Monday, May 27, 2013

Next School Year, I will definitely...

SCHOOL IS OFFICIALLY OUT FOR SUMMER!!!

Friday was our first day out, but Memorial Day always seems to be the first official day of summer to me!  This is the first year since I have been teaching that we have been out before the end of May!  In the winter, I hate that we don't have enough snow to get out, but then in May, I'm so glad that we didn't have to use our snow days!!!

As a teacher, I guess you never really quit working.  And Pinterest doesn't help solve this problem!  It seems that everytime I log on, then I have more on my "to-do" list.  

I was thinking this morning about the things that I wanted to be at the top of my priority list for school. Then, I see this wonderful linky party from Finding Joy in 6th Grade this afternoon!  


 I just had to link-up.  Maybe if I put it in writing, then it will hold me to do things that MUST get done!!!


I brought home all of my files (that are currently in file folders that have that curled up bottom edge that let's them slip into oblivion when they are in the cabinet).  I have HUGE plans to put them in binders with cutesy covers and spine labels.  Not sure how I want to do it though...BIG binders vs. little binders...arranged by standards vs. one binder per subject vs. arranged by weeks of the year...and my mind keeps going.  Those of you who have made the transition...any thoughts or advice?

I have to say that this item has been in the planning since the beginning of January when TPT had a big New Year's sale and I bought these two items:




 My biggest fear of beginning notebooks was where to come up with meaningful resources.  These two items solved that fear for two subjects...now if there is one of these for Social Studies (especially for Tennessee Social Studies!) please let me know!  I have been pinning and gathering to add my own things to these and make them even more meaningful for my classes.  

I kept seeing people using these Brag Tag necklaces.  I like them, but our school is not paying for those tags...and they would get expensive if I tried to do it on my own.  Until Diane at Fifth in the Middle popped up with this wonderful product:


Now I can make my own and I think I will add beads or charms for things like Accelerated Math Objectives, behavior, etc.

I know this is not directly school related...but I hope to definitely complete more blog posts!

That's it for now.  Next summer, I will have to see how I kept to these goals and how they worked!  Don't forget to go link up over at Finding Joy in 6th Grade!


--Brenda


Tuesday, May 7, 2013

Brenda's "What's in My Cart?"

To say that "I LOVE SHOPPING" is quite the understatement.  And to say that "I LOVE SHOPPING ESPECIALLY WHEN THERE IS A SALE" is even better. 

I always feel like I'm solving a common core word problem when I see "I'm giving you 20% and then TPT is giving you 10%, so that adds up to 28%."  I am the Math teacher, so I get it...but it still blows my mind at first.  But hey...I'll take whatever I can get. 

I have put items on my wishlist...moved them to my cart...added more to the cart...moved items to the wishlist...moved back to the cart...ok you get the idea.  But I finally clicked that button to checkout, then guess what I did......


I was typing in my payment info and realized I did not put in that little "TAD13" code!  So here I go back and start over...but boy was it worth it. 

Whitney and I also used this sale as an excuse to find out where exactly we would be next year.  Our principal is retiring, so our whole admin team is all shuffled up.  Now, our school may be the exception...but rumors ALWAYS fly this time of year....and let me tell you....they really fly with new admin!  So, today, we are sitting in a meeting with our new principal.  I was paying complete attention to her was showing Whitney all my finds on TPT.  And Whitney says, "Don't buy that...what if you aren't teaching that!" 

Well, we bring it up to new principal...and GUESS WHAT!!!! 


WE BOTH GET TO STAY RIGHT WHERE WE ARE...TOGETHER...IN 4TH GRADE...WHIT TEACHING LANGUAGE...AND ME TEACHING MATH/SCIENCE/SOCIAL STUDIES.

That was sure a burden lifted from our shoulders.  No more worrying...no more sleepless nights...no more paying attention to every single rumor flying around!!!

Ok, now on to the linky......Here were the items in my cart!

I'm planning to use brag tags next year, so I got a head start with these two purchases from "Fifth in the Middle."  I also got a pack for the Colonial American time period.



I have been eyeing all those cute memory books and candy awards.  Well I found them packaged together at "The Pinspired Teacher."

Then I find this all day lesson plan from Lovin' Lit.  I'm planning to use it for my sub in a couple of days...then next year it will stay in my sub plans for those emergencies.


Next up are my Science items.  I just love my items from The Science Penguin!

I could not pass up this cute Smoothie Fraction pack from Jennifer Findley!

Had to have a Mother's Day and Father's Day craft!  This combo pack from Loreen Leedy was perfect!

And what cart could be complete with some fun clip art from Ashley Hughes!  I saw this and just had to have it.  Can't wait to do something with it for fractions next year! 


Did I spend more than I should have?  Well we won't answer that because it doesn't matter...IT WAS ON SALE!!!!

So, that was my cart...what's in yours?

Go link up over at Fifth in the Middle for the "What's in Your Cart?" linky party!



Thursday, May 2, 2013

May Currently



Boy the first of month sure rolls around fast these days!  April was packed with lots of stuff.  I'm glad that one is behind us.  May always seems to bring out the best in people...I'm sure it's not the fact that summer is right around the corner!!!

Well, here is our link-up with Farley for her May Currently.

Brenda:



 OK...Survivor...who watches it?  I was totally bummed last week when Malcolm went home.  I knew Reynold would be off soon, but did he have to go next?  But then the look on Andrea's face was priceless when she was gone!  I'm not sure exactly who I want to win now.

I made another summer countdown flower for my door at school.  Each day we remove a petal. One student told me, "We are killing that flower, but I can't wait for it to be dead!" 

Summer is on the brain...can you tell?!?!?!

As for my Summer bucket list...I need to admit that I am a book hoarder...there I said it.  I have an insane amount of books just waiting to be read.  5 is a number that I know is attainable, but I hope to read many more than that.  Any good suggestions that I can add to my stash?

I also love the time outdoors in the summer...grilling, reading outside, pooltime, etc.

And my final item...NEW KIDS ON THE BLOCK.  I can honestly say that I have wanted to go to an NKOTB concert since I was in 3rd grade (and my mom wouldn't let me because it was on a school night!).  I did see Joe one time at a Dancing with the Stars Tour, but that was not the same.  Now, I finally get to go see them along with Boyz II Men (another fave!).  I CANNOT WAIT!!!


Whitney:

Normally, rain is not something to be happy about, but after a long day I need help taking care of the garden.  Plus, the sound is like an instant tranquilizer (aaaahhhhh)

I had to get a pedicure to make flip-flops fun for me AND for others who may see my, AHEM, untidied toes.  Something about flip-flops says, " Hey, you have been kept in a cage too long, run, be free!"   Flip-flop philosophy... only crazy passionate people understand.

I can't believe the end is near, but OMG!  Can we contain these hoodlums?  That word is too strong- restless children?

We will find out if it is boy or girl soon, and of course a girl would be nice since we already have our precious boy, but as long as the baby is healthy, I am ok!  Plus, a girl means I will be receiving payback for my raising in T- 14 years, so nooo hurry for that!

I started the New Year by reading a devotional based bible series, and man have I been bad about keeping up.  I don't feel as good when I fall behind.  It's almost like I need my "pick-me-up" now more than ever.

Finally, my bucket-list.  I am determined to go somewhere with my husband for a getaway sometime this summer.  That time away os difficult with little ones, but much needed!  I also have made a promise to myself to put the technology down and enjoy....what is that again....oh yeah, NATURE!  Pure, no apps involved, real tweets heard NATURE!  Good for the soul.... if you remember sunscreen.   In order to do that, I am hoping to create a paradise in my backyard complete with a hammock.  I am ready to wine wind down.  
I hope you all have a blessed, relaxing summer!  Stay tuned for baby news :)



Don't forget Farley's rule of 3 and link-up so we can see more of what everybody is up to!