Silence For Sandy Hook Elementary

Currently & Just a Little More

December is not one of my favorite months.  It brings back an abundance of wonderful memories, but it also brings an unbearable yearning for those that I will  never spend another Christmas with.   

It happened again... I missed another Currently...goodbye November...see you next year!!

If you haven't already linked up, hurry on over. 

Enjoy the rest of your weekend!

Gingerbread or Reindeer? GIVEAWAY ALERT!!!

Where has my week of rest and relaxation went?  I need an immediate rewind!   

I opted not to go out with the rest of the world shopping today.  Instead I'm trying to get caught up ... like that is going to happen!  

Congratulations to Alicia over at Rocking in First.  Have fun shopping with your  $25 gift card to Oriental Trading.  

Have you seen all the awesome activities/units/etc. that everyone has been creating?  Right now I have my eye on a few items that Lindsey over at For the Love of First Grade has created.  I'm kinda torn... Gingerbread or Reindeer? They are both really cute.  Click on the pictures to check them out for yourself!

Renee over at The Reading Corner is having a giveaway.  However, you need to hurry over there to be a part of it. It's for a Math Pack called Making 5 and 10. Click on the picture to find out more information.

Happy Black Friday Bloggers!  

I'm Truly Blessed & a Giveaway

Have you ever had a child puke on you?   I tried not to totally freak out, but I don't think I was too successful.  The whole class was in total chaos and my poor little sick boy just continued to puke.  Everything went downhill for me after that.  I was able to clean my shoe and foot off...but my foot was wet and cold all day all day long.  I think it really did something to me psychologically!          Today...I'm home sick and after going to the Dr.'s office, and getting drugs I slept the afternoon away.

I was awakened by a knock at the door and a there on my front porch was a huge package left by UPS!  I was so excited to see that it was from Oriental Trading. I was shocked to find book organizers, baskets, stickers, bookmarks,  certificates, hall passes & pencils!  Wowser!!!!!! Here is the picture of all the goodies!

Guess what else they sent?  

I am feeling so blessed (even through all my sickness) and I want to share my good fortune with one of you! This is my first time to use Rafflecopter...we'll see how that goes. :-) 




a Rafflecopter giveaway

(This review is based strictly on my opinion. Others may have a different opinion or experience with the product listed above. I was provided the sample free of charge by the company or PR agency and I provided my honest opinion. No other type of compensation was received for this review.)

Pumpkin Freebie

Here is a freebie I made tonight after getting home from my wonderful evening of conferences and hand bells at church.  Both were just a tiny bit stressful!!!  I needed to relax so I decided to create an activity for my kiddos to do next week for our ORANGE DAY!  It's yours for the taking.  I hope it's not too hard for them!   Comments...  Suggestions...  Just don't make me cry.  

  Don't you just love MelonHeadz clipart!  Thanks Nikki!!!

Fall Break Excitement!

Fall break is finally here.   I decided to put myself on a schedule so I could accomplish something.  Otherwise...I would probably just sit here on my comfortable couch and check out all the awesome blogs, pin all sorts of wonderful things that I never seem to do anything with, and watch TV.  So far, the schedule is working!!!!  

I was so excited yesterday to find out that I won a giveaway over at 1st Grade Hip Hip Hooray!  So, without going outside (a terrible dust storm was happening here!!!!), I went shopping and here are a few of the items I picked out at Michele's store.  Click on the link if you would like to check them out for yourself!  

Click Here to Check it Out!

Click Here to Check it Out!

Click Here to Check it Out!

Click Here to Check it Out!

One of the things on my schedule was to make something!  And...since I was following my schedule... I did it!  

I will send it to the first two people that comment that also follow my blog!  Don't forget to leave your email so I can get it to you!!!    

Please let me know what you think!  

Have a great weekend!

October Currently - Oops...What Happened to September

I have no idea what happened to the month of September. It's gone and I'm disappointed that I missed Farley's Currently last month!! It was a crazy month and I'm jumping on board early before I miss it. See you over there.

Fun for Me & Giveaways for You!

Yesterday was so beautiful!  Some people might have thought it was a bit chilly.  But not me!  It was perfect.  I have been kinda stressed lately, so I decided to take the day off from school stuff.  Believe me I truly needed it!!!!  We went out to our land and drove around on our Mule (Kawasaki).  We took our black lab (Shadow) with us and I don't think she enjoyed it too much though.  :-(    It was a bumpy ride but it was soooo relaxing!!!!  We hired someone to bulldoze trees in our pasture  and so there are trees down everywhere!  Here are just a few things we saw along our journey

• Deer
• Squirrel
• Snake (eek!!!!)
• Turtle Shell (it was huge!)
• Turtles 
• Grasshoppers (lots & lots)
• Buzzard
• Ants (that had created a super long highway)
• Raccoon tracks
• Butterflies
• Duck
• Geese
• Pecan Trees (LOADED with Pecans!!!!)

A perfectly relaxing day!  I definitely needed it!   How about you??? How have you relaxed lately???

Today I found a couple of giveaways that I think you will want to check out.  Click on the pictures below to find yourself magically taken to their blogs.  Enjoy the rest of your weekend & don't forget to do something fun!

Just Wild About Teaching:

What Happened in First:

Fun in 1st Grade:

Creation Castle: 

Do You Have A Bully Teacher At Your School?

I do not like teacher bullies!

I do not like them here...or there.

I do not like them anywhere!!!

Have you ever had a teacher walk into your classroom (as your getting ready to give your students a diagnostic reading test)

Proceed to walk over to your reading table as if it were her own classroom....

Grab the TEST off your table (and tell you that she needs the test because she doesn't have enough for her students)

Then... turn around and walk out of your classroom.

Leaving you standing there in total shock...because she took the tests that YOU NEEDED and walked right out the door with them in her arms!  

UN...BE...LIEV...ABLE!!!!!!!!!!!!

Shocking isn't it?   Who does that kinda stuff to their coworkers???  

ME!!! I did that. I wasn't even having a bad day!  Please don't be too judgmental ... I didn't mean to be a bully.  Honest!  

Here is my story... and I'm sticking to it!

I didn't know that she had the teacher's direction manual that allowed her to read all the "scripted dialogue" you have to read during those dreadfully  unpleasant tests.    I thought I had the only copy, so I knew there was absolutely NO WAY that she could be giving that test to her students.  But she was!!! 

OH MY GOSH! .. I did that to the bestest teaching buddy !!!  I barged into her room like crazed woman! 

I do not like teacher bullies!

I do not like them here...or there.

I do not like them anywhere!!!

Luckily she is sooooo forgiving...  Someday.... I might even think it might have been sorta funny (in a sick kinda way) to have seen her face as I walked out the door... but not yet... for now it's just a bit embarrassing.  

First Grade Common Core

Remember the days when you didn't have a clue what the Common Core was all about???  I have a brother that teaches Math in the Dallas area and he doesn't have a clue...and I don't think he really cares.  But for those of us looking for additional resources, here is another website that you might want to check out.  Since I teach 1st grade, I am definitely interested in First Grade Common Core ideas!  This workbook is over 550 pages and is full of ideas for centers, worksheets and posters.  Click the picture below to check it out for yourself.

How Is Your Life?

Do you ever feel like you can't get caught up no matter what you do and nothing seems to be going the way you want it to?

That is me...and it has been me...for the last ummm... well... I'm not sure how long.  

Perhaps it's because I don't quite feel at home in my classroom yet.  I can't seem to find what I want and then when I can't find it...  I end up practically tearing the room up trying to find it.  

Perhaps it's because I am frustrated with the light that projects onto my Smartboard.  It is so dim that the kiddos can't see it and who knows when I will finally get a new one...even though I have asked about it over and over again.

Perhaps it's because I didn't get to go on vacation this summer.   I really wanted to go to Washington, D.C. and the East Coast...but it just didn't happen.

Perhaps it's because I signed up to be in the Bell Choir at our church... and it is way way harder than I ever thought it would be...and I find myself practicing with my TV remote controls.  (I had to stop practicing tonight because my husband came home early, and I don't want him to think I am going off the deep end singing the sounds as I play the remote controls.)

Pehaps it's because I'm overwhelmed with all the blogs I am following and there is no way I can keep up with them.  

Perhaps it's because our computer lab is such a joke!!!    20 computers with only about 10 working. However, only 5 of them had headphones that the kids could hear out of.  What a waste of my time.

Perhaps it's because I think I am really late getting all my 1st grade testing done ...  I feel like I probably should stop everything and get them scored ... but ... well... I just don't want to.

The list could go on and on...but well... I have to leave not so I can go make a complete fool of myself at Bell Choir Rehearsal.    :)

Zebra Pens ... Oh My!!!

Don’t you just love to receive packages in the mail!!  There is something about opening my door and seeing a package in my mailbox that brings a huge smile to my face.  It’s sort of like Christmas, especially when you don’t know for sure the contents of the package!  Last week when I opened up my package, I first saw an adorable zebra.  More importantly though, I received a pen case with several different types of  Zebra pens.  A person can never have too many pens!    

The package was sent to me from an office supply store called Shoplet Office Supplies and I was asked to give my thoughts on a couple of their pens. 

The first one is called the Zebra Z-Mulsion EX Ballpoint Pen.  You can check it out by clicking here.  If you are looking for a gel pen that glides as you write, this is the pen for you. I have used many gel pens throughout the years, and most of them have a tendency to skip, but not this one!  It has a very comfortable grip and was easy to write with.    

The next pen is the Zebra F-301 Retractable Ballpoint Pen and you can check this one out by clicking here.  I love retractable pens.  Just one click after I've finish writing and I’m ready to put my pen away.  This Zebra pen has a stainless steel tip with a rubberized no slip grip which makes it relatively easy to hold.  This pen is thinner than I normally use.  After writing with it for several minutes, I realized that it was becoming uncomfortable to write with.  I like the way it writes though, so I will use it for papers that do not require a great deal of writing.

For more information about these and other office supplies head on over to Shoplet.com. I don't think you will be disappointed.   

Back to School Jitters Linky Party

Every single year about this time, I start getting really worried.  You would think that it would be less frightening after 17 years of teaching...  But it's not!!!  In fact, I think it might get even worse as the years go by. (I think my husband would agree with that statement!)

Thursday is the first day of school and I'm definitely starting to get nervous!!!  A few minutes ago I came across a linky party that even addressed the issue.  It was comforting to see that others also have their issues too.   I decided to take a short break & join the Back to School Jitters linky party over at A Turn To Learn.

Now I'm going to spend a few hours working on things that are on my extremely long LIST of things I have to do!!!  

I would love to read about your back to school jitters.  Click on the button below to find out how to link up.

Please Help Me With My Document Camera!! UPDATE - I GOT IT!

A few months ago I wrote an essay and I was lucky enough to win this beauty!!

It is a Samsung SAMCAM860 Document Camera!!!   It is awesome (I think).  I have a huge problem though...I can't get  anything to project onto my Smartboard using it.  I begged for help from another teacher and we spent hours trying to figure it out!  We even called for tech support from Samsung & Infocus (a project mounted to the ceiling).  Nothing!  Yesterday, I spent about an hour on hold...waiting to speak to a tech person from Sansung.  Oh my goodness!  I finally hung up... in tears!!!

Do any of you have a document camera hooked up so it projects onto your Smartboard???  I'm keeping my fingers crossed that someone can help me.  Any help will be so appreciated! 

Here are a some awesome giveaways that you might want to check out:

UPDATE!!!  It is working!  Thank you to everyone that helped me figure it out!  Blogging buddies are definitely awesome. 

August Currently

It's that time of the month again!  I have so much to do, so I better come to the party now before I forget. Click here to head on over there and link up!  See you  there.

I worked in my classroom most of the day today.  Why does it always look worse when I leave, than when I started.  Hmmm.  Something is wrong with this picture.  I'm hoping to finish tomorrow.  Well, when I say finish, I don't mean that my class will be ready.   I mean that everything I piled onto my reading table will find it's home.  Wish me luck (I will definitely need it)

My Teacher Story

As far back as I can remember, I had a desire to be a teacher. As a matter of fact, when I was in second grade, I wrote a book to my family for a Christmas gift (I shared this in a previous post).

I had some amazing teachers while I was in grade school. I also had some pretty crappy ones. I remember being laughed at when I tried out for a part in a play. They didn't know I was still out in the hallway when they started laughing about how awful I was. It was pretty crushing for me and I never ever tried out for anything EVER again!! I think the crappy teachers were the ones that made my desire to become a teacher even stronger!


The journey to become a teacher though, was a long one. I was raised in a large family. We were very poor, but we had lots of love!

I always knew that if I wanted to go to college, I would have to pay for it. I'm not sure why I never applied for scholarships, probably because I of my fear of being rejected!!! So... after I graduated from high school, I quit my Tastee Freez job (which I absolutely loved) and found a job making $431 a month!! I was rich. I bought clothes, jewelry, shoes (oh my!!!), traveled, saved money, wasted money, etc. After about 8 years I was done. I hated my job and so I cashed in all my savings and thrift plan money and moved off to go to college at Central State University (which is now The University of Central Oklahoma).

 

Two years later I was broke. But I did have a a start to the education I needed to become a teacher!!!


Fast forward several years. I married the most wonderful man in the entire world. 

He started a new business shortly after we were married and money was tight nonexistent.   I worked for a few years, but I still had that burning desire to teach.  He could tell how unhappy I was and so he encouraged me to go after my dream. So, I did!  A few years later I graduated from Oklahoma State University.

I did my student teaching at the same school that I am currently teaching at. The first two years I only worked a 1/2 day. During those two years, I never really felt like it was MY classroom. Finally, I was hired full-time and that is when I realized my dream had come true.  I was a teacher!

And that my blogging friends is my teacher  story...and I'm sticking to it!

If you haven't already linked up to Janaye over at Tales of Frogs and Cupcakes for this linky party, click on her button to see how. I would love to hear your story too.

Reading Street - Sam Come Back

Kim over at First Grade is 'Toad' ally Awesome is having a giveaway that ends in a few hours.   She created a packet for the Sam, Come Back ~ which is the first story in the Reading Street.  If you use this series, you might want to make your way over there and sign up.  Even if you don't use this series, show her some love and go check her blog out.  It is cute!  

Keeping My Fingers Crossed!!!!

I am so tired of looking at my blog.    I've tried several times to figure out how to change it to something I like, but so far... nothing!!!   It's sad... I don't even know what my dream blog would look like.  My class theme has been dogs, and dogs are a delight... so maybe something to do with cute puppies.  


I was excited to see that Ms. Fultz is giving some lucky person (keep your fingers crossed for me!!!)  a custom design!  Oh me goodness!  It would almost be like winning a lottery!! 


One of her conditions is that you have to blog about her giveaway... so I am!!! But I'm not liking it!    If you have a beautiful blog already just tell me at the bottom that you hope I win... and ignore the possibility of winning a new design for yourself.  Otherwise, click on the picture below. If you win, it's okay... I'll get over it!

Shhh!!! These Are My Guilty Pleasures

When I first saw this linky party, I almost passed it up.  I immediately thought I didn't have any guilty pleasures.    But I have to confess.  I do!!!  Then I began to debate whether they could be shared or not.  Am I safe to share them???  Will you tell???  Pinky swear you won't, or just totally ignore this post.

I love to sing and I have a karoake machine that I absolutely love.  I think I can carry a tune most of the time, but there are those moments when I'm all by myself (well except for the dogs) and I become a star like you wouldn't believe.  My dogs are my audience of course, but their ears make all sorts of movements.  I probably should keep my teaching job, because I notice they never stay around too long after I pick up my microphone.    

During the summer, I love to take little power naps.  Okay, maybe they are more than little power naps, but it's summer and I need to rest up for the upcoming school year! 

My absolute favorite type of candy is Twizzlers.  Oh my goodness.  I seriously love them.  One of these days I'm going to have to stop eating them.  I simple can't control myself.  They disappear and I seriously look around thinking that I dropped some of them on the floor.  I'm done with them.  I promise never to eat it again

                                           ...until next time.  

Blogging.  I feel like a sponge that trying to absorb everything that the blogging world has to offer.   I love every minute of it.  But I end up spending way way way too much time on my couch.  In fact, I'm afraid there is a permanent imprint on my couch (I hope my hubby hasn't noticed!!)    Is there such a thing as being a blogaholic.  Is it possible to follow too many people?  I may need help on this one.  Professional help!  I'm not kidding!

I have yet another guilty pleasure. Do you watch White Collar with Matt Bomer!!!! OH MY GOODNESS!!! He is a such a cutie. Would you just look at those beautiful eyes!!! Gorgeous!! However, I must admit that this guilty pleasure somehow doesn't quite feel right anymore. I'm going to blame it on being blindsided recently and seeing him in a movie that I can't even believe I sat through. Let's just say I'm trying to deal with it!

Now it's your turn. Get yourself on over to The Resource Room Teacher blog and link up with the rest of us bloggers who are openly admitting their guilty pleasures.