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,

What Teachers Make

I first saw this video years ago, but I had forgotten about it. I love it! Especially the part about scaring parents with calls home! The best part of my week is when I can call home about something great that happened!

Classroom Management Secrets

What a busy, busy week in room 102!  Our first week back after Christmas break was packed full.  I have to admit I was worried that it would be the longest week in the history of school after not being there for two full weeks.  But the week flew by!  I love weeks like that; when Friday comes and I hate to see the momentum of the week end.  Does that ever happen to you!?  Definitely a week for my new Year of Blessings Jar (a la Pinterest, of course!).

I wanted to share one of my secrets to great classroom management.  It isn't fancy, and many of you probably already know about it:  Smart Classroom Management.  Each week I get an email with helpful hints, practical advice and real-life solutions to classroom issues.  I save every email, and whenever things are going badly in my classroom, I take the time to reread the applicable emails.  Turns out, it's almost always my fault that things are going wrong!  Let me explain:

Do you ever watch Supernanny or Dr. Phil?  If you do, you know it's usually the parents' fault that their kids are so out of control, right?  Well, just like parenting, how you communicate with your students affects the atmosphere in your classroom.  I guess we all know that already, but I find it very helpful to have a reminder when I need it.

If you are not already receiving these weekly reminders of what great teaching looks like, sounds like and feels like, sign up here.  I'd love to hear about your classroom management tips!

Christmas Break = Rejuvenation!

Well, it's Christmas break. I've had a great time off, and I'm still looking forward to another four days! (I totally just had to check to see what day it is; for some reason it feels like a Sunday!) I spent the entire first week of my break just relaxing - no school stuff, no surfing TpT or Pinterest, no creating new games and activities for school, nothing. It's been sooo nice! Please tell me I'm not alone in sometimes wishing I worked in a job where I could leave at the end of the day and not think about work until the next day... 

Anyway, now I'm back in school mode. I've had a ton of fun looking at all the great resources available for the new year and even Valentine's Day on Pinterest and TpT. (Note to self: Write a post about said resources after using them!) I've even had time to catch up a little on reading the posts by all of the amazing teacher bloggers I've been ignoring since school started. I am absolutely in awe that you all can do everything - teach, blog, raise a family, etc. Do you all sleep? One of the great blog posts I read and feel like I have somethng to add is from Courtney at Swimming Into Second. She is hosting a linky called and if there's one thing I love and can't resist, it's a LINKY!  So here goes:

My boys (and some of the girls!) love, love, love the I Survived... series.  The favorites of them so far this year are I Survived the Shark Attacks of 1916 and I Survived the Sinking of the Titanic, 1912 (no surprises there, I suppose.).  A few of them have read the one about 9/11, but it seems too soon to me.  I can't read it yet.  I wonder how long it will be before I can relive that day with some detachment?

 

What are your boys reading?  Your turn to link up!  Click the graphic above or here to join in the fun!