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Several weeks ago I had the opportunity to attend a staff development training by the great Kim Adsit. I  was immediately inspired by her captivating spirit and her love of teaching! She shared many brilliant ideas of ways to turn dollar store finds into hands on curriculum for young learners.  I thoroughly enjoyed hearing about her many years spent teaching kindergarten and how she now travels the country speaking and presenting. Through her presentation, I noticed her work she referenced on Teachers Pay Teachers. It made me reflect on the countless hours I have spent over the last several years creating and sharing curriculum, files and activities for my classroom. She made me begin to realize how I could reach outside the "documents" folder on my desktop, on to the actual desktops of teachers world wide through Teachers pay teachers(TpT)! This past weekend, I spend several hours reading through the great teacher forums on the TpT website to begin to learn how to create documents. This is a wonderful resource for anyone considering starting a TpT store. I was surprised to learn that many sellers create documents through Powerpoint instead of Word! It is expressed in the forums how much easier it is to format the layout through powerpoint. There are also many constructive posts on how to create cover sheets, credit pages and overall store development. I am excited about this new adventure of sharing my work in a new way! Currently, I have one listing in the store because I seriously spent all weekend editing and revising it until I was satisfied enough to post it! Haha! So, my technique needs to become a little more efficient but otherwise, I am enjoying a new way to create and hopefully inspire others! I love the idea of a place where teachers can come together to share ideas, innovations and creativity while having a chance to be compensated for their work! I encourage all teachers to consider exploring this website as a way to continue to grow in the work we do and strive for excellence in the products we create. To visit my new Teachers Pay Teacher store for your FREE back to school download, please visit: here.


                                                                                 Blessings to you and yours,

                                                                               

Memorial Day

John 15:13

Today we remember those who have so bravely served and those who are still serving our country. As a teacher, I think we can begin teaching acts of service to even the youngest of learners. A great way to focus young minds that are developmentally egocentric is to teach little ones how to serve. What does service look like in your classroom? How do you encourage acts of service with your young learners? I'd love to hear! Today, I thank God for the men and women of the past, present and those to come, who have so bravely focused on service above self. 

A few Pinterest Memorial Day Finds...

Tanya from First Grade is Fabulous has an adorable coloring sheet listed as a FREE download on her Teachers Pay Teachers page.

Thank you Tanya for sharing this cute coloring page! Great for working on fine motor skills as little ones grip their crayons, markers or paint brushes!

Bear Hugs Baby: Memorial Day Crafts for Kids

 On the blog, Bear Hugs Baby, there are some really cute age appropriate crafts from pre-kinders! Check it out! One of my favorites is the Eagle Hand Prints! What is yours? If you have any great Memorial Day activities or crafts, please leave a comment to share or link up! 

                                                               Image from Bear Hugs Baby Blog



Again, Happy Memorial Day! Let's teach our young learners how to serve one another!
 
                                                               Blessings,



                                                      

Back to School Survey

Today I decided to revamp an old "Back to School Survey" to make it more age appropriate for preschoolers. I have recently learned of Scrappin' Doodles through purchasing items on Teachers Pay Teachers. It is a great resource for purchasing clip art. If you leave a comment on this post and follow the blog, I will send you a free PDF file of the Back to School Survey for parents. I plan to mail this survey with my back to school letters in August. It is a great resource for getting to know your new students through the eyes of their parents. Due to copyrighting on the clip art, I cannot send a document that you are able to edit. I apologize in advice. Hopefully, you will be able to use the document as it was made!

Please leave a comment and join the blog! I'd be happy to send you a copy of the survey! Also, please be sure to leave the e-mail address that you would like me to send your copy to! Thanks!

                                                                                      Until next time,


                                                                                

Back to School

After two incredible years as a stay at home mom, I have decided it is time to return to the classroom! Being at home with my two boys has been such a gift! They will be attending the same preschool where I will be teaching. In the past two years at home, I have been working with children in my attic-turned-classroom. We have hosted several "Knee High Readers" book clubs with many friends. Our little at home classroom is one of our favorite rooms in the house.

After spending 7 years in the public school system teaching 1st and 2nd grade, I am thrilled for a new adventure in a private preschool!  I am so thankful to merge my passion for teaching with my love for the Lord! This will be the first time I can openly express my faith in school since I will now be in a private Christian school! My prayer is that God uses me to draw children closer to him while learning,exploring and having fun! So, while it is Memorial Day weekend and most teachers are probably not spending it planning for the next school year....this one cannot wait to get started!

Looking back at my second grade classroom, I am planning to use several of the classroom organizational themes that I used then, with my new classroom. Through the ITI (Integrated Thematic Instruction) brain research, I have come to realize how important the physical, emotional and academic environment is for successful student achievement. I look forward to piecing our new classroom environment together over the summer with the help of my incredible co-teacher, Mrs. Britton!

In the meantime, my super duper Erin Condren lesson planner arrived in the mail last week!

This planner is a teacher's dream! I love it! To learn more about Erin Condren products (I do not receive any kickbacks from referring people to this site, I just LOVE her products!)please visit her site here.

                        Until next time,