Merry Christmas (and a question)

I hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas!

So I can never take a break from school which is probably why I am burned out...BIG TIME. I need some Language Arts help from all of my blogger friends. I am starting novels in a couple of weeks. What are some you have done? I am differentiating my novels so I would need chapter books ranging from 3rd grade-6th grade levels. What are some you have used that the kids really enjoy and get into?
Thanks :)

December Currently

I always have so much to say and so little time! I feel like I say this every month but GOSH-I need to get better at blogging :)

Thanks to Farley, I HAVE to get on here to entertain everyone at least once a month :)

Listening-Sitting here waiting for Amazing Race. It used to be one of my favorite shows but I feel like I have little time anymore to sit and actually watch a tv show. So it is on, but I'm usually working.

Loving-I love to run. Well, let me rephrase that-I love to run when I'm in shape and can do it easily. In the past month or so, I've gotten back into it and I'm enjoying it again. Another teacher asked on Thursday if I wanted to run in a Reindeer Run with her on Saturday. I thought about it but thought "why not? I know I can run 3 miles. I've done it already" So the two of us plus another teacher and her daughter got up at 6am and drove the hour and a half to the run. It was my best 5k time and I also ran my fastest mile. I'm so happy I did it and can't wait to run another. This was my fourth one and by far the best I've done!

Thinking- Yes, I have soooooo much to do. Just little things around my house mostly. Maybe with some school stuff added in. I had company friday night. Saturday I ran my race and then slept the rest of the day. Today I had to go to calling hours and then spent some time with my BFF and her girls. Now I have lots to do

Wanting-I don't even know where to start with this but I've been thinking about posting it for a long time. I am NOT happy with this school year. Not any aspect of it. I hate my lessons. I hate being there. I hate it all. I try to be positive but it's very hard when I'm unhappy. I guess more on this to come.....

Needing- A long break to the beach would be ideal!!! I'm so stressed and feel like I cry ALL THE TIME!

RAK- As we all know, so much of what we do as teachers get unnoticed. This year, a teacher who does all the wrong things is the one who seems to be getting all the attention. It's frustrating. We go in and work hard. We get there on time. Yet, we never get a simple thank you. It's not just me feeling crabby this year. Several others are as well. I think just putting a nice card in others' school mailbox to brighten their day would make a big difference :)

Well-Time to do more work.

November (The Eleventh Month of 2012)

These months are going by sooooo quickly. Let's just hope the winter goes by like this. I hate winter and absolutely dread this time of year! And as nutso as the weather has been, who knows how much snow we may get!!!!

Once again thanks to my girl Farley (whom I act like I know), it is time for this month's currently. Enjoy!

Listening: I've been sucked into Breaking Amish. Living my entire life so closely to Amish Country Ohio, I've always been curious about the lifestyle. I would love to find some Amish friends and live that way just for 24 hours. I'm not sure I could do it much longer than that :)  And now with Dateline--Oh how I LOVE mysteries!! If I wasn't a teacher (or Amish-haha), I'd be a detective!

Loving: My cousin Kari is my best friend. We have so much in common that we are more like sisters than cousins. So when she texted tonight and asked if I had plans next weekend, I got all giddy with excitement. We have the best weekends together!!!

Thinking: Coming up with units for this year has been extremely difficult for me. My mind doesn't work like that. The students seem to be enjoying it but I have a hard time thinking of a unit to do. Anyone have any ideas???

Wanting: I want to go on a run?! Hmmmm.....that's strange for me to say but since I've been getting better with my running, I'm loving it again. I've decided I just run better when it's cooler outside. I'm not a good runner in the summer because I can't breathe in the heat and humidity. So I'll just wait until morning and get a run in.

Needing: Anyone participate in National Novel Writing Month? This is my first year. My cousin (Kari, again) has done this in the past. I've always wanted to write a book and what better way to begin than to take on a challenge like this. I didn't get to write last night though so I have a little catching up to do. I have a great plot thought up in my head. Now just getting it typed is the challenge. I'm excited about this though.

Music: We listen to a lot of Radio Disney in my classroom. I like it because it plays songs the kids actually know and can sing along to but I don't have to worry about inappropriate words thrown in. However, the closer we get to Christmas, we will start listening to fun Christmas Songs :)

My First Unit

WELCOME TO THE OLYMPICS!!!

My first attempt at the common core was accomplished with a unit about the Summer Olympics. I have very mixed emotions about the unit. It definitely wasn't the best teaching I've ever done but also not the worst. I will say, however, the students seemed to enjoy it and learned a lot about it. All but 2 passed the final test so they learned and that is a goal met.

The standards I focused on were Main Idea/Details, Summary, Compare/Contrast, and Homophones. Here and there I threw in some "unimportant" standards in a center just so they can start seeing it and knowing what it means.

Here is the bulletin board I did for it. The picture is a little cloudy because I had my lights out. It was taken at the beginning of the year when it was 200 degrees in the classrooms.

I hate these bulletin boards. Who makes a board from ceiling to bookshelf and the entire wall?!?!

The black paper hanging from the ceiling is what I did for my groups. Each group was a color of the olympic rings. Hopefully my next board will be a clearer picture.

Tuesday starts my next unit. I normally have the entire first half of the year organized and planned. I'm glad I didnt do that this year though because I need to change a lot of things I saw didn't work with my Olympic unit.

October Currently

HOLY CHEESE BALLS!!!!!!  I haven't posted since the last currently?? This is not cool and I need to be a better blogger!!! I have a lot to blog about...just not a lot of time. For now, I'll just let you enjoy my currently. Is it sad that I really look forward to these each month? So much so that I am having my students do one on Friday :) Thanks Farley! CLICK ME

So I had a very long day today with parent teacher conferences. I got home after 9 tonight so I'm exhausted...hence the needing a lot of sleep :)

Here is what I am finishing reading (when I have time)

And here is what I'm getting ready to read (YAY)

September Currently

Wake me up when September ends? Please. The first few weeks of school are always such a whirlwind trying to get back into the groove of things and managing my time wisely again. I'm trying but my blog is lacking in the process. I really wanted to update at least weekly. That is still my goal for the next month.

Anyways, doing a currently is much more fun than writing an actual blog right now. Plus, it aids in my procrastination ;) So here it is...Also watch for a "real" blog soon!

Currently brought to you by Oh Boy 3rd Grade

Listening: Big Brother is my guilty pleasure but I'm really not enjoying this season so far. Also, my good laptop is broken so I have to use the one I have for school. It is super old and even has an internet card sticking out of the side. ha ha

Needing: Notice a sleep theme with this currently? I love to sleep and maybe should have added it to my "favorite things" part too. I need knew running shoes big time. Mine got colorized during the Color Me Rad run a couple of weeks ago. Don't worry-a post on that will be coming soon! And I NEEEEEEEED a girls night with my friends.

Favorite things: I read a ton and I absolutely love my nook. Even though I have had it for a couple of years, I still love it. My house is by far my favorite thing. I bought it and moved here in April and everyday, I think how wonderful it is and how grateful I am that I was able to buy a house on my own. Lastly, I love the Hunger Games. My cousin and I have seen it three times and I just bought it to watch again very soon! I loved the series and can't wait to see what the other two movies have in store.

Now I'm off to shower and get ready for a little cookout. Enjoy the long weekend! :) 

It's The Final Coundown

It is officially crunch time. The pressure is mounting. There is so much to do and time is dwindling. Panic mode has set in- can you tell? This may be the least prepared I've ever been. Now when I say this, it probably isnt as bad as one would think. I mean, I do have through September planned. But that still isn't enough for me. I want more done. 

So now that I'm stressed out, what do you do to de-stress? Now and throughout the school year?

August? Are you kidding me?!

I know I said this last month but seriously, where has the time gone?! Each week seems to go faster and faster! Because it is August, I must thank Oh Boy Fourth Grade:

 

LISTENING-I totally love the Olympics. The summer Olympics are my favorite as I like to watch practically every event. Being an athlete, participating in the Olympics would be amazing!!!!

I'm also listening to my kitties purr. I just got them a few weeks ago and they already have me loving them! I got them from the Humane Society. My plan was to only get one but I couldn't separate and glad I didn't. They love each other. Meet Nook and Kindle

LOVING- Why wouldn't I love that my mom is coming? She is my BFF. When we are together, I get a great ab workout because there are so many laughs. It should be a very fun week. 

THINKING- Oh school. I avoid the thought as much as I can. I love my job but I also love being stress free. I put a lot of stress on myself because I want to be the best. And to be the best, it takes a ton of work. Summer allows me to relax, read, and do what I want, when I want. I also am not ready because I feel as though I do not have my lessons thought about. Usually I have a rough outline of at least the first nine weeks and I'm not there this year. My laptop decided to die so it's been harder to get things typed and done. I have a verrrry slow desktop that works to an extent and the ipad just does not do some things I want it to do. Regardless, school is quickly approaching and I need to work on getting things accomplished! 

NEEDING- My cousin and another BFF, Kari, and I are doing Color Me Rad in about a week and a half. I love to run-when I'm in shape-which may not be now. :-x  But this looks like the coolest race EVER! We made shirts and bought fun socks. Has anyone ever done one of these? 

B2S MUST HAVES- 1. I usually purchase most of the supplies we ask our students to buy. I teach in a very low income school and many students come the first day with simply a pencil and a folder. Therefore, I try to supply some of the items. I have bought a few things but I've still been waiting on some great sales to come along.            2. Of course I do not NEED new clothes but I WANT new clothes ;)                3. I have a gift certificate for a local spa and I'm thinking a massage would be a great way to end the summer and begin the school year :)

Stay tuned for classroom pics coming this week. I'm not completely finished but getting there. 

Better Late than Never

NON TEACHING RELATED POST:

I found this while blog stalking and I thought it would be fun. A couple of people did the ABC type of post so I decided to go with that one. It is part of Amy's 

 

A- Age - 32. (eeeks)


B - Big Brother-My absolute favorite tv show. See letter T ;)


C - Cake-  I am a HUGE chocoholic but when it comes to cake, I prefer vanilla


D - Dancing- I love to play "Just Dance" and feel like Beyonce :) 

E - Essentials-my iphone, nook, and music


F - Favorite color - Black and teal


G - Gross-I HATE spiders. BLECK!


H - Height - 5'6"


I - Ice cream - My favorite is Mint Chocolate Chip


J - Job Title- 4th and 5th grade language arts teacher

K - Kids - I am planning to adopt within the next year


L - I have an "L" tattoo on my inner ankle


M - Money- I may shop too much and spend too much money ;)

N - Nap-I absolutely love taking naps. They range from 20 minute power naps to several hours ;)

O - October - My mom's birthday. She's my BFF


P - Pet peeves - I have SOOO many. It doesn't help when you are OCD ;)


Q - Quote from a movie - "You making fun of me Rizz?" "Some people are so touchy"  -Grease ;)


R - Right or lefty - Righty.


S - Siblings - Younger brother who is going to be THIRTY this year?!

T - TV - I am a reality tv junkie! I love all reality tv!


U - Unknown fact - I have over 200 pairs of panties. Yes, that may be extreme. Some women like shoes or purses. I like panties. 


V - Vegetables - UGH! I'm not a fan of much except potatoes 


W - Water: Good ol' H20 is my favorite thing to drink!!!!


X - X-rays - My teeth and my ankle


Y - Yummiest food - I love sweets. It can be cookies, cakes, brownies, candy. ANYTHING


Z - Zynga=I play games too much on my phone and ipad

Teaching Without the Internet

I've often thought "How did teachers plan before the internet existed?" I'm not creative enough to come up with all of the wonderful things I've found online. I use it for everything. I, as everyone else, am addicted to pinterest. Here are two projects I found and then made for my classroom.

This is the first time I am writing a blog using this app so the pics may not have worked. Don't worry. I will get them up soon :)

I have a question for all of my wonderful followers. What is your policy on pencils? I hate being so petty about something so simple but there HAS to be an idea out there that works. Just to give some background, I teach 4th and 5th grade. Students switch classes. I collect all students' pencils on the first day of school. I pass a pencil out on Monday morning to my homeroom so they can at least start out the week with a new pencil. I go through all of those pencils PLUS the thousand I purchase by January. I've tried different ideas like having a sharpened and unsharpened bin like others but my kids steal all of the pencils. What fabulous idea works for you?

I love Awards

I've been blogging for the past year-however I've been not so great with it. I would really like to make it a habit to blog more than once a week. That may be good until school starts but we shall see.


Thanks to Oh boy 3rd Grade and her monthly currently, I have several new followers! YAY! I've been missing out! I've also been nominated for 2 awards by EMILY. Check out her page :) These two awards are the The Versatile Blogger and One Lovely Blog. 

Here are the rules....

1. Thank the blogger who nominated you.

2. Include a link to their site.

3. Include the award image in your post.

4. Give 7 random facts about yourself

5. Nominate 15 other bloggers for the award.

6. When nominating, include a link to their site.

7. Let other bloggers know they've been nominated.

And the rules....

1. Follow the person that gave you the award.

2. Link back to the person that gave you the award.

3. Pass the award on to 15 new bloggers.

7 Random Facts About Me:

1. I have OCD. It gets really bad when I'm stressed.

2. I LOVE to read.

3. My mom is one of my best friends.

4. Two of my favorite places are the Beach and the Library (strange, yes)

5. I just bought a house 3 months ago and I love it.

6. I am a reality tv junkie.

7. I hope to adopt a child within the next 2 years.

Ok...so I started this but couldn't finish. I have saved the 15 names for later. I didn't realize it was going to take me so long to do. Also, I get sucked into everyone's blogs! :) So Emily-It will get done. Everyone else-be on standby! :)

Getting Back into The Swing of Things

Sometimes life gets in the way of doing what we want to do and we end up doing things we HAVE to do. One of my wants was my blog. It has taken a back seat. However now that it is summer, I plan on getting it back up and running.  What better way to start than to do a Currently:

I never do any school work in June. That is my "free" month. Since it is now July 1 (where has the time gone?), I can now put some focus on school. I am going to work on some units for our new common core. In the meantime, I plan on continuing to enjoy summer. :)

Time Flies

When I first started this blog, I had envisioned writing weekly. Who knew school would take up all of my time...oh wait. I knew! :) At that time, I assumed I would tweak the lessons I did last year and wouldn't have to take up much time thinking of new ones. Oh how wrong was I? With all of these centers and differentiation, I come up with new lessons daily. I have grown more accustomed to it though and it no longer freaks me out. I also have wonderful teaching partners who make my job sooooo much easier!

December flew by leaving little time to blog. I haven't even read (or stalked) all of the blogs in my favorites. I decided to get a little more into the Christmas spirit this year so I decorated my door.

This says a lot because I'm usually a scrooge. I am not one to decorate my door in a christmas theme. I've actually decorated it for summer in the past instead of Christmas.

I also did a craft project with my students. YIKES! Another crazy idea for people that know me. 

All of these Christmas ideas came from my newfoundlove, PINTEREST. Who knew there were so many amazing crafty people out there. 

I am going to try to be a better blogger in 2012. Even if I just post monthly, I'll be happy! :)