Friday, July 31, 2015

Learning Under Construction

The end of summer is near and it is such a sad thought! This week was the first week we were allowed in my building so I went Monday and Thursday, but forced myself not to go the other three days to hold onto summer just a little bit longer. Monday was extremely productive setting up my classroom. I was able to get everything set up and my new decorations hung. Which brings me to our school's new theme this year!

Learning Under Construction

Each year our principal picks a theme from our whole school to follow. Two years ago our theme was sports. Last year was Learning Around the World, and this year is Learning Under Construction.

The year our theme was centered on sports Amy Lemons, from Step into 2nd Grade, had created these adorable table numbers she hung from her ceiling for her classroom. If you haven't seen them the post is located here. She also created labels for her bins. It was beyond perfect for me!! It matched our school's theme, she made had enough for all, at the time, five of my groups, and they fit the bins I had already in my classroom. WIN WIN!!

Then next year came and our theme had changed and Mrs. Lemons, nor anyone else that I could find, had created something for this theme. I was so hooked on these group labels though and they worked so well for organization that I had to recreate. So I made my own for last year's theme, they were blahh okay. However, this year I have made new ones again to match our new theme and I am pretty excited about them! I bought some cute clip-art from Creative Clips. I'm in L.O.V.E! 

My students' desks are in groups of four so I have a total of six groups. Each group has been assigned a tool name which may be used during a construction project. 

What do ya think?!?!



I also created the labels for the bins to match.






I'm going to have to get better at the whole photo taking process because it is going to drive me nuts. These aren't the best photos by no means, but you get the idea. ;-) I made six groups; tool box, hammer, wrench, screw driver, construction cone, and cement truck. 

I use these group labels so I can call students by tool name, group number, or color. It makes things so much easier, faster, and more efficient. They make me happy! =) In future posts you will be able to tell how important organization is to me. 

So do any of you have school or classroom themes each year? What is the theme for you this year!?

Welp that's all for now! The Mr. and I have an engagement party tonight for my cousin and his fiance so I'm off to start some din din and get ready. Happy Friday everyone! Have a wonderful weekend!

Friday, July 17, 2015

Introductions!

Hello All! My name is Christen and I am brand new to the blogging world. I currently teach third grade in Illinois, which I love!!  My kiddos make the day so interesting and enjoyable! This will be my fifth year teaching, all of which have been in third grade. I feel blessed to have had such security so far in my career and looked forward to what the future brings. I love using hands-on, creative activities with my students to help them grow and learn to love what knowledge can bring them. I also enjoy using the technology I am so lucky to have at my school. 

Last month I got married to my hubs of three years and it was wonderful!!! We went on a honeymoon shortly after and now things have definitely gone back to the real world. Nothing really has changed for the two of us since we've been married, but being a wife FEELS different in a great way! So now that things have calmed down from all the wedding planning, I figured what better time to start a blog! I enjoy spending time with my family, who are without a doubt are the most important people to me. I am a Pinterest fanatic and love finding new things to create and decorate in our home. When people come into my classroom and ask me where I came up with all of these ideas I always tell them that I have a Pinterest themed classroom. Mainly all of my ideas come from others in the Pinterest or blogging world which I am so thankful for. I always seem to be working on something in the classroom, which is why I love reading blogs because they are experiencing the same thing I am. As of right now the Mr. and I have no dogs and no children, but some day hopefully we will. All in good time! ;-)






 I hope to learn from all of you while sharing some new ideas I use in my classroom. I look forward to learning more about blogging and hopefully making this a tool for other educators out there to use! Happy summer!!