Excitement

Ok it's that time of the year where I promise to do better and blog more. I will....I promise...at least through the summer lol

So no promises of being better!! I'm just going to blog when I find time. I'm hoping it will become a regular thing but if not oh well! I follow other blogs and Pinterest religiously so really I'm good ;)

I do have some goodies to share, however as I type this I'm knee deep in summer school...literally.

So I will post my reading activities soon!! I promise ;)

I am excited to announce that I will be moving schools again this year. I know I know, I'm a self-proclaimed gypsy, never staying in one place for too long ;) 

This move is really based on the economy. It is too expensive to continue living in Midland during the boom. Everyone around me is making and charging an oil field salary and I'm trying to cut it on a measly teacher salary. Which we all know is not an easy task!! So alas, I'm setting off for Andrews, TX. Good news it's only 45 minutes away so I can still visit my homies ;). 

This move also means I will be teaching a new subject....5th grade math. I'm really excited about this. Call me crazy but I'm way better at math than English. Plus this year has taught me to really love teaching just one subject. I fell you can really go deeper, even just with your teacher knowledge. I know my TEKS front and back and inside out. Which helps me become a better teacher because I can plan, plan, plan!!

Ok ok. I'm done for now. Sorry I have nothing super interesting to post but I must say I love summer because I have wonderful glorious time!! For me I use this time planning and creating for next year. Throw apartment hunting, packing, moving, and vacation in there and you can see I'll be a busy little bee!! 

Until next time!!

I'm BaAAAaack!!

It has been so long since I have seen my blog...psh its been so long since I've sat down!!

I have been moving not only into my new apartment but also into my new classroom and it has been CU-RAY-ZEE!!! lol

Amidst the madness I have been able to make some cute things for my classroom that I am super excited about!! I've also developed some new obsessions!! I'm linking up with Tara at 4th Grade Frolics for Monday Made It.

I am OBSESSED with mod podge...ok ok that one isn't so new but we have definetly built a stronger bond ha!! I've also become OBSESSED with spray paint. You'll see from one of my projects below but I just love love LOVE it!!

Ok so onto my goodies!!

I revamped my three-drawer storage bins. I've had them since I started college (which I jsut realized was 7 years ago...yipes!!) so they were pretty beat up. So I gave them a makeover to match my classroom!! I will post a tutorial later if you are interested let me know!!

 

I covered these clothepins and I am going to attach thumbtacks to the back to hang my students work.



And last but not least I made this sign to hang outside my classroom. I made it by covering a shoebox lid....I KNOW!!! Soooo cute and soooo easy!! I'll post a tutorial for it as well later.

Ok I need to get back to work....although I'll probably spend some time checking out everyone elses posts.

Good luck getting back to "school mode"!!!

Winner winner chicken dinner!!

I've been a baaaaaaaad blogger lately!!

In my defense I have been going like crazy. I've been packing (I move in on Sunday!!), I have been at a teaching training (more on that later), and my internet is not working :(.

I'm posting on my mom's tablet and its going to be short because I don't like it!!!

I just wanted to announce my giveaway winner! I know I'm a day late....I'm so sorry!! but I had a crazy fun day yesterday and didn't have the time!!

Ok ok drumroll please and then winner is..........

Elis Brockway!!

Congratulations!! I will be emailing you to more info.

Stay tuned I have so much to post I just want to do it on my laptop!

Workshops, Traveling and Ideas Oh My!!!

Ok with everything floating in around in my head this feels like its going to be a long post so I apologize in advance :)

Today I attended part one of a two day Texas Adolescent Literacy Academy training for writing...whew it wears my out just typing the name. That is also exactly how I feel WORN OUT!!!

Days and days of lazing around my grandmother's house have proved my brain is severely out of shape!!! So hopefully tomorrow night I will recover have time to gather my insights so I can share!!

I saw something interesting and awe-inspiring today!!

 

The workshop was held at Midland High School and these were written on the back of the bathroom stalls.

I only got two pics (I didn't wanna be the weirdo snappin pics in the bathroom..lol)

Midland has suffered several teen suicides over the past year, so these uplifting messages just seem so neat and thoughtful!!

Even though the bathroom seems like an odd choice, how many times do you think there are crying teens sitting in these stalls?? These positive messages fit just perfectly!!

I'm so proud to be a part of a community that bands together like that to support each other :)

Now I'm starting to wonder if my superintendent will let me do something similar in our bathrooms.....hmmmm ;)

Ok so this really won't be as long as I had thought....my brain has officially run out of steam!!!

Please don't forget to check out my giveaway post here!! My birthday is quickly approaching (EEK!!!) and I can't wait to give that Target giftcard away!!!

Teaching in my Heart

Ok so I'm a little late (3 days) but I saw this and I REALLY want to share!!

Ohhhh there are so many things that come to mind when I think about what it means to me.

But really I just think about how I almost wasn't a teacher. I've been told my WHOLE life that I should teach, but when I entered college I did not pursue it. When you think about all the "realistic" points of being a teacher it is not very inviting....low income, long hours, all the hats you must wear, and the STRESS.

No way jose...not for this girl.

But it was always in the back of my mind.

Fast forward and here I sit a fully converted teaching nut!! I'll admit I'm a lil obsessed with becoming the BEST teacher I can be. Its not about me though. Being a teacher for me is all about my children.

Within days of being in the classroom with them and getting to know their personalities I can't help but fall in love. They become like my own children and I am deeply invested in helping them succeed. I will do whatever it takes to make his happen!! So I must be the best teacher I can be for them. I look for different methods to reach my children. I try my hardest to build relationships and trust with my students.

Being a teacher means I can mentor, love, teach, bond, and influence my students. And I LOVE every minute of it!!

Daily 5 Chapter 3

Is up to Chapter 3 in The Daily 5. I have to say the more I read the more I fall in LOVE!!

My mind is racing with things to do in my new classroom (I've only been in it once and the anticipation is KILLING me!!!!). I'm trying to figure out how to tweek the model to not only fit my schedule but my older kids.

My biggest concern as I hit Chapter 3 is Anchor Charts.

(I must admit I'm a horrible teach who has never used them. In my defense I never learned how to do them. I know SHAME ON ME!!)

The Sisters say:

"Discussions are held and children's thinking about student teacher behaviors during the Daily 5 is recorded on the charts. These are posted in the room so the children's thoughts and learning can be referred to all year long."

This sticks with me. Everything I put on the walls and around the classroom I want to be a learning tool. So having the charts with our procedures and discussion on the wall all year long seems like a no brainer.

So what's my problem??

Well along with never really having utilized the paper charts, I'm more used to (and comfortable) with technology.

That's why I never really used the charts before. I had a Smartboard, so this is where all our classroom discussions found their home. So I have made Anchor Charts...premade and on the fly. So using paper shouldn't be to difficult right????

I'm only worried my administration will think I'm crazy!! My room comes equipped with an Elmo and a Smartboard I'm sure they'll wonder why I'm not using them!!

I guess I'll just have to suggest they read The Daily 5 to learn the method to my madness :)

Now I just have to get in the classroom and start working!!!

Oh be sure to check out my Giveaway post here!! I can't wait to share my birthday with all my friends!!

Big Ol' Busy Bee

Believe it or not I've been a VERY busy girl all within a couple of days.

I'm still busy with The Daily 5 book study, prepping to move (and spending money :P), and getting ready for workshops and training.

Aaaaannnnddd my computer is acting up today!! I haven't even spent my normal time on pinterest....tear!! Ha!

I'm most excited about my trip to Dallas. Half of the trip will be for a workshop on Capturing Kids' Hearts (the behavior model my new school uses). The other half will be a celebration of my birthday!! I will be spending time with my mother (who I never get to see :) and my cousins.

I'm soooo stinking EXCITED!!!

Anywho this is my world right now

And then some!!! I'm busy trying to organize my planbook for next year as well!! More on that later!!

I better get back to work and off this possessed computer!!

Don't forget to sign up for my Birthday Giveaway here!!!