Summertime Crafting

One of my favorite things about being a teacher is being blessed with time in the summer to relax and reflect.  Relax from the school schedule and some of the pressures of being a teacher.

Honestly, I don't do the best job of relaxing, but I like the fact that I have the time to do it if I take advantage of it :)

Most of my summer consists of reading (about school & research), crafting (for school & home), and spending time with friends and family that sometimes get neglected with the hustle and bustle of school life.

Recently, I have felt like a slacker in relation to studying school curriculum and getting ready for the upcoming year!  I am stepping in to my third year of teaching at Millers Creek Elementary in Wilkes County, NC.  I have taught second grade for the past two years.  I have been promoted :) to the newest fourth grade teacher at MCES.

Let me tell you a bit of good news:
1. Fourth grade is my dream grade. I have longed to teach 4th graders since my Block II experience at MCES in 2009.
 2. The fourth grade team at my school is cohesive, 21st century oriented and FUN.  I am pumped about this year!
3. I will most likely get some of my sweet first class of 2nd graders back (as they are now going into 4th grade)!
 4. My new classroom is conveniently placed in between two third grade classes....so, I should be able to keep tabs on my precious little ones who are going into third grade!

All in all....great things are happening.

Here are a couple of projects I have been working on for my new classroom.

1. A decorated toolbox (labels to come) to fit all my pencils, pens, clips, post-its, etc in.
Found the toolbox at Lowes Hardware in the nail/screws section for $18.  Covered the inside of each drawer with scrap pieces of decorative paper. Voila! Easy craft and will be fun to use!

2. I believe in celebrating success anytime possible with kids (and adults!)  One easy way to celebrate success in little ones is on a birthday! I clearly remember some of my teachers kind words and encouragement on my birthdays.  The past two years, I have created unisex cards with scrap material and decorative fun things, and then I have each child sign it and we present it to the birthday boy or girl.  I will still do that this year, but I also made these CrazyBirthdayStraws with a Happy Birthday label on them for each child.  I think I'm going to allow them to drink their water and milk (at lunch) out of the CrazyBirthdayStraw on their birthday! We will see! :)

3. I saw this idea under a "Mommy" category on Pinterest.  Moms and kids can write down memories and put them into a jar and at the end of the year they sit around and reflect/read them! I thought this would be a great idea for fourth graders.  Not only will it help us remember the fun things that happen, but it will give the kids a buy-in to participate and create moments. :)

That's all I have for now! Enjoy the rest of your summer. 32 days until my sweet kiddos first day! :)

Ms. Fain