Classroom Makeover, CC Assessments, & DIY Project

Does anyone out there love a good makeover as much as I do?  It doesn't matter what you're making over.... a person, a room, a house-- I LOVE MAKEOVERS!  Did anyone else out there used to watch "A Makeover Story" on TLC?  Oh, that show seems like forever ago!  Anyways, back to the topic at hand... I'm in the midst of an extreme classroom makeover!!  If you saw my post of classroom pictures at the beginning of the year, then you understand why a makeover is needed.  I was hired the Friday before school started so, needless to say, there was minimal time to set up.  My room has been driving me crazy since day one.  The mismatched border all over my room is enough to push me over the edge!

Of course, the first step to any good makeover is Pinterest-- that is where I began.  I hit the jackpot of all links with this one.  After looking at TONS of other classroom pictures and knowing what colors I'm working with in my classroom {furniture, carpet, etc.} I decided to go with red, bright green, and bright blue/teal as a starting point.  I'm going to use polka dots to help tie it together.  I was inspired most by Deanna Jump's old beach/pirate classroom.  {P.S. That woman is AMAZING!}  Here are some items I've bought to get my makeover started:

I think I have a calendar illness.... this is my 4th calendar set in 5 years of teaching.  I guess I like changing it up!  Thank you to my super duper amazing husband who drove over an hour {each way} to buy this for me.  :)

I was going to just plan out my makeover and do everything over the holiday break, but I can't help myself so I'm working on it a little bit at a time before and after school.  The kids are very excited and have told me we'll have a "very cool" classroom when I'm done!  Silly kids, but I do agree with them!  hehehe

I promise, classroom pictures will be posted as soon as it's ready!  I'm so E.X.C.I.T.E.D.

Ok, on to Common Core Assessments.  I've been searching for some assessments to use on my kids as quick checks on their understanding for the different standards.  I was also looking for a way for my whole grade level team to be on the same page.  I came across Mrs. Vanmeter from Primary Possibilities during my search.  In her TPT store she offers a ton of assessment freebies and some for sale.  You should definitely check it out if you're looking for Common Core Assessments!

Finally, my DIY project {in addition to my classroom makeover}.  I went to Lowe's last night to get materials to make this pirate ship, but I got completely distracted by the aisle of PVC pipe.  My kiddos are having a heck of time with the whole concept of whispering so I'm going to try whisper phones.  I really liked this post from Chalk Talk so that's what I followed to buy my materials.

Cyber Monday Sale, New Units, & a Freebie!

I'm sure you've all heard by now... TPT is having a huge Cyber Monday sale {running Monday & Tuesday}.  I'll be offering 20% off every item in my shop for this sale.  In addition to this discount, TPT is offering a promo code {CMT12} for an additional 10% off your entire purchase!

With a few days off work for the holidays, I've had some time to create a few new things for my classroom.  Check them out in my TPT shop!

And now, on to that freebie.... gingerbread playdough recipe!  For one of my literacy stations {included in my new "Jingle All the Way" unit}, students will be stamping high frequency words in gingerbread playdough.  It smells wonderful!  Here's some pictures of how to make it.

Click the image to download this freebie!

M.I.A.

Oh. My. Goodness.  I have been the WORST blogger ever!  I can't believe I haven't blogged for over 2 months!  I'm so sorry I've been M.I.A.  I've been keeping so busy learning the ropes in Kindergarten.

Here's a little recap of my October adventures in the classroom:

Can you tell I used my new camera to take this picture... love it!

I left my old tree in NC when I moved and I just couldn't live without it so I made a new one!

Check out this link for directions to make a tree of your own: Mrs. Jump's Class

My hubby crafted this little beauty.  The colors make me happy.  :)

I promise to be a better blogger as the year goes on.  I hope everyone is having a great year!

I'm a Kindergarten Teacher now! :)

I feel bad that I've been so absent from my blog lately.  If you've been following my blog, then you know I left my job as a first grade teacher in June and moved back closer to home with my husband.  I wasn't sure if I'd be able to find a job since teaching jobs are so hard to come by up north, but I got lucky.  It all came about very quickly, but now I'm a kindergarten teacher here in Ohio!  I can't believe I have my friends and family so close AND I'm teaching.  It's my dream come true!

It's been a busy start to the school year.... and HOT {my classroom isn't air conditioned}.  We've been busy learning our classroom rules and routines and getting to know each other.  Since I'm in a new grade I've had an excuse to buy lots of amazing resources on TPT.

I love using Mr. Wiggle at the beginning of the year to help kids learn how to use my books in the classroom.  After reading "Mr. Wiggle's Book" a few times, we brainstormed everything we can do or not do to make sure we take care of our books.  Then, we made our very own Mr. Wiggle using a craftivity I found on TPT.

To help us all learn each other's names we've been doing "Who Took the Cookie from the Cookie Jar" each morning.  For this, and many other awesome beginning of the year ideas, I got Kim Adsit's Going to School unit.  I love this unit-- everything is so easy to just print out and laminate!

Another great purchase is Deanna Jump's Chit Chat Morning Messages.  It has been so super easy to just look at her messages, write them on my board, and use her images.  It has seriously saved me so much time!  This is just the first set in a series so I'm looking forward to more to come!

Finally, I got an alphabet book unit.  It has a booklet for each letter with pictures for the kids to color and repeatitive text.  We're not quite ready for it now, but I will be getting it ready for upcoming months.

Once things settle down a bit I'll be getting around to making my own kindergarten units, but for now I'm more than happy to put other's hard work to use in my classroom!  And now, I'll leave you with a little tour of my classroom.  {Keep in mind I had 3 days from hire to the first day.  It's very different from my previous classroom, but I'm liking it.}

Before:

After:



Since these pictures there have been a lot of changes... I got new tables {circular/flower shaped}, a carpet, easel, and more!  I'll add more pictures later.

If there are any fabulous kindergarten teachers out there with advice for a new K teacher, I'd love to hear it!  Happy school year!  :)

Mega Back to School Giveaway

Y'all must go check out this awesome Back to School Giveaway over at First Grade Fanatics.  Erin and Leslie have put together an amazing giveaway packed full of back to school essentials... and they asked me to be a part of it!  The giveaway runs August 16-20 and the two winners will receive 22 different items!!  SU-WEET!

Lost Crayons?

I know each and every one of you teachers out there has this problem... lost crayons.  It's amazing how these things can just grow legs and walk out of their boxes, but it happens.  I've always had one big crayon box for these misfit crayons where students can go retrieve them as they need a color.  My problem with this is that finding that one special crayon can take forever!  My fix to this problem?  Individual color cans-- each color crayon has its own lost can so you just go and grab the color you need quickly.  Just train your kids at the beginning of the school year to put any crayons they find on the floor in the correct color can so it's ready when someone needs it.  {Be sure to teach them to politely ask someone who is coloring right by the crayon if it is theirs before taking it to the lost cup.  Some kiddos are just too eager to 'help'.}

Head on over to my TPT store and grab this lil' {freebie} for your classroom!

Back to School Sale

It's that time of year... back to school.  {Although, I've seen some of you have already had your first day back.  CRAZY!}  Now is the time to stock-up on all of the teacher-created materials perfect for your classroom this year.  Seriously, I love TPT!!!  Who knows better than teachers what teachers need?!

I'm offering 20% off every item in my store today and tomorrow.  Plus, TPT is offering a coupon for an extra 10% off!  Just click the picture to go to my store.  Be sure to use the promo code BTS12 when you check out.  Happy shopping!

I just posted a new classroom decor unit this weekend.  If you like polka dots and chevron stripes like I do, you'll want to check it out!

And totally unrelated to school, I just got my first Birchbox in the mail yesterday!  I think I'm hooked thanks to Kate.  :)