October!!

Yay! It's October My favorite month of the year! Fall foods, fall weather, Halloween, pumpkins, apples, leaves changing - I love it all.

Bummer that none of it really happens in Arizona. And let's be honest, drinking apple cider and munching on pumpkin muffins is not the same when it's still in the upper 90s. Plus it's kind of hard for leaves to change colors when I mostly see palm trees and cacti around.

And P.S., burning a leaf scented candle is not the same either.

But no matter, I still October. Plus my class is going on a field trip to a farm in a few weeks to go pumpkin picking. I'm hoping it'll be at least a bit cooler so I can pretend that it feels like fall. 

Anyways, with a new month brings a new Currently. I have missed the last few but no way would I miss October!

Listening: Full House may or may not be one of my favorite shows. And lucky me, it's on every night for a few hours. I still laugh quite frequently.

Loving: That Fall Break is so so so close! We have a full day of school tomorrow. On Thursday, the kids go home at 11:15, but we have parent-teacher conferences until 7:00! But it's all good since on Friday, we can leave at 11:15. Then it's hello Fall Break!

Thinking: Bedtime soon! We have been taking standardized testing today and yesterday and it is so exhausting. 

Wanting: Some new cute and comfy flats. I have plenty of sandals and lots of boots, but not too many flats that I can actually stand wearing all day.

Needing: A massage. That would feel oh so wonderful!

Trick or Treat! A Treat - I'd highly recommend Bath and Body Works candles. They are so great. And sometimes they have a deal two for twenty, which is a stellar deal since they are normally twenty dollars for one! I snagged two at the last sale =)

Your turn! Go link up! 
Oh Boy Fourth Grade 

June Already?!

Ahhhh, the sweet sounds of summer vacation! I have officially been on break for one week, and it is glorious. Short lived though since I am doing summer school next week and then heading back to Wisconsin where the real work will began aka getting this wedding all set.

But since it is June, that means Currently!

Listening: When Monk was still making new episodes, my family and I would watch them together. Brings back some good memories...

Loving: That I am on summer vacation. Although I still feel like I should be doing something school-related. So much so that I started making library labels for my books. It's a big job since Microsoft Word doesn't seem to like cooperating with me and the label template. But I'm making it work.

Thinking: We have a busy day tomorrow. We are going to look at (and hopefully purchase) Evan's wedding ring tomorrow. I already have mine since it came as a set, but he needs one. And since we are getting married in 35 days, we better get a move on with that. And we have to go to Target to get a few things too and this apartment won't clean itself which leads into...

Wanting: I really don't know how so much dust accumulates in one apartment. And I hate dusting. And since it's so much hotter now (it reached 108 today!), we have so much more laundry!

Needing: I feel like I say this every time, but this time I mean it! I really need a massage. My neck and back are killing me beyond belief. And I have to get a move on wedding planning. Luckily, a lot of the big things are done, it's just the little details left.

Vacay Essentials: My parents love to travel and they took my sister and me on wonderful trips. And usually beach lounging was not on the agenda. So my essentials are items that are more for the journey and city trips. First, gotta have a good book to get through long plane rides. And ideally, I take a book that I don't want to bring home so I can leave it somewhere for someone else to read. Then I feel less guilty buying new ones! Second is a travel buddy. When I studied abroad in Australia, I didn't know anyone very well so I spent a lot of time traveling and exploring the city alone. And although I enjoyed parts of that (doing exactly what I wanted), it definitely got lonely at times. So traveling with friends/family/someone is an essential for me! And lastly, a cross body bag. I hate carrying purses and I find them cumbersome when shopping or taking the subway.

Happy Weekend!

May Currently

T-Minus 17 days until summer. And it's May. So that means it's Currently Time with Farley at Oh' Boy 4th Grade. 

Listening: There has been this annoying fly in our apartment for the past few days and it's so obnoxious. It just keeps buzzing and buzzing. 

Loving: Summer is so close! Only 17 school days!

Thinking: My kids had their fluency tests yesterday and a lot of them did so great.But I still have a few who just didn't make any growth. And I still have some who grew but still are far from our benchmark. I keep thinking and wondering what else I can do to help them as well as get ready for next year too. Fluency is so tricky because I feel like it has just become a big deal and it's so new and difficult to teach. But I'm trying my best!

Wanting: I am sick. Again. Boo. If I could count the number of times daily that I get coughed on and sneezed on...

Needing: A massage and some meds to just feel better and ease this feeling of I-have-gotten-hit-by-a-truck.

Summer Bucket List: I am getting married (66 days!) this summer. It's so close yet seems so far off. And I want to read more. I have so many books that I keep buying but haven't read yet. And I just got two new professional development books through my district, and I'm excited to read them. I just need the time!

Your turn! Go link up!

Currently

It's that time again! The beginning of a new month. A new Currently.

So go link up with Farley at Oh' Boy Fourth Grade!

Listening: HGTV. Specifically Property Virgins. Gets me pumped for when it's my turn to buy a house.

Loving: That I have Friday off!! Kind of a random day off. Other teachers at my school are convinced district made a mistake on the calendar and given us off Good Friday instead. Oh well. A day off is a day off :)

Thinking: Whenever I get home from school, I am always starving!! I haven't had a snack yet so I need to get something and fast!

Wanting: A massage. But who doesn't?

Needing: A manicure. My nails are gross and I've been meaning to paint them but it's so time consuming. And it always chips shortly after =/

Advice: Probably one of the most important things I have learned this year. Be true to you. No matter what. 

Happy April!

Currently

Yay March! Spring Break Month-My Birthday Month-Spring Month! I love March. And since it is the beginning of March, that means it's time for Currently!

So since it's basically never winter not a real winter doesn't get cold here, Evan and I have been able to keep our door open letting in fresh air from outside. And we get to hear birds chirping outside at all times of the year (well I'm assuming so at least since I haven't been here a year. Maybe when it's 64732842378 degrees out, they don't chirp?)

Spring Break Is. So. Close. Like in a week close. And I'm going to Wisconsin! Yay!! But, state testing is between me and my break. Dragsville USA. I hate state testing. Which brings me to my needing part. My district tests my poor babies on two state tests. AIMS and Galileo. AIMS is for reading fluency and Galileo is for everything. For AIMS, they are tested three times a year, and since my kiddos are young, it goes pretty quick. I think the older kids have to do it for like 2 weeks but my kids just have a day of it. For Galileo, they are tested five times a year. FIVE! Each time takes a whole week plus we are required to do a week of test prep aka practice tests and questions the week before. Which equals to 9 weeks of wasted instruction time! (The first test is like the second week of school so no test prep). NINE!!! And people are on our cases about cramming things into our 15 minute breakfast time? I think not. So annoying. I feel like Arizona's rank in education would improve if they let teachers teach instead of test. Soapbox over now.

In other news, since it is March, that means Shamrock Shakes are back! Yummy minty goodness that is so good only because it's for limited time every year. I always get sucked in though. 

My like is loopholes. Which is kinda random, but I love beating the system. Especially when that system has silly rules. 

My love is laughter since it can fix pretty much anything. It can fix a sad day, an awkward situation, an angry moment, etc. etc. etc. I love laughing. 

And my hatred is lettuce. I remember being in highschool, and reading magazines with 602 Dating Tip from Guys, and there would always be a tip about not ordering salad since guys like it when girls eat real food. And I always thought to myself that that would never be a problem since salads are yuck. Except a casear salad. I like those. 

This week's agenda = state testing for four days and then a who knows day for Friday. Probably some St Patrick's Day things, some centers, some catch up on my own 736 classroom assessments I have to do. Go link up at Oh' Boy Fourth Grade!

February Currently

So since it is February, that means it's Currently time!!! A bit later than normal, but oh well - it's been a busy weekend!

One of my new favorite TV shows is Bones. Evan and I have been watching all the episodes since last year and now we are so close to being caught up! I think we only have to watch a few more to get on track! It's such a good show - watch it if you never have!

For President's Day Weekend, we have early release on Thursday and Friday. Now on Thursday, we're stuck at school until 7:00 for conferences, but on Friday, we can leave when the kids leave. Plus we have off on Monday. So my parents decided to get away from Wisconsin cold and come and visit me!! Yay!! I've already decided that we should go to the Botanical Gardens and the zoo plus a few yummy restaurants out here too. It'll be super fun!

Is it just me or does the weekend always seem to fly by? Every. Time.

Who doesn't want  a spa day? The answer is no one.

Today is a busy day. We're having people over for the Super Bowl so I need to clean some more and cook a few things. I'm making Spinach-Artichoke Dip and Crab Rangoons. Yum! Plus I have school stuff to do and laundry and who knows what else.

And pet peeves? Let me tell you, Phoenix is home to some of the worst drivers. Everyone either goes too fast or too slow. No one uses turn signals except when they put them on and then take forever to switch lanes. There are always crashes on the highway. On Friday, there was a car that rolled over. It's not icy, snowy, rainy, windy, or twisty here. So how is it that this car just rolled over? Unclear.

And standardized tests and rude people, don't even get me started.

Your turn! Go link up!

January Currently?!

January already?! I feel like I say this every month but how did this happen?! Where has the time gone?! But that means it's time for another Currently from  Farley at Oh' Boy Fourth Grade!

Evan and I have been doing heaps of wedding planning since we got back from Phoenix - like marathon planning. And he was talking to our wonderful friend Sam to ask him to be an usher at our wedding. Which makes me oh so happy! Although I feel like no one would ever say no to being in a wedding, but I always get so excited and grateful whenever someone says yes!

And I am loving that I am in Wisconsin, especially because I have reached The Point. The time when I have realized that I am officially over Phoenix and ready to return back to Wisconsin. Like when you go on vacation and no matter how wonderful or fabulous or beautiful it is, you just reach that point when you know that it's time to go, and although it'll be sad to leave, you're ready. Unfortunately, that's not a choice and I have to go back on Friday. Wah. Which definitely leads into what I am thinking about and how I do not want to go back to reality.

But what I do want is a smoothie. For some reason, I equate them with New Year's Eve even though I'm unsure if I have ever had a smoothie on New Year's Eve. But every year, I always want one and never have one. Perhaps next year...

I think the only downside about Wisconsin is the lack of my wonderful pillow. I have the best pillow ever - it's memory foam and so perfect and it's in Phoenix. Which has caused terrible pain in my back and neck. I just need a massage.

But my OLW is thankful. I picked it to remind me that even though I feel that lots of things don't go as planned, I have a lot to be thankful for. I have a job. Not everyone can say that. I have a wonderful fiance who loves me. I have a great family who supports me. I have an adorable dog who thinks I'm the greatest. I have a roof over my head and lots of food to eat. I have the ability to get in my car and go (almost) wherever my heart desires. I have lots of great memories of the past and a bright future. So I need to try really hard to keep all that in perspective.

Happy New Year everyone! And bring it on 2013!

December Currently...Already?!

I feel like it was just yesterday that I was posting, saying how I was shocked that it was already November, and now it's December!! Where has the time gone?!?!!?

For real. In 23 days, it will be Christmas; in 19 days, I will be on an airplane headed for Wisconsin; and in just two mere weeks, it will be Galileo testing (again) for my adorable firsties!! Ahhhh! So crazy!

Here is December Currently from Farley at Oh' Boy 4th Grade:

Anyways, this last week has been fairly blah for me. My kids were ticking me off, annoying me, testing my patience on Friday but we made it through and I got to wave good-bye to them for a much needed weekend.

However, yesterday wasn't really that restful. Every teacher in Arizona needs to be SEI certified, which stands for Structured English Immersion. SEI means that we can only teach in English so the class talks about the why that is and then gives us some strategies on good ways to help those students. I don't mind going; I just mind having to do endless activities that waste my time. 

Like instead of just reading a five-page article silently and then moving on, we have to get into groups, decide who is reading which page, read one page (which doesn't make sense for anyone reading except for Person #1 who is stuck with the intro which is usually super boring), tell everyone what we read, decide the most important parts, make a poster about it, and then present the poster. It just takes sooooo long.  But I only have one more next weekend and then I am down with SEI Module 1. (SEI Module 2 isn't due for another 2.5 years so I will be definitely giving myself a break from it). 

And then Evan and I went out yesterday and got a bunch of Christmas shopping done so almost everyone on our list is finished. And then we get stuck in parade traffic on the way home, which is definitely not my idea of fun.  Sidenote: Arizona drivers are terrible drivers. So add in the factor of parade pretty much guarantees a nightmare.

Today is just going to be a school/home/hoping Christmas tree buying day!! AKA a day to watch Bones on Netflix while doing school stuff. I love Bones <3

One more thing, I won Miss De Carbo's Sight Word Fluency Intervention Pack in a giveaway and let me tell you: It. Is. Amazing!!! I adore it. It's perfect for my struggling E2 readers. I started using it last week, and I can already see some of my students reading the focus words more fluently. Go check it out if you're looking for a great resource for first, second, or third!!

Have a wonderful Sunday!!

November Currently

Yikes already November?! When did this happen? And it's second quarter?! Again, when did this happen? I seriously cannot believe how quickly this year is just zipping right along. And I know that it will continue in just that way. So crazy!! Anyways, since it's now November, that means it's Currently time with Farley from Oh' Boy 4th Grade.

Evan is hard at work on his proposal for grad school so he needs music to keep him going. And of course, most of it isn't my style, but that's ok since the prospect of going to IKEA hinges on how much he gets done! And the reason I want to go to IKEA is because I need a desk. Between two laptops (one work laptop and my personal laptop), papers galore, cute markers and all things teachery, the coffee table just isn't cutting it anymore. I found one that I like that has little shelves so I could get a few baskets to hold wayward things so it will look lovely. 

And that creepy cackle? Since the weather is finally starting to cool off, we keep our apartment door open a lot more, using just the screen to get some fresh air in here. Anyways, as I was typing, someone uttered the weirdest laugh ever. So creepy!!

And what teacher doesn't need time to work in their room?? With two meetings every week, which is now switching to three, I don't have a lot of time to be in my room and organize. Plus, being a new teacher, there is so much stuff that was in the room from the teacher before me, that I haven't had much time to go through and even see what's there! I could something amazing and not even know it!!

As for music in the classroom, I usually don't play any. Maybe I will start though just to see how it goes. If I did, I'd probably play something without lyrics so they couldn't sing along.

Hopefully I can start blogging more frequently. Honestly, the real reason I don't write much is because I always forget to take pictures of what we're doing. I need to start doing that more often, but for real, how do you all do it?!

PS - I have my first Donor's Choose project out there so I'm really excited! I hope it gets funded since my kids absolutely adore Mo Willems books!! Plus, pretty sure with the code INSPIRE, it doubles the amount!!! Spread the word please :) 
http://www.donorschoose.org/project/dont-let-the-students-stop-reading/907146/

October Currently

Yay!! It is now my favorite month: October. I love everything about October. The colorful leaves and how they crunch. The crisp weather - perfect for boots, chunky sweaters and scarves. The food - pumpkin everything, hot chocolate, apple everything. So yum. And Halloween. I love Halloween.

So what better way to start off October than with a Currently from Oh' Boy Fourth Grade!

So I am beyond pumped for Fall Break. I am going back to Wisconsin for some fall fun and wedding planning. Seriously can't wait!! Because even though October will always be my favorite month, it's not the same here. No colors, no crisp weather...so sad. So I need to go home to get my fall fix. And free Jimmy John's!?!?! Yes please.

So this week has been Galileo testing week. My kids have had to take two standardized tests, one in reading and one in math, and then complete a writing prompt. I'm actually pretty pumped about the writing since I'm anxious to see how they have grown as writers over the past two months (seriously been in school that long?!?! Scary!!!). But the reading and math tests are just crazy. Some of my kids' scores improved but others decreased so I don't know what to think. I know that I can't define myself as a teacher based on test scores, but now is one of those times where I can't help it. And I know that standardized tests aren't an authentic way of measuring a student's progress but I'm feeling a bit defeated about it. Especially since it counts for 50% of a child's overall grade and plays a big part in assessing me as a teacher. Wah.

And to top it off, I have had a persistent headache all week long. It always goes away overnight, but returns mid-day and sticks around until bed. Such a drag.

But Fall Break is just. around. the. corner!!!!!!! Yay!!!! And tomorrow and Friday are early release days. The kids go home at 11:15. Tomorrow I have to stick around until 7:00 for parent-teacher conferences, but on Friday, I can leave promptly at 11:15. We'll see if that actually happens though...

So Marlee and I are off to pick up Evan from ASU. Wednesdays are his late days since he has class until 7 so to avoid the long light rail ride back home, I always go get him.

September Currently and School Related News

Wow, how is it already September?!!? No idea how that happened, especially since that means I have been in school for almost a month! Completely baffled by that. 

So I'm linking up with Farley at Oh Boy Fourth Grade with her monthly Currently.

Yes you read that right - I got a new puppy! One of the girls on the first grade team found her wandering around on her way to school so she picked her up and brought her to school. She spent two days in the janitor's office before coming home with me! It's funny since Evan and I had decided to get a cat because they are a bit easier to care for than dogs since they are more self sufficient, Marlee kind of just fell into our laps. She's super sweet!

Look at her little face!

She's super sweet and pretty low key...except at bed time. For some reason, she's always super perky and wants to play at bedtime. Last night she was bounding around, trying to jump in bed and squeaking. Originally, we had her in the bathroom and she just barked and barked and barked. Then we tried tethering her with her leash but no gate in hopes that that would make her feel better, but instead, she thrashed around and barked some more. So we ultimately let her have free roam of our bedroom which worked ok. She was still a nuisance during the night, but way better than her barking for hours. So hopefully she gets used to our routine soon...especially since school resumes for me tomorrow and Evan has to go to ASU for class tomorrow too!

I'm really missing fall weather too, even though I feel like it's still pretty hot in Wisconsin. I think just the beginning of September, plus the fact that most schools are starting tomorrow is enough to make me want fall weather. The crunchy leaves, the slight chill in the air, the fall foods, wearing boots and scarves - I love it all! I'm really glad to be going home during my fall break in early October. That's when fall is in full swing! Maybe I can convince my family to go to a pumpkin farm!

In school-related news, our first publishing party is on Wednesday. My kiddos are pretty excited about it (I think mainly because of the prospect of juice and snack), but I think they are also excited to read their stories to their parents. I hope parents can come. If not, my backup plan is to ask kinder teachers or second grade teachers if they wouldn't mind having a few of my kids come in to read their stories. Tomorrow we are adding titles, finishing up the words, and coloring the pictures and on Wednesday, we will be putting the final touches on them. 

I have heard so much wonderful things about Daily 5 that I am determined to do it in my room. We have been Reading to Self for the past few weeks. We finally got to ten minutes on Friday! So exciting! And this week, I'm going to introduce Read to Someone. I hope my kids can handle it, but a lot of modeling and expectation laying out should help. I just wish I could skip ahead to where they are independent.

Math, I am trying to incorporate more number sense into the day. When multiple kids write something similar to 4+0=6, I know there is a problem. So I've been doing a number of the day during Morning Meeting, and on Friday, I started number cards and collection counting. Plus I've been using subitizing cards during five minute downtime to help them build their ability to look at a number of objects and know how many are there without having to count them.

So yeah, we are in for a busy week! Luckily, it's only a four day work week!!! :)

August Currently

Yay! My first Currently with Farley at Oh' Boy Fourth Grade with her monthly Currentlys...

Here is mine!

This past week was a whirlwind for me as I had time to work in my classroom and a few PDs thrown in for fun. Next Monday and Tuesday is all PD and grade level meetings, and then Wednesday is THE DAY aka the first day of school aka everything I've worked for and wanted for the past five years! So exciting yet so nerve wracking. I attempted to make a teacher binder today, but all I got done was hole punching some Common Core things and putting them in. I'll have to work more on that tomorrow...