"To Do" Linky Party

We are getting ready to go visit family in Oklahoma so this is the perfect time for a "To Do" linky party as I will have some down time in the middle of the day when it will be way too hot to do anything outside. Summer is FLYING by...I have 4 weeks before I get back into my room to set up!!!! I can't believe it ... I thought I would be bored HA! So I'm linking up with Fabulous 4th Grade Froggies for a "To Do" linky party!

So here is the on-going list of to do's. I'm hoping if I post them it might light a fire underneath me to get moving on some projects. I also stopped the list at 20 items...because we all know this could go on forever. I love Pinterest but I think it has actually made my list longer! Here's to getting stuff done in the next 4 weeks!

1.    Classroom Rules and corresponding read alouds

2.    Calendar bulletin board (decide on pieces, print, laminate, cut)

3.    New word wall (print, cut, laminate, cut)

4.    Revamp literacy work station signs (w/ Daily 5 concepts)

5.    Plan out first 9 weeks lessons (with emphasis on expectations for EVERYTHING and science/ss 10 day lesson plan format)

6.    Writing center (materials, bulletin boards “What Can I Write?”; “Rate Your Writing” from Pinterest)

7.    Make birthday treats (glow bracelet balloons, homework pass) Birthday bulletin board (Pinterest)

8.    Classroom Expectations Binder

9.    Inspiration Welcome Sign (Pinterest)

10.  Door décor (Pinterest)

11.  Standards of Learning signs with clothespins

12. Early finisher jar with popsicle sticks (Pinterest)

13. Science notebooks

14. Morning work

15. Writing Presentation for staff development

16. Science Presentation

17. Labels for writing folders journals, science notebooks, homework folders

18. Organize teacher binder (decide on tabs, create, print, compile)

19. Repaint rocking chair, new pillows

20. READ (or reread): Daily 5, The Leader in Me, The First Days of School (Wong), The First 6 Weeks of School (Denton/Kriete), Questions, Claims, and Evidence (NSTA), Science Beyond the Classroom (NSTA), Start Young: Early Childhood Science Activities (NSTA), Scholastic $1 downloads 

Clutter Free Classroom Week 1

I'm linking up with the Clutter Free Classroom Project to share some before pictures of some areas that need some serious organizing. I decided to link up and follow this project because I truly believe that staying organized and thus maximizing time on task is a crucial part of teaching young children. After 3 years of teaching in the school system I am currently in, I have learned that my students need seemless transitions and as little down time as possible. Thus I have to be organized and ready to go 24/7...which I'm not sure is really possible, but it's worth striving for. So here I am sharing my pictures of areas I hope to declutter by buying plastic bins and sorting through them next week. Becuase when you need a thumb tack or the magnetic roll of tape you need it NOW and you better be able to find it before chaos breasks out!



My teacher space in the back corner of the room needs some serious decluttering. It's the space I gave the least thought to at the beginning of the year and it's time to tackle the mess!



This drawer drives me crazy! Every time I open it I can't help but shut it right away. And I just keep throwing more stuff in there. My desk doesn't have any drawers so this is where I throw everything instead.



I love the look of this basket to hold files and other small notebooks etc,.

It looks like I'll be at the Dollar Tree and Big Lots this week picking up storage containers and maybe some type of shelves to put behind my desk on the counter. Hopefully I'll have a post soon proving that I decluttered this area. I'm also working on a "passport" that will help us learn how physical surroundings affect transportation, recreation etc (SOL 1.6 here). It was one of my favorite units last year and I'm looking forward to sprucing it up. Happy Friday!

To see other blogger's posts about their decluttering tasks click on the button below.

Debbie Diller's Math Stations Blog Party

I was so excited to come across the blog party about Debbie Diller's new book on math stations. As we wind down and come to the end of this school year, I am ready to purge and organize. I have tried out a few new ideas (i.e. a new way of organizing my magnetic word wall so it is more accessible), and I think this is a great time to think about how I want to organize my math stations next year.

I am definitely going to keep my system of managing math stations. This worked great; however I may add some pictures to the numbers so that students have a clearer idea of which concept they are working on at each station.  I also found that I can have no more than 2-3 students per station.

I can't wait to start organizing manipulatives and mapping out a better way to allow students to have some freedom in what they are working on in math stations.

Tomorrow I will take pictures of our duckling unit...complete with baby ducklings! This week we are working on reading and comparing The Little Red Hen stories. Hopefully I will have some printables and pictures to share soon!

Pets Linky Party

I didn't get a chance to post ideas from last week...BUT when I saw this pet Linky party, hosted by Ladybug Teacher Files, I figured I could take 5 minutes on this rainy Sunday evening to post a few pictures of my precious pup!

 No...I am not obsessed with the dog!

Here is Rocky...our 1 year old lab mix puppy that we rescued last July from the SPCA. He went from the worst living situation to living like a king the minute we brought him home. He is still learning (and nipping) but there is nothing better than coming home to unconditional love every afternoon!

Yes, this is totally unrelated to teaching BUT Rocky often provides great material for when I model my own writing during Writer's Workshop. Plus, I find myself having to tap into the same patience with both first graders and puppies some days.

Back to actual teacher blogging soon!