Sunday Smorgasbord Link {June 8th}

Hello all! I'm linking up with Michelle at Fabulous in First for her wonderfully random Sunday Smorgasbord linky.

Here in Arkansas it's a stormy Sunday afternoon. Perfect for blogging, reading, and napping. Oh and working on my computer. Which leads me to random number ONE...

I shared on Instagram about a new project I'm working on. It came to me in a dream...well actually it came to me when I was supposed to be sleeping. Does that ever happen to y'all? But anyway, it's a 4th Grade Survival Guide for back to school. A book full of interactive pages with school rules, expectations, getting to know your teacher facts, etc. There are places for the kids to draw, fill in the blank, and respond to questions. The pages in the picture are about Class Dojo and how I use it in my room, and then how we do Citizenship grades in class. I've also done a page about me and my switch teacher and what to expect from each of us. I'm planning pages for "Lunchroom/Recess Expectations", "How We Get Home", "Things We Learn in 4th Grade", "Activity Classes and Teachers", and "Things to Know About Mrs. Burns". I am also planning on including some reflective pages at the back for students to write about their first day and how they're feeling.  I'm really excited about how this is turning out. I'm trying to model it like the books my kids love so much (Diary of a Wimpy Kid, Big Nate, Dork Diaries) with the journal set-up. I think it will make teaching rules and procedures more interactive and exciting!

P.S.- I've also been dreaming up an editable version for TPT and other grades. Anyone interested? :)

Random Number TWO

I told myself I wasn't going to do anything school-related this week. That didn't last very long??!! Oh well.

Random Number THREE

(Because it's summer and I've been really boring this week) Some of my favorite recent purchases...

 

My Chacos! I held off on the Chaco trend for a long time...they're so expensive. But I'm so glad I (aka Husband) finally caved. They are so comfortable and perfect for summer. Much better than flip flops, but not as constricting and hot as tennis shoes. Love them. And I think they're going to be great for vacation!

 

These shorts from Old Navy! I bought two pairs. Mostly because they had some kind of deal going on. But I am really glad I did! They feel like they're already broken in when you buy them. I love that. Pretty sure I'll be living in these this summer.

And (big finale) random number FOUR...
I updated my Classroom Reward Coupons yesterday. Originally, it had 14 reward coupons, but now it has 30! I love these things. And my kids loved them this year too. I still do a small treasure box with the kids, but they really want the coupons. And it's less shopping on my part. They come six to a page, so I usually print one or two pages of each, laminate them, and use a cheapo plastic coupon organizer thing (official name) to let the kids "shop" the different categories. So if you're in the market for some classroom rewards, check them out! And if you've already purchased, make sure you re-download :)

Thanks for reading my random! And if you want to share a little random of your own, link up over at Fabulous in First! :)

First Year Teaching Advice - From Someone Who Just Lived It

As of last week, I have officially completed my first year of teaching. I had an awesome year. It was hard. It was super hard. But I loved my kids and I love my colleagues. They made it all possible. 

Maybe a month ago I was asked to return to my Alma mater  Southern Arkansas University and speak at a luncheon for graduating student teachers. They asked me to give them some advice for their first year of teaching.

To be honest, a part of me laughed at this. What could I possibly say? How do you prepare someone for being a teacher? Well this is what I came up with. I thought I would share, just in case there are any new teachers out there looking for some advice, or some returning teachers just looking for a laugh or reassurance that you're not alone. Disclaimer: This is by no means everything you'll need to know or the best advice out there. Okay? Okay.

Dear New Teacher,

First of all, congratulations. College is hard and not a lot of people do it. So good job for making it this far. I want to tell you that when I sat here one year ago, about to graduate and become a teacher, I thought I had it all figured out. In fact, I can give you a list of all the reasons why: both my parents are teachers; I taught three summers of preschool; years of Sunday school, VBS, and camp; substitute teaching; not to mention all the countless observations, lessons, and student teaching I did in college; blah blah blah. If anyone should have been prepared for this, it was me. Boy was I wrong. My first piece of advice for you is this- You do not have it all figured out. You are never going to know everything you need to know. Whether you have taught for one year or for fifty, you will always have more to learn and more experience to gain. Figure this out early.

Probably the hardest lesson I learned this year was this: Take it easy on yourself. I spent many days and nights racking my brain about what I could do to fix a problem with my students. But sometimes, you are not the answer. There are things I cannot fix. Read that to yourself again. Rinse and repeat as needed. As long as you do your best each day, as long as you do the most that you possibly can, that is enough. Do not beat yourself up over the things you cannot change or control. Accept these things. Get creative about these things. Just do your best.

Don't be afraid to be different. Currently, I am one of the youngest employees in my district, and the youngest at my school. I teach with colleagues that have been doing this for decades. When you think about that, it is easy to become intimidated. Here's an example. When I first began preparing my classroom last year, I snooped around in my neighbor's rooms. Not because I am creeper (I am), but because I wanted to see how everybody else "did it". You know what I mean. And I quickly realized that my room was different. Begin the freak out, right? "If my room is different-looking, I must be doing something wrong!" My first thought was to change what I had done to be more like everyone else. To fit in. But I am so glad I didn't. Do not succumb to following the crowd. Be different. Be young. Be fresh. Be excited and energetic. Don't be afraid to have different ideas. Don't be afraid to stand out in your hallway. Be you.

The next thing I'll tell you about is flexibility. I know this is a shocker, but things will not go perfectly every day (as much as I would like them to). Lessons will fail. You will mess up. The kids will complain. Your boss might tell you to change something. You'll run out of time. The glue won't work. The projector will mess up. The internet will be down. There will be a fire drill. I could go on and on. And you know what? It's all okay. Deep breath. Your classroom will be like a family. Not the picture perfect families from TV, but the one you know about at home. Dysfunctional, running late, losing things, arguing, crying, driving you crazy. But it will also be full of compliments, hugs, laughter, jokes, and love. Be flexible enough that the bad days don't get you down. That the mess-ups just make you laugh. Everyone is learning, including you.

Above all else, remember why you started this journey. Remember how you felt today, on the edge of so much possibility and creativity. When things get tough, as they inevitably will, remember the good moments. Like the time when you started to yell at your kids for passing notes again, only to find out they were signing a card to give to you with the words "Our Favorite Teacher" on the front. Or when they do something so randomly sweet and kind for someone else (without you making them or telling them to) and you just want to cry your eyes out. Or when you get test scores back and that one student that you've been working with all year knocks it out of the park. Or when they move up a reading level. Or run up to you wanting to show you the book they checked out of the library. That sparkle of "ah ha" you see in their eyes when they finally get it. Or even just the spontaneous dance parties or deep life discussions you have in class. Be a teacher that didn't just teach them. That encouraged them, disciplined them, never gave up on them, and loved them.

I wish you so much good luck in your journeys. Work hard, stay late, get to school early, and push yourself harder than ever before. Welcome to the most frustrating and rewarding profession in the business. We're glad to have you.

Sincerely,

Someone Who Made It

Construction Zone

I'm here to apologize for the state of my blog lately...and currently, if I'm honest. It's been under a major construction project.

I don't know if I've ever said this, but Husband is a computer programmer. Literally, his job right now is creating a website. He is fluent in html and all those other computer languages I can't even think of the names for. So, when little old me says "I want a new blog layout!", Husband says: "You can do it yourself". 

Now then, I am a if-I-can't-do-it-pay-someone-else-to kind of person. But he is not. Therefore, the blog renovation began. And it is still far from perfect. But I have learned a lot. And gotten frustrated a lot. But I am pretty happy with it right now. And thankful to Husband. Even if he pushes me to do things I don't like to do. Such as complicated blog renovations. And what not. Also he did some of it. So thanks for that too.

So I say all that to say- Thank you for your patience! Internet stuff is hard. Computers are mean sometimes. I am very grateful to people like Husband that deal with them all day because I certainly could not. And he certainly could not deal with fourth graders. So that's good that we have each other.

Now I am off to go swimming (must get skinnier and tanner before Hawaii!!!) and will post something later that I am really excited about. 

Have a great day!

 

June Currently Link Up

Happy June! We made it! Haha. I can't believe it's already June...so many things happening this month! PD trips/classes, vacations...crazy!

So I am linking up with the oh so wonderful Farley from Oh Boy Fourth Grade. Love reading her stuff :)

So here you go...

 

First of all, listening to "The Office". Love this show. Pretty sure Husband and I have watched it like a million times. Pam and Jim never get old though! :)

Loving that I have no school work to do this weekend! No papers to grade, bellringers/worksheets to make, activities to plan, things to buy...it's so nice, right?! It also gives me time to blog, which I have really missed. Been spending time with my fam this weekend, and it's so great to actually be here- not attached to my laptop or gradebook.

On that note...I'm also thinking about work tomorrow. Though the school year is over and my PD is complete, I volunteered to some literacy curriculum planning tomorrow and Tuesday. Although I'm not looking forward to getting up early (so spoiled already by summer break), I am excited about mapping out next year. We are moving to some Common Core Units that mesh Reading and Writing Workshops with Social Studies and Science. I think it's going to be awesome! Aaaaaaaand knowing ahead of time what we'll be doing gives me time this summer to whip up some cute matching centers/activities to go with everything. And you know I like that ;)

Wanting...a cupcake...of course. My baby sister graduated this past Friday (*sniff sniff*) and there are leftover cupcakes from her party calling my name from the kitchen. Must resist!!!

So naturally, I am needing to workout! Haha. Husband and I have been on a diet for a month or two and I've lost 10 pounds. And I loooooove that. Even if I hate dieting. And exercising. But, the more you do it, the more you like it. It's becoming a habit. A good habit, for once. Ha. And there have been so many inspiring Instagrammers helping me stay motivated! So that's that.

My Summer Bucket List...I talked a little about these things during my last post, but here you go again!

1. Go to Hawaii. Leaving in 25 days. Must. Workout. Must. Not. Have. The. Cupcake.

2. Read books! Always on my to-do list. Will preferably be completing this item at the pool ;)

3. And of course, keep being healthy. I don't care so much about the pounds I lose, but how I look and feel. I bought some shorts (yes, shorts!) yesterday that were a size smaller than usual. Things like that keep me going!

So how is your June looking? Make sure you head over to Farley's to share and link up.

Happy summer bloggies! 

P.S. Here's a picture of me and my sisters from this weekend. Love them!

Memorial Day Sale!

I'm having a Memorial Day Sale!

Check it out :)

And if you're having one too, grab my button!

Thanks to the lovely Ashley Hughes and Jen Jones for graphics and fonts.

Have a great weekend!

Top Ten Things I Want To Do This Summer Link Party

Hello all! Today I am linking up with the lovely Mrs. Jump's Class to talk about the top ten things I want to do this summer!

Technically, I'm not on summer break yet :( I have three more days!!! But, it's Memorial Day Weekend, I'm feeling summer-y, and I am beginning to round up all the things I want to accomplish. 

1. First of all, and most importantly, I am going to Hawaii!! Yep, you read that right. This small-town Arkansas girl is going to Maui in a little over a month! I'm probably the most excited just to be going to on a plane (I've never been), but to be going to paradise? Let's just say I'm counting down the days ;)

 2. I am planning on getting some serious pool time in this summer. There is nothing better to me- tanning, reading, floating... I may or may not be getting an early start on this one today ;) This is yet another reason I love my in-laws- we live next door to them and their pool. So... you know where you'll find me every day!

3. Next, I want to spend some quality time with the husband. My first year of teaching has taken a serious toll on him too! I work A LOT. I'm stressed A LOT. I take it out on him.... never ;) So I really want to make it up to him this summer. Trips, dinners, dates, and I may even try playing some video games. I know, crazy!

4. Fourth, more blogging! I have so AWOL this year it's not even funny. But I'm back! Or at least I'm hoping to be :)

5. I have about a bajillion (ballpark number) product/center/activity ideas that have been collecting in my brain this year. So I am looking forward to doing some "want-to-do" things and less "have-to-do" things.

6. I LOVE to read. I've kept it up some during the school year, but I have a stack of books calling my name at the moment. And no, they are not school-related. That's the point :) Here's what I'm currently reading:

7. Family time! I see my family a lot, but I feel like the whole time I'm thinking about school, typing away on my laptop, or grading papers. So I am definitely planning on spending some work-free time with the fam. Here's me and my two sisters at baby sister's prom a few weeks ago:

8. I definitely want to make time for some crafting. I've already got a plan for a summer wreath in the works! Breaking out the sharpies and the glue gun soon, for sure. I've been really into calligraphy lately:

 9. I'm (re)watching all of FRIENDS. I love this show. Husband (because he's awesome) recently bought me the whole series. So you can bet that will be the TV show of my summer!

 10. And last, workout. Bleck. I hate exercise. But I've lost 9 pounds this Spring, and I want to keep that going. No picture, because let's be honest, I don't like it. Haha.

And that's the plan! My Top Ten Things for this summer! What are your plans? I'd love to hear them!

And don't forget to link up over at Mrs. Jump's.

Happy Summer!

 

End of the Year Madness and New Products!

Hello all!

The countdown to the end of the year is ON! My fourthies and I have already started our EOY Celebration with daily fun activities- outside reading, art projects, no shoes, etc. To make it super exciting, I even put the activities on sheets of paper inside balloons that we pop each day. They are loving it! Follow Cute in the Classroom on Instagram for pictures :)

To go along with our countdown, I created some fun products. Three of them are now available in my store and one is a FREEBIE! Love those.

Up first is our Autograph Book. It's a simple half-page book that you can print, cut, and staple. Exchanging autographs is another one of of our countdown activities that I am looking forward to!

PS- All of these products are created in black and white. We can't print in color at my school, so I'm keeping it simple and printer-friendly for the end of year ;) 

Next, I whipped up some Classroom Awards for my kiddos. Originally, I typed up my students names on them and personalized them to their specific talents. I can't wait to give them out as one of our countdown activities! For TPT, I left a space for you to write in a name, your signature (to look all fancy), and the date. This comes with 25 different categories!

Spelling Star, Fashionista, Great Leader- all kinds. Check it out if you're looking for an easy way to award your kids before the summer.

 

And finally, (drumroll please) a FREEBIE! As another one of our countdown activities, my students are going to write letters to next year's fourth graders about "How to Have a Sweet Year". I can't wait to see what they write! This freebie can be used in lots of ways though! Back to school, New Year's, End of the Year, etc. Go get it!

 

Wishing you a wonderful end of the year! Personally, I'm just trying to survive the month of May ;)