Classroom Overhaul -- Work in Progress

The saying it has to get worse before it gets better was the understatement of the century when my overhaul began. 

I started by taking everything out of my closet and deciding whether to keep it or give it away. I knew I had a lot of stuff in my closet that I would never use, that others might. Starting here gave me a fresh slate!

Then over the summer, I started slowing brining things into my classroom and tackling one section at a time. Luckily I work at a year round school and my sister is at a regular calendar school. Which means I  employed her for a few days and then went to her school to help her!

We started by changing out my alphabet above my word wall. I purchased the alphabet from Kinder Craze on TPT. I loved the way it made my back wall pop and could hardly wait to update the word wall!

Even just adding the black paper made a difference! Layering bulletin board paper is a struggle but so worth it in the end!

We decided for seriously long areas like my word wall that we would lay it down across the carpet, staple it together then put it on the board. It worked like a charm! If you decide to do the layer look. Pay careful attention to the corners-- that is where it gets tricky!

Another glittering project at home and I am ready for a full reveal of my classroom! 

Check back for more classroom pictures!

Classroom Overhaul - Crafts and Shopping!

It's time for a reveal of the classroom update I did last summer. Last summer I did a major overhaul of my classroom. My sister had just recieved her first teaching job-- in Kindergarten. So while decorating her first classroom, I grabbed a few things here and there for my room.

By the end of the shopping trips I had a full on new classroom.

I started by organizing my closet. On the right I have all of my units packed away in tubs. EVERYTHING goes into those tubs, books, printables, centers.

The first stop was big lots for these signature classroom bins. We seriously stocked up and went to 4 different Big Lots in order to not fight over them.

We also stopped at Target for some printer ink. I printed, laminated and cut forever.

Next up a trip to dollar tree. When your only paying a dollar, I recommend buying them ALL! Oh that's my sister you see, grabbing all the ones she wanted while I took the picture.

Then we took to crafting at home. Another blog post soon about how I use these clip in my classroom during the first week of school!

Then I loaded it all into my classroom which was an adventure in itself! I will do the work in progress pictures for you tomorrow! 

Five for Friday 7.24.2015

I am linking up with Doodle Bugs Teaching for Five for Friday...on a Saturday!

This week I had DRA training. It took me forever but I sorted and made binders for all k-2 teachers! It was a lot of long days and I also had some awesome helpers!

This sweet boy was sick this week. He's so little that his cough just sounded terrible! He is on the mend now so we are having a laid back weekend. 

Wednesday was my birthday! Birthday week was a success. My friends at school brought me the yummiest cupcakes and my husband sent me beautiful flowers. 

Trey and I have been doing some shopping. We went to TJ to look for some deals. I really want to try Stich Fix but I have been able to find a lot of similar styles at TJ so I am holding off for a little bit.

My blog is in the process of being update! I am so excited to show you the design Blogs Fit For A Queen has done for me! She is awesome if you are looking for a new design!

Follow my blog with Bloglovin

Kinder Tribe: All About Me!

I am so exited to announce that I am part of the Kinder Tribe. It is so nice to be part of a group of teachers who can share ideas and collaborate!

Name: I most commonly answer to: Carrie, Carolyn, Ms. Sullivan, or Mrs. Whaley. 

Teaching in Kinder: I have taught Kinder for 6 year...but I am currently the Lead Teacher at my school.

I can't live without my: Mac Book Pro. This is easily the best thing I have ever purchased. In college, I was typing on my computer in the bagel shop and half my keys/keyboard flew off my computer. Literally across the room. That night I purchased my first MacBook Pro and I haven't looked back since. Even when my first one broke after 6 years. I drove to the Apple store that night and picked another one up-- within hours. 

Favorite School Supply: Paper Mate Flair Pens hands down. I love these pens for everything. I use them for my calendar, planner, to do lists, notes. 

Favorite Kinder Book: Chicka Chicka Boom Boom will always be one of my favorite. During the first few weeks of kindergarten I read this book. I always let my kids know that if they are good all week we  can watch the video. The video I have from Scholastic (link to Scholastic video but check you tube too!) its like 6 minutes long and my kids love it! I also love Pete...but really who doesn't? All Pete books live in or on my easel, for easy reading access when we have a few minutes here and there. We read them all-- all seasons all the time!

Favorite Kinder Blog: Miss Kindergarten is one of the first blogs I ever started reading! Even though you did not ask.... A Teeny Tiny Teacher is my favorite first grade blog.

I love kindergarten because... teaching kids to read is my passion. I love having kids walk into my classroom on the first day of school not knowing their letters. On the first day in the parent pick up line many kids cannot identify their last name. But on the last day they are reading AND loving it. The only thing better then teaching kids to read is teaching kids to reading while learning love reading. There is nothing better then that and that is why I love kindergarten!

First Week - 2015-2016

The first week of school is always the craziest. I teach at a year round school so the first day sneaks up on you when it's early July. I won't lie- it's rough right now. But sleeping in for 2 weeks in October is glorious!!!! 

I made it through the preplanning days and used my Creative Clips calendars to cross things off my to do list. LOVE THESE!! I did some fancying up of my stuff and the night before the first day made a sign or five for some of my k-friends! 

I found the best tutorial on a blog for how to do chalkboards! Seriously click here for the link you will not regret it. I can assure you that is NOT my handwriting. That is thanks to Cara's fonts! 

I am eager to show you the classroom revel I intended to do last year... But I am also getting a new blog design so I am going to debut them together! 

Sneak peek of the amazing work Blogs Fit for a Queen is doing!

Until then... my little sister got engaged last weekend so we did a little bit of wedding fun this weekend! 

When do you all head back to school?! Try not to make me too jealous! 

Five for Friday 7.3.2015

I am linking up with Doodle Bugs Teaching for Five for Friday!

Honestly, being home with this sweet boy all week has been the best. It took everything I had not to post 5 pictures of him for all 5 things and call it a week. I walked by him on the way to bed the other day and he was so peaceful! I mean for real...

 

I went to Michael's this week and got some super cute chalkboard signs. I FINALLY figured out how to write on a chalkboard using the handwriting from fonts. It only look about 10 youtube and blog tutorials. I bought 1 chalk board to test it out. It worked! Then I immediately decided I needed more. The cashier probably thought I was insane when the baby and I came back 20 minutes later. Master pieces below. I will do a full tutorial with pictures this week!

 My sister is in town from Orlando for the week so we took the kiddos to a water park for a little bit of fun in the sun. They both rode some pretty big water slides, floated around the lazy river, and consumed a ton of snacks. 

...And when Aunt Carrie has to ride in the backseat with the children you make some customized books for the kiddos to read. My niece and nephew will be coming to my school next year. My niece has her kindergarten screening appointment on Monday. She is practicing her words like crazy! The video would not work but here she is ready to read!

On Sunday my summer is over. You should know when I say over I am not just exaggerating. I literally go back to school on Monday. I will love this in October when I have over 2 weeks off. But on Monday I will be VERY sad. 

I hope everyone has a great 4th with family and friends!

July Currently

I am linking up with Farley for July Currently. 

Listening: I am listening to Wake Up with Taylor on Satellite Radio! I have been listening for over 7 years when I got my first new car. I listen on Demand now so I can listen whenever. Best invention ever! Does anyone else listen?!

Loving: I am loving my clean house! Trey fell asleep early and I spelt 3 hours uploading my wedding, newborn and random pictures to get them printed. In between uploads I have been cleaning.

Thinking: I am thinking about my Morning Work Bundle. My sister is a Kinder teacher in Orlando. She requested some morning work for her kids. I am working every sleeping baby second to have it finished before I get back to school. 

Wanting: Summer, more summer. I teach year round. We do not have two track just one with a school start in July, two weeks off in October, two weeks in March and a lot of long weekends. Its the best. EXEPT when I have to start school in July. Did I mention my husband doesn't have to go back until August?

Needing: I am needing to get my tires on my car. What kind of tire is so special order that it takes over a week to come in?!

I am an All Star at list making and planning. When my husband wakes up he will find out to do list for tomorrow! I like to plan to make sure it all gets done!

Dare to Dream

I am linking up with the #tptsellerchallenge to share my dreams. I thought I would start off this challenge by telling you how I got started on TPT. 

In the Winter of 2011 my then boyfriend (now husband) and I traveled to Vegas with my family for New Years. While we were there we talked about our New Years Resolutions and our goals for the upcoming year. 

I would be willing to bet that we made resolutions about working out and being awesome. But he also encouraged me to start a Teachers Pay Teachers store by the end of the year. I made an empty promise and thought he would let it go. That was my first mistake. He asked me everyday for almost exactly 2 months if I had started my store.Finally I caved and opened my store in the middle of March with one product. Then we promptly left on our Spring Break Vacation in Chicago. 

On the first day of our vacation while standing in our hotel room I got an email saying I had sold my first product. My store had been open for about a week. We were both beyond shocked. That was the best $3.00 I had ever made. For the next 6 months every single time I got a product sold email I sent a text to my husband. 

Teachers Pay Teachers has blessed us with so much. We purchased out dream home, went on an amazing Honeymoon and I completed my masters with no debt because of TPT.

My biggest dream for TPT is to continue to inspire others while being inspired by others. We also want to add a pool to our house this year and travel with our family of 3 once Trey is big enough!

If you are thinking about making a store... do it today. I would have never done it if my husband didn't ask everyday for 2 months.