Day 2 Linky...

I'm clearly highly motivated by the Read Across America Week Linky at Primary Chalkboard!

Tuesday's Topic: Everything Dr. Seuss!! I've got this one covered!

Let's start with a handful of pictures from today's celebration.  As I mentioned yesterday, I was scheduled for a workshop today but I just had to drop in first thing this morning a snap a few pics with my awesome team and daughter.  Here we are in our Seuss gear...

We made our bow tie shirts and grabbed the hats from Party City. 

My daughter's grade level decorated with Horton Hears a Who, so she dressed as a clover complete with a speck and Horton plush.

My classroom parents did an amazing job on the snacks and goodies!

I didn't quite get my door exactly the way I wanted it, but I'm happy with the result.

So cute.  You can also find my previous Seuss celebrations HERE my Seuss inspired Word Family Board HERE, and a post dedicated to The Lorax HERE.

I hope you are enjoying a Seuss-tastic week!

I'M BACK...

Well hello blogging besties and fabulous teachers! After a blog hiatus and a laptop repair I am so happy to be back to blog world! Here's what's going on at First Grade Glitter and Giggles...

I got caught up on blog stalking today after being iced in (more on that in a minute!) and the one thing on my brain is...I'm thinking I need a blog makeover.  I think it's time.  I do feel like my blog represents my personality well, but I am loving some of the new cleaner designs.  And of course all of those fabulous tabs and sparkly buttons sure would help with my obsession need for organization!! Now to shop for an update. LAWDIE!

Next up...this Texas weather!

No joke.  I was in shorts and sandals on Saturday and then we had an ice storm on Sunday, complete with thunder-sleet. School was canceled today. I was actually bummed.  I love Read Across America!!! I spent Sunday working on my daughter's costume and our team shirts and then got the cancellation notice.  Normally postponing the celebration 1 day would be no biggie.  However, I am scheduled for a workshop tomorrow. Yikes! Is there anyone else that would have anxiety about snacks coming, a campus dress up, and a read in when you aren't there? Yes, me too.  But most of all, I'm sad to miss out on all of the fun.  Which brings me to the...

Read Across America Linky at Primary Chalkboard!

Monday: Favorite Children's Author and Books...

I would have to say that Dr. Seuss is my all time favorite, but I feel like he is kind of in a category of his own.  I have so many favorites that it's just so hard to narrow it down to a few. I'm just totally obsessed with children's books in general.  In fact my DREAM job (other than teaching of course) would be to own a children's bookstore.  Maybe I've seen "You've Got Mail" just a few too many hundred times, but the idea of something like The Shop Around The Corner just seems enchanting! Ok so back to my favorite author(s).  I've narrowed it down to 3.  These are the 3 that I just couldn't make it through my year without! In no particular order of course.

David Shannon!

My first David Shannon book was Alice The Fairy.  I just giggled and giggled when I read that thing in college and I was hooked.  Of course his David books are essential to any elementary classroom.  

 Peter Reynolds!

I met Peter Reynolds a few years back when he was a speaker at a workshop here in Texas.  The one word that I think of when I think of  Mr. Reynolds is INSPIRED.  Not only did he inspire me, but his books and personal story inspire both teachers and students.  The message in his books, The Dot and Ish (just to name a few), are so heart warming that I've shared both of these in a read aloud format at staff development (to adults!) and can easily tear up when reading them.  They are just amazing.  He is also the talented illustrator for books such as the Megan McDonald Judy Moody series and several Judy Bloom books.  Not to mention..he has a bookstore, The Blue Bunny! (See previously mentioned dream job above!)

 

Jane O'Connor

Seriously, you knew I had to have that coming.  There's nothing more fitting to Glitter & Giggles than some Fancy Nancy!  I use these books all of the time.  So much in fact, that even my dapper gentlemen are fans! The connection to curriculum is so much fun.  Vocabulary, colorful words in writing, sensory details...there are so many ways to incorporate these books.  We just adore them. That's fancy for really, really like them!

Well there you go! It feels good to be back! See you again real soon.

Where It All Goes Down Wednesday

Ok, this will be my favorite part of teacher week!! Not so much to show my room, but to see all of the super cute classrooms out there! Head on over to Blog Hoppin' and check out all of the fabulous linkys!

So here's just a few pics from my Work Sweet Home!!...

I've actually posted a picture of my meeting board before, but I was able to snag this fabulous rug at a yard sale this year just before school started.  I'm lovin it!

Student cubbies. 

Leveled library and student book boxes.

Reading corner.

Math manipulatives, read alouds, puzzles, and files.

Word Wall (This was actually taken at the end of last year when ALL of our first grade words were up on the board!) I also now have a separate book shelf for the books that were on the ledge.



My workspace.

Guided reading and small group area.

Well that's about it! Right now it's actually a mess from surving the first 3 days of school. Soooo glad that you stopped by my room! (giggles)

Teacher Week Day One: Meet The Teacher!

I'm so excited to link up for Teacher Week!

It's so amazing to find out about the wonderful teachers that make my blog stalking and hopping so much fun.  Here goes...

Tell us a little something about you...

Well I'm sort of new to the blogging world, just beginning my blog in June. However, I've been stalking for longer. I'm married to a high school basketball coach and calculus teacher. I have a daughter that I just love to dress up and have a slight obsession with hairbow buying. I'm a teacher nerd and a children's book junkie. I have so many favorites that I couldn't even begin to list them. Let's just say all things yummy, bright, funny, crafty, organizational, fabulous, chic, sparkly, and Hollywood.

How long have you been teaching...

I am beginning my 6th year as a first grade teacher. I have been in the same district since my first year of teaching and I just think there's no better place.  It is also the same school district that I grew up in! I can't imagine teaching any other age than first graders.

You might not know...

I thought that I wanted to be a high school drill team director! I actually was for a few years! Don't get me wrong, I loved working with the girls, but I had them decorating Christmas cards with glitter, pom poms, and construction paper for the cafeteria staff one year when the principal mentioned that I might love elementary! She was right.

What are you looking most forward to this school year...

Definitely implementing the Daily 5. I'm sold on the idea of my students building stamina with the added bonus of less literacy station preparation. I'm also excited to get to know my new teaching team and see what the year ahead has in store for us.

What do you need to improve...

I am so passionate about teaching literacy. I get so excited with every new lesson, strategy, book, and story. I need to improve my passion for math.  I don't mind teaching math, and I feel like my kiddos do pretty well, I'd just like to make it more fun and exciting! Thank goodness for the blogging world. I've already seen some fresh ideas.

What teaching supplies can you *not* live without...

Well this one is a pretty long list to, but I'll try to cut it down!

1. 3 Drawer Plastic Shelves

2. Filetastic Organizer

3. Cutesy File Folders

4. Sorts of All Sorts (The Mailbox)

5. Teachers Pay Teachers!!!

6. Frogstreet Decoratives

7. Sweet Tea in the teacher's lounge

8. Thirty-One totes

9. My team (ok, clearly this is not in order of value!)

10. Really Good Stuff Plastic Containers

Ok, I'd like to share so much more but today was our first day of school and my Thirty-One large utility tote is jam packed with home to-do's to prep for tomorrow! Toodles everyone, and I'm so anxious to meet you too!

Blog Mixer Linky Party...

Love me some Linkys...and Yearn to Learn is having a blog mixer. Just fabulous. Here's what you do...
In your link up, find the following:
1.  A blogger who is a "New Kid on the Blog"
(Let's say someone who has blogged 2 months or less and has less than 200 followers...you could alway's use me for this one! GIGGLES!!!)2.  Post a blogger in your same grade level
3.  Post a blogger in a different grade level
4.  It's all about the button. Find a cute blog button and post it.

Here is my blog love...
1. New Kid - Sister Teachers
2. Same Grade - The Inspired Apple (Abby was one of the first blogs that I stalked!)
3. Different Grade Level - Deanna Jump (use her stuff ALL of the time!)
4. Adorable Button - I love Little Literacy Learners new button! Soooo sweet!



 Have fun everyone!!

Fabulous Summer Finds...

Lots of giggles for the Classroom Shopping Linky Party comments by Ladybug's Teacher Files. I've enjoyed checking out everyone's shopping treasures for the summer. Luckily I've managed to grab a few of my own. And of course, these items did require quite a bit of digging!

The first find was on a trip to Garden Ridge with my first grade team. We made sure to check through ALL of the book tables before we decided to move on.  About 3 deep on the LAST table, I spotted this little treasure! I'm a huge fan of Tori and have wanted to check out her children's book for some time.  To think, I almost paid full price for this just 3 weeks ago.  The illustrations are adorable and the story teaches a valuable lesson about the importance of just being yourself. Can't wait to share with my firsties!

The next was actually spotted by one of my new teammates (love her!) at Half Priced Books, after I told her how excited I was to do Abby's Wizard of Oz Unit this year. However, I did have to go and scavenger for my own copy! Finally found it! Lovin the price ($2.98) AND it's just the right amount of text for a first grade read aloud. To top it off...I'm going to see Wicked in London next week! Fabulous!!

Make sure that you check out the linky party to see everyone's loot! Great idea Kristen.

Wish List Linky Party...

Oh my! How much fun is this linky party?!?! B. Roper at Really Roper is hosting a classroom wish list linky party. I'm all over this one! The possibilities are endless. However, I've narrowed it down to a list of 5 fabulous items.  These are the items that I dream of adding to my classroom.

I saw this first one on the Container Store's site and fell in love. I think it would be perfect behind my small group table for supplies and activities.

This year we are leaving our comfort zone of literacy stations and jumping in to The Daily 5.  I am so excited but I'm also in great need of an extreme makeover for my classroom library.  I would love these storage bins for my classroom library and student book boxes.  They're adorable and spot on for my colors!

And now for the big ticket items....awww...someday....

Thanks Really Roper! It's been fun to shop with no budget. (giggles!!)