Yearbook Work...What Do YOU Want to Be When You Grow Up?

We're finishing the year by working in a yearbook.  I decided to do things a bit different this year.

Usually, we fill in a photocopied yearbook but this year I decided to have the students create a hardcover book showcasing their year in first!!  We'll included the different forms of writing, text features, and of course LOTS of photos!

We've just begun but the kids are REALLY excited to work in them.  I'll show you the progress as we work through them.  So far the kids have colored the cover, added a picture with their "Special Person" poster, written a table of contents page, and wrote a caption for their first day self-portrait.

I was looking for a cute way to have the kids tell me what they want to be when they grow up.  A few years ago I painted the back of the my shelfs with chalkboard paint.  I used to let the kids write on them but eventually the chalk dust became too much.

Using a chalk marker I made a speech bubble and had the kids write inside.  I created a document in Pages with the background, font, and picture frame.  I just uploaded each picture and printed.  They'll glue these into their yearbooks and write an opinion piece.  I LOVE that some even asked if they could make a picture of what they wanted to be.

Just look at the first one!!  Doesn't that just tug at your heart?!  I mean, oh my gosh, when he said he wanted to be a daddy my heart just melted.  Of course, there was debate on if that was a job (since no $$ is involved).  I assured the kids that being a parent is the hardest job in the world.  So unbelievably adorable!!  You can click to enlarge.  My kiddos have BIG dreams!!

Mad Dash to the Finish Line

So we're out June 11th.  A-L-M-O-S-T there!!  I've had a few moments of bliss this week.

First up, DQ.  As I sat there eating my M&M Blizzard the world around me seemed to fade out (just for a moment) while I enjoyed my delicious treat.

One boy decided to tip his Blizzard upside down just like the ladies at the counter only it didn't work in his favor!  He was showing his friends how to do it.  Luckily, he managed to save some in his cup.

When I asked him what lesson he learned he grinned and said, "Only let the workers tip the ice cream upside down!" Maybe this is a special skill or there's special training involved!

Here's a pic of us outside.

Next up, Lily's mom came in today and let me say she's SIMPLY amazing.  She told me she was going to paint the kiddos faces so I thought simple images on their cheeks.  

Well, take a look at what she did!!  She is looking into making this a business and I think she's got a great idea. The kids were SO excited and the compliments were endless. 

We had ladybugs, Mario, a dog, tigers, zombies (which seems to be the new rave), a princess, dragon, butterfly, vampires, and the Hulk.

Fierce looking.

She suggested a palm tree for me and I couldn't resist.  The warm ocean breeze, beautiful sunset, and birds in the sky. Oh, the memories of Hawaii...snap back to reality!

Oh, Look How They've Grown

We're not out until June 11th but we've begun our yearbooks!  Today I took pictures of them holding a "Movin' on to 2nd Grade" sign.

Take a look at how they've changed!

 

These kiddos have grown SO much emotionally, socially, and academically.  They look ready for 2nd grade!!

Last Day Blues and Dancing

Oh, what a sad day!  It was our last day as a first grade class.  I've been so fortunate to have such an amazing group of kids.  They all deserve a break!

We spent some time together this morning, I handed out their Summer Survival Kits, and then we had an assembly.  It tugged at my heart seeing some of my boys (who act macho) getting teary eyed knowing the school year was over!

Here's a link to a FUNNY video our assistant principal put together.  He went around interviewing kiddos on what they planned on reading over the summer.  Little did they know (until they watched the video today)....there was some dancing in the background.  This reminds me of The Ellen Show's Dance Dare.

I LOVE that my school finds ways to have a bit of fun.  I'm even dancing here!  I'm with my ed tech holding up OTES.  Haha.

Whatcha Reading?

Last Group Photos

Here are a couple of our last group photos together!!  Can you spot the teacher?

This has been such a FANTASTIC group of kiddos and they have worked so well together (makes my job a lot easier).   It's going to be hard to let them go.  Some have even requested I move on to second grade...then third...then...haha.

1 1/2 days left of school!

Summer Survival Kits

UPDATE:  So...I thought I was done with these until I walked into the Dollar Tree Store (just about an hour ago) and found some CUTE Hawaiian cups.  Of course I bought them with some Kool-Aid packs.  Now I'm undoing ALL of the bags to add them in!

I just finished up my Summer Survival Kits for my kiddos. If one of them had a pound of chocolate, I just might have eaten it all!

Inside I included a pencil, eraser, stickers, Swedish Fish (O-fish-ally a Second Grader), Hershey Kisses (hugs and kisses), and a certificate for a free item from The Lyon's Store for next year (we'll see how many can hang onto this.  I only had 2 from my last year's class come see me).

Oh, and course I added a band-aid.  When my brothers and I were little and we complained about small cuts, scratches, or bruises my dad would always tell us he could operate.  He'd say he'd cut right above our cut so it wouldn't hurt anymore. Haha, I still can't believe we weren't traumatized as kids.  Every year it always becomes a joke with my class because I use this same line.  I survived...right?

I'll be handing these out on the last day of school!

Off to finish up report cards.

ALMOST 2nd Graders!!

Here are my ALMOST second graders!  Students be adding their beginning of the year and end of year picture to their yearbooks.

How Many of Your Kiddos Can Blow a Bubble?

Today we celebrated Letter B.  We celebrated bubbles and bubble gum.

I read Bubble Bubble by Mercer Mayer.

We then focused on BUBBLE GUM....so exciting!!  The kids practiced with their bubble gum and told me the steps they took in order to blow a bubble.  Only 3 of my kiddos could do it!!  

Here are pics and the worksheet I made to go along with this activity.

How to Blow a Bubble

End of the Year Alphabet Countdown

It's hard to believe we've begun our end of year countdown.  The kiddos brought in their favorite animals for letter A.  Some animals even seemed to complete work today  Here are a few checking in with me!!

Tomorrow we'll be celebrating letter B with blowing bubbles and bubble gum!

First Grade Celebration Night

Last night students brought their parents to school to show them ALL they've done this year.  It was a chance for them to look around the room, see all the growth, and the EXCELLENT work the kids have done this year.  At the end, kids watched a slideshow.

I wanted to take pictures but I was so busy talking to everyone I didn't get the chance.

Teddy's mom wanted a picture of us together so here it is!

Teddy...almost a SECOND grader!

I'm one PROUD teacher!