Much Needed Workday !

Today my school system had a much needed workday. I spent almost all day rearranging my room, getting my new writing center set up, and printing out more resources from the guided reading resources I posted about before. I am so excited to begin using this wonderful new resources, and to see how my babies react to their new writing center. Unfortunately, I did not take any pictures of my new arrangement. I hope to be able to do so tomorrow or the next day.

Gotta run, Grad School calls! 

Weekend Full of School

Today my partner and I were discussing how dis-organized we felt after coming back from Christmas break. During our planning period, while browsing TPT, I found this gem:

from Jennie over at JD's Rockin Readers. Let me just say, if you are a new teacher, looking for materials, or just need a break from planning guided reading for groups every single week, this is the mother load of guided reading resources and plans. As you know this is my first year in first grade, and guided reading is quite a bit different. I am at the point where I am unsure where my students are and what direction I need to go in as we move to the second part of our school year. As you can guess, I purchased that bundle and plan to spend the majority of this weekend getting stuff ready for it! I am so excited to get started on this project and be ready to hit the ground running on Monday morning!

Guided Reading Centers.. HELP !!

As you know this is my first year teaching first grade! While I am adjusting well, there are a few things that I still haven't quite gotten the hang of just yet. Activities for my Word Work and Writing centers is a biggie for me. I can't wrap my brain around solid Common Core word work and writing activities for my lovely babies to do when I am meeting with a group. At the beginning of the year, as we were adjusting to centers, we did a lot of rainbow write and magnetic letters, along with making words with Play-Doh. However, my students have grown tired of those, and I feel that I need something more meaningful. I know they should be practicing their sight words, as well as the spelling pattern we are discussing that week, but when I start to think of activities, I get a brain block. 

Anyone have any suggestions? Thanks in advance for all your help :) 

Starting Fresh-Currently 2015

As I sit here trying to mentally prepare for tomorrow, I thought I would link up with Farley at Oh Boy 3rd Grade! 

I have so many goals in mind for 2015 (weight loss, continued adjustment to first grade, graduate school, photography, and managing my personal blog http://www.wittyswonderfullife.blogspot.com/) I just hope I can get them all accomplished. 

Link up and post your currently :)