Letter Mm Week!

I decided I have more time to post something I have made or seen on Sunday evenings rather than Monday afternoons.  So after another long week and planning for next week, I decided to create a detective page for my students.  We are working on the letter Mm squares, and colors this week and some of my ideas are:

Having my students walk the M.  They will try balancing as the walk the M that is made on the carpet with masking tape.  We also do this on a square. (Idea from our preschool teacher at my school)

Students will pretend to be a detective and will have to find items around the room that starts with the letter Mm.  Then, they continue as a detective by finding and circling the letter Mm on the page I created below. I hope to make a sheet like this for every letter of the alphabet.(The pictures came from Microsoft word art.)

Students will also turn a block Mm into a mouse. (Idea from: http://storytimekatie.com/2012/06/06/letter-m/)

Art projects besides the mouse M are: using marshmellows to paint the letter M and marble painting.

We also have a box with different items and toys that start with the letter Mm: mouse, mom, Moses, magnets, monkeys, M&M graphs, marbles, microphones, colorful macaroni sorting etc.

Fine Motor/Math Activities: Using toothpicks to punch out letter Mm, 5 Little Monkeys hand motions, sorting shapes and colorful pom pom balls, tracing, coloring, and cutting out square.

Science: We do math and science groups after snack where the students rotate each day to a new group instead of going to every group every day.  This week's science activity is making a graph about what color our water will turn when putting two different colors of food coloring in it.  They will also have free play/exploring with magnets. 

We have been learning each others' names and will play Name Bingo!  Kids love Bingo even if the prize is only a sticker! I have turned almost everything we do in class into a bingo game...shapes, numbers, names, letters, sight words, beginning and ending sounds, etc. 

I think this covers most of our morning activities for the week.  We are working on the Daily Five with the students in the afternoon.  I am working on a post about how we do that in pre-k and preschool and will hopefully have it posted soon! If you would like to know in more detail about our day or any of these activities, leave me a comment.  I love comments!

My Classroom-Made It Monday

I know I am a little late on my Monday post...I have been so busy preparing and planning for my students arrival, I put off writing for a week; however, things have calmed down a little so I decided to share my classroom setup with you! I will include my Monday project that I made last Monday which was also my awesome find at Rural King! Enjoy!

I found these barrels at Rural King last Monday when I was shopping for fencing for my covered wagon (which I decided not to do since I found these).  I was so excited because I knew these would be perfect for my Western theme! I also found a small cow print fleece blanket that I made into a pillow and covering for one of my barrels.  

 

I cut the material into two small squares, cut the edges and tied into knots to connect the two pieces. I put an old pillow in between the two pieces to make a cow print pillow for my reading center.

 I used the leftover fleece and an old white sheet from my mother-in-law to make a soft covering for one of my barrels.  My mom found pillow stuffing at a used shop that I put inside before sewing it shut. It was perfect for the top of the barrel. (actually the bottom but I turned it upside down to make it like a bench for the students to sit).

This is a picture of my final reading center! I love it! It's so western and the students have already gotten use out of the barrels! (I did add a cardboard fence to the right for added decorations.) I added my childhood horses and cowboy hat as well as bandanas I bought from Amazon for more decorations!  (See close up pictures at bottom of page)

There was a little bit extra room at the end of my numbers so I added my birthday badges up here...cute added area to my western theme!

 Part of my writing center...I feel this is one of my most important centers; therefore, wanted to add several writing utensils for the students use.  In the containers above, (free from a teacher I used to work with) I added regular pens, gel pens, skinny markers, fat markers, and pencils for the students to use for writing practice.

 This is an overview of my writing center as well as my sign in area when parents drop off students.  I included magnetic board and letters, reading leap pad, several different types of paper and writing utensils, envelopes, stamps, dry erase boards and markers, chalkboards and chalk, and other reading/writing activities and games.  The cowboy hat and bandana is used for decorations.

Art center... I used containers from my wedding as well as target dollar section containers for this center. See my post on western containers for more detail on these containers.I included paper, stamps, rulers, caps and other collage items, stencils, markers, crayons, glue, scissors, colored pencils, play dough, etc. for the students to use.

 This is my dramatic play area.  The doll house was given to our classroom by a favorite substitute for my class.  I also added a lot of puppets and plastic table that I bought at a yard sale.  The stove and fake food was already in my classroom.

 Block and construction center.  I added my childhood plastic horses to this center along with tools, a construction hat, and magnetic letters.

 My science shelf...I wanted my science center near a window, but didn't have any shelving so again I used a yard sale special. I bought this shelf last spring for my step son's room.  He never really used it so I brought it into my classroom and it worked perfect for this center and matches the chairs! See below!

 This small round table was given to me by a favorite aunt.  It's the perfect size for my science center.  The white shelf was also given to me and the blue containers were from dollar tree! You can't beat that! I am so blessed to have people in my life who think about me and my classroom all the time! I love free and cheap stuff and it's so easy to find a place for it in my classroom! I included a scale, shells, magnifying glasses (given to me), dinosaur games (also given to me), animal cards, weights, and magnets as well as scientific books for the students to use.

 This is my math center! This center is def. one of my students favorites this year! They love the markers as well as all the tubs of manips! I have links, shapes, pattern blocks, wooden blocks, unifix cubes, etc. that the students can pull out and take to the table to play and build. 

The horse material on the barrel on the right is a blanket I had in my bedroom as a kid. It worked perfect for extra padding on the second barrel!

This little guy is my Tattle Bear! Oh how I am going to love this little man by the end of the year! When my students feel the need to tattle about something small, they will go to this bear instead of me! They do know, however, that if someone is bleeding or doing something that will get them hurt, they come to me first!

Wow this has been a long post! However, very much worth it! I love sharing pictures of what I am doing in my classroom!!!  Hopefully you can use some of the ideas for your classroom as well!

Western Bulletin Boards

 I wanted to share some of my classroom bulletin boards with you! After 3 weeks of working on them and trying to decide what to do with them, here's what I came up with...hope you enjoy! 

 

This board lists my rules for the year.  I am planning on having folders with prongs with monthly calendars inside of them.  If a student breaks a rule, I will write the number of the rule that was broken on that day's date. If a child has a great day, they will receive a stamp or sticker. Parents will sign their initials each evening when they check their child's folder.  These calendars will hopefully help with discipline problems within the classroom by holding parents accountable as well for their child's behavior.  It's also great document for parent/teacher conferences.

 I love these! They were a last minute decision.  I brought them home today after working in my classroom all day.  I found a pack of wooden sticks my mom had bought for me awhile back and taped them to the back of the hats.  An easy and great way to find a line leader, bucket holder, etc.

 This will be our math groups board.  After snack, the students' will find which color their name is by and go to that table to work with their group.

 An over all look at my bulletin boards!

 This board is my daily calendar board.  The boots are from google images.  After printing and laminating I wrote "Today is," Tomorrow will be," and "Yesterday was" on each boot.  I then put blue clips on the yellow paper so the students can slide whatever day goes with each boot.  I laminated the horse (from a bulletin board set) and plan on using it to keep track of how many days we are in school.  The paper next to the horse is a chart where I will teach the students about tally marks.  We will keep track of how many boys and how many girls we have in our class each day. The pennies will be on our board for the month of August.  I plan on teaching the students a poem to learn all about the penny.  We will recite the poem daily to help them remember it's a penny... never too early to teach about money!  In September, we learn about the nickel.

 This will be my word wall board! The blue jean material used for this board came from my mom who knew I had been looking for some blue jean material! She found it for a couple dollars at a used shop.  I love how my mom always seem to find exactly what I need for my classroom! She even found three bags of  pillow stuffing that she gave me to make pillows with! So excited! I love my mom!

 This is hanging outside my classroom as a way to greet my students their first day of school! I look forward to meeting all my little buckaroos!

 This board will be where the students make their lunch decision as a way of signing in each day.  They have to find their name on a horseshoe and then place it next to either their lunch decision, if they brought their lunch or if they are leaving at 11:00. 

 This is hanging on my door ready to greet my students each day!

 

This is my reading board. I am still working on this board.  Any suggestions?

I also plan on making a covered wagon for my library center.  Any ideas on how to do that?  I have several ideas running through my head using garden fencing, hula hoops, a white sheet, and either a wagon, table, or cardboard boxes for the actual wagon.  I'm going to play around with some of the ideas to figure out what to do! My mom always seems to find what I am needing at thrift shops whereas my mother-in-law always has in storage what I need! She has an old white sheet and a wagon! What are the odds of that?!?! Have I mentioned I love my mother-in-law too?!?!   It's wonderful getting good deals and being able to borrow items for my classroom! After all, us teachers need that break with as much money as we spend for our classrooms!

More to come on my classroom soon!

Western Containers

Have I mention I love this part of the year getting things in my classroom ready for my new students.  I am not part of a Monday Made It linky party, but I wanted to post something I did tonight that was very simple.  I made cute western containers to match my western theme this year.  It was so easy, inexpensive, and I can reuse containers year after year.  The metal containers were containers I bought at Target's dollar section. (Most were actually bought for my wedding...finally putting them to use again!)  The plastic containers were free for me...they were given to me from another teacher!  The ribbon was only $1 at Big Lots and the bandanna string was $1/yd at JoAnn Fabrics!  I wrapped the string and ribbon around the container, tied a knot, added a little super glue where knot was at and containers were finished! Simple, inexpensive, and cute!  I will post pictures of these in  my classroom as soon as I finish setting my room up! Can't wait to see how this theme works out! I love my horses and cowboy hats!

In This Room

I found this poem and absolutely loved it! I plan on including it in my Meet the Teacher Packet and thought some of my teacher friends may enjoy it also! It's such an encouraging poem for our little ones!  I can't wait to read it to my students on the first day and truly believe each sentence in it!

In This Room

Written By: Heather Price

In this room you’ll sing and laugh and grow.

In this room, I’ll teach you some of the coolest things you know.

In this room I’ll help carry the burdens too much for little shoulders to bear.

In this room you are a treasure both beautiful and rare.

In this room you are safe from monsters that do you harm.

In this room you may always seek comfort in gentle, loving arms.

In this room your voice is important and always heard.

In this room you will not be hurt by hands or harsh words.

In this room your laugh and smile will make my heart sing.

In this room I believe you will soar past the limits of the sky.

In this room is the gift of roots and wings to fly.

In this room I’ll love you from the start

Because when you walk into this room you walk into my heart!

Making a Difference Monday!

As I'm getting ready for the new school year, I have been doing a lot of searching, creating, making, and decorating.  While doing this, I was reminded, the reason I decided to teach.  I chose this career, not just  because I would only work 180 days of the year, but also because I wanted to make a difference in a children's life. I remember writing an essay for a scholarship my senior year of high school that I ended up winning.  In that essay, I wrote that my purpose as a teacher is not just to go to work each day and teach, but rather to make a difference in my students' lives.  I felt that if I made a difference in at least one child's life, then I have met my goal; however, I strive to make a difference in every child's life. Today I read that 'before I can reach a child's head, I must first reach their heart.'  That small quote reminded me why I do  what I do.  Yes, I have spent a lot of time being creative trying to decorate and get my classroom together before next Thursday just like most teachers do at the beginning of the year. And yes, I have enjoyed it and yes I have spent a little too much this year trying to get ahead, but I know it's worth it.  My students may not remember me for what my classroom looks like or even what I taught them, but they will remember me for how I treated them and who I stand for!  I want my students to remember me for my faith, for my heart, and for the way I believed in them.  

This year, I've decided I'm going to be that teacher who loves her students no matter what! I'm going to show that love every day! Today during my devotion, I was challenged to try not to complain all day! Wow that is so hard when I'm down to a little over a week, have very little done, and lots of meetings to attend!  However, I have decided I'm up for the challenge! I'm going to try to quit complaining as much as I can each day even if that means reading this verse over and over again throughout the day, "Do everything without complaining and arguing." Philippians 2:14 

My goal this year is to make a difference in all my students' lives! I want each one of them to know I care and that I believe in them! I want them to know that "they can do all things through Christ who strengthens them." One way I plan to follow through with this is by trying to post a Make a Difference Monday post every Monday! When I taught 2nd grade, I would challenge my students to make a difference in someone's life each Monday.  I'm not only going to start challenging my pre-kers to do the same, but I'm going to challenge myself to make a difference in my students' lives each Monday and hopefully everyday! Hopefully this will help me look forward to Monday mornings as well as show my students I love them and believe in them!

This Monday, I am started by spending all day in my classroom getting it ready for my new little ones.  I also met a special little girl who may be in my class this fall.  She started out wanting nothing to do with me.  By the time we walked back to the office, she stood by my side the whole time and even followed out of the office all because I took the time to talk to her and get to know her!  She's even willing to let me borrow her cute little pink sandals!  

I also made a difference in Eli's Monday! I gave extra hugs to him today just to remind him I love him! He returned those hugs even more!!! I love my stepson!

How can you make a difference in your students' lives?  Have can you make a difference next Monday?

Me in a Nutshell

Just wanted to share some information about myself and my background with education.

When did you know that you wanted to be in education? 
Honestly, I can't remember when I decided to be a teacher.  As long as I can remember, I wanted to work with kids. I remember being as young as second grade and 'playing school' with my younger siblings and cousins.  

How are you currently involved in education? 
I am currently a pre-k teacher/director at an elementary school.

What is something fun about you that other teachers don’t know?
I love the outdoors!  I love fishing, camping, hiking, and getting muddy!! I have even participated in Hog wrestling and Mud volleyball as well as look forward to attending our local 4-h fair every year to see the tractor pulls and derbies.

Do you participate in education outside of the classroom?  In what type of role?
Yes, I teach Sunday school every Sunday at my church as well as teach children's church when needed as a backup.  I also plan events on the children's ministry for the kids at my church.

What experience do you have in teaching?
I have taught Bible School, Sunday school and children's church since I was in middle school.
I was a 3rd grade, Spanish, cadet teacher my senior year of high school.
I have substitute taught in Honduras and at a Christian school.
I student taught in 2nd and 3rd grade.
I have taught 1st grade for a maternity leave.
I taught second grade for a year.
I have planned and worked at summer camps for 6 years.
I have taught pre-k for 3 1/2 years as well as substitute taught and was an assistant in day care settings for 5 years.
I was an assistant for a kindergarten classroom for a year.
And I am currently teaching/directing a preschool program. 
 
What profession other than yours would you like to attempt? 
I would love to be a photographer! Taking pictures is one of my favorite things to do!
 
What profession would you not like to do?
I would hate working at a hospital! I don't like blood or any body fluids for that matter that are not mine or my families.
 
Who is your favorite author?  Favorite educational author?  And why? 
Jan Brett-I love how almost every one of her stories have several activities and lessons you can do in the classroom with the students.  Gail Boushey (2 sisters)-I love Daily Five and her books have seriously taught me so much about how to successfully manage my classroom.