cowboy boots

There was a lot of excitement last week in my classroom. We had been counting down the days until our pumpkin patch field trip for weeks! As the numbers got fewer, the excitement grew!!! Every morning last week I had a student ask if it was Friday yet! I had to remind him how many more days we had. I loved how excited they were!

Thursday when he came in he knew that there was only one more day. We did our usual morning routine and then halfway through the morning he came up and told me he had a secret. This is not unusual for him because he usually has a secret hug or a secret to tell me how much he loves me. This time the secret was a little different.

He asked if I could wear my cowboy boots to the pumpkin patch field trip.

He has a favorite pair of cowboy boots that are Buzz and Woody. They also have "Andy" written on the bottom of one of the shoes!

I thought for a second (mainly thinking if it would match my outfit already planned) and then answered by telling him I would try!

So not to disappoint my kinder I wore my boots Friday morning. Of course he came in wearing his boots (and his handcuffs)!

We had to take a matching picture!

Our field trip was great as always. My sister joined us this year so we had a great photographer!

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Sesame Street meets Glee!

My sister shared this with me today. 

Thank you Sesame Street for clearing up the correct way to make the G sound!

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"the" talk

Well...I had to have "the" talk with my students today! 

Love is in the air in Ms. Brown's class! 

On the playground today a kinder was pouting big time.  He had his little arms crossed and his bottom lip sticking out as far as he could!  So I called him over to me to find out what was so tragic in his life!  He said VERY tragically, "MY GIRLFRIEND BROKE UP WITH ME!"  They had been boyfriend and girlfriend for about a week.  I don't know why they broke up, but apparently it was not pretty, and it was not mutual!  I told him not to worry about having a girlfriend because they are trouble and now is not the time to worry about having a girlfriend.

There has been a lot of hand holding, arms around one another, and boyfriend/girlfriend talk!  This afternoon we were dancing and getting the wiggles out when I noticed 4 different "couples" hold hands!!! 
I started thinking..."WHAT IN THE WORLD?!?!?"

This was happening in centers the other day!

While it is pretty comical I thought this needs to be addressed before it gets too out of hand!  So we talked about being friends with everyone and that it was okay for you to think a friend in our class was pretty or cute.  We talked about that while it is okay to sit with beside their friend, holding their hand or putting their arm around one another is not!

I told them that they were way too young to be boyfriend and girlfriend.  I don't know how this gets started every year, but I guess there is something sweet and special about new friends at school!

around my room 2011-2012 edition

I have a new addiction...pintrest!  I found some great ideas this summer that got me really excited about decorating my classroom.  If you have not checked out pintrest you might want to!  Lots of great recipes, decorating tips, and ideas for everything!

I think it is important for your classroom to be comfortable and inviting.  I mean we spend so much time in there.  Even as a teacher I am in my classroom a lot more than my room at home!  I want it to be a place that I love!  I am beginning to feel that way about my room this year. 

First thing I found that I wanted to make were banners hanging down from the ceiling.  I went to a local fabric store and found cute Dr. Seuss fabric to match my room and got to sewing! 

 The cute fabric I chose to use.

 I cut the fabric into triangles and then sewed the two pieces together. 

 I then pinned the triangles into folded bias tape.

Last step was to sew the triangles and bias tape.

Very simple and it did not take me long at all.  These are very popular right now at weddings and showers.  I plan on sewing some more soon!

I also made some tissue paper pom poms to hang from the ceiling as well.

My boyfriend did an excellent job hanging it all up for me! I love the way it all turned out!

As you walk in the door, there is my book shelf.  I have personal favorite books and baskets from Highlights to keep stamps, stickers, and other teacher items in.  I also keep my Homework Folders on this bookshelf because it is right beside the cubbies so that the students don't have to move far when they unpack in the morning.

I have some important times on the wall by the clock because kinders always want to know what time lunch is and what time they go home.  This year I am hoping to help them be able to read a clock better and recognize the times better.

This is our behavior chart.  It is really similar to my behavior chart from last year, but I thought I would add a little more to it after reading this great resource, http://www.newmanagement.com/ebooks/clip_chart.html

It is a great way to be positive and remind students of their choices.  By starting at green it gives every child a chance to do his/her best.  Read the eBook.  You will not be disappointed!

I love the tennis balls on my chairs.  I regret not having them last year.  Such a wonderful investment!!

This is my teacher table.  I am going to use this table for centers, intervention time, and just a place for me to work.  I enjoy having this big space.  I bought the basket at Target.  It was for picnics but I thought it was a perfect size for notepads, pens, and markers. 

Now my favorite space in my room....

 

(You can see part of my magic carpet!  I love it!)

I let my students read in my rocking chair or in the bathtub, but only one at a time.  My favorite teacher, who inspired me to be a teacher, had a bathtub in her classroom.  I had to have one myself.  My parents bought it for me from Craig's List and I painted it.  The students are always in awe of it!

So here is my updated room!  I am excited about all that is in store for this school year!

Let's Go!!!

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school starts tomorrow!!!

Ahhh!  School starts tomorrow!  I remember how I felt the night before school started last year.  I was nervous and anxious.  I do not really feel that way this year.  I am more excited and anxious!  I am glad I know this year what to expect...if you really can predict Kindergarten, and I am so excited!  I have worked a lot in my room these past few days.  Special thanks to my parents, assistant, and boyfriend!  They have been a huge help!  I have changed a lot in my room, and I think that every teacher needs some new change to help get excited about the year.  At the end of last school year I made a wish list and included a classroom rug and a new bookshelf.  My principal bought both for me!  I was super excited to put those in my room.  I also had my desk removed.  I love having the extra space.  The new bookshelf now is home to cute baskets filled with my stuff and of course lots of books.  My new reading center is so cozy, and I can't wait to start reading to my kinders tomorrow! ( I will post some pictures of my room soon!)

"Meet the Teacher" was Monday afternoon.  It was great to put a face with a name.  I was so excited to meet the parents and the students.  I have a feeling it is going to be another awesome year!  I had some former students come back and give me big hugs.  It was such a great feeling for them to want to come see me.  I even got a seashell from one student! 

Tomorrow I have half of my class and then Friday the other half come.  I am ready to get this year started.  I can't wait to spend the day with my new students. 

Our school theme this year is Reach for the Stars.  Kindergarten put our own little spin on it.  We are doing Kindergarten Rocks/Kindergarten Rock Stars.  Here is the board outside my room!  I think it is pretty funny.  My assistant thinks I am crazy.  I am okay with that!

Here is to an awesome year in Kindergarten!  I know that each child is in my room for a reason.  I am excited to teach them and to love them! 

Honduras

My sweet friend, Lauren Wood, is moving to Honduras to teach for a year.  We went to college together and were in the same sorority.  She has been teaching for two years in Charlotte and last spring went on a mission trip to Honduras.  She fell in love with the people (she went to the same place I did last summer), and when she came home she felt the calling to move there.  She didn't know how it would work out, but God did!  We have another friend who got married over the summer, and while at a wedding shower, Lauren was sharing with the bride's aunt about how she loved Honduras and would love to move there and teach if it were possible.  She told Lauren that her husband had family who lived in Honduras and have a mission school.   The school was looking for teachers from America to move and teach down there for the next school year.  The Lord has been preparing her and her family for this transition time in her life. 

She is moving tomorrow.  Please pray for her and her family as they say their good byes, and pray for peace during this time that Lauren is away.  I know that the Lord is going to use her in so many ways.  She is such a fun, spunky, loving girl. 

We had a party Saturday and said some sad good byes.  We are thankful for technology and being able to stay in contact with her. 

She has a blog that she will be updating so please check it out, and join me as we pray for my sweet friend!

Lauren's Blog - Off the beaten path

Lauren, you are loved, and you will be missed this next year!  You are going to do great things in Honduras, and I can't wait to see how God uses you!  Can't wait to keep updated on your blog!  Praying for you!!!! 

expert

My sister, Emily, is an elementary school counselor.  She is so smart and creative!  Emily has a huge heart and is the most organized person I know!  She is great at her job and loves spending time with the students at her school! 

We just celebrated her birthday!  Happy Birthday, Em!  I love you and I am so so so thankful for you!

She was asked by a friend, who is a writer, to answer some questions for a magazine article she was writing about kids going to school for the first time.  I thought this would not only be a great time to brag about my sister but to also share with you.  She did a great job answering these questions, and it is perfect for those parents who might have concerns about their children going to school. 

Check out the article here.

Can I just say I cannot believe I go back to school in 6 days....I don't think I am ready for this!  I have not allowed myself to go to school because I have wanted to enjoy my summer....and I think I have enjoyed it too much!!!  I have been staying up wayyy too late and enjoyed not setting an alarm in the mornings.  I just got back from the beach with my parents for a couple of days.  It was a great time to relax and enjoy time with my parents.  We spent the days on the beach and spent the nights eating!  Calories don't count when you are on vacation!

These last 6 days I am going to a concert, running in a 5K, spending as much time as I can with friends, and laying out by the pool!