Endings and Beginnings

I apologize for the lack of posting lately! I promise I will catch up on everything that I have not blogged about over the past couple of months: Easter printables, Plants/Seeds, Butterflies, Zoo and everything in between.  We finished school last Thursday (Friday was clerical) and I just need to spend some time doing nothing.  This year has been exhausting for me and May is always a difficult month for me working through the anniversary of the death of my daughter as well as her birthday.  On top of everything, I am dealing with some medical issues and just need some time to take care of myself. 

The last day in my classroom I spent cleaning, organizing and rearranging.  I wanted to try out new furniture placements before I left for the summer otherwise I would be thinking about it all summer.  (Does anyone else do this?!)  Unfortunately, this is the year for “deep cleaning” of my wing so EVERYTHING on the walls had to come down.  The take-down is the easy part – it will take at least a day to put it all back up – in the stifling August heat in a building with no air conditioning…I’m sweating just thinking about it!  So for now, this is the arrangement for next year.  We’ll see how many new floor plans I can dream up!

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I am looking forward to having the summer off – to not worry about classes, reading what I WANT to read, and just enjoying time with my family! I plan on attending the Minnesota Early Childhood/Kindergarten conference in May, and then shortly after that hop on a plan for our annual trip to Norway. 

For all of you that are still in school – the end is near! Here is a fun little book that I like to do with my kids at the end of the year.  The original packet came from Green Gables Kindergarten and I have modified it ever-so-slightly! (Click on the picture to download – be sure to leave a comment if you download!)

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Happy Summer!

PS – I am afraid I have to admit as I was looking at the pictures of my classroom, I have thought of another idea for furniture placement! Ahh…the curse has begun!

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21 comments:

  1. Oceans of First Grade FunMay 30, 2011 at 9:37 PM

    Take care of yourself! Thanks for all the wonderful ideas you've posted this year, and answering my e-mail questions. Enjoy your summer...because you deserve it. Have a blessed and restful summer vacation!
    Ms.A

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  2. kinderpondMay 30, 2011 at 9:45 PM

    Very cute! Have a great summer :)


    Jennifer

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  3. SarahMay 30, 2011 at 10:07 PM

    I agree!! The end of the year is almost as crazy as the start!! Our school just got a/c last year...I feel your pain!! ugh!!

    Thanks for sharing all your great ideas!! I have learned LOTS this year!!

    Take care of yourself!! Everyone in your life needs you!!
    Enjoy Summer!
    Sarah Hetrick

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  4. Ms.MMay 30, 2011 at 10:53 PM

    I am the same way with floor plans. I always come with SEVERAL floor plans for my classroom. I used to draw them but now thanks to Debbie Diller I use a file folder and sticky notes. It saves me tons of paper and drama. :)

    I am envious of how clean your room looks. Mine is currently a huge mess. :) I hope that by 4:00pm tomorrow mine will look like yours.

    Ms. M
    Ms.M's Blog
    A Teacher's Plan

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  5. Mrs. Cher HarrisonMay 31, 2011 at 4:59 PM

    Thank you for the freebie! :) We've already ended the school year but it will come in handy next year!

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  6. Mrs. ScomaMay 31, 2011 at 10:05 PM

    I have thought of you a lot this month; be sure to take care of yourself and enjoy your wonderful family this summer!!

    ~Laura
    www.firstgradeFUNdamentals.blogspot.com

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  7. AnonymousJune 1, 2011 at 3:23 PM

    Kathleen,

    I am a first grade teacher in Arizona who recently found out I will be teaching... KINDERGARTEN this upcoming school year. Your blog has already served as a source of inspiration and excitement for me. It is a resource I know I will continue to reference often. Thank you!

    Have a wonderful (and restful!) summer.
    -Lauren

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  8. Lindsey (The Teacher Wife)June 1, 2011 at 7:52 PM

    I do the same thing! I am always changing my room!

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  9. StephanieJune 3, 2011 at 5:40 PM

    Love the end of the year portfolio idea. You are a great teacher with wonderful ideas. Thank you.

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  10. ericaAugust 14, 2011 at 7:32 PM

    thank-you, I downloaded your super cute pack.

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  11. eli&joelynnApril 25, 2012 at 3:22 PM

    you are a gem! thanks so much for sharing!

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  12. AnonymousMay 13, 2012 at 6:46 PM

    Kathleen, I just downloaded your end of the year memory book. Thank you so much. You saved me so much time. Have a wonderful summer.

    Susan Arena

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  13. BrittaniMay 14, 2012 at 11:47 AM

    Very cute! Thank you for sharing! I thought it was just a journal cover, so it was a nice surprise to see all the other cute pages included:).

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  14. UnknownMay 25, 2012 at 11:40 AM

    I just discovered your wonderful blog - thank you so much for sharing. I downloaded the wonderful memory pages and plan to use them next year as part of their memory book. Thank you again for such an amazing site.
    Mrs. O

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  15. UnknownMay 16, 2014 at 1:35 PM

    I know that this is an older post, but I am wondering if you can make this available again. When I click to download I get an error message.
    Thank you.

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  16. K TeacherMay 21, 2014 at 7:24 PM

    Love the memory book!!

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  17. MoniJune 5, 2014 at 12:02 PM

    Memory book is not available. :(

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  18. PatriciaNovember 12, 2014 at 6:25 AM

    This comment has been removed by the author.

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  19. PatriciaNovember 12, 2014 at 6:31 AM

    Thanks, great

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  20. Laurie C.May 12, 2015 at 8:17 PM

    Is your memory book still available? I would love a copy!

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  21. MommyMay 20, 2015 at 5:45 PM

    I can't access the memory book to see it or download it? Is it available?

    ReplyDelete

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