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