5 Tips For A First Year Teacher
Sunday, December 13, 2015
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This was the first day of my first year of teaching. This was a year and half ago and it seems like five minutes. Teaching is one of the most rewarding, exhausting, exciting, busy, and life changing careers in the world. It is something special to go to a job that you love, but it is a wonderful thing to go to a job that loves you back. So what have I learned in my journey so far?
1. You need time outside the classroom. My first year, I spent hours every night lesson planning, prepping science experiments, evaluating, finding the perfect worksheet, creating new activities, and trying to change the world. I was at school very early and would leave very late. The days all seemed to blur together and I was exhausted. There are too many teachers who leave the profession because of burnout. Don't let it happen to you. It is okay to leave your work at school. Find a hobby, make new friends, get involved in something, volunteer, and do the things that make you happy.
2. It is okay to stray from the lesson plans. I have always been a teacher who teaches in the moment, so this one wasn't too difficult for me. If I have learned anything in the last few years it's that your plans will change. A student will cry, there will be a bee in the room, and there will be a fire drill all during that one lesson you spent hours working on and you know what? IT IS OKAY.
3. Enjoy every minute. Kids grow up fast and my first year of teaching went by in the blink of an eye. Take time to enjoy your class and get to know them. They are all special in their own ways and all have something to contribute to the class. When we get too busy we miss out on some of the best learning experiences with the kids.
4. Exercise and eat healthy. One thing I can guarantee about your first year teaching, is that you will get sick. That is just what happens when you have 25 little germ spreaders surrounding you for 6 hours a day. Sometimes we get too busy trying to take care of our students, we forget to take care of ourselves. Eat those veggies and get outside for a jog. You'll thank me later.
5. Trust yourself. My first year of teaching I would second guess myself ALL THE TIME. You are educated and well trained. Don't underestimate what you bring to your school. You have fresh ideas and new innovative strategies. On another note, don't be afraid to ask for help. There are other teachers at your school that have been doing this a long time. Find a mentor. It is nice to have a group of people to bounce ideas off of. I also have a small network of teachers I communicate with online. This helps me to see what other teachers in other parts of the country are doing.
2. It is okay to stray from the lesson plans. I have always been a teacher who teaches in the moment, so this one wasn't too difficult for me. If I have learned anything in the last few years it's that your plans will change. A student will cry, there will be a bee in the room, and there will be a fire drill all during that one lesson you spent hours working on and you know what? IT IS OKAY.
3. Enjoy every minute. Kids grow up fast and my first year of teaching went by in the blink of an eye. Take time to enjoy your class and get to know them. They are all special in their own ways and all have something to contribute to the class. When we get too busy we miss out on some of the best learning experiences with the kids.
4. Exercise and eat healthy. One thing I can guarantee about your first year teaching, is that you will get sick. That is just what happens when you have 25 little germ spreaders surrounding you for 6 hours a day. Sometimes we get too busy trying to take care of our students, we forget to take care of ourselves. Eat those veggies and get outside for a jog. You'll thank me later.
5. Trust yourself. My first year of teaching I would second guess myself ALL THE TIME. You are educated and well trained. Don't underestimate what you bring to your school. You have fresh ideas and new innovative strategies. On another note, don't be afraid to ask for help. There are other teachers at your school that have been doing this a long time. Find a mentor. It is nice to have a group of people to bounce ideas off of. I also have a small network of teachers I communicate with online. This helps me to see what other teachers in other parts of the country are doing.
5 Tips For A First Year Teacher
This was the first day of my first year of teaching. This was a year and half ago and it seems like five minutes. Teaching is one of the most rewarding, exhausting, exciting, busy, and life changing careers in the world. It is something special to go to a job that you love, but it is a wonderful thing to go to a job that loves you back. So what have I learned in my journey so far?
1. You need time outside the classroom. My first year, I spent hours every night lesson planning, prepping science experiments, evaluating, finding the perfect worksheet, creating new activities, and trying to change the world. I was at school very early and would leave very late. The days all seemed to blur together and I was exhausted. There are too many teachers who leave the profession because of burnout. Don't let it happen to you. It is okay to leave your work at school. Find a hobby, make new friends, get involved in something, volunteer, and do the things that make you happy.
2. It is okay to stray from the lesson plans. I have always been a teacher who teaches in the moment, so this one wasn't too difficult for me. If I have learned anything in the last few years it's that your plans will change. A student will cry, there will be a bee in the room, and there will be a fire drill all during that one lesson you spent hours working on and you know what? IT IS OKAY.
3. Enjoy every minute. Kids grow up fast and my first year of teaching went by in the blink of an eye. Take time to enjoy your class and get to know them. They are all special in their own ways and all have something to contribute to the class. When we get too busy we miss out on some of the best learning experiences with the kids.
4. Exercise and eat healthy. One thing I can guarantee about your first year teaching, is that you will get sick. That is just what happens when you have 25 little germ spreaders surrounding you for 6 hours a day. Sometimes we get too busy trying to take care of our students, we forget to take care of ourselves. Eat those veggies and get outside for a jog. You'll thank me later.
5. Trust yourself. My first year of teaching I would second guess myself ALL THE TIME. You are educated and well trained. Don't underestimate what you bring to your school. You have fresh ideas and new innovative strategies. On another note, don't be afraid to ask for help. There are other teachers at your school that have been doing this a long time. Find a mentor. It is nice to have a group of people to bounce ideas off of. I also have a small network of teachers I communicate with online. This helps me to see what other teachers in other parts of the country are doing.
2. It is okay to stray from the lesson plans. I have always been a teacher who teaches in the moment, so this one wasn't too difficult for me. If I have learned anything in the last few years it's that your plans will change. A student will cry, there will be a bee in the room, and there will be a fire drill all during that one lesson you spent hours working on and you know what? IT IS OKAY.
3. Enjoy every minute. Kids grow up fast and my first year of teaching went by in the blink of an eye. Take time to enjoy your class and get to know them. They are all special in their own ways and all have something to contribute to the class. When we get too busy we miss out on some of the best learning experiences with the kids.
4. Exercise and eat healthy. One thing I can guarantee about your first year teaching, is that you will get sick. That is just what happens when you have 25 little germ spreaders surrounding you for 6 hours a day. Sometimes we get too busy trying to take care of our students, we forget to take care of ourselves. Eat those veggies and get outside for a jog. You'll thank me later.
5. Trust yourself. My first year of teaching I would second guess myself ALL THE TIME. You are educated and well trained. Don't underestimate what you bring to your school. You have fresh ideas and new innovative strategies. On another note, don't be afraid to ask for help. There are other teachers at your school that have been doing this a long time. Find a mentor. It is nice to have a group of people to bounce ideas off of. I also have a small network of teachers I communicate with online. This helps me to see what other teachers in other parts of the country are doing.
Peppermint is back!
Friday, December 11, 2015
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Our gingerbread man is visiting until Christmas! We do so many activities with him and he's ALWAYS up to something. I usually put him in different places when the students come in to start the day. Today he was reading a Magic Treehouse book, yesterday he was fishing, and the day before he got himself in a mess of glitter. This little guy brings so much excitement to our classroom. He leaves us mail everyday that usually have projects included. The kids love writing letters to peppermint and reading the books he leaves us. He is teaching us so much!
Peppermint is back!
Our gingerbread man is visiting until Christmas! We do so many activities with him and he's ALWAYS up to something. I usually put him in different places when the students come in to start the day. Today he was reading a Magic Treehouse book, yesterday he was fishing, and the day before he got himself in a mess of glitter. This little guy brings so much excitement to our classroom. He leaves us mail everyday that usually have projects included. The kids love writing letters to peppermint and reading the books he leaves us. He is teaching us so much!
FREEBIE
Tuesday, June 30, 2015
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Who doesn't love a good freebie? Check out these brand new owl themed labels to keep your classroom organized this year
FREEBIE
Who doesn't love a good freebie? Check out these brand new owl themed labels to keep your classroom organized this year
NO PREP Number Practice
Monday, June 22, 2015
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For all you teachers out there who are getting a jump start on the first few weeks of school check out my new number packet to go along with the letter practice I uploaded yesterday!
NO PREP Number Practice
For all you teachers out there who are getting a jump start on the first few weeks of school check out my new number packet to go along with the letter practice I uploaded yesterday!
Letter Work
Sunday, June 21, 2015
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Great letter practice worksheets for the first few weeks of school. Easy and print and file for the summer.
Letter Worksheets
Letter Worksheets
Letter Work
Great letter practice worksheets for the first few weeks of school. Easy and print and file for the summer.
Letter Worksheets
Letter Worksheets
Camp Kindergarten
Saturday, June 13, 2015
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For the last two weeks of school my kindergarteners have been at Camp Kindergarten! I used this camping theme to create fun, interactive lessons that the students will remember forever (or at least for a little while). We had so much fun creating all of this!
*Nature scavenger hunts
*pet rocks and their biograhies
*Names with nature
*Math camp activities
*Marshmallow engineering
*Camp stories
*Animal prints
*Much much more!!
*Nature scavenger hunts
*pet rocks and their biograhies
*Names with nature
*Math camp activities
*Marshmallow engineering
*Camp stories
*Animal prints
*Much much more!!
Camp Kindergarten
For the last two weeks of school my kindergarteners have been at Camp Kindergarten! I used this camping theme to create fun, interactive lessons that the students will remember forever (or at least for a little while). We had so much fun creating all of this!
*Nature scavenger hunts
*pet rocks and their biograhies
*Names with nature
*Math camp activities
*Marshmallow engineering
*Camp stories
*Animal prints
*Much much more!!
*Nature scavenger hunts
*pet rocks and their biograhies
*Names with nature
*Math camp activities
*Marshmallow engineering
*Camp stories
*Animal prints
*Much much more!!
GIVEAWAY
In honor of the end of the school year I am having a give away to ANY item in my store the winner chooses. Any price. You have all worked so hard this year and you deserve it.
-Many chances to win
Kindergarten Memory Book
Sunday, May 3, 2015
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An end of the year project for your kindergarteners and their parents to remember what an incredible year it has been.
Kindergarten Memory Book
An end of the year project for your kindergarteners and their parents to remember what an incredible year it has been.
Teacher Appreciation Week
I am soo excited to celebrate this week! Go and fill up your wishlist's now because my whole store will be 20% off May 5-6. Yes, you read that right, 20% off! Make way for the savings train. Don't miss this sitewide sale.
-Anchor Charts And Paper Hearts
Teacher Appreciation Week
I am soo excited to celebrate this week! Go and fill up your wishlist's now because my whole store will be 20% off May 5-6. Yes, you read that right, 20% off! Make way for the savings train. Don't miss this sitewide sale.
-Anchor Charts And Paper Hearts
Vowel Teams
Sunday, April 26, 2015
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When two vowels go walking the first one does the talking does NOT always apply. So instead of teaching my students that fun little rhyme, I decided to help my students get to know these vowel teams with some helpers. My kindergarteners love these fun little friends to help them remember what vowel teams say what sounds. I laminate them and put them on our writing helpers bulletin board in our classroom. I have been introducing these vowel teams once or twice a week and I use my long vowel sorts and vowel team games to help with practice!
You can get the long vowel pack here
-Anchor Charts And Paper Hearts
Vowel Teams
When two vowels go walking the first one does the talking does NOT always apply. So instead of teaching my students that fun little rhyme, I decided to help my students get to know these vowel teams with some helpers. My kindergarteners love these fun little friends to help them remember what vowel teams say what sounds. I laminate them and put them on our writing helpers bulletin board in our classroom. I have been introducing these vowel teams once or twice a week and I use my long vowel sorts and vowel team games to help with practice!
You can get the long vowel pack here
-Anchor Charts And Paper Hearts
I Speak For The Trees....
EARTH DAY
In my classroom we decided to celebrate earth week because of the students' excitement to take care of our environment. We did many projects that revolved around The Lorax. The students loved the book and the characters. During this unit we did
- I Speak for the trees writing prompt - Letter to the Oncler
- Our promise to the earth craftivity
- The Lorax faces that we used to act it out
- Nature walk where we found stones to write UNLESS on for the students to keep at home
- Paper recycling project
- True or False Earth Day game
- Character comparisons between the Lorax and the Oncler - Venn Diagram
- Oil in water science experiment
- Recycling lesson and sorting activity
- Truffle Trees project - How does a tree grow?
-Anchor Charts And Paper Hearts
I Speak For The Trees....
EARTH DAY
In my classroom we decided to celebrate earth week because of the students' excitement to take care of our environment. We did many projects that revolved around The Lorax. The students loved the book and the characters. During this unit we did
- I Speak for the trees writing prompt - Letter to the Oncler
- Our promise to the earth craftivity
- The Lorax faces that we used to act it out
- Nature walk where we found stones to write UNLESS on for the students to keep at home
- Paper recycling project
- True or False Earth Day game
- Character comparisons between the Lorax and the Oncler - Venn Diagram
- Oil in water science experiment
- Recycling lesson and sorting activity
- Truffle Trees project - How does a tree grow?
-Anchor Charts And Paper Hearts
Telling Time
Thursday, April 23, 2015
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This telling time bundle offers many different activities and printables for students who are learning how to read a clock.
Telling Time Activities
Telling Time Activities
-Anchor Charts And Paper Hearts
Telling Time
This telling time bundle offers many different activities and printables for students who are learning how to read a clock.
Telling Time Activities
Telling Time Activities
-Anchor Charts And Paper Hearts
Story Problems
Thursday, April 16, 2015
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These addition and subtraction story problems help my students with problem solving. The organizer helps them to get their thoughts on paper.
Story Problem Math Pack
Story Problem Math Pack
*Common Core aligned CCSS K.OA.A.2
*NO PREP
*9 addition story problems
*8 subtraction story problems
-Anchor Charts And Paper Hearts
Story Problems
These addition and subtraction story problems help my students with problem solving. The organizer helps them to get their thoughts on paper.
Story Problem Math Pack
Story Problem Math Pack
*Common Core aligned CCSS K.OA.A.2
*NO PREP
*9 addition story problems
*8 subtraction story problems
-Anchor Charts And Paper Hearts
Long A game
Monday, April 13, 2015
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Long vowels can be tricky for kinders, but I have found that making the vowel teams into characters has really impacted their learning. I have the kids play this game at one of their centers in literacy on some mornings. They love it and it is something they can do with a partner.
Click here for the long a vowel pack that includes this game
Click here for the long vowel pack that includes ALL vowels
-Anchor Charts And Paper Hearts
Long A game
Long vowels can be tricky for kinders, but I have found that making the vowel teams into characters has really impacted their learning. I have the kids play this game at one of their centers in literacy on some mornings. They love it and it is something they can do with a partner.
Click here for the long a vowel pack that includes this game
Click here for the long vowel pack that includes ALL vowels
-Anchor Charts And Paper Hearts
Sight Word Bingo
Saturday, April 11, 2015
No comments
Help your students become more fluent with sight words with this bingo game!
*Includes over 70 sight words
*14 bingo cards
*2 blank cards
*Includes over 70 sight words
*14 bingo cards
*2 blank cards
-Anchor Charts And Paper Hearts
Sight Word Bingo
Help your students become more fluent with sight words with this bingo game!
*Includes over 70 sight words
*14 bingo cards
*2 blank cards
*Includes over 70 sight words
*14 bingo cards
*2 blank cards
-Anchor Charts And Paper Hearts
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