New Classroom Colors

A few years ago I stopped doing themes for my classroom decor. Every summer I would get so excited about my new theme, buying and making things to bring into the classroom, and by October/November, I couldn't stand it any more. So I've went to a more streamlined approach of just using colors for decorating my classroom. I LOVE using black and white, with pops of bright colors. It gives my classroom a clean, organized look, that I don't tire from so quickly.

Here's some pictures from recent years--

Orange/Hot Pink/Lime

These colors made me so happy! After looking at owls for the whole year prior, this was the change I needed! The black makes these colors POP.

 Yellow/Orange/Hot Pink

The next year I just changed out the green for yellow, and added some polka dot border to match my curtains. Still happy with the colors! The parents and other visitors loved how clean and organized it made the room look. 

 Lime/Teal/Purple (New colors for 2016 - 2017)

Before school got out for summer, I started switching out my colors and was able to keep most of my black paper. 

That's a quick peek of my colors for the upcoming school year. When I can get back into my classroom in August, I will finish the rest and post some more pictures. If you post any pics of your classrooms, I'd love to see them too! 

Enjoy your summer!

January Currently

It's January? Already? Jeesh, time sure does fly when you're stressed out, overwhelmed, going crazy, having fun! Joining in with Farley's Currently for January.

Listening: My son and I are watching the "Penguins of Madagascar" movie and we love those silly penguins!

Loving: These 2 weeks of vacation have been fantastic! Like everyone else, I'm sure, I needed time to relax and just do nothing and nothing feels amazing!

Thinking: It's hard NOT to think about school. My brain is ALWAYS running and school tends to be one of the main thoughts, whether I like it or not. I'm so glad that my principal doesn't open up the school during break. She knows how hard we work and how much we need time with our families.

Wanting: Another week of relaxing and recharging my teacher self would be wonderful! I do get an extra day--we go back on Tuesday. Yay for one more day!

Needing: Motivation to get things done. Haven't wanted to do much of anything while on vacation.

One Little Word: Time is so important. I am hoping this year I make more time for my family and for myself. 

Head over to Farley's blog and link up! 

Happy New Year!

Open House

My class decided they wanted to learn about the rain forest. We came back from Spring Break and the madness began. The kids were so excited and eager to learn all about this wonderful habitat. Each rain forest book I read, ended with applause by my class. Their excitement carried over into each activity we did. I got excited when they got excited, which made for an interesting 5 weeks. 

Here are some pictures from that night--

This pic of one of my students welcomed everyone to our room.

This was the view from the door of my room looking in.

Our silly sloth writing

Here's a close-up

Some of our rain forest explorers

The kids liked reading the riddle to their parents.

A little river cruise...watch out for the piranhas!

More explorers

The view from my backdoor.

The parents loved the paper version of their child sitting at the desks.

Student work

Some plants from the rain forest (a bromeliad on the left, can't remember the one on right). Lots of pics on table from my trip to Costa Rica with many animals we learned about.

We made 2 graphs: the yellow stickers represent my students and during Open House their families added pink stickers to show their favorites. We enjoyed comparing and seeing what the favorites were!

Each student did an animal research  report.

Making the animals was a favorite activity for all the kids!

This is what was on each student's desk.

The kids couldn't believe how much their writing improved over the school year!

August

May

The kids made up their own rain forest word problems using addition or subtraction.

So there's a peek into my classroom. Hope you enjoyed it! I was so proud of the kids and all the wonderful work they did! Their families LOVED everything we did too. 

Now it's time to enjoy Summer vacation!!

May Currently

It's always nice to link up with Farley for this month's Currently!

Listening--"Worth It" by Fifth Harmony...love it!! I love songs that get me moving and this one makes me want to WERK IT! (As long as no one is watching...LOL!)

Loving--only 21 more days left until summer! That number is so small and makes me happier each time I make it through another day. 

Thinking--about my summer plans! I have a busy and FUN summer planned. CAN'T WAIT! My husband and I are going to the Dominican Republic the week after school gets out. The beginning of July, my husband, son, and I will be going to New York City. The last part of July, my parents, my son, and I will be going on a weeklong baseball tour of 7 MLB stadiums (games and sightseeing included).

Wanting--to deep clean/organize my classroom. My room is in DIRE need of a cleaning! I have a huge walk-in storage closet that has been a catch-all during the year, piles everywhere when trying to walk inside. There are cupboards that have things in them that I haven't used in years! I need to start now with one cupboard/space at a time to finish by the end of the school year. When everything is in order, I feel so much happier!

Needing--to get ready for Open House. Our Open House is next Thursday night. I've started putting some things up on the walls but have  piles of work that still needs to be hung. I'm not in the mood after school, and I keep saying "I'll do it tomorrow". Get on it girl!!!

Summer--Yes: Getaway for 2! My husband and I are finally going on a vacation! We haven't done anything like this since our honeymoon 15 years ago. We'll be going to the Dominican Republic, staying at an all-inclusive resort, being lazy, relaxing, and having fun! Hope: to get crafty. I want to spend some time with my Cameo. I've had it for over 2 years and have used it about 3 times. I find it so intimidating! I also want to get back into my scrapbooking...it's been way too long for that! My son was looking at his albums and was wondering where the rest of his were...ummm...bad mommy. Dream:that everything in our house will be back to normal. During the beginning of my Spring Break, the valves in our shower leaked water inside the bathroom walls to my son's bedroom and the master bedroom...wet carpet, some mold, rotten pipes...yuck! Half of my son's bedroom has been sitting in our living room, since the plumbers had to go through his closet to fix the leak. The master bedroom is all out of sorts--our bed pushed to middle of room, corner of the rug pulled up and a small hole cut in wall to check for leak. NOT. FUN. Holes are being fixed tomorrow, rugs are next. Fingers crossed!

New Blog Design!

OMG! I am in LOVE with my new blog design! It's bright and cheery and makes me want to stare at it all day long. Gabby from Gabby's Classrooms did an amazing job! She is very helpful and easy to work with. If you're thinking of starting a blog or yours need an update, go check her out! You won't be disappointed! Thanks Gabby!!

April Currently

What? I'm BLOGGING??? Yep, no need to get your eyes checked. I can hardly believe it too! I've been completely addicted to Instagram this school year that I've neglected my blog...again. I'm hoping to fix that...soon. 

So, what better way to get back into the blogging mood than hooking up with Farley and her April Currently!

Listening: My son LOVES, LOVES, LOVES hockey and is starting his Spring Break by playing a little hockey on the Wii. I'm sitting at the kitchen table listening to his "team" kick some butt on the ice.

Loving: Spring Break started at 2:30 p.m.!! I am so excited for this break...cuz I sure need it!! It's been a LONG stretch since coming back from Christmas Break. My students were driving each other crazy, which led to me going a bit crazy. Everyone needed this break!

Thinking: I need a nap! I'm exhausted from this week. I felt like I had to entertain the kids every second of the day to keep them on task and engaged. We struggled with behavior which took it all out of me. My bed is calling me...

Wanting: I'm getting a new blog design and am so excited to see the finished product! Gabby from Gabby's Classrooms is working on my new design as we speak. I'm hoping this new, fun, bright design will motivate me to blog more! Check back soon to see here awesome work!

Needing: I need to get my body moving again! I started off my school year eating right and exercising which helped me lose 35 pounds. Once December came, life and school got CRAZIER! I wasn't consistent with my workouts or my eating plan. I need to get back to that healthier way of living. I felt my BEST when I was "in the zone". It's time!

Blog Name: For a time I was heavily into animal prints, especially zebra. My classroom was all decked out and WILD for my students. It was a fun theme that we all loved. I no longer have the zebra fetish but I am "WILD" about teaching first graders!

Don't forget to link up with Farley and remember the Rule of 3!