Groovy Fonts!

So, let's just ignore the fact that I haven't blogged since the beginning of the month.

I am still here and I've made it to Day 26 of school.

I think these 26 days have aged me at least three years, but I am still alive and teaching.

The aneurism and/or heart attack hasn't happened.

These are all positives. I'm taking what I can get.

Also, apparently, most of the bloggers that I adore and stalk all have wonderful, magnificent, precious classes. 

Now, I don't know EXACTLY where y'all teach, but I think I need to move there.

There was a teacher at my school (she retired last year) who, every year, would say, "I have the BEST class!" 

I used to be sooo jealous of her and her wonderful classes. Then, I looked at the students in her class. I had taught some of them or had heard about them. And let's just say, some of them didn't have "best behavior" reputations. I got to thinking, how is it possible for her to have the BEST class with kids I know aren't angels?

It's all perspective. She didn't have the BEST cookie-cutter class in the school; she just had a great attitude.

I think of her and her wonderful spirit every beginning of the year when I'm feeling like a crummy teacher who has the most difficult class.

I'm a realist, so I won't flat-out say I have the most wonderfully behaved class in the nation.

However, they are really funny and we laugh a lot. I never know what will happen next with these 33 kiddos.

Having said that, my biggest struggles this year aren't really the kids.

It is that I am teaching 2 grade levels (and inclusion) with pretty much no curriculum or support.

And that is the reason I haven't had the desire to blog. I am exhausted from planning lessons, finding texts, and learning as much as I can about kindergartners, autism and other disabilities.

Recently, I am kinda sorta getting myself into a somewhat normal routine. 

I have been able to read a few blogs here and there, and occasionally I'll take a peek at the lovely pins found on Pinterest.

Today I saw a pin, that led me to a site, that I believe some of you may have read or already heard about. (Click here to go to the website.)

I guess there is an app for the iPad that allows the user to create fonts?!

Well, the above linked website houses all of the created/shared fonts.

I was in Free Font Heaven!

Below are some of my favorites that I downloaded. 

The names of the fonts are listed under each phrase.

I am pretty sure the Rowdy, Maddening, and Gingersnap fonts are from fellow bloggers, but I am not positive.

Nevertheless, they are awesome, and I can't wait to use them!

It's the little things...

P.S. My new CHRISTMAS Pete the Cat book came today. It is SO cute!
Why isn't Christmas tomorrow?????

Happy Tuesday!

CurRenTly - SePteMbeR!

Happy September, folks!

I'm taking a break from hours and hours of tedious school stuff to participate in one of my favorite Linky Parties - CurRenTly!

From the looks of my Currently, I am chin deep in school work and stress!

First of all, why is it that my air conditioning in my car works fine during the winter and spring, but blows hot air during the summer and fall? What a pain in the butt!

Also, if the CCSS have been around for a while now, why is it that we are so unprepared?

Thank goodness, for you all and your TPT stores because I am struggling.

My favorites are pretty easy ones:  1) I couldn't live without my laptop.  {Good news - I'm finally caught up with my Google Reader. PTL!}

2) My cats are always around to make me feel loved and are pretty entertaining.

3) Candy - and lots of it please. My chocolate fever is at an all time high.

Please join Farley's party and don't forget to follow the rule of three.

169 days until Summer Vacation!

Back to School

Hello strangers!

Boy, have I missed you all.

So, ya'll know better than anyone how crazy busy the first few weeks of school can be.

Well, pile that back to school busyness on top of a new grade level, new standards, new daily requirements, NO curriculum, AND no training for all of this and you have one VETERAN teacher in survival mode.

Needless to say, I just haven't had any spare time to blog, read blogs, and enjoy the loveliness that is the bloggy community.

 I am super excited for this three day weekend. I need time to breathe!

It's a heart attack or an aneurism. One of them is bound to happen. I kid. (not really,ha!)

The first ten days of school have come and gone and we have been very productive.

I am a reading teacher for 1st graders and Kindergartners now.

 I have my Kinders in the morning for an hour and forty five minutes, and I have my Firsties for homeroom and in the afternoon for two hours.

This means my Reading Workshop time needs to be balanced and time on task is imperative.

The powers that be expect a well-oiled machine by now, but for me, right now it's all about the basics. Rules, routines, social skills, and learning how to be a student and a friend. 

All of this is super important in any classroom, but I feel it to be especially important for our class because a third of the students are special needs kids. Tolerance, acceptance, and patience, three things we are all working on!

Already, I have had to be very stern with some of my students who haven't been as kind and patient to my special needs students. I am hoping this behavior is curbed now and not something I have to address all year long. Anyone have any good ideas, lessons, or links on this topic?

My kinders are so stinkin' cute. They are little sponges and pick up on every little thing (at least, some of them do...) that I do. So, I have amped up my dramatic side for these guys and they eat it up! I feel like Mrs. Frizzle.

As you may know, I have been using the Daily 5 management system with my first graders for many years now and I just love it.

This year is no different, except, I am trying it with my kindergartners, too. 

My first graders are up to 10 minutes on Read to Self and Work on Writing and the kinders are up to 4 minutes on just Read to Self. It's a work in progress, folks.

Here are a few pictures of our practice time:

Kinders

They LOVE Pete the Cat!

Firsties

On a side note: 

I am so thrilled to have purchased Kim Adsit's Unit 1 for Readers Workshop.

I really had no clue what to do with the kinders. I wasn't sure what was too easy, too hard, or too soon. Her unit is helping me gage where my k's are and how to help them learn how to be life long Book Lovers. I am sooooo thankful for this unit!

On the job training, I tell ya!

Not too much to share for now, but I'm working on it.

I hope you all have a wonderful Labor Day weekend!

and

Go Gators!