The Crazy Pre-K Classroom

Hello All, In my neverending quest to fit just as much as I possibly can into my small amount of classroom storage I have found a new Favorite!!!!!!! That's right 4x6 photo holders! Not only are they slimmer than the traditional pencil boxes but shorter and they stack nicely! I managed to fit a classic 8 set of fine tip crayola markers, a full set of crayola crayons, a few pencils, an eraser, scissors and a small gluestick. Everything my kiddos need at their desk, the only caveat is that traditional pencils are a little too long but once they are sharpened a couple of times they fit in just fine. I can think of so many more uses: flash cards, dice games, counters storage, matching cards sets, the list goes on and on! I found these particular ones at Michaels which had them for $1.49 and 40% off plus the everyday teachers 15% discount=$.77 each!!!! Not only practical but cheap when you find them on sale. And I even bought a few extra just because I know I will find ways to u...

O.k. so I have to admit that everytime I sit down to my computer I go straight to pinterest. I can spend hours just looking through pictures and getting ideas for school, home, everything! I have some crazy 2500+ pins and plans for each one of them. So this summer I am going to redo my classroom, my house, my garden and make over my kids! Life will be busy, hehe! I don't know about anyone else but pinterest is my newest obsession, anyone else? So here is my challenge to you pin, pin, pin! Make education collaboration a top pinterest goal and resource. Whenever you see a blog or idea that a teacher or parent could use pin it, share it and we can improve classrooms together. I love to hear new ideas and have found so many great activities on pinterest, every teacher and parent should be a member, let me know if you need an invite to join, I will gladly send you one. Click on the pinterest button to the right to see what pinterest is all about!

As teachers we all have days when things don't go quite as planned, lessons don't get finished and we go home weary and exausted. Here are some ideas for refilling your cup and enjoying the blessing of children in your life! 1. Remember why you teach: Write down what you love about teaching, make a poster with a few of your loves. Hang where you can see it every morning and evening. 2. Think back to the first time you saw a child have a "lightbulb moment" Where you knew everything you have been working so hard on has finally clicked and this child you have been so worried about is going to be o.k. 3. Plan something fun for the end of the year to keep you motivated, this can be something your class can be working on or just something personal for you. This year mine is a long drive from Texas to New Jersey to spend some much needed vacation time on the beach with my 2 boys. 4. Change up your schedule a little, get out of the same old thing and mix up the activi...