Meet the TEACHER!!

Here I am with a 5 lb box of York Peppermint Patties and a shirt to show just how much I LOVE these little treats!!  I thought this would be a GREAT way to introduce myself, in my classroom with my favorite treat.

I'm so excited for the new year to start and look forward to working with all of you this year.  It's going to be a fun filled year with LOTS of learning.  It's amazing to see the  growth from the beginning of the year to the end.  I'm always blown away with how much these little kiddos grow socially, emotionally, and academically.


My classroom is bright, cheery, and inviting!  My goal is to make learning fun and engaging.  I want my room to look like the kids LIVE in it so you'll always find work and art on the walls.  I have also created small work areas for kids to go to when they want a change from their desks or during Daily 5 time. We'll be creating a strong community within our room with set expectations.


As for my teaching style, I like to consider myself relaxed, patient, and determined.  I have high expectations that ALL my students can learn and be successful.  I strive for my students to work to the best of their abilities and celebrate their accomplishments.  I want kids to know that it's okay to make mistakes because no one is perfect.  They'll quickly learn that EVEN their teacher makes mistakes.  They just need to give me 100% and work hard when they come to school.

Enjoy the rest of your summer and I'll see you soon!!

Scaredy Squirrel Mascot

Check out Erica Bohrer's Blog to see her ideas for classroom mascots.  Scaredy Squirrel is going to be our classroom mascot this year and I plan on using the FREE packet she has made.  THANKS!!  I had to make a bag to go along with Scaredy Squirrel and his travel log.  I'm debating on if I want to paint him or just leave him the color of the bag.  Here's a pic!

Now...I need to find a Scaredy Squirrel stuffed animal.

Who Doesn't LOVE the Christmas Tree Shop?

Now, can you say I was SUPER excited when the Christmas Tree Shop finally opened up near me!!  This store has a little bit of everything at reasonable prices. 

I've been looking for a small kid's table for my room ALL summer.  Every table I found was for tots so when I found this little table I HAD to have it.  How can you beat $40 for a small table and two chairs?

Of course I did a bit of my own artsy work on it.  The chairs before were a navy blue and a bright red.  I sanded them down and painted them to match my room.  I also added the polka-dots to the table.  This will be used during Daily 5 time and I just might buy another one for writing during Daily 5.  I like giving my kids options on moving around the room to work.

Here are the pics!

Ladybug Nonfiction

Today we read nonfiction books about ladybugs.  I had the kids write a fact they learned on their boards.  After checking them, they wrote their sentence on large chart paper.

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!

McNugget Listening to a Good Read Aloud

At the end of the day McNugget joined us for the read aloud My Life as a Chicken.

Countdown to the End of School...Only We're Counting Down with the Alphabet!

We have 23 1/2 days left of school!  We've been counting down by doing something special with each letter of the alphabet.

A-Bring your favorite stuffed animal

My FAVORITE first grade stuffed animal.  The kids thought it was new!

B-Blow bubbles-too bad it's been raining for the last 50 days (well, that's what it seems like)
C-Card Day

Today, kids wrote a special Thank You card to someone in the school who has helped them.  Of course we added EVERY teachers favorite TREAT....CHOCOLATE.

Here they are at work.

Tomorrow....D...Finishing up dinos so we'll be writing dino facts and eating donut holes.  Maybe we'll do it at the same time!!

Mrs. Lyons and McNugget

Here I am with my baby chick McNugget.  After seeing this pic I realized I REALLY need a tan but not seeing the sun in awhile doesn't really help!!

I also have one of my dog Lily meeting him.  She was curious at first but then I think her hunting instincts kicked in.  No chicks were hurt!

McNugget and Me

Lily meeting her new sibling!

McNugget, My First Chick

Here's MY FIRST chick!  I'm one proud momma!!  We were in the middle of Daily 5 when this little guy decided to make his debut.  Of course we stopped everything and watched for about 25 minutes.  The kids were mesmerized!

They didn't all agree on MY name but since it's my FIRST chick I told them they'd name the rest!

Here are some short video clips!!  I should've shut the sound off but you can enjoy the excitement in their voices...

Fossil Making

Next week our focus will be what a paleontologist does and fossils.  We made our fossils today so the plaster can dry over the weekend.

Kids were given magic model clay and a small dino.  Of course they had the chance to play with it a bit before they had to put their dino in the clay.  I filled the top with kid safe plaster.  Next week they'll look at the results.