What I'm Loving Wednesday and Classroom Pictures

Today is the first day of school my friends. The first day. Oy. There's always so much anticipation and build-up to the first day. I'm ready to be in a groove, in a schedule, with procedures down. Can we just fast forward already? :) 

Today is Wednesday so it's time for my weekly linky, "What I'm Loving Wednesday." 

First up is my classroom. I have to say that I love it simply because I've been spending so much time getting it ready. It feels good to finally be done. Or as done as I'm going to get before the kiddos come in.

Prepare for a photo dump!

My files for teaching for the week

My monthly read-alouds are kept in the black magazine files

Daily math papers in the crates sorted by lesson

Math wall and computers

Reading wall, cubbies, Friday Choice bins, and book boxes

Parent News bulletin board

Science and Social Studies wall and supply bins

Classroom library and small group table

Front of the room with the class rules

Front of the room

Carpet area at the front of the room

Another view of the front of the room

My desk

I'm also loving the genius idea I saw on Instagram about putting pool noodles in your boots to keep them from flopping over in the closet. 

I was shopping the other day and saw pool noodles for 97 cents so I had to try it out. I cut one up and put the pieces in my boots right away. Love it!

Last but not least I'm loving my new Substitute Binder that I printed out yesterday and am starting to fill in.

I feel like it's going to keep me super organized when it comes to substitutes, which always seem to take for.ev.er to plan for.

I'm hoping with all of this information already prepped and in a binder, the sub plans will be way easier!

 Check it out on Teachers Pay Teachers here.

Well, that's all I have for now. I have a couple more projects I need to finish up tonight for the first day tomorrow.

What are you loving this week? Make sure to link up!

An InLinkz Link-up

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December Currently and Classroom Decorating

It's the most wonderful tiiiiiiime of the year! I love December. I love all of the fun activities happening at school associated with the holidays. I love that there are only three weeks of school until three weeks off! I love it all.

The classroom is decorated for Christmas, student gifts for parents are ready to be made, the Elf on the Shelf is in the freezer...bring on the fun! Here's a quick peek at the stockings and such adorning the classroom. I'll be sharing a bunch of Christmas photos and a couple freebies this month so hang tight!

For now, it's time for December's Currently thanks to Oh Boy 4th Grade!

Thinking- about how excited the students will be tomorrow. We're starting the Elf on the Shelf, they have new seats, the classroom is decked out with snowflakes and snowmen, a Christmas tree, and stockings for each of them. I'm pretty sure they're going to wake up from whatever Thanksgiving break sleepiness they had pretty quickly. 

Favorite Tradition- Christmas Eve we always get new PJ's. I usually get a new pair of Old Navy's fleece pajama pants (soooo comfy they've been dubbed 'Comfy Pants.' That took a lot of thought, I know). We drive around looking at Christmas lights with hot chocolate in our hands and watch Christmas Vacation every year, thankful that our family isn't that bad. It never gets old.

Link up your December Currently with Farley now!

Classroom Pictures

One would think that after eight years of teaching, I would remember just how utterly exhausting the first couple of weeks are! I have been a major blog/Instagram slacker but just haven't been able to muster up the energy to do much of anything after school. 

Today I thought I'd post some pictures of my classroom that I admit, I took on the third day of school because quite frankly, I completely forgot to do it before the first day. 

For all of those starting school tomorrow and next week, I hope your first day goes well! 

Don't forget to sign up for the September SLANT Box exchange if you're interested by heading over to Lessons with Coffee's blog! 

I'm off to enjoy the rest of the Video Music Awards on MTV. Justin Timberlake performing with the rest of Nsyc kind of just made my night. 

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Monday Made It #1 and a Small Giveaway

Monday- not as dreaded in the summer time! 

Today I am linking up with 4th Grade Frolics for Monday Made It. A first timer here!

I spent some time this weekend working on decorating block letters to spruce up my classroom library. I was inspired by Traditions, Laughter, and Happily Ever After's post last Monday. I picked up some block letters and scrapbook paper at Michael's and got to work. 

I envision these letters sitting on the top of my library shelves and didn't want them to knock over easily. I added some little wooden blocks to the back for support.

I'm very happy with how they turned out. I'm toying with the idea of adding a blue flower or two, but am still unsure. Thoughts?

I also spent time this weekend working on a new TPT product that I'm excited about.

I always take pictures of my students on the first day of school and print them out for Back to School Night. I have the students hold a printed sign that says, "First Day of Second Grade." The parents always love these pictures, and one mom even told me on the last day of school that the picture was still on the refrigerator and it's one of her favorites of her daughter. 

I started thinking that I'd like a black and white polka dot sign for my students this year, to match my classroom. 

Well...one sign turned in to a bunch of other ideas for black and white back to school items for my classroom. Postcards, a welcome banner, bin labels and more. 

If it looks like something you'd be interested in, leave me a comment. I'll choose two random comments tonight to win this pack for free! 

Don't forget to link up your Monday Made It!

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Reading Beads and Candy!

This year I decided to use reading beads in my classroom a la The Teacher Wife. The kids (and adults who've come into my classroom) have been really excited about the dog tags and earning beads for reading at home. For every 100 minutes read they get to pick out a bead. 

I have some little friends who have made goals for themselves at home for how many minutes they want to read for the month. The parents, and their teacher, are pretty jazzed about this. To keep up the momentum, and because it's almost Halloween, I taped some Smarties to the back of their dog tags this month. 

If they meet their goal for reading minutes, they get the Smarties. You could also use cute erasers, stickers, etc. Well...let me tell you...you'd think there was a $100 dollar bill taped to the necklace because they are super excited. 

I picked up some fun beads with letters on them so they can pick out their initials and such, but that's a future carrot to dangle. 

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