Short one today

Once again I have been neglecting my blog. I hope to start posting again soon... We have been doing fun things in first grade.
So for today I will just share a funny.

Another long week.

At 7:45 I asked if it would be ridiculous for me to go to bed... I'm exhausted. That's it. Just plain exhausted.
Been a good week so far. My reading I block underwent a complete overhaul- and I am very happy with it. Here are a couple pictures of things that happened today.

Trying to keep up with resolutions...

So I made a resolution to blog more. Because as 2012 came to a close I just plain stopped. Not just writing on my blog but reading other blogs. And well...I missed everyone! I spent part of my morning today reading up on some of my favorites. I have also been doing my lesson plans for the week.
So I am teaching 1st grade this year. I have been doing spelling tests... I have decided to change it up a bit. So I have a plan in my head. But I have a question for you.

HOW DO YOU TEACH SPELLING IN YOUR CLASS? 

I have seen it many ways and I know how I want to try it but I am always looking for ideas.

We started science this week. Foss kit: Solids and Liquids. I have never taught this one before. The kids are so excited that we get to do science! (felt like a bad teacher that we hadn't done any earlier in the year) So I am also looking for anything that you may do to supplement this unit... there are activities but do you have anything super fun and engaging to help with the learning. I am thinking we will be making ice cream in baggies to (liquid-->solid) and make sundaes on Feb. 13th for Valentines since we get a long weekend and don't have school on the 14th :)

In math we were doing subtraction that either subtracted a 0 or resulted in 0. I was helping a little one and I told her, "After you understand this you will be so excited." Well she completed about 4 problems, looked up at me and said, "MY MIND IS BLOWN!" I just started laughing. That was one time where I couldn't hold it in. SO funny!

I really need to go make the worksheets I need for the week...lesson plans are complete though--except for reading groups. Now need to make the materials. TPT here I come :)

We are starting a Penguin unit. I am so excited! I love teaching about Penguins!

Have a fabulous week! I think for now I will try to post 1 time a week. Then work my way up to 2 or 3 posts a week. Baby steps!

Oh and speaking of babies I know 5 people having babies this year! 3 have found out the gender and all 3 are boys! I love babies and boy things are cute. But I'm ready to buy some pink :) The other 2 find out in the next couple weeks...fingers crossed for at least a little pink.

Have a FABULOUS week!

it's been a long time

Warning: this post will be very random.

So it has been far too long since I posted last. Last I posted I had just started school. Well I still love my job! I definitely have some challenging students but I love them all.
Since Sept. 6th: I made it through Halloween, Thanksgiving and Christmas oh and conferences!

I thought that with cutting out 2 hours of driving I would have so much more time but instead I have found other things that have been occupying my time.

I lost my grandma on Sept. 28th. We knew it would happen eventually but we definitely were not prepared for it to happen then. I miss her everyday. Especially on those days when I have a teaching success or have a funny story to share or have a teaching question. She was a teacher as well and always enjoyed the stories and giving me advice.

This morning as I was folding towels (strange time to start thinking about this) it just hit me how happy and blessed I am to live where I do and have so many wonderful people in my life. I have so many wonderful friends and such an amazing family who are always there to support me. I am one lucky person!

In 2013 I have a few resolutions:
~Be more organized at school and at home.
~Write down one good thing that happens each day.
~Actually try things that I pin on pinterest. (Already completed 2 things!)
~Blog more.
~Play more tennis.

Well I have survived.

I have made it through the first 3 days and open house!

I have a great class! I definitely have a few challenges but I have to say it is SO SO much easier than last year!

Celebrations today:
Little "Blue" used kleenex 5 times!!!! This is HUGE progress. He has been using either his finger or his tongue-Totally disgusting!

Little "Magenta" was NICE to other students-had some bullying issues the first two days.

oh and Little Mr. "Green" is loving talking to me. He gets a lot of speech therapy. It took me 2 days to figure out what kind of pet he had. It's a Lizard-but when he says it lizard it sounds like "Little" We celebrated for sure when I figured that one out!

This is already shaping up to be a great year. Some of the other staff members were talking to my mom (who also works in my building) and were saying that they felt bad because my class was really loaded. Made me feel good because I was thinking I had it pretty easy:)

Kindergarten last year taught me so much!

Hope your year is going great too! I promise I will post pictures of what we have been up to soon.

Happy (almost) Friday!

~~Allyce~~

Currently September already?!

I sort of can't believe it is already September! But then again I am ready for it. Tomorrow I start school! Can't wait to meet the rest of my little darlings and get the year off to a great start.

Here is my September currently.

Explanations-
1) My new teacher chair came from Ikea and I LOVE it! I love the color and how comfortable it is! Yesterday as I sat in my classroom and stressed a bit I was loving it even more.
2) I am so so happy that I made the choice to live at the beach and stuck to it. I now have my dream job and I live in a place where other people come for vacation. Can't get much better than that!
3) I bought cowboy boots a few weeks ago. I still absolutely love them. Super comfortable and super cute. Love 'em.

Have a fabulous Labor Day! And for those of you who start school tomorrow like I do have a great first day!

Hoping I'm not too exhausted to post tomorrow.

~~Allyce~~

First day jitters two days early and a question

I am already getting the jitters about the first day! And we don't start until Tuesday! I am sitting in my classroom...it's ready to go... But I am still nervous! I know it will all be fine but my nerves seem to disagree.

Super sweet story for you. Got an email from the parent of one of my kinders last year. She said "A had a great first day! But then she got tears in her eyes when she told me you were not teaching there anymore."
Of course this made me cry!

Question: our school is looking to get a new laminator... What one does your school have? Does it work well? Any information on other laminators?
Ours went belly up last week and left everyone in a pickle. So any information would be great!

Time to go enjoy my last two days of summer! And hey the sun is actually out!!!

~Allyce