Back to School Night

So, tomorrow is back to school night and I've mentally prepared a ton of great info for my families. Then I had a girl tell me today that her mom doesn't want to come because she doesn't like going to "those things". Seriously?!? Does anyone know how much time, effort, and selfish thoughts of THEIR child I have spent preparing for this? Ok, I know I seem irritated, I promise I'm not bitter. Especially when the majority of my class shows up with parental representation each year. That's a smiley for my scoreboard for sure, a drop in the bucket. I will admit, I have members of my own family who say, "I went last year, it's the same old thing." UGH!! I really think that the kids bugging their parents to death really helps my situation out just a tad. I mean, you know you've finally given in and bought your kid something just to shut them up, err... make them happy.

Anyone have any great ideas for helping your families really be engaged and get the most out of it? Or am I the only one with this problem?

So much to say!

WOW! The first couple weeks of school are busy! I think I forgot. Short-term memory loss, I guess. No seriously, this is the absolute busiest I've been at the beginning of the school year in my 5 years...AND I'm job sharing! I actually think that may contribute to my craziness because I have to cram pretty much a full week of work into three days. I'm taking a lot of work home, happily, so that I can find a balance between teacher and mommy. :)

Another reason I'm so busy is because we are implementing a TON of new things this year. Blogland is sure to kill my teaching partner! I've spent the entire summer researching, reading, and stalking some amazing blogs. It's landed me in "I've got to try this" mode. But honeslty, after 4 years of doing pretty much the same thing, I'm ready for a change. A lot of it is going well, some would be better next time with some tweaking, and some I won't do again....

Before I get all wordy and long-winded...

WE GOT OUR TEACHING EASEL/STORAGE CART TODAY!!!

I am so amazed by the generosity of our friends, family, and Lakeshore Learning! In July, I wrote a project proposal for the teacher grant website, DonorsChoose.com. Lakeshore offered to give us a 50% match on the project that also included this classroom rug.  We had the funding in no time and even were able to give back by donating some of our funds to Donors Choose. If you've used Donors Choose, you know how excited I am... and if you haven't go there now! The coolest part is, my husband came to my school this afternoon and stayed with me until 6:00 p.m. to put it together for me! SWEET! 

Ok, so back to work...

Here's what we have or plan to implement that's new this year:

• Daily 5
• Word Study, inspired by Beth Newingham
• Bucket Filling
• Whole Brain
• Morning Meeting

I'd love to know your thoughts on any of these awesome ideas! I plan on devoting a post to each of them in the coming weeks... but until then, please share! :)

Sons of Anarchy is on... so more to come soon! 

Blog Hoppin' Teacher Week!

ATTENTION TEACHER FRIENDS! 

So excited to have just found this blog! Compiled by fellow bloggers and teachers, they are dedicated to compiling resources of all sorts in one easy to find place. Next week they are hosting Teacher's Week with daily themes that will sure to be filled with ideas and goodies for the classroom. School starts on Monday for us... so it's perfect timing for my local friends to get some great ideas right off the bat!

Happy last day of Summer!!! :) 

xoxo,

Lacie

Oh, the joy of going back to school...

Don't you just love going back to a room in shambles??? Part of me actually does. I know, call me crazy, but there is something about completely revamping a classroom that gets me excited.  I've got so many great ideas for this school year I am a little overwhelmed. Here's what my room looked like yesterday, even after I had taken some boards down. Check back soon for beautiful versions in a few days. :) 

Our desk/small group area... soon to be listening station, computer station, and a teeny tiny teacher corner. 

This is the back wall of our class with those lovely, dark, plastic table cloth boards and the library underneath. This area will turn into out small group and writing station area. 

Here are the horribly stuffed bookcases behind our desk... in need of an overhaul! But where do we put all this stuff???

A view from the front door.

Ok... confession time!

I. Love. Paper! :) (Ok, I know they weren't really complete sentences, but it adds drama.) Every year, I spend nearly $100 on fadeless paper and redo my entire room. I've even tried plastic table cloths in the past which work...in moderation. Last year my husband helped me set up our classroom and we went a little overboard with the plastic table cloth idea.... epic fail. Last may, I even vowed to keep it up just incase I might possibly think about using it in the fall.

Wrong!

My job share partner and I have already decided to ditch the not-so-fantastic plastic in exchange for smaller, more meaningful boards. See, the problem is, I see wall to wall bulletin board and I have this obsessive compulsion to cover the entire thing. Why on earth has it taken me five years to figure this out?

While stalking my favorite blog Mrs. Bainbridge's Class, I recently came to the realization that in her classroom, although she has tons of pin board space, she outlines smaller board space to make neat, organized spaces for learning and reference. You mean I don't have to take out a loan at GW on Fadeless paper?

I'll let you know how it goes. I'm "going in" for the first time tomorrow.

Which leads me to a completely unrelated topic...

A new, but dear, friend of mine passed away after a five year battle with cancer.

She was a wonderful mom of two school-aged kids and was amazingly good at what she did. Arlene Silvestro, our Academic Program Leader, was one of the first people I met when I came to my new school last year. She instantly jumped into my classroom and helped at every request. She got to know me right away...and right away we hit it off. We had so much in common (babies, fertility issues, husbands jobs, teaching philosophies etc.) and when I found out she had cancer, and that it had come back, I was dumbfounded. How could this energetic, funny, fiery, spirited woman have cancer?

When I think of going back to work, although she was out most of the year for her treatment, I know that  it will just not be the same. My thoughts and prayers are with her family and the rest of our staff who really knew her and spent, in some cases, their entire careers with her. I am glad she is safe and healed in heaven. God must have really needed her, because a lot of us will be wondering how we will ever get along without her here on Earth.

God bless,

Lacie