Silence for Sandy Hook

Prayers and thoughts with the love ones. 

No Words

I am truly sadden by this horrific act. My heart and prayers are with the families of all the victims, and survivors as well as the community.

What we been up to!!

This week was a short week with Veteran's Day on Monday. We also had Junior Achievement Day, and Pepsi co came out to teach about recycling. My students loved learning new things, but boy were we busy. We also were busy learning about sneaky e, and my little darlings created sneaky e posters on Friday, which were ruin shortly after, when our CEILING!!!!! came crumbling down just before dismissal. We had a water leak.... no one was hurt, but our super cute sneaky e posters :(. Imagine the chaos in a class of 27 six year olds........Oh yeah, it was everything you could imagine and then some. Here are a few pics of our activities minus our sneaky e posters.  Also here is a pic of my little guy going to his choir performance, let me tell you this boy loves to sing, he was so proud :)

                                                   Jaleel showing off his choir vest!

                                                    Even Steven and Odd Todd visited our class
                                                    My students really get odd and even now!, I hope :)
                                                    We did tons of activities :) forgot to take pics

                                                    Silent E, I got this from  Cara over at
                                                    http://thefirstgradeparade.blogspot.com/
                                                    such a fun activity.

                                                   We also did sight word color coding on
                                                   our friend Tom Turkey!!! gobble I just
                                                   wrote our weekly sight words on a turkey
                                                   coloring sheet, and created a color key.
                                                   Check out the pic above, I didn't tell this student
                                                   to color the words, talking about higher order thinking!!!!!!!!!yay

         

                                                   Sight word abc order!!!

Thankful!!!!!

I want to take time out to say that I am soooooo thankful for all the great blogs that help me become better, all my followers. I think were just a special group of teachers. We take extra time out of our day to share and stalk each others blogs for inspiration. It all makes us better, and us getting better directly impact the future. So hats off to all of you..... special shout out to Jennifer from first grade blue skies, Leslie Ann from life in first grade, Mrs. Carrol from First Grade Parade, and Ms. Arnold from Oceans of first grade fun your blogs truly have changed the way I teach, and how I think about what I am teaching. My class is cuter than ever, and my activities are engaging and fun, thanks to all the fab blogs out there.
xoxox
Kim

November Currently

Hi All, Happy Saturday!!!!! I just linked up with Farley Oh, Boy 4th Grade for the November Currently

Fall Break!!!!

I have been on fall break all week, and it was just what I needed. Yep you may think I rested, but nope not me I made flash cards, planned my unit for the next six weeks and I even went to work. I know I should have rested and relaxed, but I have way tooooooo much to do!!!!! Many people don't realize how much work has to be done in the field of education, and in fact don't understand that the primary grades are the foundation for students future success (no pressure), but my class is low this year and I am determine to catch them up! Well I do plan to rest. I am going to send my lesson plans in tomorrow, cut, paste, ect up until about 7:00 a.m. I am then going to take my teachers stuff pack it up and don't touch any of it all weekend (it will be hard, but I promise I won't). here are a few pics from my class, we studied apples, I got the apple idea from Mrs. Carrol at First Grade Paradehttp://thefirstgradeparade.blogspot.com/, luv her ideas. Next week we start are election and bats unit, I'll share those pic's as well.
Have a great weekend!!!!!!

                                     My first Glyph (cheesy), but the students loved it!
                                      I'll keep working on it!

                        My aeiou wanted poster!!!!! those tricky little bandits. My students love finding these bandits when they read.... They won't let them get away with tricking them.

Autumn Leaves

Last week my firsties were very busy learning about Autumn, and leaves. I just love teaching by themes...I must say I have grown from my first yr and first last yr to now. I just love all the great ideas I get from following so many fab teachers. I am so thankful...Although my firsties were CRA-CRAZY today, it seemed like another class. We had a presentation about good touches and bad touches, and it just through our day totally off. Praying for a better day tomorrow! Here are a few pics from last week.
We made fall trees, and wrote our spelling words on the falling leaves. We also wrote facts about leaves. (I forgot to take pics of the anchor chart and writing). I read Leaf Man, and students created their very own. They also completed the prompt "My Leaf Man Flew pass....the places they came up with were cute, Chuckie Cheese was a very common place.

October Currently Link-Up

Just linked up with Farley over at Oh' Boy Fourth Grade

Themes!!!!

Hi All, I am sooo thankful to the bloggy world, I have been inspired by so many fab teachers. My instruction has become better as a result of blog stalking and pinterest. This is my second yr in first grade, and I am now teaching by weekly themes, and I absolutely love it!!!!! My lessons are focused and students are engaged in their learing. The activites are fun and hands on, and my students are very interested in the topics. This week my theme was leaves, next week apples. I will be sharing pic's soon. Goodnight All

On Strike!!!! Chicago Teachers Union

Well as many of you know Chicago is on strike, were fighting for a fair evaluation system and a host of other things. We are headed in the second week of strike, and I miss my firsties. I can't plan, because prior to the strike I became very sick, and all my stuff is at school. They won't let us in the building, and they took away our website privaleges. So, I am anxious to get back, I been seeing some really great ideas on pinterest and I am ready to use them. I am sure when I return it will be like the first week all over again, because I was out a week before the strike, so I haven't seen my students in over 2 weeks. I don't know how my classroom look, I wonder if the sub let them do whatever they wanted. I wonder if they used all my pencils, have they broken anything, did someone tear up something...so many thoughts. On a positive note I am feeling better, and I am just ready to teach. The negative thing is that we're going to have to make up this seven or more days at the end of the yr :(, and this is Chicago so if we have a terrible snowstorm will have to use snow days, which will also have to be made up. Please keep us Chicago teachers in your thoughts and prayers. -Kim

Well Hello!!!!!!!!!

Hi All I have been missing because school started, but I also became very ill, and had to have surgery to remove my gallbladder. Sucks, because it happen third week of school, and we all know the importance of the first weeks. Well it is what it is, I am feeling better... and I hope well enough to return to my first graders next week. I will add pictures of my class in my next post.

August Currently

Just joined Farley over at Oh'Boy Fourth Grade for the August currently

Teaching 1st Again!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Yes

Hi ALL,

As you all know I have been in search of a job, and I was finally blessed with a teaching position, and the best thing of all it's 1st grade!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I am sooooooo excited and very thankful!!!.
With that being said this is my last week off, and I haven't planned anything for this school yr, so I have been super busy stalking blogs and pinterest :) Just wanted to let you all know. Thanks for listening to me rant about a job for the pass few months.
                             Hey All I want to get to 50 followers, please send some traffic my way.

Really Good Stuff

Hi all Marsha over at Differentiated Kindergarten is hosting back to school with............

check it out for some great freebies!

http://www.differentiatedkindergarten.com/2012/07/back-to-school-with-guess-who-jeannie.html

Got a Job.......Now I have to turn it down :(

Hi All,

If you been following my little blog, you know that I am looking for a teaching position. Well I went to an interview and was offered the job. It was for 5th grade.  Although I wasn't too excited about 5th grade, I accepted the challenge. Nothing against 5th grade students, but I just fell in love working with primary this yr :).

I went to pick up my contract and benefits packet yesterday, and as I was going over the information and kid you not the insurance contributions were ridiculous. HMO Family health insurance was wait for it................................... a whopping $580.00 a pay period! seriously, never ever seen anything like that.  Thats over a 1,000 a month that I will have to pay nearly 12,000 a yr, which in essence would have me taken a huge pay cut.....

God is good though, and I know I'll be blessed with the perfect job for me, honestly didn't feel it in my spirit when I was offered the position.

So the job search continues..........

Get to know me Thursday!!!!

Hi ALL,

I hope everyone is just enjoying all our deserved time out, I am. I have been laying around, catching up on reading, and eating lunch at a moderate rate, lol. I am loving it, I am loving life, and loving this weather. I live in Chicago, so it is a joy to wear flip flops everyday, I usually wear them until I just can't do it any more.

After filling out nearly a 100 applications, I got an interview, yay!!!!!! its with a charter school, and for grade 4. I taught 4th before, and could easily go back to it. I really fell in love with first though, but I won't complain. I am thankful to God for any position I am blessed with, and I am sure its some great 4th grade blogs that will inspire me...............

As soon as I get word I let y'all know!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Get to know me Thursday!, on Friday

Hey All.....

I been soooo busy trying to beat Chicago's heat wave that I neglected to do my get to know me thursday blog.  ummmmm here we go!!!!!

I was on a great health kick for several months, and I stopped one day for a social event, and I haven't been able to get back on. Although it is Friday, I am going to start again today. I want to lose weight, but that is not my focus, I really want me and my family to be healthier.
I am going to go to walmart today to load up on veggies.....

My sister is moving to ATL, because of her husbands job, I am happy for them but will miss her and the nieces and nephews very much :(. We had a going away party for her hubby last night, because he is leaving this weekend. She won't be leaving until August.  Here is a pic of my son Jaleel with my two nieces Endya and M'laja......

It's Hot in Chicago

Hey All,

Chicago has had nothing but high 90's and 100's the last few days, every time I go outside I feel like I am melting. My air in my little truck is not working, I am just sitting around doing nothing. I can't make any projects for next school yr, because I don't have a new job yet, however I am believing God for one, and I know he is able. So when IT happens, I'll give an update. :)
Happy Summer

Get to know me Thursday!!!

I have decided that I will attempt to inform you all about me on a weekly basis. I started blogging last summer.
So to start it off,
 I live in Chicago
My name is Kimberly, I like to be called Kim.
For some strange reasons my niece's calls me LALA, I really don't know why, but they do.
My favorite color is Red
I love to cook
However, I can't make rice it all ways come out sticky< (drives me nuts)
I love teaching primary, however I been thinking about High School lately???
I am happily married to my best friend (corny but true)
I have two sons Justin and Jaleel
Justin is a College student
Jaleel is going to third grade, (which makes me sad, he is growing too fast)
Random thought....I am currently eating dirty rice
My teaching position got cut (I am not tenure), and I am currently frantically looking for a job.
Here is a pic of me and my former partner with the famous Ella Jenkins :) (She is getting really old and impatient, and was fussing at the kids during the performance, it was cute though)

I graduated with my first Masters last Saturday, I am sooo proud, the first in my family with a grad degree.
Well thats enough about me for now.............. Good Night

Trying to Enjoy the Summer

Hi Yall,

My husband mention to me yesterday, that I am not enjoying summer break, because of my relentless job search. I must admit, I am not. I have been spending all my time thinking and searching for my job this fall.

Really wish I could just be planning for next yr, and not searching, and really not knowing what grade I'll have.
My summers usually consist of me reading and planning for the nxt school yr, like you all are doing.

I decided that I am only going to look for jobs early each morning and enjoy the rest of the day, by walking along Lake Michigan and enjoying Chicago' s skyline, going to the beach, and attending Chicago's Movie in the Parks.

Are there any universal projects I could work on for planning for next school year?????

Yeah!, I guess I could plan a class theme, and some organization projects.

Can anybody think of anything else I could be doing?

I think by planning and having a positive attitude about a new job it will happen. (Positivity and Faith)

Bittersweet

As I shared with you all this year was my first year in first and I absolutely fell in love with my firsties. I am a first grade teacher for sure!!! However, my position was cut, and I decided I'll just move to the burbs.  Although I am happy about moving and finding a new first grade position (fingers crossed) Today was the last day of school, and as I saw those little faces for the last time, I was sad not to be returning.  As I closed my empty classroom door for the last time I remembered how great my journey had been this year and how I learned to teach first grade. The blogging world helped me so much on my journey with the endless activities, lessons and crafts. Today was truly a bittersweet day :(

Moving to Suburbs

I have decided to move to suburbs, and you can't work for Chicago Public Schools if you don't live in the city, so I will be looking for a job for the upcoming school yr. I am nervous and scared, but moving is best for my son, he is stuck inside to much because were right in the heart of the City. So I am hoping and praying that I find a first grade position next school yr.

Jealous and Excited

Hi Yall,

As I am blog hopping as usually I see that many of my blog buddies have 10 to 12 days left a school, I am super jealous!!!!! Here in Chicago we have about 25 days left, and our contract negotiations aren't going well. I keep hearing the words strike. I pray that we don't go on strike, I ask that my blog buddies keep Chicago Teachers in prayer for a fair contract. The board wants a longer day, and the union wants us to be compensated for it. Well anyhoo, I am all for an extra hr in school, we currently get out a 2:15 and I always need more time, so I hope they can just reach an agreement.
Now why I am excited, I am excited about how much better a first grade teacher I will be next yr. I am constantly thinking how my word wall will be better, how centers will be better, how I will improve on my organizational skills. I struggled with truly understanding how to teach writing in the primary grades, so that will be my self study project over the summer. If anyone has any suggestions on books I should read to better understand teaching firsties to write, and any other books that will help me grow as a 1st grade teacher I would greatly appreciate it!
I wish those who can taste summer break a wonderful break, it is truly well deserved!

Back to School tomorrow,

As I am reflecting about my first yr in first, I have many thoughts and strategies that I want to implement next yr. I really hope I don't get moved from first, though. Lately, my students have been a little more busier, I think they are checking out. So, my challenge is to continue to engaged them, for our last day is not till mid June.
I love the idea of thinking about next yr, and the endless possibilities :)
-Kim

First Grade and the lightbulb moment

I realize the last week that my firsties aren't the same little guys I met in August. All my hard work is paying off (although it was a learning yr for me, and I have so many ideas on improving next yr), but its like all their little light bulbs are coming on. They are reading and doing so much better math. I knew my students were learning when I taught upper grades, but I can really see the growth in first. They have come along way, and it is so great to see them grow. I can't wait to next yr to improve upon what I have learned about teaching first grade :) I am loving it :)

Immmmmmmm Back

I have super busy just learning first grade, I am planning, planning, planning and I keep saying next yr will better, because I'll do this better and that better. I have had such a learning curve coming from 4th to 1st, and right now my class has gotten very, very busy I think there tired, lots and lots of tatalling so much in fact I created a tattle tale journal! they love it. Glad to be back I hope everyone is doing gooooood :)

My Blog Award

I would like to thank Christine over at www.thecrazypre-kclassroom.blogspot.com for the nomination
The Leibster award is intended to get new blogs with less than 200 followers the recognition they deserve. I encourage you to visit www.thecrazypre-kclassroom.blogspot.com and the following blogs that I am nominating for this award. 

· Thank the Liebster Blog Award presenter(s) on my blog and post a link back to their blog.

· Copy and paste the award on my blog. (see award on lower right hand side of blog)

· Pick my five favorite blogs with less than 200 followers. Leave a comment on their blog to let them know they have received the award, and then become a new follower.

· Encourage the five blogs chosen to follow my blog, and then to pass it on to five more deserving blogs

Thanks,
Kim 
I am nominating the follow blogs   
http://darlininfirst.blogspot.com/
http://insleefrogs.blogspot.com/ 
http://teacherytidbits.blogspot.com/ 
http://colormekinder.blogspot.com/

Is it something in the air!!!!

My firsties aren't acting the same after winter break, they have become more chatty and I am having more behavior issues. Is this usual? Are they becoming second graders? What is happening to those cute little darlings I met in August, (their still really cute), but WHAT IS HAPPENING. If I click my heels a few times will they go back to how they were. I am exhausted............. I guess I am going to have to pump up more incentives. I have not really done much in that are, because they were so gooooooood. If you have some inexpensive incentives that work for firsties, please share, so I can get through to June with all my hair intact.
-Kim

Centers in Action!!!

I am so thankful to my bloggy world for helping with my learning curve from 4th to 1st. All the post you share has truly help with my implementation of centers. Here they are in action (still a work in progress). 

                                                   

                                                             Subtraction cut and paste!

                                             reading is best with a pointer they are much more engaged!!!

                                             thanks Primary Perspective :) 

                                                                rhyming words!!!!!

                                                                 Place Value!!!!

                                                 I learned that I should also put out the real base ten blocks too!

                                                  abc order, they completed 4 list :)

                                                  I will put the real coins out too, still learning!

                                                             thinking it through :)

                                                             yay!!!!!!!

Woo, hoo!!!! The Super Bowl is in 2 weeks!!!!

In honor of the biggest football game of the year I created a Super Bowl Math & Literacy Centers , and it is now 20%!!!!! I am throwing a sale in my little TpT store, everything is 20 percent off. My firsties really love the super bowl centers, I'll share pics this week of them in action.

Valentine Cards Giveaway/Pencil Sharpener Preview

Happy Sunday everyone, go check out click here she is giving away the cutest little valentine cards, to help her reach her followers goal of 100. They are really cute!
Also checkout teaching in flip flops she has previewed a great pencil sharpener that is quiet and she is just raving about it. If you click on the link on her page it will take you to the site, and you can possibly get one for Free!!! if your blog meets certain requirements. Good Luck

When firsties say they have to Pee, they have to Pee

I made a huge mistake today, by telling one of my firsties to wait for the restroom, because we were leaving out in 5 min and they could use it then. Well before one minute had passed he had already soiled his pants. OMG, I felt awful. I have to remember when firsties have to go they have to go, I worked with fourth graders previously. However, I love, love first grade :). What a day!

Doodle Bugs Teaching give away

Is giving away a laminated set of Valentine Number Match, she is actually going to mail it to you. So, please go check it out, and enter to win this fabulous give away!

Super Bowl Math & Literacy Centers

Hi Yall in my Paula Dean voice, I created some literacy and math centers based on the Super Bowl, thought our boys would appreciate that. The cards have cute little helmets and footballs on them. Please check it out on TpT just click here. This Super Bowl pack will sure get our little guys fired up about the biggest football event of the year!!!!!!

Love to Joplin

Lets send them some love :)

Place Value Freebie

If your students need more practice with place value 10's and 1's place click here for a free copy of this cute little math center activity.

Join the Joplin Linky Party

Everyday Math!!!! Help

I am having such a hard time with the Math Journals for Everyday Math. My students do well in math centers, they do well with calendar, but when its time for math journals and math boxes chaos erupts with cries of I can't do this, I don't understand this and so on..., and it is just me and 25 of them. I tried the overhead with guided them along, but some can keep up but many get lost. I am really lost at what to do with this. If anyone can suggest how they do it, I would greatly appreciate it.

Snowflake addition math freebie

Here is a cute little snowflake addition sums up to 10 center actvity.
Enjoy!
click here to receive a copy 

Monday

Well I am very fortunate to be at a school that gives us 3 weeks off for winter break! I return Monday. I like three weeks, because you always feel like you need a few extra days after a two week break. Today I plan to plan and grade. My son attends a Charter School, and he returned to school on Monday. I love that I had this week off to, because it allowed me to volunteer in his class yesterday, which I absolutely loved, and he loved me being there. However, I realized that I am too relaxed to teach right now. During his class I found myself yawning and getting tired. So, for the next few days I am going to be a bit more active, so I am ready for my 28 first graders. The thought of 28 first graders who will be super excited after being home for three weeks makes me tired already, lol. However, I am thinking that since we've been off for a while on Monday I should go back over rules and expectations. I also just remembered before break my first graders were becoming Huge Tattle Tellers!!!!, to the point that it was driving me insane. Does anyone have any suggestions? They were also have issues with line spots and not having room ect, I think I better also plan new line spots!, oh, boy :)Here I go!!!

Black History Month

Please check out Amy at Step into second grade, she has a great black history unit. I just love it!!! Spring break is after Black History Month, should I even be thinking about spring break....

Struggling with Stations is Over/Now Accountability

I had struggled with implementing stations for my first graders,  because of my learning curve. Coming from 4th fourth to first was a huge learning curve. I implemented Daily 5 before winter break, and my students loved, loved, loved working in stations.  However, my admin was concerned with accountability. So, I am currently creating some strategy sheets for each rotation. Which I'll post soon. If you have any suggestions please let me know.

Thanks