The {best} Currently of all!

So I haven't been a great blogger - despite my best intentions.
My excuse: the first two weeks of school have me whipped.
I have no energy after school.
Zero.
Zip.

I'll get used to it soon.
I hope.

Anyway, since it's Labor Day,
and since I have the day off,
and since it's my BIRTHDAY month (!),
I definitely couldn't let the Currently pass me by!

About those trips:
I am not a lover of traveling.
When I travel, I want plenty of time to relax
read a book
drink fancy coffees and fancier cocktails
laze by a pool
or a lake
or any water, really.

But I have always wanted to see the Library of Congress -
I mean, really?  a whole building filled with my favorite things??
I'm in!

Camping
in a cabin or a lodge
with a fireplace
and books
and coffee
or maybe... in a camper
with air conditioning
and books
and coffee

Quebec
the mix of old and new
the food
the people
Need I say more?

Your turn:
Link up with Farley at 












Well...
I have to go write those lesson plans now....
Guess they are not going to write themselves...
I've been waiting all weekend for those suckers to get busy...

Currently {and a Favor!}

I've been waiting for this for, like, weeks!  I want to get back into blogging on a regular basis.  I'm planning on working it into my weekly schedule - I've had a blog planning sheet for years (you can get it here); this year I'm really going to use it.

The problem in the past was I hid the planning sheet from myself by putting it in the back of my plan book.  This year, it gets its own clipboard on the wall next to my desk.  That way I'll be sure to see it.  And use it!

Anyway, here it is: the first in what I hope will be a more active blog...

There it is!
the first in what will be many more to come!
Like that positive thinking?  I'm turning over a new leaf!

While your here - I have a favor to ask:
See the top left corner of my blog design?
There's supposed to be a really cute bird house looking thing up there.
Only when I log on, I don't see it all the time.
Can you see it?
Let me know in the comments, please...
Not sure what's goin' on up there...

Thanks!

Now go link up!

Currently in August

Can it be August already??  This summer has absolutely FLOWN by!  I start new teacher in-service next Wednesday with three days of workshops and lectures followed the next week by pre-service for all the teachers and home visits.  So, essentially, my summer is basically over.  CRAZY!

Here's my currently:

It's a big news day here in Cleveland!  That horrible man who kept the three girls as prisoners for more than a decade was sentenced to life + 1000 years!  (Yes, I know his name, but I refuse to give him that much respect!)

I went to school today for  an optional meeting and stayed and worked in my room for a while.  My room was used for summer school until yesterday, and it was filthy.  Today I just cleaned, cleaned, and cleaned!  Next week I'll go in on Monday and Tuesday to put my own touch on the decor.  And get some of the stuff out of my garage!

Wow!  I only worked for about 4 hours in my room and I. am. whipped!  It's amazing how quickly I lose my stamina for long days of work during the lazy days of summer.  

After I lost my job at the end of last year, I made a conscious effort to keep in touch with my teacher friends.  We have gone on a lot of great excursions - movies, lunches, plays, museums.  Before we all start at different schools, I'm really hoping to organize one more lunch.  I love those ladies!

What I truly need?  A summer rewind.  It's been the best and worst and quickest summer of my life.  I'd like to go back and do it again without the stress of looking for a new job!  The stress made me feel icky and it made the summer go WAY TOO FAST!

My Back to School must haves are easy!  And coincidentally, they all start with P - and so does Purple!  Dorky cool!

#1: Post-its.  They make me happy.  I use them for absolutely everything.  'Nuff said.

#2:  I live for these pencils.  They aren't easy to find in the stores, so when I find them I usually buy two or three packs.   Wonder what makes them the best?  It's the erasers!  And the refillable-ness of both the lead and the erasers.  Hmm... maybe I should stop buying 'em and just buy the refills?  Duh.

#3: Seriously.  I just bought this thing last summer, and I have no idea how I lived without it for my whole life!  The laminate is so, so much better than that flimsy stuff they have at school!!  My sister bought mine for me.  And Amazon sells the pages for super cheap. 

Your turn.  Go link up with Farley and join the Currently Craze!

July Currently

Linking up!

 

...and even thought it's not even July yet, I'm still 257th on the list!  (While I've been typing this up, six more people linked up!)  This is the craziest, coolest linky on the block!! 

This week is going to be another great one.  I am looking forward to a day with my friends from school - bring on The Heat and dinner, followed by baseball with my P.E.O. friends. 

And it gets better: Friday my beloved niece turns 7!  Holey moley - how did that happen!?   I can't wait till her party on Saturday.  My sister is queen of overboard - this year, we are having two distinct parties on the same day - one for my niece and one for my brother in law (whose b-day is Saturday).  I'm in charge of changing out the decorations while everyone is busy in the backyard. 

Happy 4th, everyone!

btw - do you like my new signature?

Changes. Currently.

It's been a month for me.  Not a good month. 

In May, I found out I was not going to be offered a contract for the next school year.  Working in a Catholic school, I've always known that this could happen.  I was sooo not expecting it this year.  Our principal had said for months that everyone was coming back next year.  I was completely blindsided and truly devastated.

I don't know if I'll be able to get another job teaching; maybe God has different plans for me.  I didn't know if I wanted to continue blogging, but after some distance I realize that blogging is a great outlet for me.  Even if I don't teach anymore, I still enjoy reading and sharing new children's lit.  I still have some great ideas to share from this past year.  And I still want to learn new things from all of you!

 I love the ideas I learn and hope that my ideas help others.  Therefore I will continue my blog this summer.

And who knows, I may just get another teaching job in the fall...


And, so...

It's finally summer.  I'm back.  I have tons of ideas for blogging, have read a bunch of great books I want to share, and can't wait to link up with all the great linky parties!

Starting with my favorite:  June's Currently.  Y'all know I love a linky!

 

Stay tuned!  I'm back and better than ever.  I'm not going to quit growing, learning and sharing just because I don't have a job right now!  I will get another job.  I don't know what it will be, but in the meantime, I will be here!

Thanks for the support you give me every day - even if you don't know you're doing it!

May Currently

I'm getting a little better...  It's been less than one month (instead of four!) since my last post.
And, sure, it's just this month's Currently.

But I love doing these things!
And, hey!  I'm moving up in the list: only #415 this month!

Anyway - here it is:

http://ohboy3rdgrade.blogspot.com/2013/05/may-currently.html

Loving and Wanting

On Monday, I have my first formal observation - ever!  Even thought this is my twelfth year teaching, this is the first year with our new principal, and she's no slacker!

Our previous principal never got around to doing our observations; she planned them a lot, but never actually made it into my room.

So, for a couple of reasons, this lesson must impress!  First - I want to impress the new boss!  Working contract to contract is a scary, scary way to live, and I want my lesson to prove to her that I am indispensable!

Second - I am scheduled to sign a contract Monday at 3:45; I would hate it if this lesson caused the P to call the Pastor and rescind the offer!

The lesson I wrote is good!  I can't wait; I just hope it goes well.  I have written a great lesson about food chains - from photosynthesis to decomposers.  I am pulling out all the technology stops - ActivInspire flipchart, BrainPop movie, YouTube videos (that's right- more than one!) and my newest love Socrative for the iPads!  I'm going to test it out on my family tomorrow while we're supposed to be celebrating Mother's Day.

"Happy Mother's Day, mom.  Now sit down, and pretend to be 10."

Thinking, Needing and Bucket List

The only thing that's been worse than my blogging recently is my complete lack of attention span for books lately.  I haven't finished a book in months!  MONTHS!  I usually read 4 or 5 at a time and finish all of them within a week.

That's not to say I haven't started new books!  I've started many, many books.  I just can't get to that point where I can't put it down and Must finish.

These are just a few of the books I've started recently:

I blame BRAVO.

Seriously,  reality TV is going to be the death of me!

On another note, about eight years ago, I moved into my first home.  I love it.  Except the loft.
 The loft has become one huge junk drawer.

I must clean out that mess.  I don't think I've been up there for more than two total in the last six months!  Clearly I don't need all the stuff that's, well, stuffed up there!  This summer is dedicated to purging!

That's it for now.  Thanks, Farley, for a great, fun way to stay connected!

Your turn.  Go link up!

Watch Out! Summer's Comin'!

I have been a very bad blogger during this school year, but just you wait!  Once summer comes, I'm going to be all over it!  I have been making list after list of things I want to blog about - some things that went really well, and I'm dying to brag, and some things that went badly, and I'm hoping for some insight from all my bloggy friends!

I also intend to share all the great TpT and blogger ideas and projects that I have used throughout the year.  Blogging has done wonders for my teaching!  Through all your great projects and ideas, I am energized and positive in a way I haven't' been for a long time. 

There are also those great linky parties!  I cannot wait to get involved again in all of the fun.  Oh, how I miss writing up my monthly CURRENTLY!  Every month I see them go by.... and think, "This month, I'll do it.  This month, I won't be so busy.."  Yeah, right!   BTW - what's Five for Friday?!  I am seriously out of the loop!

Well this month, I'm doing it!  Ok, I'm #470 and no one will probably see it, but I'm doing it anyway!

There it is.  Watch out bloggers.  I'm coming back!  Hopefully we can pick up right where we left off, and you'll forgive my crazy long absences!

Love you and talk soon,

September!!

It's September.  The best time of the whole year!  The weather gets better, school settles into routine, aaannnd... it's my birthday month!  I have to admit, I am totally annoying about my birthday.  Every time someone mentions a date in September, I do the math and announce how many days that event is away from my birthday!  I'm trying to tone it down... but it's hard!

Click here to link up.  I'm really going to try hard to plan posts and be a better blogger!  Stay tuned!

August Currently

It's that time again.  Time to link up with Farley at Oh Boy 4th Grade.   As much as I look forward to the Currently every month, this one is bittersweet.  I've had a great summer and am looking forward to going back to school, but really - who doesn't wish summer was just a little bit longer?  Anyway... here you go:

Now it's your turn!  Don't forget to link up; I can't wait to see what everyone is doing currently!

Currently...Finally!

I am linking up with Farley at Oh' Boy 4th Grade on July's Currently! I have seen these around and always wanted to link up, so I finally am!! Here it goes!

  

In case you're curious; my new favorite font is called Architect's Daughter.  I have no idea where I found it, but I love, love, love it!  I'm using it on everything!

The rules for the last question "reads" are:  

#1 - my most favorite read aloud.  I LOVE reading The Witches out loud because the Grand High Witch's voice is soooo fun!!  My kids get a kick out of it!

#2 - my go to professional book - I have read and reread The Book Whisperer more times than I can count since last summer!  Donalyn Miller is my hero!! :)

Fun!  Thanks to Farley for doing this every month!  I can't wait to see what everyone else is up to this month!