Donors Choose

Hi there!  I am so excited because I've just had a project approved on Donors Choose!  Now,  just need to get it funded!  Here is the link to my project:  http://www.donorschoose.org/project/complete-our-circle-time/1081797/.  I really, really, really hope to get this funded!  I have put the word out on Facebook and via family and friends.  Any other tips or tricks to get the word out there?

Room Update!

It's been a while since my last post!  Sorry!  I have been very busy during the first few weeks of school.  I think I am finally getting back into the swing of things and the Kinders are starting to learn the routine.  I have quite the challenge this year.  I have 21 students total.  10 students are on an IEP and the other 11 are not.  Of those 10 on an IEP, 4 are Autistic.  I seem to have a pretty good bunch this year.  They are very chatty but most can write their first name correctly, recognize the letters of the alphabet and some even recognize some sight words.

Since my last post I had taken some pictures of my classroom.  These are pretty dated as I have added a lot more to the room.

I hope to start blogging more and sharing about what is going on in my classroom.

September Currently!

I can't believe it is that time again!  Back to school!  I am linking up with Farley over at Oh' Boy 4th Grade for her Currently link up!

Listening:  My little one was watching an episode of My Little Pony before bed.

Loving:  I feel so blessed to have had such a great Summer.  My daughter and I got to spend a lot of time with family and friends! We went on some great adventures, went to the beach, and she even went to her first Red Sox game this Summer!

Thinking:  Ugh, I have a ton on my plate this year!  I start working tomorrow, my daughter starts PreK tomorrow, I have meetings every Wednesday afternoon this school year and I am taking my last two graduate courses this year.  Just thinking about all of this puts me into a tailspin!

Wanting:  I know, I really shouldn't rush my time...But, I just want to be through September.  It's going to be hard to get back into the grind, going to be hard to get the Kinders to settle in, going to be hard going back to school myself....

Needing:  By reading the above, you can probably gather that I'm not placing much confidence in myself.  I really need to start doing that!

Self-Love:
1.  I want to get up on time every day to make the most of my mornings and not feel so rushed.  I think this will help boost my confidence!

2.  Meditate.  I need to center myself when I start to get anxious.  This is will definitely help!

3.  Buy myself a nice dress.  My hubby is going to be in his best friends wedding in October and it happens to land on my 30th birthday.  So, I want to look fabulous!  I think buying a new dress will help!

Head on over to Farley's blog and link up!

Getting Started!

Hi there!  This week I went into my new classroom on Monday to scope out the scene.  This is what I found:

Room as it was when I walked in.

View from the back of the room.

My desk in the back corner.

View from the front door.

Sink area.

View from the front of the room.

View from my desk.

 I spent some time tearing down old bulletin boards, moving furniture and asking the custodians to get rid of the desks and bring in the tables from my old room.  I went back in today and my volunteer and I got to work!   This is what it looked like by the time I left:

Circle/Whole Group Area.  Still need to put down the rug.

Tables!  Please don't mind the chart stand in the way!

View from the back!

View of my desk area.

So, that's what I've got for now.  I am debating going back in for a bit on Friday....We shall see....

WOOOOOOOOHOOOOOOO!

I got my call!  I got my call!  I got my call!

Sorry, I had to let it out!

For those of you that do not know, I do not have professional status in my district yet, even though I should. This will be considered as my third full year though it is my fourth year teaching.  Anywho, yesterday morning I was riding in the car with the hubby and my phone rang.  I normally don't like to answer the phone when I don't recognize the number but I instinctively pushed the answer button.  It was like I knew.  A very nice lady from HR was on the other end and she told me I had been recommended for a position at my school and asked if I wanted to accept it. 

I of course said, "YES!".  Hubby instantly knew it was THE. CALL. so he was silently clapping and bouncing up and down in his seat.  As soon as I hung up the phone we both screamed!  WOOHOO!  Such a big sigh of relief. 

This is even more exciting because I am moving rooms!  For the last two years I had been stuck in a teeny tiny room that used to be used as an OT room.  One of the benefits of that room was the A/C, but, I'm not going to miss being cramped up!  The new room that I am moving into is right next door to one of my best friends!  She took me under her wing when I first came to this school and we have grown really close.  I cannot wait to be able to team teach with her! 

My mind has been swirling since I got the phone call.  How will I set up the room?  Have the moved my furniture in yet?  Where do I start?!  AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!  On Monday I am going to head in and take some pictures of the room and see where everything is at.  I really hope the custodians moved my furniture for me!  I will write another post Monday evening with my findings!

Meet the Teacher!

I still have not gotten my call yet, but, I am hoping it comes soon!  I'm joining in on the 2013 Teacher Week to keep my mind off of that....So, today's linky is "Meet the Teacher".  All you have to do is post 10 facts about you!









1.  My hubby and I celebrated seven years married this year!  I still remember our wedding day as if it were yesterday.  It was so nice to have all of our family and friends around us that day.:

 

2.  Our dear daughter just turned four.  I can't believe she is already 4 years old.  Time is passing way too quickly!

 

 3.  My husband and his friends are all either married or attached to a teacher.  It's funny, but, it's great at the same time because we all teach in different states but all teach in inner city schools.  It's fun to hear what it's like to teach in other places!

4.  We have a cat named Scooby and a Chow Chow named Bruce.  They were our babies long before we had our baby.

5.  My husband and I bought my grandparents house from them when we got married.  I spent a lot of time at this house when I was a kid and always said I would buy it some day.

6.  I've always wanted to be a teacher; I think I began my love for teaching in Kindergarten.

7.  I love lots of different kinds of music, but, the one style of music I cannot stand is Country.  Sorry to all of the country fans out there, but, I just can't get into it!

8.  I can unscramble words at an alarmingly fast rate.  My husband thinks this is SUPER weird and not human, lol.

9.  I love to cruise. It is my favorite form of vacation/travel.  I don't even care where the ship stops, i just love being at sea.

10.  I love living in New England.  As much as I loathe the snow/winter; it's the most beautiful place to live!

Head on over and link up so we can learn about you too!

August Currently!

I cannot believe that it is August already!!!  My, how the time has flown.  Farley just put out her August Currently and I am linking up!

 

Listening:  To my daughter's iPad.  She's sitting here on the couch playing on it.

Loving:  I almost have a full month left before vacation is over!  Our In-Service isn't until August 26th and our first official day of school isn't until September 3rd.

Thinking:  I am still waiting to get my official call back from HR.  I hope it happens soon!

Wanting:  I really want to start setting up my classroom, but, I can't without my official notice in hand!

Needing:  I have had so much stress and anxiety in my life for the past month and it is starting to take a toll on me physically.  I need to de-stress somehow...

B2s Must haves:

1.  Pentel RSVP Pens.  These are my favorite to write with!

2.  Brand new Sharpies!  Nothing is more exciting than opening a Sharpie for the first time!

3.  Emergency Sub Plans.  Nothing makes me more nervous than having to call out and not knowing how the sub will manage.  I really like this pack from Clutter-free Classroom.

Hope you all are enjoying the rest of vacation if you are still home!  If not, hope you school year is going well so far!