What I Knew My First Year Teaching {Stephany from Primary Possibilities}

There are a lot of things that you will learn the first year of teaching!  Here are a few tips to help you make the most of your first year...

Don't be afraid to "stop and smell the roses"... or watch the first snowfall of winter with your students.  These are some of the best memories that you will create with your students.  School really isn't all about testing, data, and work.  The moments they will remember the most are ones like these!

Find ways to save prep time any chance you get.  Little things like laminating and reusing timed math fact tests, finding the best time to use the copy machine, or finding efficient ways to grade papers can make your life a lot easier and make your Sunday nights a lot less dreadful!

Plan ahead for days when you may be out.  It is no joke that as a first year teacher you will contract every illness your students bring in.  Preparing for subs is almost as draining as the sickness that you are dealing with.  I started creating sub packets that I could prep ahead of time and that could be used at any time of the year.  This has saved my teammates and me a lot of time and energy on those dreaded sick days. 

You can grab up my sub plans by clicking HERE.... or grab up the bundle by clicking HERE.

I hope you have a great first year of teaching!

Celebrating America! [ with Stephanie from Mrs. D's Corner ]

It's no secret that I am an Air Force Sister and Daughter. My dad served in the AF and my brother recently just finished up his 4 years, so when the additional opportunity (I say additional because our troops should be celebrated and praised EVERY day) comes for us to give our thanks and remember, I go all out.

When my brother went through Basic, I had my students create cards and write letters for me to send to him. I have always taught 2- or 3-week units about our past, present, and future soldiers on Veteran's Day and Memorial Day. These days are so much more important than an extra weekend day or a BBQ, and it's important to me that I share this with my students. So much so that we started our remembrance celebrations this week.

I saw this pin on Pinterest and decided that this was how we would start off our unit. First, let me show you what we made, and then I'll show you how!

Isn't it just the most adorable poppy craft you've ever seen? And it's super simple! All you need to make these adorable poppies is paper plates, black construction paper, and red paint. It's the simplest craftivity, so let me know you how:

Obviously, you start with a paper plate.

Then (and it's hard to see the pencil lines), you draw lines on the paper plate to create the petals.

Once your student cuts on the lines, it will look something like this. It's okay if it's a little off-sided (unless you have OCD like me... but I keep telling myself it's okay!).

I cut random sized rectangles of black construction paper out for my students ahead of time.

Have your students rip the black construction paper into pieces. It doesn't matter how big or small the pieces are.

Time to paint!

Have your friends paint the entire plate red.

I used our special glitter glue to put some glue in the center of each plate. Students then add their ripped up black construction paper pieces.

Once it dries, you end up with this :) I used them to create a mini bulletin display outside of our classroom, that way the entire school can enjoy what we made for Memorial Day.

How do you celebrate Memorial Day?

Valentine's Class Party Planning from The Learning Chambers

Would you totally hate me if I said I didn't like the month of February?  Well....I don't hate it but....it isn't my favorite month of teaching.  The kids are all hyped up, testing season is starting, and I'm counting down the weeks until Spring Break in March.  I do love hearing little tips and ideas to make this month go as smoothly as possible, so today I thought I would share some tips on how to have a fun class party with little clean up!

My district allows us to have four parties a year, and Valentine's Day is one of those days.  It seems like every year all the kids want to bring is junk and then I'm left with a big mess to clean up.  Not fun!  One thing that I love to do is set up a sharing snack that we make together and share.

Each kids (or the ones that can) bring one thing for our snack.  Then we mix it up together, each kid gets a turn to shake the bag, and then we share out snack.  The kids love it especially because there is always left overs and they get to take them home to share with their family.  One year I made so much that each kid got to take home a gallon sized snack.  Don't worry it was only half full :).

I made a little freebie for you guys to help make this snack planning as no prep as possible.  Click on the parent letter below to grab your copy.

I also love having some easy print and go activities for my kids to enjoy on Valentine's Day.  I have this set that has a range of different skills from editing, word building, homophones, antonyms, synonyms, and just for fun word searches.

Click the product cover below to check them out in my store.

 I hope your month of February is as easy and stress free as possible.