You're Foolin...... It's July ALREADY!?!?!?

Where o Where has June gone?  That was the fastest month! Maybe because I was busy most of it but come on, let summer linger on! :)

I took a little super long hiatus from blogging. Not on purpose. Just life gets in the way. However, I may be blogging a lot in the next few months. School is no longer "routine" for me anymore. I will be teaching 6th and 7th grade!!!!!! I'm super excited about this change but may need some help from blogger friends :)  I guess I'll eventually need to change my blog name.

Before I get to any of that, I must do the fun currently from Farley's Page. Go give her some love :)

Listening: It isn't summer until Big Brother begins. However I will say I do not get into it like I used to. So I may still attend a premiere party but don't go all crazy over it like I used to.

Loving: I have already read a ton of books this summer. Since I will have my sixth graders for the third year in a row, I know them well. I also know the majority of them need to read more. On the last day of school, I challenged them to read 800 pages over the summer. I thought it would be fun to track my pages read too. I've more than doubled that so far. I just love to read!!!

Thinking: UGH LAUNDRY!!!! I absolutely hate doing my laundry. I don't have to do it often since it is just me but bleck!!!!

Wanting: This is where you all come in! What kind of teacher bag do you use? I've had just a black adidas backpack for the last 5 or so years. I like it because it frees up my hands to carry things and it is large. But I'm ready for something else. So tell me what you have and why I should buy it!

Needing: I LOVE WILD CHERRY PEPSI! I could totally go for one right now. I've tried to cut down on pop but I'm craving it today!!!

4th Plans: So my flight leaves at 8am on Saturday and the airport is 2 hours away. Therefore, I am staying at a hotel close to the airport on Friday night so I don't have to wake up as early. My 4th plans will consist of driving, shopping, and sleeping in a hotel. Fun Fun---but the beach awaits! :)

I guess I should go put that laundry in the wash......

Halfway through the School year...almost

Seriously?! I really wanted to keep up with this blog. Obviously that has not happened. But of course, I love me some Currently from Farley and since it is break and I have some time, of course I had to get some blog action in :)

I am absolutely loving being on break. It's amazing how much more relaxed I feel. I have my lesson plans completed through January 24 and I feel good about it!!!! Of course I would LOVE for the break to last longer but this part of the year always seems to fly by. It's the downhill end of the school year.

I've been feeling a bit blah for a couple of days. My mom had the flu on Christmas Eve so I keep hoping I don't get it. I've slept a lot and haven't done too much. I would love to wake up and feel good tomorrow so I can go to the gym and then clean my house. The gym may not happen though as a snow storm is coming and I do no drive in the snow. I"ll take an indoor, at home workout though!



If anyone teaches fourth or fifth grade has a good unit on Penguins or Polar Bears, would you mind sharing? I'm looking for something for fourth grade. Thanks in advance :)

I wanna talk about MEEEEEEE!!!

....As Toby Keith would say :)

I've never done the Teacher Week Blog but this is my last free week so why not?! It's a good mind break from all of the school stuff I"m thinking about.

I'm not sure how "FUN" they will be though he he

1. This is my 12th year of teaching. I taught 6th grade for three years and the rest have been with fourth and fifth.

2. I teach in a VERY small district. Our building houses all grades K-12. It's a unique situation but I've actually seen some great relationships between younger students and the older.

3. My family means the world to me!!! My mom is my very best friend and pretty much always has been growing up. We never really had that "rough teenage period" when I didn't like her. As I've gotten older, our relationship continues to grow. My cousin and I have become wonderfully close in the past five or so years. We were always together growing up but there was an age gap between us at the time. Now that we are older, that gap isn't there ;)  She is one of the first people I tell everything to :I love our girls weekends when my mom, aunt, cousin and I get together. We have so many laughs!!

4. I've become a "cat lady". I got two cats from the humane society last summer. Since then, I've fallen in love with those little furballs. I probably have way too many pictures of them on my phone. 

5. I played basketball from the time I was little through college. At that time, basketball was my "true love". People would ask what I was going to college for and I would say "basketball". I coached for 5 years after graduating college. I still enjoy the game but not as much as I used to. And I enjoy coaching but its a VERY long season.

6. I LOVE LOVE LOVE music!  I listen to music at some point every single day. I have a wide genre that I listen to as well. You know the scene from Identity Thief when Melissa McCarthy sings every song that comes on the radio in the car? Uh yeah.....that's definitely me! Even though I'm a terrible singer, I still pretend I sound just like Whitney Houston! ;)

7. I love to play Just Dance on my wii. It makes me feel like I am a back up dancer for Beyonce!!! What a fun job to have!!!

8. I love the beach. If I didn't have family near me, I would probably sell most of my items and move to the beach. I would love to walk out my door and have the sand in my toes every day!

9. Reading has always held a special place in my heart. I remember my mom reading to me every single day before I learned how to myself. I think that made me into the avid reader I am. I wish I had more time to read. It's calming to be able to pick up a book and get lost in it. 

10. I used to write a lot but have gotten out of it. I wrote a lot of poetry but also just stories or journal type entries. It was an easy way for me to get out my feelings. I would love to write a book someday. I think I would gear it towards boys ages 10-13. Boys have a much harder time finding a book they truly love. I would want my book to pull that reader in and make him realize reading isn't just for school. 

~May the odds be ever in your favor~

Elementary Teacher

NOOOOOOOOOOO It can't be so!

In my fourth and fifth graders language Oh Em Geee! I can not believe I'm only two weeks away from school starting!! I can't say "where did the summer go" because I normally lay around, do nothing, and be too lazy. ha ha. I feel as though I've been very productive this summer. Let's just hope it doesn't come back to bite me!!

Of course since I'm posting, it can only mean one thing: Farley's August Currently

Listening:  It's summer so that means its Big Brother time!!! I used to be totally addicted to Big Brother. While I still watch it, I don't think I am so into it this season. I don't have a favorite. But I still try to watch the After Darks and read twitter about the show to keep up! :)

Loving: At the end of the school year, I decided I needed to make this summer about me and try to better myself. I told my cousin to call me every morning at 8am on her way to work and make sure my butt was out of bed!!! I'm very proud of myself and loving the fact that I am still doing this. Most "fitness" things don't last this long for me. I wish I already didn't get up as early as I have to for school because I would LOVE to get up and run or workout before going to school

Thinking: I am not ready for school. In every single aspect of the phrase!!!! I've actually had my share of tears because of it. I did not have a good year last year at all. The first ever for me. Many factors contributed to this but there is not a great morale in our district and I think it just took it's toll on me.

Wanting: Oh how I'd love for summer to last longer! I love the long days, sunshine, vacations, free time, reading, visiting, etc.

Needing: I need the little teacher fairy to go into my classroom and get it all together for me. ;)  I do have the first month of plans completed for both grades so that's a start but I still feel very behind.

B2s Must Haves:

1. School Supplies: I always have to buy over 100 dollars worth of school supplies for the many students that come in on the first day who bring nothing. I don't complain about it because I understand the financial situation for most of their families. I just wish it was cheaper for me ;)
2. Hair cut/ Pedi: Those a must!!! I haven't had my hair cut since probably April so it's definitely needing it. I just don't like to waste the money in the summer when I wear it in a ponytail or messy bun every single day. And a Pedi is just because I want to treat myself :)
3. Positivity: I guess I mostly explained this in my "thinking" explanation. I know I have to remain positive this year. I need to do it for myself and my students!!!

Wishing everyone a happy back to school whenever you begin!

~May the odds be ever in your favor~

Elementary Teacher

I Can Statements

SERIOUSLY!?!?!?!?!? School begins in two weeks?! Where did the summer go?!?!

As I'm sitting here on a Friday night working on school stuff (yes, my life is that exciting), I may be freaking out just a bit. I do not feel ready. My classroom is not ready. I went today and worked on some stuff but it was mostly rearranging things since the custodians didn't put anything back where it was supposed to go. I won't discuss my anger towards some issues there...maybe another time.

My question for you is: how do you post your I Can statements? 
Do you have them printed out? Do you just write them down on the board everyday? I'm trying to figure out the easiest way to do this. I will take any suggestions.

Until next time.....

~May the odds be ever in your favor~

Elementary Teacher

Currently...It's July (well almost)

It's hard to believe I've been out of school for over five weeks. I've been able to do a lot but there's still a lot more professionally and personally I need to do before the start of the new school year. As usual, it's my favorite blog post: Oh Boy 3rd Grade's Currently 

Listening: I love Dateline Mysteries. I could watch them all day long. As I've probably mentioned before, if I wasn't a teacher, I would have been a detective!!

Loving: I love the freeness of summer. There's little routine. I can do what I want, when I want. I can go to bed as early or late as I feel. I've been up almost each weekday at 8am to get my workout in before it gets too hot and I love being able to work out! 

Thinking: I always feel like once July 4 rolls around, the rest of my summer goes soooooo fast! 

Wanting: I've decided I would love to win the lottery (or marry a very rich man-hehe). I love summer-if you can't already tell by every single currently topic. 

Needing: I really need to paint my spare bedroom. It's very hideous. When I moved in a year ago, I figured I'd just deal with it but I'm ready for it to be painted. It is all primary colors with paint splatters and dog prints. Every baseboard is a different color as well as the windows and doors YUCK! My front porch also needs painted. It isn't bad but I'd like to do it before the summer is over.

Tips, Tricks, Hints: By linking myself to blogs, I've been able to have other readers read mine and offer some good advice. I also try to read as many blogs as I can. I don't know how teachers did it before the wonderful world of internet!!! 

I also should have written up there that a good tip would be to make sure your blog's font is easily readable. I have clicked on some but they are so hard to read that I do not even try.

~May the odds be ever in your favor~

Elementary Teacher

Common Core Help Needed

It's hard to believe I've been out of school for 5-6 weeks!!!! I have done so much. I always say "No school work in June". I've slightly ignored that rule this summer. I just feel there is an abundant amount of work I need to do in order to get ready for the change over to Common Core. This is where all of you come in. I need major help!!! I do not even really know where to begin. I've looked online but I"m not finding any sort of guidelines. I wish I could find some sort of timelines to kind of help me out. Where have you found any resources? How did you begin? I am the only fourth and fifth grade language arts teacher in my district so I'm totally on my own.

 

~May the odds be ever in your favor~

Elementary Teacher

I {heart} Summer

Ok-so maybe I stole that title from a new blog I just found:

Stop over at her blog and check out out: Click Here

Because I'd rather just fill out survey type of things rather than write (unless I have something really great to blog about), I'll link up with her June Goals. Here are mine:

No explanation needed on these :) 

~May the odds be ever in your favor~

Elementary Teacher

Summer, Summer, Summer Time

Time to sit back and unwind........

This is probably the first time in my teaching career that I've been out of school before Memorial Day. I love it!!! It was definitely a year of many more downs than ups so I'm happy to see it come to an end.

Because it is summer for me, I now have time to get my act together and blog more. And trust me, I'll definitely be asking lots of questions regarding common core. Before we get to that though, let's play instead. Thanks to Farley and her currently :)

Listening: I love Dateline. Actually, I love any sort of investigation/detective shows. My dream job would be a detective.

Loving: I am LOVING LOVING LOVING being on summer break. I like having time to myself. A time where I don't have to worry about doing school work every waking hour. Even though it's break, I've been up at 8:00 (except the weekend) to go for a run before it gets too hot outside.

Thinking: I cleaned my house for 8 hours today. Ok...it wasn't even my entire house! Just four rooms. I'm spring cleaning right now. I thought it was a perfect time because I've lived here a year and also because I actually have the time and wanted it to be clean and nice for the start of the summer. I have one more room to finish tomorrow and then just a couple of odds and ends and then I'll be finished with that task.

Wanting: I've put my application in at a few school districts. I think I am needing a change. I'm afraid if I stay in my current position, I'm not going to be able to get out of my rut. However, waiting for a phone call is hard. I'm sure people look at the number of years plus my masters and just bypass me. Most schools do not have the extra money for that. I'm just keeping my fingers crossed!

Needing: MONEY!!!! Owning my own home is expensive! There's always upgrades or things I want to do to it. I also just like spending money-what girl doesn't!?! ;) he he. I should probably start playing the lottery in hopes of winning.

3 Vaca Essentials: My phone for sure. I like to take pictures. Well, all right. I'm also addicted to social media.  I would also need my nook so I can read a ton of books. That is my FAVORITE thing to do all summer. Lastly, I would need my bikinis. A girls gotta get a nice tan :)

~May the odds be ever in your favor~

Elementary Teacher

These are a few of my favorite things....

Raindrops on roses and whiskers on kittens.....

OK-just kidding. While reading some blogs last night, I found another Linky that can fill my time AKA to really procrastinate and not do what I should. But I know all of my followers will enjoy the fact that I am posting again :)

So thanks to my new favorite blog, http://flyingintofirst.blogspot.com/, I will tell you some of MY favorite things

Favorite Place to Shop

I love shopping at Target because I can get anything I need there. While it's a little more expensive than I like with some things, I like going there.

Favorite TV Show

Oh, I love Big Brother. I look forward to it every summer. I watch it the three nights it is on and also every single night when it is on Showtime After Dark. I would love to try out for the show!

Favorite Sweet Treat

I LOVE chocolate in any form!

Favorite Food

I could probably eat Hot Dogs for every single meal. Between the chocolate and hot dogs, I guess I don't eat very healthy ;)

Favorite Restaurant

I love Cheeseburger in Paradise. The food, the atmosphere. Just everything. The one near where I live closed several years ago but there is one in Florida so I eat there whenever I go!

Now that I'm finished filling this out, I guess I should go finish laundry and then relax the rest of the night before getting ready to go back to school tomorrow. 

~May the odds be ever in your favor~

April= 7 Mondays of school to go :)

Yes, I am a teacher. And yes, I count down the days like my students. But rather than counting the days, I prefer to count down Mondays. The number seven sounds soooo much better than 39 days or whatever it is-see, I don't even know the exact number. It isn't that I want my students to go. It is more that I LOVE summer and warm weather. This has felt like the longest winter of my lifetime and the snow just seems to keep on coming. I'm ready for sunshine!

In true Tales of a Fourth Grade Teacher fashion, I'm posting because it is Currently time. Farley is just the best :). It's the only time I have to post these days but I'll definitely be posting more over the summer as I start the switch over to common core.

I'm listening to Friends. Even though I've seen every single episode a million times, I still watch them over and over. They just make me laugh.

I'm loving that I have one more free day of break :) It's much easier to get back to school on a four day week. And hopefully all of the sugar highs will be gone by Tuesday!

I'm thinking that I have a list of things I could have done during my break and I should have done them before now but, eh..... I did do a lot of stuff but overall, it's been a relaxing break and I think that's exactly what I needed!

I'm wanting summer to get here soon for reasons I mentioned above.

I'm needing to work on my resume. It's time for a change. There comes a point in a person's life where they realize change needs to happen. I'm at that point now. If I don't find  anything, I'm fine with that but I would really like to expand my horizons. I also need to plan for the final three weeks before testing. I guess I'm a pretty confident teacher and I can say that I have full faith in my students. I am not nervous about them taking the State Test at all this year. I've taught them what they need to know and we've reviewed everything they need. I'm using these last couple of weeks as a review to the hardest parts of the test.

My advice is to be positive. Be positive works in so many aspects of life. I need to be more positive in my life in general-my career, my fitness, everything. I guess that includes my blog and I positively need to write more :) he he

Good Luck to everyone who will be taking their own state tests!!!

~May the odds be ever in your favor~

Elementary Teacher

March Sunshine and Currently

March is here. It has always been my favorite month. When I was little, I think it was because it is my birthday month. March now means sunshine, warmer weather, and the downhill charge to the end of the school year! That's enough to love this month! :)

Once again, thanks to Farley and her Currently so I can do my monthly blogging. ha ha. I always say I'm going to do better but honestly, this year has been nothing to blog about. That's the kind of year it has been for me. BLAH!

Listening: Watching Coach Carter. Once a basketball fan, always a basketball fan

Loving: My cousin and BFF Kari is here for the weekend. It was a MUCH needed girls weekend and we always have a blast together.

Thinking: Kari and I got the crazy idea to paint my bathroom. Have we ever painted before? Nope. Unless you count the one time we were janitors. Bwaaah ha ha. It may be a video taping experience.

Wanting: 2 weeks ago I played in my college alumni basketball game. I jumped and hurt my knee. I finally got into the dr this week and he told me I have a fracture and need to be on crutches for FOUR WEEKS! They are a pain in my butt!!!!! Today I went and had an MRI but don't get back to the doctor for 12 days! AHHHHH

Needing: I neeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeed a long vacation. Preferably on the beach but I'll take laying on my couch and reading too!

Like:  I may be a Ludacris fan and have his station on my pandora
Love: I love love. I love the feeling love gives :)
Hate: I hate my OWN laziness. Sometimes I feel so lazy. I have no husband and no kids so I should have all the time in the world yet I never get anything done. I really must work on this.

Until next time fellow bloggers........

~May the odds be ever in your favor~

Elementary Teacher

Funky February

I've been teaching poetry so I had to use a little alliteration with my title :)   And if anyone is teaching this, my students loved this song and we have to listen to it so they can sing it almost daily :)

I usually say "where has the time gone" every time I do a Currently but January seemed like an incredibly long month. It is my favorite blog post (and sadly, the only ones I do lately). But thanks to Farley at least I blog once a month :)

Listening- Decided to watch Something Borrowed tonight. It was that or the Hunger Games. Maybe that will come tomorrow as I could watch both over and over. 

Loving- I'm loving my time to relax tonight. I'm usually constantly doing school work. I got it all done earlier so I can have some "me" time tonight and tomorrow. YAY!

Thinking-Yeah, I should have worked out! I did great this week working out and eating well but didn't do either today. I'll have to do a double workout tomorrow :)

Wanting-Pretty much over this snow and winter!!!!!! It hasn't been a bad winter as far as snow is concerned but it's been very very cold. We've had some warm spells that last a couple of days but those just tease me. It was 65 on Tuesday and I was able to take a nice long run outside. I'm ready for that every day!

Needing-I need to read. I'm a total book lover and word nerd but I haven't taken the time to read lately. I need to start!

Pet Peeves- I could actually go on and on and on about this because I'm extremely OCD. I just narrowed it down to a couple though. First is Grammar. It drives me nuts when I see people who don't know the difference because words they commonly use! I even saw a principal send an email and write "your" instead of  "you're" AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!     It also drives me nuts when I am shopping and people act like they are the only ones in the store! They stand right in the middle of the aisle and pretend they don't see me trying to get through. And I usually go by and make a face at the back of their head ;) he he

Until next time friends.......

Geesh-it's been so long since I've blogged that I forgot I changed my layout!!!

~May the odds be ever in your favor~

Elementary Teacher

January 2013

I am making this the year of ME. I would not consider myself a selfish person but as I've grown older, I've realized that sometimes I have to put myself first in order to be happy. That is what I plan on doing in the year 2013. I want this to be a great year!

Because it is the beginning of January, it's my favorite post: Farley's Currently

Listening: How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days is one of my all time favorite movies. I'm such a girly girl and love all of those girly girl movies (however, I'm learning to broaden my horizons and watch movies outside of my comfort zone)

Loving: I've spent most of my break with family and I'm perfectly content with that. I was with my mom for several days and then we came back to my house where I hosted my first large celebration. I had Christmas at my house for my mom's side of the family which was close to 40 people. I love my family!

Thinking:  For the most part, I have covered all of the Reading standards. Reading is one of those things that are repeated over and over. At this point in the year, I like to begin novels. I am differentiated novels in my class. So far, I think the novels I have decided on are:

Tornado (Byars)                             3rd grade level

The Forgotten Door (Key)             4th grade level

Day of the Blizzard  (Moskin)      5th grade level

My Side of the Mountain (Paulsen)  6th grade level

 Wanting: Oh how I want to go for a long run!! I was doing so well and running just over 3 miles at the beginning of December. Then around the second week, I got sick and it has lingered. I'm finally feeling better but now there is a ton of snow on the ground. I'm really in the mood to go for a run outside but I may have to wait until next week when the temperatures are a bit higher and hopefully the snow is melted.

Needing: I guess this explains everything. I have had a not so good attitude about school this year. As I've mentioned in previous posts, I haven't had a great year. I hate being so negative all the time about it but this is the first time in my entire teaching career that I absolutely dread going to school each day. It HAS to get better.

OLW: HAPPINESS! This goes along with my "needing" I have to be happy. Plain and Simple

2012 Year in Review

I think back to the past year and I've had many ups and downs. Overall, I want this to be a better year! :)

January: I lost my uncle to cancer. It was something my entire family had never really dealt with (other than the loss of older relatives). While I have a very close family, times such as this brought us so much closer than we ever were.

February: I decided I needed a change and started looking to buy a house. When I had a small apartment full of people staying with me during my uncle's death, I realized I needed a bigger living space. Family stays with me a lot and I was ready for that next step in my life. It didn't take long for me to find my perfect house. I only looked at THREE!!!! :)

March: The house process was STILL going on. This ended up being such a stressful situation for me. I would have thought a vacant house would be a quick move but that proved to not be the case. Finally on my birthday, I got the call that I was able to sign! Move in happened at the end of the month.

April/May:  I was getting my house set up and made it feel like a home. I was also coaching track for my 7th and final year. I had the opportunity to move up to the junior high and teach Language Arts which had always been my dream job. However, the timing didn't feel quite right so I chose not to pursue the position. I also learned that my principal had accepted a job in another district which was a letdown.

Summer: I LOVED being in my house for the summer. Sitting on my porch and reading was one of my favorite things to do. I got two little kittens and I ran in the Color Me Rad 5k with my cousin.

September/October/November: School was hard. I felt very negative and like I never got into a true routine. Having a new principal is hard and feeling like I was on an island with my teaching had me frustrated. But I kept on keepin' on. I also wondered if I did the right thing by staying in my current position and not taking that Junior High one.  I guess in order to deal with my stress, I started running. One day, I just decided to run and it started to become a new passion.

December: I ran another 5k-The Reindeer Run with 2 people I teach with. At this point, I realized I could easily run 5k. I hope to run in several in the next year and maybe even a 10k. EEEEK! By the end of the month, the holidays were here and the snow fell. I'm ready for spring ;)

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)