I wonder if a building (actual building materials) can contribute to how creative a child can be. Our school building is just concrete blocks but I feel like some of these schools could make a difference. Can you believe these are schools? Crazy awesome!

Back to School Parent Orientation Kit

We've created this great back to school kit to use at teacher meet and greet, open house, etc.  You get 6 editable forms in PowerPoint format:

• Meet the Teacher
• My Child (parents complete to give you background information on their child)
• Parent Wishes (parents provide you feedback)
• Frequently Asked Questions
• Email Form
• Volunteer From

These are super cute...and even better...SUPER EASY and AFFORDABLE!  Check them out at our TPT store here!

3 horrible days that happen at school

There are a few days that happen in every child's school experience that they remember for a long time if not forever. Most people can explain what it was like when they got in trouble for the first time. People normally can recall the time their friend got in big trouble at school. People always remember the day they threw-up at school.
My first time to get in trouble was very harmless, I ate part of my lunch in class. The best thing I ever did to get into trouble (at school) was I took fake dog poop to school and made a girl scream in class when she thought she sat in it.
My best buddy Johnny got in huge trouble for busting a stink bomb in 7th grade. I thought he was going to die. His parents grounded him for what seemed like 6 years but looking back on it I bet it was more like 6 days.
The one that is impossible to forget is the throw-up day. I was wearing my favorite blue jeans with a camouflage patch over the knee. I had blue and black high top shoes. I was wearing a sweatshirt that said "RAD". I was trotting along doing just fine and all of a sudden it hit me. As I was asking the teacher to let me go to the bathroom it happened. I was mid sentence when the throw up monster attacked me. A spaghetti noodle came out of my nose. The worst part was it got all over my favorite shoes and jeans.
Today we have  one week until school starts. To be honest I would rather have a student get in trouble for the first time than to have a first time throw-upper the first week of school (or any week).
When I deal with students getting in trouble I normally am laughing on the inside but I have to pretend to be upset. When I deal with throw-up, I always remind myself how miserable that kid feels and embarrassed they must be. I looked at my class list today. I bet I can put a star by the names of people who might get into trouble a few times. I might even try to predict my projectile pukers.

Carnival/Circus Theme FREEBIE

Another cute FREEBIE for carnival/circus theme classrooms!  I'm using these as table tags! Just print, write (or add a label) and it's ready to use!  To get yours visit our TPT store here!

Carnival/Circus Theme FREEBIE

Cute tags to put on goodies at open house or teacher meet and greet.  These match my new "carnival theme" in my room.  I'm taping them to popcorn bags or bags of animal crackers.  To get your copy...visit our TPT store here!  And it's FREE!

Camping theme FREEBIE

Nathan has themed his classroom OUT this year..it's seriously amazing and we cannot wait to give you a tour next week.  He's giving out S'more PopTarts at Meet and Greet as a thank you for coming.  We've made these cute S'mores tags to go on top of them.  We've added them to our TPT store...FOR FREE! Dowload them here...if you want them!

My kindergarten experience

My kindergarten experience was quite different that Nathan's was.  I remember my dad taking me to Kindergarten registration and seeing the most beautiful teacher I had ever seen before.  She was young and had long, blonde hair down her back.  I remember thinking that she looked just like a character on my mom's soap...Days of Our Lives.  I HAD to have her as my teacher.  And lucky enough, I did.

I don't remember a whole lot about kindergarten.  I do have a few distinct memories: we played "house" in the dramatic play center and used my Strawberry Shortcake blanket as a tablecloth...everyday.  I still have that blanket and my little one plays with it now.  I remember naptime and being pumped when I got to lay my mat beside my friend's mat.  I remember eating a snack of carrot sticks, cookies, and chocolate milk...everyday.  I remember sitting in a circle and learning my phone number and address.  And I remember putting on a play "Jack and the Beanstalk" and feeling disappointed that I was not chosen for an important role....just the magic harp.  I don't remember a lot of "learning"...mostly playing, socializing, and coloring...exactly what kindergarten needed to be back in 1986.  I loved kindergarten and it started me off on my journey to becoming a teacher. 

Often teaching kindergarten is looked down upon or pitied.  Either people think you play all day or feel extremely sorry for you for being crazy enough to hang out with twenty 5 year olds all day.  However, anyone who has spent any amount of time in a kinder classroom knows that times have come from beyond Ms. Lippy's paste eating days. 

I will even admit that when I found out I was going to be teaching kindergarten I was scared, intimidated, and nervous.  For the first 6 weeks of my first year in Kindergarten I said repeatedly "I don't think God every intended for me to be a kindergarten teacher."  However, I eventually found my K-groove and have discovered that kindergarten is actually my favorite grade I've taught so far.  I think kindergarten is what you make of it.  I have accepted the fact that it will take us 3 weeks to learn to properly line up, 20 minutes to walk to lunch because we have to stop and get re-organized, and a whole 9 weeks before my kiddos will remember where to put their daily folder each morning.  I have also accepted that I will see those same precious kiddos bloom and blossom unlike anything I've ever seen.  They will read and write and add and subtract and problem solve.  They will learn to be friends and to demonstrated proper school manners.  They will enter 1st grade ready to accept new challenges.  I hope they will retain precious memories of their kindergarten year...after all...everyone remembers their kindergarten teacher for good or for bad! :)