Five for Friday {Snow Week Edition}

I really don't have much school-related to blog about today.  We have been out of school for six days now.  I haven't taught a full week in 2014.  This winter has been tough!  I guess I am enjoying summer break a little bit early. :)  On a positive note, I am getting lots of extra snuggle time in with my own babies.  They are pretty great.

Since we have been off school for a really long time, we are making the most of this time off by POTTY TRAINING!  Oh. My. Goodness.  I have forgotten how hard it is.  We've done pretty well, but geeze... I'm exhausted going back and forth to the bathroom with my little diva. 

When we finally go back to school, we will be learning all about polar animals.  This has been on my plans for three weeks now, no joke.  We will be using this unit to focus our thinking and guide instruction throughout the unit:

We are right in the middle of learning addition, so I found this sweet idea on The First Grade Parade:

Here's my version:

Of course, it may be May before I get to use it, but who's counting? :)

As part of my literacy stations, I have a research station.  Whatever theme we are studying that week, I create a bundle of videos and websites using My Big Campus, create a QR code for the kiddos to scan, and let them find information on what we are learning.  Since this QR code has not been touched yet, I will give it to you for free!

My school district is involved in a grant from the state of Indiana to create curriculum.  I have had the opportunity to write two units so far, and I'm starting on the third.  This one will be a unit on Famous Americans.  Here is a sneak peek of what I have so far:

I have a whole bunch still to do, but this is a start.  I have twelve Americans in my pack, and I can't wait to start this with my kiddos next month!

Thanks for reading!  Please pray for NO MORE SNOW!!! :)

Fun and Family

I'm linking up with Blog Hoppin'!  

Today's inspiration:  Fun and Family.  This has to be the number one area of my life where I want to improve this year.  We have always been very family-centered, but y'all know how it is.  Teaching is a stressful job that takes a lot of time away from family.  Yes, our jobs go from 7:30-3:00 (that's my day anyway), but the real job doesn't really begin until our little darlings leave for the day.  I wouldn't change professions for anything, but I can't deny that it is extremely time consuming.  Unless you are a teacher (or married to one), you don't really understand! :)

I have ALWAYS loved cooking.  I own too many cookbooks to count.  I have watched cooking shows since I could sit up.  My Saturday morning routine consists of watching The Pioneer Woman and Trisha Yearwood on Food Network.  I could spend hours looking for new cooking gadgets at Bed, Bath, and Beyond.  Our first Christmas together, I asked my now hubby for a zester.  No joke.

Life is busy.  Between staying at school some nights until 6, dance class, soccer practice, and just being flat-out exhausted, I don't always feel like cooking.  Four nights a week shouldn't be too hard, especially if I plan ahead and utilize one of my three slow cookers.  Yes, three slow cookers.  I love to have people over.  Or maybe I'm just a hoarder.

Around Christmas this year, we started having a movie night once a week.  I would bake cookies, pop popcorn (okay, the hubby would do that because I always burn it), and we would cuddle on the couch to watch a movie.  All devices were left in another room.  It was glorious.  I think we can carve out time from our schedules to do this at least once a month.

My family is on the run more than Forrest Gump.  Our kids are almost five and three.  What in the world will life be like as they get older and more involved in activities?  I'm exhausted just thinking about it, and my stomach is getting upset just thinking about all of the unavoidable fast food in our future.  The time to enjoy being home with one another is now.  I need to realize that we don't need to always have something to do.  Sometimes the best times are when you are doing nothing at all.  My hope for 2014 is that we have a ton of moments like that!

And I'll leave you with one of my favorite pictures of 2013.  Here are my two favorite little people in the world!  I have a feeling we will be having a lot of fun in 2014!

Now it's your turn!  Link up to join the fun!

Teachers of Instagram Linky Party

2013 is winding down and 2014 is knocking at the door!  It's hard to believe; '13 FLEW by.  This year has been fantastic in so many ways.  Of course, there have been some rough moments, but those are fleeting.

I'm linking up with Elizabeth from Kickin' It In Kindergarten for her Teachers of Instagram Linky Party.  I began using Instagram in 2013, and boy, has it changed a lot of things for me!  It has surpassed all other types of social media as my favorite form.  I have made so many connections and "Insta-friendships" through Instagram.  I'm much more faithful to post to that as opposed to blogging also.  Before you read any further, follow me!  @mrsbanisterskindergartenkids

Anyway, the point of this link party is to post your three favorite pictures from your Instagram account.  Here we go...

1.  This picture is amazing to me.  I am a huge fan of tech integration.  It definitely doesn't replace quality teaching, but effective technology use can enhance a learning so much.  In this picture, every single one of my students are logged into and using a MacBook Air.  My school currently has three MacBook carts that we can check out often, as well as six iPads per classroom.  Next year, the plan is that we will be 1:1 with iPads.  I'm excited to say the very, very least.  We haven't done too many crazy things with the MacBooks yet, but I have big plans. :)

2.  This picture is obviously from last school year, but I just love it so much.  Our school does a huge kindergarten graduation ceremony.  This picture signifies all of the blood, sweat, and tears that go into a school year.  These babies become my own each and every year, and this picture just sums up the bittersweet feelings that naturally come for me at the end of each school year.  Plus, they are pretty stinkin' cute.

3.  Obviously, any picture of these two kiddos will instantly become my favorite.  This picture was taken over fall break while we were on a wagon ride to pick pumpkins.  These two are my life.  They can make me smile no matter how bad my day is.  I love them to the moon and back. 

Now it's your turn!  Go to Elizabeth's blog to link up yourself!  While you're at it, follow me on Instagram {@mrsbanisterskindergartenkids}.

My TPT store will be on sale from December 31-January 2!  Make sure to stock up!

Time Savers {I'm SO Thankful for Linky Parties!!!}

Real talk, people... I'm horrible at keeping up with this thing.  It's right in the midst of CRAZY time in kindergarten.  When I get home, I'm ready to get in my jammies and saw some logs.  I get flat worn out!

I'm linking up with Blog Hoppin' to tell you about how I keep my sanity, which is debatable some days.

If it weren't for time savers, I would literally lose my mind.

At Home

I always get my clothes ready the night before.  If I don't do this, I'm guaranteed to try on 12 outfits and get out the door of my house 10 minutes before kids enter my classroom.  That does not equal a happy teacher. :)

I also always make my lunch the night before... Or the week before.  How you might ask?  Salads in a jar, people.

You can make them any way you want...  Find out more about them here.

At School

I have learned over the years that anything I can do to save myself precious minutes will make my job (and life) SO MUCH EASIER.

1.  Make the kiddos responsible for their own supplies.

In my first years of teaching, I ran around like a crazy person making sure supplies were stocked up and that each kid had what they needed. 

I made supplies easily accessible for students.  I keep them in the plastic drawers and added labels.

Students can just waltz right over and get what they need.  Perfection.

2.  T-E-A-M-W-O-R-K

I am blessed to work on a team with two of the best teachers I know.  We take turns organizing our lessons for the week, matching standards and making copies.  So rather than me having to do it every. single. week., I only do it every third week.  Here is what our planning guide looks like:

This doesn't take the place of formal lesson plans, but we are able to turn it into our principal since it is aligned with our standards.

3.  Organizing it all.

Having a place to organize all of your stuff is essential.  I keep each day's lessons inside a file folder in this cute holder from Mardel.  

(Excuse the horrible picture... I'm in a hurry.  It was a time saver, right?)

But don't look at my to-do stack... SIGH...