My Kindergarten Classroom 2013-2014

Hi Everyone!

It feels like I have been away a long time from my blog.  Tomorrow will be our first day of school and I wanted to share so far how my classroom looks as of now.

Well that's my room, and I'm hope for a great school year!  

Book Labels (Editable) Freebie

As a special request, I have posted the book labels that I made for my classroom library on my blog.  These are PDF editable files where you can type your own name on the labels.  I printed the labels to go in each book bin and also the ones that go inside the book covers.  That way the students know where to place the books back when they are done using them.  

Click on the links below to download them: 

• Animal Characters Labels
• Clifford Labels
• Dr. Seuss Labels
• Fairytales Labels
• Franklin Labels
• Froggy Labels
• Holiday Labels
• Math Labels
• Science Labels
• Silly Stories Labels
• Social Studies Labels
• Arthur Books by Marc Brown Labels
• Laura Numeroff Book Labels
• Book Bin Labels

This is another short post, since I have a lot to do...but the classroom is looking better each day!  Back to the school I go. Take care!;)

Monthly Newsletters (Editable)

For the past few days I have been working on my newsletters.  I wanted to make sure that they were ready for me to use for the whole year.  I really enjoy sending out newsletters weekly and I have also sent them monthly. I feel that it keeps the parents informed of what goes on in our classroom.  

One things that I included last year in my newsletters were small calendars.  I like to insert special dates or events that happen in the classroom and at school.  It seems to really help parents remember when those dates are coming.  

Here is a sample of what my newsletters looks like in my classroom.

If you are interested in using these in your classroom, the files are in black and white.  As much as I love color, I'm planning in giving my printer some rest and print them onto colored paper instead.   

 In the packet you will receive 2 different types of styles.  I just couldn't decide which one I liked best, so I included 2 versions.  I also included some blank ones if you prefer to not have the small images on the corners of each box. 

You can find these monthly newsletters in my TPT store.  If you happen to come across my blog, I'd love to hear what you think about the newsletters.  It's always nice to hear some feedback.:)

Finally I Got My Classroom Keys!!

I was able to access my classroom this Monday...I have been waiting all summer for this!!  Especially since all of my things were in the garage and my poor car has been out baking in the heat...Vegas is very hot in the summer!

I wanted to share just a few pictures of what it looked like before I brought all of my boxes and bins.   

On Tuesday we took everything!  Can you believe it!!  It took 3 car trips, 3 vehicles, and wonderful friends and my hubby to get it all in the room.  You just don't know how much you have until its time to pack it all up. Here are some pics of the mess that I have created.  

I hope to get it all organized and ready very soon!

Homework Folders, Give it a New Name! And Freebie

Awww, homework folders...where do I even begin.  I remember the summer before my second year of teaching, coming across a teacher's website with a list of acronyms that you could use as a name for your homework folder.  

That year, I chose to use the acronym for B.E.A.R. (bring everything always ready).  I liked what it stood for...and that's where it all began.  

If you've read about them, you've probably noticed that its not just any type of folder..its a binder.  Now this part worried me...it made me wonder if a 6 year old could really and I mean really take care of a binder instead of a paper folder...I mean what if they lost it!  The horror, binders are expensive!!  Well, I still took the risk and tried it anyway.  I just reassured myself that if it didn't work then it was back to papered folders.

After my first year...the 'trail year' of binders, I was impressed at how well my first graders did at taking care of them.  Of course you'll always have one or two students who will either lose it or damage it...or even a parent who will admit that THEY were the ones who 'lost' it and not their child, lol.  So I continued my journey using them in my class. 

Anywhoo to make my story short....I went from using B.E.A.R binder to S.E.A. binder.  Then moved on to I.P.O.D. binders...I was obsessed with having an iPod at the time and thought 'Hey let's have I.P.O.D. binders!!'  My husband thought I was crazy, but I still used them anyway, lol. 

Then when I moved to kindergarten I changed the name to B.E.E. folders.  If you see the word 'folder,' yup...you got that, I went back to folders.  

Like I mentioned before, binders were expensive and I just couldn't afford to buy them anymore and so I went for the plastic prong folders instead.  These are the ones I'm going to use this year.  I like that it has a small pocket inside the folder (perfect for notes from the parents and book order money).  

Plus the thought of a 5 year old having a cramped backpack with a binder, made me worry about their poor little backs.  I mean, have you seen what some of these kids carry in it?  There's poor little Johnny whose trying to balance himself while putting on his backpack because he has every single single paper, craft we made, and so forth that we've done since day ONE...yikes!!

Here is a close up of what I put inside.

Well this year I've decided to change it up again and I will be using O.W.L. folders.

I really like how the cover came out, I actually made 4 different styles...in case I wanted to use one with less color so that wouldn't run out of ink so fast.  I've already had to replace my ink cartridges several times this summer, smh.

I made the O.W.L. folder covers editable and have also included the folder rules, a parent letter and overview, in case you'd like to have your own.  They are posted in my TpT store.  I almost forget, I also have the B.E.E. covers at my store if you like those too.  But wait...don't leave yet, I have included for you some freebies!!  Click here if you'd like the B.E.A.R. folder cover or S.E.A. folder cover.

And last but not least...I'd like to share that yesterday was our 1 year wedding anniversary.  It's crazy how time flies, but I'm so happily in love with my husband.  

I wish I could rewind and relive it again...heehee.  Thanks for stopping by!;) 

Walmart Crates & Owl Banner Freebie

This is going to be a very quick and short post.  Just wanted to share that Walmart has some pretty colorful crates.  In case anyone is making the seat crates...these would definitely brighten up your classroom!  I may just go back and get them...I love neon colors!  Good thing Walmart is opened 24/7, YEAY!!

For today's freebie, I have been making things for my classroom with owls that I just had to share this with you.  A welcome banner!!  

It's all yours, just click here to download the file.  Yes, I will admit that I'm a big fan of owls...I can't help myself they are just too cute.  Well I hope you like it as much as I do.  Enjoy!