Monday Made It

Hey all!

It's that time of the week again.  Monday Made Its!  I love to see what everyone has been making for their classrooms.  You are all so creative and I'm a bit jealous.

I've been super busy this week with projects.  Most of them are still only half done, but I will share them anyways.

I made a teacher toolbox that fits with my room theme- Owls!  I made a red one to match my ladybug themed classroom but then changed to owls.  I was inspired by another blog from Monday Made It (didn't have time to go back through and find it, so if you were my inspiration, THANK YOU!).

I used Rustoleum spray paint in Berry Pink.  It's 2x the coverage and it didn't work as well as regular spray paint.  Take your time, LIGHTLY spray on each layer, wait at least 20 mins between coats, and use a primer, even though it says you don't need one.  Just remember, LIGHT layers as it is 2x the coats and is thick.

Then, I used these labels and customized them to fit my needs.

I mod podged the labels to my drawers, using a thin layer on the drawer, stuck the label on, and lightly attached it the label to the inside of the drawer.  I plan to go back tomorrow and add another layer of mod podge on top.

Ta da!  I am so in love with this.  

These have been circulating Monday Made Its and are self explanatory.  Again, I can't find the original posting of this, and her labels were free.  I think I got them from last week's MMI.

Oh dear.  Noticing a pattern?  Can't find original poster of this, it was free.  I am thinking I got this idea off of Pinterest.  Maybe MMI.  I'm not sure.  Anywho, I printed off the picture, got a turquoise frame from Target that fits my classroom decor, and pink polka dot ribbon.  I plan to use this alongside my clip chart system.  It needs the ribbon added to the bottom of this hanging down so I can clip clothespins to it.  When my students get three consecutive days (or maybe 5, haven't decided yet.  Suggestions?) of being on my highest level on my clip chart, they will earn a jewel.  Once they earn five jewels, I will retire their clip onto the hall of fame, and they will earn a coupon from our class reward system.

This is my new attendance chart.  I am so in love with this, too!  This will be part of their morning routine.  

You will need:

14x14 magnetic white board

material

ribbon,

two wooden or paper cut outs of your classroom theme

sticker or puffy paint letters

numbered magnets (1" glass beads from Dollar Tree, mod podge, numbers, magnetic buttons)  I guess I will show how to make these next week as I didn't include them this week!

All of the magnets will be on the bottom in the morning (one of my jobs is "reset" in which the child will reset all of my charts: behavior, attendance, lunch count, etc.) and they will have to move their numbered magnet to the top to show that they are here.  This way, I can take attendance once things have settled down in the morning and I only have to look one place.  Easy peasy!

I just need to add a ribbon on the top to hang it somewhere, or maybe I will just set it on top of something.  Haven't decided yet.

My papers with no name board!

thin board from Michaels
spray paint of your choice
No Name letters (also from Michaels)
clear spray paint or acrylic sealer
two wooden cutouts matching your classroom theme
clothespins- dyed, glittered, mod podged, etc.
hot glue gun

I first pray painted the board to match my colors.  I didn't just primer on this, and it took several coats, but I think it looks pretty good.  I put 2-3 coats of clear spray paint over my letters as they are glitter letters and it came off pretty easily.  The spray paint seemed to cover it just fine.  It does dull the glitter some, but I figured better dull than gone :)
I glued the owls on each end first, then laid out my letters and clothespins to see what worked best.  I then glued down my letters and I am still working on dying my clothespins to my class colors using RIT dye.  I also need to put a ribbon on the back to hang it somewhere.  I will update when I finish the board!

I'm off to check all of the other awesome MMIs.

Another giveaway!!

Yet another fabulous Erin Condren giveaway!!!  Super hope I win.... I love the teacher planners!!

Find it here

Followers (and Monday Made It)

I am SOOOOOOOOO excited that I have followers!  My little tiny blog is actually followed by someone!  Thank you to you four for following me- two on blogger and two on Bloglovin'.  Thank you so much!

Now, for Monday Made It(s)- I've been busy this week!  I have other projects too that will be finished next week (hopefully) but because they're not done, they won't be here tonight.

Monday Made It # 1  Letter Storage

Materials:

File box from Target (came with 5 hanging files)

28 file folders

26 tab dividers

letters from Dollar Tree

It's hard to see, but in each hanging file folder is a file folder with the uppercase letter printed on it, and a divider (inside the regular file folder) with a lowercase letter printed on it.  I put lowercase letters in front of the divider and uppercase letters behind the divider, but still inside of the regular file folder.  If I need a letter, I just pull out the hanging file and take what I need.

For my nicer letters (not from the Dollar Tree or made by me from laminated construction paper), I will put them in photo albums.  Stay tuned for that MMI!

MMI #2  Crate Seats!!

I have been seeing these beauties everywhere and finally had to make my own.  I only show one finished product because they took awhile to finish so I only got through one (started late).

You need: (in picture)
staple gun
crate seats (mine are from target: two teal, two purplish pink, two white) all for like $3!!
foam pads (mine are from Walmart.  They were super thin, so we had to add another piece of foam to them which made them very tall but should be comfy for all.  Even me!)
felt or fleece (to protect fabric from ragged edges of cut wood)
material
velcro
boards! (Home Depot cut these for free.  Even helped me do the measurements!  You need to take your crate with you to see how big you want them cut, and to make sure they are cut correctly!)

First, cut your felt to go around the board.  Staple it to the board.

Next, cut the foam to match the size of your board (see, we had to use two!).  We glued the foam pieces to each other using spray adhesive just to be sure they wouldn't shift around.

Pull the fabric around the whole contraption, fold like a present, and staple like crazy!  Then, put it on top of your crate to admire your handiwork.  In my case, I admired my mom's cuz she was afraid I would hurt myself with the staple gun  I have NO talent with crafts though I love them   she loves me and wanted to help get my classroom running.  Remember, I am brand new so I have lots to make this summer!

I made several other things this week but apparently didn't take pictures... so maybe I will show them next week!  Who knows....

Another Give away

Check out this awesome give away at Miss R's Room

good luck!

Bloglovin

I am attempting to merge my blog with bloglovin.... here goes!

<a href="http://www.bloglovin.com/blog/9788059/?claim=t58dhx536tp">Follow my blog with Bloglovin</a>

Blog Giveaway

Check out this fantastic giveaway over at First Grade Critter Cafe  You don't want to miss these fantastic reading strategies taught in a fun way!

Favorite Pins Friday!

Happy Friday!

Today I am linking up with The First Grade Parade for her 

I am addicted to Pinterest.  I can spend hours on it pinning ideas for my classroom (brand new teacher!), but I don't.... have to remind myself that I need to have interaction with my husband and precious puppy.  

Anywho.... Here are my favorite pins from this week.

1.  

Originally from Ladybug's Teacher Files, this pin shows me awesome ways to organize books and other large items in my classroom.  I love all the bright colors and black labels!  

    2. 

Couldn't find the original post, but these are all over Pinterest.  I just discovered Erin Condren this past week and have instantly fallen in love!  Her planners are SO amazing and inclusive and I have heard nothing but good things about her products.  I desperately want one, but seeing as how I am a brand new teacher who just graduated from grad school and had no job this summer, it isn't likely that I will have one this year.  But next year, it's on!

       3. 

I LOVE this idea originally from Forever in First  This is such a fantastic idea for kinders to learn letter sounds.  It also involves higher level thinking, requiring them to apply the letter sound to something they can dress up as.  And I LOVE class books, so this is a must do.  

My style:

I love love LOVE pink.  This whole outfit screams to me.  Obsessed.  From http://imgfave.com/view/2153075

from http://uncovet.com/designer-spotlight/olive-yew/rose-gold-lowercase-letter-necklace?via=HardPin&u=type294  Love rose gold and I've been wanting an initial necklace.  

Words to live by.  I need this daily reminder.  from Etsy

Want to see what else I love?  Check it out here

Thanks for tuning in!  Have a fantastic weekend :) 

Christmas in July

Hi friends!

I just wanted to share this amazing blog hop of freebies with you.

Start at http://www.sharingkindergarten.com/2013/07/kinderlands-freebies-on-4th.html

Enjoy!

Annnnnd I'm Back...?

Once again, I have abandoned the blog.  With the summer wide open, I hope to be able to update this more frequently and get into blogging.  I have found so many wonderful sites dedicated to helping teachers that I want to develop my own.  I am not very skilled at websites, so please have patience with me!

I am in the process of interviews right now, so in the meantime I have been working on items for my classroom and can't wait to share!  My favorite blog linkys are Monday Made It(s) (MMIs), so I have my own.  Even though it's Wednesday.

Who doesn't love pointers?  They are SO expensive from teacher stores, and the closest one I have found is in Lynchburg, an hour away from me.  SO I resorted to creating my own.

I want my kiddos to have a pointer to go with each story, season, or interest.  So, I made A LOT.

To start with, shop your local craft store or Wally-World for pre-painted wooden shapes.  Then, find small dowel sticks (in the same aisle) to attach them to.  Some mod podge scrapbook paper to the sticks.  I didn't.

Use a hot glue gun to attach the shapes to the sticks.  You can even add ribbon below for a little flair (I didn't).  Voila!  You have your own pointers for a tiny cost! (I will add the finished product later :) )

Also, I am currently reading The First Days of School: How to Be an Effective Teacher by Rosemary and Harry Wong.  This book is probably required by many districts for first year teachers to read.  Personally, I think ALL teachers should read this book.  It's engaging and so helpful with such great tips and reminders for beginning of the year procedures.  It's a must read!

Next up, the Daily Five book by Gail Boushey and Joan Moser for literacy and writing centers.

Stay tuned for more classroom creations and ideas!

And It Begins...

Wow.  Well, I guess I kind of abandoned the journey.  The blog, that is.

My journey has been well under its way since August 13th.  My student teaching placement is in kindergarten at a nearby elementary school, with the teacher I requested.  I was ecstatic about the placement when I found out, and it has been such an amazing experience since that day.

We have a classroom of 21 students.  We have eight girls, and thirteen boys.  It is absolutely chaotic, and some days we feel like all we have done all day is simply wrangle geese.  That is, we have simply reminded them of rules and really not taught anything.  But, I ABSOLUTELY LOVE EVERY RAWKUS MINUTE OF IT!

We began the second nine weeks today.  Tomorrow we are closed because of hurricane Sandy dangers, but I anticipate we will be back in school Wednesday for our Fall Festival day!  We are not permitted to wear costumes to school Wednesday for Halloween, so the school has created a Fall Festival day in which we do all things fall-related.  We create hay scarecrows, get our faces painted, (and other things I can't remember), have a Halloween class party, and gather as a whole school to watch It's The Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown (or whatever it's called).  I hope we are back in school for this day... I am super excited to see the kids' reactions!

This nine weeks we covered SO much!

Language Arts:
Upper and lowercase letter recognition
Letter sounds
Writing, recognizing, and letter sound of: Mm, Ss, Bb, Rr, Ff, Dd, Nn, Pp, Cc, Hh, Tt, Gg
Sight words: a, I, my, like, the, go
Rhyming
Author/Illustrator roles
Front/back cover and title page of books
PALS testing

Math:
Patterning
Counting 1:1 correspondence
Rote counting to 25
Identifying numbers 1-5
Identifying positions
Creating and identifying sets that have more, fewer, or the same number of objects as a given set
Sorting

Science:
Basic life processes of plants
What plants and animals need to survive
Colors
Sorting based on a feature (flexible/stiff, curved/straight)

Social Studies:
Betsy Ross
Pocahontas
Powhatan

I KNOW I have forgotten some things, but this just shows you, our babies have learned SO much since they stepped foot into our classroom.

I love being a teacher, and couldn't imagine myself doing anything else.  I will begin to update more and post lesson plans/finished products that our bright little ones have been working on.

In the meantime, here is a Pinterest creation my CT (cooperating teacher) and I made.  We are avid Pinterest followers, and we use the website AT LEAST twice a week in our lesson plans or presentations for our students.

Our classroom theme is Chicka Chicka Boom Boom to expose students to letters constantly.

It is made from an old lamp, pool noodle, brown felt, an umbrella, and multiple shades of green felt and tulle cut to form coconut tree leaves.  We then put velcro on the back of small foam letters, and ask students to spell sight words, spell their name, put the letters in ABC order, spell made-up words, or even try to spell their friends' names.  The kids love it!

Until next time, readers....  Be safe if you are in the affected areas of Hurricane Sandy.


Oh, PS- I passed all three of my tests for licensure with ease.  They were difficult, mind you, but you should be able to pass if you actually care about the career you are about to embark on.

Praxis II: Elementary Content Knowledge

I took the Praxis II (Elementary Content Knowledge) at Prometric Testing Center yesterday.  Friends, if you live in the Roanoke area, it's worth a trip else where to take your test.  These people are just so rude and ridiculous.  I still can't get over the fact that if you go in with a sweatshirt, your have to keep it on, even if you get hot.  At Pearson you could basically do whatever you needed to do.  They trust you and make you feel like a trust-worthy adult rather than a child that writes answers on your arms (at Prometric).  


Anywho, I was nervous going into the test because people told me that it was common sense stuff, and then I took a practice test and had basically forgotten everything I learned in school.  It's basically a review of everything you learned in math, reading, science, and social studies.  That's a lot of information to recall.  I used a review book to study, but it had so many typos and I don't think I'd recommend it.  It did help me recall information, however, so using a book is worth the money, I just won't recommend the one I used.  Cliff Notes makes a review book, and several other books are available.  Just visit your local Books a Million or Barnes and Noble to find one. 


The test wasn't as bad as I thought it was going to be.  I passed!  The computer instantly gives you your "raw scores" and lets you know how many questions you got right from each section.  


So now I can breathe a sigh of relief.  I have basically finished my requirements for licensure! (except for those pesky classes that are a breeze compared to the pressure-inducing licensure tests)  I am just waiting for my RVE scores now, but I think that they will be to my satisfaction.  


Until next time!

VCLA Grades

Got an email tonight telling me that my VCLA grade will be posted tomorrow between 5 and 10 PM, and they will send me an email with the grades as well.  That was super fast!

Stay tuned for the results!!

RVE (Reading for Virginia Educators)

Well friends... Today I took the RVE at Prometric Testing Center on Electric Road in Roanoke.  To begin with, I had to schedule the time at 9 AM, less than ideal.  Soooo I left home at 7:15 to make sure I had enough time to get there since its through a thousand stoplights and in the middle of no where.  Then I get there, and the people are less than stellar.  You have to write a paragraph in cursive, which, my friends, I have not done since third grade.  So that took me about 15 mins (along with everyone else there!).


When you're ready to go in, you stand on an X so that they can video tape you.  Then, they wand you to make sure you didn't leave any jewelry or keys or anything on!  Next, they ask you to pull up your sleeves to make sure you didn't write notes on your arms.  How tacky.  Then you go in and sign ANOTHER piece of paper, and they take your ID.  I had a sweatshirt on today, and when I walked into the room she told me not to take it off.  I mean, what if I got super hot and felt queasy and needed to take it off?!?!  Ughhhhh  Oh and the headphones there?  They pinched my tiny head so much that I had to take them off and put them back on and take them off and put them back on and take them off and... you get the picture.


And the test.... two and a half hours of pure torture.  I studied my butt off for this test, and there were things on the test that I had never even heard of.  Either Mary Baldwin doesn't prepare you for the test (I don't think that's it because many of my classmates have passed), or I got the most difficult test available that day.  It was insane.


So lesson to be learned: STUDY YOUR BUTT OFF FOR THIS TEST!  It is not to be taken lightly!  I downloaded the text provided by the Praxis website, printed it off, and studied it like crazy.  I also studied my class notes and the textbooks for my Language Arts and Content Area classes.  Finally, I took the practice test and did pretty well on it.  The test this morning, however, did not go so well.  Here's hoping I passed!!  And good luck to all of you who are working up to taking this test! 

VCLA

I wanted to add a new update about the VCLA (Virginia Communication and Literacy Assessment).


I took it on Tuesday, April 17th at 12 pm at Pearson Professional Center on Williamson Road in Roanoke.  The center was so easy to get to, friendly, and the time was perfect for me being that I am not an early morning test-taking type.  I took the test on the computer, both the reading and writing sections, and it took me three out of four hours to complete.  Be prepared- you cannot take ANYTHING into the room with you- even watches and/or bracelets come off so that you don't make any sound.  They did not ask me to take off any other jewelry, though.  They provided a dry-erase notebook incase you preferred to write anything down.  Ear muffs were also offered to block out any sound-- these were very helpful being that a lady in my room whisper-read everything to herself so I found myself easily distracted by the "ssspshsphpshs" of her reading.  FYI- I arrived 30 minutes early, as all sites require, and I was able to begin the test whenever I was ready because the person before me had finished early.  I, not being the one to wait, decided to start immediately.  You are also allowed bathroom breaks at this center, but your time continues to run if you need to do so.  They cannot stop the clock for you to take a break, but breaks are allowed.


While the test is essentially an english SAT, I found it extremely helpful to review before I took the test.  I bought the VCLA XAMonline.com book (first edition) to study from.  I found it at Barnes and Noble, ISBN 978-160787108-8.  I also used the website to take practice tests and read about what was covered on the test.  This site is also where you register to take the test, if you are wondering.


For me, the test was relatively easy.  I had taken so many practice tests that I was not surprised by any question, and I felt slightly confident in my ability.  The main thing for all of these tests is simply to be prepared.  If you cannot really study, make sure you at least look at/read over sample tests so you know what is coming your way.  Pearson printed off my results immediately.  I know my reading score already because it was all multiple choice.  My writing tests had the multiple choice questions graded immediately, but now I have to wait on the constructed response scores.  I should receive them in the next few weeks.  


Next up-- the RVE! (Reading for Virginia Educators- the old VRA).  I'm taking it on Wednesday (4/25) at 9 AM (UGH!) at Prometric Test Center off Electric Road in the middle of nowhere Salem.  Not looking forward to this all-encompassing test, or the center- I have heard that it is less than stellar.  I will let you know how it goes!!

The Journey Begins...

I am a 25 year old preservice teacher.  I plan to finish my Master of Arts in Teaching in May, 2013.  I will have all of my licensure requirements met by December, 2012, and plan to teach in my own classroom in January, 2013. 


The Background Story:


As many teachers understand, it is vital that readers have background knowledge of the content before they dive into the information.  Thus, here is background info on me.


I graduated from King College in 2009 with a Bachelor of Arts in Bible & Religion and Youth Ministry.  In addition to this double major, I minored in Psychology with a desire to teach children somehow.  I realized my junior year that I truly wanted to be a teacher, but did not want to stay the necessary two years in college to earn the degree.  Thus, I came back home to Lexington and took a teaching position at a school for children with Autism.  Here I taught students from ages 3-16 in a one-on-one setting.  Along with my co-workers, I taught my students life skills as well as academic content for two years.  I decided to leave the school in August of 2011 to seek my Master of Arts in Teaching from Mary Baldwin College. 


I began the PBTL program (see the website for more info) but was told by my cooperating teachers that I should go ahead and work towards my masters rather than simply gaining licensure.  In January 2012 I began the Masters program and will go full time year round until I graduate in May 2013.


In the Fall of 2011 I began a 60 hour practicum with kindergarten at Central Elementary School under "Mrs. T".  Mrs. T (short for Teacher*) taught me so much about what it means to be an effective and caring teacher without burning out.  She encouraged me in all of my interactions with students, and I loved kindergarten!  The experience in her classroom taught me that I most certainly wanted to be a teacher, and Mrs. T told me she truly believed I would be excellent at it. 


In the Spring of 2012 I completed 2 forty hour practica, also at Central as I was working as an after school counselor in a program run by the local YMCA.  The first practicum was in fifth grade.  I was extremely nervous about the content knowledge required by fifth graders, and the attitudes of the older students towards themselves, others, and the subject matter.  I was placed in a science classroom, the subject I am least competent in!  I nervously stumbled through the 40 hours, and was so pleasantly surprised by the students' love of and respect towards one another, me, and their teacher.  I loved fifth grade, as well!  I was able to teach using dramatic activities and the students understood the connection between the activities and the lessons I was trying to teach.  I taught group lessons, conducted individual reading groups in which the students loved the book so much that they groaned when it was time to stop!, and even conducted the last school day primarily by myself as the teacher was unexpectedly absent and the substitute left early.  The fifth grade teacher also inspired me to teach in new and engaging ways to keep students interested in the material.  He, too, was confident in my ability to teach, further fueling my desire to attain my license.


Finally, my last practicum experience was in first grade.  Here I learned that first grade is centered around teaching reading.  Because reading is the foundation of the rest of all students' education, it is a high-pressured grade.  I love all of the content, but am fearful of the heavy weight placed on teaching students to read.  If they leave the grade NOT on grade level, it will begin to shape the rest of their educational years.  Nevertheless, I am still confident that teaching is the career for me!




* Names have been changed to protect the privacy of these influential persons