Five for Friday {A Little Late!}

I don't know who has enough energy on Friday to actually post their five for Friday! :) Not me, that's for sure!!! I'm linking up with Kacey to share my Five for Friday.

1. One of my student's parents bought me a brand new color printer! HAPPY DANCE!! I am beyond excited. No more printing ten pages and having to refill the cartridges or having to print everything from home!

2. I am trying to implement more journals in my classroom this year. I didn't think that my students needed a entire journal for each subject- reading, math and science. So I took the journals to Staples and got the journals cut in half! By doing this I didn't have to buy extra notebooks and the storage space needed is so much less! They are perfect for my little learners! 

3. This past week we have been working on establishing learning goals in class. The students have goals for reading, math and writing. In my class my students record their learning in a goal book. We update this book 4 times throughout the year. The students love the book- they love seeing how much they have learned and how much their work has improved! I use this book during parent conferences to display specific learning goals and where the student is at. (This book is an awesome keepsake for the parents too!!)

 

 

As students master a standard, they get to sign our learning goal posters that are displayed in the room. These posters are motivation for the students to keep working hard- and it gives them a clear target to work towards!

Get your copy of the goal book and posters HERE!

4. You know the beginning of the year is SUPER busy, I have been wanting to post these for the past two weeks but haven't had a chance. We have been making lots of picture graphs in class. Get your {FREE} copy of these graphing materials HERE!

5. Last night my best friend made me dinner- vegetable lasagna! Oh so delicious! She's the best...and it was the best thing I had eaten all week long. I'm one lucky girl!

Enjoy the rest of your Saturday! Enjoy your long weekend!

Back to School FUN!

I am now in the full swing of school, and man I am TIRED! I may be getting old or something because I don't remember feeling this "pooped" by the end of the day. I don't think I have made it up past 8:30pm in the past week. Oh man! So I've been wanting to share some pictures for a while and well it hasn't made it off the to-do list...that is until today! Whoop whoop! :) Here are some pictures of some of the fun activities we have been doing in class.

Pocket Chart Activity

The kids are excited that they are already reading! 

Find it HERE.

Letter Dominoes

I love seeing them working together already and their enthusiasm is so contagious!

Find it HERE.

ABC Spin It to Win It!

My AMAZING student teacher helped to teach this game. Having an extra set of hands this year has been a true God-Sent!!!

Find it HERE.

Shakin' Shapes on the Bus

Some students came to kindergarten with a solid foundation in math skills, while others need a quick lesson on the basics (colors and basic shape names). We are using some of these fun games to learn the concepts.

Find it HERE.

What's the Number on the Board?

Who doesn't love number play dough mats!?!?!

Find it HERE.

Super Student Number Spin

Find it HERE.

Mostly we have been going over lots of routines and procedures. I have students with unique challenges this year, and I am learning something new every day. I love a challenge, it just causes me to get more creative, right?! Or maybe more tired...hmm. Here are some pictures of our class pennant that we created on the first day of school.

Find it HERE.

I know I already posted classroom pictures last week, but I wasn't quite finished with my room. So I wanted to share just a few updated pictures. {My classroom is my home away from home...you got to love it!!}

The front door. We are Smarties!

Where anchor charts are already hanging.

The word wall, color pennants and shape pennants.

Smartie Work Board

Every classroom needs a little Bob! ;)

I saw a ribbon chandelier like this on Pinterest and really wanted to make it but thought it would be so expensive. That's when my mom came up with the idea to use plastic tablecloths and cut them in strips. The total project price was $10 compared to the $30+ I thought it was going to cost! Yay! This is hanging above my reading area. 

Alright...time for bed!!! :) I did it folks, the time is now 9:41 and I'm still awake!! I hope that you are either enjoying the end of your summer break or are having an awesome start to your year. I hope to be back later this week with some fun activities for you! Until then I leave you with this great quote I read. 

You make a difference!

Ooooo...almost forgot...do you love my new blog design?!?! Thanks to Parker at PJ's Design Laboratory, I do!!! He has been more than amazing and I recommend him to anyone! I am so picky and he was so patient! If you are looking for a blog makeover GO CHECK HIM OUT!!!

I'm Back...Classroom Digs

Summer is over. What!?!?! I really can't believe it. Time flies when you are having fun! It's been a while since I visited blog land (sad face!)!! I have been having too much fun doing this...

packing and traveling! Don't get me wrong, this girl is not complaining! :)

Today was my first official day back at school! Just like every other teacher, my head hurts just thinking about how long my to do list is. I am so blessed to have this cutie here to help me! 

(My mom & I- BoWLinG!)

So I am linking up with  Blog Hoppin' today to show you the start of my back to school mania. 

Here are some pictures of my classroom...it isn't complete yet, but I wanted to share it BECAUSE I have a "crush" on it! Yup...it gives me those warm and fuzzy feelings ;)! I have lots to do still but...

Alphabet Pennants & Posters

My ABC line that was always covered by my projector screen has been replaced by these Alphabet Pennants.

My word wall and academic focus wall(s) have received a make over.

Editable Word Wall

I really like how pennants look...I may have gotten a bit carried away!?!?!

Color and Shape Pennants & Posters

Number Pennants & Posters

These areas will be where I post the schedule~student rating scale~daily objectives and where we have Calendar Time.

I came up with a new way to keep my anchor charts portable and easy to display. My mom added a crafty cute touch, no?!?! I am so excited about this!!

Here are just a few other pictures!

I hope you enjoyed the tour. I love seeing other people's classrooms...is that normal!? I hope to post more soon! All the best...Happy Wednesday!!