Supporting A Friend

When I graduated college and began looking for my first teaching job I had certain schools in mind (as I am sure every fresh new teacher does).  God had other plans for me.  The school that offered me my first job was not at all what I had pictured for myself but was exactly what I needed.  The people I met helped me become the teacher I am today.  The kids needed me and I love them! God also knew what he was doing when he placed Michelle at my school during my second year of teaching.  My Principal said she thought we would hit it off and gave her my contact info.  I helped Michelle out some during her first semester but it was not until a trip to Christmas Village that we became good friends (due to our intense desire to sample every single food item there haha).  Since then we have bonded over our love of reality TV, Justin Bieber (don't judge), funny You Tube videos, and of course teaching.  This past March, Michelle told me that she would be leaving after the school year (her second year teaching with me).  Not only was she leaving- she was going to move to Turkey and teach and spread the Lord's word! Wow! So many emotions.  I was so so sad that I would not be able to sit in her room every day after school and laugh about the school day.  I was proud of her for taking such a huge risk.  I was scared for her too.  Michelle has been overseas many times before with mission trips and felt the Lord calling her to do more.  So in just nine short days, she will leave for Turkey for two years! Luckily she will be teaching 4th grade so I have been making her CDs of all my files and emailing her non-stop.  I am so glad that I will be able to support her not just with my prayers and the small donations I can afford on my teacher salary but also with my ideas and knowledge from teaching 4th grade for the past 3 years.  Michelle will be teaching 4th grade at an international Christian school where she will not only teach the 4th grade standards but she will teach a love of Christ.  She will get a small salary but she needs to raise support to cover the cost of living and some of her school materials.  You can visit her blog here to follow her adventures! You can also find information on how to support her during the next two years.  Please keep my dear, sweet friend in your prayers!

Top Ten Reasons You Know It Is Time To Go Back To School

Tunstall's Teaching Tidbits is having a really fun linky  party about how you know it is time to go back to school.  You must join the fun!

10.  I have been to Hobby Lobby more times in the past two weeks than I have in my entire life.

9. My cell phone cover has Modge Podge all over it from my attempt at being crafty.

8.  I get asked when school starts and if I am ready every time I see someone I know.  Maybe I should make a sign to hang around my neck: I go back August 10th, the kids come back the 15th, and I AM SO EXCITED! :)

7. I am frantically reading all the teaching books I told myself I would read this summer but never got around to

6. I can not stay away from teaching blogs (maybe that is just my constant state of being now though?)

5. I am foolishly tyring to make myself get up at a decent time (and failing).

4.  Upon entering Wal-Mart I am drawn to the school supply section where I buy crayons and notebooks on almost every visit

3. My 4th grade team mate and friend, Brooke, (love ya Boo!) can't stop texting and emailing each other ideas.  Most texts come from the middle of wal-mart or hobby lobby where inspiration strikes us.

2.  My mom has her sewing machine out on her kitchen table for weeks at a time

1. My mind will not shut off at night because I am so busy planning and reminding myself to do this and that!

As much as I heart summer- I am truly excited to start another great year!

Advice for New (and not so new) Teachers

Fun in 4th Grade is hosting an amazing linky party and I am so happy to be a part of it.  She wants us to share our best teacher advice. 

1.  Be consistent- Kids need to know what to expect from you every day.  So with your behavior plan, your routines, and expectations you must be consistent.

2.  Walk the line-  Having a connection with your students is one of the most important parts of teaching.  You need to be able to relate to them and reach them and there needs to be trust there too.  That being said, you have to walk a fine line between teacher and friend.  I have seen it happen before when a new teacher tries too hard to be a friend and then gets walked all over.

3. Ask for help- I want my kids to be lifelong learners just as I am.  I know that I do not know everything (ok most of the time I know this) so I have no problem asking another teacher or even sometimes a student for help.  We need to be role models for learning.

4.  Read aloud to your kids! It is such a wonderful bonding experience.  No matter how old or young your kids are they will love it!

5. Laugh! You are going to make mistakes so laugh at yourself.  Your kids will say the cutest things.  Enjoy it.

6. Try to  find the best in every child and then share it with their parents.  I try to start off the year by contacting every parent with something positive about their child.  That way if I ever have a problem, they will understand that I am on their side and have their child's best interest at heart. 

Giveaway!

Kleinspriration recently reached 500 followers! To celebrate, she is giving away a $25 target gift card.  Head over to her blog to enter.  It ends the 9th!

I will be doing a giveaway when I reach 250 followers so keep checking back here too!

Look at my Bird Folders!

As you may know, I am addicted to teacher blogs and pinterest.  I have found so so many great ideas lately. I want to share a project I did that was inspired by Leslie Ann at Life in First Grade.  She used a bird template to decorate her student work display.  At my school, we all hang folders out in the hall where we display our kids' work.  Leslie Ann was sweet enough to share her template so I made my own birds using scrapbook paper to decorate my student folders.  Here are some pictures:

Currently I Am...

Oh Boy 4th Grade is having a fun linky party about what we are doing right now.  Here it is:

Currently I am:
 Listening to America's Next Top Model.  I love their all day marathons!

Loving Pinterest.  I can't stay away from this site!  There are so many ideas out there and I love that I can keep them all in one place.

Thinking about what I want to do with my new students during the first week of school.

Wanting something chocolate.

Needing to go work out!

Stalking all the blogs on my blog list! I heart them all!  I esp. love Oh Boy 4th Grade of course.  I stalk One Extra Degree. And my sister's blog so I can see pictures of my niece and nephew!

Classroom Pet Peeve Linky Party

We all have those little things that just drive us up the wall! Those things we can't stand but on those certain days they can just put us over the edge.  The Bubbly Blonde is having a linky party so we can share those pet peeves and get them out in the open before school starts.  Here are some of mine:

1. Saying my name while raising your hand- I see your hand thank you just stop saying my name!
2. When my kids tell me they "have to use it" instead of asking to go to the restroom
3. And that one most of us hate but some kids just have to do- drumming your pencils

What are your classroom pet peeves?