First Day Plans

I've spent the past few days coming up with my plans for the first day, as well as the remaining week.  This year our district approved for the first day, Monday, to be a full day.  Normally on Mondays we are out at 1:55 for staff development.  So I had to do some revising of my plans to take in the extra time we had.  Here is my jing captured plans!

Made It Monday!!

I'm linking up with 4th Grade Frolics to share my awesome chair for Made it Mondays. I found this rocker at a garage sale for $15, and the stools from a friend for $20.  I thought, score!  I've been wanting a rocker for my room for a while.  My mom had offered to sew me a cushion, but I thought I would try my hand at painting it and see where that went.

Link up Here 4th Grade Frolics 

So here is what I started with, a couple of red stools, and a dark finish walnut,  I think, rocker.  Nothing bad about them...but they needed a little pick me up!

Then I added some detail to the stools- pulling colors from my room.  I got the acrylic paint from Wal-mart for about $.97 a bottle. 

Next up was the rocker.  Now this was an undertaking, just for time sake!  First I primed it with some white primer by Krylon.  Then I used banner red from Krylon and sprayed it with about three coats. The whole chair took about 1 1/2 cans of the red paint, but so worth the extra coverage.  

Next up was the design and details.  It was actually harder for me to decide what to do than to actually do.  I learned to go nice and slow. Patience is key here people! I used chalkboard paint on the top so I can write in different messages, or names of guests.  And without further ado...

I've actually added a bit more detail to the upper spindles, and a little glitter paint.  I am super excited to take it and place it in my classroom tomorrow when I go in to work!! 

Our Class is Growing!!

So I have begun to check my class roster daily. I started with 30 and am now up to 32.  32!! Holy cow my largest class ever!  I know these kids are going to be awesome so I am not too concerned, the assessments will be a challenge, but after a multi-age room last year, I'm pretty sure I can handle it.  It's all about organization and time management!  Today I played around on Tagxedo and created a print that I am going to put up in my room.  I love that you can put your words into shapes.  I chose the heart shape- normally I don't like hearts, no explanation as to why, just don't, but as a teacher we need at times to be reminded that these children who enter our rooms are someones whole world!! I think about my little guy who went off to first grade today and hope his teacher will know just how special he is, how sensitive he is, and how smart he is.  I know that each parent trusts me to not only teach their child, but to make sure they feel safe, loved, and respected at all times.  I like to put up reminders around my room of each child, whether it be a drawing, a picture of them, or some little token they have given me to help me remember they are still children, they are still trying to find their way. It is those little reminders that help me when I may get short of patience as we all do!
So here are my little cherubs for this year- we better be feeling a whole lot of love in the room- with 32 we are going to be quite cozy!!