Giveaway!!!

I really don't want to post this because I want to win this give away so very badly.  However, I guess I can be nice and share.  Megan at I teach, What's your super power? is giving away a Silhouette.  I want one so very badly so you can't go enter even though I told you guys about it... Ok?  No?  Well I guess then it's fair game.  From what I can see on her blog post about it I think it is an amazing tool to help decorate and set up classrooms as well as put together instructional materials. 

Goodluck!

Back to School Sale!

TeachersPayTeachers... Who doesn't love that site? If you don't know, it's a wonderful site for collaboration and exchange of different ideas. I recently started my store there. I have 1 freebie posted and a couple other things as well. Everything is 20% off for the next two days and if you use the code BTS13 at checkout then you get an additional 8% off! It's really wonderful.

 So head on over

 

Day 1: What do I start with?

Where to even begin? That was the thought that entered my mind when I unlocked the door and stepped into my classroom.  The furniture was in a giant pile in the center of the room. I had 4 file cabinets that were stuffed full of things and three closets that were piled high.  Well I'll let you look and see for yourself.

I had no idea that I would inherit so many things. I probably stood in the middle of my classroom staring for 30 minutes. I called my mom and my sister begging them to tell me what to do.  I finally decided that the first step would be to move my desk since the docking station has a specific location that it has to be in. Then I moved the file cabinet that locked which holds all my IEP stuff. Then I sat and starred again. The custodian walked by a couple times and he finally poked his head in. He asked if I was new. I said "yes." He told me that he could tell because I had that "new teacher look." The one where they just stand there and stare.

So I made a plan.  For teachers who need specific components in their class this is what I did.

I knew I needed:
Whole Group
Small Group
Individual Work Station
4 Centers
Computers
Chill Zone
Teacher Zone

I moved the pieces that I knew had to go in certain locations such as the computers and my desk where the docking station is.  After I finished with those I took the furniture I knew I didn't want or was in the wrong room and stuck in the hall.  It was someone else's problem then!  I drew out my classroom on a piece of paper and started moving sticky notes around on it as if they were furniture.  Once I had something that I liked I began to move the actual furniture.

SO... I'll stop now and let you see for yourself.

I would love some feedback.  What do you think?

Welcome to Teaching Special Kiddos

I want to say welcome to all my new readers out there!  This is my first year teaching and I am so excited to get started.  I am a special education teacher in the grand ol' state of Texas.  I decided to start a blog to share with others my trials and tribulations as well as resources that I make and find while stalking other blogs.

Enough of that though... a little about ME!

I have a wonderful family.  My sister Corrie and I are twins!  My family supports me through thick and thin, even when I change my major 6 times.  Yes I did that. 

This summer I had the opportunity to go to Alaska with my family.  The best vacation ever.  Those dogs were training for the Iditarod.

I have a wonderful fiance, Joe, who supports me in everything.  Every meltdown, celebration, and just day to day life he is there for me.  I can't wait to be his wife!

And we adopted a furbaby.  This baby girl is Ama.  She came to us from a foster home at the local humane society.  She was abused pretty badly which is why she is pulling away from us in this picture.  I can promise you she doesn't do that anymore.

Anyways enough about me for now.  Next up, putting my classroom together.

Oh and you can follow me on bloglovin by clicking this link: Follow my blog with Bloglovin  or clicking the button on the side of the page.