Treading Water

School started 7 weeks ago and I am struggling to stay afloat. I was prepared to begin the new year with 28 students. That number quickly grew each day as we got closer to the first day of school. I started with 31 students on the first day, and within the next few days, 2 more were added to my class. My somewhat manageable 28 turned into an unbelievable 33! My classroom was built for 20 students. Fitting 13 extra desks, chairs, and students was a HUGE struggle. Of my 33 students, 21 of them are boys...yowsers! Each day has been a never ending struggle with management, transitions, space, time, and sanity. I have never been so tired and stressed as I have this year. My teaching pace has slowed down dramatically because I'm spending so much time on managing students than on teaching.

Fortunately, I have a wonderful group of parents. My parent helpers have saved me by taking over a lot of my paperwork--checking in homework each day, stuffing folders, correcting, and filing. All of these things were keeping me from enjoying the little free time I had at recess and lunch. My students' parents have given me support with their time and kind words, which have meant the world to me. Just when I think I can't handle anything else, I'll get an amazing e-mail, note, or some much needed chocolate, from a parent letting me know how much I mean to their child and what a great job they think I'm doing. These words give me a little push to make it through another day. :)

Unfortunately, nothing can be done with my class size... :(  I have the biggest first grade at my school and in the district, which is not cool.

What I do need from you and my other blog friends is some advice, tips, suggestions, words of wisdom, etc. that can help me make it through this crazy school year. I have noticed some baby steps towards improving behavior, managing my HUGE group, and dealing with day to day tasks...but everything is ssssslllllloooooowwwww. So, please help! I'd appreciate anything you have to offer. :)

Mini Birthday Bags

In years past, I've given my students a book for their birthdays. In my organized years I had assorted books pre-ordered and waiting to be handed out for the birthday girl or boy. In less organized years, I would be scrounging around (at the last minute) in my closet for any book I could find, and hope the birthday kid liked it (or better yet, didn't have it). 

This year I'm way ahead of the game! Yay!! I decided to make birthday bags...simple and cute. :)  I didn't put any candy inside the bags because of ants...my school always has them! Each bag (contents included) only cost about $1.00 to make.

The cute little bags go with my WILD theme.

 Inside each bag:  crayons,

a little notepad (some for girls & some for boys),

and some bubbles.

I got everything at Target except the bags, which I got at Michaels.

 

I finished these today, so I can FINALLY check something off my HUGE "to-do" list!!
 

I've done a little shopping...

I've done a little shopping around town this past week. Made a few stops at Target, Michael's, Kohl's, and Office Depot. Here's what I found:

More zebra print--table cloth, lunch box, pens, the 'M' is a magnet, and the glasses are purple/black zebra print too. I think I might let the kids wear the glasses when they're sharing their writing with the class.

I found these at Michael's. They're hand tattoos. I want to use them for a greater than/less than lesson. I bought 6 packs; they were on sale for 79 cents but I got 25% off my whole purchase! yay!

Can never have enough wiggly eyes! The ones on the left have sticky backs, so I think I'm going to use those to make reading pointers (put one on the end of a colored craft stick).

Stationary, mini gift bags, and duct tape!

This was a total surprise to find in a bin at Michael's. It's a cute story! I love all the "Old Lady" books.

Also from Michael's--basket. I think I will put my monthly read-alouds in this.

These are from Kohl's! I thought I was the last one to get these but I guess I was wrong. :) $5 each! The bumble bee is so soft!

 

I have yet to set foot in a teacher store...that's coming! Just don't tell my husband when I do! Haha!

 

Must Have Picture Books Linky Party

Lindsey from The Teacher Wife is having a "Must Have Picture Books" linky party. I'm a little late but I'm joining the party!! 

 Here's my top five favorites (sooo hard to narrow down to just 5):

1. Unlovable by Dan Yaccarino is a cute story about a pug who learns 2 things: 1)that he is lovable just the way he is and 2)the true meaning of friendship. My students LOVE the surprise in this story!

2. Stephanie's Ponytail by Robert Munsch is about a girl that likes to have her own look. So when her classmates begin copying her ponytail, she finds increasingly outrageous ways to wear her hair until she outsmarts the copycats. My students always wonder what Stephanie will do next!

3. I Wanna Iguana by Karen Kaufan Orloff is about a boy named Alex. He is trying to convince his mom to let him have an iguana, so he puts his arguments in writing. So funny! I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE David Catrow and his illustrations!

4. My Lucky Day by Keiko Kasza. A hungry fox is sure that it's his lucky day when a delectable-looking pig knocks on his door by mistake.

5. Stand Tall Molly Lou Melon by Patty Lovell is about a little girl who embraces her differences and stands up to the class bully. She doesn't let anyone get her down. A great story for teaching children acceptance and self-esteem. Once again, David Catrow does the wonderful illustrations.

 

Those are my picks and you can find a TON of others if you go check out the linky party!!

Awards...Thank You!!

 

I've been away from my computer this past week. GASP! I know! Been trying to enjoy the last of summer vacation. Can't believe how fast it's starting to fly by!

I was awarded the Liebster Award by two blog friends -- Christa from Sweet Life of Second Grade and Emily from 2nd Grade Mon-Stars. THANK YOU ladies for recognizing me and my blog!!! If you haven't stopped by their blog yet, please check them out!

This award highlights blogs that have under 200 followers. Here are the rules for it:

1. Copy and paste this award on your blog.

2. Thank the giver and link back to them.

3. Reveal 5 other bloggers and let them know by commenting 

     on their blog.

I am happily awarding the Liebster Blog Award to:

 Spotted in First Grade

 Brigid's Daily Lesson Log 

Look Who's Teaching 

 Lacy's Letters

4321...Teach

Say what?! A Teachers Inky Linky Party

So this is a whole new different kind of linky party...and I like it! Josh from Mr. B's Beach Brains is having a non-school related linky party. He wants you to share your teacher tattoos or just any tattoos you might have. I know there are a lot of hip teachers out there on the web, who probably have some cool ink...so let's see it!



Here's Josh's RULES:
1. Please use good judgment when posting pictures of your tat. If  
    it's in a place where we have no business looking at it, then 
    please don't. If it contains profanity or other vulgarities, please 
    do not post it.

2. Please DO share your pic and story as to why you got it and what it symbolizes. 

Here's my tattoo that's on the inside of leg, just above the ankle.  

It's not as bright and colorful as it used to be...when I was 21! I wish I had some cool story about why I chose it or how I got it but I don't. 

I was going to school at Cal State Long Beach and my boyfriend (now husband) and I were going to visit his brother at UCSD. We were in his brother's dorm room, trying to think of something to do before we went to Tijuana for the night (that's where college kids went...to drink beverages...and have fun). I was looking in a phone book and saw ads for tattoo places and one stuck out in particular--The Avalon. So, we decided to check it out. Little did we know that you had to have an appointment (we were so naive) but we were able to get in. I had no clue what I wanted to get. At the time I thought a dolphin would be cool (soooo glad that I didn't get that!) but the dolphins I saw there were all scary looking or had mean, snarling faces. Yikes! So at the last moment, I saw the daisy design and  liked it. (See no special significance or awesome story! Totally random!) I was first to get a tattoo, my husband went next, and his brother just watched. haha!

My mom flipped out when she saw it. I thought I could hide it from my family when I went home to visit...WRONG!! She saw it first, called my dad at work, went to the neighbors to tell them what I did, etc. In my family, I'm the LAST one that anyone would've suspected to get a tattoo. Surprise! haha!

As for school and my students, they get a little shock when they see it and say, "Mrs. Tompkins, you have a tattoo?!?" and then that's it. haha! So parents, your children are safe with me! Your first grader will not be getting inked any time soon. :)

Thanks Josh for a different kind of party!

 

Classroom Theme Change...or Not!

I've been thinking the past few months that I'd like to change my classroom theme to something new and different. For the past few years, I've had a WILD theme, mostly zebra print decor and each year, with help from my students, it's grown. I was almost certain a few weeks ago that I was changing my theme this year. But I couldn't decide on a new theme! There's so many wonderful, creative ideas out there in blogland but I can't narrow it down at all. I realized that I have a LOT of  zebra/animal print things left over, that I ordered from Vistaprint last summer, that I should probably use.

Click here to see what I ordered last summer.


So I'm going to stick with my zebra print one more year and hopefully, think of something really awesome & unique for next year. :)  While I was surfing the net last night, I remembered that Melanie from Schoolgirl Style had some super cute zebra print decorations that would be perfect to add to my room. Even though she calls it her "Rock Star" theme, there's a lot of zebra print cuteness! Check out her store on Teachers Notebook if you're interested in buying anything. 

 These pictures were taken from Melanie's website 

Schoolgirl Style.

 I need these new book basket labels! CUTE!!

 Wrapping paper instead of butcher paper for bulletin boards...LOVE IT!

With all the black and white, I want to add pops of color. So I might get some of these bright baskets and organizers from Really Good Stuff.

 Since I can't get into my classroom until next month, I have some planning/stalking/work to do. I will share any projects I make to go with my zebra print theme. :)