Well...another week has gone by and I am back with a few more tips and pictures of the classroom.  It has been a difficult task, but we just keep trudging along and our mantra is "baby steps" and I am always saying to may daughter..."We WILL get this done by next Friday"...fingers crossed...but don't tell her that!

All the boxes have been emptied except for ONE!  That means we have emptied over 100 boxes and that is not including what was stored at her house!  We are waiting for some classroom furniture, but rumor has it that all WILL arrive before the students do!!! However one year a while back I did start the year without furniture. I did not have any student tables...so teachers are known to be flexible so we were campers for a week and used "flexible seating" which consisted of boxes and a rug. YES you read that correctly boxes and a rug and guess what it worked out and we did get the first days of school under our belts with smiles and laughter and i had a bit of a sore back due to hunching over all the kiddos on the floor and that is a difficult task when you are almost 6 feet...yes you read that correctly...I am the teacher that everyone referred to as "the Tall One"and endeared name!!!

So the boxes where placed were Katie thought she would like the contents to go and then a rug showed up...I should mention... it was the wrong rug, which we did not realize until after we put it down...it did seem a bit large, but then the room seemed larger too!  Note to self: Before you lay down a new rug, make sure it is the one that you are supposed to have!!

So tip #4 is before you empty boxes or unravel rugs, make sure they are yours. I say that kiddingly, but you never know. I mean really who remembers what you ordered in June come August. If you are relaxing a bit, your teacher hat is way in the BACK of closet and you are wearing your sun hat!! The truth is...we are so used to receiving things that we did not order that we just kind of go with the flow. All kidding aside...just check to make sure. You don't want to do things twice..although they say the second time is better or easier.  So, now we have the correct rug.  This rug was selected so that each kiddo would have a square space to use when sitting on the rug!!  LOVE IT!!!

 Tip #5:  Decide  how you are going to store all your supplies and where you will store them.  Katie came from a newer classroom which had tons of closet space and her "new" classroom virtually has 1 closet that really is better to store large items with very little shelf space. This is a Special Education Teachers worst nightmare....I am talking the kind of dream you wake up from glad that it was just a dream, but unfortunately...THIS...is not a dream so you NEED to come up with a solution to this "Big Deal" problem...I mean it not something to tantrum about or a #5 Deal, but close enough...here is our solution.  We decided to use some of the "kiddo"cubbies for supply storage and to use shoe boxes and baskets with labels to show what is in each box or basket.  The shelves on the top do have doors that my husband is painting as we speak...it has become a family affair! (Click on the word labels and you can see the labels we created!)

Tip #6:  It is important to think about the space you have to work with and how you can make the best use of the space provided. This kind of goes hand and hand with Tip #4. So...originally we had the 2 classroom computers on a table to the left under the bulletin Board (Oh did I mention that she has more BB space than storage space...LOVE IT!!). Then we decided that the table really took up too much space and with the supply issue and not having a lot of storage space we came up with this idea:

One computer on each side of the built in shelves and Plastic storage drawers in the middle...better storage...better use of space and the kiddos can stretch their legs while working on the computers. NEAT and SWEET! We have some other ideas to come for this space as well...so stay tuned.

So...one more photo...we emptied the classroom library books and set them up...we have a lot more work to do, but this is what we have so far. Again we are thinking of how to best use the space we have...Oh...did I mention that the Golden Retriever is Boomer the dog you can read to, write to, talk to and solve problems with???

Tip #7:  Always check Target and your local Dollar stores for great deals. The white wire shelves were $19.99 at Target , Bean bags $9.99 a few years ago and all the bins and baskets are from Target or the Dollar Store...Just a little advice from one shopper to another!

The BIG reveal will be coming soon..hopefully Friday of next week OR maybe Monday...stay tuned and have a "FUN"tastic year!

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In case you missed My Monday Morning Message, you can see to it right here:

Here is a link to Inspirational Quote Bundle

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With summer almost completed and school days over just over the horizon, many teachers like YOU need to start thinking about the start of school. However if you are a teacher you have been thinking about this all summer! You have been perusing the aisles of Dollar Stores, =checking out the dollar section of Target, shopping the novelty shops along the shore or boardwalk...if you live in the PA area, you have definitely hit the boardwalk for some great end of summer deals and you have notes and lists galore about ideas that you want to try next year and of what you need to do or want to do...yep...you ARE a teacher and with teaching comes all these great creative ideas that you sometimes to even have time to get to once school starts so summer is that kind of time..vacay YES, always thinking of school...YES....trying not think about school...YES! But guess what? You know the answer...you can't help your self...you are always thinking of what is best for your students!!! There you have it! The summer of a teacher!!!

So now that we are close, here are some sweet tried and true ideas that have made my back to school or back to classroom before the kiddos arrive a bit easier:


Just a side note, before we start...my daughter moved to a new school in her district this year and this is what her classroom looked like a two weeks ago:  This will definitely make you feel better!!

First I am hoping that your classroom doesn't look like this!!!  But I have gotta tell you , there is something positive about this...you know I always find something positive in EVERY situation and actually there are quite a few positives.... 1.Did you notice that the floors are sparkling and shiny...that means we can set up!! Admit it...they DO look magnificent!!! 2.  Everything from the old school made it the few miles from the "old" to  the "new" school without loosing a thing...I should mention as far as we know right NOW!  Well...a few damaged boxes...but there are over 100 boxes!

1. So...back to the tips...I know you have tons of lists of ideas that you want to do or implement for the new school year.  Look through these lists and circle the ideas that HAVE to be completed before the first day of school and can be completed at home while watching your favorite TV show or the Summer Olympics. In other words ideas that do not have to be completed in your classroom. Ideas like: Creating and printing labels for supplies that are a mess and need to be replaced. Once you know what you need, create them or if you don't have the time or patience to create...purchase the organization materials on TpT! You can, perhaps,  run everything off at school and laminate, then save the cutting for the TV.  Also think about and get your Back to School letters, newsletters, brochures ready from home and then all you need to do is run them of as you need them. Here is a free editable Back to school brochure that I have created and used. Just change what you need and voila! You are done! It saves paper, is a brochure size and can be hung or tacked just about anywhere!! September Back to School Brochure  In summary complete those ideas that can be done from home while you are watching TV.

2.  Go into your classroom and think about where you would like everything to be placed.  If you are like me, I always seem to change things around a bit because of new ideas.  I always place my Guided reading table in a spot where I can see the entire classroom so when Daily 5, stations, Centers or whatever you plan to do this year is running, you can see the children working and moving around to their stations or locations.   When the time comes, set these up or place sticky notes where you plan to place shelves, classroom library, Tables or desks, rugs, various games, supplies, Guided reading Books, Math maniplulatives and anything else you might want. In thinking about this put sticky notes on the bulletin boards with the ideas you have for each.  This way if you change your mind...just switch the sticky notes.  Well in my daughter's case...we placed the boxes where she wanted them to go and some sticky notes, too!!  Think about the BIG TICKET ITEMS that need to be placed or figured out before you start to think about the rest!    

                                                                                   Admit it...it IS looking a little better!!

                                     






3.  Now the next step is to NOT get overwhelmed...Everything will fall into place. The important thing is to remember to make your classroom look like it is organized and ready to go when school starts. Every Bulletin Board does not have to be decorated...every shelf does not have to be perfect, but everything should start out where you think you want things to be...Remember if you want your kiddos to take ownership of your classroom, then you want them to contribute to the decorations of your classroom.  So think of what your students can do after school starts to add to building your classroom culture/community!
Do you want a bulletin board that shows your students' hopes and dreams for the school year?  Do you want a board for calendar? Number of the Day, quote of the day, inspirational quotes, attendance, do you have to do lunch count, or word walls etc.  List where you want these and how you want to do these procedures.  You may have a district that dictates some of this so find out form your mentor....that is I am hoping you have a mentor, but it you do or don't you can join up with a few of us on this Facebook Group I have initiated called: Find Joy in the Journey a Sweet Place for New Teachers and Student Teachers to share and find continued support during the first 5-6 years of your teaching journey...and of course you can stay longer if you like!!
Now that you have a few ideas to get started, I have a free check list for these first 3 steps or tips too help you get started...if you have already started setting up....no worries...part 2 may be where you are and you can pick up from there!!!

OOPS!  I almost forget;  Download this freebie to help you get started:  Free checklist to help get your classroom ready!

AND tune in next week for Sweet Tips to set up Your Classroom Part Two...we will show you what to do with more photos from Room 102 and a classroom REVEAL in our final post!!! Excited? I am!!

Here are some other resources you might like:

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So...you have an interview scheduled for your first teaching position...Now what?  This is the day you have been waiting for...you worked hard in college, completed your student teaching and now you've got your first interview. You are excited, nervous, anxious, happy, feeling elated and overjoyed, but maybe a little concerned as well. Those are all the feelings I had and maybe even a few more when I had my first interview. I remember it as if it was yesterday and that is pretty darn good as I have 30+ years of teaching under my belt and I am now retired!!!  No memory loss here...excellent memory for an old timer! However, I do have a bit of current experience as well...I coached my daughter for her first interview almost 10 years ago and have encouraged and supported many of my student teachers and a few colleagues through some interviews as well! I LOVE mentoring and supporting others who have chosen teaching as their profession. So...here are a few tips to enhance and support you through your interview.

1. Remember you are in a win win situation...why? You are wondering...well every interview you have is experience...meaning the more you interview, the better you will interview. It is somewhat like practicing a sport...the more you practice the better you become. You need to go in with a positive attitude...you have nothing to loose and everything to gain. You have made it this far so you are headed in the right direction...forward.

2. Portray confidence...dress confidently...look professional...that means something that is not too flashy. You want the interviewer to see and be focused on you...not your sequined gown! If your hair is long pull it back so you are not tempted to play with it, which shows insecurity. Accessorize, but forget the long necklaces...if you are like me, when you get nervous, you will start to fiddle with it and as a result it might just break and fly across the room #kidding #notkidding...but you get the point. When you walk into the interview make eye contact and confidently shake the interviewer's hand (a firm handshake, but not so hard that you come off as a sumo wrestler)...say something like:"Hi, Mr. Johnson, I'm Kathy. It is so nice to meet you! This shows confidence and leadership which are important qualities for teaching and life.

3. Be prepared. It is impossible to know everything, but research some common interview questions that might be asked during an interview for the teaching position you are seeking. Here is the first question I was asked...are you ready for this? Here goes, "Besides the alarm clock, what gets you up in the morning?" Talk about being knocked out of my chair...I am thinking in my head...you have got to be kidding me!! My enthusiastic answer," Each day is a new beginning, a new start, what you learned yesterday can be applied to this new day and we do learn something new everyday. That is why I LOVE teaching. Everyday is a new beginning a new start, you learn new ideas and have another day of experience!" So my point is you never really can be sure of the questions that might be asked.

4. Make sure you know all the current trends in education and the buzz words like Close Reading, Flexible Seating, Differentiation of Instruction, Common Core, Guided Reading, Guided Math, Guided Discovery, QR Codes, Responsive Classroom and what not. Go onto the district's website and search what they are doing so you can be aware and understand the district policies, trends, buzz words and get a feel for it.  Get to know where you might be working!

5. When asked a question, make sure you give an example of the practice. It can be a life example, a student teaching example and example from your practicums, cooperating teachers, camp counselor days, but it is important to give an example. A principal once told me that he can tell when his is interviewing when someone is just throwing the BUZZ words and current trends out there, but if you give an example, then you are demonstrating the concept with your example and will definitely score!!

6. When you are finished, make sure to thank the interviewer for the opportunity and ask something like: "When can I expect to here from you again? or "When will you be making your decision about this first grade position." Oops! I almost forgot...remember you are selling and marketing yourself...so...send a handwritten thank you or an e-mail a day or so later. You need to make a memorable impression!!! 

PS Don't forget to show those pearly whites...a smile is worth a thousand words, but really a SMILE will bring a calmness to the most stressful situations !!!

Oh...I think I have another tip...#7 If you have gotten this far, then I know you are passionate about teaching so show that passion.  Just pretend you are talking to your mom or your best friend about what you do...show that passion for teaching...get excited...show that enthusiasm!!

If you have any questions, please feel free to e-mail me at sunshineandlollipops2014@gmail.com. GOOD LUCK!! You can do this!! Knock him dead!

Do you have anything you would like to add to these tips that you feel will help others who are interviewing, please leave your ideas in the comment section!

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I have decided to link up with some other fabulous teacher authors and every Tuesday we will promote 2 products for 50%! This is your chance to stock up for September and get some great resources for your classroom at a great discount! If you are like me, I LOVE discounts and sales!! You don't always find sales at 50% so check out my deals and all the participants by simply searching #2fortuesday in the TpT search bar. Hope you get some great deals!! Here is a link directly to the page: #2forTuesday

1.  So the first product is brand new right off the press! It is a game called What's that Sound.  It is a great game to reinforce or introduce beginning sounds. In order to play, letter cards are placed facedown in the center of the playing area. Each child has a board with pictures and a word for the picture which is missing the initial sound.  Each player takes a turn and picks a card from the center, says the letter and sound and then covers the picture that has that beginning sound. If they do not have the correct picture, they return the card to the pile. Play continues. Whoever covers all their pictures first, wins the game! I have used and played with my grandkids and they LOVE it!  Check it out!  Here:What's that Sound?

2. The next resource is a resource that you will LOVE and need to have in your files.  We all know how emergent readers LOVE to read what they have written or created and we also know how important it is to publish class books. This resource has 41 pages of response sheets and ready made covers to make class books with your kiddos.  One buyer said, " This is my first time teaching first grade and this made my life a lot easier!" So here you go:  Check it out right here:  Class Books 

I hope you will tune in next week for #2forTuesday...just think of all the sweet resources you will have before school starts!!

Thanks for stopping by! 

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I have been thinking a lot lately about a book I read a long time ago called "The Four Agreements" written by Miguel Ruiz and ironically when I added the "Quote a Day" widget to my site, which I don't even have there now, one of his quotes was featured, which meant it was definitely a sign that I NEEDED to write about his philosophy.  He states in his book that there are four agreements, there may be five now...things change and we change, too although we may like to stay in our comfortable, sweet zone, we do have to move ahead... well anyway he believes, and so do I, that we should live our lives by these  four principles:

1. Don't take anything personal.
2. Do your best and your best can change in any given situation.
3. Don't make assumptions...ask questions.
4. Say what you mean and mean what you say.

I think that these agreements are a great way to live your life and I have tried to this in my everyday life as well as my teaching career.  It does take self control and you DO need to think before you respond or get caught up in the drama, but it well worth it because you WILL see a difference in your life and how you handle situations that may arise and they DO...I have to make a confession here:  It is REALLY  hard to do this with my spouse because I seem to take EVERYTHING personal...BUT I am doing my BEST!!!

1.  So...you ask...how can these principles be applied to teaching? Well, there re soooooooooo many ways. Let's think about taking things personal. Teachers make phone calls to parents many times during the course of the year...yes the dreaded phone call...YIKES!  Have you ever made a phone call or received a parent phone call and thought, "What just happened?"You may have heard a person on the other end who was angry, mad, upset...you fill in the emotion. This is the time to think,"Don't take this personal!" Think about it: you don't know what happened to the person on the other end before they spoke to you. They may have had an encounter or experience that upset them and you were the next contact so....or perhaps there are personal issues with which you are not aware. Don't take it personal, it has nothing to do with you!  

2.  Doing your best changes everyday. For example, if you have a headache you can only do the best you can with that headache. Perhaps you had a really difficult morning rushing out the door, the kiddos were late for daycare, your car broke down before you got out of your driveway, you locked yourself out of the house and the car keys are locked inside. You spilled your coffee all over yourself and had to go home and change (this has happen to me only I spilled mocha cappuccino all over me and my school computer and the computer crashed never to work again), your own children were difficult...you fill in the blank. Yes, it might be a tough day so...just do the best you can under the circumstances and you will never feel down or little negative interrupting though will be..."why am I here...I can't even teach?" Focus on what you did do even with the headache and turn a negative into a positive. So instead say," I am here...I am doing the best I can and laugh about the situation because in five years from now, you WILL look back and laugh...in fact you may even laugh about it while you relax that night...there is always humor in these situations...RIGHT?  RIGHT!

3.  Making Assumptions leads me to the passing of Robin Williams. We all made the assumption that he was an extremely happy person because he was funny, made everyone laugh, had a fabulous personality and had it all...money, family and fame. We now come to find out that he struggled with depression. We make many assumptions about the children we teach, but unless we ask questions to get more information, no assumption is of value. Ask questions to students and parents to gain more information... you will never know what is really happening or going on unless you ask questions.  IF you are noticing a different behavior...call and ask," Is there anything going on at home that I might need to know to help Billy at school?  He seems a bit distracted this week.  Sometimes it is nothing...other times you may find out there is some major "stuff" going on...Of course you only know what parents will share, but, I have found out that the more allow yourself to be approachable or seem approachable and make positive connections with parents, the more they will share about their personal lives. It is important as a teacher to think about this...more today in our ever changing world than before!!

4.  Say what you mean and mean what you say (Be impeccable with your word). Choose your words carefully. Words can sting or even cause people to make assumptions about feelings and emotions that may or may not exist. If a student is having difficulty, talk to the parents about the situation. Sugar coating the facts does not help the student or parent. It is only encouraging the parent to assume that everything is fine. There are many ways to say what you mean that enables parents to support their children appropriately and remember what you say today can remain with that student forever. It can damage their self-esteem or make them shine!

So, as school starts this year, put these agreements into practice. It will help you have a more relaxing year, which will lead to a better year and in turn support you to be your best self and teacher!

Have a SWEET start to the YEAR and remember:  Don't take anything personal, do your best, don't make assumptions and say what you mean and mean what you say!!

Hope this brings a little sunshine your way!

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