To Paint or Not to Paint?

I know it is probably a waste of time and money (in supplies) but I would LOVE to paint a mural on the wall of my new classroom. I am not sure if I can find the time, but it's an outlet for me. It's a chance to take a break and challenge myself. I loved painting the kiddos nursery and would love to do it "un" pregnant :) My thoughts are Dr. Seuss theme. I found a few pictures and characters I would love to include! I would also like to include the quote, "The more that you read, the more you will know. The more that you learn, the more places you'll go." and I also like "A person's a person no matter how small." That one goes especially with being in first grade!

Wrapping up 4th Grade

One day left of 4th grade. I have to say it's a bitter sweet good-bye. There have been many times in the past few weeks that I've thought to myself... "I won't be able to do or say this next year." Fourth graders are quite a bit more independent and I have a feeling that will be my biggest adjustment. However, I will not miss the attitudes, the boyfriend/girlfriend drama, and the stinky-ness after recess in the springtime :)
I have a friend from my fourth grade team that is moving also, going to 6th grade. She is facing a social studies assessment on top of reading and math, HA! We both wanted a change and we both got change that is for sure!
These last few days I have been packing up all my stuff, it has been nice to trash stuff that has been sitting in my closets for 3 years! It's a good feeling to throw away, although this can be a struggle for me ;)
Monday will be my last day in fourth grade and then Tuesday morning, bright and early I head in to switch rooms with my colleague!

A journal for my thoughts

I originally created this blog for my 4th grade students. We were going to use it for communicating with one another. In all I used the blog twice in 3 years so I decided to make use of it in another way. I debated whether to start a new one entirely with a "cutesy" name, but Jankordians is where my career started. I started with a rowdy bunch of 4th graders and I will NEVER forget that class. I got hired 6 days before school started and had modge-podge of students. They named themselves the Jankordians, while none of my other classes have really adopted the name it's hard for me to let go. 
So now, after 3 years of teaching 4th grade I am heading back to the primary realm. I have to say "heading back" is kind of an over statement. I was really never there. I did my student teaching in 2nd grade and absolutely loved it! I took a long term sub job in 1st grade and then landed in 4th. At first I was hesitant, as my 4th grade team is aWESOME! We work so well together and are always on the same page. We are flexible and fun. The 1st grade team is the POLAR opposite! It will be difficult to work on a team that is all over the place, but I am so excited for 1st grade. I have been obsessing over many great blogs and reading like crazy. My biggest fear is teaching reading. I am going from a huge focus on comprehension/state assessments to just teaching HOW to read. I have really enjoyed reading Debbie Miller's "Reading with Meaning" and "Teaching with Intention."