New Blog

So if you read my previous post, you know that I was a little unsure about my blog name becuase I didn't want it to send the wrong impression.  So I went back to the drawing board and started a new blog.  Come join me for lots of great teaching tips, ideas and freebies!

This will be my last post here.  See you at Teaching in Blue Jeans!

Second Thoughts - Help Please

So I am seeking some input.  I am not sure that I like the name of my blog - Teaching Is Hard Work . . .  The idea behind it was that yes, although teaching is hard work, there are so many more payoffs to this profession, I love every minute of it, etc.  However, I'm not sure that this really comes off and I am more worried about it being taken the wrong way.  And I have always thought that if something takes too much explanation then its probably not the right way to say it.  What do you think?  Please take the poll on the right or leave me a comment.

Reading Buddies and Whisper Phones

Every now and then I get an idea for my classroom at the strangest time.  Don't really remember exactly when this idea came to me, but its been on my mind for a while so today I tested it out.  I knew that I wanted to make whisper phones for my kindergarten classroom, but this idea takes it a little further.  Each whisper phone that I make will have a matching miniature whisper phone attached to a stuffed animal - instant reading buddy!  Reading is always more fun when someone is listening so why not reading to the phone - whisper phone that is.

If you are not familiar with a whisper phone it is a tool that allows the child to hear what they are reading.  This tool can be used to develop phonics skills, reading fluency and reading comprehension.  This is also a great tool to use with any kiddo that has a speech disorder as they learn the proper way to make sounds.  Here's my little man modeling my newest creation!  I was telling him about it in the car and got an "ooooooooo that's cool" from him!  If my 9 year old likes the ideas of reading to a buddy via the whisper phone, then I am optimistic my 5 and 6 year olds will like it too!

If you'd like to make your own whisper phones just head to your nearest hardware store.  I purchased two 1 inch 90 degree elbows for each whisper phone.  Same thing just smaller (1/2 inch) for the miniature version.  The only other thing you need is duct tape.  I wanted mine in matching tapes to that they look like a set but any duct tape will do.  Putting them together is easy but I would recommend a second set of hands.  Have one person hold the two pieces of together while the other person takes a strip of duct tape and tightly wraps it around where the two pieces connect.  Ta-dah!  A whisper phone for about $1.00 each. 

If you don't want to make your own whisper phones, I saw the same thing in the Really Good Stuff catalog that just came in the mail.  RGS calls it a Toobaloo and each one costs $4.99.  Either way a great addition to your literacy block!



Eric Carle Inspired Shapes

The morning started with a garage sale across the street from my house.  Ran over just to check things out and ended up with a little table that I am going to turn in to my writing center.  Just knew that I had the perfect idea for it.  A little whimsical design and an awesome organization center on a lazy-susan.  Called my Mom to see if she wanted to "play" and headed to her house.  Hours later, no table done because I couldn't decide what to do.  That project was put on hold so be watching for the finished project.  Instead we made Eric Carle inspired art.

       

I am using the amazing art of Eric Carle as my classroom decor inspiration.  Since I am moving from 3rd grade to kindergarten I need some new additions to my classroom.  I am going to use these designs to cut out shapes for my shape wall.

This was sooooo easy to make that I am actually looking forward to using this in my classroom for an art project.  All I used was a white poster board as the background, tissue paper cut/torn into various shapes and sizes, watered-down glue or modge podge, and a paintbrush.

Then just spread some glue, lay some paper and cover with glue.  There's no right or wrong way to do this.  Overlap, leave some white, stripes, dots, rainbow, you decide.  It was fun and easy and I think turned out great!  Use the poster board as a piece of art, or cut shapes from them to create your own collage just like Mr. Carle.  If you give it a try I'd love to see your final projects!

I finally did it!

After too long as a blog stalker reader, I have finally taken the jump into starting my own teaching blog.  I owe a big THANK YOU to all of the teacher bloggers that I follow, read and am inspired by on a daily basis (in the summer - not so often during the school year).  I am excited to join this world of teacher sharing and collaboration.  I know that through my many hours of unofficial professional development via blog reading, I have become a better teacher.  I hope, that just maybe, something I have learned, created or shared with my students will help someone else.

but together we can help, support, encourage and teach each other to be better teachers for our students.  That is the reason behind this blog!

So let's start with a little about me.  Think of this as my way of saying "Hi, I'm Amy, can we be friends?"  I am a 39 year old wife, mother, and teacher.  I love my life, most of the time, and have more blessings than I can count.  I started teaching in 2008 after spending 10 years practicing law.  I liked being an attorney, but there was something inside that just kept nagging at the teacher inside of me.  I really think that teaching is in my genes!  I come from a family of teachers, and even those that marry in (my hubby included) have been in education.  From day 1 of my Alternative Certification class I knew that I made the right decision.  I have loved every minute in the classroom and have never looked back to my days in law.


Well, it didn't take me but a few minutes to realize that I am now in one of the hardest working, and most rewarding professions around!  KUDOS to all you teachers out there!  You are a special and amazing group of people that I am proud to be part of.


I started my teaching career teaching reading intervention at the middle school level.  Great start but I knew my heart was on an elementary campus.  My second year teaching I was blessed to get a third grade position just a couple minutes from my house!  I joined an amazing school and an even more amazing team of awesome third grade teachers!  Despite being changed around every year, I somehow ended up teaching third grade three years in a row!  I am not one to get cozy, comfy and stay a while, so I told my principal that I was ready for a change, and that is what I got.  Next year, I will be starting Kindergarten and am so very excited.  This is where my Pinterest addiction and blog stalking abilities have come in very handy as I prepare for that quickly approaching day in August when my 5 and 6 year olds arrive. 


Well, enough about me!  Thanks to those of you that made it this far in my first (and much too long) blog post.  I'd love for you to follow me and leave me a comment letting me know a little about you.