Ramblings of a tired girl

I am at a loss of what to blog about. Lucky you! I keep wanting to start taking pictures at school of some of the cuteness that is going on....all because of my Pinterest addiction, but I have several things that are preventing me from doing so...

1. I can't-for the life of me, remember where I put my old camera. It normally resides at school, but I brought it home when I went on leave.
2. I am only working 3 days a week and I feel like I am in a time crunch with teaching. I am not even sure I have time to take silly little pics.
3. I live 32 miles from my school, so at the end of the day...I want to zoom home to see Mr. Cooper.
4. Also, I constantly see pics that link to a blog, but then I see the same pic on another blog. I live in fear of not giving the right people credit.

Here are some tidbits about life right now, some school related....some not. I am UBER stressed lately. I have had some serious issues. 

First, our landscaping company is suing us. That's right, actually taking us to court. It turns out the bill that we paid back in May never actually made it to their company. They never told us and our check was cashed. Now months have gone by and we found out the check was stolen. Blahblahblah...we are in the middle of ick. Stressful, ick. I am not handling it well. I am sure everything is going to be fine, but it is sidetracking me from everything.

The husband's job is looking rocky. I feel terrible for him. I feel terrified for us and our sweet little man. Nuff about that.

The Common Core has me quite worried over the state of Kindergarten. Common Core is here, I accept that, it just leaves me wondering if people realize that they are still babies and they still need time to adjust to a classroom, time to explore, time to play. I know, I will calm down...just a bit stressed.

Add to it, our school doesn't have half day or full day, we are in an extended day limbo. I believe the Common Core really requires full day, but I guess half day teachers are saying at least you have a little more time. I know. I'm just worried about the implications of some pretty hefty expectations.

I am trying so hard to keep everything together with a smile. I think I am doing a decent time staying upbeat. It's all the ick that constantly plays in my head.

I am trying to be a better blog reader. I will be completely honest, I haven't been great about reading blogs since the summer. I am trying to keep up with the bazillion of blogs that I love and just keep finding more! I am trying very hard to comment and show the love because I respect all of the work and dedication I see out in blogland. There are truly amazing teachers out there. We are blessed to live in a time that we have the opportunity to see the greatness in classrooms all over the country! I am inspired by so many. 

I am working on the May Poetry journals...I swear. I've been AWFUL every year once May comes around. I'm on it. I am also working on a frog unit....we'll just have to see how that works out. So, today, I don't have anything for you....just the ramblings of this tired girl and I am really not looking for sympathy or anything like that...I just needed to blog :0)

Winning!

Holy Guacamole! I can't believe how many comments I got for The Great Giveaway. I really thought it would just be a handful of people. Everyone left such sweet comments, it made me want to run out and buy up every flashdrive that Best Buy had! Thanks so much for all the kind words, I really do appreciate each and everyone you!

Now, if you are not the "winning-est winner of all," do not fret. I will be hosting two product giveaways within the next month or so! I will also do another flasdrive giveaway probably to kickoff the summer.

If you are one of the lucky two, I will be sending an email your way tonight about the specifics.

And, the flashdrives go to....

Congratulations to Chelsea and Tammy! 

Hey Peepsters

Spoiler Alert: This post is all over the place....

It's Tuesday, Coop-a-Loop is taking his AM nap and I'm sitting here staring at this bowl...

Those are Peepsters. Have you tried them? They are de*light*ful. It's 9:30AM, you cannot eat candy before noon....nomnomnomnomnommmmmmm. The crazy thing is I HATE Peeps, but those little treasures get me every year!

Today I will be trotting over to the Dollar Tree in search of cute plastic eggs...thanks Fran! I have been searching my podunk town for cute ones for a couple of weeks. I've been to Target, Walmart, KMart, and the Dollar General and all I came up with were Hello Kitty and Camouflage Eggs....what am I suppose to do with those?

I should just PJ it up today. I am thoroughly exhausted. Have I mentioned that my little ball of sunshine is almost four months and still wakes every 3 hours to alert the masses that he is starving? I love the little bugger, but when, oh when, will he sleep through the night? And yesterday, was the first day back after Spring Break and the kiddos acted like they were at home, taking their shoes off, sitting on tables, and walking around chatting during work time....I came back home comatose.

I told you I was going to be all over the place (stay with me). The other day I got the cutest Subtraction book from Marlana at Lil' Country Kindergarten. I LOVE it! She is selling it on her TPT for $1.25. Make like a bunny and hop over there to see it :0)

Oh and here is my first Currently...I have been living in a cave...a cave in the middle of a cornfield, but a cave nonetheless. Join the party with Farley here...

 

I needed some Wake Up Work for my lesson plan this week and realized that I haven't given the Hoppers a sight word color by code in a loooong time. They love doing them, but I am torn, I have the kids that scribble the colors as fast as they can and in the other camp....the kids that are so meticulous that it takes them days to finish! Anywho, thought I would share it with you (the mistake on there has been fixed...I still don't know my color words, lol)! Thanks for all the kind words, love to all!

PS...only a couple more days until the winners are announced. Be sure to enter, The Great Giveaway.

Thanks for reading!
Shannon

Spring Sight Word Color by Code

Keepin' it "Rural"

After "Cue the Banjos...We're Going to the Farm," I had a difficult time coming up with a title for this post. I've created a few more farm activities for my classroom. We do a HUGE unit that combines chicks and farms for the entire month of April. I LOVE it. Have I mentioned that I live, almost quite literally, in the middle of a cornfield? Our subdivision is new and we really thought there would be houses across the street but alas, the market changed and now all that you can see to the East of our house is cornfields. I like a good farm as much as the next guy, but by late summer I start to worry that I may see Malachi or an eery crop circle...either way I'm keeping my distance.

I totally ADORE my current schedule? I really feel that I have the best of both worlds. I'm tired as all get out by Friday afternoon, but I love being at home a few days and being in the classroom a few days. I am sooooo scared of next year, I will have to go back to reality and work five days. I guess I just shouldn't think about it.

Anywho, chick season is upon me. We get our eggs on Tuesday. I ended up with a good hatch last year, so I am hopeful. Chick season inevitably becomes high stress for me. First the kiddos end up being so excited that it is difficult to keep teaching. And, second I am always fearful that I won't have any hatch or that the ones that do hatch will end up "not right" or worse....eventually dead. There is nothing worse than A-walking into your room in the morning and finding one dead or B-having one die in the middle of the day. The kids love doing the unit and it's really educational and fun, except when it's not. I will let you know what happens :0)

Here are the links to the previous Farm and Chick posts for your reference...
Let's All Do the Chicken Jive
Peep Peep
Farm Thinking
Cue the Banjo's....We're Going to the Farm

Also, if you are interested I am having a giveaway, it can be found here...
Giveaway!

Here are some of the newest things I've got going. I hope you find some things to use in your classroom. As always, I truly appreciate all the love you send my way!!! If you download, please take a few seconds and leave a comment :0)  Have a wonderful week!!

Enjoy!
Shannon


Literacy Goodies
Farm Sight Word Color by Code Farm Frenzy Rhyming ABC Order Chick Worksheet On the Farm-At the Zoo Sort Math Goodies Base Ten Teen Number Match-Up Numbers to Crow About Worksheet Find the Sheep Sequencing Numbers Center Farm Friend Squeeze Chicky Ten Frame Match Up How Many Chicks Ten Frame Worksheet Cow Puzzle 10-1 Pig Puzzle 10-19 Barnyard Adding

The Great Giveaway!

I started a Facebook page for Kindergarten Hoppenings and wanted to have a little giveaway to commemorate the occasion. Hmmm...a giveaway...what should I give away? Tricky, tricky...I already have almost all of my creations available on Scribd and this girl is broke as a joke, lol, because I am staying home with the little Mister two days a week for the rest of the year. (and how can I resist?)

I've come up with something simple. I will be giving away 2 flashdrives. Two flashdrives, what kind of giveaway is that? They won't be two ordinary and empty flashdrives, oh no, they will be filled with goods. Everything that is on Scribd, all on one convenient and organized location....all in pdf form, of course. There will also be some things that have not gone up yet....

• You know my Poetry Journal Posters. Well, I will include the pieces to make your own. All you will need to do is print them out and glue 'em!
• Center things (Beginning Sound Sort, Alphabet Pocket Chart Game, CVC Puzzles, CVC Word Mats, New Write the Room Sheets)
• Blend Posters
• Classroom Library Book Bin Labels
• Homework Calendars for 2012-2013 School Year

You will have two opportunities to enter a random drawing. 

1. Follow Kindergarten Hoppenings blog. Leave a comment on this post that you are a follower with your email address.
2. Like Kindergarten Hoppenings Facebook Page. Kindergarten Hoppenings Facebook Page You will need to leave a comment on this post saying you likey on Facebook again with your email address. Facebook is tricky about giveaways, so I'm just going to have to trust y'all.

Make sure you leave 2 separate comments so you have 2 entries!

I will do a random drawing for each on Thursday, April 5, 2012 at 12:00PM Central time and announce the winners later that evening! Easy Breezy!

Good luck to all and may the odds be ever in your favor :0)

Shannon

Facebook and a Pinterest Find

I am on Spring Break and my little guy and I are just laying low. I started a Kindergarten Hoppenings Facebook page. I have no idea why. My husband said "it's about time"....again, I don't know why. But, here is the link https://www.facebook.com/KinderPond, you can HOP on over and like it. I will be doing a Facebook Launch giveaway...probably tomorrow....maybe Friday....ok by Saturday. The giveaway be for one follower and one, um, "liker?" on Facebook. It took me a while to come up with something to giveaway, so here's hoping it will be worth your time, lol. More details to come!

Yesterday during an incredible morning nap, I was spending waaaaay too much time on Pinterest and I stumbled across a great find. You must go check it out....

Michelle Rist over at Inspired by Kindergarten is giving away her April Reading and Math Activities. You know me I am loving a good freebie!

Check back soon for some giveaway details!

Hoppy Spring!

I now have a Facebook page. I would love to see your smiling face there...hint, hint. :0)
https://www.facebook.com/KinderPond

Two things that I am shocked by: 1- I have just over 1000 followers! Holy Guacamole!!! All the kind comments, Pinterest love, and emails leave me humbled. Thank you so much. And, 2- I cannot believe how unbelievably warm it has been here in Illinois. I am loving it!! Although to be quite honest, it will have me living in fear of late summer. If it is in the 80's in March, what will my oven classroom be like in August? Oh well, we'll all just smell like wet dogs together, I guess.

So, I have been crazy with getting myself familiar with the new common core standards. Is anyone else a little shocked by some of them? Well, I am. How can I expect a five year old who comes to Kindergarten with no number sense to add and subtract "fluently" within five? I am not saying that all of the new standards are impossible but some of them definitely pose a challenge. I was completely surprised that counting by 5's and coin recognition are no longer mastery skills. Overall, it doesn't matter...I am go with the flow. I am an avid rule follower, so I will make the necessary adjustments and "teach like my hair is on fire".

I've been working like a busy bee, creating some new Spring materials. I keep getting the question from people, "how do you find the time". Well, let me tell you, I am off four days per week and Coop averages 3-4 hours of nap per day and a girl can only clean so much. Creating materials and blogging are therapeutic and truly make me feel good.

Here is a little hodge podge of things that I've created for the upcoming weeks. As always, thanks so much for the emails and comments, I always appreciate it! I hope you find a little something you can use and I hope I don't make your computer crash ;-) Have a wonderful Friday!!!

Enjoy!
Shannon


Literacy Goods
I Have Who Has Bird Edition (Nonsense Words)


For the Birds NSW Fluency Worksheet

Flower Power Picture to Word Match Up

Spring Stamp a Word

Spring Syllable Sort

Spring Syllables Worksheet

Flower Power Ending Sounds Dice Toss

Flower Power Ending Sounds Dice Toss Worksheet

Spring Training Word Family Matching

Math Goods
Bunny Ten Frame Match Up

Counting Carrots Ten Frame Worksheet

Spring Counting Cards

What Comes Next Spring Worksheet

Spring Comparing Sets Center

Spring Comparing Sets Sort