School's Out For Summer

Yay, summer is finally here! Our last student day was last Wednesday, June 18th, but today was actually my last day that I had to be anywhere for work. This week we had a Sheltered Instruction Observation Protocol (SIOP) training and got our new district issued "Yogas", AKA tablet/laptops. Today I worked in my new classroom and got some things put away... the movers kind of left it a mess. My summer plans include lots of rest, time with my family, training my puppy, and getting some projects done around the house. I'm super excited about my first National Boards bonus and can't wait to go on a mini-vacation with my fiance! Below are some pictures of before and after in my room today! So much to do but it's a start!

Pinkalicious

Several weeks ago my school had a "book character/vocabulary word day". It was a fun day. I dressed up like Pinkalicious. Some other characters of the day were: Little Red Riding Hood, princesses, The Magic Schoolbus, Mr. Slinger, Amelia Bedelia, Fancy Nancy... It was super cute! If the kids didn't dress up they wrote a word on a card with the definition on the back. Some cards were: optimist, monochromatic, rumpus, loving, funny, artistic, etc.

We were so lucky to have the author Barbara Jean Hicks speak at a school assembly on the same day. She was a wonderful presenter and shared a lot about her process as a writer. She also shared about her work with the movie "Frozen" and the books she has wrote using the characters, which our kids loved. My second grade colleague and I read aloud to the school her book "A Sister More Like Me", which was very fun!

It's Been Awhile

Wow, I can't believe it's been over 2 years since my last post. I'm currently teaching second grade and love it. I completed my National Boards certification in literacy and passed! Maybe that's why I haven't posted anything in 2 years... I've also moved school and homes, so that may have something to do with my absence to blogging. 

I just recently started a new blog about the adventures of my Great Dane puppy Gus, called Muddy Paws and Slobbery Kisses. He really keeps me busy, but I love this adventure of having a puppy. My second graders love to hear stories about Gus and all the trouble he gets into. I wish I could bring him to school everyday, but I am lucky enough to have a puppy nanny (sister-in-law) that stays home with him during the day. 

It's the final countdown at this point, only 18 1/2 days left of school. I've been very lucky to have a student teacher this spring, so I've had a lot of time to reflect on my own teaching and get some planning done for next year. The big stress right now, is that I may have to move my classroom again next year! I've had to move my classroom 9 times in 10 years!!!! I really don't want to move again... but if it's what's best for kids, I'll do it!