It's A Jungle in Here!

Literally...It's a jungle in here! Everyday.  It's first grade...What can I say?
I saw my best friend this past week and she was sure to remind me that I haven't posted on this little blog in a very long time. "When are you posting about your classroom, Sara?" "Um...retirement?!?" She might have been amused by my response but she didn't let me off the hook.
So, instead of working on the Masters homework that I should be doing right now, I will post my classroom pictures! Sounds good to me.

Last year my theme was "First Grade is a Hoot," and while I loved the owls that I used and the owl gifts that everyone sent me, I was ready for something new. In the spring, I knew that I would be heading for a jungle theme.

I'm not the type of person that just throws it all together during teacher in-service. I'm much too frugal to pay full price for things, so I look for deals on cute things all summer long.

Take a look at my classroom this year:

Zebra & polka dot borders: Teacher Created Resources

Monkeys & bananas: Trend Enterprises

Treat bags and jungle treats: Oriental Trading

Animal masks: Michael's

Chevron labels: Schoolgirl Style

Name tags: Teacher Created Resources

Plant: IKEA

Frame & Animals: Hobby Lobby

Behavior system

Welcome banner: Trend Enterprises

Ready for kiddos!

Picture: Hobby Lobby (My mom's find!)

Read, read, read!

Good work display

Cute scrapbook paper is a cheap way to incorporate your theme!

My desk

Jobs and lunch count

Get it? Jungle Books.... ;)

Table runner: Hobby Lobby

Pillow covers: Hobby Lobby

Jungle storage containers & picture: Hobby Lobby (90% off clearance in the spring)

Calendar: Teacher Created Resources

My educator mother was in my classroom while I wrote the date on the board! I've never felt so self-conscious about my penmanship! 

Great book!

You can't have a jungle-themed classroom without a little Curious George!

I firmly believe that a classroom should be welcoming and homey.  Not only do my students have to spend most of their waking hours there during the day, I do too! It's all in the little details. Decide on a theme early and look for bargains everywhere you go. Oh, and tell everyone your theme because they will find cute things and tell you where to shop! This year I found the best deals at Hobby Lobby! I was able to get so much on clearance! Goodwill and The School Box always have things that I NEED (because we all need more stuff, right?)  for my custom classroom!

What's your theme this year? Where do you find the best deals for your room?

Sara

Two Years...

My first year of teaching I taught Kindergarten, exactly the age that I wanted.  When the opportunity to move up with my class to first grade, I was so excited. I loved my first class and was glad to already know the parents and students, as well as their needs and personalities.  

On the last day of school this year, I said goodbye (for real this time) to my first students as they left to get ready to move on to second grade. Here is the video I made for them. I'm so glad that I was crazy about taking pictures of absolutely everything that they had done these last two years. It made for a sweet gift to give to the parents and something I'll keep forever myself! Now to delete 1,000 images from my phone...

First Grade is a Hoot

While perusing Pinterest last summer, I came across the most fabulous website for teachers: Schoolgirl Style!  I spent countless hours searching through Melanie's themes and ideas for classroom decor and organization. I finally settled on her Owl Collection and decided my theme for the school year would be First Grade is a Hoot! Take a look at the pictures of my little classroom from this past school year...

First Grade is a Hoot! 

I printed my owls on t-shirt transfer material and just ironed it on. Be careful! If your design has words, you have to change your printer settings so that it prints a mirror image. Tricky, tricky.

Owl lunch choice sticks

 I loved my pennant banner. It added some fun to my boring white board!

I got my podium at the local thrift store for $10!!! A little (okay, maybe a lot) of spray paint, and it was good to go! And I couldn't pass up this rug at Ross for $4!

 Name tags for hanging hooks

My computer desk

 My students always looked at my desk to write my last name on their sweet little notes. 

 Back of the room

 From the front

 Ready for students!

These pictures were all taken before school started last year.  I love a warm, inviting, and fun classroom! I spend more of my waking hours there than I do at home, so it should be cozy! Don't you think?

Now that it's summertime, everything is all packed away and my room is empty. Time to plan for next year, although I am not sure what to do with the menagerie of  owls that have been given to me this school year! 

Have you checked out schoolgirlstyle.com? Go take a look! You won't be sorry.

Sara

Rookie Blogger...

When I logged in on Blogger.com today to view my unpublished blog (the one you're reading right now), I was reminded that my last login was in 2011.  That's right, two years ago, my friends.  I see all of the amazing teachers who strut their stuff on their blogs, Pinterest, and Teachers Pay Teachers and think, "Do these people ever sleep? Do they actually teach real children or do they share stories and ideas for imaginary students? Do they really have husbands/families to take care of on top of that or do they just Photoshop them into their galleries and About Me pages?" 

I've come to the conclusion that the multitude of ladies who teach/blog/parent/wife (yes, I made that a verb, thank you) must really just have it all together. Much respect, teacher/bloggers. One of my best friends, who just happens to be a teacher AND a blogger has encouraged me to start this little blog for a while now. I'm sure she is silently correcting my grammar as she reads. 

It's summer and although the calendar is still pretty full with school and summer camp related items, I have decided to write a post or two and see how things go...

I just finished my second year of teaching at a Christian school in North Carolina and according to one of the veteran male teachers in my building, I'll be a rookie until year five. Thank you, Mr. D, thank you. 

So, here I am...blogging. I promise the next post will be something very interesting that will enhance your classroom experience. Promise. Stay with me and I will show you my cute little classroom and all of its happenings!

If you've made it this far, congratulations. You may have one skittle from the candy jar on my desk. Good job! 

Sara