Classroom Is Under Way

Here is a look at my classroom thus far...I forgot to take pictures the other day but I will update more

 

view from my document camera and file cabinet

a look at my messy desk

 

 

the omputer area and guided reading table

 

 view of kids desks from the computer area...I love GG's old rocker

more kids desks and incomplete bulletin boards

 

white board area...trying to think of a way to make the sectioned off piece be the homework list area but unsure...any suggestions?

You Know It's Back to School

I am linking up to share my idea of when I know that it is back to school time. I always have to schedule all doctors appointments, all car repairs, or any other appointments for myself or daughter after 3:30 because I know that I will not be getting out of school a second earlier. I also enjoy when I say to them at the doctor's offices oh do you have any late in the day appointments and their immediate response is..." Oh your a teacher then?" Just common knowledge or protocol I guess.

A Bit Confused

I keep exploring everyone's blogs and ideas about different classroom ideas for the upcoming school year...FYI I do not go back until Sept 4th and the kids do not return til the 10th...how crazy is that?! Anyways I am trying to boost up my blog but I am a bit confused with many steps

For instance no idea how to link up to many different things...like the new teacher linky or other such things...can anyone walk a newbie through it?

Also what is the benefit of such a thing as a button? A lot of pages say "grab my button" why do I want to do that?

I know this seems silly but I am so intrigued by the entire blogging world that I want to understand it more...

Pretty soon I will be putting up pictures of before and after in the classroom and its new 2012-2013 set-up. I am going to go in early to start working because we will be away the last week of August when most of the teachers will head in...plus sometimes its nice to be there while no one else is to gather your thoughts and get things going

Connecting with Pinterest

Okay so another love I have connected with over the summer was that of Pinterest.

At first I must admit I did not understand the hype about it and how everyone kept relaying things or ideas by saying, "Oh I found it on Pinterest." Well that did it. I had to know what everyone was talking about. So I looked into and I must say I am hooked!! I love everything it allows you to do...like connect with other fellow educators, parents, crafters, scrapbookers to share ideas and display work.

Here are just a few of the things that I found extremely interesting this time around on Pinterest:





 The use of the OWL binder or MOOSE folder to keep the students organized and communication with parents on a consistent basis.

The use of Smart Beads is interesting. I read about it on Adventures of a Third Grade Teacher and I like the idea of the students being able to walk around throughout the day with the beads and being recognized by other individuals for having them. It will be the constant confidence builder! I may have to look into big, bold beads for them.
















 My other interest this summer is the use of foldables. I think they are the best idea I have learned about this summer. The basis behind them is to give the students more ownership over their notebooks and their note taking skills. Plus information sinks in deeper when students have a greater sense of ownership over the idea! I found a ton of great examples over on a Teacher's Treasures

Diving in Head First

Well this is it! I am heading straight into the blogging world head first and not looking back for a second. I guess I should let you know what prompted this decision and where I hope to see this blog progress to eventually. 

It was about a month ago I was searching through Pinterest and got looking into different ideas for math centers for this upcoming school year. Well out of no where I found myself linking to a series of blogs that were created by this inspiring teachers who create things weekly or even daily (NUTS!! right?!?!) shared ideas, shared lesson plans, and just opened themselves up to sharing their experiences as teachers. I thought that this was amazing because here I am just having finished my first official year as a 4th grade teacher and I keep thinking to myself, "am I the only who is struggling to understand this?" or "what am I doing wrong?" and these teachers were doing just that in this create format of a blog. I had previously had a personal blog for documenting Sara's beautiful life and how our lives have changed since her but never thought to create a blog to share my other passion, teaching! Well here I go then jumping right in!

I hope to use this blog as a way to be more creative with technology as well as with my classroom and students. I am also hoping to see myself branch out and use different ideas as well as different teaching styles as I learn more from other fellow teachers. I just have to keep this up once school starts, which FYI is not for another 3 weeks. Thank goodness! I do not know that I am ready to say goodbye to my summer break yet! 

Well off to discover more gadgets and pieces to make my blog stand out and become more useful for myself as well as others!