How Did I Miss This?

So, I've spent all day on Blogger! Basically I've tapped into the collaborative teaching community that is 1st Grade Teachers blogging...and I must say - WOW!

My head is spinning with ideas - can't wait to start my Johnny Appleseed unit Monday & even more so because I found a MILLION ideas to enhance it.

I'm so excited for all my new stuff that I added all my favorites to a blog list...don't be sad if you're a blogger friend, my blog list is for my TEACHING ideas. Maybe I'll just turn this blog into a teaching one...but hence I've got one with my new school website! Can't wait to post photos and clips of my students' apple work.

Lovin' blogs right now :0)!!

Hurt People, Hurt People

This week I've experienced more than ever: Hurt people, hurt people.

I am trying to keep that in mind when I stand, open-mouthed, shocked, stunned, amazed at the things people say (or feel that they can say). Whether true or not, there are boundaries you should adhere to in your speech and quite frankly, there is a certain tact that you should aim for as well.

I am far from perfect in this area - BELIEVE me! But, what I hold fast to are simple truths (taught by my mother and God) and I feel might need a revival, so here goes:

1. If you don't have anything nice to say - don't say ANYTHING at all! BEFORE saying something out-and-out rude, just ponder "Should I go there?"


2. Kill 'em with kindness - for those of us reeling with anger over how we've been spoken to or treated.


3. This one hangs in my house: "A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in settings of silver." Proverbs 25:11 - maybe using this as a guide. I think this: complements make someone bloom, criticism makes someone wilt (you can see it happening, I swear & quite frankly, HOW SAD!).

So lesson to me - rise above the nonsense and do/be better! Don't let hurt people get a dig in, rather pray for them. Hard to do, but I do feel sympathy for them - truly. I love my family! My blessings in this area are OVERWHELMING...that is just for my family, not to mention my job and other areas.

I'm actively choosing to be a "the cup is half-full" person - because really, when I stop and take account, my cup runneth over!!!!

Balance

Well in the thick of back to school - my life, desk, house - basically EVERYTHING can get out of whack!!

It is amazing how 1 list turns into 5, all with unfinished tasks! Every year I wonder - how do I do this all? How will I overcome this pile? Is it always like this?

A wise teammate/friend told me that the beginning of the year is like labor. You forget how hard it is because you have the reward of the child - if I remember the start of every year I would STOP teaching (just like a mother, if her only memory was of labor, she'd likely not have more children). What I remember from year to year are the moments of insight, humor, and the products of a year-long effort - sending class after class to the next grade with confidence that they'll be successful the following year.

Right now my life is totally out of balance! I'm working at developing so many things at once, but I have to slow down and enjoy the moments and remember how it took the WHOLE year to master centers, calendar, writing groups, reading groups, and really our daily schedule (to be honest :0)).

I'm going to calmly approach this week - despite my overwhelmingly heaping desk & lists of unfinished to dos. I am not going to NOT do what is expected of me, but I am going to strive for balance and try really hard to keep calm so I can just ENJOY my wonderful 23 6 year olds!!! My class is truly a great one - a gift I've been entrusted with. I am so anxious to start this week now...

Dreams Begin Here

I am so excited to start my 7th year...teaching 1st grade...with a Disney themed room.

Every year I start out with a "theme," I guess. But, they never stay - I change things up and don't change my language or meeting place names (ie meetings happen at "carpet" & daily calendar is called "calendar"). SO dull...I know, but it works.

This year I am excited to change things up! I'm naming my classroom after different parts of the Magic Kingdom Park in Disney World. Gonna be fun & I'm super excited to mix it up.

My introductory bulletin board is called 'Dreams Begin Here' & I'm excited to learn about & accomplish some dreams to this year's group of 6 & 7 year olds!

Family Vacations...Phew!

So, we had our ups and downs - but we managed to have a 10 person family vacation! Only thing I'd do differently...wear sunscreen on my LEGS at Daytona beach, BEFORE falling asleep!

Of course we can't please everyone, but I'd do it again (vacation with 10 people, I mean). AND, I'd go back to FL, just I'd try to do a little less - 4 amusement parks in 6 days is A LOT, especially with 2 toddlers.

Highlight: Chef Mickey Breakfast...it was expensive I won't lie, but it was so much FUN to have 1-on-1 time with the 5 charaters & to see the excitement on Addi & Noah's faces. The food was nice too, not at all like a "buffet" experience I was expecting.

Here are a few photos - check out Shawn's blog for others:

Bling T & Spray Paint

So as a high schooler I loved Mickey Mouse. Perusing through my jewelery box the other day I found an old pair of Mickey Mouse earrings. I was SUPER excited, with our upcoming trip to Disney World, these would make the perfect addition to my bling'd out t-shirt.

Only problem...they were tarnished, used to be gold but had just gone UGLY! So I thought, paint 'em. Well I found a can of spray paint for $1.38...NICE!!! Spray painted those bad boys & Wa La...cute, right?!?! Here are pics of the shirt & earrings...

"Write On!"

So here are some pics of a new bulletin board I'm making, for writing. For all those who think "Teacher's have summers off, must be nice & Teachers have the best job because of it..." well this post is to prove how much off time we really utilize!

Can't wait to see it all hanging in the hallway. All my RVES peeps - don't go copying, ya hear?!?!