The First 3 Days

It was 4:00 on Friday afternoon as I sat at my desk and reflected on the first 3 days of kindergarten.  The quiet of the classroom that seemed so normal during the summer months now seems almost eerie. After hearing the sounds of voices and laughter from 19 new friends fill the four walls, I just can't wait for Monday to come back around.

I feel so blessed that our district allows us to begin school on a Wednesday.  This may seem strange to most, but getting back into the groove of school is a big transition!  Teachers use the first 3 days to get to know the children and teach procedures for the classroom, hallway and cafeteria. 

We learned so many things about school during our first 3 days together and had some fun along the way!

As we talked about working together and being friends in our classroom, I shared two books: I Call My Hand Gentle and Hands Are Not For Hitting.  After reading, we talked about all the nice ways we could use our hands and what we could "call" them.  Each child gave me a word that I wrote underneath their hand print.  We created a class book with these.

We shared in a reading of the "Weekly Reader" Back to School edition.  The children then drew a picture of what supply they needed to come to school.

On Friday, we  had a "working" snack!  The children had to match their cheez-it to the appropriate letter before they could eat!  I found this idea on Pinterest and the children loved it! 

We learned about all the different cooperative play CENTERS--

The Homeliving/Kitchen Center

I add menus from local restaurants to the bookshelf.  Megan is looking at one of my favorites-- Captain Steve's! 



The Puppet Center

We even got to celebrate our first birthday!  Samuel turned 5 years old!  Helllloooo colored icing!

 Samuel and his Mom!

What a FANTASTIC first 3 days! 

What I'm Loving Wednesday

Here is what I'm loving today--

I'm loving that I am back to work today at the best elementary school ever!  I'm loving my job and the people that I work with.  I am one lucky gal!  Here is a picture of us 3 years ago when our school was just built. 

I'm loving Cherry Coke Zero and it's help in allowing me to make it through my first day back at work!

I'm loving these NEW ideas that I found on Pinterest and have tried out in my classroom!  You can click here to see my boards.  Here are some of the pictures from what I'm loving in my classroom---



I'm loving  this project that I tried out in effort to create a more numeracy rich environment--

I'm loving this is a wall decal that I found at Hobby Lobby.  I think it really brightens up my cabinet!

I'm loving my new Environmental Print wall.  It's in my snack area so we'll add snack packages after we eat!

I'm loving these boxes that I bought at the Target Dollar Spot.  I plan on letting my students use them to keep leveled books in.



I'm loving that Big Brother comes on tonight!  Go Jeff and Jordan!

And last, but not least, I'M LOVING  my sweet kitties that I missed so much today!  Doesn't look like they caused too much trouble at home! 

Link up with Jamie!

What are YOU loving today? 

What I'm Loving Wednesday

Here is what I'm loving on this last wonderful Wednesday in July:

I'm loving that I get to teach the Lunch and Learn program at my school for this week and next.  I don't have to be there until 9:30 each morning, but I feel like it's helping me get back into the routine of getting up!  School is starting soon!

I'm loving that my Search Team at church is narrowing down the field for a new Associate Pastor for Christian Ed/DCE.  We are meeting tonight to hopefully plan some initial phone interviews.  I am so grateful that I get to be a part of this process. 

I'm loving Target's Dollar Spot!  I have found the coolest things for my classroom there....for only $1!!  I have a "Shopping Spree" post in draft right now and will post all of my fun finds soon.

I'm loving the flexibility of Mr. Lochel's new job!  It is awesome!

I'm loving this new book I'm reading.  Not loving the topic......it's a little heavy.....especially for a "Young Adult" book, but, I am reading it for my book club.  I couldn't put it down last night.  Got half way through in one sitting.  It already has a powerful message about how what you say and do can affect others directly and indirectly and the impact that it can have on their life.  It's called Thirteen Reasons Why.

I'm loving that I am actually trying out some of the ideas found on Pinterest!  This was my goal instead of just pinning and wishing and hoping!  Here are two pins that I've already started on my own.....

This one for my home.....

And this one for my classroom......

I'm loving that I have so many wonderful things to love. 

Link up with here with Jamie at This Kind of Love and tell me about what YOU are loving today!!

A Crayon Monogram

I am really, really, really procrastinating here on a major grant proposal!! It is due online tomorrow and I am not even half way done :( 

So, this afternoon I got a little crafty with a Crayon Monogram! 

I plan on making one for my assistant too. 

Mrs. Misenheimer will have an "M".  Shhh....don't tell her!

I am going to hang them outside of our classroom door.

The shadow box was $6 at Hobby Lobby and the crayons cost mere pennies at a yard sale.  Thanks, Mom!  The ribbon was leftover from a baby shower diaper cake.  I hot glued the crayons and ribbon and printed out my name!

My inspiration came from this picture I pinned on Pinterest.  This picture is linked to the original idea.

I like the ribbon I added to mine- gives it a little *sparkle*!