New Year, New Thoughts...

   

So, the new year is well under way and I have been reflecting on what I'd like to accomplish this year.

First, I would like to continue losing weight!  Unfortunately, I had to have some painful dental work done and it has forced me to eat foods that are soft.  After eating soup, yogurt, protein shakes, and more of the like, I have lost 6 lbs.!!!  It wasn't easy giving up those yummy chips but I have found it pretty easy to do after a week or two.  My favorite healthy drinks are made by Bolthouse Farms. 

 

The one above is Vanilla Chai and it is soooo good over ice!

 

This one is Mocha Cappuccino for those who love coffee like I do!

 

 



The rest are fruity and if you "drink the rainbow", you will get antioxidants and other vitamins and minerals you need.

  



Another goal for this year is to keep making resources for TpT.  I have never had so much fun sharing ideas for the classroom with others!  Every time I get feedback, it is like Christmas morning!  I can't wait to see what people think about my ideas and resources!  Of course, I like to check out other TpTers to find out what cool products they are offering as well.  I like to stock my cabinet with a variety of materials. 

Here is a popular one of mine for January if you are looking to add to your files!

 

 

Another resource that primary teachers like from my store is this one, too!  I have heard students can't wait to use these each month!

 

  

I am working on finding more time to be with family this year because they are sooo important to me!  They encourage me to reach my goals and are there with hugs when I do!  I couldn't be more thankful for my husband, Chris, to whom I've been married for over ten years.  I am so thankful for my son, Sebastian, who is halfway through Kindergarten and rocking out with learning!!!  Our family may be small but they are just what I need.

 

My last goal is to use more technology in the classroom.  A favorite site of mine to use is www.havefunteaching.com where they have tons of songs for learning at different ages.  My fifth graders and I enjoyed this one the other day and we happened to find it on YouTube! 

 

I hope you are setting goals for yourself this year!  I'd love to hear them if you have a minute!  Best wishes for achieving your dreams!  Hugs,

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Kickin' It



I have to say I'm a sucker for TeachersPayTeachers products that include any type of vocabulary. We all know how many vocabulary words students need to learn and making the posters can be quite a task. When a teacher-seller already has done the work for me, I am overcome with JOY!   Of course

if I find something that saves me time, I want to share it with you, too.  Just recently, my friend Heather over at Kickin' It with Class shared an awesome math vocabulary pack with me.  If you want to check it out, just click on the image below and it will take you right to her resource!  For just a few dollars, you can snag these AMAZING posters!  Check it out and let me know what you think!  I'm sure she'd love to have you follow her to get updates on her newest items. 



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Don't Laugh at Me

I was so glad to be back at school to see my adorable fifth graders today!  They were so sweet and many ran up and hugged me to say they missed me over the winter break.  I missed them soooo much!  As I was writing my objectives on the board today, they kept coming over to me to tell me something about their break.   I really noticed each and every one of their personalities as they were telling me things and I couldn't help but think how lucky I am to be their teacher! 

 

I love when days go smoothly as they did today.  They must've been tired from New Year's Eve the other night.  Many of them stayed up to see the fireworks and of course wear the sparkly glasses a co-teacher of mine gave them!   They seemed happy to be back into the swing of things and excited to learn new information.

 

The BEST part of my day, however, was a forgotten visit from the school counselor.  (We all beg for  LOVE those days, don't we?)   She told the students they would be listening to a song about bullying and that they would have to think about the words and what they mean.  Curiosity got the best of me so I sat and listened as well.  It didn't take long for the tears to begin flowing from my eyes as the enormity of this message hit me.  In the world we live in today, this song truly opens everyone's eyes to the pain some children endure at school and at home.  I watched as my students listened intently and shared their feelings on the issue.  As soon as I got home, I downloaded the song for my five year old son, Sebastian, to listen to.  Surprisingly, he understood the message and wanted to share it with his friends at school.  The best part is that I realized there was a book to accompany the song which you can purchase below.  The YouTube video of the song is excellent so I hope you watch it and share it with your students, your own children, and your church members.  It is a message that I feel needs to be shared with as many others as possible. 



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