My First "Back to School" Purchases for My New First Graders!

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Welcome! I hope to use this blog to share some of the amazing things my class and school does to make learning fun! I have been teaching for 15 years already! I started teaching 3rd grade in a Parochial School, then I was hired to teach 1st grade for three years, was moved to 5th grade for 2 years, and then came back to 1st grade in the district where I attended school. I love that I'm able to give back the the school district that guided me to become the teacher I am today! I have a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education, certified 1-8; a Master's Degree in Curriculum and Instruction; and my Administrator License Pre-K-12.

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Saturday, January 7, 2012

Happy Weekend!

We survived the first week of 2012! Well, actually it was only a 4-day week but it totally felt like a full week! The next two weeks are four day weeks too! YIKES! So much to do!

I have to admit something...I like a little anonymity in my life....okay...maybe more than a little. :) For example, there's maybe only a few of my colleagues that know that I have started blogging. It's not because I don't want them to know...it's just that I already share what I'm doing in my classroom with them. And it's not because I think I am an amazing teacher...I do what's best for kids and after blog stalking all summer I decided to start sharing in the blogosphere as well. I have loved "meeting" and sharing ideas with all of my new "digital friends" and am so grateful for all of their posts...whether it's a vent, celebration or a share. They've all made me think differently about what's happening in my own little first grade world and I love it! Due to my anonymity...I have several emails for different things...family, junk mail (like when a store asks you for an email address), school, etc. but this also means I juggle between 3-4 email accounts a day...which is okay and not really a big deal thanks to my iPhone and iPad but I woke up this morning and wanted to switch the email address that's associated with this blog from my school email address to a different email address....just to make things a little easier...maybe. In doing so, I now need to go back and re-follow all of those blogs I've been following. I haven't lost them on my google reader, thank God, but needless to say I have a little tweaking to do this weekend. In my profile it says that I only follow one blogger...which is so untrue. There are tons of you I follow. Here's the link to the website I used to help me "simplify" things this morning:

Speaking of my one follower...First in Maine is aiming for 50 followers! I actually stumbled across her because she was listed on another blog I follow. Head on over and give her a shout out!

This week we've been reading the Tacky the Penguin books and we spent Friday morning making Tacky. We started off by creating the Penguin from Kaye @ TLC Lessons. I love her art projects and totally recommend them! They are awesome for following directions and they turn out so stinking cute! Each project involves pre-cut paper by you but it's so worth the extra prep. The kiddos learn how to turn a square into a circle by cutting off the four corners and then rounding the edges as well as other shapes...obviously. If you're interested, I'd order the seasonal books ("Fall", "Winter", "Spring") first to give you a taste. I think you'll be hooked! She also posts a sample lesson or two on her website. Right now there's a Barack Obama and a semi-truck lesson.

Anyway...here's her penguin lesson from her "Winter" book:


















We added googley eyes...because it's going to be Tacky, of course!

And here's Tacky...complete with his Hawaiian shirt!
My amazing friend copied the Hawaiian shirt patterns for me, but you can make a simple pattern using scrapbook paper too.

That's all for today! Usually my neck of the woods is buried in snow this time of year, but the sun is shining and I want to get out and enjoy it!
Take care,
Jenn

9 comments:

  1. I completely understand! =)
    Your Tacky Penguins are too cute!!
    =) Jennifer
    First Grade Blue SKies

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  2. I love Tacky - the art projects turned out so cute!
    A Teeny Tiny Teacher

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  3. I just found your blog. Cute stuff. We've been reading the Tacky books too. Got to love Tacky! I'm going to check out the art project. Looks cute.
    Petersons-Pad.blogspot.com

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  4. Hi!! I answered your question on my blog! Thanks for following! :)

    Sweet Times in First

    sweettimesinfirst@gmail.com

    Sandra

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  5. Check out my newest blog post!!

    Sweet Times in First

    sweettimesinfirst@gmail.com

    Sandra

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  6. Thanks for the shout out! I really appreciate it. Just one more to go.

    Kimberley @ 1st in Maine

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  7. Thanks for commenting on my blog, I am now your newest follower.

    I also nominated you for a Versatile Blogger award, you can check out the details at my blog.

    ✪ Miss W

    Miss W Teaches

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  8. This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.

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