A Sneak Peek and Some Thank Yous!!

I started planning for my 2013-2014 classroom in December when I first stumbled across a post by Reagan at Tunstall's Teaching Tidbits.  I bookmarked this post, I facebook messaged her (thanks for always replying to my random questions about products, painting, etc.!!!), and I started downloading, pinning, and printing things that would go with my new theme:  Gray and Yellow Chevron.   Yes, I jumped on the chevron bandwagon and never looked back.   So as we approach the new school year with excitement, I have set up  my classroom in the front hallway of my house (yes...I am sure my husband will be thrilled when he returns from Bass Pro Shop today!) so I can see how it coordinates!     I am unable to get into my classroom until early August because our school is being painted and mounted Smartboards are being installed (thanks to the best PTA ever!!) so my hallway is the best I can do.

Another thank you goes to a kinder teacher in my school who was going to THROW OUT that gorgeous piece of furniture in the middle of the picture (the one with stars and hearts) that I snatched up and painted to go with my theme!!!  I LOVE it!!!

I cannot wait to spend time in my fun and fresh classroom!  IT IS GOING TO BE FABULOUS!    My goal....a classroom that doesn't feel like a classroom.    For 8 years, I have had a classroom themed classroom...you all know what I mean...I was ready for a change!

So.....here goes!  My mini-sneak-peek of my new classroom!!

There is still a lot to do...and many more things I have already done, but you can definitely get the feel of what my classroom will look like in the fall!!

Next item to purchase is this rug from garden ridge for $50!!

So a question for you all....do you see the gray and yellow (yes...you can figure it out from that hint...right??) picture frame on the right side behind the white/gray chevron pillow (that's a little more direction, right???)   I need some creative saying to put on that....any ideas???

Thanks and Gig 'Em from this Texas Teacherista!

Erin

Change of Plans and random thoughts!

I'M GOING TO TEACH FIRST GRADE
When I started this blog, oh..about one post and two months ago, I had been told I would be teaching a second grade class at a new campus next year.   Since then, I got pulled back to my current campus and will be teaching first grade!   You cannot believe how happy this makes me for so many reasons.   My school is absolutely amazing and to get another year there is very exciting!

WE'RE NOT IN PREKINDERGARTEN ANYMORE
On a different note, I am now racing around trying to figure out exactly how I am going to teach first grade.   Don't get me wrong, I know the basics of teaching 1st grade.  I have been teaching since 2005 and have taught in several grades (Early Childhood Special Education, Prek, Kindergarten, First, and Second grades to be exact!), but for the last 4 years, I have been in prekindergarten.   Prekindergarten is its own little world that I have truly loved being a part of.    I will definitely miss being in that world...but know that it is time for me to be a little more challenged and break out of my routine!   My last class was the class from Heaven.   I really believe if I would have not shown up for school on any given day, my students would have been perfectly fine running the class on their own, no. sub. needed.

MY NAME IS ERIN AND I AM A BLOG STALKER
In the last 2 weeks, I have become a crazy blog stalker (thanks to all the giveaways I have been finding) and have found an insane number of blogs to follow on BlogLovin'.   If I wake up in the middle of the night, I seriously pick up my phone to check blogs...this might be a problem. 

If you made it to the end of this!!  Thank you!   My future posts will be way more organized, however I needed to get these few things written down right. this. second. 



A Freebie!

For all those second grade teachers using the book Making Words by Patricia Cunningham and Dorathy Hall, here is a freebie to go with it!    I have put together student companion sheets for your students to use on lessons 1-5.   I will be making pages to go along with the other 95 lessons soon, but wanted to get feedback and see if there is an interest in this packet before I get too far into it!    Comment with some feedback!
CLICK HERE TO GO TO MY TPT STORE --> Second Grade Making Words Student Companion Book Lessons 1-5

 

1st Blog Post

Howdy!!
Yes, I just said that! I am a true Texan Teacher! I began teaching in January, 2005 and since taught in several schools, states, and grade levels. I am currently teaching prekindergarten in a suburb of Houston, Texas and loving every second of watching my little friends grow and learn. I enjoy creating, sharing, and collaborating with others to ensure student success in the classroom. I hope that you enjoy the tales of this Texas Teacherista!