Kindergarten Orientation AND Homework?!?

Last night, I met my new little group of "love muffins"!  They're so cute with their new backpacks and sportin' new kicks (aka tennis shoes).  They're smiling, eager, and don't understand why the don't get to stay...I L.O.V.E. it!  AND as much as I loved meeting them, and seeing them so excited to be at school, and with all of their new "stuff" I still sent them home with a homework assignment!!! 

Now before you get too excited, and think that I'm this SUPER tough teacher, finish reading the post.

I received a homework assignment (for my new kindergarteners) from a teacher across the hall, and fellow blogger, Jackie, from "Here We Go Loopty Loo".  She had gotten the idea (and possibly the original letter) from presenter, Donna Whyte, at the Missouri Conference for Kindergarten Teachers (I attended the conference also, but must have missed this session).  Anywho, I tweaked the letter (just a bit) to add some of my "voice" to it (I feel so 6 Trait-y when I talk like that).  So, this idea and letter is by no means my own, original work...and I'm hoping this is not considered plagiarism.  If it is, I'll remove this post immediately...please let me know!

1. I do not mean it to be.

2. I'm giving credit to those that the original idea/letter came from and linking to the sources.

 (That's kind of like documenting, right?)

3. I've actually stated that "this is by no means my own, original work".

4. I think this idea is just SOOOO good that I want to share it with all of my blogging buddies!!!

(Gosh, after all of this, I hope you all like it too!)

So without further ado...

I'm so excited about this!  I really think it is going to help with that first day of "Read to Self"(for all of those Daily 5'ers out there).  The kids seemed SUPER excited about having homework (we all know that won't last too long).  I'm also posting a picture of my "book bag".  This will be the first year I've used the envelopes, so I'll let you know how it goes.  In the past, I've used gallon sized zipper seal bags and just exchanged them out as needed.

**Disclaimer: My pics are not of the best quality (taken with my phone) and they're sideways.**

The envelopes are plastic and have a clear plastic pocket on the front. On the back side there is a pocket that has a "button and loop" closure (well, that's how I'm describing it).

I hope you all have a SUPER weekend (yes, I realize it's only Wednesday)!  I'm going to enjoy a 4-day weekend with my guys...we're going camping!  I'll be back at it on Monday and Wednesday is our First Day of School!  Happy Blogging!!!

Owl Pattern

I previously posted a picture of my "welcome wall" for my new Kindergarteners. Since my classroom theme is owls (well at least you'll find many owls hanging out)I wanted to use owls for my wall? I bought these super cute wall art owls from Target and got the bright idea I'd create some from scrapbook paper. I found some cute girly paper in "The Dollar Spot" and found some more manly paper in the scrapbook section (I think it was $1.75). Anywho, I created a pattern...

Cut, glued, cut some more.  (I wish I had taken some "process" pictures.  I had the living room floor A MESS!!!)  Added some google eyes (already had these at school)...

and their names...

And WAHLAH!  Some super "scrappy" (and cute) owls!

I know...this is the wall BEFORE the names, but take a good look, close your eyes, and just "make a picture in your mind" of what it looks like WITH the names! :)

Actually, I'll try and get a FINAL pic this afternoon and replace it with this one in this post!

Wutcha think?

**Don't forget to enter my giveaway for a SUPER CUTE clipboard made by the fabulous "Kute Klipboards by Amy"!  If you haven't checked out her Etsy store...head there now!!!**

To Paint Or Not to Paint...That WAS the Question

So I've spent the last 6 weeks trying to decide whether or not I wanted to was going to paint an accent wall in my classroom. It's a LONG story. Much too long to type and much to boring for those of you reading this.  AND for those reading this (you know who you are) that already know the story, MUCH too monotonous.  ANYWHO, I scored some paint from my buddy Nicole "First Grade O.W.L.s".  Thanks Nicole!!!  She actually bought it for her room and didn't like it.  So yes, it was "sloppy seconds" but I liked it, and Friday was the day. Many hours later, there was a green wall in my classroom (that still needs some touch-ups, but I'm lovin it).

So, here's a view of "the wall" at about 9:30 Friday morning...

5:00ish...almost done.

YES, that is about 7 1/2 hours of painting...and NO I still was not done!  I was told that I was slowwwwwww....

This is how it looked when I left around 6:30ish that evening.

Well a pic of 1 window with the new curtain.  Not sure why I didn't take a pic of the whole wall.  Hmmm.....

I know what you're thinking, but YES, it really is done (except the touching up I mentioned above)!

Aren't my curtains the cutest?!?

(Thank you Target! Only wish they had come from "The Dollar Spot"!)

I'm still going to add a chocolate panel at the bottom and tie back with something colorful!

AND a Giveaway from Fourth Grade Frolics!

How CUTE is this?

Head over to her blog for your chance to win!

Hurry giveaway ends July 27th!

AND just in case you don't win...

I'm not ready, I'm not ready, I'm not ready!

So, I went into Target today just to check out my oh so favorite... "The Dollar Spot" (and yes, I will drive 45 minutes to the closest Target JUST to visit "The Dollar Spot" and yes, it must be referred to by it's full name or "D.T.S." [kinda like "The Wal-Mart"]. Everyone has been blogging about their fantabulous finds, so I finally gave in! While I was prepared (kind of)to see all of the school stuff in "T.D.S." (and I did find some cool stuff that I am excited about) I was in NO WAY, SHAPE, or FORM ready to see the "Back to School" section FULLY stocked! I didn't even get excited to see ALL of the new school supplies (a favorite of mine since I was IN Kindergarten) all I felt was sick to my stomach. I didn't even stroll through the aisles! I am soooo not ready to go back. It seems like summer has just begun. I am going to a Kindergarten Conference at the Lake of the Ozarks next week, so I'm hoping it's going to kick my hiney into school mode! Anywho, here is a pic of my "T.D.S." finds.

Left to Right/Top to Bottom:

glitter pompoms, Dr. Seuss totes, hall passes (I've never used these before, but think I'm going to give them a try), This is the sun or is it?, rhyming cards, color cards, counting puzzles, alphabet puzzles, number stamps (Fran at Kindergarten Crayons blogged about these), glittered zipper pouches

I pretty excited about my finds, and I do have plans for them. I will blog more about them when I get everything put together.

P.S. I also picked up a package of Project Poppers at Target. Thankfully, they only had the primary colors in stock (of course, I would've bought both)because I found the bright colors in the clearance section at The Wal-Mart! So excited!