10 Things I've Learned About Teaching

Rowdy in First Grade is having a Linky Party to share all the different things teachers have learn over the years. Though I'd get back in on the fun! A year and a half of teaching has taught me lots, but there is still more to learn.

1. It takes a LOT of work, love, and effort to be a good teacher. Lots of people don't understand the FULL extent of this.

2. For some children you really are the sunshine in their life.

3. Organization is KEY!

4. Bulletin boards can be very time consuming, but end up looking very cute

5. No matter how much you clean, disinfect, take vitamins, use hand sanitizer, and wash your hands you will still end up being sick at least once.

6. Don't waiver on the things you say to the students.

7. Try to be AS CLEAR AS POSSIBLE when giving directions! Showing examples of what their work should and should not look like is helpful too.

8. I can't wait to teach again next year and make some modifications. Reflecting on your practice helps you and the kiddos.

9. Going back to school for a Master's Degree would be a great thing to do sooner than later! I'm really leaning towards a degree in Special Education next.

10. LIVE LIFE, LAUGH, and LOVE TEACHING :-)

Playing Catch Up

It has been a while since I posted on my blog! I have been quite a busy bee here lately. Last week was Spring Break and I was busy relaxing and visiting family. BUT as you all know, the first week back from an extended break is usually a little ...off.  I have also been been up to my elbows completing report cards. Grades, gradebook, papers, comments, and attendance reports have been my whole existence this past week! Now that this wild week is over, I have a chance to post again.

Giveaway :-)

Mrs. Thiessen over at The First Grade Sweet Life is having a giveaway. It's her very first one ever! She's giving away a $20 giftcard to the cute clip art site www.scrappindoodles.com. If you wanna check it out too, here's the link to her giveaway post.

My Spring Break is almost over! Where did the time go???

Live Life, Love Teaching

Day on THE Hill

My first "official" day of Spring Break was spent on Capitol Hill at TCCY's Children's Advocacy Day. I got a chance to do a little networking with the people who help advocate and make policies concerning children and education in the state. During a break in the meeting I found out that there were union protestors out in the plaza, so I had to go check it out for myself. We have some BIG things going on with the legislature and teacher's unions right now. This is what I saw...

I had never been to a political rally, or well any rally for that matter. I was only there for about 10 minutes as it was ending and kinda stood back from the real crowd, then went back in to the meeting. Later, I met up with one of my college buddies/teacher girlfriends for dinner and some chit chat. Spring Break: Day 1 = Success!

St. Patrick's Day Fun

Today was converted from a Spring Break Day to a Snow Day Make-up Day. SO I decided to celebrate St. Patrick's Day all day since we will be on Spring Break the rest of this week.

A little leprechaun broke into our classroom during P.E. and did this...

Tissues, Glue, and Hand Sanitizer, OH MY! I threw in a few gold coins and shamrock confetti. The kiddos really liked that! "Ms. King, WHEN is the leprechaun coming back?" Hmmm....

Not sure if I will be making a mess like THIS next year! lol

We made WANTED posters from Erica Bohrer's First Grade Blog and hung them around the classroom in an attempt to catch the mischievous fella. Wish we would have had time to set a trap too. We also did the writing activity and leprechaun craft from The First Grade Parade. 

We also graphed lucky charm marshmallows and a few other odds and ends. Short week. My Monday is also my Friday. Spring Break is finally here!

Settling In

I think I've finally decided on a background theme for my blog. I've probably changed it about 50 times since I started my blog yesterday. Tinkering with computer programs and sites online is kinda one of my hobbies. So I'm sure I'll be tinkering with my blog page til I feel like I have it completely figured out.

I better not be playing around with my blog anymore tonight. Gotta finish a Unit Plan that's due to my principal tomorrow!

Oh, AND Shout Out to my first follower Ms. Patton :-)

Live Life, Love Teaching
Have a happy week y'all!!!

Blogger Love

My first blog entry...check! It all started Dr. Seuss week. I was looking for some craft ideas for my class to work on throughout the week to go along with a few Seuss books I planned to read.  Google popped up an idea from Fun in First Grade (did the craft with my students later that week) and I was hooked. There were so many fabulous ideas and links to other blogs that also had fab ideas! 

I'm SO glad I found this limitless world of teacher's blogs!  I have spent WAY more time than I would like to admit trying to come up with centers, lessons, activities, and ideas on ways to teach different skills to my little first graders. Blogging is kind of like having a whole bunch of mentor teachers helping me out whenever I need them :-) I know I won't have gobs of time to dedicate to my own blog since I AM a first year teacher, but I wanted to start one so I could comment on other blogs, share a few first year teacher moments, and share my class' version of the ideas I've found. Maybe NEXT school year I can get a little deeper into maintaining my own blog!

Live Life, Love Teaching