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.
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  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