Dollar Deals!

I totally found some really cool finds today at Target in their Dollar Spot.  Some great things that I will be using this year in my classroom, many for centers.

These are going to be used at centers.  I found the really cute containers, erasers, and the ice cube tray holders all for $1!  I like the ice cube tray holders because they have three rows instead of the traditional two.  Plus the silicon at the bottom can pop out the erasers.  Here I have the stars and the frogs shown.  This will be used to show and create patterns.

I was SUPER excited about these stickers.  I will be using these with Chica Chica Boom Boom when we make our own trees at the beginning of this year.  I didn't do this last year, but I would like to incorporate it into the first week of school this year. 

I liked these little certificates because in March, I have the kids eat Green Eggs and Ham with their prayer partners.  I thought this would be a cute certificate to go along with it.  Can't wait... just hope I remember where I put them in March! :) 

It was fun shopping today.  As always though, spent more of my own money, but the kiddos are worth it. :) 

Shipshewana

It has been quite a while since I posted on here.  It got crazy near the end of the year with all the final things going on with the end of Kindergarten.  The kids did a fabulous job on their End of Year Celebration!  I was SO proud of them.  I promised myself that I wouldn't cry- but then I opened the door to where we were going, saw the parents and looked back at my kiddos and I lost it!  I couldn't help it!  They have grown SO much over this last year.  I am really going to miss this class. 

The week after school got out, we had our end of year teacher meetings.  Then this last week (got home yesterday) I was in Shipshewana, IN.  If you have never been to Shipshewana, I suggest that you go.  On Tuesday and Wednesday every week, there is a HUGE flea market there.  I got lots and lots of items for my classroom (including Happy Birthday pencils.. 100 for $10) for really cheap.  I will have to try and take a picture of all of my stuff later and post it.  Really excited about everything that I got there.  Bring your money when you go; they have something for everyone.  I was also super excited to find little toy dolls there that go with our doll houses at school!  When I came into the room, I had the doll house, but no dolls!  I picked up several dolls that I know will fit in there and some furniture too.  When I brought it all out the first night, I was really surprised to see my son who is 3, start playing with them all.  I knew then that the kids would like them a lot.  I can't wait till the girls get to play with it this year.  Otherwise this huge doll house would just be taking up more room on my shelves. 

If you do happen to go to Shipshewana make sure you hit the flea market.  It is only there Tuesdays and Wednesdays expect the major holidays over the summer.  Also, I suggest eating, or at least getting, cinnomon rolls at The Bread Box.  They are SO yummy!  I got a bakers dozen to bring back... I will be freezing some.  I have loved them since I was a little girl.  I also suggest driving over to Middleburry, IN and staying and eating at the Essenhaus.  When I was little, I use to stay there all the time.  This year they were booked when we wanted to go (BIG quilt show going on) and we were only able to go and eat there.  You should check it out.  Great home made Amish food. 

I will be going through some ideas and gathering others this summer for next year's classes.  I cannot wait to meet my kids, but I am going to enjoy my summer! :)  Lots of things to make this summer and do- a teacher's job is never done!

Going to try and Blog about my teachings...

Well, I have become an addicted person to several blogs now on the internet to get ideas for Kindergarten.  I have had some REALLY cool ideas from these sites and also gathered some ideas for myself.  I like the idea of blogging and posting ideas or things that the kids are doing in class.  I decided that I would start to write a blog to help with this.  I was going to start to do this next school year, but I decided if I started now, that it would be easier to keep it up next school year! :) 

Life as a Kindergarten teacher has been a blast this year.  Yes, there are ups and downs everyday, but that is like that in any job field.  I love being with the kids and teaching them new things.  Just even the simplest things they can be so interested in- which makes the task even more fun! I have learned a lot this last school year, since it was my first year teaching.  I fell in love with Kindergarten and I don't know if I will want to teach anything else.  We will see what God has in store for me in the future, but for now I will take how awesome my job is every day! 

I teach at a K-8 Lutheran school in Michigan.  I actually went to this school from Kindergarten through 8th grade myself.  (Yes, some of my former teachers are still teaching there.)  :)  My class currently is 18 students.  I love them all.  They have taught me much about Kindergarten and that age level, which is good to prepare me for a few years away when my son turns 5! 

It is so much fun doing projects with the kids.  I am always looking online for different ideas for them to do.  I also keep looking for different ideas for centers for my kids to do.  It is so much fun teaching them new things.  I love to be on Pinterest... I am addicted, I will admit that.  I also like looking on Teachers Pay Teachers, or TPT.  I need to figure out how to sell things on there too! 

So I hope that you enjoy reading about things we are doing in Kindergarten, ideas and projects that we have been doing, and just the life of being a Kindergarten teacher.  Next year will be different for me too.  I will be teaching two half day classes.  I am excited to teach twice as many kids, but also will miss my time with my son in the afternoon.  It will be worth it though and I will just have to make more special times with my son.