I have survived!

The first week was a massive success!   I couldn't have done it without the love and support from my family, boyfriend, teacher-friends, and administration.  This past May when I made the jump to first grade, I was terrified!  I ended the last week of school in my Principal's office...in tears.  Not because I was sad, but because I was overwhelmed.  I had just finished my second year of teaching and now I was moving grades?!  I had finally gotten my feet settled (I have now realized that moving a "new" teacher at the start of his or her career is not uncommon).  Thankfully, I was reassured by my principal and VP that I was going to do great and that they had plenty of confidence in me.  I am EXTREMELY blessed to have such a supportive and loving admin team.  

Week #1 was a small glimpse into rest of the school year.  We had several laughs, a few tears, and a lot of fun.  I have 22 beautiful boys and girls that are eager to learn, 19 of which I already knew from last year.  And man oh man was that a plus.  For my kiddos that were a little anxious about first grade, having a teacher they already knew, interacted with, and recognized was wonderful.  It made the transition that much easier.

Office Buckle and Gloria... you never disappoint when it comes to talking about rules.

My littles got the chance to listen to Dr. M as she read What pet would you get? by. Dr. Seuss.  Such a cool time for them to get to know their principal.

Nothing like ending the week with new friends and new friendship bracelets.

Week #2 is our first full week (last week were half days because of after school assessments) and I'm pumped to see growth, more laughs, less tears, and more of my littles' personalities.  Bring.  It.  On. 

Lord, please help me stay positive when things get rough, encourage me when I feel like quitting, and give me peace when my patience is tested.  I dedicate this year to you.     

Top 5 School Preps

As the anticipated first day of school approaches all of those feelings of anxiety, lack of confidence and being 100% overwhelmed have gone away.  This teacher is SO excited to start this year off.  I am going to share my top 5 favorite school preps that I have been working on.  

{{These are not in particular order}}

I.Getting my classroom ready to go.

So I have been with my Dragons going on 3 years, and every year I change rooms.  I'm crossing my fingers that this will be my forever home.  When I found out that I was "graduating" with my kiddos, I shoved everything into my new room and left for the summer.  I was so anxious about the move that I needed a couple of weeks of non-school related activities.  Now I feel so much more confident going into the school year because everything is ready to go!  

Day 1: I promise there is a classroom under there...

Day 2: It's coming together!  

Momma B came to help me out :)
THANKS MOM! 

Everyday after this was a blur.  I was up there every day for a week working my booty off.  Thank you for my parents, boyfriend, friends, and little bro for helping me out.  

Click on this link so you can see more of my FINISHED classroom 

2. Organizing my classroom library.

Man oh man, this was quite the experience!  I didn't realize how many picture books I had accumulated in just 2 short years.  Last year I organized my books based on board themes (math, science, writing, reading, etc).  Let's just say that find a book was such a hassle and it usually led to frustrated mumbles under my breath.  

These dividers were bursting at the seams!
I didn't have enough of them causing me to
loosely place them in baskets.

BUT this year, thanks to Momma B, I have these amazing magazine holders, turned book dividers.  I have sorted them based on specific themes (fairy tales, first day of school, weather, etc).  Praise the Lord I got this finished!  Finding books will be a hundred times better this year.  Hopefully I can keep it up!

They are made of rather thin plastic,
but they worked out perfectly! 

They will find their spots on the bookshelf soon! 

3. Setting up my Meet the Teacher flip-chart on the Promethean Board.

Every Dragon teacher has a Promethean Board (aka SmartBoard) in his or her classroom.  I have a love-hate relationship with this thing.  Like most technology, it glitches up sometimes and when it does, it does BIG.  But I found this template on Promethean Planet and I decided to change it up some and attempt to successfully use the PB.  It took a while but I am so happy with the results. Our school wide theme is "Dr. Seuss" so I thought it appropriate to go with different Dr. Seuss characters, background, and inspired fonts. 

My favorite page.  The welcome page!  

This page is where I will have all of the parents
and kids sign when they walk in.

Where do we go for Encore (aka Specials)?
Click on the hats to find out!   

Drag the times across and find the magical schedule.   

Move the film strip and magnifying glass
to find out more about Miss. B.

4. Making ELA and Math RtI binders.

Professional development workshops are in full swing.  I went to one recently that was all about RtI, Response to Intervention.  These three words can spark a whole lot of fear into teachers.  Beware.  For Dragon teachers, K-12, we have an online LiveBinder that has tons of research based lessons, progress monitoring, and plenty of differentiation for your kids at risk.  This workshop was a time where we could explore this wonderful resource.  After exploring, I decided that I would make RtI binders for easier access to lessons.  Well, this was an undertaking, but wroth every second.  Excuse me, worth every hour.  I'm excited to have these binders at my fingertips so when I need them, I can pull out already made copies, games and flashcards. 

**Unfortunately, this is only permitted for Dragon teachers.  If you are interested in having an organized, all in one, online, collaborative resource, I would highly suggest you explore this website and present it to your administration.**

5. Launching Dragons in First!

Setting up Dragons in First would not have happened if it weren't the help of my fantastic friend Mrs. Allison and her tech savvy hubby.  Thank you guys for helping me out!

And those are my top 5!  What are your favorite back to school activities? 

Hello my name is Jessica and I am a shopaholic.

Here in TX it's TAX FREE WEEKEND!!!!  I usually hate this shopping holiday because everyone and their grandma are out and about, but since I have been living on my own and paying my own bills, this weekend has become one of my favorites #helpmeimpoor. 

I ventured out to one of my all time favorite stores, JCrew.  I love the clean lines, the bright, florescent colors and all the pretty jewels.  The fact they give teachers a 15% discount, with appropriate ID, is the icing on the cake.  When I went in yesterday they had some great stuff!  Unfortunately, I didn't get anything because even with the discount, things were still a little  a lot over budget.  Not a good way to start my shopping day.  

While I was leaving JCrew I saw another favorite, yet pricey, store.  Anthropologie.  Why is this store so cute but so expensive?!  One of my many fashion questions.  Of course I went straight to the sales corner.  Walking back there is always a struggle because  I find something cute, not on sale, every, single, time!  And what did I end up buying you might ask?  Two shirts that were not on sale.  Face-to-palm situation.  BUT, Anthro is doing a back to school promotion all month.  All teachers will get 15% off their final purchase when a valid ID is presented.  Score!  

White, blousey tank with double layers
Made by HD in Paris 

Green tank with double layers
Made by HD in Paris 

Now for the mega deal...Kohls.  I know that some people think that Kohls is cheap, unorganized, and not the most fashion forward, but I love this place.  Especially when you get 30% off (when using your Kohls card).  You do have to dig, but the sales and items you find are worth it.  I found 3 pants for $40 and under, 2 shirts for $10 a piece, a sweater/cardigan for $15, and a pair of platform sneakers for $35.  I was so happy!  

Purple, flowy, multi-layer long sleeve
(I must be really into blousey/flowy shirts this season...)

Over sized gray cardigan to wear with skinny pants

Excuse the wrinkles.  Long sleeve, collared button down
 to wear with over sized sweaters, chunky necklaces and boots.

Left to right.
Watermelon ELLE skinny jeans
Medium wash LEVI Mid Rise Skinny (my favorite skinnies for big bottom girls like myself)
Black LEVI Mid Rise Skinny

Juicy Couture platform METALLIC silver sneakers
(they are sold out of these since these are last seasons,
BUT there are several different prints if you like) 

Juicy Couture platform METALLIC silver sneakers
(they are sold out of these since these are last seasons, BUT there are several different prints if you like)

Look forward to my "First week back: Fashion Edition" blog post that will happen in 2 weeks!  

In high school and college, I loved dressing to the T, but now as a teacher, I find myself wanting to buy those expensive clothes but then hesitating because I know I'm going to get a random stain on it eventually.  Does anyone else have this problem?  Or, better yet, has anyone found a solution?  I want good quality clothes, but I don't want to break the bank doing it.  Help a girl out.  

To all those fashionista going back to school shopping, may the sales be with you.    

Goodbye Kinder. Hello First Grade.

Hello blog world!  

First things first.  I am so thankful to all by blogger and tech savvy friends that helped me set all this up.  I am very excited to start blogging and connecting with other teachers.  Now let's get to the first blog post...

With this being my first blog post, I'm laying in bed trying to come up with an entertaining, mind-blowing, and inspiring entry.  Well I'm stumped.  So, with that being said, I'm just going to write.

As I get ready for this school year, I'm a little excited, a little nervous and a little overwhelmed.  Obviously there are several emotions for 2015-2016.  For the past two years I have been with my Kinders and now I'm graduating with them, to first grade!  Jumping from Kinder to First is HUGE!  First grade means no more free centers, more responsibility, less discovery time, more "big kid" work.  The whole purpose into starting this blog was to connect.  Connect with fellow educators around the metroplex, state, and even country, to help and advise each other.  Being apart of a community outside my school and district is something that I am really looking forward to.  

To my little Dragons, are you ready for this?  Because, your teacher is a little excited, a little nervous and a little overwhelmed, but one thing is for sure, she loves and cares about you so much.  

Goodbye Kinder.  Hello First Grade.