Teacher Week 2013- It's all about me :)

Summer is sadly coming to a close and I know some teachers who are already back to school....sigh. 

I am lucky to be officially back until the last week of August, but let the crazy begin. 

My mind is flooded with room decor, class lists, furniture arrangements, and our BABY that is due in 12 weeks! 

This week will be fun, so here is what it entails:

Every day, there will be a new linky on Blog Hoppin’ and you can follow along or join in!

Today, is all about me Monday!

So here goes, 10 things you may or may not know about me. 

1. I am married to my high school sweetheart. He compliments me in more ways that I will ever realize. We are two peas in a pod and life could not be sweeter. 

2. I am slightly obsessed with Disney World. I literally go every year, sometimes twice a year. It is the 'happiest place on Earth,' where dreams come true and you never have to grow up. I'm in a bit of withdraw since we have a baby on the way...

3. My husband and I are expecting our first baby in early November. Can you say excited?!?!?! 

4. My first 3 years teaching I was the 'influx' teacher and jumped back and forth between K and 1. My first year was in 1st, second year in K, and third year in first. I locked in a permanent position my fourth year of teaching and I am happily in K. 

5. I love to party plan. Bridal showers, house warming parties, baby showers, and much more. 

6. I love to cook. I enjoy trying new recipes and new ingredients.  

French Toast Casserole 

Candy Cane colored Sugar Cookies 

 7. I have the sweetest pup- Bella! She is my first 'child.' 

8. Christmas is the best holiday. It is a time for family and giving. I go all out every year- at home and at school.

9. I love Baltimore Raven's football. Super Bowl Champs! 

10. I love my job! It is so rewarding, yet very challenging. Watching a child learn to read is my biggest joy! They are the center of my life....until our baby comes.... 

So there is me in 10 numbers! 

Letter Pop, Letter Pop!

Each year we, as teachers, create goals for our classrooms in an effort to make things go smoother and more effective. 

This year it is my goal to play a game each day before Reader's Worshop. These games will review skills and get the kids moving. 

One game I saw while at I Teach K! was called "Letter Pop, Letter Pop." This game used Dr. Jean's song and made it active and super cute. 

Here is the original idea I loved at at I Teach K! in Vegas last week. 

I decided to make one like it, but add my own flair! Here are the steps I took:

1. I went to Michael's and picked up 6 pieces of stiffened felt (.99 cents) and some felt letters ($4.99- but I used a 40% off coupon). 

2. I want to make the lollipop circles. I found a small juice cup in my cabinet and simply traced it 9 times. (Note: I am making 52 lollipops- 2 games)

3. Cut all the circles out! Whew!

3. Stick the felt alphabet stickers to the circles. 

4. Not Pictured: Hot glue a popsicle stick to the back of each circle. Viola! Lollipops! 

5. I fell in love with fabric at Joann's that was lollipop filled. I sewed a little bag to store my lollipops in. 

6. I added a ribbon drawstring to close the bag and add the lyrics. 

Now you have a super cute game that will practice letter sounds. If you have not heard the song, then check out the CD "Building Better Brains and Bodies." 

Here is a YouTube Clip...fast forward to about 1:00 in- you can hear the song. These are simply props! 

Made it Monday

Happy Monday! I have really been in a blog groove and I love linking up with other teacher's. 

Today I am linking up with Fourth Grade Frolics to share with you the two SUPER SIMPLE games I made today. 

I went to The Dollar Tree this morning to just browse for possible goodies. I felt like I hit the jackpot! I found these 4 bulletin board sets. They were of course a dollar each...who can't beat that!! Each set has 12 of each shape and 24 total. 

I decided to make 2 of the sets into a beginning sound ABC game. I found clip art online, printed, and cut. I found the clip art below at Pre Kinders (click to get your own set).

I then glued the pictures onto the mustard and ketchup bottles. See there is a king on the mustard and a kite on the ketchup. 

I am planning on passing out all the cards randomly and the students have to find their partner that has the same beginning sound. 

King/Kite 

I also did the milk and cookies set. Here you can see bee and bike. 

I also went to Lakeshore to just browse and came home with these: FREE Plan Book, Laminating Pouches (25% off), Scratch Art ($4.99 on sale- 50% off!), 3 new ink pads ($3 each), Phonic Stamps ($23- with coupon), Mini Sea shapes (for my job chart), Name tag refills, and tooth stickers. 

Happy Monday All! 

10 Things I've Learned from Teaching

I am linking up with Miss Kindergarten to tell you the 10 things I have learned from teaching. Some are funny and some are serious- Here goes. 

1. Your salary- half it...seriously. You put so much of your money into your classroom to make it the best it can be! You buy the cute things that make your classroom a home and that make learning come alive. 

2. Body Doorbell- think about where kinders come up on you. If they need you and you are turned around....your bottom becomes a doorbell. Ha! This shocks me every time, but it is done in the most innocent way. 

3. Hours- The hours you spend in your classroom, thinking about school, grading, writing report card comments, and make things at home is astronomical! This e-card always makes me laugh!

4. Games- You say the word game and a student's attitude totally changes! Even if it really is not a game, they sit up a little straighter and they are ready to go! They totally forget that learning is involved. 

5. Be Confident- IN EVERYTHING you do, act confident! Parents and students like to think you know what you are doing. If you do not know an answer be honest though. You would rather look intelligent than lying to a parent or child. 

6. Planning time- Yes, you are given planning time during the day...but usually they consist of responding to e-mails, conferences, phone calls, discipline, and much more. This means you take so much home! 

7. Leave your baggage at the door- No matter what is going on in your personal life, leave it at the door. Students deserve 110% of you. I have also found that it is hard to think of your personal life when you are with the children. They are the best medicine. 

8. Be silly- Make a fool of yourself, dance, dress up, enjoy teaching. Our children enjoy this so much! I love to dance and sing! You want a child to go home and say "Today was the best day at school."

9. Negative Energy- Teachers are truly a funny breed! They are territorial and sometimes downright mean. If you give 110% to your students, go girl!! Don't let anyone put you down and be negative! Close your door and teach your heart out! 

10. Take Care of Yourself- I have learned this one the hard way! I ran myself into the ground two years ago and suffered with months of being sick. My life had to change and I had to save time for myself. Do it, even though it is really hard!

Well those are just a few things I learned from teaching! I have loved reading everyone's thoughts at Miss Kindergarten! Jump over to read about it! 

Throwback Thursday

I haven't been blogging for long and I wanted to participate in The First Grade Parade's Throwback Thursday...so I will bring you something NEW to my blog, but a THROWBACK to me :) 
I know everyone always looks for new ways to practice phonemic awareness and here is an idea I took away from a professional development session at my school: Sound Parking Lots! 

All you need is a toy car, list of words that contain the same sounds (sound needs to be in beginning, middle, and end of various words), and a parking lot. 

Here is a copy of the parking lot sheet. Click here to download it.

The kids love this. You need to add some sound effect too, makes it that much better. 

Enjoy! 

Day 3 @ I Teach K!

I am getting to my blog a little early today because we are off to see a show tonight! 

Day 3...the day I had been waiting for....why?.... because I was going to get to see Deanna Jump and I practically own ALL of her tpt units! 

Here was my day in a nutshell! 

To visit Deanna Jump click here! 

To visit Kim Adsit click here! 

What another awesome day at I Teach K!