A Simple Craft...

Well if you can call it a craft then that's what it shall be! I am the most non-creative person in the history of EVER! My art skills are lacking (seriously, I'm on par with a first grader) but when it comes to my classroom, I try very hard!

I saw something on Pinterest where this lady mentioned that she didn't like using Post-it notes for her CAFE Menu. Well guess what? Neither do I. The Post-its fall off and it's really annoying, so my brain got to thinking. Well the lady used stove covers on her Menu so her kids could use magnets to write their names, or what is dry erase markers, well whatever, I stepped it up a notch!  I went to Target, specifically the dollar section (LOVE), okay, okay, I wondered off to the office section as well. Anyway, I found the small white boards. I bought four for the CAFE menu so my students can write their names under the reading strategy they need to work on.

Boring black whiteboard blah! Add a little magic, well some paint pens...

With a little time and effort....

YEA! I did it! :)

My biggest suggestion and I'm sorry I didn't take a picture of it, just take some note taking paper to slide under the frame so your white board doesn't get dirty. This is very important, if you want overall coverage!

It took me about half-hour to complete and the paint pens are pretty much odorless!

I'm going to finish my other boards in the other colors because I am obsessed with colors!

My CAFE menu is going to look great I'm so excited..and no more Post-it Notes flying off my Menu!!

When I finish the rest of the boards I will take a picture of them. Then I will show you a picture of my CAFE menu once I can get into my classroom!!

Happy 4th peeps!!!

This may be easier to Pin! :)

Currently!

It's that time of the month for us bloggers! No, not that time of the month, ha ha! The one where we all link up with Farley!! :)

Here is mine:

So I LOVE  soooooooo much! My eighth grade substitute teacher (she took over my teacher who was maternity leave..glad she was gone cause I wasn't crazy about her, the sub was AMAZING!) Anyway, she read this to us and it was love from that moment on. I always read it to my classes and some of them are still way to young to understand the true meaning of the book.  Appreciate those that love you, while you still can.

Second, . I honestly don't know how I taught before this. So glad my ex co-worker turned me on to it. The kids love it and it just makes teaching so much easier!  Can't wait to try it with my new third grade class.

I did some shopping today at Walmart and got some goodies! I hate shopping for myself but I love shopping for my classroom. There's just something about it! :)

Okay time to comment on my 3!

Night!

CAFE and Daily 5 Signs

I've been very busy cracking away at what I want my classroom to look like. I'm so close to picking out a paint color and will probably paint the following week. I want my classroom to look beautiful and inviting.  I can't wait to get started.  Now if they would only turn the air on every day at the school that would be wonderful!!!

Anyway....

I saw that 3rd grades a hoot had made beautiful CAFE and Daily 5 signs and I am totally digging her color theme.  I know she used it last year in her classroom but is moving on to owls this year. So I decided that I needed/wanted to do the superhero theme in my room.  Well as you know I'm going to be teaching bilingual children so I made the signs in English and Spanish.  Full credit is going to her because she designed it and I just catered it to my needs.  Well if you go to my TPT store you can pick both the CAFE and Daily 5 signs up for free. If you click on both pictures, it will take you to the specific page where you can download them. Enjoy!!

My "New" Clasroom

Hello all!

Well, I finally was able to take a tour of my new school and see my classroom.  Perhaps it would have been better if I set my expectations of it to a very low, low standard. Then I wouldn't have had shocked face. I was going to take pictures of it but I was quite bummed out so I didn't even take out my camera.

My principal said that I was going to be in the "orange room". At first I was kind of like, Oh Gosh what am I getting myself in to.  But once I walked in I saw that it was literally the "orange room". A teacher that had been there a few years back thought it would be a good idea to paint two large walls...any guesses? That's right, orange. YUCK! I'm talkin' University of Texas Orange. Don't get me wrong, if you went to this University that's great and all but really? Was that really necessary?

My principal said that I'm more than welcome to paint it and you bet I am. I already went to pick out some paint swatches and have a few colors in mind. It's either going to be a very, very, light blue, or I might just stick with plain old white and brighten up the room.

Oh yes, the room was also the "let's dump everything in here room" but he promised it would all be removed. Once I get my hands on that room, I promise it will look beautiful.  I'm totally type A, love organization, and a clean work space, so it will be done.

The boyfriend is going to help me paint because he's wonderful like that and I know zero about painting, lol!

I think I was just very over-whelmed because I wasn't expecting a huge mess, but now that I think about it, I can really make it my own.

I guess I'm just spoiled from my previous classroom because the room was SOOOOOOOOOO large and everything was new. I made that room just to my liking and it was sad taking it down.

Oh well, I'm just having fun pinning and getting ideas of what I want my room to look like. It's my wallet that's going to hurt. :(

Okay, I think that's a good update for now. See ya later!!

My To-Do's and Other Things

Hello there blog land peeps!  I think I needed some time away from my blog to stop and smell the roses so-to-speak.  I just wanted me time to reflect on how much my life is changing (for the better).

I promised myself that after my little hiatus, I would start worrying about teacher stuff. I know it's only June but you know how time flies!! Before you know it, it will be the night before the first day of school and all that good stuff.

I want to read a book called "What Your Third Grader Needs to Know" 
They have it at my library and since the library and I have become best friends these last few weeks, I figure I should be done with it in no time.

I read something like that when I was studying for my first set of Texas certification exams way back when. It helped me out a lot.

Next, and which I have kind of started already...I want to reach out and "meet" other bilingual teachers. I think it's the best way for me to learn and grow.

Also, I need to change my blog name!! I have to contact Erin over at Creating and Designing to change my header from "A First Grade Teaching Blog" to  "A Third Grade Bilingual Blog"  I really like the sound of that..:D

I have also started pinning like a mad woman for my third grade board on Pinterest. The thing is though, I'm not really sure what I'm going to be teaching so it's hard!! I want to get into my classroom already and have a go!

Well I think that is all I have to offer you for tonight..I'm going to be really good and post something for my other blog Life, Love, and all the In Between

Ciao!

Good Bye First Grade...Hello Third!

Yes, I have officially accepted a third grade teaching position in a school district.  Not only is it third grade, but it's bilingual third grade. :)  I'm really excited to start my new teaching adventure.  I am going through lots of emotions but over all I am happy and can't wait to get started. :)  For now I am just enjoying my summer break.

Have a great day everyone!

Big Changes Coming My Way

Yes, that's what I said...big changes folks.  I'm about ( ) <---- that close to switching grade levels and schools. I'm nervous and excited all at the same time.  Throughout my teaching career, I've always taught in Catholic Schools and just the thought of public school fills my heart with so much joy and more nerves.  What if I don't like it, what if they don't like me, what if I'm not ready..ahhh I know, stop over thinking!

I don't want to give too much away until it's official but like I said big changes..haha.

Well, I don't want to post too much tonight because I'm feeling over-whelmed with other things, plus I really, really want ice-cream :(.

Night everyone!