Crazy Day & Math Manipulatives

Well I never expected what happened today or at least I didn't expect it to happen today. My principal called to let me know that we were moving so positions around in the school. Not my job but the other 1st grade teacher will be moving to 5th/6th grade science, the 5t/6th grade teacher to 3rd grade and the 3rd grade teacher who was my childhood best friend to 1st grade!! I am excited to be working with her but we've been meeting as a 1st grade team through out the district all summer so now I have a lot to catch her up on.

After all that excitment I spent some time in my classroom. Organizing and cleaning its such a mess right now. But I am trying something new with my math manipulatives this year and I'm really excited. I took all the manipulatives the kids will need for the beginning of the year and made a baggie for each student. Each one has a tens frame, a five frame, unifix cubes, and counters. We'll spend the beginning of the year exploring the manipulatives and then the students will be able to use them when ever they need them. I know this is probably not a new idea but I'm excited to try this and hope we can keep them organized. (Sorry about the bad picture but I only had my phone with me).

Newbie Bloggers Blog Hop

So this is my first blog hop and I'm excited to join. Thanks to Janis at Grade Three is the Place for Me for hosting this blog hop. So here it goes:

1. what state you are in
2. your current teaching
position
3. your teaching
experience
4. when you started
blogging
5. share a blogging tip / blogging
resource

1. I am in Ohio
2. I currently teach 1st grade
3. This will be my 7th year of teaching - I have taught 1st & 2nd in my career including one year of a 1st/2nd split class
4. I started blogging TODAY
5. Here is a great post on how to make a button for your blog - which I'm off to do now :)

My New Blog

Ok so here it is. I have been addicted to reading teacher blogs for the past couple of years. They have been an inspiration to me so I decided it is my turn. Who knows if I can keep up with this or if it is just a crazy thought. But I hope to be an inspiration to others. Even if it is just to let others know they aren't the only one running around like crazy trying to keep up with everything.

So its the middle of July and I'm already stressing about what will happen in my classroom this year. Is anyone else stressing abou this? I've already been in twice and moved things around and am trying to make decisions about where things will go.

Well now I'm off to get some cleaning done. Have a great day!