First FULL week of 4th Grade

This is how my first full week started.....

LOTS and LOTS of studying! I have a new respect for my students. You realize how much they have to learn in a day when YOU have to learn it too before you can teach!
We were able to eat with our daughter at her workplace.
The boy LOVED it!

Now for some more pics of my classroom
(that I finally remembered to take).

I added a stool to my desk thanks to Leslie at http://www.happygoleslie.com/9She is one of my besties and a decorating inspiration!), Madeline and De. I really like the height that
it added not to mention the storage underneath!

Closeup of the stool.

I {heart} my hutch!

Bookshelf with coordinating baskets,
painted lamp and lampshade, and bus list.
Info board...calendar, clock, menu, box tops, grocery receipts, Ch Book log, and Homework chart.

Accelerated Reader Chart

Math vocab chart

Remember or summer list?? I am reading "Finally" during our DEAR time. This girl has a list of things she wants to do but her parents say "when you are 12". Se FINALLY turns 12 and it is hilarious what happens when she gets her wishes. I buzzed about this book and then we broke up into groups and created our wish list for 4th grade. It had to be logical (no flying to the moon) and the majority of the class had to agree before it was added to the chart. I hung it on our window (no wall space is left) and we check every afternoon to see if we can mark something off. We can choose something from the list if we have extra time or I can use an item in ly lesson plans. The kiddos were thrilled!!!
Now for REAL life. This is what my desk looks like during the school. day. Teach...drop it on the desk and move on to the next subject. Add a student note, school info, a form or two, papers to grade, tools used and not put back...well you get the idea......AND.......

...fighting with my son to do his homework.
This is how my life REALLY is! But I LOVE it!
Have a great week. I KNOW I will!!!!!!!

Classroom+shopping+return of school=a long post!

I survived the first 2 days of school! I rEaLlY like 4th grade. I am so surprised at the difference from 2nd to 4th grade!! I spent hours...HOURS...like 100s of hours on my classroom. I have been so busy I haven't had to time to post any pics. I am trying to get better. I have been busy!!!

First, I work at the best school in the world!!! Our principal does something amazing every year to celebrate our return to school. This year we had a carnival theme including a big top (not pictured) and peanuts, pop, popcorn, etc. We played carnival games and won things for our classroom! (Like that bookshelf in the background!) I didn't win anything big this year but I still won some GREAT stuff. I can't complain cause last year I won a flipcamera! LOVE IT!

New clock for my classroom. It's a painted canvas and clock kit from Hobby Lobby!

Outside my classroom. Our 4th grade theme was Rock N' Roll. Found these records at a thrift shop half off. I got a couple hundred for $7.

Side view of outside. My loving hubby hung my daughter's guitar.

Area above my door.

Inside door.

Car/Bus Rider chart.

To go with the rock n roll theme I used Billboard as a guide to make these charts. The kids HAVE to read 5 chapter books a nine weeks and keep up with homework.

Organized teacher area! LOVE this cubbie thingy! Free from the PE department!

Daily work and weekly material!

Now for the best part.....every year my hubby gives me a gift for my first day back! (WARNING: You will ohhhh and ahhhhh!!)
This year he gave me this box full of stuff. At first I was confused as to why there was a 4 in there since I have taught for 12 years. Then it hit me...4th grade!! He included 4 packages of candy, 4inch fan, 4 diet dr pepper, 4 ramen noodles, 4 pringles, 4 tubs of crystal light, 4 fruit cups, #4, and a meal with 4 entrees.
He is sooooo amazing and thoughtful!!!

These are just a few pics of my classroom. I have changed a lot since
I took these pics so will add more when I take them..Hopefully Monday!

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Bargains Galore on 64 items...
lamp .75
videos $1.00 for both
easel .25
ball jars 1 with zinc lid $1.00
ME salt/pepper .25
fabric for class $1.00
The best find was this working robot. Price was $10 but I got him
down to $8.25. WAHOOOO!!
Free mirror from a friend. From this to.......
to THIS............
More thrifty finds....all in my classroom!! Pics later....
Frames were $1 each
ice bucket $1
lamp $2
Border $1
game $2

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Switching gears.....
Our Walmart was having an open house and we met Chester the Cheetah..

Zak wasn't too thrilled.....
Zak got this helmet for $1 at Bargains Galore and this is how he uses it.
Is he trying to tell me something???????
1st Grade Open House. He was thrilled!!! He kept asking if it was over yet.
His teacher walked by and said, "I can tell I won't have any problems out of
him this year!!" Hubby and I looked at each other and laughed!!First day of 1st grade. Silly boy!!!!!! He did have a great day!
I think he will like 1st grade!

Off to the shuttle bus! Our school provides a bus for the teacher's kids!
SOooooo very nice!!!!!!!!
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Bathroom redo for $35 from TJMaxx...Bench was from a find from Baragins galore. Got 2 for $10..

Rug was $16 and the shower curtain was $8 and not pictured is
a yellow towel I hung as a curtain to close while we shower.