My 1st Visits to My Classroom

   I got to visit and spend some time in my classroom this past week, super EXCITING! I was very lucky when I arrived at my room and learned the previous teacher retired. She left me practical everything. I feel extremely BLESSED!! When she left, she packed up the classroom and now I’m in the process of getting it back in order for the school year. While trying to straighten up my room, I had to do something on a bulletin board to pretty-up the room. I put up my calendar and birthday chart and I think it looks fabulous! 

 I bought my bulletin board items from Creative Teaching Press.

Teacher Door Sign

        I finally made a teacher door sign. I've wanted to make one for some time now and I just got done. At first, I tried to make one with paint but that did not work out the way I wanted it to. So, I tried a second time with success.  I used a piece of thin wood, 12x12 in size. I added scrapbook paper and glitter paint. I made the letters using my Cricut, which is amazing!! =) After it dries,
 I'll add a ribbon to hang it on my classroom door!

"I Can" Statements

       I remember when I was in school thinking “why am I learning this?” Now, of course, I know why- STANDARDS!

I was TpT and saw another awesome idea for posters for my classroom. I searched CCSS for 4^th grade and found “I Can” posters for the students.

*"I Can" 4th grade math standards (FREE):

http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Common-Core-Standards-I-Can-Wall-Posters-4th-grade-Math-368017

*"I Can" 4th grade ELA standards (FREE):

http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/4th-Grade-Common-Core-Teacher-Reference-Guide-with-Student-I-Can-statements-783745

     I’m hoping this will help them understand “why they are learning this.” I think that it’s cool that the students can see where their learning & instruction are coming from.

     I made it my own from the resources above from TpT.  I used the exact wording then, copied and pasted it into Word and, of course, added cute border. After everything looked good, I printed the statements on 11x17 paper.

Examples:
-ELA

-Math

      After I laminate them, I will buy shiny star cut-outs. All these standards can be overwhelming, so I will put the stars by the standards that will be learning every week. I hope the stars will cut down on any feelings of being overwhelmed/ anxiety. 

     My whole objective is that students will understand why they are learning certain skills. I also like that I can use these “I Can” statements as a tool to help them self-assess their progress on any given standard.

*The polka-dot border is from (FREE):

http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/BordersFrames-BIG-DOTS-Free-Commercial-Use-Graphics-179718 or visit: 
http://frompond.blogspot.com

*FREE font from: 

http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Hello-Fonts-Personal-Non-Commercial-Use-301730 or visit: www.helloliteracy.blogspot.com

Critical Thinking Statements

     I saw this on TpT and thought it would be perfect for my classroom. They’re critical thinking statements.

You can find the original here: http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Critical-Thinking-Language-Sentence-Frames-Say-What-Aligned-to-Common-Core-347609 
or visit: www.helloliteracy.blogspot.com

I cut the borders off of each poster and put colorful paper behind them. I want them to scream “LOOK AT ME!”  I created the first poster that says “Critical Thinking Statements.” After that, I laminated each poster for durability.

I still haven’t decided what pattern I’m going to do. I was thinking 1x8 or 2x4. I’ll decide when I finally get in my classroom. 

I’ll hang them up before school starts but, I plan on using an anchor chart so the students know when and how to use the statements. In the original product, there is an example of an anchor chart. 

I used FREE font from here: 

http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Hello-Fonts-Personal-Non-Commercial-Use-301730 or visit: www.helloliteracy.blogspot.com

Cricut

      For graduation, my mother bought me a Cricut!!!!! Like, Oh my goodness! I LOVE it! I’ve made a couple of things for my classroom.

I think I’m going to make a door sign with this. I’m going to paint the back a light yellow or pink to match the polka dots. I also need to add a period at the end of Mrs.

  

I was inspired by Pinterest to make these signs. They’re labels for drawers. I love the “Read” file so I don’t have to immediately read things from my mailbox.  

FREE fonts from:  http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Hello-Fonts-Personal-Non-Commercial-Use-301730 or visit: www.helloliteracy.blogspot.com

Behavior Clip Chart

     I wanted to make a behavior clip chart for my classroom. I found several ideas on Pinterest and TpT but nothing really said “WOW” to me. So, I downloaded polka-dot borders and cute font to make my own!

I made the clip chart in Word and sized all the borders to match. I printed these off and laminated them for durability. I need to get some book rings to put it all together. I will post a picture when it's setup in the classroom! ☺

You can get the polka-dot borders here (FREE): 

 http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Polka-Dot-Frame-Freebies-223419 or visit: http://msfultz.blogspot.com/

You can get the cute font here (FREE):

http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Hello-Fonts-Personal-Non-Commercial-Use-301730 or visit: www.helloliteracy.blogspot.com

                                        

Common Core Files

     I was on Pinterest the other day and I was inspired to make Common Core files. I created files for Math and ELA (English Language Arts) for 4th grade. I separated each subject by the main thread.

For Math I did a hanging file folder for:

1.    Operations and Algebraic Thinking

2.   Number and Operations in Base Ten

3.   Number and Operations- Fractions

4.   Measurement and Data

5.   Geometry

For ELA:

1.    Reading: Literature

2.   Reading: Informational Text

3.   Reading: Foundational Skills

4.   Writing

5.   Speaking and Listening

6.   Language

*Example of my Math hanging folders: 

Then, in each hanging folder I have a set of manila folders for each standard or groups of standards depending on the content. I also pasted the standard on the front of the folder.

I plan on using these files to store lesson plans and master copies that match each standard. ☺

I used FREE font from:   

http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Hello-Fonts-Personal-Non-Commercial-Use-301730 or visit: www.helloliteracy.blogspot.com

Organization: Binders

     Before school started, I wanted to go ahead and get binders set up for the year or each grade period. I made 7 binders, in either 1" or 2", for Science/ Social Studies, Mathematics, Reading Workshop, Writer's Workshop, Word Study and Language, Professional Development, and Common Core Standards.

I used Avery BIG 5 Tab dividers below. I'm a little OCD when it comes to my tabs, they have to be typed!!!

I'm hoping all this work before hand helps as much as I hope it does.☺

 I used FREE border from TpT: 

 http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/BordersFrames-BIG-DOTS-Free-Commercial-Use-Graphics-179718  

I also used FREE font from:   

http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Hello-Fonts-Personal-Non-Commercial-Use-301730

Open House Business Cards

     I wanted to make business cards with contact information for Open House. I went on TpT and found this:

 http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/FREE-Editable-Business-Cards-for-Substitute-Teachers-300737.

These are FREE business cards and the seller created 6 different designs. I picked the one with the crayon borders. After I printed them, I laminated the cards. I also decided to add a magnet on the back so the parents can hang the card on their fridge. I used neon green, yellow, and orange!

Next, I made regular business cards on cardstock to use throughout the year. The bottom card I created myself using the border from here: http://www.pptback.com/uploads/borders-frames-crayon-border-frame-backgrounds-powerpoint.jpg.  

The font used is FREE from TpT, you can get it here: 

http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Hello-Fonts-Personal-Non-Commercial-Use-301730

Classroom Library in July

     I've been working on my class library for over a year now. I haven't seen my new classroom, but I have tried to organize at home as much as possible. My way of organizing my library came from several different sources during my college career.

This is how I've organized my library, thus far:

• First, I created an excel spreadsheet. I have a master list, then lists split up by reading level (AR). 0.1-1.9, 2.0-2.9, 3.0-3.9, 4.0-4.9, 5.0+, and non AR.
• Then, I made labels that have my name, AR book level, points, and quiz #. 

• After I finished putting labels in every book (400+), I printed out the spreadsheets. I numbered each lists with separate colors. I used black, green, purple, pink, and blue. 

•   Finally, I went back through all my books and added the corresponding number from the spreadsheet to the book in the same color. Example below of pink, for 4.0-4.9. #24 is Shiloh so the book has a number 24 in pink on the label.

I decided to add the numbers for end of year inventory. I figured it would be easier to find by matching the number rather than looking through the entire section for the book to check off. 

 I will post more pictures in August to show what it looks like in the classroom!☺

The font used is FREE from TpT, you can get it here: 

http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Hello-Fonts-Personal-Non-Commercial-Use-301730 or visit: www.helloliteracy.blogspot.com

Job Hunt FINISHED!!!=)

     I am soooo excited that I got my first teaching job!!!!! I've been waiting for this since I was a little girl sitting in front of my pretend class!  I remember spending all of my allowance on supplies at Mardel's. Luckily, my mom worked at an office and she let me copy whatever I wanted. I still can't believe it's happening! I got hired a few weeks ago and I got 4^th grade. I did my student teaching in 4th grade, so I'm somewhat knowledgeable about this grade level. Most of all, I'm in my alumni district, which is amazing! The school I'm at is right down the street from where I grew up, so I'm super excited that my mom will be in close proximity to me. I've already completed several projects and will post pictures soon!☺

P.S. I got my badge yesterday and now feel like a real professional!