First day back with students

I know this may seem odd for some bloggers it there that were back before Labor Day but for us in NJ this was our first day back with students. This should be an interesting year for both me and the kids. This is my first year in third after having taught fourth for four years. I keep finding myself reminding myself how young they are and how simplistic the directions need to start out being.
But I must say it was very enjoyable to be with them today. Such a difference to have kids that love school, love me and love everything we did throughout the day. This year will be great I know it! The kids are adorable! Ok so enough of my babbling on...

We did some awesome things today and I want to share some images before I call it quits for today. I have to remember to take pics of my finished room. I really love it!

Anyways some shots from first day...I am sad I didn't take a picture of their first QR scavenger hunt around the school.

Saving Fred was my favorite activity and will definitely do it every year. I forgot where I got from right now but if you did it tell me and I'll give credit.

September Currently

Love writing and taking the time to do Farley's currently each month. It is keeping me regular and motivates me a bit to get onto a regular blogging schedule with school going back.

Anniversary Vacation

Hello there! I am sorry I have not gotten into the Teacher's Week over on Blog Hopping but part of me is bumming because we are not allowed in our rooms yet so on Tuesday I would be sad I had nothing to share...but I do have some wonderful vacation pictures to share with you all. 

This year is our 5 year wedding anniversary (yikes...time flies!!) My hubby being the money savvy individual he is...researched and researched and planned and planned our little getaway to Niagara Falls without our little one. We were able to sleep in with no alarm...even though somehow I have been up by 8:30 everyday anyways...I guess I am just conditioned to be awake at this point....we explored the falls and today we are headed up to Toronto to explore and catch the baseball game. Hubby is very excited to see the stadium, so excited he is now planning on stopping at Cooperstown on our trip home Thursday. It is like he got bit by a baseball bug or something :)

I have many things to show you about my progress in my preparation in my classroom and the things I have crossed off my to-do list ever since the arrival of my new favorite toy, the laminator. But that will just have to wait until the weekend when we get home. 

It finally came!!

Yes that is right everyone! My first official, personal laminator arrived in the mail today. I have never been so excited to get such a gift to myself in the mail! Let me explain a little further.....

The other day while I was reading through many of my favorite blogs I came across Clutter-Free Classrooms reminder from a previous post about things you never knew you needed and it was all about the personal laminator.

 I read about the need to just laminate as soon as you purchase a great item from TpT or when you have created one yourself (the later I have not yet accomplished but I will) and I got to thinking how right she is. At my school we have a woman who does our laminating and it can sometimes be weekly, bi-weekly, daily, etc. There is no schedule because she comes in to do it before her lunch para duties begin. Trust me we appreciate everything she does for us in our school and we appreciate her tedious tasks like laminating however there are moments where I just want something laminated so quick so I can cut it out and either hang it up or let the students use in centers. So voila I ordered my own immediately, along with a pack of 200 laminating sheets.

As soon as I got home tonight from my other job that is exactly what I did. I got everything out that I previously printed from the great resources on TpT and went to town. I am so excited to assemble the different things I purchased or use the things I purchased in different ways.

I will upload pictures later of all the wonderful things I have laminated!

Happy laminating and cutting!!

August Currently

Wow can't believe that is already August and the summer is coming to an end! I am cherishing every moment I get to spend with my daughter and I must say I am having an awesome summer...if I do say so myself!

Well onto Farley's wonderful Currently ( I never think I am doing these right as I am still unsure of all this technology related to websites)

 

 

Listening: My three year old makes me laugh and smile every single day with her singing abilities. She is entirely her mothers daughter because she loves listening to the music on Glee or Grease or Pitch Perfect or any movie/show that sings and dances. I know, I know some are inappropriate and she has no idea what she is saying or singing but when she remembers parts of the words or tries to dance like some of the characters it is hysterical. She is also really into singing Taylor Swift songs. Currently (no pun intended) she loves the song "22" She puts her fingers up for twos when she sings it in the song.

 

Loving: My hubby and I are leaving for a four day excursion to Niagara Falls. We have been planning this since January and I can't believe it is finally here and also kinda sad it is finally here because it means summer is coming to an end quicker than I hoped for. We are leaving Sunday and Sara will be staying with her grandparents (two nights at one and two nights at the other...sometimes its too much for one set of grandparents to handle for four nights) We are stopping in Cooperstown on the way so my hubby can see the Baseball Hall of Fame. I am kind of excited to see the women's section related to the movie, A League of Their Own

 

** Favorite part when he is giving the speech about their is no crying in baseball**

Thinking: I know I say this all the time but I need to be more on top of my blogging. I read daily about everyone else's and I never take the time to write on mine and after this summer of professional development to gear up for my grade change I have so much to share and to talk out with all of you wonderful bloggers.

Wanting: I read the other day on Clutter-Free Classroom blog about needing a personal laminator that I never knew I needed :) I decided spontaneously that she was right I did need it....so I went right onto Amazon and ordered myself exactly that and I can't wait to get busy laminating and creating

Needing: I am currently reading (again no pun) for pleasure Gone Girl Well I just started it because I didn't know what a great hit it was until just recently. I figure on the nice long 8 hour drive Sunday I can have time to read. Professionally I am reading Dave Burgess Teaching Like A Pirate I am loving the book I just need to get on top of it and finish it. If I was more organized I would have participated in the blog chat about it. Is that still going on does anyone know or have I missed it?



B2S: My wonderful father built me a second bookcase and this time he put it on wheels that I can move it easier and also because I have the creative idea to paint the back of it with chalkboard paint and be able to use it for teachning moments in small groups or whole groups whatever I fancy. Second thing is I need to get my hands on Clutter-Free Classrooms Curriculum Guide Packet. I hope that this will keep me more organized especially going into a year brand new and with a co-worker who is brand new to teaching. My third thing is I read on one of the many blogs about these Japanese brand markers that are wonderful for the classroom for many reasons called Frixion markers. This is the first I am hearing of them and I could not be more excited for them. Does anyone else use these? Do you find them beneficial as a purchase?

Well off to comment on some blogs and read what others are saying in this month's Currently

July currently

Hello all! Ting to get into a summer rythm of not only reading all the wonderful things posted by these awesome bloggers but writing on my own...yeah high hopes I know!

Anyhow how about a currently to get me going....







Listening: my 4 yr old loves the station the Hub in the mornings where cartoons like Little Ponies and Pound Puppies is on. I never cared for them as a kid but more power to her then loving all that stuff like Yo Gabba Gabba ( I know I said it I hate that show...I don't know why exactly it just bothers me)

Loving: My hubby and I missed the showing of the first season of The Following when originally aired but they are replaying over summer and I absolutely love it. So intense and addicting. I recently read a review of Gone Girl and thought I had to go out and pick it up. I am so glad I did! I'm really into it so far

Thinking: I work at Outback during the summer and occasionally during the school year and today is just one of those days I'm not motivated to get up and go,

Wanting: With changing grade levels this year I thought I'd get a new decor going and saw all cute things owl related and thought I want to do that. Can't seem to find anything quite yet but I'm hoping.

Needing: I'm teaching a week summer enrichment class about mysteries and I thought what better then a mystery Skype but now problem is to find someone else willing to answer my kids questions in the middle of the summer

Tips, tricks, hints: I feel like that is my new mantra for the summer. I just need to now keep repeating it to myself. Lets see how that goes over.

Next goal is to post for this Monday Made it ....check back soon!,

Mentor Text Linky

I am linking up with Staci and Amanda for their mentor text linky today. I am very excited about their linky parties because I feel excited and confident I can do a linky correctly since I do not do them often.

Well as for my mentor text during the beginning of the year iwasalays pulling out my trusty First Day Jitters book. It is one that I know the kids always loves well as I do to watch their faces when the surprising ending occurs.

However last year I was feeling I needed something else and that is when I stumbled upon Juice Box Bully. I am not sure where I first read about it but the book sparked my interest because in our school, being slow income area, we find that we have a lot of bullying among our older kids. We are constantly having assemblies and special clubs started for the kids to have an outlet away from bullying.

It is about a teacher who during  the first few days of school has anew kid enter the class and that student comes in fired up and ready to bully and show how tough he can be. The other kids in the class explain how they signed a contract to stand up for one another and not bully each other. They provide a sample of the contract in the book. My class and I wrote a very similar pledge/contract during our first few days and posted it as a reminder during those times it's difficult to get along or stand up to others.

So here goes the linky part. I hope I do this right!


Link up with Staci and Amanda and share what mentor text you use in the first few days of school!