Know your audience

The time is approaching when black square hats will fly through the air. Numerous countdowns have surely begun. For graduation day is sooner than it appears. Oh what nerves and excitement emerge on this glorious day. Whether you are about to enter the Ivy League or step foot down a career path here is one piece of advice I would offer you: 

Know your audience. 

Being aware of your potential employer's or professor's take on life  will come in handy. Be an observer and a listener. Notice the words and actions that occur regularly. If you pick up that they are a positive person and stay away from criticism; perhaps you should lower your dosage of negativity. Even if you are complaining about who got kicked off of American Idol. I guess you can say starting a new career or education is like dating. Ease into the relationship. Get to know who you will now start to spend the majority of your time with. Do you have to become their clone? Absolutely not. Be your own person. Just be aware of your new surrounding and watch your Ps & Qs. I will leave you with something I tell my students on repeat: Act like a decent human being.

The year of change

Impending doom greeted me the morning of 2014. I affectionately gave 2014 a name "the year of change." A great deal of shifting occurred in my life this past year; more so than in all the other past years. 2014 brought on a change in scenery which proved to be a breathe of fresh air. It brought me back to the city I love, refreshed my walk with the Lord and introduced me to new relationships. As each month of 2014 passed the doom slowly faded into hope as I was once again reminded that I worship a God that never leaves me and prepares a path for me. There is no name for 2015 thus far. Only time will tell what this year will unfold.

Two things I am not fond of:

1. Talking about myself 

2. Getting sentimental. 

The fact that I was able to peck out these couple of sentences is a tiny miracle

Adapters

I've come to the conclusion that there are two types of people when it comes to change. Those that adapt and those that complain. Complaining keeps things consistent for the most part; while adapting allows room for growth. Don't get me wrong consistency is nice, but growing isn't all that bad either. I hope I am one who adapts to change. I sure have experienced some change these last couple of months. With common core shenanigans, switching counties and schools, adjusting to a new form of teaching and living in a new city. Change is part of my daily schedule. Complaining about it's recurrence will only make matters worse. If you are going to refuse to adapt to change then do it quietly because the sound of complaining can become quiet draining. 

Here's a tip. Try smiling when change happens. It's hard to be in an awful mood when there's a smile plastered on your face.

Teach for America

There have been a couple adorable teacher items that have been popping up lately that benefit Teach for America. I wish I could say I had the will power to say no to both items, but sadly I did not. Of course it does not help that I found these items at two of my favorite stores: J. Crew and West Elm

First up J.Crews Teach for America t-shirt. There are two designs the one below is the female/girls design. There is also a canvas tote available. 100% of the net proceeds from these sales will be donated to Teach for America.

Next, we have West Elms Teach for America mug. I don't know about you, but one essential for starting my day is coffee. What better way to begin a school day than sipping out of this adorable mug? 50% of this mugs proceed will go to benefiting Teach for America. Unfortunately, the mug is sold out online, but can still be found in stores. 

Teach for America is a nonprofit organization that trains and places recent college graduates and professionals in high needs communities nationwide to aide in ensuring that all students recieve an excellent education.

For the love of books

Over Christmas break my family took a day trip out of town. This trip entailed visiting a bookstore and not your run of the mill book store, but one you could actually get lost in. This little gem includes rooms of books from every sort of genre and to top it off this bookstore has cats! 

From a young age my mother instilled the love of books. Instead of receiving legitimate presents during our birthday parties my mother requested that those in attendance give us books. We were also given books during major holidays. I have proof of me receiving a dictionary for Christmas in fourth grade. Weekly visits to our local library was always on our agenda and nightly readings in our beds was a frequent occurrence. Summers were spent adding to our list of books we have read and any book that was made into a movie was devoured. I love books and what they possess within their pages.

I was not much of an adventurous child. I did however go on several adventures that came alive from reading books. 

Ice breakers

I recently came across a list that suggested certain qualities of an introvert. As I read down the list I identified with every single one mentioned. Whether it be attending a concert or participating in ice breakers. In which case I tend to avoid concerts and loathe any type of ice breaker. I always dread award ceremonies at school as well as the inevitable beginning of the year teacher ice breaker. Truth be told the majority of the friends I have are due to them forcing themselves into my life in which case I am grateful for. One of my New Years "resolution" for 2013 was to be less sarcastic and if you actually know me you realize this didn't 100% happen...although I did keep some of my opinions to myself...I did not make this same resolution in 2014. 

Over the summer I began to read Mindy Kaling's book Is Everyone Hanging Out Without Me? I have yet to finish reading it...something about school taking up too much of my time...I am somewhat certain that we are related. First of all she despise ice breakers as much as I do. I can guarantee you that if I am forced to participate in any sort of ice breaker there will be a sarcastic comment coming out of my mouth that will offend an extrovert who happens to love this horrifying game. I think their should be some sort of age limit when it comes to ice breakers. I mean do we really need to force people to "get to know one another" we are adults after all...if I want to know you I will in time talk to you. 

Christmas break is coming to a close therefore the amount of people I see and have to interact with will increase a great deal. Thankfully, I love my students. I however am not looking forward to going back to a windowless classroom.

Why in the world would any classroom lack windows??

And then there was this...

Caption:

Interesting blog about a woman teaching middle school LA

So if you have a blog you are able to view how people come to your little piece of the Internet. A majority of my foot traffic is from pinterest...which if you have taken a picture from this blog and placed it on pinterest while referencing back to Oh Happy Day...I thank you.

Back to the picture

Yesterday was an interesting day. I teach three grade levels and if I have a spare moment I am usually working on multiple projects at the same time. Well, my project list has doubled and my ability to be ahead of the game in the classroom has dwindled. Case in point my lesson plans have not been turned in for the week...its in my calender, but has not been submitted via oncourse.

Anyways

while shifting through the foot traffic on this here blog I came upon this re post of my paper chains. When I read the caption I was instantly amused. I tend to be a tad bit sarcastic with a pinch of skepticism thrown in for fun. And something about that caption just put a cherry on the top of my Monday.

So there you have it a pointless blog post

but I am okay with that

Oh Christmas cards

I do believe my family has been cursed with some kind of Christmas card plague. Let me explain...we have taken pictures for the last fourish/threeish years and not one picture has made it into a card. I have joked that one year we are going to combine all of the pictures and create a flip book of sorts covering the last years of failed Christmas cards.

 

The point of me telling you this is because I have been camera less since Christmas in effort for my family to perhaps make this Christmas card season a success...well Christmas has passed and once again no card with our smiling faces was sent out. Sorry family and friends

 This is as far as the Christmas card made it
forever locked inside a camera

10 on 10 minus one

Guess who remembered to bring her camera home?

Me..who apparently cannot count to ten.

So here is my 9 on 10 a day late.

Go check out the other fantastic pictures on a bit of sunshine

 

1. 8th grade goal

2. interactive notebook's home

3. map tapestry

4. pencils, highlighters and pens oh my

5. read

6. vocab anyone?

7. ribbons in the sky

8. etc.

9. story maps

 

So Close and yet all locked up...

Well thanks to Lyndsay I was reminded of 10 on 10

Unfortunately, she was not at school to remind me to bring my camera home. So yes, friends my camera is locked away in my filing cabinet

Not to leave you empty handed I will give you 10 tid-its from today

(some of them are a stretch...bare with me)

 

1. Blister

I walked the bridge twice this weekend. On Saturday, I had a baby blister on my right heal and then I had to make matters worse and up grade to a full blown blister by Sunday. In fact I blame the blister for my lack of motivation to not walk back into school to grab my camera. Since coming home I have iced it and taken Tylenol. I think it is safe to say I hate annoying pain.

2. Stamps

Not one to think using stamps in middle school would be ideal, but again thanks to Educated...not so domesticated; I have hatched a plan for these little beauties. More to come on this...

3. Centers

Again, thought centers and middle school did not match, but I was proven wrong today. I tend to look into other teachers classroom to see what they are doing as I am walking down the hallway. This one reading teacher occasionally does centers in her room. From what I can see through the window in the door. Yes, I realize this makes me sound like a crazy teacher stalker. Anyways, she teaches one group while other students are doing their own activity. So I did the same today. Pulled a group of five over and added punctuation to various sentences; while the other group came up with their own sentences using different punctuation marks.

4. New paraprofessional

We have a paraprofessional. Yay, help in the classroom. Life is good again!!

5. 7th graders bringing their A game

For the last month the 7th graders have been acting like their typical 6th grade selves. Thankfully, they are pulling it around. In fact today they rocked at the punctuation centers. It was beautiful, one of those moments where I wish I had a higher up walk in and witness the amazingness!

6. Harry Potter soundtrack

There is something about fall in Florida that makes me pull the wonderful Harry Potter soundtrack! I love watching students perk up as they say "hey this is this Harry Potter"

7. One kid out makes all the difference

One of my difficult clients was out of class today...I wish I could say I missed this little darling.

8. Mastering routines

After practicing classroom routines they are finally coming around and figuring out how I like things run.

9. Strawberries

Red and delishes. So terrific.

10. Season 8 of The Office

I thing I am narrowing down my favorite characters to: Creed or Kevin...perhaps Kelly and Dwight too.

Bonus
Semi-colons
Although I am teaching this odd little mark I am never sure how to use it correctly
;;;;;;;

{I promise I will not forget my camera tomorrow}

Whew

So I decided to try something new. 

Blogging for the entire month of August

{well I missed the first day}

It was an adventure for sure! I cannot imagine blogging for the entire year! I can say that I wrote things that I would never put out their on the Internet. So for all those that left sweet comments thank you and for the new followers welcome! I will not be blogging every day...perhaps every three days! Now I am off to soak up some sun!

Oh Isaac

The great thing about hurricane days is that they are filled with things that I never have time for:

Internet surfing

Target is having a new set of shoppes in their stores starting in September. The Curiosity and Patch NYC is looking pretty fantastic

Magazine flipping

The pile of Allure magazines were piling up...why oh why do I subscribe?

Netflix watching

Breaking Bad is amazing and unbelievable. The development of characters is fascinating to watch. Now I just have to catch up on the current season when the next hurricane comes along.

So Isaac thanks for stopping by. You truly were not worth the worry, but the extra day of rest was appreciated. If any of your family members plan on visiting the sunshine state I hope they are just like your lovely self!

Hurricane days vs. snow days

Tomorrow is my first official hurricane day as a teacher. Before this I have experienced one hurricane day in high school and one during college. So far they are not that bad, but there is always the possibility things could get a lot worse. 

I do not recall the number of snow days I had during elementary or middle school, but there were a couple. Snow days were always fun and full of excitement as your eyes were glued to the bottom of the T.V screen praying that your school's name would appear announcing school was delayed or just to stay home. No matter what the outcome was we always ended up outside playing in the white frozen powder until we were too cold to move. 

There is not much you can do outside during a hurricane unless you play in the rain or run against the wind. If you ask me snow days are ten times prettier to look at than hurricane days. A person can only watch a palm tree blowing in the wind for a minute or two before boredom sets in. Of course hurricane days are good for naps and reading books if the power goes out. During hurricane Charlie my sister and I watched a movie in my parents closet and took a nap with Ruth.  This is exactly what I plan on doing tomorrow on my unexpected day off read and rest...hopefully not in a closet!

For all those in the path of Isaac stay safe and dry! 

H54F: Hodge Podge

Happy Friday everyone! I have sucessfully made it through the first week of school...so far so good. Getting into the swing of school takes some time. Squezzing in some time for fun and relaxation is key in order to do my best in the classroom. Here is my hodge podge of pictures from this week.

 Bridge Walks

A nice way to end a busy day...plus the view is pretty nice with the sun setting.

 Tourist Stop

Living in the sunshine state is nice, but there is very little time to enjoy what everyone else comes to this state for. A little visit to an orange store with creamy orange sickle ice cream was an absolute delight!

 Donors Choose

A class set of the book Flipped was delivered this week thanks to the kind donors to my project. We started reading this book yesterday.

 Making the best of it

Taking full advantage of having my long hair before it gets hacked off. A fish tale was a must this week.

Who knew

I had no idea that left handers had their own day! I am not exactly sure why we have a day to ourselves, but its nice.

H54F: The beginning of it all

Another high five for Friday From My Grey Desk. This week was completely different than last. First off teachers started back on Wednesday! Students come on August 8th! Goodbye summer hello school year!

 {Lots to do lots to do}

Summer's last breakfast with my mom and sister

Like I said before I will miss summer time breakfast the most. It's my favorite meal of the day and this joy is completely gone during the school year... although there is the weekend! 

Ruth's hot pink nail polish

My sister and I decided to give Ruth a mini manicure and yes we only painted one nail. Ruth is deciding if she likes the look of painted nails.

 Danger Zone

Less than 24hrs back in town and I find myself here. The good news is that I can only spend about 20 minutes in this store...it's a tad bit overwhelming!

Power Tools

I bought my first drill to hang this mesh shelving unit...and truth be told I plan on returning the drill now that its hung...Why can't you rent a drill?

Classroom Beginnings

I am back in my windowless classroom. Bland walls will soon be jazzed up with some color. The current state of the classroom resembles yucky cold oatmeal.

H54F: Summer Endings

Hello last week of Summer

Yep, that's right I have to report back to school on Wednesday,

So for this High Five for Friday From my Grey Desk I am bringing you all the joys of summer!

 The Beach

My goal this school year is to make it out there once a month

 Watching Rue

 perfect the art of lizard hunting

 Breakfast

Yes, I will miss enjoying breakfast at my own time because starting next Wednesday my meals will be on a schedule.

 Time for projects

My list of little DIYs has gotten shorter, but throughout the school year the list will grow and I will wait for summer again.

Fun little trips

My time mostly will consist of school thinking and little excursions will happen less.


I hope you all had a wonderful week and are enjoying your summer!

H54F: A little of this and that

To be honest everyday feels like Friday during summer and to be completely honest I am a little ready to get back into the swing of things!

Summer is usually pretty predictable and the school year well...

 Florida summers means afternoon storms

hello downpour

 Walks with Rue

when it is not raining

 Games with the family

I lost at Skip-bo

 Projects inspired by pinterest of course

Trips to cute little places like The Lollicake Queen

and today on this Friday a visit to the beach

Sad to say I live 20 minutes from a beach and this is my second time venturing out there.

Hope your week was lovely as well!

Dolphin Tale

A while ago my mom and I visited Winter the dolphin from Dolphin Tale in Clearwater, Florida.
{bonus teachers get in for FREE}

{Facts about Winter}

Lives at the Clearwater Marine Aquarium

Rescued from crab traps in 2005

lost her entire tail and two vertebrates due to this incident

She was not a year old when this happened

Despite the odds learned how to swim like a fish swaying back and forth

A prosthetic liner was created just for her called WintersGel

She does not wear the prosthetic all the time

A book and a movie was made about her remarkable life

I think the tale of Winter is inspirational and very fitting for students to relate to. I was so inspired by her story that I wanted to bring Dolphin Tale the book into the classroom for my students to read as a whole. So what do I do create a Donors Choose project for this book!
{Great news half way funded}

Oh target you have done it again!

I saw Mrs Hahn Daydreams post on Target and decided to share some of my findings as well.

{love her blog by the way}

Of course this time of year the school supply cuteness emerges and makes it almost impossible not to think about the classroom.

First off this three cup turny thing and the & sign

Lets just say that I saw the & sign in the spring and stalked it all the way to July when it went on clearance. What Language Arts teacher doesn't need this?

The revolving metal cups will most likely be turned into a editing station for writing...pencils, highlighters and what not

I have learned my lesson a couple of times about the dollarish section of Target

{smart thinking putting it right where you walk in}

Yep, I most certainly could not avoid these four things
cork board
chalk board
magnetic board
bird hooks
{and Rue hunting for some lizards}

I plan on covering the pink metal board with fabric
These items could end up in the classroom or above my desk at home

Oh and Target has fun colored paper straws

So have any of you found some fantastic Target finds lately?

H54F: Numero Uno

I have been loving high five for Friday from the blog From My Grey Desk. So I decided to join in the festivities! 

 surprise text from B&BW for $8 candles

 Finally hunted down these two books for my classroom...Hello poetry

 Planning a yarn/string mural for my classroom wall

 Ikea trip with my mom

Ruth learned a new "trick" we hide Easter eggs filled with her dog food around the living room and she will hunt them out and open them. We are pretty impressed with her!

I hope you all had a fabulous week as well as a festive 4th of July! Now on to a fantastic weekend!