Welcome back...

Wow, where did time go? I cannot believe I haven't posted since January.  Actually, I can believe it!!  For those of you who do not know- I was teaching at one school 5th grade science at the beginning of last school year.  On a Friday around 1:00pm I found out that I was moving to a new school on that Monday! I had to go back to class and try and teach for the rest of the day, but ended up just crying! That afternoon I packed up my room with help from family and coworkers!!  Monday morning I reported to my new school and I was teaching third grade, all subjects!  I never adjusted until close to the end of the school year.  However, I made it and so did the kids! In fact, they all did VERY well on the CRCT in all subjects!!!

Now I'm in limbo as to what will happen next school year.  As of now I'm at the same school, but teaching 5th grade science and social studies.  I've tried to plan and get things done over the summer, but that really didn't happen.  So I guess I will spend my last few weeks working to the grind to get ahead!!

I promise to get back in the blogging world! I really love reading what others have to say and see what has worked in their rooms!

If you can refer any bloggers that could help me with next year in these areas (see below) that would be great!!

Notebooking in Social Studies
Fifth grade Social Studies
Fifth grade Science
Georgia upper elementary teachers!

Until next time! ;)

Recent happenings...

Character words up for Social Studies, not too interesting. :/
Our Map to track our USA Postcard Exchange. We have LOT more postcards to get to, but it is hard to fit the time in!!!
Group Sparkle Points! My kiddies LOVE this!! The groups can earn points throughout the week and the group with the most points on Friday gets a prize! :)
Power word poster! Very handy!

Division anchor chart that the kids can remove the words and the put them in the correct place..
Anyone played this game? I just got it in the mail today! Looks like it is a good one! Basically clock dominoes!

I got this pencil sharpener for Christmas and I LOVE IT!!!! It works great, plus has a 10 year warranty...
Even better, when the pencil is sharp the light turns blue!!!!!!

Our Class Rocks Jar! Again my friend Mandy Flanders made this for me! Anything crafty she can do for me! We earn rocks for compliments, no names in the book, everyone doing their homework, etc.... When it is full we get a prize!!! Check her out at, https://www.facebook.com/flandysfancycreations

These nifty posters came from The Teacher Wife! I purchased it this morning and have already done three activities from it! It has 58 pages of lots of goodies! Check it out here...
Another item from the pack! :)

And these OH so cute bookmarks that I'm giving the kiddies tomorrow! :)

The blank canvas?

Here are the pictures of my NEW classroom as I worked on it! I was very lucky that I was given a week in my room before I got kids. On the phone, the day I was told I had to move, it was explained that I would start teaching on Monday! I don't know what I would have done then!
Back of the room, I now have a table and more chairs back there...

My own sink and counter tops! Whoop Whoop!

Rolling Shelf

Making a library

I got a brand new Promethean board as I was setting up my room.

Making my standards and calendar wall...

The entry..

Instructional bulletin board and student computers

The standards board now..

More Classroom photos...

Good ol' anchor chart for division! :)
I couldn't get my kiddies motivated for AR, but this was attempt one. However, right before the break I just started snapping and saying come on guys and cheering a LOT more that we are doing really well with AR now! Any WHO the principal set our goal for 80 points and they students get to move their owls around to the moons. This picture was prior to the snapping, in the next picture you can see that only ONE student was up on the wall!!!

One student, pitiful! Now they are mostly at 20 and 15 points. I have one at 35! Yippie!

Instructional bulletin board with rocks/minerals and government.

Key math words, another anchor chart! :)

Can I get an AMEN?

Happy New Year everyone!

I am so glad that it is 2012 because that means that this school year is almost over. It means that this roller coaster isn't on that first big drop anymore. It means that I have a moment to breathe and update everyone about life.

For those of you who didn't read on September 16 I was informed that it would be my last day at my school and I was being moved to a new school. I also had to be there on Monday, which made things even more crazier! So I packed up and unloaded at home and then on Monday loaded back up for the new school. I was moved from fifth grade science to third grade all subjects. There were three third glad classes and mine would make four. So I had to take these three different classes and make them my own. Basically, I felt as though I was drowning and that instead of people throwing a life savor they dumped more water on my head!

Anyway, I slowly got used to the fact that I was a third grade teacher. I will say that teaching all the subjects is a real headache and that is probably my least favorite part! When I taught science I lived and breathed science. I focused on one thing and did it well. Now I have four subjects that I want to do my best in and there isn't enough time to even prepare. My new school is nice and the students are not bad at all. However, I really just haven't caught a break..

...That is until now! :) Somehow at this moment I'm breathing and I THINK I'm ahead of what I should be doing! I hope to maintain this peaceful mood as I continue on throughout the school year.

I apologize that things are few and far between, but I really don't have much to share. Reason being? Well I'm begging, borrowing, and stealing and not really creating anything of my own! My next post will be strictly pictures and you will see all the great things that I have found via Google and BLOG LAND! I appreciate everyone's willingness to share and post things for free and even on Teachers Pay Teachers! I've spent more money than I have made, but you're making this a lot easier!

I hope that everyone else can find a little piece this school year. I know that it is tough, but enjoy the ride! <3

What a Crazy RIDE!!

Okay, I have neglected this blog long enough. I need to update everyone on my current situation. A few weeks ago I was a happy 5th grade Science teacher. It was my second year at the school and I had the same kids, things were going VERY smoothly. We were informed that two of our teachers would have to be moved due to numbers. After some fighting and many phone calls, I was informed on Friday at 1:30 that I started at a new school on Monday morning. I was unable to tell the kids and I had to keep teaching until 3:00. It was difficult and I cried and the kids were VERY confused! However, I share the news with them that afternoon and they cried with me. It made me feel really good that they would miss me, but I was sad that I just to up and leave. I packed up my room that afternoon/evening and went to my new EARLY school on Monday. I am now a third grade teacher and I teach ALL the subjects.

Here I am a couple of weeks in and the school is wonderful, staff, parents, and students.. However, I feel as if I'm drowning in a sea of work. I can't catch up and things keep coming to me.. I will definitely be looking forward to Thanksgiving and Christmas Break!! Maybe then I can catch a break. I am still very thankful to have a job, but moving once school as already started is not ANYTHING I would recommend to anyone!

I need to update on my class and what is going on, but I'm not sure what is going on! Lol. When I figure it out, I will be back! I love blogging and finding new ideas for my kiddies, but there just isn't enough time in a day!!!

Fifth Grade is a BLAST

Wow, I know that I'm slacking on this blog. I really do apologize. My hubby and I bought a house and we were without the internet for a week and some days. I also am busy back at work with my students! Our blog is being updated more regularlly if you want to check it out, www.lazenbyclass.blogspot.com.

We are currently wrapping up our cells and microorganism unit. This weekend I will try my hardest to sit and write a blog along with share some of our materials! Enjoy your week! :)