August

Yup.

It's August

I can hardly believe it's August already.  August 1st usually marks the time when I (and most teachers) feel the bittersweet light of summer fading into the rear-view mirror, as the path towards a new school year unfolds.  This year is surreal for me, recognizing that this inevitable change I usually feel come August is coming, but knowing that I won't be a part of it, and instead there's a whole new kind of nervous anticipation that has nothing to do with school.  August marks the beginning of our baby countdown... Yes, yes, I know we're still a few weeks out, but now that we've arrived in the month of her due date, the reality of holding her, snuggling her, and kissing her is much more tangible.

We had our 36 week doctors appointment this week and Baby Girl is doing good; head down, and wiggling her butt around like nobody's business to remind me she's getting ready.  We are growing more eager by the day with excitement and anticipation to meet her.

26 days to go...

image via cupofjo

School's Out For Summer

Cue the music....SCHOOL'S OUT FOR SUMMER!!

SCHOOL'S OUT FOREVER! Well, not quite, but...a while!  Technically, school is out until JANUARY for me, thanks to maternity leave and FMLA!

It was strange packing up my classroom yesterday and today, thinking about the fact that I won't be starting the next school year with my class, instead I'll be picking up this new group mid-year.  At the same time, I'm incredibly excited for the opportunity to be home with our little girl comes at the end of summer. 

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No School Due to Good Weather

Well we've all heard of snow days, but have you ever heard of this?  School canceled due to good weather!  WHAT?!  Yes indeed, in Washington state in fact.  A private Christian school in Bellingham, Washington canceled school this past Friday due to the high temperatures and sunny skies forecasted  leading into the weekend.  Their reasoning; a day "just for fun," boosts morale and "promotes positive school culture." Brilliant, right?  I think so...  My school district, feel free to follow suit!

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Back in the Saddle Again

I made it through the first day of first grade!  Hallelujah!  And after just one day...I'm beat!  I've met my students and families, and everything went according to plan, which is always a relief.   It's so nice to finally have little faces to go with the names I've been looking at, alphabetizing, and making labels for all week.  Looking forward to a great rest of the week!

But tonight, as I attempt to unwind and relax after a chaotic first day back (the first day back is ALWAYS chaotic, ask any teacher!), I'm pretty stoked to recline on the couch, indulge in some Chinese takeout, and go to bed early.   What a wild and crazy life I lead. ;)

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Quote of the Week

"The mediocre teacher tells. The good teacher explains. The superior teacher demonstrates. The great teacher inspires."

-William Arthur Ward

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Back to School

School starts on Tuesday... where did the time go?

I'm teaching a new grade level this year, so this school year will definitely be an adventure!

My classroom is 95% ready, but somehow I feel like no matter what I do it won't be perfect.  I guess that's the Type-A teacher in me.

Are your kids heading back to school next week?  If so, wishing you a happy first day!

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Summer Vacation Begins Now!

SCHOOL'S....OUT...FOR...SUMMER!

Hooray!  Amidst a handful of tears, and a whole lot of hugs, our 2011-2012 school year ended today.   It was a fun day, despite ringing in summer vacation with record breaking rainfall instead sun...womp, womp, womp.  

But what's most exciting is....Ireland in T-minus 5 days! Woohoo!

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Another School Year Drawing to a Close

Only 7 more school days until the end of the year...

I can hardly believe it!

One thing I love about teaching is that it is a cycle.  A new school year begins, full of excitement, new names, faces, and personalities to learn, and a brand new classroom community to cultivate. Throughout the first few weeks and months, a rapport is built, an understanding of the rules, an expectation of respect and responsibility.  Students learn, grow, and grow, and grow some more, both in maturity, age, and height!  Then, as April rolls into May, and May into June, it ends.  All of that time hard work, and effort invested into each individual student is forwarded onto the next teacher, who will continue the process. Students leave older, wiser, and ideally more mature than when they entered.  Summer break follows, the a welcome cleanse to any worries, troubles or challenges that might have overshadowed a school year.  And then, in September, it starts all up again.  

How many people can say that they get to essentially "start over" with a clean slate every year in their profession?  Not very many I presume.  I always find myself reflecting as a school year draws to a close.  It's a bittersweet time of year - because the end is inevitable, it's a foregone conclusion.  I'm sad to see them go once we have established this comfortable rapport as "family" of sorts.  But... not going to lie, summer vacation isn't half bad either!  

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One More Month

School is out in less than one month!  Phew, I feel like the summer snuck up on me.  With our Ireland trip on the horizon and the promise of long sunny days just a few weeks away, I'd say I'm pretty excited for summer!  

I'm a compulsive list maker, so with a new season about to dawn he's my summer to-do list.

+ break out my new sewing machine (and use it!)

+ try out some new hikes in the area

+ wine tasting 

+ outdoor movie night

+ start at least 1 DIY project I've pinned on pinterest

What's on your agenda for the summertime?  Any big goals, plans, projects you've got on the list?

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Spring Break!

Jump for joy - it's Spring break!!  That means no school for me all next week!  YAHOO!  While I have no travel plans for my week off, I'm excited to relax, recharge, and catch up on some Zzzzz's!  My plans include a long to-do list of household projects, DIY creations for a friend's wedding, coffee + dinner plans with friends, and perhaps reading a new book or two.  I'm psyched to have ample time to check some boxes off my to-do list!  

Have a wonderful weekend!

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Dinner Last Night: Po Pia

Back in November, shortly after our wedding, my students' families threw my husband and I a wedding shower!  It was such a fun afternoon; cupcakes, bridal shower games, my students even had a Q&A with their teacher's new husband - and he graciously obliged and charmed them all!  Our favorite gift from the shower was a recipe book, a collection of favorite family recipes from all of my students this year, with little anecdotes explaining why this dish is meaningful to them.  It was such an amazing, generous gift, plus we scored insight on some delectable eats.

My first recipe to try - Po Pia, thai fried spring rolls.  This recipe was from one of my students whose mother was born and raised in Thailand, so I consider it a truly authentic Thai recipe!  Once I'd gathered all the necessary ingredients, these were surprisingly easy to create.  I haven't fried a lot of foods in my life, so I was so proud of myself that they were edible (and actually looked like spring rolls - that's my photo above!).   

I'm not going to include the actual recipe I used since it was a gift from the family, but here's a similar recipe to try at home.

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Happy Weekend

Hoping there is a crisp, sunny weekend in store.  Cross your fingers for us up here in Seattle, I've been reading about the east coast's bout of warm weather right now - and not going to lie, I'm a wee bit jealous!

I am so happy the weekend is here.  My report cards are complete, envelopes stuffed, and out of my hands, HALLELUJAH!  Translation: this means, I have the whole weekend to relax and have the option to leave my computer tucked away in its case all weekend should I choose. What a great feeling!

I'm looking forward to some much-needed shopping using belated birthday gift cards, maybe finish my book, run errands.  It sounds blissfully uneventful, and I'm quite excited for just that.

What are you up to?

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Wall Of Pencils

Check out this wall made entirely of #2 pencils!  Pretty cool, isn't it?  This yellowy-orange wall is located at The Bold Italic's headquarters in San Francisco, designed by Kelly Malone.  

While as a teacher, I see plenty of #2 pencils in an average day, I'm not sure I'd emulate this wall in my own home, but nonetheless, I find it fascinating!  Think how much time it probably took to create this masterpiece?

 images via dailydoseofsunlight

10 Words You Need to Stop Misspelling!

A friend of mine posted this on facebook - 10 WORDS YOU NEED TO STOP MISSPELLING - and I wholeheartedly agree! As a teacher, one of my biggest pet peeves is when adults misspell words in critical correspondence - emails, resumes, etc.

The biggest culprit: their, they're, and there, as well as your and you're. This drives me crazy when someone mixes these up! Ahh!! Come on people! As a result, I explicitly teach and practice this with my second graders. This works out well, since learning homophones are one of our literacy objectives.

When teaching this concept, I usually give an example of an instance I saw an adult mix these up - much to the student's amusement (adults make spelling mistakes too??) and I explain I am determined to ensure that they don't become THAT person!). Usually my storytelling and insistance is following by smiles, whimsical kid comments, and amusement...but I know they'll secretly thank me someday for hammering this idea into them.

I think the #1 reason misspelling common words irks me is because it's something that I always notice, but can't correct. I've never been one to point out another's mistake - that's a big no-no in teaching, and correcting one's spelling often feels rude or inappropriate.

Do you have pet peeves about spelling? Am I the lone weirdo out there?

...

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Back to School Snooze

Oh man, for some reason, every year I forget how crazy and tiring the first few weeks of school are! Yesterday when I arrived home from school, I literally cast all my bags into the corner, and leapt onto the couch where I happily sprawled for an hour doing absolutely nothing. The first time I sat down all day....it was heaven!

The beginning of the school year has lent me to be a bit delayed on my blogging. Whenever I miss a day, I usually hear a "what happened to the blog today?" from my sister, mom, or fiance, and I hate to disappoint. While it's no excuse family, trying to grapple with preparing, planning, and teaching a new literacy curriculum have had to take precedent, but I'm happy to report my class is lovely, and we're off to a great start!

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PB & J

I brought PB & J for lunch today, I am such a teacher. But it's nothing compared to these PB & J ice cream sandwiches, sweetened up by a layer of raspberry sorbet. Can you spell YUM?

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First Day of School!

It's that time of year again, the first day of school! I'm amazed how quickly the beginning of the school year snuck up on us. It feels like we just celebrated the first day of summer! Phew, how time flies! Everything is ready to go; name tags printed, bulletin boards repapered, desks aligned, first day scavenger activities prepared...now it's just time to wait for my new class to arrive! The first day always flies by in a fit of craziness, but so far it looks like it's shaping up to be a great year!

Happy first day of school!

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My Day Job

I'm sorry dear blog and wonderful readers, I've been neglecting you...it's true. While I wish I could make a living via blogging alone, I make the *big bucks* during my day job, teaching elementary school.

This week has been jam packed with back-to-school seminars and classes to bring all of us teachers up to speed on new curriculum. So, instead of blogging I've been getting my classroom ready for the impending school year.

I can't believe school is starting so soon!! My summer literally flew by, mostly because I taught summer school, so truly I didn't get much of a vacation. However, despite my shortened summer, I'm looking forward to a new academic year, a new crop of students, and all the learning that lies ahead.

I fully intend on committing myself back to the blog after the hustle and bustle of the new school year settles. Thanks for sticking with me. :)

image via etellstales

Sweet Gift

Friday was the last day of school, and with the last day often comes the giving and receiving of tokens of thanks from classroom families. Thank you gifts from students or parents are never necessary nor expected, but always a sweet surprise.

Aren't these the sweetest teacher gifts? I especially love the slogans "thanks for being a great ade to our classroom" for teacher aids and support staff, and "thanks for quenching my thirst for knowledge" for teachers. So cute and clever!

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