Sunday, August 28, 2011

A Little of this and a Whole Lotta That!

YOWZA, This was a CrAzY busy week! The first week back is always hectic and normally, I relish in it; however, it has just been exhausting. I found out on Tuesday that I would have my first student teacher. Believe me, I am so excited to be cooperating teacher. My student teaching experience was...well, let's just describe it as less than ideal. So, I am excited to be able to share, share, share!!! By Friday, I realized that hosting a student teacher is a positive and rewarding experience and it's also work, lol. The week felt longer because HOLY hot! Our school is not air conditioned AND the best part...my classroom has 4 windows total that face a courtyard! I'm feeling HOT, HOT, HOT!!!


What has truly impacted my temperature and exhaustion level is.....wait for it....I am pregnant! For anyone who has read my blog from the beginning you know that having a family has been something I have wanted for a looooong time. We have been trying for three years and experienced a heartbreaking loss last September. We used fertility drugs and underwent to fertility treatments (IUI). We found out in April that it had worked! While we were incredibly excited, we were very scared! We waited until I was 23 weeks to even announce it. I have been scared to even let the parents of my kiddos know because they just met me and have no idea that I will do EVERYTHING in my power to ensure the great Kindergarten experience that their child deserves. I owe so many of you many thanks for all the emails and prayers over the last months. You all have been an incredible support to me!


Now on to some school stuff...I have meant to take pictures of my room and bulletin boards, but atlas, I didn't! I thought I would upload a few documents that I use for anyone who wants to see.


Hope there is something that you can use! Have a wonderful week! Don't forget to leave some love if you download!
Shannon


All documents contain fonts that are copyright DJ Inkers. Virtually all documents contain graphics that are copyright DJ Inkers. They are used with permission. Please visit http://www.djinkers.com/, for wonderful clipart and fonts.


Here is the newsletter format I use, I create it in PowerPoint because I am a P.P. junkie!
August 29 2011


Here are my lesson plans for the week of August 29. It's not quite in the normal format because we don't have all our specials yet, all components of the curriculum don't start yet, and because I don't start teaching centers for a little bit...I like to give my new kids time to adjust to the hectic pace of Kindergarten. This is one of the few things I do in Word. It looks fancy, but it's just tables. I split and merge cells, just takes practice!
Week of August 29 - September 2


Here is my crazy pacing guide for the year. I print it out on 11x17 paper and use it as my desk calendar, which is actually always covered in piles! Again, created in PowerPoint. You can see that all my poems aren't on it yet...that's because our theme order changes based on field trips and special events that aren't always in my control.
My 2011-2012 Pacing Guide


Here is the Language Arts Assessment that I use.
My Language Arts Assessment Chart


Two little Pete the Cat Goodies for you...
The first is a little book that is a bit goofy...before you send me emails that say "Pete's shoes wouldn't turn yellow if he walked in bananas"...I know this. The book is to help teach colors and is fun!
Pete Loves Colors Book


The second upload is an idea from Leslie Bjelde! Leslie has been so generous in sharing materials with me! This is a school tour book. I needed to save on colored ink, so I had to make my own version. The first and last pages are copied on white card stock. The rest of the pages are copied on colored cardstock that corresponds with the color of shoe that Pete lost. I copy the large shoes on colored cardstock, as well.
Pete the Cat School Tour Book

Coming Soon...Spider Unit!

72 comments:

  1. CONGRATULATION!

    and thanks for the freebies!
    Tessa
    Spotlight on Kindergarten

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  2. Congrats!!!! Very exciting! :)
    Love Pete the Cat! Thank you! :)
    Cheryl
    Crayons and Curls

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  3. Congrats!! What wonderful news:) Thank you for the fantastic freebies!

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  4. Congratulations, what an exciting time for you!! All of your activities are awesome!

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  5. CONGRATS!!!! I'm so happy (hoppy) for you!!!!

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  6. A baby, YAY!! I have been reading your blog for awhile, so I have read about your journey towards starting a family and I am so excited to hear this news. Because I can tell you care so much about your students and sharing with others from this blog, I know you will be an amazing mother. Thanks for sharing all of this downloads!!

    Kari :)

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  7. First off...CONGRATS on the big news! You have been blessed, and deserve it! Thanks so much for the Pete the Cat freebie!! LOVE IT!!

    Kindergarten Is A Jungle

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  8. Congrats!!! I love your lesson plan form...I think I'm going to try to do this, too! Thanks for the freebies!

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  10. Congratulations! You must be over the moon! Make sure you're drinking lots of water in that hot classroom - I can't believe you have class without a/c! It has been in the 100's here so we have don't get to go out for recess, but at least we have good a/c! Thanks for the Pete the Cat stuff - I love the books and can always use more ideas to go with it!

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  11. I am so happy for you. Thank you for all that you do. I truly appreciate your generosity.

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  12. Shannon, that's great news! I have followed you for some time now and wish you only the best! You will be in my prayers!
    And, I totally feel your pain with the heat! It has been crazy hot here in CO, and though I'm not pregnant, my wing in the school is not air conditioned and {pinched face} I am for sure entering the first stages of the "almost 40, hormonal changes". So the heat is horrible, and my textbooks have not arrived either...I'm ready for a good year! Can't wait to follow your progress!

    Thanks a million for freebies!
    ✿Tanya
    Ms. Solano's Kindergarten

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  13. SOOO happy for you!! Congratulations! and I will continue to keep you in my thoughts!!!!!
    Denise

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  14. I just LOVE the Pete the Cat stuff you have shared! Thank you! :)

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  15. Congratulations Shannon - this is wonderful news! I have been reading your blog for awhile and knew about your struggles. So happy for you for the good news! Now, let's hope for cooler temperatures for you!

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  16. YAY! I couldn't be happier for you! So exciting!

    Thanks for the AWESOME stuff!!!!

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  17. Congratulations! I was so excited at your news I didn't even read the rest of your post. Now to scroll back up and take a look at your generous "goodies".

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  18. Congrats! How exciting! This school year I am starting off 32 weeks pregnant and am curious to see what the parents say as well! Best of luck and thanks for all the great freebies!

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  19. Thank you for the great printables. I really like your pacing calendars. That is something I should do to keep organized. Also, congratulations on your wonderful news.

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  20. Congratulations! So happy for you! Thanks for the freebies!

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  21. What wonderful news. I'm so happy for you. Thanks for all that you do, it is truly appreciated.

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  22. Congratulations, Shannon! Well worth the long wait!

    Question- I wanted to try out your lesson plans to see how they worked, but can't seem to edit them. Are they locked?

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  23. Congrats! I know that baby is loved so much already! Thanks for all of your downloads...your blog is a FAVORITE! :) Have a great school year!

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  24. Congratulations! I am so happy for you.

    Thanks for the great downloads.

    Deb

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  25. Congratulations Shannon! I'm so excited for you! Thank you so much for the "freebies". You are awesome and your student teacher is lucky to have you as their Master Teacher.

    Barbara
    Http://mrskilburnkiddos.wordpress.com

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  26. Congrats on the very happy news!! Wishing you lots of luck for the end of your pregnancy! :)

    Thanks, once again, for sharing all of your wonderful ideas and "freebies" with us all!

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  27. What wonderful news!!! I'm so happy for you!!

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  28. Thanks SO much for being so generous with your creations. My kids will love these. Congratulations, too, on the baby news! I've been reading your blog for a while, so know of your struggle to start a family. Keeping you in my thoughts!

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  29. Congratulations!!!! I'm sure you and your hubby are over the moon! What wonderful news!!

    I wanted to let you know how much I enjoy reading your blog. Your ideas are so creative, and it is very very generous of you to share with everybody. I always get excited when I see that you've posted something new! I hope you have a great year!

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  30. Wow! You're amazing! Don't know how you do it all. Thank you so much for your cute documents, ideas & most of all saving me time. :) Congrats on your pregnancy. I have a friend who struggled with infertility & I know what a blessing it is when you finally see that "positive" result! ~Heather

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  31. Congratulations. I'm so excited for you. I know what it's like to wait for a baby. Enjoy it. You'll be holding a baby before long.

    Sharon

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  32. Congratulations, that is so exciting.

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  33. congratulations! that is so exciting and i am so happy for you! you will be in my prayers! thank you for everything you do!

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  34. Hi Shannon,
    Congratulations! I have been reading your blog for a long time and also had a heartbreak before the birth of my youngest. God works in mysterious ways. Thank you for all that you shared and continue to share.

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  35. Congratulations on your baby! That's wonderful! Thanks for all of your hard work creating things and sharing them on your blog!

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  36. Thanks for always sharing and congrats on your wonderful news!! :)
    My Kindergarten Kids

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  37. Lucky baby to have you as a mom, lucky student teacher to have a great mentor, lucky me to have an adorable Pete the Cat reader for my class :)

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  38. Congrats! I had several failed IUI's, a failed IVF, and a ton of heartbreaks in between. I am now the happy mother to a 1 1/2 year old, and am thankful for all we went through because I cherish her so much and never take a single moment for granted. I know what you mean about waiting to tell people. It's sooo scary. Take care of yourself and your little one.

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  39. Congratulations! I am so, so, so excited for you! Best of luck, and try to stay cool!

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  40. COngratulations - I am so excited for you!!! Thanks you for sharing so much of your professional and personal lives!

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  41. I am so, so happy for you! I have been following you for a long time and am so glad that you will have your own sweet baby! Your student teacher is one lucky person to have you as a model! Best of luck and thanks so much for all of your help!

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  42. I have followed for some time now and have read almost everything that you have posted. I know that I do not know you in person but I know that you will make a wonderful MOMMY! You are so giving and your blog shows how much you care for your kiddos in your room. The best of luck new MOMMY! Thanks for everything you give the teaching family.

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  43. Wonderful New! You are a very generous person with sharing your professional materials. Love all the Pete the Cat items.

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  44. Congratulations!!! We are soo happy for you! We miss you..
    Lunaparrra Family

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  45. Hi Shannon!
    Congratulations! Thanks so much for sharing all of the things that you do!

    I was looking at your lesson plans and was wondering what type of writing curriculum you use. I'm always on the lookout for good writing curriculum and was curious. Thanks!

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  46. Thanks for sharing this, shannon! We are in LOVE with Pete in my class;)

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  47. Thanks for everything! I'm awarding you one of Tamara's "Top Ten Teaching Blog" awards:) Go here to get your award button:) http://bit.ly/rtHPbL
    Visit my blog to see the post:)
    Little Warriors

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  48. I am thrilled for you!!

    Thank you for sharing your hard work!
    ReadWriteSing

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  49. Congratulations!
    Thank you for all the wonderful units and information.

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  50. Congratulations! Please post your due date and if you know if it's a boy or girl! Thank you for everything that you share with us. This will be a great year, with a student teacher and a little baby!

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  51. Congrats and good luck! Downloaded your Pete the Cat book, I love the way you put the dots under the words, thanks!!!

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  52. Congratulations on your baby news!! They are such a blessing to a family. Congrats!
    Thank you for all the freebies!!

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  53. Congratulations!!! I enjoy your blog very much. You are very talented and I am sure a great teacher of those little ones. I love kindergarten. That is my all time favorite grade to teach. Thank you for everything. You are going to be one terrific Mama.
    Blessings,
    Melissa

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  54. CONGRATULATIONS on your wonderful news!! Thanks for the goodies- especially the Pete the Cat ones!! My Pre-K kids are in love with him and his songs! :)

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  55. So happy to hear your wonderful news! And thanks again for all of the great goodies! I LOVE your blog :)

    Kim

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  56. Just found your blog and I love it!!!!!!
    Would you be willing to post or send an editable copy of your plans?
    I would love to have plans in this format.
    Bccamie@gmail.com

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  57. Thank you Shannon for always sharing your wonderful ideas! I appreciate your work SO much. And CONGRATS on your pregnancy!! Woohoo. I know how heartbreaking fertility issues are. Very happy for you! Best of luck this school year.

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  58. I just voted you as one of my Top 10 blogs! Thanks for being such an inspiration to new bloggers! You are appreciated by this Kinder teacher….FOR SURE!!
    Live Love Laugh Everyday In Kindergarten

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  59. Just found your blog through someone else and I'm very excited. All your freebies are great and so generous. I actually teach kindergarten in Park Foret, IL, right down the road from you

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  60. Congrads! Thanks so much for the wonderful ideas and freebies.

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  61. Yay for you! Congrats! I know you must be very happy. Wanted to share with you that I have nominated you as one of my TOP TEN blogs! You are the best! I love your wonderful ideas - thanks for sharing all that you do!
    Kelie
    http://dugginsdoodlebugs.blogspot.com

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  62. Hello! I have listed you as one of my top 10 rated blogs! Check out the post here
    :http://meandmarielearning.blogspot.com/2011/09/rockin-blogs.html

    Grab your award here: http://www.teachingblogaddict.com/2011/05/top-10.html

    Thank you for being an inspiration! Congrats on the baby! How wonderful!

    Ashley Rives
    www.meandmarielearning.blogspot.com

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  63. I just want to say that you truly are an amazing teacher! It is my first year teaching Kindergarten in a Catholic school, and boy is it overwhelming! I got some great ideas from you! Thank you so much! I did tell my partner teacher about your site, as well. Good luck with your pregnancy, you and your baby will certainly be in our prayers! :)

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  64. Congratulations! I am in the same boat as you were (trying for years...still waiting), and your story gave me more hope! Thanks for being so generous with your resources! Good luck with the upcoming year!

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  65. Just wanted to let you know that I passed on an Award to you.. it is called the Versatile Blogger Award. Please see my site for information! Thank you for being such a wonderful inspiration to me!

    Jeannie

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  66. I just found your blog on Pinterest and I am in LOVE! You're amazing! Wish I had this when I taught kindergarten but it works for preschool too. Thanks so much for the freebies! And congratulations!

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  67. Thank you so much for sharing all of your wonderful creations.
    Congratulations - I am so happy for you! I have no doubt that you will be a wonderful mother!

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  68. It has taken me almost an hour to figure out how to comment!!! (blond moment, what can I say?) Love catching up on the blog, LOVE getting a sneak peek at what is coming next, and of course LOVE LOVE LOVE that my Timmy is getting to experience your EXCELLENCE first hand! :) He is beside himself with love for you, school and everything you guys are doing! Pete the Cat is awesome, how much fun! And finally, as I said elsewhere, but want to share again is my deep gratitude for your sensitivity and skill in teaching a group of 5yr olds about the sad events of 9/11/01. Until now I had tried to "shield" my younger kids from even knowing about such evil but with the anniversary approaching, it was inevitable that they would absorb some of the media coverage. You found a way to introduce them to this horrifying part of US history in such a way as to impress upon them the sadness and seriousness without scaring them. Of all the things you will teach Timmy this year, I think I am most grateful for this. Thank You.

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  69. Even though I have never met you, as somebody who has gone through almost EXACTLY what you went through, I cannot tell you how happy my heart just felt as I read this post! Being a mommy is the very best thing that has ever happened to me and when you go through what we have been through to become one, I think it might be even more special to you! Congratulations - and enjoy every minute! It will go by in a flash! Also, be really careful - once you actually deliver a baby, it becomes MUCH easier for most people to become pregnant again! I am living proof! lol
    And thanks SO much for all the super cute stuff you create! I HEART visiting your blog - it is A-MAZ-ING!!! You are a fantastic teacher and you will make a wonderful Mommy!!!!!

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  70. Hi again!! I'm just hanging out on your blog tonight ;) Thank so much for the Pete the Cat stuff - I love the idea of the Pete the Cat tour - we always do a gingerbread hunt, but I think it's silly since people typically tie gingerbread men to Christmas... I'm going to see if we can do Pete the Cat for next year's tour! ;) Thanks for the pacing stuff too!!

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  71. New to your blog and I LOVE it!! Thank you for the ABC's of school- perfect! and the FROG folder idea I will be putting in place. THANKS!!!

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