What I Bought!

So I thought I'd join Blog Hoppin's linky showing all of you what I bought from TpT's Teacher Appreciation sale! Mine is a bit different. Since I don't have my own classroom yet or even know what grade I will teach, I didn't want to go too crazy buying items that are grade-specific. I'm fairly certain I will teach Kindergarten, first, or second. Hopefully first but I'm trying not to get my hopes up! Anyways, on to what I bought!

1. Erica Bohrer's Classroom Job Labels
I recommend this product because it has pretty much every classroom job! However you can also add your own jobs!

2. Reagan Tunstall's Classroom Library Labels
I love Reagan Tunstall's blog! Her classroom is my inspiration. It's so warm and inviting! Just like Erica Bohrer's job labels, Reagan Tunstall's classroom library packet has pretty much every label for every type of children's book! I also love this because it gives me more of an idea of the types of books I should have in my classroom library.

3. That's So Second Grade's Favorite Author Posters
These posters are so beautiful and colorful. They will definitely brighten up my classroom and inspire my students to read books written by the authors!

4. A Cupcake for the Teacher's editable behavior calendars
I love the idea of sending home a behavior calendar with my students. My cooperating teacher used this system and I knew I wanted to use behavior calendars in my classroom. What I love about this product is that it has space at the bottom to add behavior codes!

So that is what I bought! I hope that the next time I purchase something from TpT it will be more grade-specific....because that will mean I have a job!! :D My district STILL hasn't posted openings yet. :-/ I know it's still early but I'm so eager to be in a classroom! Other teachers have told me not to stress because they didn't get a job until the week before school started! I really hope that's not the case with me. I'd like to have a job by end of June, or at least July! I'm keeping my fingers crossed!

Teacher Appreciation Week

Sub jobs have really picked up for me the last couple of weeks. I worked every day last week and have a job for every day next week! I've been subbing more frequently at a school that I lovelovelove and that will definitely have openings next school year. They will need a few teachers in the grade I want to teach. The district hasn't posted job openings yet so it is not official yet. I'm keeping my fingers crossed! A teacher friend told me I should give my resume to the principal but I just don't know about that! I haven't even met this principal and don't want to seem desperate or over-bearing! Have any of you ever handed your resume to a principal? What was the response? What do you think your principal would think of someone doing that?

 I have another question for you all! Teacher Appreciation Week is this week and I would really like to take advantage of some teaching/school supply deals. I've tried googling but everything I've found is for last year. Do any of you know of any stores (Staples, Office Depot, Target, etc) that are having Teacher Appreciation Week sales? I really want to start stocking up on post-its, Expo markers, pens, and other things that run out every 5 seconds in a classroom.

Have a good weekend!! :D

Chevron

So recently I've been creating little things for my classroom. Yep, even though I have no idea what grade I'll be teaching...or if I'll even have a job in August...but I like to be prepared. I guess you could say I'm a little excited about getting my own classroom. Just a little bit.

Anyways, like the blog post says, Chevron. Chevron everywhere. I downloaded some chevron paper and I've been going crazy with it. My behavior clip chart is chevron. My "Where are you?" board (idea from Second Grade Style/Pinterest) is chevron. All my teacher organization binder covers? Chevron. That's all I've made so far because I don't want to get too specific since I don't know what grade I'll be teaching. Why is chevron so appealing? I hope it's still "in style" in August?!?! Does anyone else have a chevron addiction like me?

Also, I want to get a laminator. Most schools have them in the teacher's lounge or workroom but I think it would best to have one that I could keep in my classroom or even bring home if I wanted to. I've been eyeing this one. It has good reviews and it's only $30. Any of you teachers have any experience with it?

Teaching Books Wish-List

Even though I have graduated from college, I still feel like I have a lot to learn about teaching. After I graduated in December, I bought several professional development books off of Amazon...aaaannnnddd I've already finished them. What can I say, I love learning more about how I can help my future students get the most out of learning in my classroom. I decided to start an Amazon Wish-List filled with teaching books I want to buy and read over the summer.

Here are some of the ones I'm most looking forward to reading:

• The Daily Five

The Daily 5 is something that I have experienced in many classrooms that I've been in, however I have not done much research into it. Also, since I've never had my own classroom I've never gone through the steps of implementing Daily 5 in my classroom. This book will be just what I need to learn more about the process so I'm ready to start it with my own classroom (hopefully) next school year!

• The CAFE Book

I must admit, I have no experience with the CAFE system. I have not seen it in any of the classrooms I've been in. Which is why I want to read more about it!

• Math Work Stations: Independent Learning You Can Count On, K-2
  
  
  
  I really like the idea of a Guided Math/Math Work Stations approach to teaching math. Not only is it a great way to differentiate, it keeps kiddos moving around the room and not sitting at their desks. Since I'm hoping to teach in the K-2 grades (hopefully 1st), this book is a must-have for me!

• Literacy Work Stations: Making Centers Work
  
  You can never have enough Debbie Diller. Seriously. You can't. I'm always looking for new ideas for literacy centers. This book will be very helpful as a new teacher because it goes through how to set up and introduce work stations to the class. Awesome!
  
  
  I have several other books on my Wish-List but these are the ones I'm planning on buying very soon. Any other books you would recommend for a new teacher? Have a great weekend!

First Grade Subbing Experience

On Tuesday I subbed in a first grade classroom and oh my goodness, I loved it! The students were so, so sweet and helpful. This was my first time at this school which is always a little scary. You never know what the "vibe" of a school might be. Luckily everyone I came in contact with at this school was very friendly and welcoming. The students worked very hard and we got everything accomplished. YAY! I left a note to the teacher letting her know that I'd love to sub for her again in the future and left her my contact info. She ended up texting me later to thank me and say that she will definitely contact me when she needs another sub. YAY! I'm so glad I have a foot in the door at that school because it would be great to work there.

On Monday and Tuesday I have a sub job in 2nd grade at a different school. This school is a magnet school so I'm curious to see what it's like. I've never been in a magnet school before. 2nd grade is my 2nd (ha) favorite grade level. I love getting the opportunity to go to different schools and see different grade levels. To me it's so important that I see as many schools that I can so that way when jobs start opening up I will know which schools I want to apply at!

I hope everyone has a Fabulous Friday!!

Reflection

I suppose it is time to begin updating this blog. In October I finished up my student teaching in 1st grade. That same month I finished up my college courses and in November I began a long-term sub job in the 3rd grade. I definitely learned a lot during that long-term sub job. It was my first time being in a 3rd grade classroom. I loved those 3rd graders but I do not think 3rd grade is the grade for me. I missed the little ones too much! I'd pass by kindergartners and 1st graders walking in the hallway and I would think AWWWW I MISS YOU. I went out of my way to talk to them just to hear those little voices. I missed it so much!

After graduating and finishing up that sub job, I'm sort of stuck in the in-between. Other sub jobs are starting to come in and although they are day to day and not long-term, I am still excited. This Wednesday I have a job in a 1st grade classroom in a school I have not been to but is supposed to be excellent. I can't wait to be back in a classroom with a group of firsties. 1st grade is definitely my favorite grade to teach so my fingers are crossed that a 1st grade teacher is retiring or moving or something! However I'm going to enjoy getting to experience other schools and classrooms. This will let me decide what schools I'd love to work at and what schools I should avoid.

As soon as I get a teaching job I plan on creating things to share with all you other bloggers. So many of you have given me such great ideas to use during my student-teaching and long-term sub job! I want to be able to give back to you! Not saying my stuff will be amazing...I'm not sure how some of you create such cutesy stuff. But I hope that at least 1 or 2 of you will find my resources valuable!

Under Construction

Please excuse the huge mess. I attempted to change up my template then realized that I had no idea what I was doing. :)