Fall Catch Up

I can't believe fall is here already!  I know it is because I've been busy switching out summer clothing with winter clothing from the basement all day (also I had soup for lunch).  

This was the first weekend I had to take a breath.  I was totally unprepared for the challenges that hit me the first six weeks of school but now things have settled and it had been a relaxing weekend.

You know what I've been doing?  

Watching this show-

Do you remember it?  I use to be in love with Teri Hatcher and Dean Cain.  This show ran through my high school years, so it brought back some memories of watching it each Sunday night.    

I'm telling y'all this is so (cheesetastic) good, you need to re-watch in-between your Riverdale fix.

Other 'Fall Catch Ups' in my life- 

Upward Flag Football:

This year Connor joined a christian flag football league and he has loved it.   It has been such a wonderful experience.

I'm really thankful he was able to participate and learn so much about being a Godly player.

 

He is praying over his next sport, so please pray with him.  My advice is that middle school is all about finding what you enjoy, so try as many different things as possible.

Annual Chicken Stew:

It's been a few years since we have attended the chicken stew due to scheduling conflicts but this year we made it and it was great! 

Connor brought his buddy and they had a blast.

These kids had dirt from head to toe when they got home! 

The kids took a hayride to the barn and out in the field to wait for a special treat. 

Mmmmmm, 

Treats 

& S'mores over a fire. 

Fall, Fellowship, and Fun

My Room: 

Once again I was tasked with reinventing my room.  

This year I walked into a few different pieces than what I had before.  When you've taught for 17 years you become accustom to things getting moved around to a different place.  My advice is if you want to secure something, take it home or post five notes on it wrapped in bulletin board with your name.   

before:

After-

Now that I know more about my role at middle school, I was better able to design my room for a math and reading 'coach' role.

The large portion of my day is meeting student need via co-teaching.  

I mainly use my room for-   1. intervention  2. mixed group rotations (general ed)  3.  homework/ skill help in the afternoons for grades 6-8. 

Everything is in short spurts, usually no more than 20-30 minutes.  That means when students enter, I don't have time for anything.

I have to be ready to rock and roll.

This first set up is my math station with the larger white board, individual desks, calculators, rulers, scratch paper, etc.   

Below is my reading intervention station with tables placed in an L shape.  A new shelf was added in the back for work tubs, SPIRE materials, and other reading materials. 

I dusted off Carlee's old white board for anything I need to write out for students during this time.

There are a few areas in the room for additional seating for independent work/ test mods or even students who need down-time. 

My library corner -

 I decided not to hang an extra bulletin board in favor of using it as a "door" in between two larger book shelves.  Behind the "door", I store additional materials and my bags/games that travel with me to the primary school for my PRC 29 learners. 

So far my space is working out great-  

here a group of learners are tutoring each other and working together to problem solve area.

Although I use computers and iPads for students to access videos that I make for them, I have found using the Smartboard way too time consuming (especially when half the time it doesn't work), so I have turned it into another whiteboard.  

Yes!  You can use a dry erase marker on a white board.  

See here.

If I need anything, I can go over to my neighbor who usually has it.

Isn't she too adorable?!  

She has been an amazing help with Connor too! 

So this is happening, I paid my big $$$ this morning.  

My ten years are almost up and it's time to renew.

Hopefully this process will not kill me (or make me fatter).   

Wedding Shower:

We have several fall weddings to attend, including cousin Hil.

super excited

I know, I know Carlee... 

the thought of planning a wedding for you makes me drink too. 

******************

Lots of fun events coming up in the future!

Until then, I hope you all enjoy your fall moments. 

"And all at once, summer collapsed into fall."  -Oscar Wilde  

Middle School Ready?

It's that time of year and I need a shiny apple real bad.  

I actually started my work a few weeks ago.  I couldn't WAIT to see my space at middle school, until I saw my space at middle school..............

😦

Yep, this is it.

When I asked my neighbor and colleague where all of the "stuff " is located, she said "this is your stuff".  She is very sunny and optimistic and reassured me that I will collect "stuff" before I know it.  💗

Man, was I NOT feeling very optimistic about making this work before Parent Night.  

I did take a nice bookshelf I saw in the hallway outside of my room....

but it belonged to another teacher. (oops)  Luckily, she knows me and forgave me right away. 

(everyone knows I move furniture first and think later)

I was really starting to miss all my old crap at my old homestead,

but these things were purchased, begged, and borrowed for my K-2 babies.  

It belongs to them now.

Before I went into a full blown Scarlett O'Hara Dramatic Panic Mode and did something crazy like make a dress out of school blinds, my best favorite custodian stepped in to equip me with some furniture.  Then.........

my BTF (best teacher friend), whom I had already called in Scarlett Mode of course, 

swooped right in to help me find and buy just the right amount of items to get me started in Middle School Cool! 

Now that is what we call a PURE blessing ladies and gentleman.  

(Also, the intermediate school/my old room let me come over to junk dive in their closet. )

I don't have a lot but I now have enough to start some assessments/interventions until I collect more information to even know what I need. 

*The Grand Reveal:*

before

 after

Once I finally got the furniture in place.  I started to work on a more inviting decor and I had to do it without these two.  

boooo. hooo.

  I haven't put up a bulletin board in 10 years! 

Creating a welcoming atmosphere is really important to me.  Every learning environment should encourage comfort and enthusiasm,  regardless of the age of the learner. 

What to do with zero age appropriate posters/decor?

When I think of tween interest, I think of 1. cell phones 2. expensive coffee drinks.  ???  I can't exactly decorate with teen angst.  

I found this on Pinterest and loved it.  My sweet teacher neighbor let me borrow her round table and I created all the parts.

Let's just say, it drove me crazy!!!  

The left side lowered and the right side crinkled.  I told myself 'you CAN do this without Mrs. E.'.  It's just paper for heaven's sake!

When I came in the next day and the whole darn thing was on the floor, and it was hot, and I was in a hurry...............

https://media.giphy.com/media/i9eR5rytNmCI0/giphy.gif

I finally threw in the towel and slapped this up on my wall above the classroom library. 

Luckily, I still had a lot of books from my fourth/ fifth-grade years and I was able to bring some of my personal books from 
K-2.  

A good book is a good book. 

I placed a few trinkets around the shelf, like this really cool shark cup I was given during summer vacation.  🐟  You can drink right out of it. 

I added these cups for Open House for anyone interested.  I think I'm going to add some candies/ gum to them too.

My letter introducing myself for all parents/ families. 

I decided on transforming my door into a (crooked) iPhone with a positive message.  

I know the tape doesn't look good but the thing would not stay until I slapped it on top.

My biggest pride and joy is this board.  

It was previously scuffed with permanent markers and tape alll over.  I couldn't even write on it.  

I gave it some elbow grease and slowly chipped away at the tape/ sticky spots daily until it shined like new. 

 These chairs gifted to me are so awesome.

My own children really love them. 

For final touches, I purchased some party poms and flags on Amazon.  It gives the class a little more color to the teal/black scheme. 

 I only have one bulletin board, so I added a line to hang informational items, which suits me fine because I'm not a fan of decorating boards.

 Of course, I had to include some items from my primary days.....

 

Here are a few more of my favorites right with my Bill Clinton picture (yes that crazy picture is real).  story here

 I made a little corner for storage...

not that I have a lot to store, but I might one day. 

I was also given rods and fabric to create curtains to match my reading area rug.

I didn't get a good picture but you can see a slip of it here.  

Due to time, I was unable to put up the curtains but I definitely have a future project along with painting tables.   

For now, I am all ready for Parent Night. 

I am currently NOT ready for the first day.  I'm writing out lots of notes on my incoming students.  I'm also meeting with teachers on ways I can most help in the inclusion model.  
My coworkers have been so kind and helpful.  I think I'm going to enjoy working with everyone.  I'm also praying for more time to pull out those who need it.  I think all teachers feel panic at the lack of time versus the amount to accomplish. Don't worry, whenever I feel stressed out, I just look at my board and think......

I'm doing a lot better than this girl. 

#vest #flute #funkyglasses #battleofthebooks  #nosportsplease

 Once a geek, always a geek.

🤓

Happy Back to School Friends