Busy Little Bee

Man-oh-man what a busy couple weeks!  Between my limited summer vacation, working two summer jobs, revamping my room with a new theme, and preparing for another year (not to mention the hours spent blogging) time has just FLOWN by!  I wanted to share  a little bit of what I've been doing:

(note: there a TON of pictures :)

 Here is my new word wall!  This is my 'pride and joy!' I've been wanting an interactive word wall and struggled with where in my room to place it.  Since deciding on a pirate/nautical theme the banner word wall just made sense!  I'm so excited!  Below is a close up look at my awesome new word wall! :)

 Deanna Jump was my inspiration for this new job chart! Mine is a little different.  I used cardboard that I had readily available and made a some what smaller version.  I just got cute letters to write "All Hands on Deck" somewhere near the ship too!  Below is a close up (not so good...sorry) picture of how the job chart ship will work.  I printed and laminated 20 little pirates and then a map with the "job" labeled on it.  Each student in my class is assigned a number.  Under each pirate will be a number.  I will simply place the job map on the pirate when it's there turn for the job.  I hope that sounds right!

 Below is my "Sparkle" word wall of synonyms {took this idea from my amazing team leader}!  These were SOOO simple to make and they look so cute and they "sparkle" so well.  I just used my trusty glue and glitter! :) 

Two years ago I attended a kindergarten conference where Shari Sloane presented.  She had made these amazing Kindergarten Offices.  Since I moved up to first grade last year, I decided that I would make first grade offices!  I used a "freebie" of a office from Michelle Oakes at Fantastic First Grade.

 

 Above is a picture of the back.  

 I must say my kiddos LOVE these things!!
Below is my new Math Station area!! Another project I am BEYOND excited about! :)  On each shelves to the left and right are all my math supplies.  I am still in a kindergarten room so I have lots of extra space/storage that I can use! I also like that everything I need is right at hand.  I still have some more goodies to include in there but I think it's a great start!

Below is my new CAFE board!  Since the picture was taken I've added gold coins and stuff around the board.  The brown background is sandpaper and the border is ribbon.  I think it really makes it pop!

This is my new math wall. I wanted to keep all things math somewhat all together.  I making curtains to put on the shelves to hide all the chaos! Still has some work but it's on its way! 

 My final picture is of my amazing find at Target! I've been looking for a cute rug for my classroom and I finally found one!  For only $30 it was mine!  

Life continues to get crazy and as school is fast approaching (I go back next week), my husband is also in limbo with a job.  The economy has really taken its toll on our sweet family and I could really use all the extra prayers as he searches for a new job.  I know the power of prayer is amazing and I'm praying for some wonderful new things to come our way!

Happy new school year everyone! :)

MIA

It has been so long since I've posted something so I thought I would stop by and say hi!  This summer has just flown by this year!!  I spent the first half of my summer teaching at a Summer Reading Academy {amazing experience}.  After completing that on July 21{felt like an eternity} I headed to the beach with my husbands family!  

 Granted that is not the whole family, just me, my awesome sister-in-law, and my three nieces!  Spending a week at the beach was JUST what the doctor ordered! :)

Now I am in FULL back-to-school mode and have an ever growing list of to-do's!!!!  I'm in the process of putting the finishing touches on my stool {see previous post} and am in the middle of making a pirate ship to host as my job chart {I'm copying the wonderful Deanna Jump... don't you just want to be her?! ha}.  I've also started working on my new first grade office's {pics to come}, and setting up my classroom with cute pirate-themed decor!  I can't wait to show you all the goodies.  Stay Tuned!

DIY project!

So I have been super busy this summer teaching summer school, taking on an additional "side" job, and keeping up with friends and family!  In addition to all that, I've spent NUMEROUS hours blog stalking, playing on Pinterest, and finishing up a new stool for my classroom.

I decided to go with a pirate/beach theme and wanted to add some of that detail onto a stool for my classroom.  My wonderful parents bought me a Cracker Barrel (those are the best) rocking chair when I got my first teaching position as a Kindergarten teacher.  Even though I love the rocking chair I've decided to bring it home and save it for a nursery (which, unfortunately for my mom will not be happening as quickly as she would like).  I like the idea of having a small spot to grab a seat.  So, without further wait, here is my new stool:

 Very annoyed that this picture, regardless of rotating and modifying it, will still NOT load the correct way!  But here it is up close.

I'd hate to "toot" my own horn, but I was pretty impressed with myself.  This was a stool that I inherited during college and after putting in some elbow grease, sanded and repainted it!

On another note, I finished Math Work Stations, printed the MASSIVE amount of games (worksheets) that I collected/purchased from all of you amazing teachers and am armed and ready to enter my classroom for some MAJOR revamping.  That is as soon as I'm done reading my final summer book:

I just L.O.V.E. Debbie Diller!!!