I officially love my precious children!

Here are more pictures of my precious classroom that is filled with 18 wonderful students each morning! I love my job and couldn't think of anything else I'd rather do than teach! Yes, as a new teacher I go in before the sun rises and leaves right when the sun sets, sometimes after, but I want to give it all I have. I have already had some of the funniest teachable moments with my "Friends in Room 15". I praise the Lord for putting each of the students in my class and I am trusting God that He will use me to make a difference in their life. As far as sleep, I am drained and as far as work to be done, it's never going to be done...but I can honestly say I'm giving them all I've got. I am more than blessed to work with a wonderful support staff and two other first grade teachers. What a fun year we have had so far. I will make sure to update as the year goes on! 

My lightning words and two bulletin boards           which are now filled

Books, Books, and more Books

Where their work is filed

Math/Science Storage Cabinet

Literacy Cabinet

All Packed Up and Stacked Up

Our Table Caddies

Focus Wall for Journeys

Pictures of my students and their families

Before I put the pictures of my students up...

Slowly but Surely

Saying that this summer has been a bit crazy/busy is an understatement. I have been babysitting a newborn, Sawyer, most everyday and wouldn't trade it for the world. On Wednesdays I babysit three precious children, Sara Catherine, Anna, and David Evans. Both families live in my neighborhood which is more than convenient! BUT...in the midst of all my babysitting, I have been busting tail whenever I have a moment to get ANY possible thing accomplished in Room 15. Not to mention that they hosted a camp in my classroom for two weeks. Here is the few pictures I have captured so far, there will be many more to come! The first picture is when I showed up and camp was taking place! (I had to sneak in when the kids were playing in the gym and having lunch!)

Obviously, the tables are not in place and there is a HOT MESS on my desk.

The Word Wall was already there, so I am going to leave it for now! I plan to let the children create the words that I will display on the word wall. That way it is their work!! To the far left of this picture is going to be the Math Center. 

I LOVE THE STORAGE in this classroom.

I will take pictures of my three closets that took DAYS to organize and clean out! I am super proud of how they have turned out!

 This is my classroom library. The other 3/4 of my books are in my book closet. 

Behind this book shelf will be considered the writing center because it is close to a quiet area in the classroom. Behind the writing center is where I will pull my small groups. 

All of my leveled reader books are close to the small group area. 

I am still looking for the perfect fabric for curtains in my classroom. I'm not fretting about that though because there are nice blinds!

The board in the back is for "Tree"mendous Work. I will be 

 I love my director's chair! It was actually my mom's from when I was in elementary school and I actually just got a new cover! 

This was before I covered the bulletin board with the green table cloth.

Still debating whether or not I will be putting up a calendar. I am not sure if it is necessary. I may be doing the calendar on my Smart Board! :)

Probably the most stressful part of this process so far: these bulletin boards. I made classroom job labels on the computer, laminated, cut them out and then changed my mind. TIME CONSUMING. So I started all over and decided to do them by hand, laminate, and use a razor to cut a slit for the popsicle stick to go on. 

I am still trying to decide how I am going to display information about the 

Star Monkey of the Week! Any suggestions?

To the left is my whole brain teaching rules displayed. I am very excited about incorporating whole brain teaching into my classroom. Each day the children will review the rules during morning meeting. The "Rules Leader" will be in charge of leading the rules chant each day. 

Here is my Behavior Clip Chart that took some serious time as well, but I think hard work pays off. Children will start off on "Right-on Rhino" everyday. This may be tricky at first for the parent that wants their child to reach marvelous monkey everyday, so I have created a letter to explain this clip chart very clearly! 

*All of my pom poms were from my friend Vivian's little girl Natalie's first birthday party! The pinwheels are from the party as well. I am so thankful! Thanks Natalie, I know my class is going to love them!!

Stay tuned for more photos of Room 15! Any suggestions, please let me know!

My Very First Blog Post

A lot has changed in the past 8 months.  On December 12, 2011 I graduated Summa Cum Laude a semester early from The University of South Carolina. On December 17, 2011 I married my high school sweetheart, Davin McRoberts. I began teaching at Woodruff Primary School days prior to graduation for 27 precious four year old. On March 1, 2012 I began another long term substitute position at The Early Learning Center for 20 three year olds. I could not have asked for a better experience to help lay the foundation for my career as an educator. It is amazing how much three year olds and four year olds can teach you about yourself and life in general. 

Before school was out for summer, I was hired as a first grade teacher at Houston Elementary. Above is a picture of me when I signed my contract at the district office! I could literally shout to the top of my lungs with excitement! Since I was in Mrs. Sanders' first grade class, I knew I was destined to be a teacher. My interest in teaching grew tremendously after my service learning and Teacher Cadet experience my junior and senior year at Spartanburg High School. I received the Teaching Fellow, Ella Poet, and Life Scholarship and attended USC. As an undergraduate in early childhood education you are assigned to a cohort. I was a part of Cohort 4 and created lifelong friendships with other future educators. Through Teaching Fellows and Cohort 4, I met one of my very best friends and partner in crimes, Caroline Bruce. She is getting married on July 28th and I can hardly wait to be her bridesmaid, as she was in my wedding back in December! Back to my feelings about being a first year teacher. Thank goodness that I was fortunate enough to inherit a lot of books, supplies, and teacher resources from my mom and the previous teacher that I am replacing. Now for the classroom theme...So, ever since Davin and I started talked about marriage I began to think about what my last name would sound good with, as a teacher. I have come up with "Mrs. McRoberts' Monkeys." The overall theme of my classroom will be The Jungle, so that I can incorporate more animals and animal prints! I am going to use this blog to update you on whats going on in The McRoberts Jungle.