My Very First Post!

Well, after resisting for some time now, I have decided to join the teaching blog world!  I have to admit I am extremely excited but very nervous too.  Having a blog and putting my thoughts, feelings and findings out there for fellow teachers to see is a bit intimidating if you ask me!  I am pretty confident that I am a good teacher, but I am used to a 5-6 year old audience and I can totally take criticism from them!  Knowing that fellow veteran teachers may land on my blog DOES in fact {kinda} make me feel vulnerable   BUT, as my wonderful principal would tell me, I am putting my "big girl panties" on and I am putting myself out there with a positive attitude about teaching. {Because we all know it can be down right stressful sometimes} I sure hope you enjoy reading as I grow in my teaching career! 

A little about me:

My name is Lindsey and I am married to my high school sweet heart, Michael.  Our lives were beyond blessed in February of 2011 when our son, Thomas Michael joined the world.  He began moving in my belly at about 17 weeks and I am pretty sure he has yet to slow down!  We are SO enjoying him at this age!




I am 26 years old and I am in my 5th year of teaching.  I have taught Pre-K, K, and 1st.   But my heart and happiness is in Kindergarten.  I absolutely LOVE this age and I truly think this is the grade where you can make SUCH an impact on their love for learning and you see such growth from beginning to end.  I mean come on, we are teaching them how to read at 5 years old!  That's amazing and I think it takes special people to do what we do! Don't get me wrong, I know we can have those days where we think "Why oh why did I major in Education?"  But then a little snotty nosed, sweet heart stretches out a word in Guided Reading and I flip out, give him 30 skittles, write his mom a note and give high fives across the table because "HE GOT IT!"  He really just sounded out the word "t-o-s" and "d-i-g." and what makes it even more triumphant, is the fact that he is in my low group...he was listening to me.....he was WANTING to read....and he was HAPPY and PROUD! {True story, it happened today, I really gave tons of skittles, and I am pretty sure I jumped out of my seat...I was so proud!}

Ok, enough about my victory during Guided Reading....on to TpT!
I have a new store and I would love for you to follow me.  Please click the link and it will direct you to my store.  I am working on things based on the seasons as we go through the year.  I am trying for this whole blog and TpT thing not to consume me, so my goal is to post just a few things each month as I learn the ropes of all things tech-ie!  

Follow my store {Keeping Up With Kindergarten} here: http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/Keeping-Up-With-Kindergarten

My Scarecrow writing Craftivity will be on sale through the end of the week for $2.00!

Click here to get it:

http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Scarecrow-Scarecrow-What-Do-You-See-Craftivity-and-Writing-Activity

Here are a few pictures from my kiddos' work that came from the Scarecrow packet!

And here is a not so good picture of our "Pumpkin Character Patch" I snapped while on my way out today.  At the beginning of October I have the kids transform a construction paper pumpkin into their favorite book characters and Oh, Em, Gee....they are cute!  I have them fill out a simple report at home and they share it with the class. We had all sorts of characters...Scooby Doo (hanging from the ceiling,) The Lorax, A Very Hungry Caterpillar and even Fancy Nancy!  This is such a simple home project you can do with you kiddos and they really do enjoy it!

And one last thing before I call it a night!  Thank you to the very kind bloggers and TpT sellers for giving me the little extra push I needed to start all of this.  Your kind words were so thoughtful and I truly appreciate them!  Thank you again!
Until next time!
Lindsey