Queen of the First Grade Jungle Giveaway!

Queen of the First Grade Jungle is having a FANTABULOUS giveaway!!! This is a super cute idea and will really add something fab to your classroom. Check it out here!

Currently Linky Party for September

Oh' Boy 4th Grade is having an absolutely FANTABULOUS linky party (as usual), so head on over to see more and to see what is CURRENTLY up with other bloggers. In order to link up and join the party you'll have to jot down what you are currently:                        
                           listening
                           loving
                           thinking
                           wanting
                           needing
                           stalking (include 3 blogs....one has to be a non teacher

one has to be a newbie (under 50 followers) and then your choice)

Here is my CURRENTLY list:

Rip the Page (fantastic and helpful resource)..........Rip my leg (painful and frightening)!!

What's upper bloggy friends???!!! I have been m.i.a for a while, but the start of school has kept me SUPER busy and super EXHAUSTED, so I had to take time to gather myself and refocus lol. On another note....I am happy to report that my rock stars have been great and I look forward to an exciting year.

I also wanted to share a wonderful resource that has been shared and utilized throughout my district with Language Arts teachers. I think it is a FANTABULOUS tool for any teacher who would like to beef up their students creative writing. It's called Rip the Page! Adventures in Creative Writing written by: Karen Benke.
This book will definitely wash out any reservations when it comes to writing. It is an excellent resource for definitions (broken down by specific topics), writing prompts, word list, and it even includes notes from famous authors to kids. The possibilities of what you can get the kids to produce in writing with this helpful tool is endless. Oh and let's not forget Rip the Page plus a mentor text....all I can say is AWESOME!!

as for the second part of my post today.....................I literally did RIP MY LEG!!

After attending an updated staff development on creative writing, I couldn't wait to get home to start my workout for the day. Yes people I said work out!........Okay so I decided to take a jab at running the bleachers. I ran them (bleachers) a couple of times and decided to take a quick break. I finally decided that I was going to hit the bleachers one more time, but before I could get going, I slipped and fell right through them!! Long story short... I busted my leg open (almost to the bone) and now I have 7 staples to show for it. (sad face here)

Words of advice...STAY AWAY FROM BLEACHERS!!!!! LOL

Where it all goes down Wednesday: New expectations, new students, and a FABULOUS classroom! So......Let me get my mind right for a ROCKIN' school year!!

This is a post from earlier in the week, but I am hoppin on baord with Blog Hoppin for Where It All Goes Down Wednesday!! Check it out, check it out, check it out!!!


It's a tad bit different today for me to be blogging considering the fact that this is the last weekend to chillax before school starts. I have sat through hours and hours of staff development, rearranged my classroom 50 million times, blog stalked for hours upon hours, created and borrowed (decorations/class necessities/posters/etc.), and read several professional books, so I think that it is safe to say that I am READY!!
Here are a few pics of my finished (well...let me be honest....almost finished) classroom:

First up....FABULOUS ideas from Beth Newingham with my own personal twist!

    Classroom library!! Shout out to Fabulous Firsties for the letter idea

Bulletin Boards

Rock Star Lounge and Computer Center

Writing Center (sorry...it's a little dark)

My teacher corner

  Small group table and random areas in the classroom

I am not completely done because there are a few small details that I would like to add to the room to continue to ROCK OUT this school year.

Switch it....change it......rearrange it! My Classroom updates...

Okay so I have to admit that having the ENTIRE school change classrooms can be a bit overwhelming. Moving every piece of furniture (because 1st is different from 2nd-4th and 2nd and 3rd have smaller desk than 4th, and so on), grade level books, computers, manipulatives, other resources, and years of teacher JuNk (see where I'm going with this)..........a lot of work is all I can say to that!!

As the clock continues to tick, the anticipation increases about the first day. I am trying to patiently wait, but I have to admit that I am too excited about the upcoming year. I have gone to the school a couple of days this week and last week to work in my classroom, but I haven't accomplished as much as I would have liked to.

I will continue to work in between staff development sessions (on campus) and use the time that's alloted WISELY!  That's if I am not chatting and catching up with my team or distracted by WHATEVER LOL!

Here are some pics of the progress I have made in my room.

                                                      
                             This is the view of the back counter from the entrance

                                          

View from my desk area

Here's what I have accomplished so far...

view of back counter

       Buddy Reading/Rock Star Lounge area

My corner and the Writing Center

The heart of our classroom....the library!

                                                              

View from small group table

View from the entrance

                                                               

View from the back counter

That is all for now (a lot....I know). Stay tuned............

Finally in First Giveaway!

Jenn at Finally in First is having a fantastic giveaway for gaining 1,000 followers! The giveaway includes fantastic bags from Mixed Bags that are pretty darn cute. Head on over to her amazing blog and check them out.

Bargain Deals for Teachers: Keeping My Ears to the Streets!

Hey guys!  I just wanted to share a great bargain with each of you that I saw in the new sales ads for next week. Don't know about you , but I know I am always down for a bargain. It feels so much better to say that I saved X amount of dollars (when I have to justify my school related purchases) because there are SOOOOOO MANY to justify!

If you didn't know already.....Staples is still offering a 25 item limit to all educators who presents their i.d. at the time of purchase.

Staples will also have Composition Notebooks starting tomorrow (August 7-10 that's Monday through Wednesday ONLY) for 10 cents (did you here me) 10 cents with any $5 dollar purchase. Best part teachers can still get 25 @ 10 cents each!!!

Other bragains at Staples include:

1. scissors @ 50 cents
2. Copy paper @ 50cents


My local Office Depot has been doing a great job of matching any of Staples offers (even the quantity), so if they sell out try other stores that will price match.

Hope this helps! Spread the word guys I know I would appreciate it!