Crazy Day

This was one insane day! Our fire alarm went off during specials along with the announcement that this was NOT a drill. Of course, we were all wondering what was going on but my daughter and I helped the other kids out since ours were across campus. When they started closing the gate we knew something was up. We ended up standing out in the hot Florida sun for about 20 minutes, thank goodness I had taken my water bottle with me when I left. We did manage to move the kids to shade while we waited for the fire dept. Turned out to be a short in the wiring panel in the building with the AC chiller. Then as I was getting to the cafeteria door the alarm went off again. Another 20 minutes waiting in the parking lot while the fire dept arrived and checked it all out. Finally a quick lunch, a little playground and then I was off to a 2 hour training while a sub took over my class. Let me just clarify that it was the whole grade level that went to the training. Luckily, I have done enough routines and procedures that my kids handled it pretty well. Maybe tomorrow will be a little more calm. One can only hope...

Ready or Not Here We Go!

Well, I went back a couple weeks ago and this is the first chance I have had to post about it. I missed out on the last one or two Monday Made Its even though I had been very busy. Last week I was my youngest daughter's 16th birthday but it was also Open House at my school. To make up for it I made her cupcakes, chocolate with peanut butter frosting. Sorry I don't have any pictures, my family couldn't wait to dive in. Needless to say, my daughter wasn't upset with me for having to work at all. In fact the whole family joined me in greeting my new families as well as visiting with my past students and their families.

Thanks to Tara for her Monday Made Its for keeping me on track and getting things done. It certainly helped me get things ready for my room. This week my first Made it is my classroom. When I walked into my classroom a couple weeks ago this is what greeted me. (Well this and the electrician rewiring the light in the ceiling.)

Doesn't look too bad until you look in the closets where I had to shove store everything.

Well there is an upside to all of this, my oldest daughter has been a HUGE help to me. She starts college in a couple weeks as an education major so she might as well get the hang of it besides she has grown up in my classroom so this is nothing new to her.

Finally, almost everything is in place. I made a new alphabet to go with my movie theme. I wish I had made the letters bigger but it will have to do for now. Maybe next year I'll make it bigger.

Guess I'll have to post some close ups later. But before I end this very long post let me just post one of my Monday Made Its that I did take a picture of. I finally got my toolbox labels in my box since it was buried in the closet all summer.

Monday Made It

I'm linking up with Tara again at 4th Grade Frolics. This week I was hoping to get my main project done but so far it's on hold until hubby can get his chop saw from our Pastor's house. In the meantime, I have been working tirelessly on my computer making new things. I made a movie film graphic that I am really enjoying, in fact I am using it to start a new blog. So there's my first creation, my new blog which is geared for Kindergarten. I just felt that this blog was going nowhere and I needed a new start and vision so hopefully, you will all head over there and follow me. It's a work in progress but I'm trying to make it completely me so it will evolve as I learn to make more graphics. Since my classroom has a Hollywood theme, I thought it would be fun to call it Hooray for Kindergarten. On the Hollywood theme I have also made schedule cards. Wish that I could share them with you but since I don't have the rights to distribute Thistle Girl (yet) I am unable. But this is what they look like.

That's all for this blog. The remaining projects will have to be shared on my new blog later. I'm heading into my classroom tomorrow so I will have to finish tomorrow afternoon (hopefully).

Another Creation

Well this is my second post this week for Monday Made It but that's just goes to show how much fun it can be. So I've been bitten by the creativity bug. My wonderful hubby bought me a Bamboo for Christmas so I could make graphics. I've just now gotten around to learning how to use it with my oldest daughter's help of course. I have been wanting to get a new Word Wall with my Hollywood theme but can never find one I like so I made my own. I'm offering it for free in my TPT store. I'm having fun making things and if others want them then I am happy to share. Hope at least one of you can use this.

Now, what to make next...lol.

Monday Made It and a Freebie

After finally linking up with Tara at 4th Grade Frolics last week for her Monday Made It, I got so excited that I started right in on this weeks projects. I was hoping to have 3 done but with all the rain we have been getting here in Southwest Florida it's been difficult to get outside to paint or build so one project is on hold until next week (I hope).

My first project I found on Pinterest (doesn't everybody..lol). Carly at First Grade Fabulosity posted this adorable mini pocket chart stand.

I decided to modify it so that I could put 4 of the mini pocket charts from Target's Dollar spot that I got last year to use as a station either on a table or on the floor. This is how mine turned out minus the charts since they are locked away in my closet at school.

I hope this next week I will finally be able to get my keys back and hopefully change classrooms (God willing). The room I want to move into is made for Kindergarten but has been a 1st grade room. The counters and chalkboards are lower and there is an extra closet and let's face it Kindergarten needs LOTS of storage!

My other project I came up with as I was thinking about new ideas for my reading centers. I always teach my kids to stretch the words and then write down the sounds they hear so I came up with the Stretch a Word activity. Kids stretch the word and move the rubber band (or string) to the next brad for each sound. They hook the band on the brad with the final number of sounds (ex: if the word has 3 sounds they hook it on the #3 brad). Next they either write each sound with dry erase or use letter tiles or letters in each box to represent that sound. Finally they write the word all together on the bottom line.

You may need to secure the board to something stiff as it does tend to curl the board for longer words, either that or get longer rubber bands. I'm attaching the boards as a freebie. Click here to go to my brand new store at TPT. This would be a great activity with picture cards or objects.

Since I opened at TPT store, I also decided to add the All Star Writing posters that I had in my Made It Monday post last week. I noticed that it had been pinned a couple times which excited me to no end. lol I had to change the graphics since I do not have a Thistle Girl reseller's license so it's a little generic.

Versatile Blogger Award

Thanks to Ms. Kidd at Hanging Out in Third Grade for nominating me for the Versatile Blogger award. This being my first award I wasn't entirely sure how it worked but she explained it beautifully in her blog.
1. Thanks the person that nominated you- check
2. Include a link back to their site- check
3. Include the image of the award.- check

4.Give 7 random facts about yourself. - check
*When I was in college I kept telling my professors I was going to be a kindergarten teacher and I have been for 15 years (plus 4 years of PreK).
*I love creating things on the computer and wish I could making educational video games.
*I am very active in my church working with the high school youth.
*I have developed a love for cuban food over the years thanks to my hubby.
*I have 2 daughters and 2 step sons from ages 15 (almost 16) to 20.
*I have tons of scrapbooking stuff even though I no longer scrapbook but it does get used on other projects thanks to blogging and Pinterest.
*My husband is truly my best friend and I thank God for him everyday.

5. Nominate 15 other bloggers for this award.- check
Mrs.Cobb's Kinder Sprouts

Time 4 Kindergarten

Teaching Madness

4th Grade Frolics

Heather's First Grade Heart

Kinder Kraziness

Little Treasures

Mrs. Hoffer's Spot

Today in First Grade

What I Learned in Kindergarten

Kinders on the Block

Kinder Gals

Read Write Sing

booky4first

Pencils Glue and Tying Shoes

6. You need to link to their sites- check
7. Finally you need to let them know- That will be my next step now that I finally finished everything else. :-)

Motivated!

Well, it finally happened, I got motivated. After joining Tara's Made it Monday linky party (see previous post), the juices started flowing. I may be making my hubby nervous but he's such a good sport he just ends up egging me on or making things better than I planned. It helps that he is a carpenter turned computer tech for the school system so he totally gets it. Some of my current projects are things I saw on Pinterest and am modifying for my personal use and then I have one that is a totally original idea and will hopefully turn out so that I can share it with others. :-) Can't wait to finish all these projects and share them on Monday.