Unit coming together!

Hello internet! I am far into my partnership now, just about halfway and finally feeling comfortable in my classroom and with my kids, getting in the routine of it all. Im so thankful for the school that i have been placed in and the huge support system that is in place from all the kindergarten teachers. I can only hope to get a job in a school with even similar team support.
I am getting ready to teach my unit, getting all of my lesson plans together and I am getting very excited.  This week is going to be quite stressful with all of the assignments due, but spring break is just around the corner and then I get to teach my unit! I am looking forward to spring break so I can take a little time to relax and just process, all while I am still doing my work and trying to get ahead in my work for the next few weeks.
My unit for my kindergarten class is going to be on plants and living things. I am excited to have the opportunity to be the main teacher during this unit, because I have never taught for a whole week straight. I am excited for the responsibility. I think my kids are going to love what I have in store for them becuase we will be working with plants and seeing first hand how they grow. Some of my kids I know will have a strong background knowledge in the things I will be teaching them, but I know that a lot of my students are very unaware of the fundamental needs for plants and animals.
This week we just got finished focusing on George Washington and Abraham Lincoln and presidents day. I really enjoyed seeing how much my students knew about the presidents and how much they have remembered from earlier in the year about money and in which order the presidents were elected.
I cant wait to start my own unit when I come back from spring break! Should be a great time exploring science with my little kindergarteners. Until next time!

Mommyapolis!

I am now about to start week four in my Kindergarten class, and I am loving it! My teacher is extremely accommodating and willing to help me in any way she can. She is always asking me if I need any help getting information or help getting me connected with specific teachers. I am certainly lucky to have her as a cooperating teacher because she has so much to teach me and so much to offer. My class is getting ready for Valentines day just this Thursday! They are all so excited already. I wish I could go back to Kindergarten sometimes and relive those parties that we had, giving each other little valentines, picking out the best ones for your best friends (and your secret crush). One of the boys in the class told me that he was going to make all of his valentines by hand, and write a special message to each of his classmates. I thought that that was the cutest thing. What a thoughtful student I have.
In the mood of all things Valentines day, I thought I would write a post highlighting a wonderful festive idea! I am an avid pinner on Pinterest, and I came upon a pin the other day bringing me to the Mommyapolis blog. Not only does this blog have a fantastic and cute idea for Valentines day, it had loads of ideas for every other holiday imaginable on this page! I was so ecstatic when I found it because I love holidays, and I especially love celebrating them with children, so this brings in the best of both worlds.
Here is the link to the blog: http://mommyapolis.com/
This link here will send you to a picture of Mommyapolis' great idea to make a box into a valentines card holder, and disguising it as a heart shaped penguin: http://mommyapolis.files.wordpress.com/2012/02/dsc_0866.jpg

Here you can find the whole DIY on this penguin: http://mommyapolis.com/hands-on/penguin-craft-valentines-day-box/  

I personally love this craft and would love to do it in my own classroom. Once I have my own classroom, implementing fun crafts is something that I would like to stay persistent with. It gets little minds working and gives children an outlet for all of their creative energy, in such a productive way.