Motivational Monday {Linky}

Happy Monday everyone!

I am delighted to be part of Motivational Mondays - along with The Learning Tree and Smiling in Second Grade!  You can also be a part of Motivational Monday!  You can find out how at the bottom of this post.

 I would like to share with you all a video that inspires me and gives me goose bumps every time I watch it.

There are many times that we receive students with a label, and because that student has a label many things are assumed - from behavior, to academics, to home life.  The video below is one my favorite viral videos of all time.  It is a reminder to me that children {or anyone for that matter} might come to me with labels, or they might be hard to figure out - but it takes an open mind and an open heart to unlock the full potential in our students and see who they truly are.

Yes, I know Susan Boyle is far from a child - but the whole audience {judges included} wrote her off before she even opened her mouth to sing due to her appearance and quirky personality.  I feel this happens to our students more often than it should.  Her audition for Britain's Got Talent has taught me that I need to give my students chances instead of assume what they are capable of. 

{Side note - Simon Cowell's expression at the 3:57 mark is priceless!}

Enjoy!

 You can participate in Motivational Monday by linking up!  

Rules:  Grab the button above and link back to my page.  

Make sure to comment on at least 1 other link. 

Don't forget to enter my giveaway.  A $25 Lakeshore gift card and one item of The Learning Tree's TpT store are up for grabs!

Have a wonderful Monday!

 

 

Giveaway AND a Freebie?!

 Ever have one of those days when it seems nothing can go right?  I've had about three of those in a row.  So, as a pick-me-up, I decided it was time to finally get my blog launched!

In honor of my blog's launch, I am giving away two awesome prizes to two awesome people.

The first prize is a $25 gift card to Lakeshore Learning.  C'mon, who doesn't love Lakeshore?!

 The second prize is any item of your choice from Mrs. Santana's TpT store.  Mrs. Santana is the wonderful mastermind behind The Learning Tree and a very special friend and colleague of mine.

All you have to do is follow the directions at the end of this post - follow my blog and her TpT store!  Winners will be announced Saturday, November 3, 2012.

In my first post, I gave a tour of my humble classroom.  I made question word posters to post above my Question/Concept board that match my classroom theme - polka dots!  I think it's quite evident that I also L.O.V.E. pink. ;)  Click the picture to download and enjoy!

Thanks for stopping by!  Don't forget to follow my blog and Kimberly's TpT store to be entered in my giveaway!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

First post! Classroom tour!

Welcome to Miss Chaney's classroom!  I am very fortunate to have moved into a larger room this school year.  Last year I was in a much smaller module.  I absolutely L.O.V.E. the amount of space I have.  Take a look!

This is the view from the front door.

This the view from the front door looking right.

 This is the back of the room - classroom library, schedule, mailboxes, and Fountas and Pinnell levels.

Closer view of the classroom library and my storage cabinet that doubles as a display for my Fountas and Pinnell levels and schedule.

Front right corner, looking caddy corner towards the back.  You can vaguely see my teacher desk, classroom library in the back of the room, and writing center.

Front left corner, looking caddy corner to the back (opposite of above).  You can see my lovely pink word wall, my teacher table, and the front door.

Middle of the room looking backwards.

Middle of the room looking towards the front door.

I {heart} my kidney table!

My bright pink word wall is one of my favorite parts of my room.  C'mon, who doesn't love pink??

Science bulletin board and academic vocabulary (green part).

I bought that cubby unit off of Craigslist for $25 and the inside storage bins from Target for $2.50.  It is my favorite storage piece!

I spy with my little eye...a vacuum cleaner!

Back of the room looking towards the front.

You may have noticed these babies in some of the photos.  These are my students' book boxes.  Students choose 3 books out of the classroom library after they finish writing down their homework in the morning.  They keep these books for the entire day, that way I don't have to worry about children clobbering each other in the classroom library throughout the day.  This is one of the best things I've done for classroom management.

That's my wonderful, colorful room!  It is my home away from home...sadly, I spend more time there than anywhere else.  The bright pink word wall makes it worth it. ;)

Please make sure to hit the "follow me" button if you have not done so already!

Until next time friends,