My Thankful List

Hello! I'm linking up with What the Teacher Wants to say what I'm thankful for.

1.  What are you thankful for in your classroom?
I am thankful for my 21 kiddos, the spacious room, and the wall of windows that brings in sunshine!

2. What person are you most thankful for?
I am thankful for my huge family, my husband, our mini-goldendoodle (Maizy), and our son who is due to arrive at the end of January.

3. What 3 blogs are you most thankful for?
I am new to blogging, and so I will give thanks to the first 3 blogs I came across that inspired me to create my own.
  a. Life in First Grade
  b. The Inspired Apple
  c. AND... yes the site I am linking up with :) What the Teacher Wants

4. What guilty pleasure are you most thankful for?
While being pregnant, I am thankful for my latest cravings: Dr. Pepper & pudding!!!

5. What are you most thankful for?
I am MOST thankful for still being pregnant right now. When going in for a scheduled sonogram at 21 weeks, they caught something and I was immediately addmitted to labor and delivery and in surgery the next day. My doctor is amazed that I'm still pregnant. I'm currently 31 weeks pregnant, so I've been on bed rest the past 10 weeks (and in the meantime became addicted to blogging). I'm thankful for my husband's optimism and strength to help me through this, and I'm thankful for all of the prayers from my family and friends.

Cool Website - Wordie

I was just visiting Crayon Bits and saw this website http://www.wordie.net/. I've never seen this before and went to check it out. I typed in 1st grade to see what it would look like, and then played around with the randomize button. Pretty neat! It gives me the option to print, but I would like to save it in word so I could use it in a newsletter. Has anyone played around with this before and know how to save?

Two of My Favorite Books

"Make your mark, and see where it takes you." - Peter Reynolds


"A tribute to an approach to thinking – and relaxing — about your art, your writing, your craft. Your life. - Peter Reynolds

Bring on the Firsties

Here are some photos of my classroom the day before school started.

Since I have tables, I needed a place to house each table's pencil boxes, Everyday Math & Words Their Way Journals, and slates and math tool kits.

I printed the first letter of each student's name, which is shaped like an animal, and had them color when they came in on the first day.

I named each table with money: Pennies, Nickels, Dimes, & Quarters.

I have integrity!

I did the right thing at the right time.

Incentive charts - Once they fill up a chart, they may choose a behavior coupon to cash in on Fridays.

Our Classroom Library

Guided Reading Table & Word Wall

New Blogger

First of all, I am so excited to have a teaching blog! I recently discovered the endless upon endless teaching blogs out there and have become ADDICTED. Every time I've been on the computer this week, my husband says, "Are you blogging, again?!", in which I reply with a huge smile, "YUP!" I probably wouldn't have created one at this time in the school year if it weren't for being on bedrest. I am 30 weeks pregnant with our first child - A BOY! I've been on bedrest since 21 weeks when I encountered a complication and came really close to losing our baby if we hadn't went in for a sono. Needless to say, we feel as if he is our miracle baby and are overjoyed and anxious to meet him, but hoping it will still be a little while. I'm due at the end of January.
I'm looking forward to the inspiration from all you teacher bloggers, and I hope I'm able to inspire you as well.  Happy Blogging!