New Blogger Blog Hop

So while I'm kinda new, but not really....let's face it my lack of blogging and on & off blogging can count as being new. So I'm linking up with this new blogger blog hop from Grade 3 is the Place for me because I have to be honest and say that I have found some incredible teachers with amazing ideas and wonderful blogs from this blog hop....so join up and check out all of these incredible blogs. 

All you have to do is link up at the link above and answer the following questions on your blog:

1.  what state you are in

2.  your current teaching position

3.  your teaching experience

4.  when you started blogging

5.  share a blogging tip / blogging resource


Here are my answers:
1.  what state you are in:
Good Ol' Texas! I'm a Texas Girl through and through y'all. :) 

2.  your current teaching position

Soon to be kindergarten (general ed)- I just got moved from 4th grade back to Kinder :) I'm excited and nervous at the same time. We will see how it goes. :/

3.  your teaching experience

I started my education career as a special education assistant for two years, I was lucky enough to get a sped job at the school I was an assistant at- I ended up doing kinder/1st resource with some amazing teachers for 3 years. I got displaced to another school down the road (thankfully & currently the school I teach at) and was shocked when I was switched to 4th grade co-teach/IF....it was a big change and a hard year in which I learned a lot. I was lucky enough to move from sped to gen ed and teach my entire class (all my own yay!) in 4th grade- the best class I could have dreamed of. Unfortunately, we lost a position in 4th grades due to numbers...due to my kinder experience I was asked to move down to 1st grade and then kinder for next year. :)

4.  when you started blogging

June 2011...on and off and then picked back up this June :)

5.  share a blogging tip / blogging resource
Blogging at first can be intimidating. There are incredible blogs out there with teachers that have some of the best ideas. It can make you wonder what you have to give- I have learned that teachers are some of the most incredible cheerleaders and supporters. Keep bloggin, don't get intimidated...it will all come together for you. :) 

Off to hop and through and meet some new bloggy friends!
This is a Blog Hop!

Truth is...

The truth is....I'm intimidated. Intimidated by blogging it is....you might have wondered "where the heck has this girl gone?" or "what a slacker- she isn't keeping up with her blog" The truth of it is- I'm way intimidated by the entire blogging thing. Yes...it's true. My intimidation stems from the fact that every day I log on to my blogger site and notice all of the incredible post and things that other teachers are posting. Everyone has incredible ideas, wonderful products to buy off of TPT or TN and I sit here wondering "what do I have to contribute?"

The answer is simple....not much. I feel like because I'm so overwhelmed with switching grade levels and moving into a new house- my brain has run away. Gone are the incredible cute ideas I have or at least had- I'm intimidated because I don't have all of these cute graphics or clipart accounts to make super cutie pa-tootie stuff even though it's so me. I'm not sure my ideas are original enough or that anyone will find them as great as I do. I'm intimidated because I don't have interesting information to give you or new things to teach you about. This blogging thing is intimidating because there are so many amazing teacher blogs out there that why read one that doesn't do much for you?

It's a question I've been dealing with for the last month....I'm just me. I'm nerdy about sports which is what I'd probably show way too much in my blog, I rock a charlie brown, polka dots, and peanuts classroom...there isn't much interest in that from other teachers I'm sure, I cuss way more than I can show on here, I crack way more jokes that I should, I'm beyond sarcastic and often times way goofy. I'm a little different from the typical teacher- sports obsessed, beer drinking, trash talking, joke cracking, super boyish while being way girly kinda of different.

So I ask my bloggy friends- am I just weird or can blogging be intimidating? I feel like I'm alone. :/

From Texas to Bama and back again...

Hi Friends,

While it might have seemed like I totally started slacking again on blogging- this girl actually took a week long vacay to Alabama. Now why would a Texas girl vacay in Alabama? For the Gulf Shores  of course!!! and to visit family. You didn't think I was just there for the shores did you? I also went New Orleans, but that's another story ;)

Exciting things happened while I was gone though- Laura at TIPS and Teacher Mom of 3 both awarded me with the "one lovely blog award" and I'm so honored and excited. Thank you both for that. So with this wonderful award I have some passing on to do. (I'm still working on this so please bare with me. )

Make sure to visit both of their blogs for some incredible ideas.

But that's not where my excitement ends friends....While on Vcay in the Good ol' LA (lower Alabama)- I got a call from my principal letting me know that I am being moved to Kindergarten. Now you must know the background to understand why I am excited. While my heart is with my 4th graders and my incredible 4th grade team, our school has lost a 4th grade position. Fortunately, since I have 4 years of experience in Kinder and many of wonderful teammates are not fans of lower grades- I volunteered to go. :) I'm very excited about it. Don't get me wrong I loved teaching 4th grade and it was a nice feeling of knowing what I was doing and feeling confident in myself as a teacher, but stick a little one infront of me and my 4th grade stern teacher voice turned into a squeaky country animated voice (I get country when I get excited- don't ask me why).

So now I am spending my days pinning kindergarten/first grade things on pinterest and searching the web to make sure no one has the name of my blog with kindergarten. :) It's very exciting! Don't worry I will still be posting freebies for upper grade levels, but now I can also do the lower gradelevels. :)

Okay ya'll....I hate to cut it short. I'm working on a weightloss post and freebie post for tomorrow, but my soccer team is playing and this girl doesn't do anything except watch her Spanish soccer when it's on. I'll leave you with this incredible photo of my favorite member of the National Spanish team....yes ladies...you're welcome!

  

Wild about Wednesday....Weightloss Wednesday..What did you say Wednesday...Oh It's just Wednesday!! (Freebie)

Hey ya'll!

If you couldn't tell already by the title of the blog...IT'S WEDNESDAY!! lol- let's be honest nothing exciting about Wednesday. :) It's been more of a lazy, summer Wednesday in our house with a lot going on, but not a  whole lot of motivation. This girl is really tired from watching the basketball game last night and because as sad as it sounds staying up late -busy creating and pinning everything in sight.

My favorite thing about summer is that it gives me time to do things that I never get to do during the school year....for example- get on Pinterest everyday because as we teachers all know...it is muy IMPORTANTE! or to be able to spend all of my time playing with ladybug (cammy-daughter) and actually being able to focus on me. So I decided I'm going to share two things with you today-1 being school related and 2- being "me" related.

SCHOOL RELATED:
Ever hate when you go to look for a student or another class and they are nowhere to be found? I know I sure do. I was inspired by Mrs. Freshwater's Class and her blog about classroom organization. She and I can relate b/c when  I started teaching Sped I ran all over the school pulling kids for small group, looking for co-teachers and the class and spent most of my time searching for kids or classes. Good for weight loss, but bad for being able to meet students needs. :)

So I got to creating this afternoon while Ladybug naps and re-created this super cute sign that I used in my classroom this year. (I was inspired by another blogger to create this, but I can't remember who- I know rule of blogging 101 and I failed-so if it was your inspiration...shoot me a email so I can make sure you give you the much deserved credit)

Anywho....It's a clip-cart that you post outside your door to let other people know just where you and your loves are during the school day. It came in handy so many days and my kids absolutely loved being able to move the clip when they were given the job of door holder, but my principal loved it b/c she knew exactly where to find us if she needed us.

I also created (which is included) a "where do we go" sign, because as I'm sure most of you can get, I get tired of hearing "Ms. M- where do we go for enrichment/specials today?" At our school we go to enrichment which is split between 25 minutes of either Spanish, PE, and Music and 25 minutes of one of the previous that you didn't go to first. It made it so much easier for us this year and kept this lady sane :)
Where Are We

To make it all you have to do is print on cardstock, laminate and I punched two holes in the top to run a ribbon thru it to hang from you door hook. If you would like for me to adjust it to fit your needs- shoot me an email and I'll be happy to do it. :) So let's here from you- what do you use to let people know where your class is? Enjoy.

Now, the so not school related, but totally me part.

ME RELATED:

So while I know that some of you amazing people are blessed with good looks and a super cute weight. This girl is not...I'm totally fat kid in a mad way. Now in order to understand me you must realize the following:

1. I use the words chunky or fat loosely and I by no means mean any harm or negative feelings or actions with them. While I understand that to others they can be hurtful,  to me I use them in my humor and my acceptance for the fact that I in fact am chunky myself.  I never use them to refer to others but just myself.

2. I say fat kid for everything dealing with food, being hungry, or myself. Now when it comes to calling myself a fat girl or chunky please do not be appalled or think "oh that poor girl has no confidence in herself" I'm well aware that I'm chunky/fat girlish and I'll be the first to break out the fat kid humor. It's just how I am. :)

I'm in the purple dress with my Momma and Ladybug

NOW, that we got that out the way.

For those of you that work your butts off to stay super cute and at your goal weight I commend you...for those of you who are like me and struggle with weight- can I get a HOLLA! I know- you are what you eat ( I obviously need to eat a skinny girl), you have to work out constantly (I can do that- can you find me the time?) and you have to watch what you eat (oh I watch it....I watch it be inhaled into my mouth) To learn more about where this comes from you can click on my weightloss page.

So, before the school year ended I decided- "that's it! I can't do this anymore! I need to lose weight! "- I'm determined to lose weight for me, but also because I would hate for Cammy to ever remember me for not being able to run around with her without getting tired or asking why there are only pics of her and everyone else, but not Mommy. It sounds awful and it is, but it's truth.

I feel like during the school year- I spend so much time away from Cammy during the day that when I pick her I hated having to drop her off at the gym daycare for another 2 hours. That's why I love summer- b/c now I can spend time with her and make time to fit in the gym without feeling guilty for being away from her again...am I the only one that feels this way. 

So begins my journey through the Naturally Slim program. I just started so I probably can't tell you what it's all about- heck I'm still learning, but I will tell you this much....it teaches you about hunger vs. appetite, portion control, knowing your body and how to lose weight and that's what I need.

Here's my new motto:

SO here goes nothing- wish me luck! I'd love to hear your stories on weight loss or struggle- I know I can't be the only one.

And then there was one....

I was blog stalking aka browsing like I do any chance I get & Bainbridge's blog got me thinking about the last day of school which was now a little over a week ago. No Christina- you are not the only one who got teary-eyed on the last day of school. While I commented on her blog- it made me realize that my last day and my episode of the "ugly cry" was well just a testament to the amazing class that I have. 


We have a tradition in my class where the kids always have to tell me one thing they learned that day and leave with a hug. My kids have done it since the second week of school. So on the last day of school, in the middle of craziness from the party- the bell rang and my entire class of little loves lined up waiting for their turn to tell me what they loved and what they learned that day. 20 little eager faces standing there waiting and 1 teacher overwhelmed that even with the craziness that is the last day....they remembered. 


Let's be honest I lost it....20 amazing kids, numerous incredible parents all standing there to see what I would do or say. I could not even open my mouth without bawling like a big baby....not just tears ya'll- the ugly cry where I'm sure my face didn't appear cute and I couldn't catch my breath enough to say what I had to say, but it was at that every moment that I realized that they got it- they saw that through the constant teaching, harping on using strategies, moments of sitting in my teal directors chair (which was a sign that we were either reading or having a serious talk- usually the second choice).....they got it and they knew that I loved my very first class more than any teacher could. 


With that being said- I must also say this....


For the past 10 months, I have had 20 little shadows following me down the hallway, 20 little voices asking incredible questions and making some silly, but laughable comments, 20 smiling faces that greet me every morning, 20 little hearts that I held in my hands and in my heart and 20 incredible minds that I hope to have changed forever.

There are no words to say that can ever express how much all of my 20 kids meant to me. Each and every one of my students brought something special to our class and held a special place in my heart and the hearts of my small family. I tried my very best not only to teach them the everyday academics, but life lessons about being never giving up, remaining positive, being compassionate, trying your best, standing up for what you believe in, believing in yourself at all times, learning to accept the best in everyone you meet, the tradition of never leaving our class without giving a hug,  and realizing that sometimes you have see that you are your best motivator and your best cheerleader.  I might have thrown in some love for Charlie Brown, knowledge on football, and appreciation for the true story of Calvin and Hobbes (something I grew up reading).

I am forever grateful to all of my students and their parents for making this year one of my most memorable in teaching. All of them, both kids and parents hold a special place in my heart. At the end of the day on Wednesday, 21 (teacher included) went down to just 1…one heart that will be forever changed by each of my room 34 kids, one teacher who could have never imagined how much each little person would have changed her life, one adult who cried like a big baby in front of her amazing kids saying goodbye,and one teacher who can not wait to see the wonderful things her students do throughout life.

I'm sure that Bainbridge and I are not the only ones who cried....I'd love to hear your story of tears or no tears...how was the end of your school year and how was your last day. 

 

Give me a M....egh...Just shout Math!!!

Hey friends,

You'll have to excuse my dorkiness with my give me a "m" cheer- I'm still in cheering mode from last nights NBA game. As you follow my blog and if you already know me you will learn or already know that I....have a a problem. Yes that's right! I am addicted to sports!!! I said it....and I now admit it. I am addicted to Patriots football, UT Longhorn football, Phoenix Suns/ Thunder basketball, NCAA tourney, soccer and UFC. So as you can imagine my last few days, even past week have been filled with nights of basketball- cheering against the hometown team Spurs...{GASP} I know...shocking.

Okay enough about my sports addiction- I'm sure we will talk about that more later on thru my blogging time.
With Summer now here- our house has been busy with learning time for Cammy (my daughter). We are getting ready for pre-school so it's colors, numbers and alphabet. While working with Cammy and teaching her nifty little songs I got to thinking about some of the funny little songs and acronyms I taught my 4th grade kids to help in Math, Reading, and basically all subjects.

My favorite of all time was for Math. In my class on any given day you could walk by and probably see us standing up doing what looked like dancing...while I'm sure we are totally guilty of dancing in my class for no apparent reason, we typically were doing our UCCSC cheer. It's our way of remembering what steps to take when problem solving and it was something that my kids came to know as a requirement on any word problem in math. Does it require time? Yes- probably more than our now 4 hour STAAR test will allow. Does it help? You bet!!! It was one of the most helpful things for my students who struggled with reading and problem solving all together. Oft en times, you would see a little Room 34 kiddo sitting at their desk going thru the UCCSC motions to make sure they didn't skip anything.

So that being said....I had to share.(it's nothing fancy, but you can shrink it down to create a small cheat sheet to place on your student's desk) In our class- we created an anchor chart to help us remember. :) Anchor Chart queen...I'm telling ya. Feel free to grab it and use it as you please- if you need me to change anything for you or shrink it feel free to email me & I'll be happy to do it.

Math Problem Solving Strategy
Now it's your time to share!!! It got me interested and wondering- what are some of the cute little songs, saying or acronyms that you've created to help you kids remember steps or processes in subjects?
I'd love to hear what you all have to say. :)

I'm off to catch up on "Don't be tardy for the Wedding"....I know SHAMEFUL. :)

oh you again...& a little "Currently"

Why hello there....remember me? Probably not because I've been gone since....oh...the school year started. If it wasn't obvious by my disappearance- 4TH GRADE KICKED MY BUTT! Let's be honest ya'll going from Sped to General Ed was amazing, but I learned so much about how much my general ed. teachers do and how much EVERYONE both sped and gen ed. have on their plate.

There's so much to talk about and so much to say....but the little 3 year old staring at me waiting to go to the pool only allows enough time for me to link up with Oh Boy 4th Grade and her linky party of "Currently". Let's be honest...I love these things. :)

I will leave you with one thing I learned this year.....anchor charts!!! Let it be known...that I was the queen of anchor charts and anything that will help my loves remember what they need to. Here are some pics of the some of the anchor charts we had in our room this year.

Geometry Vocabulary

Ice Cream Shop Math Project Expectations

Reading Book Club Expectations

Reading Strategies

What "4" writing looks like

We {heart} adjectives

Don't worry friends...I will be posting tomorrow about all things 4th grade in our crazy room, some kickball pics, funny lessons and freebies. Till then!