"I don't care if I go CrAzY!"

Today was 5 more hours in the classroom working on stuff...and talking...and thinking...then talking...and working...then talking! At least that's all it seems like I did...TALK! and I really accomplished little. Wouldn't have accomplished anything without the help of some friends! It's super hard for me to keep my thoughts on one project and it seems like every time I need something I can't find it! 
A lot of the other teachers were coming in to "welcome"  me and see my room today. If I were in their position or roles reversed I'd call it more of connecting out of curiosity a.k.a being nosy. I even had one lady tell me today that she came in yesterday with another teacher and took pictures ;)Compliment Taken. I Guess.
I did manage to complete a chart to hang up for birthday pictures (minus the heading that will say..."Happy Birthday". I plan to take their picture in the photo booth on their birthday or half birthday for those summer babies and then post them until the end of the year.

The borders were separated by a 2 in. straight edged piece of tan scrap book paper. I would have never thought about doing this (Thanks Beck!) but I think this is my favorite thing in my room so far!

I plan to print the heading tonight and hang it tomorrow. I'm also in LOVE with the brown paper...again, thanks Beck for helping me envision this! I'm so thankful for crafty friends! I would have probably gone with orange or red but this is definitely more of the color scheme I want. So far my room isn't very circusy and most people walk in and say...Oh are you doing a Dr. Seuss theme?!
Nope...not quite...though I do love Dr. Seuss. So....I still have a lot of elements to add in order to capture the whole vintage circus feel. I'm going to attempt the a circus tent with red and white tablecloths tomorrow so we shall see ;) Should I try red white and brown?! After getting this together today, I'm really starting to second guess the front wall in my class...It's too RED and I'm wishing that I'd gone maybe brown?! and I'm not as CRAZY about it as I was last year.

Song on the Side: " I don't care if I go crazy...1-2-3-4-5-6-SWITCH!" (Cross legs a different way here)
                           "Crazy go I if care don't I...6-5-4-3-2-1-SWITCH! (Repeat song even faster)

Have you ever heard of this before??!! I am in love with the tune and wish you could hear me singing it because it is seriously stuck in my head! Abby taught me this today while she was going crazy tearing out all of my student's tests. She said it's one of the only fun things she remembers one of her teachers doing and I thought....OH! MY! I'm definitely going to use that crazy little jingle during subject transition time! Not to mention my kiddos always think I'm CRAZY!

 Here's the bright red wall...I still have a few things to post on the wall but I'm thinking I might could back them with brown paper. For example...the alphabet up at the top...I could layer brown paper behind it to bring down the red a bit?!

It'd be a lot of work so I probably won't unless I just can't live with it once posters and such are up on this wall. It doesn't look super bright in this picture but it really is!

I also worked on getting that no-sew pennant banner to stick...boy howdy was that a disaster and waste of time! I hardly look forward to having to take it down. 

Ab's Mom helped by putting this all over the other 3 walls using zots...the walls are freshly painted and I didn't want to push my luch with hot glue...since it's really against the rules! By 12:00 it was falling off just like this :(

 By 2:00 today, I was very thankful that she put it up the first time and I didn't have to do it twice today:) Every little bit helps!

By the end of the day... I whipped out my glue gun and went to town...hopefully it won't be too hard to take down and the paint won' t pull off too bad! It looks super small and much better up close because my walls are pretty tall. Abby nor I knew she was in this pic ;)

 While I worked on the one birthday wall...Abby tore out lots of math tests and reading quizzes!

When she needed a break...she took it out on the rubics (sp?!) cube...she got one whole side to yellow...she really is smarter than your average bear!

 I ended the day at Sam's buying 1 1/2 inch binders for my students. I didn't really get much of a say on the supply list and this is a must have for my students! I figure since open house is next Thursday parents will really appreciate me having already got these rather then them face the back to school crazies the weekend before school starts! I will either ask them to pay me back or pick up a wish list item in place of it for me!

$10.00 for a pack of 4 at Sam's.

Have fun back to schooling!

Anxiety and Appreciation

I haven't accomplished a whole lot today in regards to my classroom...hence, the anxiety. Seriously, I can't have a conversation, pray, or sleep without my thoughts drifting to the inevitable....MY CLASSROOM!  I'm even having a hard time working on things at home and finding what I need to be working on. I finally decided on some things to print today, went and got my laminator then realized that I must have left all my lamination sheets at school...hence, more anxiety. I'm still hoping my hubby can get off early enough one day this week to get my stuff loaded and taken to the school...I need his muscles! He, though genuinely concerned and recognizing my Back to School Anxiety, is a man and sees that I still have two weeks until students walk in my door...I on the other hand...want my stuff in my class and I want it  now! I'm a very impatient person in this kind of area. Quite honestly, I'm almost always impatient when there's something that I want! One week from today I have pre-planning meetings on the clock! There aren't a whole lot of teachers working in their classes right now and next Thursday is open house...still to him, I have two weeks and he will get to it. :) 

Yesterday all of the Sunday school teachers and ladies in our church who have taught or are teachers gave a basket to one of the young ladies who got a job teaching pre school. Though not the job she'd hoped for she's super thankful to have her foot in the door in this economy and start her teaching career. She's a single lady and one of the most professional, gentle spirited, and formal people I know! We really appreciate her at our church! She's incredibly humble and modest in her entire personality!

This basket was loaded! Her theme is woodlandish with lots of owls :) 

 I could have spent so...much money on her but I've spent way too much on myself here lately!
The banner looked terrible! I printed it Sunday morning last minute...we were almost late for church! The letters were too big for the basket but I didn't realize it until it was too late! I fully intended to do something cutesy with the clothespins but this ended up a last minute banner!

I'm hoping that the new teachers at my school give me this same kind of treatment ;) But I'm not counting on it...this new kid on the block stuff means I have to prove myself...But I am a newbie to them though and I love the idea of welcoming new teachers with gifts for their classroom. It's definitely a good way, even if it's something small, to be a friendly teachering neighbor...kind of like in the old days when neighbors would welcome one another to the neighborhood with pies or jams...yep, those were the old days and sadly I've only lived to see them through reruns of Little House on the Prairie!

So...if there's a new teacher at your school find some way to show them some hospitality and encouragement because as you see...I.AM.STRESED. as I'm sure a lot of teachers are right now adjusting to a new school! 

Matching Makes EVERY Thing Better!

What an ideal Saturday it has been at the Stewart Compound! A little sleeping in....a little straightening up...a couple of repairs...a friendly visit....a delicious dinner...a bit of reminiscing...a chance to catch up with friends...a clean kitchen...a relaxing time for hubs to play video games...an opportune time for wife to spend time pinning... a pressure-less and unstressful day...which all make a very happy girl!
Question.
Is this what most peoples Saturdays are like?! Is this the life that normal people live?! I've always wanted to know...I never get to enjoy my home in this way on Saturdays because usually we are BUSY, BUSY, BUSY!

My hope for today was to be able to get my sofa, photo-booth, shelf, mini-frig, computer chair, and flip chart all moved into my classroom with the help of my hubby and his strong muscles.
That didn't happen and yet it feels great to have a break from school during the last few weeks of my summer vacation!!!

Sweet Abby, who has been my helper this week and who sewed my fanstachetic pillows, went home. Her mom and dad, Becky and Chris, and most of the time annoying brother, Sambo came and picked her up from the house so we made a much needed dinner date out of it! I miss spending time with this family sooooooooooo much! They have been very influential in my life and are a wonderful godly example! So thankful for them and thrilled to be able to spend some time with them today! We grilled out and I got a chance to use this super cute set of napkins, plates, straws, and cups... Which made me oh.my.wowzers. ecstatic because...my dress matched! Yeppers, almost identically, the napkins and I matched!!! The words "Hostess with the Mostesst" came to me instantly!

Love my friends!

This just sent me OVER THE RAINBOW

!

 Innocent Curiosity...
What do rainbows make you think of?! This was one of our conversation starters tonight :)

Becky and I...and guess what?! We matched too!

Aren't we just darling?! Love her bunches!

3 Concluding and repetitive words....

BECKY, BECKY, BECKY <3

 MATCHY, MATCHY, MATCHY!

and

 HAPPY, HAPPY, HAPPY :)

Fan-stache-tic Fabric!

I attempted to work in my classroom today but pretty much hit a STAND STILL. There's only so much that I can do before I get shelves and cabinetry put in. I straightened up and organized as much as I could. I did have a very lengthy convo with a coworker who gave me the "ins and outs" of the school so to speak. You know every school has those. She was cute, bubbly, and REALLY encouraging on the things I've done in my class already. So far there haven't been many super friendly people so she was a breath of fresh air.

Side Note: If you have a newbie teacher at your school this year...SHE/HE DOES NOT HAVE THE PLAGUE!!! Be warm and welcoming to her and PLEASE show her some kindness. Offer helpful information and do not force your ideas and way of doings on them! We are all created fearfully and wonderfully and have different ways of doing things.

RANT OVER.

Just some insight into this being the second year in a row that I've readjusted to new schools. I'm so over it and ready to be somewhere for a while. 


It was nice to have someone come in and talk to me for a while. She and I seemed to be kindred spirits just from our short time together today. I know we don't teach to have friends but boy howdy it sure does help to have teaching pals to relate with while at school and friends sure do help bear your load! Praying for some sweet teacher friends this year.

Sweet Abby and I worked pretty diligently last night while watching Pride and Prejudice...a few captivating distractions..Mr.Darcy gets me every time but she sewed pillows...such a talented teen girl she is, while I made a no sew banner using the iron and stitch witchery. I actually used this banner last year but had to make more because my class is so much bigger. We took the banner to school and attempted to hang it up top but since my walls are brick I've got to come up with something to make it stick...sticky tack and hot glue are not options. I'm hoping zots do the trick!

Can't wait to get this into my classroom!

 Having this sofa in my living room has convinced me to do something with this space in my house once school settles down!

Sew much fun!

Late last night we realized we needed the instruction manual and an unbent needle for the sewing machine we borrowed from friends so we made a pit stop for some sugary snacks to keep us up. Can you believe all of this was free?! They wouldn't let us pay because it was closing time!

The Pink and Orange Straws are ADORABLE!

I also joined bloglovin' today at the suggestion of a reader. Not exactly sure how this technology illiterate chicka is going to use it but we shall see and hopefully it will make following blogs easier!

Enjoy your weekend!

Bloglovin' it is

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Off the Wall Reconstruction!

After Day 4 of being in my classroom, I have 1 wall down and 3 to go! Here are some of the before and afters of how it's coming along:

Before...the white board is not as big as I had hoped for...It's only 12 feet long. Last year mine was 16 ft. But then again....Comparison IS the thief of Joy.

After...it looks much better in person and I am very pleased with it! The lighting in my class is TERRIBLE and...I don't have any windows!!!

They just added the shelf and bookbag hooks today...I'm satisfied!

I still have lots of work to do physically and am reminded of the great need for studying my new 5th grade curriculum! I was thankful to have a great helper today...one of the girls from my old church...sounds terrible to say "old" church so let me rephrase...one of the girls from the church my hubby swept me out of at marriage. I am a good wife so I submitted to him and our "new" church but miss this family especially!  

She wasn't ready for this one!

We printed and made hall passes today with clothespins, hot glue and Sahlin Studio's digital scrapbooking elements. They simply say: Hall Pass Mrs. Stewart Fifth Grade. I used the same concept last year and really liked them...the idea was for my germy kiddos not to touch them during the whole bathroom trip but often the janitor would bring them to my class. They held up all year but I chose to remake them for this year...lots of wear and tear and I'm sure GERMS!

Happy Birthday!

We also made these...I found this idea on pinterest and used silly straws last year and though I loved the idea the straws never made it to lunch or home. They ended up crammed into their desks and used as stabbing devices. I'm trying the Jumbo pixie sticks this year. The idea would be for them not to eat the large piece of candy until they get home! That way they actually go home and parents see them! I got 50 of them at Sams for 12 bucks!

Tonight we plan to pull an all-nighter...it's so nice to have a helper! #DunkinDonutsherewecome #sewingpillows #nosewpennantbanner

Keep Calm and Staple On!

I was finally able to get into my class today and accomplished much more than I thought I would and in only 3 hours!!! I'm using the same theme I used last year in my class and so the good thing is I already have most of the stuff I need. The staff members that were there seemed much more friendly today...maybe because it's not a Monday?! One of the other fifth grade teachers was there working for just a little bit and stopped in to chat! I also got my own set of keys today which I was just sure I wouldn't get with the school being so big. Some of you may not have this privilege nor find them needful. I like to work late and I also know my hubby will need to load in some of my things during the late night hours.

I know this is upside down...I guess I was overly excited when I took it and didn't realize! See the two keys?! I also received my alarm code so now to make a mental note: DO NOT lose them!

 Here's some of what I accomplished today. I did my all year round bulletin board with my calendar, behavior cards, and job helpers. There is also a birthday calendar that I will fill in. I also started covering the front wall that has my white board with red paper. I hope to be finished and post pics of that tomorrow...I will be working in my class all day Lord willing!

Before

After

Most of the products I used on this bulletin board are from Creative Teaching Press. It's their Dots on Turquoise line. The striped paper is tissue paper from Michaels. The border is just blue bulletin board paper. It's just a lot of scrunching and stapling! I got the idea last year from here:

I was awed by this lady last year being prego, crafty, and cheap!

The circle on the left is where I post my job helpers...one of my favorite crafty friends and I brainstomed on this one a lot...pretty sure I can claim this as an original idea. The header in the middle of the circle says "Job Helpers...Tame your Task" The ring reminded me of a circus ring and I really didn't like the idea of using clowns with the already coined phrase of  "Juggling Jobs". Clowns are kinda scary and depressing. I printed  several vintage circus animals and laminated them, cut them out and then stapled them into a "dot" while making a circle. The circus animals are from the graphics fairy at http://thegraphicsfairy.com/?s=circus .  I hope to be able to finish all the fine details up on this tonight so that I can just staple them in to place tomorrow. I'll try to post a couple of close ups tomorrow. The far right library cards are the behavior system that I use...I'm missing a few because they need to be laminated. More details on my behavior system in a later post.
My class is a lot bigger than it looks and than my class last year. The walls are really tall and high so I have a good amount of wall space that I'm not used to. I have a ton of outlets and jacks in the walls because the room used to a computer lab. I should never have a problem finding a plug.

When I got home my neighbor tightened up some screws on this beauty below and now I'll be taking her to school with me tomorrow. Can you believe one of the teachers was throwing this away?! It was slanted and appeared to be stripped but after some serious tightening up...she's as good as new and I love her bright colors! 

Thanks Mrs. Wofford! I feel like I owe you big!

#workingonlotstonight! #lookingforwardtotomorrow #feelingaccomplished