TpT Back to School Sale...

Teachers Pay Teachers is throwing a back to school sale.  Don't miss this chance to get products from all your favorite sellers at discounted prices.  This is a great chance to get all those products you have put on your "wish list" all summer :-)

Click HERE to visit my store. 

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Parent Flip Book

A few weeks ago I mentioned that I had made a flip book for my parents and students to have as a resource at home. The idea was that they could have all the really important information about sixth grade all in one place. I included homework policies, schedules, each kids individual logins (this took awhile to personalize each book), and contact information for each teacher on our team. I got the books handed out the second week of school or so. I am sure not everyone uses it, but I know it has been helpful for some.

I have seen these flip books a few blogs including this one (Just Reed) ... I love her paper. It is much happier than the options that I had, but I made do.

This is my finished flip book...

The template was by far the hardest part for me, I have added the template to my TpT page if you would like to check it out. It is a word file so you can edit it to make it your own. I have the sections made and labeled for easy layout.

My Classroom... mostly in pics

My classroom is ready... or as ready as it is getting! :-)

These are my bulletin boards. I am so happy with the iPods. I got a cricket a few weeks ago and I love the new letters!



I know that's a lot. By the computers (I don't know if you can see it well) I took stools and painted them to match the room better and got rid of the chairs that were there. I am hoping to turn it into a math center once I know about my grants.

Twas the Night Before...

Well, today is it! Tomorrow is the first day of school. I am more nervous than ever before. I think there is some truth in the phrase as "ignorance is bliss" in the first few years of teaching. As a new teacher you haven't done this, or really seen others do it, so you don't know what isn't finished or missing. Going into year 4 I have a better understanding (than year 1) about what is needed. YIKES!!!

Friday was one of the most frustrating days I have ever had as a teacher. There weren't even any kids, but I think it would make my top 10 list. Basically, it was frustrating because with the state there are so many new requirements and yet NO ONE knows what to do or what is expected. Take stressed out frantic teachers and add to it overwhelming change, confusion, and uncertainty, that was our day Friday. This has made for a very intense weekend... with still lots of tears and stress.

My teaching partner had to remind me (a few times) that at the end of the day my job is to teach. All the other crap will fall into place and doesn't really matter. What matters is that my kids feel important and learn something. He asked why I became a teacher, I told him because I love it. His response was then to do just do what I love.

One of my good friends could tell at the gym I was stressed. She knows school is about to start and sent me a text that said "How do you eat a whole pumpkin? One bit at a time."
So here we go... Dealing with Monday and Monday only!!!

On a happier note, Thursday was Open House. There were a few logistically issues, but on our end, in 6th grade, it went really well. We had a lot of our students and parents show up. As a team we tried to have our Student Information Cards filled out electronically using Google Docs. There were few technically errors here too, but over all very successful. Out of 96 families, 54 filled out the form and we got some amazing information about our kids.

GoodBye Summer!!!

Tomorrow is the first official day for teachers. We don't have kids till Monday, but my summer is ending. :-( I am ready to get things going... the anticipation is killing me, however, I am not ready to say goodbye to my summer. I hate that it is going to get cold, cloudy, and dark!

My classroom is almost all set up, I just have a few more things to do and get in place. Open House is THIS Thursday and even though my room is mostly ready I feel like there is so much that still has to happen. I am still working on things like parent letters. (It takes a bit longer to do this stuff when you are a team of 4 ;-)) Once my room is all up and ready I will take some pictures and post them.

trying something new....

So being a newbie and all to this blogging thing I am attempting to link up with Beth over at Thinking about Teaching. She is hosting a linky party all about back to school teacher bags.

I have a boring teacher bag right now. It is cream and brown, and has my initials. It was one of those canvas totes, but I don't know where it came from. (It was a gift) The bag as a few small pockets inside, but sometimes still feels like a black hole. It does have a zipper on the top though, which I love! I have just about worn a hole in the bottom and will need to replace it in the near future. I want its replacement to be bright and fun. My current bag lacks personality.

My bag travels to and from school everyday with me. I carry all kinds of pens to grade. I found a super colorful pack of pen/markers on Amazon. There are always a few books to help plan for the next day or days, and lots of grading. My iPad and mini flash drive travel in my bag everyday as well.

What about your teacher bag? Any good suggestions for a replacement?

It's August...

It's August... which means it's time to kick the back to school planning into full gear!!! I made a trip to the teacher store yesterday to get supplies for some back to school projects. I am suddenly very overwhelmed with everything that needs to get finished before the first day back. I have to say, it gets easier with each passing year, but there is still so much to do. I am trying a few new things in my classroom this year, including P.A.L.S, and that is making me feel more nervous about the start of school. I have an AMAZING teaching partner who is implementing some of the same strategies this year. This helps some with the uncertainty, because I know we will work through it together. We are even planning to mix our classes on occasions. He has been teaching longer than I have, and sometimes I feel inadequate in comparison, but I know working with him makes me a better teacher too.

I love all the back to school set up, but really dread the first day! (I might have mentioned that before, and I am still looking for a good way to start the year.)