MY NEW CLASSROOM!!!

Hi All,

So I went to my new school to check out my classroom and meet my fellow 5th grade teachers.  We had a great meeting and hashed out the important details at least.  However, I was able to get into the room that I am pretty sure will be mine. This is what it looks like:

I AM SO EXCITED!  I KNOW I'VE SAID THIS BEFORE, BUT OMG!!   I can't wait to get in there with all my stuff!

New Job!

I am so excited to tell you guys that I finally got a job teaching in a town where my husband lives!  After 3 very long years, I have finally come home.  I've made some great friends in Stafford, but I am excited to be home and be able to live with my husband!!!  I'm still going to be a 5th grade teacher.  I am so excited!  I can't wait to see my new school.  It's the school I student taught in; however, they have gotten a new building since then.  So I am extremely, extremely excited and happy!

I'll keep you guys posted!

Great Tips!

So I was on FB and I found this link that some great ideas!  Check them out!

http://www.buzzfeed.com/peggy/clever-classroom-tips-for-elementary-school-teachers?s=mobile

Enjoy!

Lilian

Open House!

Hi All,

Sorry, I've been MIA.  I have been working like crazy to get my room ready for open house.  I know most of you have already begun your school year, but mine doesn't start until the 4th.  So here is a walk through of my room!  Enjoy!

My door...yeah, I jumped onto the Owl Bandwagon :)

Sign I made for my room

LA Board - all the books are from the different genres we will be studying

My awesome director's chair my friend made for me...you can't see it very well, but it has LOVE written in HOKIE colors!  And, of course, my naglene.

My meeting area...I made those crates using real milk crates and seat cushions from IKEA. I really wanted to make those Pinterest ones, but it didn't have that file lip.

My desk area...on the bookshelf is my teacher's toolbox...it's hard to see though.

my schedule

calendar

Student work board...on the right is my homework board, but I guess that got cut off.

Science board

Math Board

Class library...it's covered up right now because we do guided discovery of the library.

Supplies area

There you have it.  Hope you liked it.

3am Teacher

I just recently found this wonderful woman on Teachers pay Teachers.  She has the best clip art, frames, alphabets, etc.  Check her out!

Oh The Places You'll Go

It's graduation time and this one is bittersweet.  There were a bunch of great kids in this class that I will miss so much.  If I ever have a kid, I'd want him or her to be just as sweet, charming, adorable, and, not to mention, as smart as some of the ones I had this year.  I can only hope next year's class will amount to the same.

SOLs = blah

So the SOLs are FINALLY OVER!!  It only took 3 weeks!  My stomach hasn't been normal since the first one!  Now I can relax and so can the kids.  I think they did fairly well; I'm not counting my special ed kids.  I really don't think it's fair that they have to take a FIFTH GRADE SOL when they aren't even on level.  I mean, how can you expect a child who reads at a third grade level to PASS A FIFTH GRADE TEST?  That's just setting him or her up for failure.  If we have been differentiating all year long, then they should be taking a test that is on their level.  I totally don't understand how the education system works and I'm a teacher!

Enough said.

Last but not least....Social Studies SOL

So this is the last one.  My stomach and nerves will be much happier at 4 pm today.  I was very sad that I didn't get to teach Social Studies this year.  Hopefully, I will be able to next year.  I really miss it.  I think the kids will do okay.  I know they're excited to be done with the stuff.  Now what to do with them next week....

Our third contestant...the Science SOL

I think the kids are wearing down.  Today was no exception; they didn't have me harassing them to go to bed early or eat a good dinner.  They were lagging today.  Half of them kept putting their heads down.  Mondays is not a good day for SOLs; however, most of them pulled through!

Next Up...Math SOL

I was so proud of my kids during this SOL!!  They sat there, some going on 4 hours, just duking it out!  I'm a very proud teacher today!  You be believe they got extra recess :)

'Twas the night before the scary Reading SOL...

I got more sugary goodness for the kids during the test.    

05.23.2012 UPDATE: I had these on their desks when they came into the classroom in the morning.  When we went to the testing room, many of the kids pulled out this card and propped it up against their laptops! It's nice to see that me doing all these little things really do count.  This is why I love teaching; one simple thing can make a kid's day.

Bribery

This is what I made for my kids in order to get them ready for the Writing SOL!!  GO KIDS! GO!

A Valentine Surprise

I got my third kid today; he is very different from all the rest.  I honestly think he was diagnosed incorrectly.  They say he is LD but I have a gut feeling and experiences to say he might be MR instead.  This might prove to be very interesting.  So I have lost 2 kids, and gained 3 since December.  Hopefully, that's all done with.  Now I can freak out about the Writing SOL coming up!  Yay me!

Year 2, Day ? You count it

I will have to say this year has gone very smoothly so far. The kids are great! Even on their worst day thus far, they couldn't hold a candle to last year's class. They are pretty sweet and respectful. There are one or two that drive me crazy, but then again, nothing compared to last year's. For example, we had indoor recess because of all the rain. Last year's class, I had to watch them while they played or there would be 1) a fight/argument, 2)something broken, or 3) tears. This year, I can actually sit at my desk and get some work done or even play with the kids. I love it!! Hope the rest of the year goes as smoothly!

Year 2, Day 1

So I woke up this morning not nervous but excited! Then I got to school. Apparently, there is a leak in the roof. Unluckily for me, the leak was above my room. I walked into a freaking pond in my room! Mind you this is 30 minutes before the kids were supposed to show. I freaked out to say the least and I almost killed myself on the slick floor. However, everything was righted and all was well again...just very wet. I lost another kid; now I am down to 20! Woo-Hoo! Hopefully, I will not get anymore (here's to hoping). I think I have a fairly good bunch. I hope it's not just because it was the first day. They seem very eager to please and can follow directions! I am exhausted but very excited for tomorrow!

New Class, New Year

And so it begins...a new class, a new year...hopefully, this year I will have more time to post and actually write things down :) I was very bad last year. We have lost a fifth grade teacher; she moved to fourth grade, but our classes are smaller this year so it shouldn't be too bad. I don't get to teach Social Studies this year, and I am sad about that. I also have to teach math, which will be interesting to say the least.

I have 21 students this year, and I think some might be a handful. I have four LD kids and one ED kid. I assuming because I rocked out so hard during my first year, my principal thinks I can handle them. Here's to hoping! I'll be posting pictures of my new class very soon! First day of school is t-minus 2 days!

First Day

Yeah, it was a very long day today. I felt very scattered and all over the place. Hopefully, tomorrow will be a better day. That sounds so cliché; but, it's so true. I am bone tired and I am going to bed now. Hopefully, I'll make it through the week ;)

'Twas the night before...

So tomorrow is the first day of school...I think I am as ready as I'll ever be :) My classroom is done; my lessons for the first week are done; I got my lunches ready, and my game face on...hope I can sleep tonight :)

Open House Part II

Open House was a success!! I met 17 out of 23 students. Everyone seemed very nice and cooperative. I am super excited now for Tuesday!!

Open House!

Tonight is Open House!! I am so nervous but very excited. I get to meet my students and their parents. I will have 23 students; hopefully, that number will stay there. Check out the pictures of my classroom!