September CURRENTLY, Visual Plans and My Chairless Classroom...Back to School!

I'm not even sure how I am awake to write this post, but I hate to miss a CURRENTLY!!!

...I started this post a couple of days ago but then realized that I had no pictures of my room! You all have to see my chair-less classroom. I am still working out some of the kinks, but it is pretty cool.

As you can see, there are different types of seating available in my classroom including bean bag chairs, bucket seats, stability balls, a lowered table for sitting on pillows at the floor and desks that have been raised for students seating on stools or that like to stand. My theme thing year is black and white chevron and owls...if you like it, head on over to TpT to buy my theme bundle...

First Day of School... Addy- K, Mommy- 2nd and Daddy- 4th (at a different school)

Crazy enough, my daughter Addyson also started kindergarten this year! And she is attending my school. She did really well the first day, but they had some meltdowns later this week. It was really hard for her to see me in the halls and at lunch and not be able to run and give me a hug. With a little time, I am sure she will adapt just fine. 

And I leave you with my first two weeks of lesson plans! I have a student teacher this year, so I have to be on top on my planning! Good thing I use visual plans along and link up with Mrs. Laffin Mrs. Wills! 

Week 1

Week 2

Looking forward to a year with my second graders! 

August Currently...Summer where did you go?

Where has the summer gone? Headed out for our lake week vacation tomorrow morning with my toothless Addy girl...while poor Ben has to go back to Virginia and start a week training for guided reading. Summer has been relaxing and this next week I plan on soaking up every last drop of sun and relaxation that I can. I have to get busy packing, but here are all the thoughts going through my head...
student teacher- chair less classroom- first day activities- procedures manual- storage for chair less classroom- black and white chevron tote bag- first day outfit- back to school shopping for Addy- soak up the sun, get a tan- stick to my running goals- eating clean- owls- task cards (SO EXCITED ABOUT THESE!)- my girl is going to kindergarten (OMG!)- time to have another?- need to get a good book for the lake- on a pontoon (we should rent one this week)- interactive notebooks- bean bag chairs- hope my donors choose project doesn't take too long to be delivered after the first day of school- find exercise balls to use until the project ones are delivered- new principal- two new team mates- need a nap- saying goodbye to NY- hello VA heat and humidity- just relax...
yea...I need a vacation!

It's SUMMER! Currently and **NEW** Teacher Planner

It's SUMMER!!! Finally...we are visiting our families up in New York, relaxing and enjoying the sun!

I have a slacker blogger since the weather has gotten nicer. If it weren't for Farley's Currently, I probably wouldn't be blogging when I should be outside laying at the pool! 

Since my currently explains itself, I want to move on to my **NEW** TpT product (that I created one day I was at home sick with a cold (WHAT!?! only me in June!)). I am not going to lie, I bought an Erin Condren planner last year and I LOVED it! But I need to save some money and make some money. I didn't really use the lesson planning section of the planner and I wanted to include my grade book all in one. So my product is very customizable. It includes a daily, weekly, monthly and lesson planning section in addition to notes, grade book, checklists and a parent communication section. 

Now I have found a few mistakes having already printed my planner out for next year. But I need two followers to look over the planner, follow the directions that I included in the packet to print, and let me know if anything else needs to be done. And I would love any ideas as to what else would be beneficial to have in planner. So the first two people to comment will get my planner for free! YAH! And any readers that comment will get my Calendar Journal for free! 

Teacher Planner 2014-15: Rainbow Style

Look forward to reading some JULY currently's today! I cannot believe it is summer already, but I am sure excited about it. I hope everyone fits in some relaxing "me time" and much needed family and friends time. 

June Currently & OWL Classroom Theme GIVEAWAY!

It's the beginning and end of the school year and I really slack on my blog...maybe it's the DRAs, PALS, writing sprees, writing prompts, end of year tests, etc...??? What do you think? If it weren't for Farley over at Oh' Boy 4th Grade, I would be months without a blog post. Looking forward to a relaxing summer and being able to spend a little more time on my blog. But I did however create a NEW classroom theme bundle using OWLS! Take a peek...and then hop over to my TpT Store and get yours for 20% only for the next couple of days! Check out the preview for a full look at the items included.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Summer Bucket List...

There are always a million things that I want to do during the summer. We go "home" to NY for a few weeks and visit family and friends and my motivation to focus on myself (so selfish right?) does right down the drain. #1... Five weeks ago I started my 1/2 marathon training with a colleague/friend from school. We are in the 4th week of the training program (although we repeated week 3) and are now running with the wind! Yesterday I ran 4 miles (stopped a couple times to wait for traffic and fix my phone (junk)). But overall, we still finished with just over a 10 minute mile. #2...even though I have been running, I have not been losing any weight. I have read a million places that running long distance isn't for those who want to lose, but I can't help it! I want to do both! So I need to get my head back into the game of eating correctly since I know that I am exercising 4-5 times a week. Back to the simple eats...yogurt, fruit, less carbs, etc. #3...not sure what this is yet. But I want to try something new...whether it be a new type of workout for cross training days, a new delicious yet nutritious meal, something...TBD.

...and now for a few more fun things...Check out my week in photos...

Trash to Treasure projects from our 1st graders...pretty neat stuff!

   

    

Addyson GRADUATED Prek K! Melts my heart...oh BOY Kindergarten next year!

How about that for "MOM! Stop calling my name so I will look at you and you can take another PICTURE!"

Our adventure this afternoon at Gravelly Point Park in Arlington, VA...SO. STINKIN. COOL!

 

 

It's Gonna Be May! Well it CURRENTLY is already...

Yes, all last week I was humming N'Sync It's Gonna Be Me...thanks to my favorite radio show that played it every morning. It's quite funny how JT sounds like he is saying, It's gunna be May! And I do love MAY!

Linking up Farley for CURRENTLY!

Listening: My husband and I love this enchanted show! We were hooked after the very first episode.

Loving: The month of MAY! Let's see, Mother's Day, my BIRTHDAY, a long Memorial Day weekend that basically kicks off the "summer" feeling, it's finally getting warm and beautiful out and we are only 7 weeks away from SUMMER VACATION!

Thinking: I recently started a Couch to Half Marathon training plan. Up till this point, I have only ran 5 miles at one time. I have done a few 5K's and want to continue to build my miles. I finished week one and I am thinking that it will be a miracle if I finish the training plan. It is hard to think about running 13.1 miles! I have to sign up for a race like yesterday, so that I do not give up my motivation!

Wanting: It is already Sunday? Two days is not enough for a weekend. I vote to make Friday's a day off as well :o)

Needing: With all the snow days, some sickness, spring break and moving, my second half of this school year has been difficult, with only like 2-3 full weeks of school (that's no joke!). It has made the kiddos squirrelly, chatty, etc. When they don't see each other for a few days in a row that are not scheduled, I swear they come back like it's the day after New Year's each time. And my absences haven't made it any easier on them either. I guess they will get their fill of me next year when I have them AGAIN in 2nd grade! That's right, looping up again!

SURPRISE: The first person to comment on my blog post will get to pick from anything in my TpT store for FREE! Thanks for reading!

And a few photos to share from April...our new home, spring break at the beach and a little Earth Day photo from the first grade...

I wish I could say that I have my latest classroom theme ready to share, or even a sneak peek at it...but bottom line is...I have not been in the state of mind to work on it yet. WAY to many craziness, and a good three weeks with no internet connection and trying to settle into our new home, to put a damper on my creativity. Hoping to break ground on it soon...OWLS!