Sneak a Peek

Teachers don't technically have to go back to work until Monday. But, of course my OCD prevents me from actually giving myself a FULL vacation and I've been in to visit my new classroom a few times.

I started by recovering this old stool. It was in my classroom when I moved in 3 years ago but I actually use it a lot! Sadly, I didn't think to do any before shots but I'm SO SO SO stoked about the finished product! 

This is the first time I've moved classrooms since transferring to my school 3 years ago AND the first time I've taught a grade other than 3rd. Next year, I'll be moving down to big, bad, scary (for me, at least) FIRST GRADE! So, needless to say, my anxiety and over preparedness have been out of control...

My math board has gotten to say FAIRLY the same as in my old room. I had to move my calendar to the math area and add a few things to it. Let me tell you, packing up I made sure to label my fabrics with what size boards they fit and kept the borders together with the fabrics. It made recovering my new bulletin boards SO. MUCH. EASIER!

I've never had to have a proper word wall before, so I spent a lot of time on Photoshop perfecting the letters for this one. You can't see here but they have super cute little beachy borders all around! And luckily, for whatever reason, the chalkboards in my school do not really like chalk. So, we all use whiteboard markers on them instead! It easily wipes off with baby wipes whenever you're done, so that will be how I will be adding the words to the word wall! 

This photo also shows my workshop board. I will end up putting their small group rotation schedule on the board, as well as workshop responsibilities. Here's a closer shot: 

First of all, let me make it clear that this sign up chart was not exactly my idea. I found the general format for it on another amazing teachers' blog but sadly cannot remember which one. I have been finding so many amazing, useful and creative ideas out here in blog world that I've lost track! So, if this is your creation, please comment and take credit! 

Anyway, I'm very OCD about order in the classroom. So when small group rotations begin, I like to know exactly where every kid is AND exactly what they're doing there. With this system, I can mark on the laminate cards what students should be doing in each center. Then, they will clip a clothespin with their names to the edge of the card to show where they will be during center rotations. I did it a little differently in 3rd grade, so I'm hoping this will be a little easier for the little ones.

And, since every center is not open every day, I added velcro to the backs of the cards so that they can switch in and out easily - please excuse my need to be painted in a bad way nails. (I am a total velcro FOOL this year!!) 

 Although it may seem like I've been so hard at work that I must almost be ready to roll, the picture below shows that this is far from the truth. I feel so OVERWHELMED already!

Well, I guess it's time to lavish in my last THREE official days of summer vacation! Is it sad that I get in such a depressed little funk around this time of year? 

Spring Fever

I know I've been a little MIA from the blogging world lately. Spring fever has arrived in full swing at work. One of my favorite (and least inappropriate) obvious symptoms of Spring fever showed up this morning: I had a student walk into my elementary classroom today proudly wearing a pink tanktop which read "Sexy Little Thing" in sparkly, silver rhinestones. Who, may I ask, allows their 8 year old child to leave the house in this?

And that, is not even the beginning of what we've been experiencing in my little corner of the pod. In short, I've been so exhausted when I get home every night! It takes every ounce of energy I can muster to go to even a one hour class at the gym. (Pathetic, I know.)

My lack of blogging energy might also be due to the fact that it's going into figuring out this little baby:

THE DROID!

I had been wanting it for awhile, but just couldn't bring myself to pay so much for a cell phone. I mean I had a cell phone that I loved and worked perfectly well for my needs. Well, I had that until Sunday night, when the screen of my beloved Voyager cracked and a huge black orb appeared! I was heartbroken, angry, and absolutely convinced that I am cursed when it comes to technology.
Regardless, I just could not live with a black hole in the middle of my perfect little screen, so I used my 20 month overdue "New Every Two" upgrade and headed over to my least favorite store in the universe, Verizon.

Now, while my students are suffering in craziness with the Spring Fever, I can happily scroll through pictures of beautiful locales such as this:


and remind myself that there's only 59 days (38 school days) until Summer Vacation and 84 days until I'm back there...

Athleticism and Rewards

Let's suffice it to say that I'm not the most athletic lady in the world. I cheered in high school and college, which took some sort of athletic talent, but really it just required strong muscles, a big smile and a loud voice. So, when I was told that my students' reward for getting through MSA testing, was to play basketball against their teachers, I was a little worried.

I obviously didn't want to look like a total loser in front of my little ones, but I had no idea how to go about actually playing basketball. I ended up spending most the time pretending to try to get the ball away from students and chasing them around the court. When I did get the ball, I was sure to give it right back to one of my ::ahem:: better teammates.

Even though a little boy and I collided and ended up in a heap on the gym floor at one point, it actually turned out to be a really fun day! After the game, we had some snacks in the classroom and played around on Google Earth for a little while. I love those kinds of relaxed days, where you can really get to know the kids in your class! A great start to spring break!

Decisions, Decisions...

As I've said before, I'm pretty much the most indecisive person ever. I really hate to be disappointed and am always afraid of making the wrong decision. Now, usually, these decisions really aren't the earth-moving conundrums that I often make them out to be. Generally, I can't decide if I want to go to the gym or watch a movie, Chik Fila or Chipotle, wear pants or a dress to work... you get the picture. But now, I'm faced with a pretty serious predicament. One that I consider a "Serious Life Decision":

Where do I go to grad school?

I have a couple of options; online or in real life. Because I'm a teacher, it is a requirement that I earn my masters degree in order to keep my certification. I've chosen to get mine in reading instruction (Whew; one decision down.) The county I work for has a fairly liberal reimbursement program, as well as a cohort program with a local college. I won't bore you with the details but, in short, I can get my masters online in exactly 4 years for just under $6,500 including books and fees OR I can get it by going to school the old fashioned way for just under $4,000, not including books, fees, or gas.

I know what you're thinking: "Duh, Ambs, do the cheaper one! Hello?? More money for pretty things and wonderful vacations!" You're right. That thought has occurred to me more than once. However, I know that going to school the old fashioned way will take me at least a whole year more than online, if not longer. It will also obviously not be as convenient... Which will satisfy my laziness.

So, I thought, since so many of you lovely ladies have already made these decisions and created amazing lives for yourselves, I want your advice. What do you think? Have any of you ever taken classes online? Is it worth the extra money? Does it look like you took the easy way out? Have I gotten myself in over my head here???