Happy Thanksgiving!!

I am so THANKFUL for each and every friend and follower.  Enjoy your time with your family and friends. We all have so much to be THANKFUL  for.  Wishing everyone a Happy Thanksgiving!

September Currently

What's Up Y'all!! Yes!! I K.N.O.W.! I have been MIA. I have decided that I am not going to beat myself up about not blogging when time constraints dictate other wise.  It is not that serious!! I'm just say-in !!

Well it is already September...and of course that means it is time for Farley's monthly Currently.

Here is mine...

I am listening to one of my favorite movies "Drumline." 

I'm loving that Wednesday is my last class until October 30 when I start my internship, which goes until February 4!! My very last class mid Feb to complete my research class.  Then graduation in May!! Can I get a Woop Woop!!! 

I will finally have 2 months to get some products done for my Teachers Notebook store.  So many ideas in my head that I have not been able to get done. Yeah!!

I want a new car! But you know what...I love the fact that I don't have a car note right now...so I guess I'll wait.  That will be my graduation present to myself!!

I will be moving in October and I really need to start packing.  I did the items that were on my coffee table, because I wanted to use it to put my back to school bags together that I will give my kiddos on Thursday for our Grade Level Parent Meeting/Open House.

3 Ways that I am going to do to LOVE/CARE for myself more are:

1.  Take back my weekends!! I vow to not take a bunch of school work home anymore.  I will work a little longer during the week to get grading and lesson plans done at school.

2.  I worked out diligently this summer...I have to get back to my 2 mile run on  a regular basis...it is definitely a stress reliever!

3.  I will plan a mini trip real soon...to where you ask!! I'm not telling!! That's my secret that I will keep to myself!! Ha!

Well my friends...I'm Out!!  Enjoy the remainder of your Labor Day!! 

Let's Talk About Me!

What's Up Y'all!!  It has been a whirlwind of a summer, consumed with school work and a little bit of fun packed in there.  All-in-all I can't complain.  But all good things must come to an end!! I went back to work today!! So it is fitting that I link up with Blog Hoppin' for Teacher Week '13. Each day there will be a different linky party.  Today's topic "Meet The Teacher."

1.  Teaching is my third career.  After graduating from Walton High School (1982) in Bronx, NY I went to Virginia State University (an HBCU) in Petersburg, VA.  I was pre-med, but I was not focused.  I did a year and a half and then dropped out, by then my parents had retired to Virginia.  Well I had to do something so I got a job at a retail store in the mall called "The Closet" formally "The Junction".  I worked there for 2 years as an Assistant Manager.  When a manager's position became available at another location they gave the position to someone that I trained (I was heart broken), I left that company and joined the Army.  I spent nine years in and got out in 1995.  I became a stay at home mom.  I decided to go back to school to finally finish my degree.  I was finally going to be that nurse that I always wanted to be.  When my daughter went to kindergarten I would volunteer in her classroom.  I immediately fell in love and found my true calling.  I was suppose to be a teacher!  So here I am 11 years later...still L.O.V.I.N.G. what I do!! 

        Me as a First Grader                       Me as a First Grade Teacher

 2.  I love to listen to music!! Mostly R&B (old school) and Gospel.  I love to blast my music...the louder the better.  My all time favorite male singer was Luther Vandross.  I have every single one of his LP's.  Right now I am on a Donell Jones kick.  I have talked about him on my June and July Currently.

3.  I am already an empty nester!   Wait-a-minute...It is too early.  My daughter is 21 and attending USC.  She officially got her own place and moved out this summer.  My son is 14 and went to live with their dad when he was 12 so I could work on my master's and not worry about him being left alone at such a pinnacle point in his life.  That was the hardest decision I had to make, but I think it was a good one.  

4.  I started sewing  and making my own clothes when I was 12.  Although I don't do it as much as I used to, I can make pretty much anything from coats to wedding dresses to curtains.

5.  I love to decorate.  I guess that is why I go all out to get my classroom ready and make sure that it is color coordinated and looks good for my students.

6.  I was born in Portsmouth, VA and I lived with my paternal grandparents for the first five years of my life.  I returned to the Bronx when I was ready to go to kindergarten.

7.  I absolutely love seafood.  Every year for my birthday I hit up Red Lobster to get the Utltimate Feast.  When I went to Virginia my son and I went to eat at Joe's Crab Shack.  It was delish!!

8.  I love to cook and I love to bake.  I made a pineapple upside down cake and banana nut bread last week.  I gave them to my daughter.  Every now and then I get in the mood to do some baking.

9.  December and Christmas are my absolute favorite times of the year.  I love Christmas music and sometimes I start playing it in October...yes I said October.

10.  My current obsession is clip art   I have purchased so much that I had to get a 500gb portable hard drive.  I plan on buying some more once my favorite artists have their back to school sale.

It's your turn!  Go link up with Blog Hoppin' for this fabulous linky!

I'm Out!!

Monday Made It...A Little Late

What's Up Y'all! Happy MondayTuesday...I'm linking up 4th Grade Frolics  for Monday Made It.  It's crunch time for me and I hope to get my room completed by Friday so that next week all I will have to do is plan and make copies.

Made It #1
Student Procedure Frames
I had my student procedures posted on my door, but it was so plain, so I decided to bring some color to the forms by putting them in frames.  I took a trip to the Ikea store in Charlotte yesterday and purchased some frames and added a bow to the top.

Supplies needed: Frame, updated procedure cards, ribbon.

Close-up of finished product: Fire Drill Procedures

Made It #2
Table Make-over
I have spray painted this table over and over again.  This time I decided to use contact paper, it was quick and easy.

 

Well that's all for now. I have a few more projects to complete.  Go link up and show us what you made.

I'm Out! Have a Terrific Tuesday!

August Currently

What's Up Y'all!! Can you believe that it is already August? Where did my summer go? 

I'm linking up with Farley for the August Currently. 

listening:  I am absolutely obsessed with love DJ...As a matter of fact I was listening to his new album Forever last month typing my July Currently.  He is such an underrated R&B singer.  He has such a smooth and mellow sound...I am currently grooving to his very first album from 1996 My Heart...it is on repeat!!!

loving:  That I have lost 36 pounds.  I have given up fast food, junk food, and cherry pepsi (Yes!! I was addicted!!) and I am committed to living a healthy lifestyle.  I started out walking 5 miles a day in May and moved into running 2 miles in July.  I am very pleased with myself.  I still have a ways to go but I have made headway and I am seeing results.  I am not really a picture taker and was at home alone when I snapped these pics...I was on my way out to hang go out with some friends...

thinking:   I have so much to do before school starts back in a week.  I need to create a To Do List so that I can stay focused to make sure that I get everything done.

wanting:   To clone myself.  If there were about two more of me, one could be at school getting my room ready, one could be at home cooking and cleaning, and one could continue to work on my masters and get all my writing assignments done and do my internship for me...then I could do away with my To Do List...lol

needing:  I really, really, really need to get my office cleaned out and organized.  I have been putting this off for so long, because it is a very daunting task and I am so overwhelmed.  I started purging yesterday and made a little progress.  I will continue the task of getting rid of things that I have not used.

B2S must haves:

1.  My personal laminator-my school does not have one so this is not an option.

2.  My Cameo...believe it or not...I feened desperately wanted one but haven't even used it yet...will definitely put it to use this weekend creating some things for my classroom.

3.  This cute 1st grade "Back To School Bash" created by Stephanie at Falling Into First

Click on the picture to check it out!

Now it's your turn...head on over to Oh' Boy 4th Grade to link up!

I'm Out!!! Have a Super Saturday!!

Monday Made It and Classroom Pictures Day 3

What's Up Y'all?  It's Monday and I'm linking up with Tara over at 4th Grade Frolics for her...

I made over a raggedy book shelf of mine that a friend fixed for me after a parent sat on it last year.  What would possess her to think that a little old shelf would make a great seat...needless to say it did not hold her...

 I cannot believe I went all year with this shelf looking like this...smh

I used red duct tape on the top and around the edges...

 A few minutes later...like new...a very nice improvement...

It looks so much better!!

Day 3

  I went in last Thursday, but they were touching up the wax in the hallway and I couldn't get in my room. I was able to get a little bit more done in my room today.  

Now for a few more pictures.

 My made over shelf with the group book boxes.

This is where students will put there H.O.R.S.E Books.

 Student Work Display Board.

 Classroom Library with books...still have to put my tables in there.

 Leveled Texts

Classroom Library

I still have a lot more to do!! 

I'm Out!! 

Classroom Pictures Day 1 and Day 2!

What's Up Y'all??  I only have 16 days left of my summer vacation!!! I go back on Aug. 12th.  I finally had time to get into my classroom and start setting up for back-to-school.  I only needed to arrange my furniture because my bulletin boards will stay the same.  This is what I have been able to accomplish since Monday and Tuesday.  I didn't go yesterday because I started a new class and had some reading to do and a paper to write before class.

Day 1-I was able to get most of the furniture put back where it belongs.  My classroom is small so I don't have many options of how to put my furniture.

 My behavior clip chart.

 I will put red duct tape around the edge of the bookshelf because it is so raggedy. The shelf on the other side of the Smartboard already has some.

I may redo my class rules...I did not number them!!

 View from the middle of the classroom.

 View from the front of the room.

Classroom library setup so far.

Day 2-I put the computers back and arranged the rest of the desks, my small group area and meeting area.

 This is the Deputy of the Week Board.

Today I will finish up the classroom arrangement.  Hook the computers up and attempt to clean out my closet.  That is a daunting task all by itself!

I'm Out!!! Have a Thrilling Thursday!!

Let's Get Acquainted: Advice for New Teachers

What's up Y'all!! I'm back!! I had an absolutely F-A-B-U-L-O-U-S time visiting family and friends in Virginia.  I am relaxed and well rested. It is almost time to get back into the grind of work.  I will start going into my classroom to begin to get ready for back to school.  Where oh where has my summer gone???

Well it's Sunday again and of course time for Toya's from Flying into First Grade: 

 Let's Get Acquainted Linky

Topic:  Advice for New Teachers

Here is My Advice

Buy

Don't get into the habit of always buying unnecessary things.  Limit your purchases to items that you will use on a consistent basis and serves a beneficial purpose.

Always

Never go into a new school thinking that you are a know-it-all.  Always be open to suggestions!! Listen when someone recommends that you try something a different way especially if they way you tried did not work.  Don't take it personally and think that people are criticizing you.

Never

No matter what you do or what happens...never, ever, ever...let them see you sweat.  Mistakes will be made, but just pick yourself up and keep it movin!!

Find

Find yourself some comfortable shoes...you will need them.  Very rarely will you have time to sit down.  You will be on your feet all day.  But if you must where heels like I do sometimes keep a pair of flats under your desk.  They will come in handy!!

Make 

Make the most of your time.  It is going to be very important to use your time wisely.  You must be organized and prepared at all times.  Don't socialize in the teacher's lounge during your planning or after school...use that time to prepare for the next day, do your lesson plans, or analyze your data to drive your instruction.

Be

The last piece of advice that I can give to all new teachers is to be YOURSELF.  Never pretend to be someone that your are not.  People will see right through that!!  Be genuine and sincere in your actions and deeds and you won't go wrong.

Now it's your turn!! Go link up with Toya... and drop some science on these new teachers!!!

I'm out!!! Have a Sensational Sunday!!

Blog-a-versary Winner and Vacation!!

What's Up Y'all.  I still cannot believe that I have actually been blogging for 1 year!! It has really been a great experience.  Thank you to all of my followers and blogging friends for your support.  As I continue on this journey I look forward to connecting with even more great educators.

Well without further ado...the winner of my 1st Blog-a-versary Giveaway is #50 Kristi Kelly Haggard!!! Congratulations Kristi for being the winner of my Teachers Notebook Shop!

 Thank you to everyone who entered!!

I finally get to take we a weeks vacation!! WooooHooooo!!! Virginia Beach HERE I COME!!! LOL...can you tell that I am excited.  I have worked so hard this past month and a half...I have a brain cramp! Looking forward to spending with time with my family and two good friends that I haven't seen in years!! 

This is all I wanna see...

A friend of mine took this picture at a beach in Melbourne, FL early Tuesday morning...

I'm Out!! Have a Thrilling Thursday!!