The Countdown is on...

Summertime is coming to an end, and that brings up a huge mess of emotions.  I'm so excited to meet the new 1st graders and to begin implementing all of the wonderful new things I have learned over the summer.  At the same time, I am going to seriously miss waking up whenever the heck I feel like it and doing whatever the heck I feel like doing each day!  (Which was typically sleeping in, watching tons of Lifetime and TLC, becoming addicted to Pinterest and blogs reading educational books and seeking professional development for the school year!)  This summer has been SO different from a year ago.  Last year at this time I was moving to a new home, in a new city, at a new school, in a new grade, and oh yeah... planning a wedding!!!  Needless to say, I am in a much better place (mentally, physically, emotionally) than I was last year.  But that also doesn't mean that I am ready-to-go. 

As I mentioned before in this post, this blogging business is a constant reminder of how much growing and learning I have to go to be a GREAT teacher, but also that I will never be satisfied in my teaching.  Sounds depressing, right?  But this is generally the mindset of a teacher.  The culture changes, so we change.  Whether it's a change in methodology (worksheets to hands-on) or content (state standards to Common Core) or curriculum (new reading series... new math series...), I will never be at a place where I've learned it all.... and that is so overwhelming.  So, while I've been preparing for the little monsters precious ones who will soon enter my classroom, I've had to seriously check myself on multiple occasions in order to keep from going into a stress meltdown.  This year is going to be FANTASTIC!  I am finally able to teach the same grade for two consecutive years, so I actually have a clue about what I'm getting myself into!  That being said, I am becoming that teacher that I look up to... Slowly but surely, I am adding little tools to my belt.  I'm taking advice from experienced educators.  I'm researching and creating, and that says something, doesn't it?  I care enough to grow.  I just hope my kiddos can see how much I love them and how truly I believe in them.  (Especially considering the time I spend making it all come together!!!!!!!!!!!  Can I get an AMEN?!?)

Here are some more tidbits of preparation....

First of all, for two years I have been growing my hair out.  My hair in college was usually pretty short.  Two years ago, I had just gotten that cut when I went on this blind date with a very handsome man.  Turns out I kinda fell in love with the guy, and knowing that I wanted to have long hair when I got married, I started right then letting it grow.  It's been some time since my hair has fallen so far down my back, and it's been fun!  However.... it's time.  So, I chopped it!  Goooooooodbye 10 inches!

Before...

After...

I think I look teacher ready.... What do you think??

Secondly... I was at Target looking at all their super exciting school supplies on sale, and I came across the most wonderful thing I've seen in a long time.  Remember when you were a kid, and you were getting ready with your "Back to School" gear?  You had to get all the good stuff.... Not just the basic supplies, but I mean the special things... decorative folders, backpacks with the most popular characters plastered all over, and......  A LUNCH BOX!  Meet mine:

You love it, I know.  I'm not usually one for lunchboxes... I just throw my stuff in a Kroger bag... but COME ON!  You know those Pier 1 commercials where the objects talk to the customers.  Well this little love was talking to me.  I promptly texted (apparently texted is not an acceptable word in my spell check, but I don't know how to make it past tense any other way, so I'm leavin' it!) my man to make sure the buy was acceptable, and wonderful hubbs that he is, he said yes.  WIN.  My lunch is cuter than yours.

Lastly, I am trying to take my classroom theme into overdrive this year.  I really want everything to pull together.  So, I've been spending time creating things that will do just that.  (Classroom tour to come later when it's all complete... for the time being.) Thanks to a friend of the family who was ready to change her classroom theme, I inherited a TON of freeeeeee movie themed classroom materials.  Last year I used them minimally... simply because I didn't really know how everything was going to work.  This year, I'm stepping it up!  For today, I will show you my new behavior chart.  Last year, all my kids had clips that started on the "red carpet", but poor choices caused them to move to a 1, 2, or 3.  I have seen several people who make charts where the kiddos can also go UP for outstanding behavior!  Love that.  So, here is what I came up with... Keep in mind, it isn't laminated yet, so I don't have the clothespins on it yet.  But they will start every day on the Red Carpet....

Red Carpet Ready!  Moving down on the chart is not ideal.  I sure hope I don't have to "CUT!!!" many students this year!  (I mean, is that even okay to say?? It totally sounds like Bon Qui Qui...)  But I sure hope to see some of my kiddos become "Part of the Cast" and even have an "Award Winning Performance!!!"

Yay!!!  Well, tomorrow my other life begins.  Students come on Monday, but teachers are in starting in the mo'nin.  Booooo...... Hooray!!!!!!

I promise I'll have other posts not related to school sometimes.... but it pretty much does consume my life, so I can't help it if this is all I have to talk about!!!

Lights, Camera, Action!