New Blog & blah, Blah, BLAH!!

So I did it - I started a classroom blog!

It's called Crayon Confessions
The colorful happenings of Miss King's classroom, Room #13 - Don't you love the title? {If not, keep it to yourself, I've been really working hard on it :0)!!!}

It is far from done - I'll give you more info on my school blog - right now it's just empty (but I was in love with my title, so I found a free HEADER so I could snatch up the title...now I'm trying to decide if I wanna pay for super special buttons & graphics to really beef it up - since I'll ask parents to stop by and view the pics.).

I haven't been this pumped up about SCHOOL STUFF for some time! I have so many ideas that my plans are sketched out until 11/22 (Thanksgiving break starts 11/23). {C-ha-RAZY!!!!}

So what will I blog about now that school has it's own place? I am going to have to get a life - oh wait, until recently I was blogging all about other things. Now I just have to get some balance...and man, can I just say, Pinterest is ADDICTIVE!!

I have found so many ideas - already have a plan for my homemade Christmas ornaments, for the family!! I can't post until after 12/25 because that would ruin the surprise - but, they are SUPER cute, made by me, & OH SO EASY - that has become a PRE-requisite!!

The button ones I made last year were too, if you're looking for a simple ornament project look here.

Oh, and my newest quilt Rockefeller Rival is going to be fun to get started. I bought {and gifted} the circle cutter to my mom - so with my "Reindeer Games" layer cake & tools in hand, I'm all set to get that going!

So this post is turning into a brain dump, but my house is {mostly} decorated for fall - is yours? Can't wait to finish jig sawing with Jen to add those fun pumpkins to my fall decor stash. BTW, how did crackle painting turn out J?

That's all now - (like this isn't enough)!!

XOXO,
Kristan

Dreams Begin Here

I am so excited to start my 7th year...teaching 1st grade...with a Disney themed room.

Every year I start out with a "theme," I guess. But, they never stay - I change things up and don't change my language or meeting place names (ie meetings happen at "carpet" & daily calendar is called "calendar"). SO dull...I know, but it works.

This year I am excited to change things up! I'm naming my classroom after different parts of the Magic Kingdom Park in Disney World. Gonna be fun & I'm super excited to mix it up.

My introductory bulletin board is called 'Dreams Begin Here' & I'm excited to learn about & accomplish some dreams to this year's group of 6 & 7 year olds!

"Write On!"

So here are some pics of a new bulletin board I'm making, for writing. For all those who think "Teacher's have summers off, must be nice & Teachers have the best job because of it..." well this post is to prove how much off time we really utilize!

Can't wait to see it all hanging in the hallway. All my RVES peeps - don't go copying, ya hear?!?!

The Cutest LUNCH on the Block!

So, I needed a good gift idea for my sister. She appreciates her accessories (as all women do)! I was invited to a Thirty-one party and had plans to order a lunch tote for myself, but then I had the brilliant, beyond brilliant, idea to order 2 instead - one for me and the other for Shawn.

Well, with Grandma's passing I couldn't attend the party. BUT - gotta love the Internet - I was able to order as if I'd been at the party. Shawn chose a white bag with colorful dots, monogrammed in bright orange. Here is my super cute monogrammed lunch bag (it only had a minor issue, but Thirty-one resolved it VERY efficiently, so no complaints)...

Best & Worst

So in a Teaching with Love & Logic training this Saturday I had to write about my best & worst teachers.

My best was Mrs. Becker in 3rd Grade. She was older, probably close to retiring but she'd sing at her piano for transitions at least once day & we all had fun classroom jobs. I loved being in her class and especially loved the fun projects we'd do for holidays. Also I remember she was really good about reading aloud (I remember Jumanji & The Elves and the Shoemaker) to us and having parent speakers each month. I have so many memories: Secret Santa gift exchange, being Hawaii and voting for Roger Rabbit in our mock-Presidential election, and joining choir performing: Peter Rabbit & singing for soldiers before they deployed to Kuwait.

Worst...was 1st Grade. Maybe this is why I feel so compelled to be a good, relational 1st Grade teacher?!?! I remember not speaking in her class for days - and for those of you who know me I'm sure you're like "Yeah, right!" Really though, I remember her making me recite things in front of the class that she knew I couldn't do...I just felt so stupid so I started to play mute. I hated her class & I was almost retained because of my lack of cooperation in her presence! What's worse...well, my mom told me a few weeks ago that she's pretty sure this lady got Teacher of the Year in our former school district. I guess sometimes it's just a personality conflict, right?

So how goes it with you? What are your bests & worsts when it comes to school teachers & memories?

"Back to School, Back to School"

Yes, it's going on my 6th year in education and I finally know what I want to be when I grow up...a teacher, FOREVER!

Well, specifically a primary teacher. So it's back to school I go. I'm enrolled at Grand Canyon University, taking online classes. I'm trying to earn my Masters in Education: Curriculum & Instruction, emphasis in Elementary Reading. Phew...that's a mouthful.

It will take 17 months. Seems like a short ammount of time, but after finishing my first week I think these months will be harder that I originally planned, isn't that always the case though?

Plus, this summer in July is DisneyWorld, FL with the WHOLE family--for about 2 weeks. Crazy to be enrolled in school?! Yeah, I know. BUT WAIT, it gets better! I also will be trying to teach summer school this year--for all of June. I have visions of my family on the beach & me in a hotel...typing...or sleeping from 1 too many late nights!

Wish me luck, too late to back out now!

Back to 1st grade!

Well, I think I've graduated from 5th & can move down to 1st again. Yay, I am hoping to finalize my transition...yes, it means moving schools AGAIN. I am happy to do it though (especially since I get to stay with my fabulous principal & move back to primary teaching).

I have to say that 5th has been an adventure. God knows that I wouldn't have left my old school, or tried 5th grade without a PUSH. I unwillingly went to SES & 5th, and along the way met some AMAZING people!!

I'm glad God is in control, He truly works all things for the good...~Romans 8:28~

Good Golly, Miss Molly

So coming back from Art today, my class was rambunctious as well....ALWAYS!! As we're walking in the hallway by Kindergarten one of my kids asks me about when CSAP testing begins (as if we haven't been taking them for the past 5 days, every morning from 10:30-12:00!!). I just ignore the question because quite frankly, I didn't want to answer it.

However, in true kid form, another student proceeds to ask me the same question?? Hmm...I just give "the look" and say, "Good Golly Miss Molly!" To which the student replies, "Miss King, I was asking about time? Who's Molly anyway?"

Oh dear! Giggle...I had to bust out in song. I think he was afraid or too horrified to ask the CSAP question again...for fear of death by my eyeballs emitting laser beams, well that or death by SINGING embarrassment, LOL!