Happy holidays

So I know I haven't posted in a few days. I have really been enjoying my Christmas break. I like being able to sleep in and not have responsibilities.

I had a wonderful Christmas with my family. I also got quite a few deals over break. Those of you that know me already know that I am a couponer and bargain person. I hate paying full price if I don't have to. Well Christmas is my time to stock up on crafting supplies and things for next year.  I managed to get 5 Christmas hard back books for a little over $30 at Barnes and Noble. I bought two books from one of my favorite authors, Jan Brett. I also bought mini glass ball ornaments for my kiddos the next few years. I got 27 in a pack for a little over $1. Last year, I put their name on the ornament and we decorated our classroom tree with them. I also bought some plastic cups for $0.50 for a pack of four. They have cute little snowmen on them.

(I couldn't resist getting the Santa's Coming to Pennsylvania book. I needed that book!)

I got one of the best presents from my parents this year. The got me a new pair of Sperry Topsiders. I absolutely love these shoes! Last year I had a lot (actually a ton) of problems with my knee and desperately needed a pair of shoes that would give me enough support and comfort for all day wear. The teacher shoes I had were less than mediocre at best. So after a few conversations with a few other teachers and some research I decide to try the Topsiders. At first, I wasn't sure about them because I got a lot of blisters and they hurt. After breaking them in though, I wouldn't wear any other shoe. My knees and feet are happy after a full day of teaching and being on my feet. I no longer came home with aching knees and feet. My first pair that I got are brown and I knew I needed a black pair; so I asked my parents to get them for me for Christmas. They really came through and got me the cutest black pair! If you are in the market for a good pair of shoes I highly recommend them! They are pricey, but totally worth the price! (They also last pretty long too!)

Do you have any shoes that you swear buy? Leave a comment below; I am always looking for good shoes! Did anyone score some great after Christmas deals on classroom supplies?

Have a great evening!

Laura

Two days left!

Hello!

Tonight's post is going to be quick. I must say my days have been going a lot faster. I don't know if it is because of doing the daily 5 in both math and ELA or if it is just that way.

Today was our hand bell and piano concert. All students that take piano from 3rd-8th grade play a song. The 4th-8th grade classes also play and sing a song with the hand bells. I must say we have quite a bit of talent in my school. It was great!

When I got home tonight I had a bunch to do. I made nutella truffles, buffalo chicken dip, and nutella cheesecake dip. The truffles and cheesecake dip are for my work Christmas party and the buffalo dip is for my Dad's work party. Plus, I still need to grade papers. Well I better get to it.

How are your last couple days before break going?

Enjoy your night!

Laura

Tried it Tuesday

Good evening friends!

I am going to start a new Tuesday blog,  called Tried it Tuesday. I will be posting some of the things I tried throughout the week. Some of the posts may be school related or just something I tried out of school.

Well first up today is a unit. This week I decided since I was at a good place to stop last Friday that we would have some educational fun. In our last reading selection we learned all about character. So this week we are doing the same thing only with a classic Dr. Sues Christmas book. We are doing a lot of character analysis and story analysis. We are looking at how the main character was at the beginning of the story compaired to the main character at the end. We are writing a journal as if we are the main character too. We are in general just having fun and learning too.

On another note, I made part of my Christmas gift to my kiddos. I made them peppermint hearts filled with chocolate. You take two candy canes and put them together in the shape of a heart. Next, you take melted chocolate and pour it in the middle. Let it sit and voila you are done! I found this idea on pinterest. (For my work Christmas party, I am making a Nutella cheesecake dip and Nutella truffles...all found on pinterest. I will let you know how they turn out. I love pinterest so much!)

Well that's all for tonight! I hope you have a wonderful night!

Laura

Remembering Sandy Hook

Hello everyone,

Today I would like to take a few minutes to remember the teachers, principal, and students of Sandy Hook. What the adults did that day in that school was nothing less than what a hero would do. Even a year later, I still tear up when I think of it. Every morning, when I go into school I say my sandwich prayers and the Sandy Hook community is always included.

I remeber going into school the day after the shooting thinking of how I was going to handle my students' questions and concerns about being safe at school. To tell you the truth I had no idea what I was going to tell my little third graders. I decided I would only talk about it if it was brought up because I didn't know what their parents told them and what they didn't. The day went by though and no one asked. So I thought I was in the clear. The next day though one of my students raised her hand in Religion class and with a terrified look on her face asked, "What if Sandy Hook happened here?" I took a minute and thought to myself and I told them the truth. I told them that if it ever did happen the adults would do there very best to keep them safe. I also told them that if it did happen the person would have to get through me first. I would do everything and anything in my power to keep them safe, and I truly meant it. I reassured them that school is safe and that they are safe with me. After my talk, I looked around the room and I could see the fear in my students' eyes change to comfort. That was the hardest day I had in school. To this day I still show my students everyday that they are safe. I may not speak about it, but my actions say it. I want my students to feel safe and I want them to know that they are.

It is so hard to think about an elementary school or any school being attacked like that. My heart goes out to all the victims and I will never forget that day.

I also want to say my heart goes out to the students and teachers involved in the high school shooting in Colorado.

Laura

Finally

Well our Christmas production is over. Today was our final performance. Besides one little mishap it went flawlessly. I am glad it is over. I can now get back to my regular routine for the next week...except Wednesday and Friday when we have two concerts and Mass.

I am happy that starting tomorrow I can also do the fun Christmas activities with my kiddos. Tomorrow we are making Advent wreaths and our own abacus. ( During one of my summer workshops I learned how to make these and the kiddos wanted one to take home. They love using them in class to help them with multiplication.)

Well tonight was just meant to be a quick one. I hope you all enjoy your night!

Happy teaching!

Laura

Terrific Tuesday

Ok so I must say today I felt pretty accomplished after school. In a two hour period I copied about a dozen different activities and graded about 5 sets of tests. They are all ready to send home tomorrow.

Todaywe had dress rehearsal for the Christmas Production. I must say we have come a long way from a week ago. The kids chorus, band, and actors are all doing great! I have to give our actors credit they are doing quite a powerful and deep play. It is about the three wise men visiting baby Jesus. When they come the angel Gabriel tells them there gift needs to be in esence of their soul. Well needless to say their gifts change while visiting Jesus into the true essence of themselves. Instead of gold, frankensence, and myrth, (sp?) it changes to vinegar, a hammer, and a spear. At the end, one of our storytellers says how all three of these gifts have been used in another story that takes place years later on top of a hill. (The crucifixion) It is honestly a great play and I cannot wait to see their final performance on Thursday.

Well that was my Tuesday. How was your Tuesday?

Happy teaching!

Laura

I am back!

Hello friends!

I know I have been out of the blog world for quite some time. Actually since August! I apologize for not blogging...life got in my way. A lot has gone on since I last blogged. I got a whole new set of faces in my classroom. We have done so many fun things!

This year I have been more dedicated to the Daily 5 that I introduced last year and I also added the Daily 5 Math. The Daily 5 that I do in language arts is going so smooth this year! It also helps that I have students that love to read and write. Currently, we are working on a winter Haiku poem. We will be writing them and then posting them on snowflakes. They will then hang in our hallway and classroom. The Daily 5 Math is brand new for me. I actually just implemented them last week. It took me quite a few hours getting everything together, but I think it was worth it! I decided to start this because my students were learning multiplication and my kiddos were at so many different levels with this so I decided my instruction should be in small groups. Since I started my students have been doing better. I can really focus in on their strengths and weaknesses.

Some of the centers I printed out and laminated and cut out. I do not remember where I got them (I got them this summer) on TPT. Once I find out I will give you credit. I believe the ornament dash and Penguin Shuffle were from Christi Fultz from Ms. Fultzs Corner www.msfultzscorner.com.

In Social Studies, we also did out landform dioramas. This was after I taught a chapter on landforms. The students picked 6 landforms and they made a model of them along with trees and other things if they chose. I will have to post a picture of them as soon as I can. 

This winter has been crazy because this year the intermediate department has the Christmas production. We made a story of the three kings into a play. It is turning out to be quite a play. We have been working hard on it with the set, props, acting, and songs. It is really coming together and I cannot wait to see the final show on Thursday! 

Also a lot has been going on in my personal life as well. The last time I posted I had just purchased a car. This is my first car. I am glad to say she is still running great. We had a few minor problems but have gotten them fixed and she is now good to go.  Well another very important thing happened at the end of August a week before school started. My wonderful boyfriend Steve proposed to me! He took me out for a walk in the state park where our first date was. When we first got there we went up a water tower to look at the view. This just so happened to be where he got on one knee and asked me to marry him.

The beautiful ring! I absolutely love it!

Well I must get back to grading the Navajo worksheets my kiddos did on Friday. I hope you all have a great night!

Happy teaching!