You Get What You Get And You Don't Throw A Fit: Fun times

Showing posts with label Fun times. Show all posts

Saturday, January 17, 2015

Recappin' and Moving On

I realized this week that a blog is like a scrapbook. Now, I know that's not an earth rattling realization to most of you, but I am not a scapbooker. I've tried it and walk away every time. Agonizing over each page, the caption for the pictures, finding just the right paper and stickers...it makes me itch. And I realized I was letting my blog do that to me. Worrying about perfection rather than just putting it out there. Well, enough of that.

Quick recap of the fall and Christmas:

I started my new position as a Literacy Coach/RtI Specialist---love it!

My sweet Mimi passed away after a beautiful 97 years with us. In cleaning out her closet, we discovered a quilt she started for me years ago before her eyesight and arthritis stopped her. Her quilts are a legacy, as she made them for so many of us over her lifetime. I used to spend time with her and Grandad every summer. We made a simple doll's quilt out of scraps together and it's one of my most favorite treasures. I'm on the hunt to find someone to piece this together for me. She even had a diagram all drawn out.

Fall and pumpkins came and went---too fast!

Christmas adventures were some of the best they've ever been! I really tried to focus on spending time with family. We continued old traditions and began new ones!

And because Daisy actually did NOT eat all the cookies...

Oh!!! And MY Cowboys made it to the playoffs!!!

David and I celebrated our 21st anniversary! How is that possible when I actually AM 21? Ha!

And while resolutions are not my thing, hopefully blogging more often will be...Happy New Year to you and yours!

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Thursday, January 2, 2014

A Merry Christmas and a Titanium New Year

Christmas around here began all holly and jolly! One of the ladies at school challenged me to sport a fun holiday look, so on our tacky sweater day at school, this happened:

It was a hit more so with the adults than the six year olds and I won the contest! Such fun! I can't believe the wiggly eyes stayed put all day and that I managed to conduct a perfectly professional ARD meeting, too. Parents must think teachers are totally nuts.

I got my wish of a pink Christmas tree this year:

I actually managed to get the tree half price after Christmas last year with my sweet sister's help. Score!

David and I enjoyed a quiet Christmas Eve together, starting with dinner at Cheesecake Factory(courtesy of a generous gift card from a precious student) and a little fun in downtown Grapevine to see the lights!

We celebrated with both sides of the family and our own furry babies, too.

One not so fun part of my break however included getting a call after my yearly mammogram that once again, a spot had been found that needed further scrutiny. Back I went for a diagnostic mammogram, followed by an equally exciting sonogram on New Year's Eve. It was then determined that I didn't just have nice clear cysts, but a tiny mass on the left side. Today's fun included a needle aspiration, followed by an ultrasound guided core biopsy. The doctor said it looks to be another fibroid tumor---just like last time, a little over a year ago. Results should come in by Monday, so fingers crossed that I dodge the same bullet twice! And for those keeping track, I now have 2 titanium chips, one on each side---marked for the surgeon "just in case" and so the areas can easily be monitored in the future. Tylenol, an ice pack, and a healthy dose of care and attention from my ever sweet husband make it all better! Here's to starting 2014 in a memorable way, right?

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Saturday, September 28, 2013

This Magic Moment...

For every teacher, there is a day or hour or moment in time when their class becomes "theirs". At least, I hope so! For me, it happened on day 12 this school year. We had just finished a read aloud and almost all 19 of my kids excitedly wanted to share a connection they had to the story and, wham! Just like that, they were "mine"!

So far, I've gone to 2 birthday parties, a softball game, a cheerleading show off, and have many more fun times on our class community calendar. It is shaping up to be a great year!

Next week is parent conferences and I am so excited to share all the progress and goals for these babies. I can't believe we're almost done with the first six weeks!

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Sunday, August 18, 2013

The Most Wonderful Time of the Year

Ah, fall! Sharpened pencils, new school clothes, fresh beginnings, and back to school!!! Ok...so, it's not quite fall, really. Not in Texas, anyway, but it IS back to school time and I am so excited...again!

I am blessed to be starting my 20th year of this adventure and since I'm going back to first grade after a four year stint serving in a specialist role, I am completely refreshed and ready to get started! Well, almost ready. We're never really completely ready. Teaching is always a work in progress. However, after spending the summer leisurely moving in and decorating, I'm ready to do a classroom tour!

Let's start with the "before":

Actually, my new teammates had been using it for storage, but they graciously cleaned it out, I cleaned out the cabinets with their help, and started moving in...in MAY! Yep, I had all summer and got to take my time. Teacher friends...can I get a WOO! ? :)

Drumroll, please....

The view as you walk in:

I chose red and white polka dot to accent my love of Disney and my theme, "Kersh's Kids"!!!

The Birthday Chair that my dad painted and I helped him polka dot:

Our math tubs with the most awesome Ikea rug:

The student cubbies, to the right of the door:

The bathroom door, where I am putting our guiding questions as a way of displaying our objectives:

The classroom library/reading center:

I organize these books by genre and interests. I do have leveled books by the small group table. I do a hybrid of Daily 5 and Debbie Diller's Workstations. It's all based on student choice and using evidence to show practice and learning...and it's FUN!!!

More centers:

The Workshop board:

My little corner with small group table. I kept my desk, but use the horseshoe table most of all during the day, as we do Reading, Math, and Writer's Workshops.

Each bin will hold materials for the reading groups. The green drawers under my desk will house math group materials.

My babies:

I was so excited to find the pennant banner in Canton. The black is chalkboard and I bought enough of each color that I can change the pattern if I want.

At the end of each group of desks, I've placed a shelf from Target with the students' browsing baskets to keep their leveled books from small group. The three drawer units hold more center supplies.