is still a work in progress and I have a lot left to do.  Wish me luck!  I am back at it tomorrow.

Summer Project 1: Giant floor pillows

This summer I decided to finish up projects that I never did last year.  The first one I started was to make giant floor pillows.  I saw a post on pinterest and bought the fabric last year, but never got around to it.   Maybe because of my two little ones running around.  

Here is the post. 

I am almost done with the first pillow.  They are going to be BIG.  I think 2 of my kinders and fit on them at a time.  I am going to try them out this year and if they cause problems I will just make smaller ones next year.  

I didn't use a pattern and I certainly didn't cut very straight, so we will see how they end up.   (fingers crosses they are like the pictures above)

My Christmas present from 2 years ago being put to good use.

Here is me about to pin the sides together.

 I'll add to this post as I complete my project...STAY TUNED.

UPDATE!!!!

I finished the pillow and it is SOOO big.  I love it.  I am still deciding if I need to make another or make 2 smaller pillows.  

It's like big dog sized...I am thinking 2 kiddos can use it for read to self or one can snuggle on it and read.   

Classroom learning space project

I recently wrote another donors choose project.  This time for a classroom carpet that will become a place to sit and another learning space to use during station and small group time.  It's expensive, because classroom rugs are not cheap.  Most schools already have them, but mine does not.  I have been using a simple blue rug I got from big lots, but that one isn't lasting.  :(

Time for something new...we have carpet, but that too has seen better days.  I wanted to try sit spots, but those too are expensive.  Anyway, to try and get it out there more, here is my project.  Click on the picture to help my project.

Thank you!

Summer blogger???

That's what it seems I have become.  I try to do better each year, but it doesn't seem to work for me.  I guess being a mother of 2 and a teacher doesn't exactly leave you with much free time.   It's summer again and I find myself making plans to do things for my room and not really getting much done.  

This coming year I am moving to a new room.  I managed to snap a few pics at the end of the year after I put all my goodies in.  This room belonged to a friend of mine that got moved to 2nd grade for the past year.  She had to move rooms so I moved up into hers.  My room is now becoming pre-K.  My furniture is on the window side of the room and the 2nd grade furniture is on the door side.   I am hoping it gets moved before I get to get to decorating.   

With this room I get more bulletin boards and a better Promethean board.  I am happy!!!

 

Now, on to thinking about classroom arrangement.  I has a flipped floor plan that mine did last year, but I think it should be easy to come up with something that works.  Fingers crossed!

Freebie Friday

Some of ya'll have emailed me about my line up chants that I made in the past.  I need to change the email that my blog is connected to because it is not one I check often.  So, if you have emailed me without any response I apologize.  But you can get the chants here.

I originally saw this on What the Teacher Wants Blog and changed it up a bit.  

There is also one on this blog to download.