Thursday, August 30, 2012

Meetings and PD

I had great plans to share a Monday Made-It project and to have after pictures from my room. Things haven't exactly worked out how I planned. I didn't get as much accomplished as I hoped.

Tuesday was our first teacher work day. We had our building meeting going over basics for the staff, then had lunch as a district.

After lunch I had a district school improvement team. While most of my colleagues were working to complete their rooms, I was finalizing our professional development plans for Thursday (today). I didn't get to start my "work day" until most teachers were packing it in for the day. I know many hauled things home to work, but I am still hauling things back! I had hours of unpacking of my classroom library. I was thrilled when a friend's son showed up to help for two hours. His attention to detail saved time, but I didn't finish the last shelves until 9:30 pm! I still have some tweaking to do, and have to label all of the baskets!

Professional Development for Wednesday morning was one of the most relevant I had been to in a long time. If you ever get the chance to hear Jack Berckemeyer, don't pass it up! As a former teacher and a humorist, he had us laughing until we cried. He used humor and movement to hook us. His seven edicts on if he were the education "ruler" let you know he had lots of real experiences in the classroom. It was like being at a teacher comedy club. He made me forget for three hours that I still had bulletin boards, class lists for posting, and a newsletter to write and print before open house at 4:00. I know I shouldn't have waited, but I fell asleep Monday night and Tuesday night when I got home. I am still playing catch up, so I'll try to be back tomorrow with my delayed post.

Sunday, August 26, 2012

I Don't Believe It!

I can't believe that it has been almost three weeks since I last posted on this blog. Things got busy as back to school preparations began. I spent numerous hours in my classroom, two days of in-service on Daily 5 and CAFE, and helping with our cross country team (including hosting an invitational last week, and a 12 hour relay Friday night to Saturday morning).

I also had a birthday in there, still twenty-one after so many years, hehehe!

I have been blog stalking, while waiting for #3 at physical therapy sessions. (She was dismissed on Friday! Not "fixed" but able to run with less pain. Running is a passion for her, so I'll take that.)

When I finally got access to my room, I snapped a few before pictures.
View from door
Back wall where library goes.



View from windows, towards door.


I will be back tomorrow with a completed project. Completed room pictures hopefully this week. We have teacher meetings, professional development, and some work time. Open house is Wednesday afternoon. I have a lot to complete by then, including things for parents and students.

Monday, August 6, 2012

More Monday Projects

As the month of August and summer quickly slip by, like so many teachers, I am busy shopping for bargains and creating things for my classroom. This is a sampling of some of the great deals I have found. 

                                           
One of the best deals were the composition notebooks I got at Office Max yesterday. It is Teacher Appreciation Days and they let teachers get twenty of the notebooks for free. It did cost a little money to cut them in half for my Common Core Journals, but not much. I made two separate trips because I decided to use them with my other reading class as well as mine.

 My next great purchase was a personal laminator. I don't need one really, because we aren't limited on our for class use of lamination film, but I couldn't wait to get some things done at home. I can think of lots of things for its use at home and school.


My Monday Made It project was to make some story stones. I wanted Story Cubes from the store, but didn't want to spend the money. Inspired instead, by none other than Tara at 4th Grade Frolics. They cost me nothing to make, using acrylics on hand and some stones from a rock collection my kids had. I painted images suggested by my daughter. I sprayed a coat of clear sealer on them. I am using another of my favorite  up-cycled ice cream containers to hold them.


I have linked up with Tara's linky. What did you make for your room this week?


Saturday, August 4, 2012

The Winners

Thank you to all that entered my first giveaway. It was also my first time using Rafflecopter. Love how it does it all for you. Congratulations to the winners. Ladies, I have emailed you and are waiting for your info.

AND THE WINNERS ARE...


Entry #124Aubreylaine
Entry #101Jane D.


I also received my awesome prize in the mail from Monica at The Schroeder Page. I won this Ellis Jewelers necklace.  I chose the baseball because I love the Chicago Cubs.

I may have to order the football one to go with my Tebow jersey. So glad Tim Tebow is now a Jet. Let's hope it keeps raining in New York!


Enjoy your last days of summer.

Friday, August 3, 2012

August Currently

I can't believe it is already August. Where has the summer gone? I am linking up with Farley at Oh Boy, 4th Grade for her Currently Linky.

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