Another Fresh Start

 It's been a whole lot of forever since I've blogged about anything!

Since then, my life has changed dramatically.

I quit my job.

I helped my family (especially my dad) get through a tough patch.

I survived a pandemic.

I spent my entire savings.

I started a new job.

I died. 

Twice.

I made new friends.

I lost old friends.

I changed.

My current position leaves me with tons of downtime, and I've started journaling again. 

While working on my June layout, I looked back at old blogs posts for inspiration.

Then I went down a rabbit hoe that included my own blog - which I haven't read or looked at in YEARS.

And I read this linked post.

Reading the linked post and my thoughts made me reflect on my own journey over the last 18 months or so. 

And I have a lot to say.  

Stay tuned.

Read Aloud Woes

Reading aloud to kids is the one part of teaching I miss most!  As a new administrator, I have yet to figure out how to get into the classrooms to read!

My read aloud choices changed depending on my class, but there were a few I always, always read to my kids: 

There's a Boy in the Girls' Bathroom by Louis Sachar taught my students empathy for Bradley and reminded me of the kind of teacher I wanted to be.

 








The House with a Clock in Its Walls by John Bellairs was a great first read. Despite its slow start, I promised my students an adventure if they stuck with it.  What a glorious lesson!  Plus it's the first in a trilogy.

The Witches by Roald Dahl because who doesn't love a great Dahl book - and how fun to read the witch's role in a heavy German accent!

Storm Runners by Roland Smith enticed even the most reluctant readers to finish the series.

There were more throughout the year depending on student recommendations, newly printed literature, and newly found classics.  But those four were always part of our classroom.

Next year, we are installing a librarian in our building.  We will not, however, be hiring a true librarian to fill this position.  Instead we will give the job to an Instructional Assistant with the hope that she will maintain the collection.  I hope to be fully involved in what that looks like for our students - and you better believe it will include lots of read alouds!

New Beginnings

So I haven't posted in a ton of forever.

Since my last post in September of 2014, I have started a new job in education.

I am now an Academic Coordinator at the east campus of the school where I started teaching in fall 2013.

Essentially, I aid students and teachers with all things academic.

I prepare, plan for, and proctor testing.  Which in Ohio is a lot.

            A lot.

I try to keep up with the ever changing rules and laws that relate to teaching, students and testing.

I train teachers.

I attend meetings.

              A lot of meetings.

Teacher evaluation takes way more time than I ever realized.

Like teaching, there's always, always more to do...

It's a challenging, frustrating, amazing, difficult, fast-paced, sitting at a desk job.

Some days I hate it.

Most days I love it.

And I have given up my summers.

I'm not sure how I feel about that yet, but as the school year comes to a close, I like it less and less.


So, to keep up with my changing every day, this blog needs to change, too.

First a new design - stay tuned.

Then a new focus - perhaps professional development?
                             - perhaps more personal?
                             - perhaps something else entirely?

I miss writing.  So what began as a teacher's blog will become something new.

It's fitting that it's spring.  Easter time.  Time for growth.  Rebirth.

A new beginning...

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...

Reflections of an {almost} Mentor Teacher

So, yesterday at 3:45, I was asked to take the training to become a Instructional Mentor to our Resident Educators.  Today I am sitting in a hotel two hours from home - having completed our first full day of training. 

I love learning new things, and this is right up my alley! 

But, holy cat, has education changed a ton since I started teaching more than 15 years ago! 

Back in the day, there weren't mentors.  No one was really worried if I was stressing out, or would even know unless I freaked out in the teachers' lounge (which happened a bunch my first couple of years!) 

I was so fortunate to work with teachers who were more than willing to help me out when I needed it.  At some point during those first few years, I made a nuisance out of myself to nearly every teacher in our building!  I remember crying more than once over kids' bad behavior or particularly hateful parent letters.  I also remember the joy with which I told every teacher who ever helped me out how great a certain kid did on his latest math test!  Those friendships have survived the test of time - they are some of the women I call "besties" to this day!

I also had great classes my first few years who made it easy to hone my skills.  I started teaching my first year at the end of first quarter when a teacher suddenly quit.  Let me tell you, folks, this was such a blessing!  All of the decorations were up, the gradebook was set up, there were discipline procedures in place, and (best for me, even though I feel a little guilty about it) the parents were so glad to see the previous teacher leave, they love, loved me!   It was like when I was little and my sister got in trouble; for a while I got to play the favorite child, you know what I mean? 

One other factor that I believe helped me a ton was my professional history up until that point.  I left school with a teaching certificate, but didn't use it for about 5 years.  When I went back to the profession, I started as a sub.  The lessons I learned from subbing were invaluable!  I kept a notebook with good/bad ideas of the teachers' for whom I subbed.  Taking on the responsibility for 28 kids at age 28 was, for me, a lot more successful than it would have been when I was 23.  There's something to be said for life experience!

I'll be able to write a more comprehensive post about the RE process after tomorrow's class, but today I just felt like sharing a quick reflection.  With almost 50% of all new teachers leaving within 5 years, it was an interesting trip down memory lane to see what caused me to stay.

So, then, I'm curious about your journey.  What factors have influenced your path in education?

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!

Super Six! {Take Two}

Bewitched Bookworms is back with a new Super Six Sunday linky:

Six books that make you laugh!

Jennifer Cruisie is about the funniest author out there.  And her funniest, by far, was Wild Ride.  Written with her sometimes co-author Bob Mayer, Wild Ride is totally different than her other books.  Maybe that's why I find it the most memorable.  Definitely anything by Jennifer Cruisie is worth the time - I know I'll be laughing out loud.

Speaking of laughing out loud, Meg Cabot's books are also guaranteed to get me going!  The Boy Next Door, the first book I ever read by Ms. Cabot, remains my favorite!  Written entirely in emails between the characters, I read it in one night and have re-read it twice since then.  (Which is a huge thing; I almost never re-read books!)

 Another favorite author is Sophie Kinsella.  Wedding Night almost caused me to get into an accident - I was laughing so hard as I listened to it in my car. 




As for kids' book that make me giggle, it's hard to narrow the choices down to just three!

My favorite read alouds that keep the kids in stitches are Lois Lowry's All About Sam and Roald Dahl's The Witches.  I defy you to read either of these books aloud and not have to stop to wipe a tear!  The best part is listening to the kids laugh - every class loves both of these books!

Finally my suggestion to nearly every student who asks for a funny book is most often Mudshark by Gary Paulsen.  So cleverly written, especially the subplot narrated by the principal at the beginning of each chapter.





I can't wait to add to my TBR pile for the summer when I check out everyone else's books over at bewitched bookworms!  Check it out!

Better Late Than Never, Right?

After changing my blog design earlier today, I am motivated to get back into blogging!  Summer's approaching and I'll have more time to share more about the huge challenge my new job has been - in both bad and {mostly} good ways!

But for today I'll join in with a new linky party I've found: Super Six Sundays, hosted by bewitched bookworms.  And even though it's Saturday, and they'll be starting a new linky tomorrow, I loved the topic they chose for this week and can't help but join in the fun!

This week's prompt:  List Six Books You Couldn't Stop Thinking About.


Zoo by James Patterson

I have to admit, I'm not a huge fan of James Patterson, and usually when I finish one of his books, I can't remember it for more than a couple of hours.  That's what makes Zoo so different!  I read it months ago and I keep talking about it to anyone who happens to bring up books, reading, animals, or almost anything else!

Henry's Sisters by Cathy Lamb

This is one of the best books I have ever read.  I recommend it to everyone who asks, but I have never known another reader who has read it!

The One and Only Ivan by Katherine Applegate

I spent all of last summer looking for a new great book that could measure up to the previous summer's offerings - to no avail.  Read my review for Ivan here.

Okay for Now by Gary Schmidt

The same summer that gave me Ivan also introduced me to Doug Swieteck.  I have still not recovered from my angst for Doug.  Read my original review here.





 

Madame Tussaud by Michelle Moran

Historical fiction at its best. Meticulously researched and brilliantly executed, I felt like I was in the midst of the French Revolution, and Marie's struggle to survive!







The Book Whisperer & Reading in the Wild by Donnalyn Miller

The best professional books ever!  Each one confirmed for me what I already knew and justified my teaching style to anyone who doubted me!






Click each title to see the book on Barnes and Noble.

What I See

I think I may have said in a previous post that I use Facebook as a big part of my PLN.   One of the groups that I follow is the Centurions of 2011: 111 Books by January, 2012.  I know - it's out of date - but it works and they just kept going.  

Anyway, tonight I saw a post that led me to stop by Mrs. McGriff's blog and her July list.  This was her FB post: "

Didn't read the quantity I hoped for in July, but the quality was outstanding!

When I clicked the link, Mrs. McGriff had read 24 books!!  That's quantity in my book!  I'm going to be vigilant and see how many she reads in August...

But what I really wanted to share was this poem that is on Mrs. McGriff's About Me page.  I love this idea, and maybe I would use it as a model for my students to follow in my classroom if I was teaching ELA.


What I See

I see a room
where students overflow with words,
where books are passed from mind to mind
and writing spills across every page.

I see students
who devour book–
poetry and stories,
biographies and memoirs,
how-to guides adn graphic novels,
magazines and websites–
who read during every spare moment.

I see students
eager to take about what they read:
to questions and challenge deeper truths,
to connect with the spaces in their lives.
They invite their friends and family
to read and talk, to celebrate books
at Survivor Book Club.

I see students
who discover that writing has meaning for their lives,
who discover that words have power to challenge injustices
and change their lives.

I see students
who share their writing–
entering contests,
submitting works to magazines and websites,
giving gifts of writing,
plastering the school with their words–
who are not afraid to be heard.

I see a community
where we are free
to share our words,
to think new thoughts,
to try and fail, then try again.

I see colleagues
who value time together–
to share ideas and build on successes,
to share problems and brainstorm solutions,
to read and research together–
who continually seek to stretch beyond
and make ourselves better.

I see my life
where reading, writing, teaching
come together
to point the way.


--------------------------------
Lovely, right?  Would you use this model in your ELA classroom?  Maybe this would be a great back to school activity - set the stage for a great year!

 

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!

Me - by the numbers!

I was searching for a great get-to-know-all-my-new-kids-that's-mathy game on the internet and came across this super cute linky from 2011.   Y'all know I love a linky, and even though I can't link up, I'm totally stealing borrowing the idea to use with my classes.

So.. Amanda wrote out things about herself that went from 1-10.  I've done the same thing, but I think this might be super hard for kids to do... so for their projects, I'm just going to let them use any 10 numbers (or less, if 10 is taking too long).

Anyway.. here's me - by the numbers.

ONE
I have one sister.  We didn't always get along as we were growing up, but as adults, we are pretty close.  We spend a lot of time together going to musicals -- both professional and community theater!

TWO
My ONE sister is the mom of my TWO nieces!  They are my favorite people in the world.  I love, love, love being an aunt.  I do whatever I want with them (i.e. - get them all sugared up, or let them buy whatever they want at Toys'R Us) and then take them home, kiss them goodbye and leave!!

THREE
I have had exactly three cell phones in my life.  The first was way back in 1998:

Don't laugh.  At the time it was super cool because you didn't have to pull out the antenna.  State of the art, I tell ya!

Phone #2 was the opposite.  My students always commented that it was 'soo cute!' or 'soo tiny!'

This one was cool because it had games!!  Does anyone else remember SNAKE or MANCALA?  I loved this phone, but I couldn't send or receive text messages, so eventually I had to change.  But I still miss it!

My current phone is not much better that my last one:

I kinda don't love this one.  Sure I can text, but I have to use the number pad to do it.  It's easy to use, but it can't do all the cool things my friends' iPhones can do!  But when you talk to me, I will never mute you like my friends often do!  So it has pluses and minuses!

Someday I'll get a new phone - maybe even I iPhone.  I would like to crush candy on the go...

FOUR
I have four knitting projects in the works. I may never finish any of them!


FIVE
Fifth grade was the year I first got glasses.  I remember the day I got them comparing everything on the way home the way I'd always seen them with how they looked corrected!  It was amazing!  I especially remember the McDonald's sign, for some reason!

SIX
I have six months left on my current lease, and I'm getting too close for comfort on the miles.  I will be looking to replace this car early in about October so I don't go over the miles!  It's a good little car, but getting a new car is always exciting!

Thank God - again - for a new job and a pay raise!  I can actually afford to get something a little more my style this time around!

SEVEN
Even though it seemed like a LOT longer, I was only unemployed for about seven weeks this summer!  The stress of not knowing what I was going to do was unbelievable, but I tried to stay positive and keep the faith...  It worked!  I'm so excited to start my new job!

EIGHT

I am currently reading eight (!) books.  I never leave the house without a book in tow; I am also listening to a book in my car (not one of the eight).  Wanna know what they are?



NINE
I have visited nine states.  That's not very many really, and I certainly didn't visit them all this summer.  But throughout my life I've been to:  Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Maine, North Carolina, Illinois, Tennessee, South Dakota, Indiana, and Washington.  I've driven through other states on the way, but unless I visited someone there or the state was my destination, it doesn't count, in my opinion.

TEN
Ten year olds are my favorite.  They are the best age to teach - they are clever-funny and smart, but they're still kids enough that they want to please.  Give me a bunch of ten year olds any day, and I'm a happy camper! 

These are not my kids; I took this, and all, the pictures from Google.

There you have it.  It's not easy to come up with this list.  FIVE especially was tough. 

Try it!  If you do, leave me a link in the comments; I'd love to see your 10!

Top 6 Linky

For the past two weeks, I've done nothing but obsess about my new room.  I cannot wait to get in there later this week and make it my own.

So in the spirit of wishful thinking, I'm linking up with Courtney @Swimming Into Second for her weekly top ten.  But I can only think of 6 things to put on my list!  And three of them I already have!  Yep - I'm pretty blessed!

The first thing I want in my dream classroom is an iPad for every child.  I started using the iPads at my old school only towards the end of the year, but I wish I had done more.  The possibilities are endless and kids love them!

BTW, my favorite app for the classroom is Socrative.  Students can enter answers to the questions, and I get an email that I can print out and use for assessment.  Love that!

 Next, I would love to have these stools.  Do you know about these yet?  They are so cool; they wobble just enough.  Kids who can't sit still get to move - while they're sitting! 

Third up would have to be lovely window coverings! The windows in my new room are old and ugly and the shades are not much better. Not to mention, one of them is missing (??). I am not a seamstress, nor do I plan to become one, so I'm not sure how to make this happen yet. But when I was classroom shopping the other day, I contemplated shower curtain panels. Not plastic ones, but pretty fabric ones! They are larger than window panels and come in great patterns that might be fun for a large classroom. Has anyone tried this? Do you have other great ideas for covering my ugly windows?

The last three things I need in my dream classroom, I already have!!! I cannot imagine living without them, though so I'm including both of them in my dream classroom layout!

Some sort of interactive white board.  I don't care if it's Promethean or SMART but I need a board that I can teach from.  I absolutely cannot go back to chalk!!  :)

I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE my Classroom Friendly Supplies Pencil Sharpener!  This thing is the best!  I got my to review last summer, and my kids used it all year long!  It is the best evah!

And finally - carpet!  If you have it, you know what I mean.  If you don't have carpet, you probably are like, what's the big deal?  Well, let me tell you.
1) It's quiet.  There is no chair noise or stomping feet noise.

2) It's comfortable.  Kids can sit on the floor and I don't have to have to have carpet squares or an extra rug (which, when I had, I always tripped over the edges, or somebody would pick at the edges and ruin the binding).

3)  And it's homey.  I love the idea of making our classrooms more homey and comfortable.  Carpet goes a long way to creating that atmosphere!



There you have it!  My list.  Go link up; I can't wait to find out what other things I should be coveting for my room!