Changes...& more

I have been MIA since June 2014!  I really have no excuses EXCEPT...I started a new job and got married! Both of these changes kept me from my little blog!!!! I am finally able to sit down and give a little love to my blog! 

Moving to a new school was a MAJOR change for me. For the last 19 years, I taught in Catholic Schools.  This year is my first year teaching in a public school. I went from teaching 23-28 students self-contained, regular ed to teaching two classes of 24 students, math & science only, inclusion. GUESS WHAT??? I absolutely, positively, without-a-doubt, LOVE, LOVE my new job!!! Don't get me wrong...I loved teaching in a Catholic school; However, being in my current teaching position has opened up my career to paths I thought I would never take.  On a daily basis, I am reminded why I chose teaching 25 years ago!  Yes, it is hard some days when the students are climbing the walls, but I wouldn't change my decision!  

Changes are happening in my career too.  I was chosen to be trained in leadership/administration by my principal.  I may not see administration in my near future, but I can definitely see a leadership/mentor position.   

Here are some pictures of my current classroom.  Of coarse, Creative Teaching Press helped me decorate! Thank you!!

    

cubbies for my pm class

cubbies for my am class

calendar 

science board (skills change weekly)

dry-erase board

behavior & jobs

Gerald and I got married on December 6!  Our wedding day was perfect. Everything went as planned and the weather was gorgeous! We had a small, intimate wedding with close family and friends. 

Thank you for sticking through the entire post with me!  I promise to blog often and offer more creative products!   Here are some posters I made for my classroom.  We use the CUBES Strategy for math.  Enjoy!! 

                               Teachers Pay Teachers, (Click Here)

~~Classroom Tour & lots of Freebies~~

I am finally sitting down to blog~~it's been 2 1/2 weeks but it feels like forever!  School started on Monday of this week, and I am so happy to be back!!  I really missed my coworkers and students.

 I am the proud teacher of 28 precious, sweet, and lovable babies this year in 3rd grade.  You wouldn't believe the hugs I received in the last 3 days!!  I must admit that I was kinda sad to start school even though I missed everyone.  My baby girl is an 8th grader at another school~~she has been with me since she was in toddler 3.  I can't believe how different it feels to not have her with me.  I guess those hugs are just what I needed!!!! 

I am also finally getting around to show off my classroom.  I am in love with all of the bright and cheerful colors.  I want my students to feel happy when they are in my room. I hope you like everything!

view from the back 

view from the front



centers & calendar math

assignment pad (homework)

objectives

AR board (my FAVORITE)



view of classroom library

behavior clip chart

job chart

prayer area



bucket filling:

grab posters from First Grade Fever by Christie

birthday board (I need to add student pictures)



Writer's Eye board

grab pencil here: The Teacher Wife

grab posters (different than ones shown) here: Sailing Through 1st Grade

I changed the posters for my third graders.  I do not have them available.

word wall

clock

grab labels (HERE) for FREE

lunch choices and AR sign up

group baskets:

grab group labels (HERE) for FREE

grab story sticks (HERE) for FREE

3rd grade handbooks & treats for supply day:

drink labels QR Queens (my absolute favorite tags)

snack mix labels 2nd Grade Shenanigans

student name plates

I hope you enjoyed taking a tour of my classroom!  I am extremely happy with how my classroom came out.

~~Back in Action & Monday Made It~~

Oh, yeah, it has been a Crazy and Hectic first week!  My kiddos keep me on my toes all day, and I barely have time to eat!!!  But....I just LOVE all of them.  They are always smiling, laughing, and offering a joke for some smiles :) 

Here are some pictures of our first week projects and activities.  We had a very productive week learning all about each other and classroom procedures.  I did, however, manage to incorporate some reading, spelling, English, and math...sneaky of me!! 

I am not sure if this counts as Monday Made It~~~I think it might!!! Don't forget to link up with 4th Grade Frolics~Monday Made It and check out all of the wonderful projects!  I must admit that I was very productive this summer because of Tara and her AWESOME, TERRIFIC idea of Monday Made it!!! Thanks Tara!!!! 

Here is my word wall in action. Each color represents a subject:

green~math, yellow~English, red~reading, orange~religion, blue~science



Center Signs

Sharing Boards

We use Treasures Reading Series and our first story is First Day Jitters.

Compound Words

(front of mini-cards)

inside mini-cards

Guess I should have spell checked this one!!

ways to show a number using paint chips

(Students LOVED using these!)

Pinterest inspired hand wreath

bottle cap flash cards

My students LOVE using the paint chips in class.  We also made compound words by cutting paint chips in half.  They were amazed that I could actually get these from the store for FREE!! 

I am also linking up with The Organized Classroom Blog~~Name that Schedule Linky.  I have always done language arts in the morning.  I feel that students are refreshed before lunch and enrichment classes.  After lunch/recess, I like having the students do more hands-on learning like math, science, social studies, and religion.  Please check out my schedule that I am currently using.

I hope everyone has a wonderful first day~~I have been in school for 10 days already!!



~~A Classroom Tour & Monday Made It~~

Today was my first day of school!!  I just LOVE all of my students~~22 wonderful kiddos!!   I am definitely looking forward to a year filled with excitement, laughter, learning, & memories.  I am also totally exhausted from standing up all day.  I must say I haven't stood on my feet this long since May 25th!!!  All in all, I am excited for tomorrow and can't wait to begin the learning journey with my 22 babies!!

Here is a tour of my finished classroom and a few projects I have been working on since I last posted.  Please enjoy!!!!  I would LOVE to hear what you think of my decorated classroom!!


Don't forget to check out 4th Grade Frolics: Monday Made It for more awesome ideas!!!!
I am also linking up with 2 Busy Brunettes for a Classroom Theme Linky!!

       

These are my bulletin boards.

Classroom Centers

Right side of my classroom

Left side of my classroom

Teacher desk area

Click here for the clock numbers FREEBIE:  Step into 2nd Grade with Mrs. Lemons

I put these on the desks for Supply day~~Handbook, About Me Bag Activity, Back-to-School Snack, and magnet with my information & numbers.

Click here:  Fun in First Grade to grab the About Me Bag Activity FREEBIE!!

Click here: 2nd Grade Shenanigans to grab your Back-to-School Snack FREEBIE!!

Birthday Straw Balloons

Click here to grab your FREE balloons: Teaching in Flip Flops

These are the gumball machines I made for my partners & myself.

I hope you liked my classroom tour and Monday Made It Projects!! Hope everyone has a wonderful school year!!!