My Classroom!

So, I had to hurry and take these pictures at the end of the day..so not all of my books and stuff are organized as I like them. However, these pictures have been LONG over due. Here's my simple, but cute 3rd grade classroom :)

My Favorite Part

(Barn Bookshelf)

My father-in-law built this awesome bookshelf just for my classroom!! It's pretty much all the rage of the school. All the teachers want it! I'd have to say..it's pretty "barn" cute ;) hehe

Front of Classroom

I have 27 students! At the beginning of the year, the students were in rows. However, now they are in table groups of 4 or 5. I'm not much for decorating the walls to death... so it may look a little drab. Where I'm taking the picture is a pretty good size space, just perfect for a reading circle.

Classroom Management

The Stop Light is my consequence chart if students choose to not follow classroom expectations. I RARELY have to use it because my class is sooo awesome! Green- 2nd verbal warning, Yellow- Skill Builder during recess, Red- write reflection letter. The Spinner is the rewards chart: treasure box, work with friend, free time, tickets, positive note/call/or email, and mystery motivator (something really cool like a movie gift card)

Calendar/Lunch Count

As apart of Morning Routine, students move their clip to either School Lunch or Home Lunch. This makes it super easy for me to know who is absent for the day. Then, I have a student job of Lunch Counter.

Artsy Smartsy!

As I've mentioned, I now work at an Arts Academy. I LOVE doing visual art, so it has been fun for me to include integrated art activities in to my lesson. I could have done it more last year, however, we didn't have the endless art supplies that I have freely at my fingertips at this school. Plus, it's easier for me to do visual arts with Math, Science, & Social Studies.

Glitter Galaxies:
My first big art integration activity was with Science. We have been doing a unit on the Solar System. After we learned about how our Solar System is in the Milky Way Galaxy, and we're a very small spot in a galaxy full of over 200 billion stars... my students created Glitter Galaxies!! First, students drew their galaxy using a white crayon, then traced the lines with Elmer's glue, and finished by sprinkling glitter on top at different stations. The art integration was line design. Students used wavy lines and curved lines to create their galaxy.

Complementary Growing Patterns:
My second big art integration activity was in Math. Students were learning about Growing Patterns. Students used AB color patterns, and used complementary paint colors as well. We used paint trays that had 2 complementary colors at each table group, and sponge stamps cut into various shapes (sprial, triangle, square, and rectangle). The sponges were those green and yellow ones..where the green side is the rough side (stamp side), and the yellow is the soft side (the part the students hold so they don't get so messy). Look at all the cute designs they made!

Been a While...

So I went on my lovely vacation to Mexico, and as soon as I returned I was doing back to school training, getting my classroom ready, and before I knew it was back to school night! I've been extremely busy and I've neglected my blog!!

As you probably notice, I have a new look to the blog. I had to change it because the layout that I FINALLY fell in love with.. well the pictures got deleted from photobucket! :( I was pretty sad to find my blog in shambles. I had a cute font and a picture of Clint and I for the header. The header was still in tact when I came back, but I couldn't find the right template to match it anymore. Needless to say, I was not pleased. I spent a LOT of time making it the way I had it. But I guess that's my fault for neglecting it for so long.

On another note.. I LOVE my new 3rd grade class. They are so stinkin' cute, and they are great at following directions! We have a lot of fun. Since I'm at an Arts Academy now.. we do a lot of integrated art activities. To name 2 fun activites, we've used glue & glitter to make Glitter Galaxies (for our Solar System unit) AND sponge stamps & paint for our Growing Pattern Art (for our Math Unit on Patterns). I'll have to take pictures and post them. I don't even have pictures up of what my new classroom looks like!! Stay tuned... ( I promise it won't be several months before I write again)

Last 2 Weeks!!

It's finally coming down to the wire. I only have 2 weeks left of school with my very first class! Am I sad?? No! Just thankful that I survived! haha. But I definitely am going to miss those kids..they were a fun bunch.

I'm really excited about my summer vacation to begin. I really need the rejuvination! I'll start it off by visiting Bama from June 9th-15th. My sister is graciously letting me stay with her. I can't wait to spend time with her and her family, as well as my mom and friends!! It's been a while since I've been home..and I miss it.

On June 30th, I'll of course be going to the Eclipse movie with my wonderful friend, Crystal. She's the one who got me hooked on those Twilight books in the first place. I remember when I'd make fun of her for reading them. Then, she bought me the first book for Christmas 2 years ago. I felt obligated to read it, since it WAS a gift! :) I read the first book in 2 days, and finished the rest of them that week! haha.

I'm also playing outdoor co-ed soccer on Wednesday nights, and I believe Clint and I are planning to visit an all inclusive resort in like the Bahamas or something!! So in other words, I LOVE summer and I'm stoked for it to begin.