Share your highs and lows for the week with my High/Low Linky!





It was my first week back to school this week! I survived the first two days of professional development meetings and the kiddos started on Wednesday.  We have a new assistant principal this year who ran day 2 of our professional development and I really, really like her!  Here is a very brief look at our first week of school.



For more details on what we did for the first week of school you can see this post.


 Apparently, I have started grinding my teeth in my sleep.  What?!  This is something new because I have never done this before.  The pain in my jaw and in my ear is seriously uncomfortable.  So I took a trip to then local pharmacy to pick up one of these lovely things.



Isn't this sexy?  Ugh!  I hate it!  It took me about 3 nights to actually be able to tolerate it but it does make my jaw hurt less.  Not to mention, that I don't want to go to the dentist to get fitted for one that will cost over $500 since insurance won't cover it.  Oh the joys of getting older! 

Are you back to school yet? How was your first week? I love hearing from you!  Link up and share your highs and lows for the week.

Wahoo!  It's Friday peeps!  I'm linking up once again with DoodleBugs Teaching for Five for Friday.



 As we all know, there is no tired like teacher tired.  This was my first week back and holy moly....my feet are aching, my back is aching and I could sleep anytime, anywhere. But...it was a great week and I'm really enjoying my new class of "firsties." Here's a snapshot of our week:


        I used this packet from A Grace Filled Classroom throughout the week for early finishers.  It worked out really well at keeping the kiddos engaged and it was also a great informal assessment.









    I LOVE reading this book at the beginning of the year as a precursor to formulating our classroom rules. The repeated quote "What if everybody did that?" is such a great reminder.  A few times this week if I needed to correct a behavior I said that exact quote "What if everybody did that?" It made a nice connection to the story and helped the kiddos to think about their behavior too.

    After talking about why we have rule and listing and posting our classroom rules, I introduced my card system that I use for behavior management.




There were quite a few ooh's and ahhh's when I introduced the reward coupons!



We also did some fun activities with Babbling Abby's Fun with Firstie's Back to School product too!



We made this fun backpack craftivity!


   We talked about what we thought a first grader needs to be successful.  I brought in a backpack with a few things in it and we talked about whether the things inside would make good tools/supplies to help us be successful in first grade.  We brainstormed a list to add to our backpacks which are now hanging proudly in the hall!


We also made adorable lunch paper bag books this week.  These are by Alissa Mannine-Telisak


I found this for free while searching for back to school activities!

I can't believe it's already Wednesday!  Which means it's time to link up with the lovely Miss Decarbo at Sugar and Spicefor Wordless Wednesday.

Today is my first day back to school. Well actually, it's Professional Development for the next two days.  But there is something to be happy about and that's Monday Made It with Tara from 4th Grade Frolics.

Well folks, this is our last Tips and tools for Back to School.  I am heading back to school tomorrow!


The sweet and lovely Laura from A Grace Filled Classroom has an amazing post for you this week on ways you can create a great relationship with parents. This is so important as teachers and parents who work together, truly help to make a wonderful school year for children.  Laura has not only shared her fabulous tips, but she has also shared an incredible freebie!  Oh wait....not just one. Two!  She is sharing two incredible freebies....


What parent doesn't love hearing great news about their child?

It's time for another week of High/Low.  Each week, we share our highs and lows for the week.  There is no set number that you need to share- just whatever works for you each week. 



I'm super excited to be participating in a giveaway with some amazing ladies!  Carol, of   and Jen of   are celebrating their move from second grade to first grade with a great giveaway.  If you are a first or second grade teacher you don't want to miss this!  Just click on the pic to enter.  Good luck!



 The family and I enjoyed a week on Cape Cod (in Orleans, MA) as our last "hurrah" for the summer.



The kids had a blast surfing the waves at Nauset Beach and skimboarding at Skaket.  They loved the Inflatable Water Park that had both indoor and outdoor inflatables.


Can I get one of these for our home?  It could make my life a whole lot easier!

They are finally at the age where they can entertain themselves for a bit.  That is....when they are not arguing!


You know that expression...."it was the best of times, it was the worst of times."  For the love of God and all things Holy, why do these kids have to argue so much?!  I have 3 boys (ages 11, 9, and 8) and oh.my.word.  They never stop.

"Stop it!"
"I was using that!"
"Give that back!"
"You always get to...."


And my favorite "Mooooooooom!"  All week long my husband and I listened to these boys argue one minute and then love each other so deeply the next.  I'm exhausted.  I need a vacation from the vacation!

And every year my husband I say "This is the last time we are coming to the Cape." Then somehow, we do it all over again the next summer.  Funny thing is, at almost every table at every restaurant, and at every spot on each beach we heard families saying the same things we were. I'm told I'll look back on these years and miss it.  My husband and I plan to move to the Cape when we retire. I still haven't decided if we'll share our address with the kids.  I guess I have plenty of time to decide. 

Now it's your turn.  Link up and share your highs and lows for the week.  I love hearing from you!