A Very Pinteresting Post!

Classroom B (afternoon) Update:  If you read my post from Monday, you'll know I didn't have the best day.  Thank you for the very sweet comments I received!  The days have gotten MUCH better maybe because the student who threw up still hasn't come back to school.  I think my kids are starting to adjust to their new schedule and staying a full day at school.  So far we've been doing a lot of reading and word work activities.  Today we talked about jobs and responsibility and everyone received a classroom job.  We read Mr. Griggs' Work and Firefighters A to Z.  Tomorrow we're reading Chrysanthemum by Kevin Henkes and talking about our names and the letters in our names.

Now since it's Wednesday, I'm linking up with Michelle of The Vintage Apple this week to share some fun Pinterest finds of mine!  This week I'm focusing on my Home Decor & DIY Board. 

Love the colors in this room!  So simple and chic.  I'd probably add a pop of color with the pillows!

Source: roomzaar.com via Emily on Pinterest

Awesome gallery wall idea!  I love the shelves....no need to worry about hanging pictures straight!

Source: twotwenty-one.blogspot.com via Emily on Pinterest

Organization!  Wish I had somewhere to do this....

Source: iheartorganizing.blogspot.com via Emily on Pinterest

Wrap twine (or yarn) around mason jars, spray paint, remove twine, insert tea light.  Gorgeous!

Source: markmontano.typepad.com via Emily on Pinterest

Window Seat = <3

Source: catalanoinc.com via Emily on Pinterest

This is the paint color I just bought for our living room!

Source: decorpad.com via Emily on Pinterest

I need this blanket NOW!  So comfy :)

Source: elmueble.com via Emily on Pinterest

Make sure to click the button on my right sidebar and follow me on Pinterest!

Crazy First Day!

Today was my first day with my kindergartners and it was CRAZY!  My morning job went well and I left a little early to head to my afternoon school so I could help my kindergartners get through the lunch line for the first time.  That went well and I had a decent amount of time to eat my own lunch, too!

A few weeks ago, I sent out transportation confirmation forms to parents (along with a phone call) to confirm how their child would be getting home from school in the afternoon.  I got a hold of just about everyone and sent home a final confirmation sheet about a week and a half ago.  Today when I got in, there were 3 changes.  Way to be last minute, parents!  Good thing I checked my mailbox so those little kiddos didn't get on the bus!  Obstacle 1: solved, easy peasy lemon squeezy!

Today was a rainy day so my kinders didn't get any recess.  Not only did they not get recess but today was their first FULL day so they were either super tired or super hyper!  I have a few rascals in my group and they kept me on my toes.  I felt like I was finally starting to get some control of my group while we were at the carpet meeting area.  We were working on some phonics when one of my students PUKED all over.  Three times.  Seriously?  On the first day?!  Of course all of the kids were disgusted not going to lie, so was I so I had to calm them while I got the other child to the trashcan.  On the way to the trashcan, he lost control again.  Ohmygoodness.  I called down to the office for a custodian and sent him down to the nurse.  Now that our meeting area was out of order, I had to think of something on the fly.  I decided to try to get outside to get some fresh air.  It didn't look like it was raining, but as soon as we got outside - MIST rain.  The worst!  I let the kids run around for a minute and we went right back in.  I'm so thankful for the speediness of our custodian - he was already in there and finishing up!

I'm still nauseous just thinking about what happened and I really hope that poor student is at home resting and feeling better!  You better believe I Clorox sprayed and wiped everything over and over after school!

I guess tomorrow can only be better, right?  Send good luck thoughts to me for tomorrow because today was a stressful day for me and it was only Monday!

P.S. I'd really appreciate any good read alouds you've done for kindergarten.  I have realized that a lot I planned to use are already being used in the kindergarten classrooms (my kids go to kindergarten in the morning and see me for intervention in the afternoon).

Have you met Braxton Hicks??

Over the weekend the husband and I were able to go to the Ohio State game!  The game ended up being really good and we had a blast!  In very beginning, we were talking about the new freshman quarterback.  Here is how our convo went........

Me: Who is he again?  Braxton..........?
Hubby: Miller.  Braxton Miller.  He's doing pretty good today!
Me: Oh yea, Braxton Miller!  I was thinking Braxton Hicks.  Who is Braxton Hicks?!
Hubby: .............. (look on his face like "are you joking?!")  ................
Me: Nevermind, I think it might be a student at school.  I just can't picture who it is!
Hubby: Or maybe you're thinking of the pregnancy contractions?!
Me: (no words...I just looked like the cute bear in this pic):

What did everyone else do this weekend?  Anyone else have any ditzy moments like me?

P.S. My kindergartners finally start tomorrow for our kindergarten intervention program!  I'm so excited to finally meet them and get started with some teaching!  Send any fun ABC, phonics, and sight word activities my way!  You can follow me on Pinterest by clicking the button on my right sidebar and then pin things to me by @mentions!

Friday & a Giveaway!

Happy Friday, everyone!  I haven't linked up with Lauren @ The Little Things We Do for a while so I decided today is a great time to get back to filling in the blanks :)

1.   The best thing I did all week was    got my classroom *totally* ready for my kindergartners who will be starting Monday!

2.   Sunny days on the beach     make me super happy.

3.  Pets are   one of the best companions you could ever have!

4.    My husband   is the best thing about my life. <-- I have to agree with Lauren!

5.  With the cooler weather I am looking forward to   hot chocolate, fall candles, cozy nights in with the hubby.

6.  Something that's on my "wish list" right now is    nylon bags for take home books (nerd!) and some new black shoes for work...preferably some sort of wedge or heel so I can continue to wear my longer work pants!

7.  This weekend I am going to   finish getting things ready for my kiddos, go to the OSU vs. Colorado game, have a date night with my hubby, and RELAX!

Also, my girl Katie @ Keep Calm & Carry On is hosting a super fun giveaway!  Head on over to her blog by clicking on her button and see what you could win!!

What's In My School Bag!

I'm a teacher which means I'm a bag lady.  Before I started teaching, I already had a lot of bags (purses, totes, whatever).  Now that I've been teaching a few years (and also have been in a few weddings), I have a TON of totes (and a few more purses as well)!  Even before I taught (when I worked in corporate), I took a tote to work so I could carry stuff home. 


I'm linking up with Abby @ The Inspired Apple today to share what's in my teacher bag!


The bag I carry every day (as of lately) is a 31 "Retro Metro" tote.  I like this bag because it is deep enough to fit books without sticking out the top, it has pockets on each side that are big enough for drinks and umbrellas, and it has pockets on the inside, too!  The thing you see peeking out (matching pattern) is a laptop case..........minus a laptop.  At home we have PC's, at school we have Macs.  Therefore it's kind of pointless for me to take my laptop.  However, I like to keep this case in my bag b/c it matches and I can always put files in there :)b

Inside my bag you'll find a variety of manila folders, notes to myself, and a spiral notebook that I take notes in for staff meetings (I also keep my to-do list in there).  None of these things are pictured because they're pretty boring!  I also have my teacher binder (holds important information for both schools and district information), my Lakeshore planner, and a labelmaker.  The screwdriver was my attempt at trying to lower the legs of one of my tables myself.  FAIL!  I need to speak with my custodian ASAP!

Here we have some interoffice mail (center ideas from a friend in the district), letter stickers (they will be used in ABC center), and some labels.  Also a red student communicator folder to remind myself to make "cover" pages for my kiddos!  (They start on Monday!)

Last, but not least, I have my 31 zip around portfolio.  This one doesn't totally match my bag, but it at least coordinates nicely.  I store my planner in here as well as more notes to myself (I need a post-it to remember anything these days)!  Since I'm working in 2 schools this year, I'm trying to stay very organized so I don't miss any important meetings or events.  I use a black pen for any district events, blue for my morning school, and pink for my afternoon school.  Want to know why I chose blue and pink?  I have a male principal and a female principal.  I'm so smart! :)

Head on over to link up so I can see what's in your bag! 

Another Award!

The lovely Michelle over at Brunette & Blessed gave me a blog award!  Apparently she digs my blog. :)  That's cool b/c I dig her blog, too!

Thank the person who gave you the award.
Thank you so much, Michelle!  You are so sweet to think of me and I love reading about your adventures in Cbus! :)

Share three random facts about yourself.
1. I am a huge book nerd.  I love reading books and cannot convince myself to get a Kindle.  I get most of my books at the library, but I have quite the collection at home, too.  Some of my favorite authors include James Patterson, Harlan Coben, Nicholas Sparks, and Jodi Picoult.  Don't even get me started on children's books.....obsessed! 

2. I am one of those people who is almost never satisfied with the temperature.  I'm not one to complain but my "comfort range" is probably a range of 5-10 degrees.  No joke.  I am usually cold or hot, rarely "just perfect".  That's just how it is!  The one place where I felt "just perfect" almost always was in Hawaii during our honeymoon.  I swear it never got too hot there and it never got cold (unless you were in A/C)!

3. I can't live without Target.  This one really doesn't need an explanation, but in case you don't understand.....dollar spot, Starbucks, clothing, groceries, home decor, beauty products, accessories.  I can get it all and it's affordable!  Walking into Target makes me feel happy.  I'm lucky enough to have 2 Targets within 5.5 miles of my house...one is less than 5 minutes.  SCORE!

Pass this award onto five others.
Ashley @ Everyday with AME
Lindsey @ Worth the Wait
Judy @ KinderTastic
Mandy @ Journey to I Do
Brittany @ From Two to Four

These are my confessions...

Miss Megan from Kindergarten Teacher Tales is hosing a Teacher Confessions Linky Party! 

In case any of you are new to my blog, I teach reading intervention in the mornings and kindergarten intervention in the afternoons.  This is my second year teaching [plus a year of subbing], and this is my first year working in two buildings as a "traveling teacher".  Here are my confessions.............

• I have been assessing, assessing, assessing, and I'm ready to just TEACH!  
• I have a "favorite" school out of my two buildings.  The main reasons I prefer that school over the other is because of the staff, students, and organization with procedures!
• I may or may not eat junk for breakfast on stressful assessment days.  Junk = donut, cookie, brownie, etc.  I can't wait to have some kiddos so I won't have time to eat that junk!
• I loathe bus duty every. single. day.  At my morning school, I have bus duty every day, all year.  Let's just say when it rains or snows, I will not be thrilled.
• When the rest of the intervention team didn't wait for me for the yearbook photo, my feelings were secretly hurt.  No sympathy needed here though, I'm over it.  Like I said, I have a favorite school.....
• I love that I have someone to plan with for kindergarten intervention!  There are two other teachers who teach the same thing and we've been having so much fun sharing ideas.  
• I'm a little nervous about not having materials for my reading intervention.  Last year we were able to use Title I funding to buy a Fountas and Pinnell LLI kit.  This year, I might be on my own.  Talking to my principal Monday about looking into Reading A-Z so I can at least have a good selection of books!  Anyone else have a cost effective idea for small group reading intervention?
• I share a room at my afternoon school and I haven't taken my brand new amazing easel in because I'm scared it will get ruined (i.e. permanent markers on the dry erase board......eek)!  You can see the easel at the end of this post.
• I miss my old principal and the staff I worked with last year.  Changing buildings is hard!

Head on over and link up and share your confessions!


P.S. Don't forget to check out my post from yesterday to get 10 free Scholastic books!

FREE Scholastic Books!

Hey Teacher Ladies (and Teacher Men a.k.a. my silent stalkers):

I just got 10 free Scholastic e-books for my classroom!  Thanks to Mrs. Patton's post, I realized that Scholastic was having dollar deals on e-books through September 20th AND there is a coupon code to get $10 off your order.  I was able to order 10 books for $0!  If you're interested, go here and use the coupon code 10THANKS.  No catch, just pick your books and use the coupon code!

I was able to get a bunch of great resources for my kindergarten intervention class.  Here are the titles I ordered:

• ABC Poem of the Week
• 101 Thematic Poems for Emergent Readers
• The Big Book of Classroom Poems
• Guess-Me Poems & Puzzles: Alphabet
• Just-Right Plays: 25 Emergent Reader Plays Around the Year
• Month-by-Month File Folder Word Walls
• Reading Success Mini-Books: Sight Words
• 25 Emergent Reader Mini-Books: Favorite Themes
• I Can Write my ABC's: Mini-Books
• Fun-Filled 5 to 10 Minute Literacy Activities for Young Learners

DIY Key Rack Project

This project wasn't totally DIY....just a little.  I've been wanting a key rack for a while because I'm sick of throwing our keys on the island.  A while ago, I had a Pottery Barn organizer hanging up, but I took it down when I painted and patched the [huge] holes it left in the wall.  I loved that organizer, but I think I want to use it in my office space now...it was too dark and big for my kitchen!


I found this smaller key rack at Tuesday Morning and picked it up even though I wasn't happy with the wood color.  Our house has a weird orangey stain throughout so it's very hard to "match".  I know that everything doesn't have to match, but I at least want it to coordinate and I felt like this clashed.  For some reason, though....I still bought the key rack!


I had the key rack in a cabinet for a few months and finally decided to do something with it.  I got out some paper scraps, letter stickers, and mod podge and created something that matched our decor a little better.  What do you think?

Dixie is a great helper!

before (espresso stain) with materials

after!  mounted right next to our garage door.

What DIY projects have you done lately? 

Favorite Pins this Week!

Happy Wednesday, everyone!  I'm linking up with Michelle of The Vintage Apple today.

I already have some of these PB wall organizers in black.  Might need to do this for my new office area!

Source: thestoriesofa2z.com via Emily on Pinterest

Do these remind anyone else of elementary school?  Maybe it's just me!

Source: soufflebombay.blogspot.com via Emily on Pinterest

Make-ahead smoothie packs for the freezer - genius!

Source: thetidynest.com via Emily on Pinterest

Love this idea for reading around the room during SSR/DEAR/Centers

Source: happilyherring.blogspot.com via Emily on Pinterest

Such a fun idea to get to know the class!

Source: alysiabattista.blogspot.com via Emily on Pinterest

Super cozy bed, I want it!

Source: tinyassapartment.blogspot.com via Emily on Pinterest

Styrofoam covered in fabric/paper....very cute!

Source: styrofoamcrafts.com via Emily on Pinterest

easy fall decoration....could be fun in classroom!

Source: eighteen25.blogspot.com via Emily on Pinterest

I know I haven't been the best blogger lately but I *promise* I'll share some classroom ideas within the next week.  I also have a DIY project for home that I'll be sharing VERY soon!

Never Forget.

I know that some people say we talk about 9/11 too much and other events not enough.  I agree that we should never forget other catastrophic events such as Pearl Harbor.  I totally agree, but the reason September 11th is so close to me is because I remember it happening. 

• I remember sitting in Spanish class as a high school junior.  
• I remember Senora Gerhardt getting a phone call from the office and turning on the TV. 
• I remember seeing the second plane hit.  
• I remember it like it was yesterday.

Today I am praying for the families of the innocent victims.