Melting my Heart...

Let me tell you why my job is awesome.......

Our art teacher does an award called The Frog Award. She gives it to the class she thinks does a fantastic job in art. There is a trophy with a frog on it, and a green card with frogs punched into it.

So last year, I got it once at the end of the school year.....which was a stretch, but they got it!!! My students, the second week of school, got the Frog Award today!! On their way back from specials, they stopped by our class and said, "WE GOT THE FROG AWARD!!!" I stepped into the hallway and they proceeded to tell me that they got the award for me, because they love me and wanted to make me happy!! This was followed by hug after hug after hug.....ummmmmmmm.....best job in the world?? I think so!!!!! It's things like that, that make up for any frustrating child or event that has taken place in the past!! No we don't get paid a lot, nor do we get appreciated a lot in our state, but the children help make waking up early and planning all worth it!!! 

 I hope I continue to feel this throughout the school year!!! I am so pleased with both groups of students I have this year!! One student yelled out the door at dismissal, "I love you, Mrs. Burgess!!" Now, he is one that can be a little sarcastic at times.....but I'll take it! :) Another student wrote me a letter to tell me she thought I was the best teacher!! I'm not trying to boast or brag.....but it just makes me feel so good about what I am doing every day!!!

Here are a couple of pictures from today. We made the recycling symbols with our bodies!! One way to get the kids up and moving and not fall asleep!! You do what you can to make social studies interesting!!!

I hope everyone is having a great start to your school year! Good luck!!

My school year so far...

Someone upstairs was looking over me this year because the children I have this year, so far, are fabulous!! I have two groups this year because we are departmentalizing. 22 and 22....so 44 lovelies in all! We have a couple ones that may push our buttons this year, but nothing that is too much of a challenge....yet!! :)

So the best part of this group are their names.....

Lets begin, shall we??

Maritza

Maritza

Yaritza

Amari

Amir

Amarion

Amaya

Briana

Gianna

Kyanna

Iyana

HOLY MOLY!!!!!!

I've already started with nicknames to help me out!! One student....Amir.....his nickname is Trouble....and rightfully earned! He even signs his name as Trouble (spelled Truble)!! He is a ham....but I love him!!!

So we are starting the year off the best way possible.....test after test after test!! Pre-assess, pre-assess, pre-assess!! I feel bad for the little darlings! Other than that, it's been a GREAT start to the year! I've finally figured out my A, B, C, D, E, F day schedules, and we are on our way to a great year!!

I need to take pictures.....but until then, I'll leave you with me and my twin from today!! This little one is teeny tiny, but has the personality of an 18 year old!! Her story is one that would make you cry, but love her that much more!!! Without further to do......

Let the school year begin....

Classroom is set up.....

Children have been met.....

Staff seem to be positive....

Expectations have been set.....

LET'S GET STARTED!!!!!

Today we had our open house. It seriously was one of the best ones I've ever had! The kids were super sweet, the parents seemed to be involved and nice, and I got to see some of my "old" students!! That is one of the best parts of starting a new year! When you see a child running down the hallway to come give you a hug is one of th best feelings!!! ESPECIALLY when it's one that was a difficult and they still want to say hi! I don't know if it was because its my fourth year, or if I just prepared more, but I felt confident and so comfortable!! God truly places you in places where you are meant to be! 

I am ready! It is my prayer that I can maintain this enthusiasm and excitement all year!! As said befor, last year was a learning experience for many reasons! I'm ready for this new year!! 

I hope everyone else had a great open house! Ill let you know how my first day goes! Can't wait to see those smiling sweet faces on Monday morning! I know I don't get paid a lot and it can be a challenge, but I have the BEST job EVER!!!! 

A keynote speaker at our School system pep rally today said one of the best statements.....

(May be a little paraphrased)

Every challenge has a little gift wrapped up inside of it!!

That's my job!! It's a challenge with all the logistics and government pulled into it (and sometimes the parents)......but the gift of teaching a child is well worth it to me!!! :)

Happy New Year to all teachers!!

A New Beginning...

Well...it's that time of year again! Summer is wrapping up, students are buying new book bags, new clothes, new folders, and anxiously awaiting the arrival of their new teachers name!!

In the mean time, teachers are fixing up rooms, buying new clothes with our most recent pay raise............ .....what? One can dream, can't she???

Well, my room is coming together! Right now, we are looking at about 21 students to start the year off. That number will probably change, but that's not a bad start! I'm only teaching reading this year, so itis nice to not have to worry about math manipulatives and anchor charts!! I'm still trying to get the logistics down for how departmentalizing works, but ill figure it out! 

I am really looking forward to this year. There are going to be many new things, as well as new faces for our staff! Departmentalizing, possibly co-teaching, staff wellness (which we have several fun things we are working on for our staff), grade chair again, Box Tops coordinator (did it last year, but didn't do much with it), and NEW KIDS!! I will have two groups this year.....one of them HAS to be wonderful!! :) like I said before....my kids last year taught me a lot!! :)

So next week starts the unending planning of classrooms, lesson plans, staff wellness, and more! We are even having a "Pep Rally" for all teachers in our district to try and get excited about this school year!! It's not a pay raise....but what can ya do?? Smile and keep on trucking!

Tomorrow is my last day of summer vacation. What am I doing on this day?? I will be spending it hiking up a mountain with a friend of mine!! I told her she may regret it later!! :) Then we will be ending the day with a dinner at TGIFridays with our teammates, and a couple of honorary teammates!! :) Should be a good time!

Good luck to everyone who has already started, or starting next week!! Another year coming.....hold on and enjoy the ride!!

By the way....today was great at work because I got this visit from a very special and handsome husband!!! He surprised me by coming to see my room!! Made my day!! Don't be jealous! :)

Opinions Welcome!!!

This year, my friend and I will be taking on a new committee at school. It is one that is pretty important to staff morale and staff dues....we will taking on the Staff Wellness committee! I am excited and nervous because we will be in charge of staff parties, staff dues, staff snacks and luncheons, and other important jobs. 

The overall morale at our school the past 2 years has quickly dropped. We have had a few changes that just seemed to put a hole in the family feel and excitement of our school. I would like to say, "Have no fear.....Allison and Julie are here" and all will be well, but I'm still trying to think of ideas or ways to help bring that excitement to a broken school and difficult school system!!

Any ideas are welcome. You don't even have to work at a school! Just think about these questions and let me know any feedback you can give!!! K???? Thanks!!!!

1. What does your job do to help keep things exciting and enjoyable?

2. Are there any staff incentives or treats that are given for specific things done?

3. How do your staff parties typically play out....meet at a restaurant, meet at the school, meet at a staff members house, other? Cater, cover dish, no food?

4. In a school setting, what kind of things do you do to make things fun for you and the kids?

5. Any other input welcome!!!! Please and thank you!!!!!

And then God said....

"Let there be summer..."

And it was.....

And it was good!!!!!!

Y'all......it is summer vacation time!!! 2 teacher workdays, and summer is official!! Like I said on my last post, my class taught me a lot this year.....so waving goodbye was a slight sigh of relief!! Lot different from last year when I was bawling my eyes out as I watched my sweet kiddos walk to their bus!!! No, no, no.....no tears here!!! My lovelies argued with each other all the way to the end of the day when we lined up to dismiss. 

We all waved from underneath umbrellas and covers as the heavens opened up and rain poured down on us. Didn't bother me a bit......it's summer vacation!!!!

Now it's time to start thinking about next year....several big changes.....we are going to departmentalize in 3rd grade (ill be teaching reading), I will be grade chair with my coworker and friend, I will be taking over our staff wellness committee....with the same coworker and friend, and a whole new group of kiddos!! :) bring it on!!! After this year, I feel like I can tackle anything!! Lets hope so!!

I'm hoping to get some blogging done this summer since I went nonexistent for quite some time, and make some new products to post on TpT. Other than that, I will be tutoring 12 little lovelies this summer and spending time with my pups!! Have I mentioned sleeping in, because that will be happening, too!!! 

And let all the teachers in the NC say......AMEN!!!!

June Currently

June is here....HALLELUJAH, HALLELUJAH, HALLE--LUJAH!!!

It is time for Junes Currently from Oh Boy, Fourth Grades blog (AKA Farley).

Listening...so he isn't really snoring. It's more of a heavy breathing. Someone loves his sleep!! :)

Loving...5 more days of school!!! I will be tutoring this summer, but can't wait for days off to relax and chill with my puppies!! No more 5:30 alarm until August!!!

Thinking...yes, I'm still in bed. I'm hungry, so should probably get up. What to have for breakfast??

Wanting...my nose has been beat to death with my allergies this season. I've done Allegra and that helped a little. I'm about ready to chop it off!! 

Needing...a push to get out of bed. My 9:29 alarm should do the trick in about twenty minutes. Graduation Sunday at my parents church....can't miss that for my baby brother!! (My last post Summer Project and Little Big Brother talks a little about his graduation and our relationship).

3 Vacay Essentials....camera. I love taking pictures!! I need to be better at printing them right when I get home, because if not they sit on my camera for months!
Flip flops. Nothing like a good pair of flip flops to make summer feel complete. Plus, if I'm gonna be taking a shower where unknown people have stood, you best believe my feet will be covered!!!
Sunscreen. When I was younger, I tanned so nicely. Now....I'm as pale as a ghost and burn easily!! Sunscreen is a must!!!

So speaking of vacation, the hubs and I are going to Gatlinburg this summer for our Vacay!! We went for our one year anniversary 2 years ago and LOVED it. We stay in a secluded cabin on the side of the mountain and go hiking (more like hubs hiking, me trying to keep up and survive), shop in Downtown Gatlinburg, and just relax!! It's beautiful!!

Happy June to you. If you want to link up, click on the link above to get what you need!! :)

Summer Project and Little Big Brother....

Have I told you that summer is ALMOST here.....??? 5 DAYS!!! This class has taught me A LOT this year....lets leave it at that!

I wanted to share one of my summer projects that I plan on completing this summer for next school year! So last year I learned a lesson at the end of the year. I decided to leave most of my stuff at school since I would be in the same room. Save time and energy, right??? Well....upon returning to my room, I find books thrown in boxes, a broken jar one of my students gave me, my plastic bins scattered around the room....get the gist?? So this year, most of it will be coming to live safely in my house for the summer. My books are already here, and enter, my summer project!

I've only been teaching for 3 years, but I have a pretty good stash of books (thanks to a pretty awesome cooperating teacher, and some other educators who left books in my first classroom).  Most are already labeled with guided reading levels, but are shoved tightly into baskets. This makes it difficult for my students to place them back neatly.

I plan on sorting them out by levels and getting better baskets to hold them in. I also want to put better labels on the baskets so kids will know exactly where to put the books back. I told my husband while we were lugging these upstairs that I think I need more books.....he didn't seem to agree!! No teacher can have too many books!! 

On a side note, my baby brother (AKA Little Big Brother) graduates from high school on Monday the 10th!! It is so hard to believe that he will be going off to college in August....App State to be exact....2nd or 3rd chair snare drum player in the marching band....I'm a little proud!! I'm very protective of my brother and just want the ultimate best for him!! He shouldn't be worried about my mom and dad when bringing home a girlfriend....it's me!!! She better be willing to love him as much as he will love her because he knows how to treat a lady!! Girls from the past have DEFINITELY not lived up to that expectation!! :) 

The pictures should sum up why he is my little big brother.....and I have heels on! I'm a shorty!! 

Tie Dye and Summer!!!

I have to admit....I'm a little jealous of all the blogs that keep saying IM DONE!!!! Yes, I'm almost done.....but almost only counts in horseshoes and hand grenades (says my hubby). 7 more days and then I can brag!!!

So last week, one of my students came to school with these pretty awesome tie dye shoes! I asked her where they were from and she said she made them!! I was sold.....I had to have those shoes!! Went to Wal-Mart and ought me some white shoes and dye and "BAM"......I have tie dye shoes!!!!

I'm the yellow....and my tie dye student is the pink (I figured I would specify since there isn't much difference between the shoe sizes!!)! Aren't they awesome??!!!

So yea...7 days until summer break!! Can't wait!!!

The light at the end of the tunnel....

I can see it!!! Can you?? There are 11 days (10 days and a wake up as a fellow coworker says) left in school!! Oh hallelujah!!! I feel like I can breathe a little easier knowing its almost here!!

EOG's are finished!! My kiddos did well in terms of behavior and hard work! Their scratch paper was covered from the math test! That's always a good thing to see. Unfortunately, with a new test this year, we won't find out their scores until October.....REALLY??? At that point we will be well on our way to getting new kids ready for the EOG. But whatever.....anywho....

The next 2 weeks are going to be full of crazy kids! They are done, we are done, and there's not much more to get either of us motivated! Say a prayer for us!

So, there is this Linky out now about a summer bucket lost, so why not? Her goes my list....

My Summer Bucket List

1. Plan...

My plan for this summer is to get all planned out for next year. This year was hectic in terms of what is being taught, when, and how it should be taught. We started Daily 5 this year, which was new for me. It took a long time for me to get a good feel for it, which I'm still not 100% how I feel about it in third grade. That and Investigations in math...it has been a rather "new" year in terms of our curriculum. So now that I'm used to it, it's time to get paced for next year.

2. Paint my patio furniture.

Our patio furniture is old. It's my mother-in-laws aunts table. It is brown, but doesn't match well with our screened in porch. I've been working on painting it for...oh....a year now! I think I started last summer....and it's till unfinished. One chair is done, three and a table to go!!

3. Go for a walk at least three times a week.

I want to stay healthy and not get lazy over the summer. I have a treadmill, so rainy or freakishly hot days are no excuse!!

4. Catch up....on sleep!!!

Self explanatory!!!

Currently.....

It has been TOOOOO long since I've posted. It's amazing how busy one teacher can get!! :). What better way to come back than with Farley's Oh Boy, Fourth Grades April Currently!!!

I've been meaning to get this post up for a while, and FINALLY I got to it!!

Listening: Big Bang Theory!! Used to hate this show.......now I LOVE it!!! :)

Loving: summer is approaching, one day at a time!! This school year has gone by quickly, and needs to go quicker!! It's been a rather difficult year with SOOO many changes at our school and in our school system....new kids who are quite the little lovelies.....and other things that are to remain off the web for public access!! :) I do like my job, even with the stresses....so I'd like to keep it!!! :)

Thinking: nothing really. It was a rough day, so sitting at home relaxing is quite nice. Just wish my hubby was with me. He had to help his dad with something, and isn't home yet. He is not going to be a happy camper when he gets home. 

Wanting: a good day tomorrow. Trying REALLY hard to stay positive and strong with my lovelies!!! 

Needing: my WBC count to go down. I went to the doctor last week and my blood tests showed that my WBC count were slightly above normal. My doctor says...."don't worry about it. There are lots of things that can raise your WBC count."  She doesn't know who she is talking to.....worry wart is my middle name......I'm going back in a couple weeks to get more blood taken. I know white blood cells fight infection, and my allergies are quite ridiculous right now, so I'm hoping that's all it is!!

Advice: add humor any chance you can!! I've read some posts that have just given me the little laugh or boost that I needed. One of my favorites is A Teeny Tiny Teacher. Her stories are always full of humor and she basically explains her days with funny stories. I can almost feel like I'm in her posts sometimes. I try my best to add humor when it works, but that's my advice to any blogger out there!'

There ya go!! Hopefully I will get myself back on here more often!! I try to focus on my puppies and husband when I get home, so a lot of times my blog gets shafted for that reason!! I'll try better!

Happy Friday tomorrow!! Listen carefully at about 2:45. You may hear some teachers screaming with joy at the top of their lungs!! As much as I despise...hate...can't stand....strongly dislike the "Friday" song...ya know...."It's Friday, Friday....gonna get down on Friday.....".....I sing it almost every Friday afternoon!!! :) join me....won't you??? 

Spring Break Sale!!!!

Happy Spring Break!!!!!

I am throwing a 15% sale in my TpT store in honor of spring break, which starts for me at exactly 2:45 tomorrow when those precious, darling, wonderful children step foot onto those buses!!

Sale starts tonight, and runs through Saturday!

Click HERE to access my store!!

I have several spring SMARTBoard lessons available, related to the butterfly/caterpillar life cycle!!

Happy Spring Break! I'm not excited AT ALL!!! :)

Let's Get Acquainted Linky Party...

I am linking up with Flying Into First Grade's first linky party!!!

The rules of the linky are to share 3 things about yourself that you like or like to do, using your initials!! So....here we go!!!

 

 

A-Atlanta Braves! I was born in Atlanta, so I like watching Atlanta Braves games! It was a sad day to watch Chipper Jones play his last game! :(

 

T-Teaching! Call it cliche', but I really do love teaching.  Even though there are days I want to just pack up and leave and not go back, I really do think it was my calling.  I don't do blood, I hate teeth, I can't build things....so yea! I love kids! There ya go!!

 

B-Big Bang Theory! I hated that show when it first came out.  I thought it was such a stupid show.  Sadly, when my husband and I were in Gatlinburg for our 1 year anniversary, we watched it once....and we were hooked!! Now we LOVE watching it!! It is actually on right now as we "speak."  I really don't see how the actors on this show make it through a full episode without falling on the floor laughing!!

 

So there are my 3 things about myself!! If you are interested in linking up, click the link at the top of my blog post, and add your page.  If you do so, make sure you comment on the 2 blogs before yours on the linky page!!

 

Happy Thursday!! Almost Friday!!! :)

 

 



March Currently...

March is here....March is here......

MY BIRTHDAY MONTH!! WHOOHOO!!

Here is my March Currently...linking up with Oh Boy, 4th Grade!

1. Friends.....my favorite TV show of ALL times!! This is one show I can watch over and over without getting tired of it!! This episode is the one where Rachel goes back to work and finds out that she has been "replaced." She decides to go back on that day....best line....Rachel: Ive decides to go back to work today. Ross: oh sure, just lend me one of your breasts and ill be on my way!! Hilarious!!

2. The weekend....this week was pure chaos....state testing, fire drill, power outage, Read Across America Day, my voice disappeared, AND my final observation! Really?? When it rains, it pours in an elementary school. This weekend was nice to relax and not do anything work related!!

3. Summer.....I am trying so hard to get 8 or 9 kids that I can tutor this summer. I have 5 right now, but still need at least 3 to make it worth my time. I do have a possible backup, but it is not my first choice. I keep telling myself that if tutoring is meant to be, then it will work out. If not, then God did not intend for me to tutor!! Being patient and waiting on Gods plan is very difficult, but I know it's what I need to do!!

4. My iPad.....so Friday we were playing Minute to Win it, Dr. Seuss style. I was using my iPad to keep track of time. So I laid it down on my rocking chair, and enters STUDENT.....BUMP!!! CRASH!! There goes my iPad screen!! It still works, but the glass is shattered. $250 to trade for a new one....OUCH!!

5. 4 kids to tutor.....refer to #3. I am just trying to be patient.......

6. I had a hard time on this one......like..animals. I like having animals around. I can't watch animal movies because I get attached to the character. My own 2 dogs are my babies and are treated as that!!

A clean house....nothing like a good clean house. Which, by the way....I know this one is a stretch...but I couldn't think of anything that starts with a that I love!!

Allergies....I am squeaky and horse, thanks to allergies. My nose is full of "stuff" that is just a bundle of joy!! I hate allergies....enough said!!!

There you go!!! If you want to do your own currently, click and save the picture below, open it in a photo editing program, and add text for your answers. Thanks for reading!! I hope you have a great week in your first week of March!

Birthday month!!!! Birthday month!!!!

Area and Perimeter

Last week we started teaching perimeter and area in math.  I never knew that I could enjoy teaching a math topic as much as I have enjoyed teaching this topic!! There are so many activities and resources out there for teaching area and perimeter. 

 

One activity we did last week with perimeter was to have students create a floor plan of a bedroom of their choice using toothpicks.  They had to measure the toothpick first to see how long it was.  Then they had to use 10-13 toothpicks to create a floorplan.  This was fun because they learned what an architect is and what is included with building a floorplan for a house.  Once they had their floorplan created, they had to write and equation to show how to figure out the perimeter for the entire floorplan.  They included a door, a closet, and a door in the closet in their floorplans. 

 

Here are two examples of how they turned out:

 

They were working like little engineers during this activity! I was super surprised simply because this group tends to CHAT NONSTOP!!!!!!

 

Today, we did an activty on area that was very challenging for my group! They were using different nonstandard units of measurement to find the area of their desks.  They had a small index card, large index card, and a sheet of notebook paper.  They had to find how many small index cards would fit on the desk, large index cards, and notebook paper would fit.  Then they had to find how many square inches were in each object using square tiles.  Then the final (and most challenging) step was to see how many tiles it would take to cover the whole desk, using the index cards and paper.

 

For example:

It took 30 small index cards to feel the desk.

 

It took 15 tiles to cover the index card.

 

How many tiles would it take to cover the desk (30 X 15)?

 

My kids were FREAKING OUT!!! "But Mrs. Burgess.....we don't know how to do 2 by 2 multiplication problems!!" "But Mrs. Burgess.....that is hard!!"

 

"GOOD!!!!" says Mrs. Burgess!!!

 

Once I got them to realize it was a multiplication problem, I set them off to figure out a strategy to solve it.  It was very interesting to see them work.  I saw circles with lines in them, adding a bunch of 30's, adding a bunch of 15's, turning it into 3 X 15 instead of 30 X 15....

 

....and I actually had about 5 or 6 students who got it right without any assistance!  May not seem like a lot, but for a group who has never done 2 by 2 multiplication, I was impressed.

 

I asked them when it was over who thought it was challenging.  I saw hands FLY up in the air.  I said, "GOOD!!!"  Enter the whole "stretch your brain" talk.  I told them that if they can figure out a problem like this, then those small easy-peasy problems would be a piece of cake!  Tomorrow is going to be another challenging area problem.  I can't wait to see how they respond to it!!

 

Some people may not agree....but I believe that common core is fabulous!! It is really opening doors for higher order thinking! I think after a couple of years of feeding out the standard course of study from kids, we will see students who can actually think on their own and can think critically!!

 

So...tomorrow is Valentine's Day. All you teachers out there ready for your boxes of chocolate, fake flowers, cutesie Valentine cards?? I told my kids today that I love chocolate, diamonds, stuffed animals, and pink!! We will see what I end up with!! :)

 

Happy Valentine's Day!!! May your day of love be as great as every other day in the year with your loved one!! :)

Currently in FEBRUARY!!!

It's February, ya'll!!! Yes.....I'm excited....and yes I just said ya'll!!!

It's time for the February edition of Farley's Currently!!!

Oh Boy 4th Grade-Farley!!

Listening....we have a humidifier....not for its real purpose. Our purpose is for the noise! If we forget to turn it on at night, we lay there with confused looks on our face like something is wrong! Then it clicks!! No humidifier!!!

Loving....we are having friends over for zSuper Bowl and I'm excited!! I love having people to my house.....good excuse to clean!!!!

Thinking.....yea....I still need to get out of bed and shower for church!!

Wanting....im about over this dry air stuff! My nose has taken a beating!!

Needing....just woke up.....nothing else to say!!!

Pet peeves.....I can't stand hair being left in the shower! It grosses me out!! Even if it is my own hair, it is still gross!! I hate hair, regardless of where it is found. Not sure why, just do!!
Manners. Our children need to be taught them, as well as some adults! I can't stand a disrespectful person. When you don't say thank you, excuse me, please, may I, or anything, it is just rude!! Please show some respect!

Happy February!!

TpT SUPER sale

TpT is having a SUPER sale starting February 3rd!!!

This weekend, my store will be 20% off. Receive an extra discount by using the product coupon code of: SUPER!

Click on the link below to head over to my store!!

TpT SUPER Sunday Sale!!!

Happy shopping!!!

Weekend...sweet weekend...

Oh how I love the weekend!! It wasn't a bad week, but the idea of sleep...no work...sleep...no kids...sleep..........makes me HAPPY!!!

I had my second observation post conference today. Not bad....but I've decided that I am just going to consider myself a distinguished teacher despite what my ratings say!! I was checked in proficient and accomplished, which is good and I'm definitely not complaining....but I still think these rating things are so subjective. Therefore, I will be considering myself distinguished....as well as the other 5 teachers on my team.....and that's that!!! :)

I do have to "boast" a little.....at our planning meeting this week, we actually planned (fancy that), looked at data, discussed several "business" topics, and just got A LOT accomplished. One of my team members came to me after and told me....in his words....that he was really starting to like me......HUH???

Confused, I asked, "so you didn't like me before??" He said "nah!!! I mean I really saw your leadership come out today, and I was impressed by it!!" That's a huge compliment to me because I don't consider myself necessarily the strongest leader. I try to stay positive and help in anyway I can, but I'm not a typically assertive person, which is why this grade chair thing was kind of new for me!! Hearing a team member say, without being coached, that he liked my leadership was great to hear. It kind of made me smile and feel good inside!! It's always nice to hear someone give you credit for something. I do feel I've grown as a teacher and leader this year. It's been a challenging year from many perspectives, so a little boost from a team member reminds me that I will make it through the remainder of this year!!

I told my husband today that yes, it's been a very frustrating year, and yes, I have some kids who have challenged me to do A LOT of reflecting and stress management....but I really do love my job!! Some days are better than others, but I really do enjoy what I do. I think today was Gods way of giving me a pep talk because I just felt a sense of calmness and happiness.  I want to hold on to this feeling to give me the push and strive to keep going and make it to June 7th!!!

Im actually excited for next week simply because I'm prepared, my lessons were 100% complete by the time I left "yesterday"..,, ya know.....when they are due.....not this morning..............

We will be teaching perimeter, quotation marks and commas, and Madam CJ Walker. I'm excited!! I'll update next week to see if things actually happened the way they are supposed to............I'll let you know if we have a lockdown drill and fire drill within the first two days of the week........

I hope your week went well, and I hope you have a wonderful weekend.

Now....the question of the weekend.........RAVENS OR FOURTY NINERS????! Harbaugh 1 or Harbaugh 2????????

Black History Month

February is quickly approaching...can I get an AMEN????.....and with February comes Black History Month.  I had a fun time teaching about Black History Month last year because we incorporated it into literacy and social studies.  Our students learned a lot about historical figures in the African American culture, and had fun doing so.  We learned about Madam C.J. Walker, we read Uncle Jed's Barber Shop, and then we made the produc that I am featuring on tonights blog......

 

**DRUM ROLL PLEASE**

 

Black History Month Lapbook!!!

 

 

If you have never had the opportunity to create a Lapbook before, I highly recommend looking into them! A Lapbook is basically a place where students get to store flipbooks, vocabulary cards, and other diagrams or charts that are all based around a particular unit.  It is kind of like a portfolio of student work for that unit!! When I student taught, I sat through a Lapbook professional development and learned all about how to assemble a Lapbook, what to include in it, and how to make it fun for the kids! We have made Lapbooks on the human body, the life cycle of a butterfly, geometry, and Black History Month!

 

In this particular Lapbook, students learned information on Rosa Parks, Michael Jordan, Louis Armstrong, and 4 African American inventors.  When it is all said and done, students get to take home their own little portfolio on all of these historical people. 

 

I decided to type up a packet on this particular Lapbook for February and post it on TpT.  Included in the document you will find all the templates needed for certain flipbooks, a list of all the materials you would need to make the flipbooks, possible links or sites to help with finding information (my Michael Jordan Smartboard lesson being one of those), and pictures of a completed Lapbook from my class. 

 

Again, I would highly recommend looking into making a Lapbook for any subject.  They end up being an awesome artifact of student work, and it is something they may be interested in keeping themselves instead of chunking it into the garbage....which I'm sure NONE of my kids have EVER done..............................................

 

To go look at this product, click on the link below! Please feel free to leave feedback, suggestions, comments (both good and bad....preferably good!!). 

 

Black History Month Lapbook

 

Did you make it over this hump day?? Only two more days to go until that fabulous weekend hits us!! Anyone else praying for a little (or a lot) of snow???? I AM!!! :)

 

It's Been a While...

It has been a while since I have been able to sit and express my inner most thoughts on my blog.....:)

So my New Years Resolutions....stay positive, don't complain, manage my time better.......

hmm.....

no comment......

 

The weather here in Charlotte/Clover has been so depressing the past week.  It has been wet, not cold but not hot, muggy, foggy, and just down right BLAH!!!!  Now they say we have a chance for snow....not that I believe it....but REALLY??? I love snow, but I am quite ready for sunshine and beauty outside again.  It helps to make things a little more happy and shiny! Not to mention, indoor recess....well....it SUCKS!!! :)  No running, no screaming, don't touch that, watch out for the projector and ELMO....need I say more? I feel bad for the little heathens darlings!!

 

It has been a VERY eventful time in room 102 since the start of the year!! Day 1, back at school, knock on the door.....why, hello new student!!!  Third grade got 5 new students in the first couple days back to school.  All but one teacher got a new one.  Our school as a whole got around 14 new students!  So far....my new one is doing okay.  Low in math, decent in reading, behavior is questionable, but not bad!! I'm still trying to get a feel for who she is.  I'll keep ya updated....

 

 By the way....has your school reached the 100 day mark yet? WE HAVEN'T!!!! Holy moly!!

 

Next week we have Martin Luther King Day off, followed by....hold your breathe........hold it....hold it......A TEACHER WORKDAY!!!!! Can you hear the screams of every teacher in the Charlotte school system?? Screams of joy!! Screams of I can finally sit in my room and do something that will make me feel productive!!!! I can't WAIT!! I have never been so excited about going in for a teacher workday.

 

Third quarter starts next Wednesday when we get back to school.  Two more to go....I think I can!  I hope the remainder of your school year continues to go well....or becomes well. 

 

I leave you with a verse from my morning devotional today to help you think about your job, whether it be teaching, or some other business.....

 

Phillippians 2:14: Do everything without grumbling or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, "children of God withouth fault in a warped and crooked generation." Then you will shine among them like stars in the sky as you hold firmly to the word of life. And then I will be able to boast on the day of Christ that I did not run or labor in vain.     

 

 

And the winners are.....

My first giveaway is done, and the winnerS have been selected!! I decided to choose two winners!! Here they are:

 

 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

 

Congratulations, Alyce and Corinna!!

 

Thank you to all who entered my first giveaway!! There were only 16 entries, but I was excited for it being my first one!! Hopefully there will be more in the future, and more entries entered!!

 

Have a great week, everyone!!!

January 2013 Linky...

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!! I hope everyone rang in the new year with as much fun as I did!!

To start the year off, I am linking up with Oh Boy, 4th Grades Currently Linky Party!! I hope you enjoy!!

1. Have you ever watched 24?? OH...MY...GOSH!! This is the third time I have watched this show through from season 1 and up. It is one of the best shows I've ever watched. We have 7 seasons on DVD and will get season 8 soon!! 

2. I got a new treadmill for Christmas from my parents and I LOVE it!! It will definitely come in handy on rainy days and cold days!!

3. I need to use my treadmill. I've used it several times, but it's time to make it daily!! 2013!!

4. School starts back tomorrow....boo. I've enjoyed my days of sleeping in and not having to worry about lessons and work. I would LOVE to stay a little longer, but I guess I will always feel that way, even if I did get more days.

5. I decided to hold a giveaway to see how it would go. So far...not so good. I am giving away three of my novel units from TpT. Check it out if you get a chance!! 

6. New Years Eve got the best of me. We stayed up for quite some time, so today has been nothing but laying around and being lazy!!

Head on over to Oh' Boy 4th Grade to do your own currently!! Happy 2013!!