July Currently

Time for another Currently with Farley over at Oh Boy Third Grade. She certainly had some great tips and tricks for us this week. Especially as a newbie to the blogging world, it's nice to have someone remind you that you can't let it consume your life. Sometimes I feel like I'm addicted to my laptop and creating things and forget to just LIVE. You know, do the things that people actually want to read about? :)

My tip for you..."Don't forget to take care of yourself!" I am very guilty of this. I feel like I am just too busy to schedule that doctor's appointment or see the dentist. I'm finally getting all caught up on everything this summer. I think teachers, and service-related fields in general, are just too used to having to put someone else's needs before our own. But we need to remember that how we feel affects our students and families. Take care of yourself in order to take care of others!

Happy (almost) July! 

Five for Friday & Blog Lovin'

I'm happy to be joining my very first Five for Friday with Doodle Bugs Teaching before she takes a (deserved) month-long hiatus from the linky party. At least I'm getting my feet wet!

 

 

1.  This week as been a week of recovery. Does it ever feel like you need to go on vacation, right after you return? That's how I certainly felt! I was blessed to recently visit the Bahamas (it was my first trip out of the country, but they didn't stamp my passport! How disappointing!) When we returned earlier this week, all I wanted to do is lay on the couch and get my "land legs back!" I didn't even feel motivated to work on creating and designing things for my classroom...which is a rarity for me!

2. Even though I haven't been blogging, I couldn't help but notice the awesome giveaway that Ashley Hughes is having over at The School Supply Addict. Even the I am a middle grades teacher, I can't help but be inspired by here work. I loved her Lemonade Stand Contractions activity that she posted earlier this week!

 Graphic by Ashley Hughes

3. Since I'm at a school district that only does 10-month pay for non-tenured employees, I have been fortunate enough to find summer work! It is definitely taking me out of my comfort zone however. This summer, I will be a TA for a kindergarten/first class consisting of migrant students. I'll definitely be checking out some of the fabulous K/1 blogs out there!

4. Since I've been on vacation, I missed out on hanging out with one of my best friends and truly an inspiring teacher at my school! We got to catch up over a (not so good) lunch, but hey, it's the company that matters!

5. Like many of you, I'm rapidly becoming obsessed with chevron. I want chevron everything for my classroom! I went with a color scheme (aqua, pale yellow, and black) for my classroom and will be slightly revamping it for this year. I made a trip to Hobby Lobby this week and it just fueled my obsession. I went looking for one thing, but had to be this spool of ribbon. I'm thinking about making a small wreath for my classroom door, since we aren't allowed to cover them anymore.

Image Courtesy of Hobby Lobby

Last, but not least, I think I'm ready to go and join my fellow teacher bloggers on Blog Lovin'!

 

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Manic Monday Freebie

This Monday, I am linking up with Charity Preston over at Classroom Freebies. I look forward to Mondays on this site because I can always find something for my class! Free is always good with our salary! There is nothing I love more than turning something bland into something extraordinary! This week, my freebie is my "All About" pack that includes over 68 digital papers in stripes, polka dots, and my favorite chevron prints! These files can be used for personal and commercial use as long as credit is given back to my TPT store or this blog. Hope it makes your Monday a little brighter!

Happy creating!

June Currently

It's more than halfway through the month, but hey, I just started. Here is my first link-up with Farley over at Oh Boy 3rd Grade.

Hello!

It's something that has been on my to-do list for a while. If you're anything like me, you have a lot of to-do lists! This is my first adventure into the teacher blog world, and I have to say I'm pretty excited. I've been following some blogs for quite a while now, and I figured I would try my hand at my own. First, I'm a 7th grade teacher in rural North Carolina with a passion for creating and teaching. I've known for a very long time that I've wanted to be a teacher, and I'm excited to really have my "dream job." 

Although I work with "big bad middle schoolers" I fell in love with the Calkins' method of reader's and writer's workshops during student teaching and have been slowly trying to adapt it for the middle school classroom. My kids love being read aloud to more than anything, and I think there is always a lesson to learn from a good picture book. Nonetheless, I teach four 1-hour blocks, meaning there is no time to waste with transitions which leads into my next passion: organization. There is nothing that can make me feel better at the end of a long day that an organized classroom, apartment, planner...you get the idea. I'm always searching for ways to organize everything, and sometimes everyone, around me.

I'm hoping I picked the right time to begin blogging. With school out for summer, I'm going to begin concentrating on creating and designing new products for my classroom. I'm also working at a summer program for kindergarteners. Definitely pulling me out of my comfort zone! 


Happy Summer Vacation!