Wednesday, July 18, 2012

Organization Labels

Ok, it took some tweaking, but I’m close to these being where they need to be!


These classroom labels are designed for the primary classroom.  Kid friendly labels include pictures and words for classroom materials for items like pencils, glue, math materials, and then some!  These easy print labels can be printed on large shipping labels (think Avery 8164), or can be cut apart and laminated.  The full set includes labels for…
Primary centers materials: Legos, blocks, gears, logs, dramatic play, games, play-doh, puzzles

Math materials: counters, teddy bear counters, dice, dominos, pattern blocks, color tiles, unifix cubes, pattern beads, flash cards, math centers materials


Literacy materials: magnetic letters, letter stamps, literacy center materials
Generals supplies: white boards, markers, white board markers, pencils, crayons, scissors, erasers, glue, glue sticks

Craft supplies: Paint, paint brushes, water colors, glue gun, felt, wiggle eyes, glitter, pipe cleaner, craft foam, stickers, daubers, miscellaneous craft supplies

All together you get 48 pre made labels, and six blank labels!




Monday, July 16, 2012

Time to get Organized!


Planning in Limbo
That is the only way to describe my teacher status at the moment!  Sadly, due to low kindergarten enrollment, we still don’t know if I’m going to stay in Kinderland this year, or work my way up to first grade.   While I am up for either, I’m having a hard time getting the up the gumption to plan for both!


Never the less, attending I Teach K and meeting so many wonderful and passionate teachers has motivated me to get my rear end into back to school gear!
As a result of our growing school population (all but the little guys for the time being!) it looks as though the school will need to split the room I have occupied the past two years in half for special programs, which has me moving into a standard classroom.


Standing in my new room this morning I was struck with two questions:


One: Could I possibly be a hoarder?  Good grief, look at that clutter!


Two: How will I make it all fit in a room this small?


Now, I know some people will look and this before picture and the size of my new room and snort “Small… You call that small sister?  Let me show you small.”  Yes, I am very spoiled.  I have been for five years.  The room I lived in the past two years was meant to be two rooms.  The three years before that I had a large room at an older school.  


Consider these a “before” shot.  I know that sharing them will motivate me to include an “after”!


Taking both of my questions into consideration, I decided that the best course of action for the moment would be to get organized!  While my class set up may vary slightly depending upon what I end up teaching, I figured that at the very least I should get started on finding a place and identifying what I have in a clear and concise fashion.


While I had many of my supplies and materials labeled in my previous classroom, I found that the words alone meant very little to my incoming five year olds.  In an effort to make my room a truly child centered environment, I have decided to include picture on each on my labels.  A possible side effect: more environmental print, how can that be a bad thing?!


I like the peel and stick type Avery labels.  Check out my free class label down load while it is still free.  If you can think of things I should add, please tell me!  They are most certainly a work in progress, that's why they are free!
Click here for easy print labels




Check back to see my progress!  I’m open to comments!

Monday, July 9, 2012

Long time no see...


Wow!

Well, it is obvious how well I kept up on my previous blogging attempt, seeing as my last post was in August of 2010!  I’m willing to admit, being a first time kindergarten teacher got the best of me these last two years, and all my grand blogging intentions fell by the wayside.  Who knew teaching little people could take so much energy!  

Not that my blog stalking slowed down one single bit! 

Just when I thought there couldn’t possibly be any more education blogs out there for me to check daily/weekly/hourly, I had a mother in my class ask me “You do a lot of cute things, do you find them on Pinterest?” 

I blame her… My name is Staysha, and I have been a Blog Stalker/Pinterest addict for two years… it has been 22 minutes since my last pin… This morning I broke down and scored some scrapbook paper and mod podge at Hobby Lobby…   

All kidding aside, it is wonderful to be able to open my lap top on any given day and be able to see so many amazing educators that are dedicated to their craft.  The blogging community inspires me every day.  And now they are in my own back yard for the I Teach K conference!

I can’t wait to meet so many of the teachers that I have been blog stalking the past two years.  Welcome to Vegas!