2015: A brand new year

This is my last semester in grad school so as I say goodbye to 2014 I welcome 2015 on the premise that I am close to graduation!  This year's class has been really easy compared to prior years.  With all the changes taking place year to year I wonder if the parents and students alike just sit down, shut up and hold on for dear life like the teachers do.  I am ready to see how setting goals as a reading coach will change the design and curriculum supplements that I use daily in the classroom.  While I completed my Internship in administration last semester I helped a few teachers work to design their Guided Reading to track student success measured by the students.  This year a huge focus is on data binders and the why's behind students writing their own goals and adding comments as to why they are at the level of academic success indicated by the rubric.  I'm sure 2015 will bring changes, challenges and chance to celebrate successes!  I can't wait to see what 2015 has in store for moments!!

Remembering 911 and a brand new year!!

Welcome back 2014-2015

To say that I have been gone from blogging is indeed an understatement.  The end of last year was a continuous cycle of activity and growth for me.  I am so excited to start this year with a brand new class.  My munchkins this year are absolutely adorable and I am going to have no problem growing with them for ten months.  I decorated my room with some bargains I found after taking the advice of another teacher.  I must say I am flattered she requested me to teach her son who is obsessed with Sharknado..not sure about the spelling.  He is adorable as are the rest of my children.  I am the ESE class this year and have one who functions at a very low level.  I have two that speak don't speak English yet...shocking I know.  I am super busy and always running.  This is the last year of my Master's in Educational Leadership and am doing my Internship with my inspiring Assistant Principal Libby.  We took a few minutes to celebrate 911 on Thursday.  Here are some pictures of my classroom this year and of my magical munchkins who love the US!  Welcome Back!

Totally Terrific Thanksgiving Traditions

Today was a whirlwind of activities!!  Our school hosted a Turkey Trot where all the grade levels run together and the first three winners from each sex win a turkey!  Two of the girls from my class won turkeys!!  We also made acorn cookies, fact family turkeys and read lots of exciting books about Thanksgiving!  My favorite was Fancy Nancy's Thanksgiving.....I was her for one year and I love her!!

Veteran's Day 2013

This year Veteran's Day was a whirl wind of activities!!  I've just found time to post the work my kiddos did for the Veterans!  They were really awed with the idea of Veterans and I am so proud of their work.  I downloaded so many good ideas from TpT to use I can't remember who's Veteran's Day Writing Day Packet our class used.... but if she recognizes it thank you because I loved it and so did my little monsters!!  Happy Veteran's Day!!

Holiday Happenings

The Holiday Season is here!!!!  I have been a multi tasking maniac for the past few weeks.  Between taking time to travel, writing papers and presentations for grad school and watching FSU football I am all worn out!  I have recently discovered a new app on my very old phone called Tinder that is so entertaining.  Who would have thought the world was full of so many successful gentleman!!  Our district gives us Veterans Day off so I have Monday off!  YES!!  After that I have two weeks to Thanksgiving Break and it will be time to think about turning 31 and Christmas (baby Jesus's birthday).  I have a very low class this year and LAZY doesn't even begin to describe some of my first grade boys!  The demographics of our school have shifted and the word migrant is being thrown around a lot.  This is also the first year I have a student with an incarcerated parent so I am full of new ideas on how to bridge the gap here!  If you have any I will gladly take them!  The Common Core is really challenging for my students but they are growing!  Whole brain teaching is an idea I have started using to motivate my students and they love it!!

The first nine weeks!!

The first nine weeks is almost over!  My class this year is challenging.  They are wonderful but not as special as last year's. I can't wait to finish decorating my room for Halloween and complete my Halloween centers.  Hopefully I will have time to post them this year!!  I'm happy it is so sunny in Florida but I miss Michigan and the atmosphere up north!  One of the things I'm doing this year in my room this year is portions of the daily five and it is working fabulously!  My munchkins are excited I pay such close attention to their writing.  They love to share their work with the class.  We just finished swimming and it was exceptional!  All of my munchkins this year swam!