Thankfulness

Yesterday we celebrated another Thanksgiving.  Just five days prior I celebrated my 12th wedding anniversary.  When I look at how things have changed and rearranged and changed again, I can't help but to be thankful for everything that has happened to me.

When my husband and I first married, we were two struggling grad school students.  Within a year we were on our way to our journey in parenthood. Several years later, we added to that journey.  In between, we had career changes, lost several family members, witnessed serious illness in close family members, and generally experienced life.

Fast forward several more years.  Add in temporary unemployment, a relocation, growing children, and new beginnings.

Enter this year.  From frustrations to triumphs, all things have made me realize how fortunate I am and how thankful I should be:
 
My family is healthy. 
My husband and I are both employed. 
We have been given a chance to positively impact children outside of our family, church, and my job as a teacher. 
My husband has embraced his faith more than ever before and the changes in him have made positive things occur in our household.  His faith has impacted my faith and trickled to the children.
We have friends who love us unconditionally, and in turn, we feel the same about them.

There is nothing else I need right now.

I am simply thankful.

Promises

Promise: a sign that gives reason for expecting success.

I've been thinking about God's promises lately.  I have been in this place where I am not sure that I want to continue teaching.  Don't get me wrong; I love being with the children and teaching and learning right along with them.  I've been doing this for 10 years now. 

I'm not sure I want to deal with all of the bureaucratic changes that keep occurring in the field of education.  Furthermore, I am looking at my own two children and seeing the effects that some of these changes have had on them.  Not that my children are suffering academically, but I feel that they could be challenged more, that they need to be able to explore more, that they need to be able to grow into their own academically.  Both of my children are considered to be above grade level, and both of them have been part of gifted enrichment programs at their schools. 

But what does that mean, exactly?  Working in two different districts, in two different states, has shown me the inconsistency between states regarding children's education.  Some of the things I used to teach my students in my former district are considered to be enrichment or even "gifted" in my current district.  When I teach my current class, I still teach them from some of the same standards and with some of the same practices I used in my former district.  I know my students are learning.  But more and more, I see us teachers being pushed to teach to the test, standards checklists for mastery being cut back, new programs that dumb down the curriculum further and further, and adjustments in old programs that aren't helping anyone.

I am concerned for my children's academics.

I have been kicking around the idea of homeschooling my children for several months now.  Actually, since last school year when I saw how much my oldest was beginning to struggle.  Looking at her curriculum and what she was doing each week just showed more of the same.  More test practice, more memorization, less applied thinking for higher-level concepts, and less of a focus on the basics (like learning how to take proper notes).

Did I say I was concerned for my children's academics?

After many discussions with my husband, who agrees with the idea, we decided to pray about it.  I really feel that I should be homeschooling my two.  During my search for confirmation, I came across the following:

Romans 8:32 "He who did not spare His own Son, but gave Him up for us all--how will He not also, along with Him, graciously give us all things?" (This while reading through a 'mom blog' on Thursday.)
Psalms 37:4 "Delight yourself in the Lord; and He will give you the desires of your heart." (This was in my morning devotional yesterday.) 
John 15:7 "If you remain in Me and My words remain in you, ask whatever you wish and it will be given you." (That was in this morning's sermon at church.) 

When God tried to make a point, He makes a point!  These verses are coupled with my pastor's series of sermons on being open and available to God in everything, including prayer and praise.

My desire to is to be able to work from home so I can homeschool my children and prepare them for their futures with God's guidance and direction.  In His grace, that will happen if it is in His will and I stay in His word.

I will stand on His promises.

Fighting Through Illness

Man oh man.

Don't you hate when it feels like you are coming down with something and you are momentarily struck by the thought:  How will everything get done if I get sick?  I'm in that place.  I have the symptoms of a cold right now.  The same cold that has laid two of my colleagues by the wayside in the past week and a half.  And now this same cold has reared its ugly head and placed me firmly in its sights.

I awoke with one stuffed nostril and a throat that ached when I swallowed.  Throughout the day, the symptoms progressed to sneezes, the feeling of an elephant on my chest, and slight nausea around dinner.  I have taken a nap and and am drinking my ginger ale.  I'll be heading up to bed in just a few to gather my strength for teaching tomorrow.

I'm praying that this is the extent of my illness.  I don't like being sick.  Thankfully for me, I rarely am.  Being off my feet with someone else in charge and running the house leaves me feeling a little disconcerted.  It's the whole Supermom thing again, but I am learning to relax a bit more.  My husband is learning to cook more meals and helps with homework and things around the house, which are blessings.

So if this thing progresses (which I really pray it doesn't), I know I'll be in good hands.  Even as I keep my cape tucked under my PJs.   

The Crazy Came...and Went

Wow.  It has been one heck of a time in my household.  We've gotten into the swing of the school stuff (at least, I'm pretty sure we have) and were cruising along quite nicely.

Then my husband had to go away for training for his job. In Des Moines, Iowa (which is several states away from where I live). For a WEEK.

For those of you who have spouses that travel on a regular basis, more power to you.  I extol your virtues.  I had no virtues last week; my week was crazed.  And as an aside, I don't know how single parents do it, either.  Six days was enough for me.

My husband left on a Sunday morning before church and returned very late Friday evening.  The house wasn't the same without him.  We had to adjust our daily routines a bit; my mother-in-law was here at the house to make sure my daughter got off the bus okay and didn't have to wait in an empty house until I got home. (My husband is usually home when she gets home.) Call me paranoid, but things happen.

During the week, I'll admit, I was tired.  Mainly because I wasn't sleeping well.  I was paranoid that someone would try to break in so I put strings of bells on all of my doors and added to my fervent prayers for safety and protection each night.  (Not that I live in a dangerous neighborhood; in fact it's pretty quiet. It's just that, well, things happen.)  I used to put bells on the doors when the kids were little to alert me to any "wandering" that might occur.  That helped ease my mind a bit.  Besides that, the kids wanted to sleep with me in my room.  We did that last time my husband went out of town (four years ago!).  But in all, the kids slept well. Me, not so much.  Between listening for the bells and extracting little legs, arms, and feet from various points on my body each night then teaching my class of 19 during the day, I was wiped out by the time Friday rolled around.

I hadn't realized just how much I depend on my husband for the daily workings of the house.  We have the household chores pretty well divided and it was a bit overwhelming to try and do them all during the week in between homework, grading papers, instrument practice, etc.  The kids helped out where they could, but they had their own chores to do.  I think we did a pretty good job, but truth be told, I'm glad to have my own chore list back.  I can say the experience has made me appreciate my husband more.

The experience was also a bit humbling for me.  I'm so used to what I perceive to be all of the "stuff" I need to do for my household.  You know, or else it will fall apart without me--despite the contributions everyone else makes to said household.  Ahh, yes.  The good ol' Supermom Complex.  I think God knocked me down a few pegs to help me see that I'm not as "super" as I might have thought I was.

I'm getting back into the groove of things.  We all are.  The crazy is gone, I learned about myself, and my husband is back.

Life is good.

Juggling Act

It's been a crazy week or so in my household.  I had a "Wha...?" moment with my new cell phone (See 'Day 20' post on 180 Days.)  I've gotten the diagnosis on my knee, and I've been keeping on top of my children's schoolwork and activities.  Busy!

Regarding the cell phone, trust me.  Read the post.  You will feel so much better about yourself.


My new phone.  Waaaaaay too much technology in such a small device.  Although it is light years above what I had before.  I won't even show the picture for that one.  It's too embarrassing. 

About the knee.  Good news: By grace, I don't need surgery.  Not-so-great news:  My doctor still doesn't know what's causing the inflammation in my knee.  So I'm to stay on the regimen of knee support, ice, elevation, and ibuprofen.  It's sort of nice because I am pretty much parked on the sofa with my feet up after work wearing a rather stylish (not!) ice pack from CVS called Peas.  (Only I feel unproductive and slobbish when I do that.  But hey, maybe God's trying to tell me to slow down a bit.) 

Anyhow, if my knee doesn't improve, I am to schedule physical therapy somewhere between balancing five plates on a pole on my forehead, juggling two dozen eggs in my hands, all while balancing on one foot (on my good leg) on a unicycle.  Have you got the visual?  That's how I feel lately.  My doctor is a really nice guy and all, but I don't want to have to schedule in physical therapy on top of everything else.  We'll see.

Oh yeah! My husband had an idea to send out an all-call for comments, questions, suggestions, and tips from you, my lovely readers.  So I'm letting it all hang out here.  Any comments for me?  Or burning questions as to how I (almost) stay sane? Any suggestions on anything?  Any sanity-saving tips?  Bring 'em on! 

I'm So Ashamed

Wow.  It's been an extremely long time since I've posted.  For that, dear readers, I apologize.  I'm ashamed of myself!

It's not that I haven't been posting. I've been posting to my sister blog nearly every day so I don't forget things that have happened during school hours. 

My personal life has been a little less dramatic, so you haven't missed much.  Let's see.  I've been spending my evenings checking homework (of my own children and my class) from the comfort of my sofa while my ice-covered knee is perched on the ottoman.  (Still dealing with the torn meniscus.  Was seen by doctor again on Wednesday and put into a temporary brace until my MRI on Monday.  They'll make a decision on how to proceed after that.  I'll keep you posted.  Let's just say it's a little cumbersome trying to keep up with folks lately.)

Anyhow, back to the busyness of life.  I'm trying to keep up with posting, nursing my knee, have gotten interviewed by a local reporter for a news story about teachers, attended two parent nights, and started my new part-time weekend job at a facility geared to help underprivileged children.  (The cool thing about the program is that my family is part of it as well; we are sort of models of what a proper family should be.  We also teach them life skills, how to be responsible citizens, and how to handle conflict in a positive way.  We've done two weekends so far and we love it!)

I know, I know.  It's been crazy and you've missed me (maybe), but I promise I will try to be a bit more timely in my postings here.

One Week Down

Well, I've made it through the first week of school. Check out my day-to-day musings about teaching elementary school at http://www.lia-180days.blogspot.com/.  In a nutshell, I taught through a five-day heatwave, dealt with several massive nosebleeds (from one student), started teaching routines, and discovered I have a torn meniscus (THAT was discovered on the second day of school.).

In motherhood news, my oldest started middle school (tear, sniff) and my youngest began second grade (in the classroom right beside mine).  The mornings have been streamlined, thanks to having the kids operate on a "school schedule" for the week before school started.  The kids got up like they would on a regular school day and went through their morning routines of washing faces (showers are done the night before), brushing teeth, getting dressed, and eating breakfast.

To help with the mornings, clothes were put out and lunches were packed (except for sandwiches) the night before. Now that school has started, forms are signed, and backpacks are packed and ready to go along with the other things mentioned above.  Things run much more smoothly in those groggy, hazy moments during the sun rise.

I wish the rest of my days would go as smoothly sometimes.  But then, life would be boring, and who wants THAT?!?

Sister Blog Alert!

Check out my newest blog, http://www.lia-180days.blogspot.com/.  Experience what I experience on my journey through 180 days of school. 

T-Minus...

It's Sunday afternoon.  Less than 24 hours to go before the First Day of School.  Wow.  Where did summer go?

My room is ready, my clothes are ready, my plans are ready.  But am I ready?  I think so.  Haircuts have been gotten, new medications for school nurses have been gotten and delivered, school shopping is (partly) done (see earlier post on that one), and the kids are getting their backpacks ready. 

We're going to enjoy these last few hours of freedom, for tomorrow, it begins!

Room Arranging Has Begun!

Oh, the joys of organization.  Right.  I was in the building this past week arranging my room.  Painfully so.  Here's the deal:  temps were in the high 80s/low 90s, my building has no air conditioning, my room faces the bus loop (which is on the sunny side of the building--of course!), and air flow is not the best.  Needless to say, I was a sweaty, stinky, tired mess at the end of the day each day.  And I have more this week.  Joy.

With all that said, however, I did make some progress.  I cleaned out two of the four drawers of my filing cabinet.  They all looked like this:

Overflowing. 
This is my Language Arts drawer.  I have stories, writing projects, journals, and daily language practice in here.  Sadly, this was not one of the two drawers I made it through on Friday.  I just didn't have the energy to do it after the other two.  However,  Monday is a different story.

But then, about an hour and a half later...

Progress! 
This is the first half of my math program, Units 1-6.  Units 7-12 are in the drawer underneath.  I literally could not get any more papers in this drawer before cleaning it out.  Doesn't it look purty? 

Aside from the filing cabinet, I also managed to arrange my desks, get some posters up, and clean out my desk.  I still need to reorganize my class library, and finish my last two file drawers.  Really looking forward to that.   (You can hear the sarcasm, right?) 

On a brighter note, I did come up with more ideas to help make life a little easier.  Grab a pencil or hit "Print"; here they are!

• Keep two copies of all worksheets.  One for sending away to copy; one to have as a backup.
• File according to math lesson, social studies lesson, language arts story, etc.  All sheets, models, overheads, and patterns go in the file folder.  I also file writing, daily language practice, holidays, etc. by themselves.  I'm a fan of color coding by subject, too. 
• Keep a list of reference books written in the inside cover.  For example, in my Black History Month folder, I've listed all of the books and stories I have in my library so I can pull them when needed.   
• Keep duplicate overheads.  When you have the same overhead to reference across several lessons, you won't have to hunt around or try to remember which story/lesson to file it with.
• Before sending out your family welcome letters, check your roster against the nurse's roster for food allergies.  You can put the information in your letter so parents are aware before school even starts.  Useful for snack time and class parties.  
• If your materials come in shrink wrap, use an envelope opener.  You will save time and your scissors can take a break.
• Use painter's tape to put up decorations.  It's less messy than Sticky Clips and comes off better than regular masking tape.  Your custodians will thank you.
• When putting your items together for students, make at least one extra set.  (This means books, folders, journals, parent info sent during the first week, etc.)  If you get a new student during the year, you don't have to hunt around for the materials.  A set is already there. See below. 

Ready for a new student.  Paperwork is in a separate folder in my desk.

Hope this helps.  More to come; stay tuned!  

More Preparation

I've been slowly getting my school supplies.  (I like to catch the sales, so I get a little each week.)  This week I stocked up on Crayola crayons, 25 cents a box, down from $1.19 a box at Target.  Good deal made better considering I had to buy 24 boxes! 

I also bought my pens from Office Max. If you are like me, I am particular about what I write with on a daily basis.  I like pens with brightly colored ink, medium to large points, and thick barrels, preferably with a gel cushion or something.  I usually buy Pentech pens, but I found some pens with my specifications at a great price:  two packs of five for just over $3.00.  (They are buy one, get one this week.) 

I still need to order school supplies online; that will be done in the next two days or so.  Hopefully what I need will still be in stock.  It's a bit late, true, but I also have two school-age children I've been simultaneously buying supplies for as well. 

We're finally down to the school clothes part.  Although, I don't usually buy new clothes before school starts.  I buy shoes and a few basics, but then I wait until after the school year begins to get the rest (when it's on clearance!).  This is not to say my kids go to school in raggedy clothes. Definitely not. They have play clothes and regular clothes (for errands, doctor's appointments, church, and now, school).  Play clothes stay home. (Although my youngest would have no problems wearing his favorite play shirt EVERYWHERE!)

Anyhow, I found that Jo Ann Fabrics and Big Lots are having their Teacher Appreciation Days this weekend, August 14 (Big Lots) and August 14-15 (Jo Ann Fabrics).  Be sure to check your local area for offers from other stores, especially Borders/Waldenbooks, and some of the larger department stores.  I've got my eye on a wicker chair at Big Lots; I've been looking for a new reading chair for class.  I also have my eye on some safari-themed fabric at Jo Ann Fabrics.  I want to make a new cushion for my chair and maybe new curtains for my classroom windows to add color.  The beige and giraffe curtains I currently have are a little drab against the beige walls and cabinets of the room.  Now I know I told you I was able to make said curtains for under $20.  I am not going to spend a ton on fabric if I decide to make new curtains.  With the current sale on the safari-themed fabric, (50% off), it comes to $3.50 a yard.  Add an extra 20% off if I go on Saturday, and I can still get what I need for under $20.  I guess I need to make a decision because time is ticking fast!
 
Three weeks.  Sigh.

I'm slooowly getting there.

Planning

Okay.  Today was spent going through my beginning-of-the-year checklist.  You know, the list that reminds me of what needs to be done to prepare for the school year and what to get finished.  I've begun gathering things for this school year.  I've gathered plastic twin-pocket folders to use for take-home folders. (I like these better than laminated folders because they are extremely durable.  Got them on sale at Target this week for 35 cents each.)

I also purchased my personal planner.  I use a Mead student planner because I prefer the layout to other planners I've used--and I'll admit, I like the funky patterns.  

Past that, I've been taking inventory of extras.  You know, the things you wish you had when something happens, but didn't really think of getting until something happens.  My classroom "extras" list is comprised of:

• Band-Aids
• Kleenex
• Select-a-size paper towels (Just the right size for little hands.)
• Hand sanitizer (If your school permits it.)
• Ziploc baggies in snack and sandwich sizes (SO many uses!)
• Baby wipes (If you use them for the overhead or wiping small hands, you can usually get away with cutting them in half before use. They last twice as long.)
• Hand soap refills (I find that foaming hand soap is easier to rinse and lasts much longer than regular liquid soap.) 

I usually display little cards with the name of an item from the list above during Parent Night.  That way, parents can choose what item(s) to donate.  I also display them during conference days so I can be stocked throughout the year. 

My personal "extras" list consists of:

• Deodorant (No A/C in my building!)
• Safety pins
• Extra body spray (See note about deodorant!)
• Mints
• Lip gloss
• Personal hand sanitizer (For use after sneezing, coughing, touching student papers and folders, etc.)
• Excedrin
• Personal sewing kit (For those little mishaps.) 

I keep these locked in my class closet.  (Except the mints, lip gloss, and personal hand sanitizer; those stay at my desk for quick access.) 

Other things you may want to keep (locked away) in your room are:

• Extra batteries (For games and gadgets that need them.)
• Screwdriver  (For getting backs off of said games and gadgets.)
• Disinfectant like Lysol
• All-purpose cleaner
• Sponges 

I've also been gleaning through my worksheets and organization papers for centers, rules, etc.  I've found that I have quite a few saved on my computer at school, and need to get them off.  Hopefully I can get into my room Monday.  I found my sheets for centers, test folders, behavior tracking grid, desk fairy, and student background.  Now if you're not familiar with some of these, don't fret.  All explanations will accompany the sheets when posted.

Been a Little Busy...

Okay, okay.  It's been a while since I've posted.  I've been busy with helping my daughter prep for her summer orchestra concert, hosting guests for a few days, cleaning out my garage and closets in preparation for a yard sale, and traveling out of town for a family reunion.  Somewhere in there, I've been tutoring several times a week. 

That said, I have created some worksheets to use this coming year and have been updated with the master schedule for this next school year.  I have a few more sheets I'm working on and will post for your review (and use if you so choose).  

Stay tuned...

How Did I Get Here, Anyway?

At some point when you're a child, you decide what you want to do when you grow up.  For me, I wanted to me a marine biologist (and actually went to college as a biology major), an archaeologist, or an environmental scientist (this long before being green was a way of life).  Nowhere in there was there a career dealing with teaching.  Not. A. Singular. Thought. 

I went to college and decided my sophomore year that I didn't want to be a scientist anymore (although I still love learning about the scientific world); there was no room for the creative side of me.  So I thought I'd fall back on my second love, writing.  I changed majors and became a student in my school's journalism program.  I loved my classes because I could write, and journalism has a scientific quality to it in that there are formulas for everything you do.  Style manuals to consult.  Methods to write all information as concisely as possible.   English rules learned in school.  Guidelines for proofreading and editing work to make it readable.  All while still being creative.  I was home.  I graduated with a degree in journalism and was ready to take on the world.  Sort of.

I knew I was going to graduate school, so I went back home after graduation and worked with the YMCA for a period of time before moving away to grad school.  I was a school-age (K-5) child care teacher in those hours before school begins and after school lets out.  During the school day I worked on site at the Y in the toddler room.  I loved being with the children and had fun.  But I was still on my way to grad school.

I moved to Baltimore to take courses in African history and earn my Master's degree in graduate school (where I met my husband).  My ultimate goal was to graduate with my degree and then go back to writing--this time in the form of textbooks.  As someone who grew up with parents who spent their childhoods and young adult lives during the Civil Rights era, I was one generation out of the change and turmoil that took place.  I wanted to write textbooks that added in accomplishments of African-Americans throughout history.  (I cannot tell you how frustrating it was growing up and being asked to do Black History reports for class, only to find that there was information for a handful of people: Martin Luther King, Jr., Harriet Tubman, Sojourner Truth, and Frederick Douglass.  It was like my history began with slavery, took a hiatus, continued with Civil Rights, and ended.)  Taking the courses in grad school was really eye-opening.  From pre-colonial Africa to present-day current events, from continental Africa to the world, I could not believe there was so much wonderful information out there just waiting to  be shared! 

I finished at Morgan as a married woman with little bundle on the way.  I found a few jobs temping at writing agencies, but nothing substantial until a month or so after my daughter was born.  I found a job working for an investment company proofreading documents.  The pay was wonderful, the benefits were excellent, but the time spent in the office was hard.  Deadline, deadline, deadline.  Add in my daily commute (2+ hours each day), and I was miserable.  I was blessed that my husband was able to provide care for our daughter for nearly the first year of her life due to his work schedule, but that didn't last long.  He found a better-paying job and we had to put her in daycare.  Our provider was awesome--nurturing, organized, academically minded.  But even then there was a nagging depression in my spirit.  I hated not being able to see my daughter more than a few hours a day.  Something had to give.

Shortly before my daughter's second birthday, I had a long talk with God.  I asked Him what I needed to be doing.  And in my spirit, I heard one word: "Teach."  I waited for confirmation of this idea, and it came from three unlikely places.  But it came nonetheless.  So I applied for a job fair with the help and guidance of a friend who was teaching and was hired on the spot to teach in an urban school system.  Looking back, God had prepared me for the career He had in mind.  I helped my mom with the children who stayed with us from time to time as foster children.  I tutored K-2 students in my junior and senior years in high school.  I spent many hours babysitting.  I tutored in college.  I worked in the Y's program.  I was a parent.  Shortly after being hired, I quit my job at the investment company and spent several wonderful months with my daughter. 

My employment as a teacher was conditional on the fact that I needed to take courses and earn my teaching degree, as I didn't have one.  So the first two years of teaching involved learning everything needed to plan, organize, and discipline students along with quite a few graduate-level education courses through another college; courses needed to earn my certificate. 

In the layout of my courses, there was no student teaching.  I started classes shortly after the school year started.  Any first-year teacher knows how hard just getting "into the groove" is.  Add to that a toddler, a household to run, and a spouse who worked 60-70 hour weeks, and it was more like trial by fire.  A SERIOUS learning curve.  But by grace, I made it.  By the time my son arrived (during the spring of my second year of teaching), I had the same challenges listed above along with a newborn.  By grace, I finished all of my coursework (early!) the semester after having my son.  By grace, I earned tenure that same year.  By grace. BY.GRACE.

I stayed in the district a total of five years before moving to another state.  The experiences I had during those five years are the cogs that turn the wheel for this blog.  From dealing with students across learning abilities and styles to non-English speakers, from supplying ALL of your classroom needs out of your own pocket to deteriorating buildings, from the varied academic, social, and emotional needs of my students to the unconditional love of children, I've learned a LOT.  I plan to share more on some of the tools, tricks, and techniques I've learned in the future.

Hope you'll stick around for more of the story.

It's Begun

Well, it's a few days past my "official" beginning of back-to-school planning, but I did get some things done. Last night I took an inventory of things I need to purchase or make for next year.

I try to be as frugal as possible in my selection of where to buy school-related items. Sites/companies I order from are: Classroom Direct, a division of School Specialty, Really Good Stuff, and Carson Dellosa.  The stuff  I order online is usually nametags, bulletin board sets, games, and indoor recess activities.  Stores I peruse are Target, Dollar Tree, Five Below, and Big Lots.  I purchase baskets, books, wipes, desk supplies, post-its, thank-you cards, my personal planner, computer paper, etc.  The trick is to buy what you need when things are on sale (except Dollar Tree because the prices are the same all the time).  Check the fliers in your weekly Sunday paper or bookmark the sites to follow the ads online. 

Other places to consider when getting things for your room:

• Library book sales (books, videos, books on tape, child-friendly music)
• Yard sales (One of my colleagues has gotten everything from videos to storage furniture from her weekly yard sale trips!)
• Flea markets
• Goodwill/Salvation Army (I have gotten some neat baskets and pristine books for next to nothing!)
• Freecycle (Check for availability in your area.  Last year I was given three Leap Pad learning systems, a carrying case, and nearly 20 game cartridges for my class.  ABSOLUTELY FREE!)
• Neighbors, relatives, your church or place of worship (Don't be afraid to ask for things that may otherwise go to Goodwill or Salvation Army anyway.)

Another way to save a few dollars is to think outside the box for what you need.  For example, I use mailboxes to keep track of student papers and things to go home.  When I priced the mailboxes in the teacher catalogs, they were very pricey--up to $80 or more for cardboard!  I found a 25-cube shoe organizer at Target for about $30 on sale.  It's heavy and sturdy and has held on for the past few years.  I also use a wicker utensil caddy to organize pencils, pens, scissors, etc. on my desk.  (Sorry, couldn't find a pic of this one!) 

A final way to save money is to make things yourself.  There are many fonts and clip art images out there just waiting to be used to make signs or posters.  This can be extended further for classroom decorations.  Last year I changed to a safari theme and wanted curtains for my windows.  (My windows face the bus loop and playgrounds.  Needless to say, I wanted to cut down on distractions!)  The panels I wanted to cover my windows would have been close to $45, so I made my own.  I found some 84-inch beige-colored panels at Big Lots.  I cut them in half, hemmed them, and trimmed them in a giraffe-print ribbon I found at Jo Ann Fabrics.  Total cost: $20.

How about you?  Any money-saving tips to share?

Tomorrow Came...And Went

Well, the infamous "tomorrow" came and went. I took the kids for lunch and ice cream; then we went to a bookstore. We had a blast and enjoyed the warm weather. No work this day.

The next day I went out and did all of my errands: farmer's market, bank, summer clothes shopping for myself and the kids. Then I tutored a student. Read some in yet another book. Watched a little TV. No work this day, either. (I did, however, read through the latest catalog from Really Good Stuff. There are some neat things in there!)

Today I helped a friend with research for a grad class and learned how to hyperlink sites from my posts (SO exciting!). Later I'm going to the movies with my family.

I suppose I'll get started on cutting vocabulary cards by Monday. The reality is, after the Fourth, stores switch into Back to School mode. I was in Target yesterday and saw school uniforms out already. Sigh.

Tomorrow

Well, here I am.  On the verge.  Of preparing for the next school year.  I know, I know.  I. JUST. ENDED. A. SCHOOL. YEAR! AND summer training!  BUT!  I know that if I don't begin, August (and the first day of the new school year) will be here before I know it.  SO...I've decided to do a bit at a time so I can still maximize my summer and enjoy my children (who are outside with the neighborhood children running themselves silly in an impromptu game of whiffle ball in our backyard).  I'm watching through the window and listening to the cheers.  Major Leagues, here they come! 

I really do try not to work while they are with me.  I try to do stuff before they get up or after they go to bed or when they are playing with their friends.  It doesn't always happen, especially when I'm lesson planning or researching on the computer for something, but I TRY.  That way, my time with them is MY time with them.  Like tomorrow.  I know I said I'll start school stuff, but I'm going to take some time and take them to Infinito's Pizza for lunch with their friend (My kids LOVE it there!).  Then we're going for Rita's Water Ice.  I can do school stuff while they sleep.  Although, I can say, sometimes they actually want to help with what I'm doing, especially if they see the craft bin appear.  I don't mind, but I don't want anyone thinking I'm forcing child labor here. 

Anyhow, tomorrow's the day.  The day that begins my slow descent back into school-planning mode.  Two months before the first day (August 30 for students; teachers are in a few days prior).  I can say, however, that I have a head start.  By the end of the school year, I have a pretty good idea of what needs to be done for the next school year. (I keep a running list on a tablet in my desk, so by the end of the year, my "To-Do" is already there.) I already have my room planned out.  I already know what I need to replace or get to enrich my classroom.  I'm not changing schools or grades next year, so I already know the curriculum. 

I do need to add some things in because our district went to a Learning Focused Schools model and we've been phasing in the subject models, one a year.  If you're not familiar with LFS, it's a compilation of Best Practices that uses Essential Questions (learning objectives), graphic organizers, vocabulary cards, student collaboration, summarization, etc.,  in every lesson for student enrichment and teaching.  My school has phased in the Language Arts and Math models.  This year we are supposed to add in the models for Science and Social Studies, which means I need to work on my unit overviews and vocabulary for those subjects.  Now it's just a matter of getting it all and organizing for the fall.

Which brings me back to tomorrow.  That's when it's all supposed to begin.  Bit by bit.  We'll see how long it takes me.

Unsettled Mind

Since my last post, I've finished one book I was reading and devoured another. The latest was read in a single day. I'm already on my last of the four books that were supposed to last me two weeks, with three of the four read in five days. When I'm not reading or being with the kids, I'm planning things to do or working on my crossword puzzle book. If I watch TV, which is rare, it's something to do with cooking or home decorating. Although, I DO LOVE the History Channel and National Geographic Channel. Which brings me to a question: Do you have a hard time "winding down" after the end of a school year? My mind seems to be on a perpetual "Go" button. Anyone else in my predicament?

Writing Advice?

Yesterday a dear friend called me. She called with questions as to how to teach writing to children in second grade, which is the grade she is assigned to for the upcoming school year. Her question got me thinking about how I teach in my own classroom of second graders, and we talked a bit about what strategies I use. Let's send it out to you. Any advice out there? How do you approach writing? Do you have a writing curriculum in your district or do you follow your language arts publisher?

The End of Another Year

Well, I've come to the end of another school year. 180 student days gone. 184 professional days passed. The beginning of summer vacation. Truth is, "summer vacation" to a teacher is somewhat of an oxymoron. Sure, teachers aren't in school teaching the students (unless they are teaching summer school or tutoring, like me), but there are loads of school-related things that continue to happen. Some take courses to advance their careers, others begin planning for the next year, while still others serve on committees to benefit the students of their district.

For me, I continue in the vein of summer professional developments and planning for the next school year. My husband, in an attempt to keep me from getting too frazzled and stressed planning for the next school year over the summer, has "banned" me from doing anything school related until July 1. (The date used to be August 1, but since school supplies and everything come out earlier and earlier, we moved the date up. I don't work in a district with stipends or unlimited amounts of resources, so I have to catch the sales for school supplies--for my kids and myself--when they come along.) Sounds weird, I know. But if you are like me, and want to do the absolute best for your students, you are constantly trying to keep ahead of the game, trying to apply what you've learned in your summer courses, planning your room layout, thinking of reorganizing somehow to make things flow better. I used to get so wrapped up in school over the summer that I didn't really enjoy my summers. So to counteract that, my husband and I came to an agreement, and it's been working for us.

Now this isn't to say that I haven't been thinking about planning and things I need to make or purchase or do to get ready for next year, but I am not acting on those ideas--yet. I'm choosing to take the time, like I do every summer, to really enjoy my children. (Not like I don't enjoy them during the school year, but in summer, my attention is undivided all day long.) This week, we're doing Vacation Bible School at our church. Saturday we are taking my daughter to explore one of the local cave attractions for her birthday day trip. Also on the agenda for the summer are many more day trips, visits with friends and family, cooking marathons with fresh finds from the farmer's market, and catching up on "grown-up" reading. (When you teach elementary children, a lot of your reading is previewing children's books and lesson plan materials. Summer is a time devour all the books on your personal reading list!)

In the past three days I've read Divas of Damascus Road by Michelle Stimpson and am currently reading Wench by Dolen Perkins-Valdez. Looks like the four books I checked out for the next two weeks will be finished in the next few days. When I say devour a book, I mean it! So looking forward to many more days of literary bliss.