Sharing the Love...You don't want to miss these giveaways!

Hello, Friends!

I've been busy working in my classroom this week.  It's ALMOST done and I am EXHAUSTED. I decided that I am not going in to work tomorrow.  In fact, I don't know when I'll decide to go back to continue to decorate.  We officially go back the 14th.  I'm sure I'll be back sometime next week, but right now I am just wanting to relax before I actually HAVE to go back.  I'm beginning to feel a little overwhelmed, nervous, stressed.  I think I need to relax and enjoy the rest of my week/weekend.  Maybe I'll feel a little better on Monday. 

I wanted to drop by and share some giveaways that are going on.  You'll want to enter all of these giveaways.  They are simply fantastic!

First, Gina from Third Grade Tidbits is celebrating her first bloggy birthday.  Yay, Gina! One of the prizes is from me today. :-) Today is all about winner's choice.  Click the picture below to enter!

Second, Anna from Simply Skilled in Second, Ginger from Ginger Snaps, and Melissa from Common Core and So Much More have teamed up to give 3 winners each some science packets.  I would love to have all of these, especially all of Anna's science flip flap books.  As much as I want to keep this a secret so I can win, I'll share anyway. ;-)  Click the picture below to enter.

Last, there is a HUGE GINOURMOUS giveaway bash that you can enter tomorrow.  I've read about it today on all of my favorite blogs. Now, this one I would LOVE, LOVE, LOVE to keep secret. There are 17 bash baskets that you can win.  The baskets range from Erin Condren to Vera Bradley.  There's even a Cameo Silhouette included. Click the picture below to read about this great giveaway from First Grader at Last.  You'll see why I want to keep it a secret so that I can win all of these awesome prizes. ;-)

Now, go enter some giveaways.  Good luck, friends.  I hope that y'all have a relaxing evening!

Lots of love,

Classroom Overhaul

Hello, Friends!

I got to work in my classroom today. I am TIRED!! I got to my school around 11, talked with my coworkers, and got started. I made myself leave at 4. There is still so much to do, but I was exhausted! The classrooms do not have air in the summer, so I was miserably hot. My legs are sore from all the up and down I was doing. That's what I get for being lazy all summer! :-)

Here's tired me when I finally got home!

Here is what my classroom looked like this morning.

I have lots more work to do tomorrow. I hope to have my classroom reveal up soon. 

I hope that everyone had a great day!

Lots of love,

Jeannie

Sunday Smorgasboard

Hello, Friends!

Today, I'm linking up with the sweet Michelle from Fabulous in First for her Sunday Smorgasboard linky.

I have to admit.  I've been LAZY this week.  Monday, we can get into our classrooms to start decorating, so I've been doing pretty much nothing all week.  It's been great.  I feel like my summer is over.  I go back to work "officially" in a couple of weeks.  We even got our class rosters this week, which means summer is pretty much over.  I can't wait my sweet new kiddos.

I turned 27 on Wednesday.  I don't like that I'm in my late 20's.  I know that I am not "old"  but it's hard to believe that I am getting closer to 30. To make myself feel a little better, I bought this ADORABLE dress from Etsy.  

Since we got the email that we an can work on our classrooms next week, I've been busy laminating and cutting during Brayden's nap time.  I feel productive already! I'm almost done.  I have to cut out the other half of my word wall headers and my clock decor.  Then, I've got to wait to get paid so I can get more ink.  I go through some ink at the beginning of they year!

Messy picture on the couch!

I've had these lovely things sitting in my living room for a month.  I'm ready to go put these in my classroom and have my living room back.  I have 4 boxes from Really Good Stuff waiting on me at work.  My wonderful secretary told me that she'd hold them in her office until I get there.  I was not looking forward to the look on my husband's face when I got 4 more boxes delivered to the house.  He knows I bought more, but it helps that he doesn't get to "see it".  

The day after my birthday, my little munchkin' got sick.  His temperature spiked to 101.  He just felt "blah" all day.  I hate when my little one doesn't feel good.  Luckily, he woke up the next morning with at temperature of 98.6.  We are back to running and playing! 

I finished another partner set.  This one has a monster theme.  I just can't decide which one I was to use.  I've made a set of mustaches, owls, and monsters so far.  

And...that's been my week.  Like I said, I have been really lazy!

I hope everyone has a relaxing Sunday.  I'm getting ready to head to a shrimp boil later today for my mother-in-law's birthday.  Love me some shrimp!

Lots of love,

Top Ten Tuesday (On a Wednesday)

Hello, friends!

I'm linking up with Courtney from Swimming into Second for her Top Ten Tuesday linky.  Yes, I know it's Wednesday.  But, I'M THE BIRTHDAY GIRL!  So, I can link up on a Wednesday if I want to. ;-) To celebrate my birthday, everything in my store is 20% off.  If you've had your eyes on anything, go ahead and grab it while it's on sale.

Number 1: Promethean Board


My Promethean board was broken for 1 week last school year.  It was so hard to find activities where I didn't use my board.  It's crazy to think of how much I use this thing.  LOVE it!

Number 2: iPad

I carry my iPad with me everywhere.  It is my behavior management system (Class Dojo) and it is a great way to engage my kiddos. 

Number 3: Scotch Laminator

My laminator may be a newer purchase, but it is one of the best school purchases that I've ever made.  I LOVE how thick the laminate is.  I also love how easy it is to use!

Number 4: Activotes


These little gadgets are so much fun to use.  My students love to use them.  They are a great way to assess students easily.

Number 5: Post-It Notes


I use post-it notes for everything!  Love these little things!

Number 6: Books, Books, Books
I don't have a classroom picture of my library up yet.  I love reading, and try to incorporate a book into everything. 

Number 7: Pinterest and TpT



Where would I be with Pinterest and TpT?  It's where all my inspiration and great classroom ideas comes from.  It's made me a better teacher!

Number 8: Class Dojo
Class Dojo is a WONDERFUL management tool.  All I have to do is pull Class Dojo up on the Promethean Board or the iPad and all my students get quiet.  It really has changed my classroom.  

Number 9: Markers
I love to write in markers.  Crayola has always been my favorite go to maker.  


Number 10: Iced Coffee
I love me some iced coffee, but I don't have ANY places to get coffee on my way to work.  There are coffee places near my work, but it would take me an extra 10 minutes or so to get there. Those mornings that I NEED coffee, my lovely co-worker brings me some.  Love her!


I hope that everyone has a great day!  

Lots of love,

Let's Get Acquainted

Hello, friends!

It's my birthday week!  I'll be turning 27 on Wednesday.  I'm officially in my late 20's.  I'm not sure how I feel about that. I'll be having a sale on Wednesday to celebrate. Details will be coming soon!

Today, I am linking up with Latoya from Flying into First Grade for her Let's Get Acquainted Linky.  

The theme this week is on advice for new teachers.  

Teachers, new and old, need to buy themselves a personal laminator.  I HATE having to wait in line to laminate at my school.  Sometimes the laminate wouldn't stick and I'd have to do it again. I decided to take the plunge and buy my own laminator.  Friends, it was only 25 dollars.  It has been worth every penny.  Head to your local Wal-Mart or Target NOW to buy one.  It's worth it. The one I bought and recommend is made by Scotch.  

Always ask questions.  Don't be afraid to ask anyone a question.  College didn't prepare you for that first day in your classroom.  I honestly don't feel that college prepared me to teach.  I learned all sorts of methods and strategies, but I honestly believe that you do not learn to be a teacher until you step foot into your classroom for the first time.  If you have a question, ask.  If you need something, ask. No one will know if you don't ask.  So, ask away!

Never isolate yourself.  Sometimes, you may feel like you are all alone.  Trust me, your not.  

Find a friend.  You need someone that you can talk to, someone that you can vent to, and someone that will just listen.  

Make yourself leave at a decent time.  I MAKE myself leave at least by 5 every day.  If not, I could be there for hours and hours later.  You have to have a life outside of teaching.  Choose a decent time and stick to it when you can. 

Finally, be a friend.  Everyone has their good and bad days.  Listen to everyone, but never gossip.  

I hope that everyone has a terrific Monday!

Lots of love,

Favorite Pins Friday

Hello, Friends!

I feel like it has been forever since I blogged. A whole week...

I've been taking classes this week through our district's Summer Academy. I had a lot of fun, learned a lot, and am TIRED! I got to meet the adorable Amanda from Teaching Maddeness. I've been purchasing her items since I learned about her store during my student teaching. I jumped at the opportunity to learn from her when I saw that she was one of the presenters. She is an amazing presenter! I will be attempting to teach reading through genres this year. She gave me lots of good advice and now I have to make it work for me and my students. I am so excited to try it out.  Thanks, Amanda for the AWESOME classes.

Today, I linking up with the sweet Cara from The First Grade Parade for her Favorite Pins Friday linky. Click each picture to see the original source.

Favorite School Pins:

This website is FULL of creative ideas for the classroom.  Thanks to my sister for sending this my way.  

I let my students use my iPad all the time.  How did I not know how to lock the app they are on?!?! I've never had them venture off to other apps, but this is good to know!

Fashion Pins:

I SO wish that I could buy all of the cute clothes that I pin on Pinterest.  I'm loving this Chevron dress and the country inspired clothes.  I need someone to go shopping for me.  Seriously!! I've always hated shopping.  I can't ever find what I want.  I've told my best friend at work that I would give her my Belks card to go shopping for me.  I wasn't kidding.  I need a personal shopper. LOL!

This dress is sold out!  Ugh! :-(

Favorite Food Pins:

I found a blog called Six Sister's Stuff.  They have so many recipes that I have pinned.  I've made a few and they've all turned out great.  Here's what is on the menu for next week.

Finally, a pin that made me laugh! No direct link for this one. 

He says that he hasn't been sleeping well.  His snoring says differently.  I just can't sleep anymore.  I don't know if it's his snoring, anxiety of going back to work, my long to-do list, or everything included.  I know he sleeps better than me. 

I hope everyone has a GREAT Friday!  

Lots of love,

Favorite Pins Friday

Happy Friday, Friends!

Every year before school starts back, I have a terrible dream. Last night was that night.  I must be getting nervous already because I usually don't have these dreams until later on.  It was an AWFUL dream.  I lined my kids up after lunch and wound up talking to a teacher.  The students decided to leave.  Some of them went to the guidance counselor, some of them were in our were fighting.  When I woke up I was still trying to find my new kiddos before I had to tell our administration that I lost my class. Craziness! 

Since it's Friday, I am linking up with Cara from The First Grade Parade of show off some of my favorite pins from the week.  Finally an excuse to pin...which I am an expert at. ;-)

Favorite School Pins:

I've shared that I will be implementing the Daily 5 into my classroom.  I found this adorable timer from Made for 1st Grade.  Click on the picture to check it out.  I love me some cute timers!

I also came across the contract for Daily 5 from First Grade Rocks.  What a great way to keep my students accountable! Click the picture to go check it out!

Favorite Food Pins:

I've been attempting to make my own dressings for a little while.  I came across this one and can't wait to make it.  I love vinaigrette dressings. This recipe comes from Closet Cooking.  I love that title! Click the picture to check out this Raspberry White Balsamic Vinaigrette Dressing. 

 

I love, love, love shrimp!  I can't wait to make this Honey Lime Shrimp.  Sounds DELICIOUS! Click the picture to go check it out!

I didn't come across a lot of fashion that I wanted to pin or anything for Brayden.  I had food and school on the brain this week.  So, check out these funny e-cards. Click the picture to check them out. 

I kill every plant that I touch!  This describes me oh so well. Haha!

I can name a few people in my life who this can pertain to.  

I hope that everyone has a GREAT day!

Lots of love,

Throwback Thursday

Hello, Friends!

It's Throwback Thursday.  I'm throwing it back to 2011.  Here is me and my sister at her wedding.

I chose this picture for a special reason.  My sister and her husband just celebrated their two year anniversary a few days ago. Her husband leaves today for training before he is deployed to Afghanistan.  He will be gone for a year a half.  Please pray for my sister as she goes through his first deployment.  She has a 1 year old son at home as well who will need prayers.  

I'm linking up with the oh so fabulous Cara from The First Grade Parade for her Throwback Thursday. 

I'm choosing a post that I published on November 16, 2012.  I am starting Daily 5 this year.  I am changing the way I approach literacy centers completely. I am super excited about it and I really think that going by what the Sisters have written will make a difference in my classroom. 

I plan to have these writing templates in the writing center for them to choose from each day. The posters will be a great visual as to how the writing should look.  

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Happy Election Day, friends!

My school is a voting center, so my district is closed today!  Woohooo!  Which means, that I've had time to work on a few projects.  I finished my writing posters for all of my fantastic followers. I can't tell you how many times I've heard the phrase, "Mrs. Hunter...I'm done, what do I do now."  I decided this year to place some writing posters on my wall that have different things that my students can write about.  Now, they go to the writing center and choose a template and get to writing.  They love it!  Take a look at the preview of everything that's inlcuded!

 

                                         

Isn't Jessica Standford's digital paper just ADORABLE!

Click on the picture below to go to my TPT store and download your copy.

Lots of love,