The new Learning Spot Lesson from Carson Dellosa that I have used in my classroom is the Introduction to Phonemic Awareness. I like the set up – first we have whole group time to introduce the activity and the skill. Then I can have the students use the student activities independently during centers. It follows the same format so the kids are familiar with what to do.   It practices beginning, middle and ending sounds! You could get a free lesson by going to www.CDLearningSpot.com/BA   I participate in the Brand Ambassador Program for Carson-Dellosa and I received Learning Spot Lesson product for free to try and review.

This is so exciting! I've been tagged by another blogger! Thank you Mrs. G at http://its-grow-time.blogspot.com/ WOW! The first time ever:) Sorry that it took me so long to get around to this! I'm not sure what - but it's been busy! So here goes... You must post the rules. Post 12 fun facts about yourself on the blog post. Answer the questions the tagger set for you in their post, and then create 12 new questions for the people you tagged. Tag 12 people and link them to your post! Let them know you've tagged them!  12 Fun Facts about me - I hope I can think of that many! I will be married 25 years in June to my best friend! I can't believe that it has been that long! That is a great thing!:) I love to scrapbook! I just wish I had more time to work on my albums. I love teaching kindergarten! I taught second grade and loved it too, but kindergarten is my passion! I would love to go back to school and get my doctorate. Anyone know where to get one in Earl...

Well, I only got to two shelves this week. BUT - that is two shelves more than last week! I think they look pretty good! I need to go back an inventory what is on them, but that will be easier because I can see what I have!  This pile went to two VERY grateful friends that teach first grade! The teacher who got there first was very happy to get new center activities. These were things ordered because they said "K" - but, alas, they were not! There are sight word pages to write on and wipe off, sentence stamps, sight word games, etc. Teacher one had a few of the things, so she left the rest for teacher number two. :) Teacher Two - was ECSTATIC! She couldn't believe that I was sharing with her! Some things weren't even open. Well, there was no reason to open them when they wouldn't have been able to use them! This pile - three VERY old things! The two small activities I had when I was teaching second grade at another building! The box was a left in the room box! :...

Here are my rules to declutter those cabinets of mine! :) If I haven't used it in 2 years - it's gone! If it's from someone else's room, it's gone! If it's "old" and/or "outdated", it's gone! If I have something else very similar, it's gone! Can I find the resource on line? Could I borrow one if I need/want it? Does it fit with what I want to do? Am I required to keep it/ use it? Could someone benefit from it more than me? Is it taking up valuable space in my classroom? Do I really love it? If I didn't feel quilty, would I still keep it? JUST GET RID OF IT!!!

My Donors Choose cabinet came!! It is AWESOME!! I am soo happy and excited to have it! I don't have any pictures yet though. I had to leave early - well, on time:) on Friday and didn't have a chance. It's on the list for tomorrow. I moved all the center materials into it and it is GREAT! I also got rid of 4 rolly carts! :) My room feels so much more open. :) YEA!!! Now, onto cleaning out the clutter in the cabinets. Thank you Donors Choose and all the wonderful supporters!!

Oh my goodness! My little blog got an award! I can't believe it! Sue Lattea at A Rainbow Of Teaching blog sent it to me!  http://arainbowofteaching.blogspot.com/   Woo hoo! Life is good!Thank you Sue!! Here are the rules: 1.  Thank the person who nominated you!  Thank you so much Sue!!!:) 2.  Tell 7 things about yourself. 3.  Nominate 15 newly discovered blogs and let them know they received the award. 7 Things about myself: 1. I will be married to my best friend for 25 years in June. How did 25 years fly by? Definitely fun! Hard to believe though. We have 2 wonderful teenagers too:) 2. I taught second grade and now kindergarten. I LOVE teaching kindergarten. 3. I would love to teach college also. 4. I love planning and making things for the classroom:) 5. I love to scrapbook and stamp- especially with my circuit. 6. I want to be even more organized:) 7. I finished doing a pilot program for Carson Dellosa. Ok - now to pick 15 bloggers! T...

The Closet Abyss!This is the closet with the language arts materials - alphabet recognition, rhyming, beginning and ending sounds, sight words, oh my! It was looking better till I bought more stuff and tried to put it in here! It is somewhat organized- rhyming stuff on one shelf, abc stuff on another, sight words on another, for the most part!This is the only large cabinet I have like this. :(   Is it any wonder why I don't use all that I have? AND when summer gets here - everything in the classroom has to be packed away - which means even more is shoved into all these closets! This is above the hooks for the kid's coats. It is organized but not pretty. These cabinets hold my literature. The bags are letter bags. I have one for each letter. The other stuff on top is stuff that doesn't fit into a cabinet. This area of my room is what I call the mud room. When you come into the classroom, this is where you come first. Then there is an opening right at the snowma...