Dramatic Play: Apple Orchard

So it's been about a month since my last post but I am really going to work on posting what goes on in my classroom more often! A few weeks ago we had fun learning about Fall/Autumn. I wanted to create something for my Dramatic Play Center to go along with our theme so with the help of Pinterest and the PreK Pages I came up with my Apple Orchard. It didn't turn out quite like my vision but I just worked with what I had =)

I used the kit from http://www.pre-kpages.com/dramatic-play-apple-orchard/ to add some great print to my center. I also included several books about apples. My students really seemed to enjoy "picking apples" and "baking apple pies."

I am a TERRIBLE blogger...

So we are now over a month into school and this year has been crazy already! I started out with only 15 on role (I max out at 20) and every time my classroom dynamic started to settle down, in came a new one. But as of Friday there are now 20 on role so hopefully no more surprises any time soon! Here is a little peek of my classroom...

Safe Keeper Box

Conscious Discipline has a "new" definition of being a teacher. It is my job to keep the students safe and it is the students job to help me keep them safe. One way we will remind ourselves of this daily in my classroom this year is with the safe keeper box. Each child has a heart that I will keep in my box (once I get my kiddos I will add their picture and name to their heart). We will have a time each morning where the child gets his heart and puts it in the box. As he does this I will say, "it is my job to keep you safe," and he will reply with, "it is my job to help you keep me safe." Here is my Safe Keeper Box...

And a bonus picture... Look how organized my back cabinet area is now! YAY!

Conscious Discipline

So today we had an ABC teacher meeting to discuss the school year and Open House is tomorrow. So the start of the school year is becoming more real to me. This year I really want to focus on implementing Conscious Discipline in my classroom. I know it won't be easy changing the words that come out of my mouth or the automatic reaction I would typically have to a situation but I know it will be worth it. So that means more projects to add to my list (every time it gets shorter I tend to add more to it). I already posted about the Feeling Buddies and they are coming along nicely...

The next few CD projects will include a greeting apron, we wish you well board, and a safe keeper box. Pictures to come soon! =D

Slowly But Surely

My classroom is somewhat coming together. I still have tons to do! It's harder for me to be motivated because there is still a summer program going on in my room so it makes it harder to get things accomplished with kiddos all over the room! One thing I really wanted to incorporate into my room this year was an ABC Center. Here is what I've got so far...

Now I'm trying to work on a writing center (another thing my classroom was lacking). I'm still not sure what I'm going to put in it though. And another classroom creation is starting to come together... Feeling Buddies :)

I'm hoping the finished product looks great! *fingers crossed*

I Think I Can I Think I Can...

So I made myself sit down and make a priority list of school projects to do and then I actually made some progress on a few things. I started printing resources from my computer and got the material to make my Feeling Buddies. I even started on some pillows...

And finished three :)

Hey progress is progress, right?!

Where to Start?

So this is what I have been looking at for the past few days...

As the new school year is fast approaching I have tons of projects pinned and loads of ideas floating around in my head. But I can't decide where to start! I've been trying to organize my pins into a priority list on paper but there are SO MANY ideas! So here is my goal of where to start... 1. Make a supply list 2. Gather/purchase supplies 3. Take a deep breath 4. Dive in I do know figuring out how to make something similar to these are at top of my list!