My Summer Read

Several years ago I heard about Ron Clark on The Oprah Winfrey Show. I saw the movie with Matthew Perry and was touched. I read The Essential 55 which was about the rules and expectations in his classroom. This summer I saw a list of the 25 top summer reads for teachers. I pulled several up on Amazon (love that they let you read pieces of the books) and finally pulled up The End of Molasses Classes by Ron Clark. As I read through the Amazon sneak peek I found myself laughing and tearing up all at the same time and decided I really wanted to read the whole book. I considered ordering the electronic version and reading it on my iPad but somehow I knew this was going to be a book I wanted to share with my co-workers and friends. Monday I got my book in the mail and I'm loving it. I'm just wondering if anyone had read the book or visited the Ron Clark Academy in Atlanta? (click on the title above to get a sneak peek)

Vacation Mode

Such a weird feeling this summer. Normally I'm all over the blogs, making things, shopping, etc and basically getting ready for next school year. This summer, I'm totally in vacation mode. Don't get me wrong, I have done a little shopping for school but overall, I can't get motivated. I think this past school year took so much out of me that I'm still recovering. I feel a little guilty but at the same time it feels good. I took a mini vacation this weekend to the Keys with my family mostly because we wanted cuban food from El Siboney, cafe con leche from 5 Brothers' Grocery and sandals from Kino. Next week we will be heading to our favorite resort just about an hour down the road at the Hyatt Coconut Plantation. I guess after that I will have to kick it into high gear because I head back to work July 31st.

Summer

So I guess I'm going to have to come the the realization that I'm a summer blogger. It seems like once school starts, my life spins out of control and blogging goes on the back burner. As is, I've been out of school for a month and I'm just now coming back. Not gonna lie, it was a rough year. I had great kids but they just didn't mesh so I was constantly on my toes and putting out fires. I love each and every one of them individually but as a group they were a hand full.

This past year also involved many changes. This was our first year with Common Core, the new observation process that the state of FL has mandated and new administration. Our new administration was definitely the biggest blessing. Our school finally became a positive place to be and work. Don't get me wrong, kids have always come first but for the first time in the 15 years that I've been there, the teachers and faculty were given value and a voice. We were appreciated for what we do and the results that we get.

So now that I'm back to blogging, I'm getting ready to take a vacation which is much needed. Hopefully, it will keep me motivated to keep blogging. It will definitely give me a chance to check out some new Target Dollar Spots. I haven't found much around here yet other than eraser dice which I thought would be great because they won't be as loud. lol Hopefully, the new stuff will be coming out soon.

Crazy Day

This was one insane day! Our fire alarm went off during specials along with the announcement that this was NOT a drill. Of course, we were all wondering what was going on but my daughter and I helped the other kids out since ours were across campus. When they started closing the gate we knew something was up. We ended up standing out in the hot Florida sun for about 20 minutes, thank goodness I had taken my water bottle with me when I left. We did manage to move the kids to shade while we waited for the fire dept. Turned out to be a short in the wiring panel in the building with the AC chiller. Then as I was getting to the cafeteria door the alarm went off again. Another 20 minutes waiting in the parking lot while the fire dept arrived and checked it all out. Finally a quick lunch, a little playground and then I was off to a 2 hour training while a sub took over my class. Let me just clarify that it was the whole grade level that went to the training. Luckily, I have done enough routines and procedures that my kids handled it pretty well. Maybe tomorrow will be a little more calm. One can only hope...

Ready or Not Here We Go!

Well, I went back a couple weeks ago and this is the first chance I have had to post about it. I missed out on the last one or two Monday Made Its even though I had been very busy. Last week I was my youngest daughter's 16th birthday but it was also Open House at my school. To make up for it I made her cupcakes, chocolate with peanut butter frosting. Sorry I don't have any pictures, my family couldn't wait to dive in. Needless to say, my daughter wasn't upset with me for having to work at all. In fact the whole family joined me in greeting my new families as well as visiting with my past students and their families.

Thanks to Tara for her Monday Made Its for keeping me on track and getting things done. It certainly helped me get things ready for my room. This week my first Made it is my classroom. When I walked into my classroom a couple weeks ago this is what greeted me. (Well this and the electrician rewiring the light in the ceiling.)

Doesn't look too bad until you look in the closets where I had to shove store everything.

Well there is an upside to all of this, my oldest daughter has been a HUGE help to me. She starts college in a couple weeks as an education major so she might as well get the hang of it besides she has grown up in my classroom so this is nothing new to her.

Finally, almost everything is in place. I made a new alphabet to go with my movie theme. I wish I had made the letters bigger but it will have to do for now. Maybe next year I'll make it bigger.

Guess I'll have to post some close ups later. But before I end this very long post let me just post one of my Monday Made Its that I did take a picture of. I finally got my toolbox labels in my box since it was buried in the closet all summer.

Monday Made It

I'm linking up with Tara again at 4th Grade Frolics. This week I was hoping to get my main project done but so far it's on hold until hubby can get his chop saw from our Pastor's house. In the meantime, I have been working tirelessly on my computer making new things. I made a movie film graphic that I am really enjoying, in fact I am using it to start a new blog. So there's my first creation, my new blog which is geared for Kindergarten. I just felt that this blog was going nowhere and I needed a new start and vision so hopefully, you will all head over there and follow me. It's a work in progress but I'm trying to make it completely me so it will evolve as I learn to make more graphics. Since my classroom has a Hollywood theme, I thought it would be fun to call it Hooray for Kindergarten. On the Hollywood theme I have also made schedule cards. Wish that I could share them with you but since I don't have the rights to distribute Thistle Girl (yet) I am unable. But this is what they look like.

That's all for this blog. The remaining projects will have to be shared on my new blog later. I'm heading into my classroom tomorrow so I will have to finish tomorrow afternoon (hopefully).

Another Creation

Well this is my second post this week for Monday Made It but that's just goes to show how much fun it can be. So I've been bitten by the creativity bug. My wonderful hubby bought me a Bamboo for Christmas so I could make graphics. I've just now gotten around to learning how to use it with my oldest daughter's help of course. I have been wanting to get a new Word Wall with my Hollywood theme but can never find one I like so I made my own. I'm offering it for free in my TPT store. I'm having fun making things and if others want them then I am happy to share. Hope at least one of you can use this.

Now, what to make next...lol.