We Have A Barn!

 It is completed!  My hubby is wonderful!  On Monday, when I got home from the chiropractor and running errands, my sweet hubby had it already painted for me.  He could have done a number of things on this day off, but he finished this up for me so I wouldn't have to get out in the hot garage to paint.  I just love him!Today, I met my former teammates {two of which I have worked with for 14 years and 7 years, respectively} for lunch.  I'm excited to be moving to second grade this year, but I am sure gonna miss these two!  They are the BEST teammates and friends ever!  We had a nice time, and vowed to do this often!  We are too good of friends not to, and I know we will!

Tomorrow...is my first day of the 2012-2013 school year!  Yep, you read that right...I start back TOMORROW!  

So, I'm enjoying this tonight.  :)
Kiddos start next Wed.  I can't believe summer is over and the new school year is upon us...but I'm also excited to start a new year...in a new grade.  So, when do you start back???  I hope you enjoy the rest of your summer!Many Blessings,

P.S.  Be watching for some freebie Back To School graphics soon!

Beginning On The Barn...

Recently, I shared a picture of a barn that I found on a teacher's blog.  So, I talked my sweet hubby into making it.  We worked together on the design to make it fit my needs, and we went to work.

Cutting out the first side of the barn...

So then we used the first one for a template for the next one.

Cutting the two by twos went much quicker!

 The frame went well.

This was the fun part...putting it together.

I will use the top of the barn for holding book baskets.  There's a bar at the top for support, that I can use for hanging things.

Now, it is just awaiting some red paint and white trim.  I'll post pics when we get that completed...but I'm loving it so far!  I think my kiddos will love it too!Many Blessings,

Must Have Picture Books Linky Party

Oh how I adore picture books.  I can't even begin to tell you how many hours I have spent in bookstores such as Books-A-Million, Hastings, Barnes&Noble, etc. in the picture book section!  So, when I saw Lindsey's Linky Party, I had to join in!I am suppose to list my Top 5...OMG...just 5...I'll try!

1.  Miss Smith's Incredible Storybook by Michael GarlandZack is not excited about second grade at all.  That is until he meets his new teacher that can really bring a story to life!  You can find this book here.

2.  Three Hens and a Peacock by Lester LaminackNothing ever happens on the Tucker Farm...that is until a peacock shows up.  The hens and the peacock think they work the hardest.  After the old hound dog suggests them to swap jobs, they find out that others jobs aren't as easy as they seem.I adore Lester Laminack!  He is the best storyteller and author.  I have had the great pleasure of hearing him a couple of times at conferences, as well as, as a guest author at our school.  You can find it here.

3.  The Kissing Hand by Audrey Penn

This book holds a special meaning to me.  Every time my sweet little 2 year old granddaughter goes back home {in another town} she gets a little sad {and so does Gramma}.  I kiss the palm of her hand and gently close it for her.  I tell her that whenever she is feeling sad and wants me, just open up her hand and kiss it, and it will be like me giving her a kiss.That's what happens in this story when Chester Raccoon has to leave his Mommy to go to school.  You can find it here.

4.  The Giving Tree by Shel SilversteinThis story is a bit sad, but shows the unconditional love the tree has for the boy.You can find it here.

5.  Chrysanthemum by Kevin HenkesI know that everyone probably has this book, but I just love it.  I always use this book during the first week of school.  A sweet story to teach about how hurtful it is to make fun of others.  You can find it here.   Oh, I have SO MANY more but I narrowed it down to these five.  They are all great books that are a must have in the elementary classroom.Be sure to head over to Lindsey's to see what books other teachers are suggesting!Loving this linky party,

FREEBIE Circle Frames and Tickets

Click the above image to get this FREEBIE!ENJOY!Creative Blessings,

Theme Linky Party and WINNERS!!!

It's another Linky Party...and Winners announced!

 

Corinna at Surfin' Through Second is hosting a Classroom Theme Linky Party.  So I'm going to share everything that I have done so far for my Cowboy/Western theme for next year....some of these pics you have seen in previous posts.

This is a sample of things that I made for my Helper Board.  My Welcome Wagon is a small group of kiddos that welcome newbies to our class and help them learn the ropes.

This is a small sample of my notebook that I created.

...and a sample of pages in the kiddos' H.O.R.S.E. binder, desk plate, horse clip art and Wanted poster {both of which I drew}.

Cute cowboy stuff that I bought at the teacher store

More stuff that I bought

CUTE borders!!!

The Buckaroo Board area that I have started to work on in my room already...more work needed though!

My Buckaroo Board upclose...much still to do!

I set this up in my dining room so I could share these goodies from Shindigz.

The glitter horse shoes came in three different sizes.  The barbwire garland is so cute, and I love the red barn backdrop.

Adorable red book barn that I found here...and my hubby is using this for inspiration to build ME a book barn!  I adore that man!  Thanks, honey!

And last but not least, my cowboy and cowgirl puppets.  I adore them!  And that brings me to my WINNERS for my "naming my cowboy/cowgirl puppets"...

I had SO MANY wonderful names and ideas for these two cuties.  THANK YOU TO EVERYONE THAT PARTICIPATED.  I have decided to let my kiddos name the puppets after we share several cowboy/cowgirl books {that were suggested}.  Four people suggested that I let the kiddos name them, so I put those four in the hat first.  So, I will announce the winners now...

 

For the naming part of my contest...and winner of the above prizes is...

Christina doesn't have a blog, so I will contact her my email.  Congrats, Christina!

So then I put the other three in the drawing with everyone else...And the winner of the above prizes is...

I'll be notifying Peggy by email as well.

Thank you all for sharing in the contest!

Now be sure to head over to Corinna's at Surfin' Through Second for lots more theme ideas!

Blessings to all,

Classroom Management

To me, Classroom Management is different than Discipline.  Classroom management is good management  by the way of procedures and routines that are established first thing in the year by the teacher, and consistently used throughout the year.  I feel that if you have good classroom management then you will have less behavioral issues...notice I didn't say no behavior issues but less.

Model and Practice are biggies for me!  I spend the first few weeks teaching/modeling the procedures and having the students practice them over and over.  This way it becomes routine, and everyone knows what is expected of them.  I also spend a lot of time on community building, through books and activities.  This sets the tone for the year. 

Here are a few books that I use.  I haven't used Lester's new book, Three Hens and a Peacock, but plan to this coming year!   

Our school has a high rate of transient students.  So, I choose two or three {I recommend 3} to "welcome" new students to our school, and help them with procedures and routines.  I choose responsible students that have been most successful at modeling our procedures.  This year since I'm doing a cowboy/western theme, I'm calling them "The Welcome Wagon".  I will work extra with these students to prepare them to help new students that come to our classroom.  They love doing this and are successful at it...but I've always taught 3rd grade.  I will be teaching 2nd graders next year, so we'll have to see if they can handle this!

Ok, so you all know what a proponent of WHOLE BRAIN TEACHING I am!  I feel that this is a biggy in my classroom management.  Students are so interactive in the lessons, that they are on task, doing what they should!  They especially love the "Class-Yes", "Teach-Ok" and "Practice-I Got This".  I walk around during the time they are teaching their partner, so I can see who might need a little extra help, someone that might state what I did in more "kid-friendly" terms, and to assure that all students are on task.

A clip chart will be new to me this next year {I've never used it with my 3rd graders}.  Some might consider this more for "discipline" but I think it's classroom management too in the fact that the clip can change as student's behaviors change.  I like that!

So, what kinds of things do you use for classroom management?  I'd love to hear all about them!

You will also want to check out this linky party at Teaching In Room 6.

  

Happy 4th of July and Web-errific Wednesday #2

Happy Independence Day, everyone.  Thank you to those that have and are currently serving this great country of ours.  God Bless each one of you!  

A special thank you to my son who served in the U.S. Air Force.  I'm so proud of you and love you so much!

May we always remember those that gave their lives, because freedom is NOT FREE!

Happy Birthday, America!God Bless The U.S.A.!
Now, on to Web-errific Wednesday.Here are the sites that I have to share today.

*Activity TV*Activities, indeed!  Crafts, Puppets, Cartooning, Origami, Juggling, Cooking, and MORE!  A must see!*Storybee*Great stories told by professional storytellers.  Stories are easily categorized from age 4 to 18.  Be sure to check this out!*Silly Books*Lots of silly stories, puzzles, games, and more.  SO CUTE!  You're kiddos will love it.
Thanks for joining me for Web-errific Wednesday!  If you want to share any websites with us, just leave me a comment.  Thanks!

May you all have a most HAPPY and SAFE FOURTH OF JULY!BLESSINGS,