In a Flash...

Just like that, in a flash, the year is done!

What a year it has been. No amount of college classes could have fully prepared me for the year I have had. It has been a memorable year, with many twist and turns and up and downs. 

Top 5 Things I have learned:

5. There is a LOT of information out there. I will never be able to do all of it, even though I want to.

4. Build a relationship with you colleagues and your boss. It is important to have them on your team.

3. Take the extra mile to connect with your families. Whether it is creating free time in the morning to talk with parents. Coming to school early or staying late and keeping the door open. They appreciate the relationship they have with their child's teacher.

2. A great support system is ESSENTIAL! Thanks to all of you who encouraged, listened, and supported me throughout the year.

1. God is faithful. He was with me each and every day.

Top 5 Highlights of the year:

5. Funny Quotes

4. Our Christmas Party!

3. Our Grandparents Day Program - Let It Go!

2. Our new classroom!

1. Seeing my kiddos faces everyday!

Looking forward to year two!

Year Two...

Year TWO!!!

How is that possible? At times I think I should still be attending classes, and other times it feels like I have been teaching for many, MANY years!

8 days in and I am lovin' my new bunch of kiddos. Our Preschool and PreK program is busting at the seems. It is amazing to see God's work in our school. What a privilege I have to love on these kiddos and teach them about the Lord.

This year I am teaching with two friends from college. It is crazy how God works. Never in a millon years would we have thought that we would be teaching together and now here we are!

I can't wait to see what God has for us this year. It is going to be a GREAT year. 

Welcome back to school. 

New Year, New Beginnings...

Well, here it is 2014, the new year. 

It has been so busy, I have completely lost time. I take photos with the intention of posting, but somehow hear we are in 2014 and I have 2 posts. Oops! :)

I truly don't know how other teachers do it. Constantly making new things/activities, having a CUTE blog and blogging. I guess over time I will be able to get my ducks in a row and keep up with this blog. 

Tomorrow is the first day back after break. I am excited to see my kiddos again. A HUGE bonus is the new building is down and we have a brand new room. I will post a tour of the room once everything is in its place. 

Happy New Year!

I'm a Teacher...

What a mix of emotions I have felt the past 2 months! There is no way to be fully prepared for your first year of teaching. The first few weeks I felt like a cartoon character, whose body was bending abnormally away for a bullet or arrow. I was just barely one step ahead in everything: lesson planning, lining everyone up, etc. 

Reflecting on the past 2 months, I see growth. Not only in me as a teacher, but in my students. We know each others names, I know what I can expect, and they know my expectations, our routine is set {although I am changing it up a bit this week}, I know my daily duties as their teacher, the list goes on and on. Our biggest victory is walking QUIETLY in a LINE down the hall!!!! We did it!!! Every time I turn around to look at them, I am in awe that these 13-14 three and four year olds are MY responsibility. What an honor!

Now that the waters have calmed down a bit, I can invest time in documenting this fun, new adventure! Keep up on the latest happenings by following this blog. Over the course of the next few days, I will write a blogpost for each of the units we have done thus far!

I am excited to share my first year teacher journey with you!

I is for Ice Cream

Forgot to post our favorite week we had last year. I will be posting this year's update soon!
Here's a look at my first year Ice Cream Week!

What a FUN week we have had! 

This has been my favorite unit, yet!!! 

The week began with shaving cream ice cream cones. We talked about mixing colors and what happens. They enjoyed the texture of shaving cream and making a "puffy ice cream cone."

Shaving Cream Ice Cream Cone

1. Triangle Cone glued onto a piece of card stock.

2. Mix shaving cream, paint and glue. 

3. They had the choice of vanilla, chocolate, strawberry or mint. 

Ice Cream Shop - Dramatic Play

What a hit!! They fight over who gets to be in the center. I made 4 different types of play dough ice cream (chocolate, vanilla, mint and strawberry). I added coca to the chocolate play dough, mint extract to the mint and vanilla extract to the vanilla play dough. They loved that it smelt just like ice cream.

Morning Meeting Greeting

Hippity Hop to the Ice Cream Shop

"Hippity hop to the ice cream shop to buy an ice cream soda.

Which ice cream do like (insert students name)?"

This is a hit as well. They love choosing a new favorite flavor of the day.