Friday, December 13, 2013

If You Take A Mouse to the Movies

This post is of an activity from last year. At my last school, each month the whole school participated in a writing contest and the winner's writing piece was displayed in the hallway outside the office (needless to say, it was a BIG deal!). My class read Laura Numeroff's book, If You Take a Mouse to the Movies. Then the students completed the writing prompt and added their mouse to hold their writing. 





Wednesday, October 2, 2013

Adding Machine

During one of my daily visits to Pinterest, I found a very neat Adding Machine from the blog: Mothering With Creativity. I had some extra room on my Calendar bulletin board and decided to give it a whirl. I created mine using clear plastic cups, which I cut the bottom out of, red paper for the tubing, and push pins. Instead of marbles, I use my counting bears. I added a ten frame and dots that can be attached with velcro, so my students could add using the ten frame. I also decided to create addition problems using sentence strips and velcro on the bulletin board. I think it turned out pretty well and the students really love it. 

My Adding Machine is on the left. 

Friday, September 6, 2013

September: Time for Apples!

It seems that I always have a theme to go along with each month's crafts and activities. For the month of September the theme is apples. My class studies the parts of the apple, sequencing the life cycle of an apple, seasons of the apple tree, Johnny Appleseed, apple tasting, and we even made applesauce. 


I love using my students' artwork as seasonal decorations in my classroom. Last year, I really enjoyed coming up with a new craft for my windows each season. For September we created sun catcher apples. I created a red apple frame and using contact paper, my students created these fabulous apples with tissue paper squares. 


After tasting three different kinds of apples, my students created an apple tasting graph, selecting their favorite apple.


I brought in my Crocpot and we created our very own applesauce. The students loved reading the recipe and measuring all of the ingredients. I must say it was delicious!!


Friday, August 23, 2013

No David- Classroom Rules

For the first week of school we went over our classroom rules. I read the No David book, which the students loved. After reading the books we described the traits of a good student. I got this idea from the Blog: Welcome to Room 36. Then the class made their own Davids to hang in the classroom with our Good Student Poster. I loved this activity so much, I left them up till October. 






Thursday, May 9, 2013

10 Baby Items a New Mom cannot Live Without

Well, it has been awhile since I have had a post. I was busy having a baby and taking care of the little man. What a wonderful, life changing experience it is becoming a mother. Over the past two months there have been several items that I could not live without. Having several friends who are also expecting new little blessings soon, who have asked what would be the best items to register for, I decided there might be other moms asking this too. I thought I would make a list of items that have made life with a new baby much easier. 

  1. Graco Pack 'n Play Napper Elite

    This playpen is not your ordinary pack 'n play. This model has great features that will grow with baby, including a changing table, bassinet, side storage, vibration, and it will also adjust into the traditional pack 'n play. We decided to keep this pack 'n play downstairs so we would not be running up and down the steps for naps and diaper changes. For the first few weeks this napper was a lifesaver. This bassinet was the only place my little man would sleep. I think he liked to be cozy and snuggled tight. It is also very helpful to have a changing station handy for late night diaper changes.

    The Napper can be found on Amazon, here



  2. Graco UrbanLite Classic Connect Travel System 

                      
    After three weeks of sitting at home, I was trying so hard to abide by the doctor's orders and not take Liam out and about, but I was going crazy. This travel system was a lifesaver. We started taking a walk just about everyday (sometimes twice a day). I not only love the look of the stroller and carseat, but it is super functional too. 

    The travel system can be found on Amazon, here. 



  3. Boppy Pillow 

    This Boppy pillow is a vital necessity for a nursing mother. It helps me ergonomically position   baby during feedings, allowing both baby and mommy to be comfortable (which is essential since you spend about 8 hrs a day feeding). This pillow also is great to prop up baby after feedings. I bought an extra slipcover to have an extra on hand for the unforeseeable accidents and spills. 

    It can be found at Target, here



  4. Carter's Swaddle Blankets 

     
    Since everyone says that babies have to be swaddled when sleeping, we tried every swaddle blanket possible. We found out that good old fashion receiving blankets were the best for our little man. These particular blankets are Carter's swaddle blankets and have been our favorite. 
    Also helpful is mastering the art of swaddling. Here is a video that might be worthwhile to watch.  

    These blankets can be found at Kohls, here



  5. Medela Pump and Style Breast Pump 

    Not much needs to be said about this breast pump, it is simply the best. The lactation specialists at the hospital said that this was the pump to get and I agree that it has been very helpful and super easy to use. 
    (I also had some trouble with my pump's plug not working. I called the costumer service department and they replaced my plug at no cost to me and it was at my house in one day) 

    This pump can be bought at Medela, here.



  6. Infantino Go GaGa Deluxe Twist and Fold Gym 

     
    My little guy loves laying under this fun and interactive play gym. It has a musical Mobile, mirror, plush animals, and is super cute. 

    This play yard can be bought at Target, here



  7. Graco Duo 2 in 1 Swing 

     
    What I love about this swing is that it also turns into a bouncy chair, saving me space in my house (which is much needed when your home is taken over by baby gear). The swing has different speeds, music, and a timer. By just the squeezing the handles, the chair lifts out and can be used as a bouncy chair with 3 vibrating speeds. 

    This swing can be found here



  8. Zip-up Sleepers 


    At first I was not a fan of the zipper, but I quickly found out that these are the most convenient sleepers (especially for midnight diaper changes). 

    These Carter's zip-up sleep and play sleepers can be found here



  9. Sound Machine 

    This little sound machine is very helpful for getting our little man to sleep at night. It plays three soothing nature sounds and three gentle lullabies, as well as a rotating projector that includes three image disks that can be adjusted to project on the ceiling or wall. 

    The MyBaby by Homedics Sound Spa-Lullaby Relaxation Machine is sold at Target, here.



  10. Boppy Changing Pad Covers 

     
    A friend introduced me to these changing pad liners and at first, I thought that they were not necessary, but I soon began to see the usefulness of these liners. Instead of having to take off your changing pad cover every time you baby has an accident (which will happen often, especially if you have a little boy), you can just take the liner and throw it in the wash. I would suggest buying at least two packages of these pad liners, which will still save you money because you won't need numerous changing pad covers. 

    The Boppy Changing Pad Covers are sold at Wal-Mart, here

Friday, May 3, 2013

My new discovery: Project Life

 I know that my little guy is already a month old, but I have still not found "the" baby book. (I know, "how could I have waited so longIt is not that I have not looked. I have searched everywhere looking for the perfect baby book for my new little man.  Since I am such a perfectionist I kept waiting for the ideal book and have just been placing his keepsakes, paperwork, and notes into a box. While searching Pinterset I found Ali Edward's Baby Book, which can be viewed here. I just fell in love with Ali's book because she was able to place all of her little girl's keepsakes into one book, including her first onesie, hat, and hospital wrist band. Ali used a new type of scrapbooking called Project Life. I have noticed this new trend in scrapbooking all over Pinterset. So, of course I had to research and find out everything I could about this new simplified approach to scrapbooking. Project Life allows you to let go of the guilt of keeping track of each picture, memeory, and page completion. It is a easier approach to scrapbooking that was created to simplify the process in order to allow you more time to enjoy life. It requires no glue, no scissors, no tools, and can be completed in half the time of traditional scrapbooking. You can always add your own twist on each layout and incorporate some traditional scrapbooking elements, but they are not required. Basically, the pages are designed like a photo album with pre-arranged photo pockets for you to place pictures, journaling cards, and other bits of life. 

I finally decided that this was the perfect baby book for Liam and I ordered everything from Amazon. I was so excited today when I had an Amazon box on the front porch! 

Here is what I ordered:

Project Life Starter Kit

Project Life Core Kit- Baby Edition for Him

Project Life Pack of Photo Pocket Pages and Month Dividers -Baby Edition for Him

Project Life Photo Album Binder- Seafoam Edition

Now I can't wait to get started on Liam's baby book. (I need to get going before I forget things)
Hopefully I will have future posts of my progress. : ) 


Friday, February 1, 2013

Our February Bulletin Board

My classroom bulletin board for the month of February, titled We are blown away by love, was yet another Pinterest inspiration, found here and here. I liked both ideas and decided to incorporate both into my bulletin board putting my own spin things.

 I thought that the mailbox and wintery wind was such a cute idea. I also liked that I could leave up the background from my winter wonderland bulletin board (anything to make life easier when you are 9 months pregnant). To make the bulletin board, I just freehanded the mailbox, the woodgrain on the wooden post was the most fun because I just did scribbles with a brown marker. I felt that the more scribbles I added the better it looked. 

I think that the all bulletin boards should include student artwork. My students love to show off their creations to their loved ones when they visit our school. As for the student artwork on this board each student made a heart out of their handprints and completed 4 sentences with things that they loved. It was so funny to see what the students wrote on their letters. Most of the students wrote things like mom, dad, siblings, teacher, or pet, but one little boy loved his pet  snake and squirrel. : ) I thought that the hearts made of the student handprints was a cute addition to their love letters. 

Wednesday, January 30, 2013

What Kindergarteners Say

Ok, so I have to share what one of my kindergarteners told me today. In the middle of reading groups, one of my students asked me, "Mrs. Angle, do you know how to destroy the devil?" I then proceeded to ask this student how I could destroy the devil. Next the student said "you have to tell him that you have God." I then asked him if he had God in his heart and he said, "Yes, I just told you I destroyed the devil and told him that I have God!" I had tears in my eyes. This was one of the sweetest and innocent comments I have ever heard. I just had to take a minute and a deep breath. This truthful comment allowed me to realize that no matter how flustered or tired I get, I just have to remember how innocent all these little sweet miracles sitting in my classroom can be.

Tuesday, January 22, 2013

100th Day of School

Today was our 100th Day of school! This is a big deal in the Kindergarten World! We did all kinds of 100th day activities. I actually think that I counted to 100 like one hundred times today. LOL



I found an idea for this adorable 100th Day of school banner for my classroom door on Pinterest. I just knew that my students would love walking through the streamers to celebrate our 100th Day. The kids actually called it their carwash! They are so imaginative!


Using our 100 Counting Mats, we counted to 100 using yummy finger foods, including sunflower seeds, pretzel rods, pumpkin seeds, raisins, dried cherries, Cheese-its, Cherroies, Chex cereal, popcorn, and Goldfish. The students counted out ten pieces of ten different foods. We then counted to one hundred, counting by ones and tens. 


The students found objects around the classroom that we could practice counting to 100. 

Monday, January 7, 2013

My Kindergarten's Winter Wonderland Bulletin Board


This was my winter bulletin board, which if I do say so myself, is extremely creative and adorable. My bulletin board is the first thing that visitors l see when they come in the front door of our school. This just makes me feel like I have to make my bulletin boards extra creative and special.

I am especially proud of this board. I found inspiration from pinterest  (located here). My very generous and caring cooks saved and washed 16 milk cartons for our winter houses. Next, I cut out doors and windows into each carton, creating a house. Then my students were able to decorate their houses however they wanted, using construction paper, tissue, paper, pipe cleaners, and other scrap craft materials. The students really got into this activity. One student even made a satellite dish on top of their roof! : ) Once the students finished their houses I arranged the Christmas lights and each house was hung with a light inside. This had to be my favorite bulletin board yet!

Thursday, January 3, 2013

DonorsChoose

If you have not heard of DonorsChoose, you should really check it out. This is a website that links classroom teachers in need of supplies to generous donors wanting to donate to classrooms in need. I just found out that my DonorsChoose project was fully funded and that my new classroom materials will be on their way soon! I am so excited and I know that my students will really enjoy some new center materials in our classroom. I am so thankful for those generous donors who provided the funding for my new classroom materials.

Wednesday, January 2, 2013

My First Post:

For some time now, I have been an avid blog follower... teacher blogs, crafty blogs, and just recently mommy blogs. I have greatly admired all of the bloggers I follow, but I always thought that I would never be techie enough to manage my own blog. As those of you who know me, well know, I am probably the least techie twenty-five year-old you have ever meet. I have never posted on Facebook, in fact I don't think I even know how to make a post on Facebook. And it has only been within the last year that I upgraded from my like ten year-old clunky phone to an iPhone. Well, despite my technological  challenges, here it goes.

Although I have a busy life and it is about to get even a lot more busy with a the addition of my new little guy, I have decided to start a blog! I am a wife, a kindergarten teacher, a crafter, and I am about to have a little one and become a new mom. Recently, I decided that creating my own blog would be be a great way for me to keep in contact with my family and friends, allowing them to keep taps on my growing family. After some studying and research (and much technical frustration), this is what I have come up with. Well, everyone here it goes.... wish me good luck! : )  (so that I survive all of the technical stuff - LoL)