Literacy Linky Party!

I just joined up with iHeartLiteracy for a K-2 Literacy Roundup linky party! I linked my Houghton Mifflin Focus Wall for Theme 1. It's getting to be that time and if you've just started school and you're using HM Reading Theme 1 is right around the corner. For me, next week is the last week of the Back to School theme. I know how important Kindergarten review is but I have to admit that I love getting into the routine of the themes, starting reading groups, etc. When I put up my focus walls I feel like we're really back to school! Come join the party!



Speaking of back to school, last week we made our first class book. Every year I start with this one since we're working on letter/sound review. It's an ABC Book made with the children's names. Tomorrow I'll bind it and put it in the class library. I can guarantee that for a few weeks we'll have to pick sticks (popsicle sticks with the student's names on them) to decide who gets to hold/read the book. Even after that, though, it's always a popular book. I have a special book box for all the books we make together along with yearbooks from past years. Always a hit!

Well, we've certainly enjoyed the long weekend! I don't think we really did anything at all but it was nice to not really have any pressure. Now it's off to make lunches and iron shirts (and find out what last minute homework someone accidentally forgot!).

Let's Get Acquainted Linky Party!

Flying into First Grade is having a Let's Get Acquainted Linky Party! The topic is upcoming school year goals.

I'll admit I haven't thought about this too much over the summer but I think my goal this year is to get really organized. I got a good start on it last year and this year I'm really ready to get it done! This is my third year teaching first grade and each year I get a little better grip on things.

At the end of the year I was able to go through and get rid of a LOT of things the previous teacher had left behind. Each year we have a room/table for teachers to put items that they no longer use. I'm sure the previous teacher had great ways to use the books and activities but they just weren't me, you know? After two years, I can honestly say I won't be using those items. I also purged a lot of posters that were really just things to put on the wall. I'd much rather have the children's work or resource items taking up  my precious wall space!

One thing I really want to do is keep better records of how lessons went. I hope to make notes weekly and keep them in a file. I purchased a bin for each month and when I finish a center or activity I'll put it in the bin along with the file of notes so that next year it will all be ready to go!

Well, that's my goal, anyway!

Another big organizational struggle for me is my desk!! Each year I push it back a little and it doesn't take up much space anymore. The big thing for me is the inside! It quickly becomes a place to dump things that I just don't know what to do with! I'm really not sure how to deal with that one. Any ideas would be appreciated!

I go back in two weeks and I'll be sure to take lots of pictures to show how things are coming along.

Thanks to Flying into First Grade for hosting the party! (It's my first linky party and I'm very excited!)