SUMMER

Technically, I still have three weeks left of summer, but it's actually only two!  The last week is my classroom set-up week, and then back to work!  This summer has flown by!  (Don't they all!)  This summer's focus was all about family!  But, I did get in a few moments for my classroom:

My new toy!  I never thought I could have a laminator at home!  This one was only $19.88 at Walmart and works great!!  This will be perfect for those evenings and weekends when I want to get some laminating done, but don't want to pay Staples' prices! 

Last year, a teacher friend of mine got a Cricut.  I thought it was neat, but didn't really give it a second thought until another friend of mine was getting rid of hers this summer!  This will be great to have around!

I also colored my classroom clothespins again this summer (see previous post for instructions).  I love using these with my two groups of students!

My partner teacher and I took a road trip to Ikea and stocked up on the Magazine Holders (5 for $1.49)!  We had fun looking all over the store for classroom ideas!

With two weeks left of summer, I still have some fun things planned with my family, plus two big projects!  One for my classroom (blog post coming soon), and new carpet for my house!   Hope these next two weeks go very slowly!

WRAPPING UP, LATE

It's been awhile since I've written on my blog.  I had intended to write a "wrapping up the year" post at the end of the school year, but the fun and craziness of summer pulled me in!  So, a month late, here goes!

I loved this school year!  Every school year has its ups and downs, but after the torturous previous year of teaching the 1/2 Combo, this year was such a relief!  I team-taught 3rd grade for the first time in my career and loved it!  I was blessed with an awesome partner teacher who cared about our students as much as I did.  We made a fantastic team, and I am looking forward to working with her again next year (and hopefully for many years to come!)  I taught Math and Science mainly, with a little bit of Health, Social Studies, Handwriting, and of course, lots of TEST PREP!  My partner teacher and I have already started making plans to make next year even better!

Right before school let out, I found out about "mandatory" Math and Science curriculum training.  Without enough notice, I was only able to attend the Science training.  My district is adopting Stemscopes.  I think it's going to be a great program for our students!  Lots of hands-on activities, with supplies provided!  My favorite part is the music dance-dance-revolution!  Science material set to dance music, just need to get a dance mat!  The students will love that!

Our Math curriculum adoption is Origo Stepping Stones.  I think it's going to be a good program overall, but several teachers came away with different information in their training, so some things aren't clear.  For example, the program offers a fantastic Math Facts program, at an additional expense, of course.  One grade level was told we are getting that part, another grade level was told we are not getting that part.  Hmmmm...  Guess we'll have to wait until August to see what shows up.  One of my summer goals was to work on increasing success in Multiplication Math Facts.  But if we receive the Math Fact kits, it will contain everything I would need.  So, I'm going to wait and see before I start creating my own Math Fact Program.


This year will be a year of big changes!  My school has a new principal, and my district is looking for a new superintendent.  I'm pretty confident that I will remain in 3rd grade this fall.  However, the new principal could come in and make changes.  Change can be hard for me (especially the thought of having to teach a combo class again), but I am learning this lesson:

"Hold everything in your hands lightly, otherwise it hurts when God pries your fingers open."

-Corrie ten Boom