Controling our voices....

I made this with the kiddos at the beginning of the year because I have some LOUD friends in my class. It has really helped them by providing a visual of what voice level I expect them to speak at. Now, all I do it point to the poster and say "I need you at a level zero or one, it's time to work."  and they get it.

The Water Cycle

In my class we are learning about the Earth. We have been studying all about the layers down below the Earth's crust, the weather, and now the water cycle!! We took two days to make a wonderful class mural of the water cycle. All 20 of my students did some sketching, painting, and outlining on this art piece! 

Here are the steps! 

Sketching the water cycle

painting takes TEAM WORK!

Outlining always makes the artwork come together and really POP!

The Finished product!

The School Year So Far...

our pen pal wall

 We have been writing to another K class in California. Mrs. Price's class has been amazing pen pals to us! My kiddos love getting the letters and writing them back. It makes writing so exciting for them!

 We are starting to learn the value of coins. We made a graph the other day and the kids had to think what they would spend their money on. They loved this because they had to choose and glue it on! Looks, like we need to have a pizza party!

One of my kinders using the Activ Board

  
My students are naturals on the Activ Board. They can work it so well. These kids are programmed for technology- they pick it up so quickly! I love my Activ board... don't know what I'd do without it! I know, I'd probably use a lot more chart paper, that's for sure!


 




  

The Circles team

This year I became part of a group at my school called The Circles team. It's a leadership team made up of teachers from all different grade levels and admin. It's been such an amazing experience to be part of and I am learning MORE than ever!

Our totem pole

 Here, is our classroom totem pole. I got the idea from a teacher blog online and loved it. It took us about 2 weeks to learn and create, but the kids gained so much meaning from this lesson. They learned about how our classroom in like a family. It taught them about symbolism and other cultures. I was so proud of my little guys!

Here is Ms. Eva- keeping the arts alive in the classroom!

During the 1st and 2nd quarter of this year I got to co-teach with a drama teacher at our school. We did a unit on "What is Team Work?" and how can we work together inside and outside the classroom? The kids loved our time with Ms. Eva. It also helped us bond and come together closer when doing team building drama lessons!

I'd have to say this school year so far has been AWESOME! I love my job, school, classroom, and my kiddos! I am happy! :)

Our New House!!!

move in date: 6.1.11.

You can always use your toes!

My 2 yr old Niece

I love blogging about my niece because I am such a proud aunty and i just love her so much. She's a blast to ichatting with! The other day we were having an ichat sesh and, my niece scratched her noes by using her toe. It was so funny, we all cracked up. It just reminded how funny she can be and how she is a natural comedian. My kinders are funny too but it's hard to find the time when to laugh with them and not at them.

I hope to visit my niece in March because I really miss her oh and my sister-in-law and brother too! ;)

counting down the days....

a horrible picture, I know

YOU GUYS!!!  We are closing on our first house on Jan. 20th! We will officially become homeowners! It's a sweet little one story home with 3 bedrooms 2 bathrooms located behind Safeway. I am so excited I wanna dance around like crazy. Although we have a little fixing up to do on the place its pretty much move in ready. We won't move in until May (the tenant's lease is being honored). But it's better b/c school is out in May and by then we can just move in and I won't have to worry about my kiddos. This is such a great time in my life- I feel like one of my biggest dreams has come true! I am so glad my husband is the go getter type of real estate agent to find our little gem for us! I am so thankful for my mom's support and guidance throughout all this! I have the biggest smile on my face and I don't think it will go away for a while :)

Ringing in the New Year (with style).....

Ringing in the new year was a lot of fun!!! We got all dressed up and went to Tommy's for drinks and dancing!

I always love this holiday because it reminds me of the night Jordan asked me to marry him back in 2008 :)

This picture sums up the night. Me and my best friends!