Guess who I'm spending the day with!?!?

An informative, exciting post to follow!!! I'm super excited about this, can't wait to share what I learn.


BTW- Are any of you gals here?

What I Wore Wendesday on a Thursday/First Day of School 2011

What I Wore Wendesday on a Thursday!

I intended for this post to be made on yesterday but I left my computer chager at work and my laptop died on me in the middle of this VERY LONG POST. Why so long because I realized yesterday that I had yet to publish my post about the first day of school. Sorry, I'm slacking sorry :-(

Here is my outfit from yesterday

This was written on September 9, 2011

Today was our first day of school for the 2011-2012 school year. I woke up this morning at 5:00 a.m. and was out of the door by 6:15 a.m. Talk about AMAZING! I'm never up that early let alone leaving out of the door on my way to work. Needless to say my day started out great, I felt super prepared and ready to give my new first grade friends my ALL.

I had A LOT to accomplish that day. It all started with me planting a small "Back to School Gift" on each one of my team members desk. Wait I should back up and tell you the week before school started I was picked as the Primary Team Leader! Talk about exciting even though I know this postion includes more work for me. My team is group of well educated, dedicated woman that got into teaching for the same reason. We all want to help our children become the best they can be.  Lets get back to the first day of school though. I placed a small token on each teachers desk and each Instructional Partners desk.

                                         

 The idea came from Eigthteen25 and I was able to download it for free. Be sure to check them out because they have GREAT ideas for every occasion.

After getting my gift planted before each of them arrived I made sure everything was set up in my classroom and my shedule for the day was placed around my classroom so I was ready at any given moment during the day. I made a few copies and then it was time for my students to arrive. This year we greeted the parents and students outside and then we let them into the building. This worked out great because parents got to speak to the teacher for a few seconds before intrusting them in the hands of their teacher.

Once we got into the building my students where taught how to line up in the hallway, how to enter into the classroom and they also we allowed to pick their own desk. I always do this because I like to see who is friends with whom. I allow the students to sit next to whomever they are confortable with for the first month of school then I change sitting arrangements, students are then most likely to sit next to one of their group members or next to someone I think will benifit from the arragement.

After all the house keeping things where done we dove straight into Daily 5. Students did an excellent job helping me make a I-chart for Read to Self. I've been a bad blogger and forgot to take pictures :-( 

We took pictures for the first day of school they turned out so cute and I've used them many times since then around our classroom.

On the first day we got out at 12:30 so that was the end of my day.

Because this post is already sooooooo LONG. I'm sure it's the LONGEST POST EVER. I'll be back with a recap of my first FIVE weeks of school.

What I Wore Wednesday-Teacher Edition2

Here is this weeks peek at my outfit of the week. This happens to be a bad picture but hey it's not about my expression or lack of one it's about the clothes.

I'm wearing brown and cream striped slacks from New York and Company along with a cream blouse from New York and Company. This was super comfortable all day long. I was even happy about the long sleeves by the end of the day since we had a fire drill and it was FREEZING cold outside today since it rained.

In other news...

OMGosh, this school year is really wearing me out! I'm not complaining though because I am having a GREAT time with my new little friends. It's only been FOUR weeks and I already feel like we have learned so much and that they have grown to be a tad bit more responsible than they were. These are all GREAT things but they also cause me to be TRIED TRIED TRIED by the end of the day.

I hope you guys are having a wonderful school year also!

Top 10 Award

I'm a tad bit late posting about this topic but I must thank a couple of my fellow teacher bloggers Jess from Rambling about Reading and Chistine from Hopping into First Grade for awarding me with the Top 10 Blog Award. A year ago when I started this blog I never thought I would have people reading about the things going on in my classroom. Heck I never thought people would be interested in ME at all. Lucky for me I was wrong! But more than anything I'm so grateful to have all of your wonderful blogs to read everyday and to keep me encouraged.

What I Wore Wednesday-Teacher Edition

A couple weeks ago a really good friend of mine asked me to start blogging about what I wear to work. I didn't really understand why that was important. After she explained to me that she is a member of a fashion board (she is a merchandise major) and the one thing that always comes up from non members is "What should a teacher wear to work?" So I've decided that I'm going to do her a BIG favor and blog every Wednesday on what I wore to work. Please know that the outfit may not be from Wednesday every week but hey I wore it to work so that's all that matters. If you want to join in on this I'll post a linky tool next week.

Here is my outfit of the week



This dress was super comfortable and the cardigan was the pop of color I needed.



Missing "N" Action Blogger Update

Hey all!!! These last two weeks have been ALL KIND OF CRAZY! I did three weeks of professional development spent some of those days in my classroom. I've showed you some of the in progress pictures but the following is the finished product. I think out of the five years I've been teaching this is my FAVORITE classroom set up EVER! I owe most of that to your guys.

A view from the door

Library Area

Library area/leveled books in the back/behavior chart and common core stands from Deanna Jump

Up close of the same board

Spelling Words/ Word of the Day and Daily Rotation Chart

Math Tubs and Word Work table

Writing Center

Listening Center

Read to someone center (books are inside of seat)

Pendant Banner (The Inspired Apple)

Board in the hallway

Up close of the Gumball Machine

The top of my students desk. (D.O.T. Binder, Math Folder, Data Folder, Math Journal and Poetry Journal)

Front Cover of D.O.T. Binder (you can download this cover at my TpT store

So that is my classroom for the 2011-2012 school year! My students really have been enjoying everything about the room. I'm sure there is something I missed but I'll take a picture of anything else I think you guys should see.
I want to share my first day of school tonight but I see this post is already to LONG so I'm going to make a posting. Be on the look out for a review of my first week back at school.

Where It All Goes DOWN Wednesday-Classroom Pictures

This isn't going to be the BEST post. Why? You might ask. Well it's because my classroom ISN'T finished yet. That's not a bad thing though, school doens't start until September 6 so I still have some time. Infact I've been in my class for a total of five or six hours. Below you are going to find some before pictures and some in progress pictures. I'll do a update once the room is completed.

The MESS I call my classroom (before pic)

Above the board are the colors. On the board is my book report chart, birthday chart and on the lower left hand side is where the students will turn in homework and classroom. The cute little sign came from Teaching In Flipflops

"On The Spor Work"- This is where I will display student work. (Disregraurd my closet it's not in the best shape yet)

Word Wall! I really love this board. The letters came from Teaching in Flip Flops also!

Library Area. The books on the self are grouped by genre and the books on the small bookcase are picture books.

Where my pencils will live. I have three more sets to put out around the class.

These books sit by my guided reading table. They are leveled! Organization coming soon.

My board in the hallway. I'll post this again later because I'm adding a gumball machice in the center. Super CUTE!

Math Wall!!! I love Saxon Math!

Subtraction and Addition key words. From theteacherwife

So far that's it folks!!! I've only worked for a couple hours so I feel like I accomplished a lot in that small amount of time. The finished product COMING SOON!!!

Don't forget to HOP on over to Blog Hoppin' to see what the other GREAT teachers have to share with you today!

Teacher Talk Tuesday- Advice for New Teachers

It's the second day of Teacher Week 2011! I've read so many great things about my fellow teachers yesterday on Meet The Teacher Monday. It's great to get to know the "inside scoop" about you guys! Today I have some advice that I think would be great for ALL teachers not just NEW teachers.

1. Your students are going to LOVE you no matter what! When I first started teaching I dreaded giving my student repercussions when they did the wrong thing. Put I learned that even after being punished those students will STILL love you to pieces!

2. Always be prepared. NO be OVER prepared!!! It's great to have a lesson in your mind that would work great for your students. BUT you must remember that lessons don't always go as planned, take as much time as you planned, etc. So you MUST have a plan A, B & C.

3. Use your resources. When I say resources. I'm talking books and people. I know that when going to a new school it's best to have a teacher mentor that can teach you the ropes. Use this person wisely. Even if you don't get assigned a person seek out someone that can lend you a hand when needed.

4. Classroom Management- I believe this isn't a skill that can be taught. It's something that is learned through experiences.. Be willing to try new things in your classroom until you find something you are conferable with and something that allows ALL students an opportunity to succeed.

5. Organization/Time Management- Be thoughtful of others time when it has to do with meetings and other staff related things. In the classroom think more about transition times from one activity to another. We don't want to waste our time.

I think these are the top five most important things I would share. Hop on over to Blog Hoppin' to learn some other great things from freat teachers.

Meet The Teacher Monday- Teacher Week 2011

Welcome to my blog "Thirst for First". I've been reading educational blogs for about a little over a year now, I've learned so much from you awesome teachers. I hope you guys enjoy reading about the things I do in my classroom as much as I enjoy reading your blogs.
.

  This is me

My name is Takara, I'm 26 years old and I've been teaching for four years. This upcoming school year will make my fifth year in the classroom. I graduated in December with my Masters in Elementary Education and today I start my new Masters program in Administration and Supervision! I'm sure these next two years will fly by before I can complain to much about homework!

 Last year I was telling you how great my boyfriend was and how I was hoping for a proposal. Well it happened on April 9, 2011!! We set our date for November 17, 2012. That's our five year anniversary! I'm so excited to become his wife. I'm also having a ball planning our wonderful wedding!

                                          This is my favorite engagement picture

Now for the Q & A

Q: What would you be doing if you weren’t a teacher?                                             
A:I would own a daycare center. In fact I'm still going to pursue that in the near future!

Q: What are your hobbies?                                                                                    
A:  Well, well my hobbies are few and far in between. I love reading blogs, learning about natural hair, oh and I LOVE taking pictures of myself!                                                                

Q: When you were little, what did you want to be when you grew up?                     
A:  I wanted to be ANYTHING but a teacher. Why? Because my mom was a teacher and I saw how much work she brought home!   

Q: What are your guilty pleasures?                                                          
 A: Ginger Ale, Real Housewives {all of them}, House, HGTV, and WE channel (I love those wedding shows)
Q: What is your biggest fear?!                                                               
 A: Not being needed and disappointing people I love

Q: When you’re on vacation, where do you like to go?                           
 A: Fort Lauderdale!!! I love it, but ONLY in November because that is when they have PERFECT weather.    
                                                      
Q: What’s the best advice you’ve ever received?                                                   
A:  My great grandfather always told me to believe in myself. Those words have stuck with me since the first time he spoke them to me. Because of him I'm never afraid to try something new.

Q: What do you value most in others?                                                                   
A:  Honesty, Loyalty & Dependability

Q: If you could choose one of your personality traits to pass down to your kids, what would it be?                                                                                                        
A: Being persistent, Once I put my mind to it there is NO STOPPING ME!

Q: If you could have lunch with anyone in the world….living or dead…who would it be?                                                                                                       
A:  Jesus and my great grandfather "Pops"

Happy Teacher Week 2011! Be sure to stop by everyday this week!
Also hop on over to Blog Hoppin' to see all the other wonderful teachers that have linked up!

Teacher Week 2011

I'm so excited about

I first discovered teacher blogs this time last year and this world has truly changed my outlook on teaching. It's so great to have you guys in my life. I don't ever think you will know how each of you played a part in making my life as a teacher better. I can't wait to get more inspiration from all of you and give some inspiration during TEACHER WEEK 2011!

Hop on over to Blog Hoppin' to join the fun!

(click picture to get to the site)

How cool is this?

It's 1:15am and I'm up browsing The Dollar Tree website for vases for my wedding when I stumbles upon something really cool. I've always known the store had some cool teaching tools BUT I would have NEVER guessed they even offered cool little centers on their website. EVERYONE should check it out. I especially love the Math Munchers centers. I have plans on printing it tomorrow when I visit my classroom and have access to some card stock. They have ideas for classroom behavior, bulletin boards and so much more. Be sure to check out the website to find some of the cool ideas.

                           Dollar Tree Teaching Ideas Page

Common Core Standards:Grade One/ Post Card Exchange

I'm once again coming to you gals for help! I've just been told that my school is going to be using Common Core Standards. I know a little about Common Core, so I'm turning to you EXPERTS! I've seen somewhere in blog world a post about Common Core Standards but of course since I'm looking for it I can't for the life of me find it! HELP ME PLESE!!!

We have 19 states that are open in the postcard exchange. The states that are open are:

• Alaska
• Connecticut
• Delaware
• Idaho
• Maryland
• Minnesota
• Montana
• Nevada
• New Hampshire
• New Mexico
• North Dakota
• Oklahoma
• Pennsylvania
• Rhode Island
• South Dakota
• Utah
• Vermont
• West Virginia
• Wyoming

If you are from one of the listed states PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE email Mechele from 

Barrow's Hodgepodge @ mechele.barrow@gmail.com

Ladybug Giveway

Hey guy! Happy Saturday! I've just stopped by to let you guys know about the wonderful giveaway that Kristin at Ladybug Teaching Files is having. Kristen also blogs and she is giving away 4 yes FOUR blog designs next week. Hop on by her blog to enter. Though I must be honest with you and let you know I really hope I win!

Summer School Teacher?!?!?!

Today I was awaken by a call from my school. In my mind I was saying "What could they possibly want with me at 7a.m.". I just knew NOTHING was THAT important! I answered the phone in my OMGosh I was STILL sleeping voice to hear my schools secretary saying "Ms. Davis I NEED your help" in a very panicky voice. I sat up and asked what was wrong and she said "One of the teachers got food poison and I NEED you to come in and sub summer school for the day." I asked was the teacher going to be fine then I laughed and told her I don't do summer school, never have never will. Then she went on and on and on about how no one else was available so I caved in and taught second and third graders reading during summer school.


Turns out summer school isn't as bad as I thought it would be. It totally helped that today was a cool day so the building wasn't HOT. I knew the students so they knew NOT to play with me. Things went pretty well and I must say the PAY wasn't to shabby either. I really learned a lesson today. I have to stop saying what I'll never do because sometimes things work for a greater good than expected.

Calling All Open Court Teaching Geniuses!!!

My school uses Open Court 2002 as our reading program. I've been teaching from this series for the past three years, but I must admit I haven't really made it my own or perfected my style to teach it to the BEST of my ability. That's why I'm sending out this ALL CALL to seek advice from my fellow teachers. I know that you guys are great at all things teacher related. So if you teach Open Court and have made centers, came up with a better system or just know a trick you are willing to share PLEASE stop by here and share your knowledge.

Postcard Exchange 2011-2012 School Year

Do you want to participate in a postcard exchange?

A postcard exchange is where 50 teachers (one from each of our great states) agrees to have their students write and mail the postcards out to the other participants.

You will need 50 postcards. Mail out 49 postcards, keep one for yourself. You will need to purchase postcards and stamps.


This exchange is open to all teachers who have a blog, website, wiki or any other means to share postcard exchange updates, pictures, etc... Don't worry if you don't have a blog yet. Kristen from Ladybug Teacher Files has done some wonderful tutorials on how to get a classroom blog started very quickly. This can be your opportunity to start one! All participants should be able to share in some form and a blog is super easy!


The exchange will be open on a first come, first serve basis. All participants should mail out their postcards by the end of October. The deadline is set to allow time for correspondence between participants throughout the upcoming school year. Look HERE to see if your state is available.

 All participants should include an introduction to their classroom and a fact about their state. Please also include a line "want to learn more about ____________, just Skype us at _________" OR "want to learn more about __________, just contact us at ___________."

If you would like to join the exchange email  Mechele at
mechele.barrow@gmail.com.

Please include in the email your name, state and blog. She will then send you a conformation email. If a reply isn't made within several days, I will select the next person available.

Tuesdays Treasures- Back to school finds

Today I woke up super early because I wanted to accomplish a ton of things. These things included going to the bank, a local teachers store (because I had a groupon I needed to use before it expired), target and to my classroom to drop off all my goodies! I'm happy to say that I accomplished all of these things and I'm very proud of myself :-) I didn't come here for that personal pat on the back though, I came to give your guys a heads up on all of my wonderful finds!

At the teachers store I had a $20.00 groupon so I was determined not to spend more than that. You know my theme this year is polka dots and this store was the right place for me!



I think I'll decorate my desk or door with these

Then I made my way down the street to a teacher home away from home, Target! I am so glad that I made the trip because they had just begin to put out school items in the dollar section. Whenever I go to Target I tell myself I can only spend $20.00 in the dollar section. Today that did NOT work out very well. I spent a little over $50.00 but everything I got was well worth it!

The pointers I've been looking for!

Mini dry erase markers, Seuss Week bookmarks and playing cards for my math center

Just because it's polka dot tote



This is NOT something I bought! I just snapped a picture for all of you beached themed teachers. These are really cool, it's a surf board and flower cork board. Only $2.50



 

File folders that had little dots. Love them!



These are on sale for .20 cents!!! I use so many glue sticks during the school year, so i stocked up pretty good today. 80 glue sticks for $8.00!!!!