Around the cottage & a graduation...

It is amazing to me how a 5' something like myself can muster up the strength of an ant when she wants something done.

I moved this from here...

to here...

I am loving the relocation of this bench to our entryway.  Also I got to put out a special pillow...

Heather from Feather Hen

While doing some decor-ranging around the cottage I moved a few things on the mantle...

Today we will be attending the 5th grade "graduation" for this sweet boy...

This kid has character in spades- he makes us so proud every day and we cannot wait to share in his learning experiences for the next three years.  Yep, I am homeschooling him for middle school, a decision that has been long in the making.  If you are a homeschooler, or thinking about it be sure to leave me comments on how it is going for you!  Also, I will be adding resources, ideas, reflections under the homeschooling tab here on my blog.  Getting back to a love of learning and creativity is our goal.  I am confident we will succeed!

Dapper Gentleman...

I love how my kids are so individualistic.  They dress very differently and are so comfortable with who they are.  Hunter had a field trip today to see the Houston Symphony.  The kids were told they had to dress nice.  Hunter's only request?  A bow-tie.  Gotta love a Southern boy!

Presenting...

I am presenting at the TCEA conference in Galveston on Monday and Tuesday.  My topic is quadblogging and digital diaries to raise the quality of writing in the classroom.  This is a topic that I am passionate about.  Teaching writing is my love, and I enjoy seeing kids engaged in their writing in a meaningful way.  One of the problems that I have seen with how we traditionally publish student's writing is that they are not really writing for an authentic audience.  Publishing to the outside-your-door-bulletin-board is not very exciting for a writer.  Publishing digitally and allowing children and other teachers from all over the world to read and comment on their writing is both exciting and fun!

I got involved with quadblogging in January of last year.  David Mitchell from England is the founder of quadblogging.  When I stumbled upon it last year I knew it was something I wanted to try, so I signed us up.  We were given a quadblog coordinator, Laura Gee, also from England.  We blogged with two schools in England and one in France.   My kids were excited to come in each day and visit the focus school for that week and get straight to working on their own writing and commenting on writing.  I gave lessons on netiquette and what makes a comment "thoughtful".  We worked on editing and peer editing during our blog time so that our comments would represent the best that 3rd grade could show.

The unexpected side effects of quadblogging and digitally publishing our writing was that my students wanted to write more and I found it was easy to incorporate other learning objectives along the way.   When we were learning about elapsed time our sidebar time widgets for England and France became the perfect vehicle for authentic teaching.  My students wanted to know where their friends in England were and what they were doing at various times during our day.  Teaching geography was a snap because of our flag counter.  The kids would see where visitors were coming from and then run to the large world map to determine how far away they were.  Mini-lessons on writing felt more purposeful in that my students were actually invested in their audience and motivated to improve their skills to make their stories more interested for their audience.

My outside the door bulletin board was empty most of the school year, but I didn't care-  It was evident on the web that my kids were true writers.
If you want to learn more about quadblogging go here.  To see our class digital diaries go here.   Any questions, just leave a comment and I will be happy to answer : O )

Life change and Lucille Ball...

   I have always prided myself on having a good work ethic.  I show up early and pour my heart into what I do.  To me my job was the best- something that I loved so much that it never really felt like a job.  Until this year.  Suddenly I looked around and realized that what I had been pouring my heart into for the past four years was slowly taking  a toll on myself, my marriage, my friendships, and worst of all, my own children.   I was so busy helping my students improve their game that by the time I got home I had nothing left to give to my own children.  I found myself not liking the "mom-me" very much, and constantly referring to myself as "mother of the year" in a sarcastic way.
   I tried to balance.  Not so much.  I seem to have workaholic issues there.  I bought a new day planner, thinking (stupidly) that if I wrote more things down I would be able to be more "present" for my kids.  Um, not so much there either.  I started cooking dinner each night.  A good thing, but lawsy mercy I'm tired by the end of it!
  So I put my notice in.  I resigned.  This will be my last year teaching in the public school system.  I'm happy and at peace about my decision and feel that of all the years to end with, this is the best one ever.  Third grade is an amazing grade to teach, and I have a fabulous group of children and parents to work with.
   I don't really know what the future holds for me, and for once in my life I'm okay with it.  That unknown factor kind of gets me excited by all the possibilities that could be waiting for me just around the corner.   Spending real time with my family and doing some repair work on my relationships will take priority. Learning to love myself again as a wife and mom gives me faith that everything else will just fall into place.

Oh so Ho, Ho busy...

I'm here, just crazy busy this last week of school before the holiday break.  Travis and I have lots planned to knock out around the cottage, including painting all the interior doors chalk paint black, and getting started (finally) on Hunter's beds.   I will also be making a trip out to Houston to get the glass doorknobs for all the doors.
PJ day today at school, so plaid flannel paired with duck shoes will be the outfit of choice for me.  (can't get much more comfy than that!)  Zombie skull PJ's for the Bear- and a half day to boot!   I am staying a little late to get the last of papers graded and entered, then off to enjoy the break : o )

I'll be posting- I promise!

Busy bee...

I've been at school all week getting my room ready for the start of school.  I do have a few little projects in the works and will post soon!

Almost to the finish line...

Going today to take my EC-6th Generalist exam...passed my Special Education exam a few weeks ago.  I completed my math training and was a presenter at a technology conference in Galveston this past week.  Now I have three days of Science Institute where I will get my 6 hour GT update finished and get certified to have animals in my classroom : o )  (only the cuddly ones!)

I can almost taste summer!

In other news we have demo-ed the kitchen island and Travis will be starting the wood-work on that today.  I will post some pics tonight.

No rest for the weary...

I am presenting at a conference tomorrow and Tuesday on technology in the classroom.   Our topic is Blogging & Glogging in the classroom.  I'm excited, but a bit on the nervous side.  This is a big conference!
Wednesday & Thursday will find me at math training: Number Talks in the Classroom.  I am still having a hard time wrapping my brain around calling myself a math teacher.
Late Thursday I am meeting with a group of teachers to head up a book study on Hidden Gems by Katherine Bomer.  Love her! We are meeting at my neighborhood pool...trying to fuse learning and summer.
Friday is a meeting to quilt...more on that later!
Saturday is my EC-6th generalist teaching exam....I found out this week that I aced my Special Education exam : o )  Now I am ESL, GT & Special Ed...a full circle.

Next week is Science Institute...but only 3 days worth and I will get my GT update hours as well as certification to have and handle animals in my classroom.  (Another thing I am trying to wrap my brain around!)

Life is good...

And then there was one...

Today is the last day of school.  I am busy getting end of year paperwork finished up, which should happen by the end of the day today.  Then it's time to get my classroom packed up and moved...going to 3rd grade next year, and I am VERY excited about the possiblities for teaching reading across the curiculum.  I have many hours of workshops, professional development book studies, two major certification exams, and meetings planned for the month of June.

July will find us floating down the river in Gruene and spending some quality family time together.

August I will head back up to school and put together my new & improved classroom design...

Hooray for summer!

In just four days...

This beautiful girl will walk across the same stage I did 25 years ago and get her high school diploma.  To the doctors who said she would never walk, talk, or attend public school: you were so wrong- she not only walks, talks, and attended school, but she reads, writes and does basic math.  She is an amazing swimmer and bowler.  She is wonderful with kids and will work part time next year with our three year olds in the Special Education program.  She has a wicked sense of humor and is fun to be around.

She is so much more than what the doctors said she wouldn't be.

PS-Last night I told Sara that I wanted to give her something, so after her shower she came into my room and I gave her my senior class ring to wear until hers is ordered.  She noticed her school name on it and told me she loves it!

Reading Rumble...

Our students participated in the annual Reading Rumble in our district.  They did not win, but the team-work and spirit they showed was amazing.  They comforted, supported, and cheered each other on like nobody's business!  I was so proud of them and our amazing librarian.  Way to go!

1984?...

80's day at school last week.  I was totally feeling rad in my 80's gear : o )

Questions?

Tuesday and Wednesday of this week found me administering our state assessments at school. Math, and then my area: Reading. The test instructions are scripted, and if a child asks us a question during the test we have three scripted responses that we can answer with. After going through the instructions for math and how to bubble in answers on a grid, the last line I had to say was, "Are there any questions?"

I looked around the room and only one hand was up. I braced myself for what I was sure was going to be some math related question that I would not be able to answer, instead only give my "I'm sorry I cannot help you with that answer, just do the best you can" line.

I was wrong.

The student looked at me and asked, "Can we eat our lollipops now?"

With that being the only pressing question in the room, I just hope they all passed.

The Reader's Notebook

This is the workshop that I attended on Monday- the one that while I sat there listening the heavens opened up, angels wept- and I tried not to throw my hands in the air and shout "YES,YES,YES!"

I've been teaching using Reader's and Writer's Workshop for three years now, and this is the first explanation of how to use the Reader's notebook effectively that I have seen.

What did I do after the workshop? After taking Hunter to Occupational therapy- I ran home to work on my very own Reader's Notebook.

The notebook is divided up into four sections: "My Reading Life"- which shows my reading time-line, books that shaped who I am as a reader, the last ten books I have read and what that says about me as a reader, book recommendations, book list, WHY I read, and my favorite section that answers three questions:
I'm the kind of reader who...
I want to be the kind of reader who...
My reading goals...

The second section is called "What I am learning". I posted a picture of the mini-lesson charts that I recreated onto index cards to keep in my notebook. I do not expect my students to do this, so after each lesson I will type up what is on our chart and then give it to them to put into their notebook.

The third section is called "Read Alouds". This is where we put our post-it notes during the time where I am reading to the kids. If I am doing a lesson on character development and I am reading the book Albert, the kids would be listening, then I stop and ask them to jot down a word that describes the character. I may ask them to stop and jot what is going on in the story. Later we can "write long" off of those thoughts about the character and how he changed over the course of the story.

The final section is called "Independent Reading". This section is for putting all of those great text to self, text to text, text to world connections, synthesizing post-its, questioning post its, determining importance, etc. Then there is a page titled: My smartest post-it. I might ask that they choose their smartest post it that best shows their thinking about their reading and then talk to them about it during our reading conference.

So there you have it- the Reader's Notebook, angels and all!

Because I lie like a rug....

Sorry y'all, I know I said I would post over the weekend, but as always time ran out on me.

We house hunted. We also invited a real estate agent over to see the house. I think she said "Wow" about 200+ times, but whose counting? Apparently an old new home is a hot commodity in our area and should sell quickly. Moving. Yay.

It's time though. We've loved this house, but I am ready for a change. I like change- it suits me. Not to mention that the kids are super psyched about having their own rooms, stocked fishing ponds and a community pool that looks like the Schlitterbahn.

So now we are just waiting to hear back from our agent. List now or wait until January. We'll see...

In other news my evaluation for work went beyond great. I did a lesson on inferencing and told my kids I stole my mystery neighbors garbage and that we were going to profile the family from their trash. They loved it. Garbage. Who knew?

Sara won gold in the relay at state. Silver in the 50 meter freestyle. She's been back for a few weeks and is still wearing the medals.

David had a girlfriend. Then two minutes later he didn't. Turns out he thought she was a bit nutty for all the silly mind games she was playing with him. He had enough and cut her loose. That's my boy.

Anne turned 12. That's the last year without the word teen in her age. *sniff*

Hunter got glasses. Full time. Like mommy, like son. Go four eyes!

Dr.Sister is interviewing for a Chief Pulmonology position in DESTIN, FLORIDA of all places. Sweet! Well, accept for that crazy November hurricane thing...

Headed to bed. It's 7:40. Throw in a little Wheel of Fortune and I will be primed for nursing home life.

After all, I am a year and a half older than Big Bird.

A room with a view...

My Principal informed me last week that the district would be using my classroom on Monday and Tuesday to hold professional development meetings in. That means that teachers from all over the district will be sitting in my room. Have I mentioned that it's a bit dusty in there?
I get a lot of compliments on my room from the old leather reading chair to the simple denim and bandana curtains I made for the windows. I also incorporated some Andrew Wyeth prints that I had framed back in college. It is a homey kind of room.
Y'all know me though. All I can think about is how I should probably pack up my Kirby and Mrs.Meyer's cleaning supplies and head up there and get ready for company.

Maybe I should leave some cookies and iced coffee in the mini-fridge.

Because I'm just Southern like that.

Open House...

We had our school open house last week. The turn out was fantastic and my mom made the most beautiful sugar cookies in the shape of Texas and Stars with bluebonnets piped on for good measure. The tray was lined with red bandana material and mom put small clusters of bluebonnets around the trays. Needless to say, the parents were impressed : )

It ended up being a 16 hour work day for me...hence the not-so-sensible shoes that were kicked off at about hour 13.

A brand new year...

So far I am having an amazing week. Love my classes, love my kids, love the administrators, love the crazy busy schedule, my new team- love it all. Sara is loving her Junior year so far- including a regular ed. dance class she is taking.

I am so where I want to be.

Shoe issues...

Last night was meet the teacher at my school. We all agreed to wear our red, white & blue school shirts with jeans. I am not one for dressing down at work. I detest tennis shoes and only own one pair that I use to go walking...on the rare occasion I actually choose to go walking. So yesterday I picked out one of my favourite pair of heels, Naughty Monkeys. I like them because they are almost like wearing art shoes. The only problem is that the red, white & blue pair of Naughty Monkeys are only 2 hour shoes. That means they are more like "sitting shoes", and less like a 9 hour day of running through a school and meeting kids and parents in the 9th hour shoes. The result? Huge blister on my second to big toe. Not pretty.

I also love the brown Tahari shoes pictured here, but again, pretty- not practical. Those are about three and a half hour shoes.

Above that are the green shoes by bjorn. These are 24 hour shoes and I love them.

Next up is a pair of yellow and white Naughty Monkeys that fall into the 5 hour range of wearability. I get compliments even from men in these. Most men never look down at my feet, so that says a lot.

My red cole-hahn pumps. Love. Love. Love these shoes. Comfy and stylish coming in at about 8-9 hour wearability.

Lastly are my Yellow Box Flip Flops. Ladies, if you do not own these then walk, nay-run to your nearest computer and snatch up a pair on e-bay. They are like walking on little pieces of heaven. And they are cute to boot.

So there you have it. My shoes. Impractical sometimes, but pretty. Totally me.