Teaching, Life, and Babies, OH MY!

So I apparently went on a year-long hiatus!  Recap of the year: common core, Leader In Me, pregnancy, and maternity leave! Yes, no need to read that sentence again you read it correctly.  My last post was about my wedding finally being over and this post is talking about maternity leave.  My little man was born a little over two weeks early on April 26, 2013 weighing in at a whopping 5 lbs. 14 oz. (okay, not so "whopping" after all) and 18.5 inches long.  Yes, he literally is my little man.  So it is definitely time to officially reunite with my blog (which may now contain more about little man and less about kindergarten)!  So jump on in and follow me and my fellow kindergarten teacher, Brooke, through our journey in k!  We will be bloggin' it up about common core, the 7 Habits (Leader in Me), and whatever else comes to our minds!

What a crazy month!

Well it has been over a month since I've written.  The wedding is over , thank goodness and now onto school!  We officially went back to work on the 10th however, I went back on the 6th (control issues).  We made it through room transitions, cleaning, throwing away, consolidating and decorating!  Then onto orientation on Tuesday....and on Monday school will begin and my room will be filled with approximately 24 kindergarteners!  Note to self: be sure to turn the coffee pot on Monday morning!  Sometime amidst the chaos I plan to actually write on this blog consistently!  I foresee a very busy first 2 weeks of school and hopefully things will settle down afterward.

Welcome to my Pinterest inspired classroom.  In this picture you see my "Wow Work" board, Daily 5 book boxes for tables 1-3, how we get home clips, rules, and table 1-3 caddies.  You also see my emptyish book shelf (still a work in progress).

Here is a close up of my bulletin board that I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE!

Here is another Pinterest project!  I do not know who created that beauty, but I can't thank them enough!  It now has a pretty little bow at the top to hang it with!

and finally....my behavior clip chart, another item that I LOVE!  I have no idea where I originally got this from, sorry!

Busy, Busy, Busy!

Yesterday and Today have been extremely productive days for me!  It was a day solely focused on school and NO WEDDING!  That is a first in a while.  I got so many things accomplished.  Charts, Labels, Alphabet, Teacher Binder printed and laminated!!  Several Pinterest ideas down...LOTS TO GO! I can't believe it is 2 weeks until my wedding and 3 weeks until back to school (technically 4, but I'm going back early...not sure why?!?!). Until then I plan to stay busy!! Getting everything ready.  I'll try to upload some pictures tomorrow of the things I've been working on! =)

Finally here!

After 2 years of blog hopping and searching for creative teaching ideas, I've decided to take the bull by the horns and create my own blog!  I'm sure my life will remain overrun by endless blog hopping and of course pinning!  However, I hope I will get my thoughts down once in a while as well.

First things first...I am Erica, I am a 20 something, soon to be Mrs. (July 28th!), kindergarten teacher.  I LOVE bright colors and polka dots as well as ATTEMPTING to cook and craft - Pinterest style!  I am not the slightest bit crafty and my cooking is slightly below par.

This fall will begin my 3rd year as a kindergarten teacher.  I can't imagine doing anything else!  As school is already approaching I have been working on my classroom decor, bulletin boards, Daily 5 and common core!  I'd love to hear your comments and plans on implementing Daily 5 with common core in your kindergarten classrooms!  As I've been reading blogs I've found so many great ideas on how to implement Daily 5 from day one.  I'm excited and can't wait for the year to begin (well, in time of course!).

In preparation for next year after purchasing new decorations (and retiring my fish theme) I have searched high and low for rugs.  Who knew I would find perfect rugs for the kids to use individually for $3 each at IKEA!  Gotta love that place!  They match perfect with my teal, blue, green theme. Thanks to my sister for going in that mad house to snag these for me!

I will leave you with my FIRST Pinterest project of the summer (I finished this the week after school got out).  Of course you know this was NOT my idea!  I do not know where it originally came from so I did not give credit, if this was yours I will definitely give you credit!  Anyways...here is my version of the teacher toolbox!  I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE it!  I got lucky and found the shimmery polka dot paper at Michael's BOGO! I can't wait to put my new organizational tool to use! =)

  -Erica