Teacher Reflections Day 5

Sorry I'm late on posting! Here's Day 5! :)

How do you keep your classroom organized?

Oh my goodness! What is this thing called organization?? I don't think I know what that means, haha! I always try to get things organized but they never seem to stay that way!

Here are a few things I use to try to keep my classroom organized:
- Bins - I use bins for everything! And of course they are all labeled (books, SS HW, LA HW, lined paper, white paper, journals, etc. etc. etc.)
- Trays - I use trays every where! I have trays for homework that needs to be graded, homework that has been graded, important papers, to be filed, and have trays for materials for teaching for every day of the week
- Caddies - I use caddies at tables and desks so there are always materials ready for the students. So they always have crayons, markers, glue sticks, etc.
- Shelves - I use a lot of shelves, my room is bookshelf galore! :)
- Files - I file everything!!!
- My computer - I would absolutely DIE without my laptop! :)
Here's a picture of my laptop amidst the mess of the surprise decorations from my students for my birthday! :)


I'm constantly on the look out for new ideas to organize my classroom. If you have any please share! :)

Teacher Reflections Day 4

Day 4
What were you most worried about as you approached your first day as a teacher?

I remember my first day as a teacher when I was driving to school and was actually crying in fear! I was so worried that I wasn't going to be able to get 30 2nd graders to listen to me, afraid I was going to do something wrong that would set the entire year off on a bad start. Turns out I was crying for nothing because it was a great year! Of course there were some ups and downs that year, as every first year teacher knows!

The thing that I was most worried about was classroom management. Was I going to be able to get them to listen to me? Would they learn anything from me? Would they walk all over me? How do I get 8 years olds attention?
To this day this is what I am most worried about every year. I'm always worrying about how to get my classroom to run the way I want it to. How do I make sure my students are learning? These are questions that I'm always worrying about! I just hope it gets easier SOME DAY!!

All my teacher friends out there...any advice?? :)

Teacher Reflections Day 3

Day 3

In which area do you think you can improve the most?

The area of teaching where I think I can improve the most is classroom management. I have always had a difficult time with this area. When I started teaching middle school I really struggled with wanting the kids to like me. I probably let them get away with too much, then the next year I realized that I needed to be more strict, and may have gone overboard at times.
In order to help me better understand my management style, I'm taking an online course in Classroom Management specifically for grades 4-8 since I teach 6th grade. I'm really hoping that I can learn some new strategies and have the best year ever!

Teacher Challenge Day 2

Day 2
What do you believe is your greatest strength as a teacher?

I believe that my greatest strength as a teacher is my passion for finding new and interesting activities and assignments to help aid my instruction. I'm also really passionate about using technology as much as possible in the classroom. I strive to find fun and interactive activities to keep my student engaged. I constantly am researching and finding new resources to use in the classroom!
Another strength would be my passion for education! I truly believe in education and giving my students the education they deserve. I get really upset when politicians don't value education, which unfortunately in AZ is a lot of the time! :(

A Teacher's Reflection

So this school year was a difficult one. I definitely was not at my best this year, so I'm going to do a lot of reflecting over the summer. I'm also taking an online class, and am making some new and specific plans for this upcoming school year.

So part of this reflection process is going to be a teacher's 30 Day Blog Challenge. If you're a teacher and want to join in, check out Julie's blog!

So here it goes!
Day 1
How did you decide to become a teacher?

Well growing up I always knew I wanted to be a teacher. I had a chalkboard (I know I'm old, lol) in my room and I would "teach" all of my stuffed animals, my sister, or friends from the neighborhood.
In high school we had to do a research project about a career that we wanted to pursue. Of course I chose teaching, but we had to choose 2 to compare them. The other career that I decided to research was a lawyer, totally the opposite! I chose lawyer because in the back of my mind I thought that would be neat, and it would be great to make much more money than a teacher! In the end I realized that I would absolutely hate being a lawyer!
So after high school I went to NAU to start my education to become a teacher! I've now been teaching for 7 years, and still can't believe it's been that long!

Tune in tomorrow for Day 2 of my reflections!

Workin' it out!

Phew! I went to not just ONE, but TWO workout classes at the gym today!! I got up early, got the kids up, and then we headed to LA Fitness so I could do Zumba!
Then this afternoon we went BACK to LA Fitness to do Bootcamp! Both of which kicked my BOOTY!! I seriously don't think I'm going to be able to walk tomorrow! I'm hoping to get the most out of my $$ while we're out of school for the summer!!


On a side note, here are a couple pictures of my kids from just a few minutes ago...I guess I need to put the laundry away instead of leaving it in the living room!

Here is Aiden wearing one of my shirts, and a pair of my underwear around his neck...



And Addison wear a pair of my underwear around her waist!



Total blackmail pictures for when they are older!! ;)

Mommy Rants

So I absolutely LOVE reading "Mommy" blogs! They crack me up and totally make me feel better about my imperfect life as a mom. We all dream about being the perfect mom, with the perfectly clean house, with perfect homecooked meals on the table every day. Turns out that's not reality! You mean I have to CLEAN my house?!?! I have to COOK?!?! Why can't I go back to being 10 and having MY mom clean and cook for ME?? Well I guess I can keep dreaming!
Anyway, here are some of my favorite PERFECTLY wonderful mommy blogs! Enjoy! :)
RANTS FROM MOMMYLAND


stark.raving.mad.mommy


What are your favorite blogs?

Hello??

Are you a blogger? I'm trying to be, but I just don't know what I'm supposed to talk about! I'm also afraid that no one really wants to read anything that I say anyway! So what am I supposed to write about on my blog? What do people want to read about?
Leave a comment and tell me what you want me to write about, please! :)

Summer!!!

I've woken up every day for the past 3 days wondering, is it Saturday?? Ben had yesterday off for Memorial Day, and took today off too, so it makes every day feel like a Saturday!
Love having time off with my family! On Saturday we went to Brandi Fenton Splash Pad, Aiden had a blast! Just wish it wasn't so far from home. Then Monday we went to The Children's Museum for FREE Admission day and Bubblepalooza! Can't wait to spend the rest of the summer doing fun things! :)

I also made a quick shopping trip today, went to Fry's and Walgreens. Spent $7.75 and got a coupon for $5 off my next trip at Walgreen's!! Not too shabby!

Graduation!

My "baby" graduated from kindergarten!! I can't believe he's now a first grader!!

Respectful

Aiden was chosen to represent his class as the "Student of the Month" for the character trait "Respectful"! He got to have a special lunch with the other students chosen from each class and the principal. He also had his picture displayed on a bulletin board at the front of the school, and he received a certificate!!
I'm so proud of my RESPECTFUL boy!!

Water Fun at the Zoo!!

We had a blast playing in the water area at the zoo!! Addison was very hesitant at first, but then got really into it!

SLACKER!!!

I have been such a slacker at blogging!! I have so much to blog about!
First up, Easter


We went to a fun Easter Egg Hunt with my Mom's group Busy Bee Moms. Both kids loved "hunting" for eggs!


We had lots of fun dying Easter Eggs






The Easter Bunny came!!






We then had dinner at home with both families and have ANOTHER Easter Egg hunt! :) Aiden was so excited to eat the eggs he found, took one bite and SPIT IT OUT! He said "that's gross"! Yep, he's my kid!





Sorry the post was so long, but wanted to wrap up all things Easter! :)

Challenge ~ Day 15

A picture of something you want to do before you die



It's probably something I'll never do, but I've always thought about wanting to take sky diving lessons. I think that would just be the biggest rush. Maybe I'll do it when my kids are grown!

Challenge ~ Day 14

A picture of someone you couldn't live without



My husband, Ben! We've been together since June 1999, and will celebrate our 8th wedding anniversary in June 2011!

Challenge ~ Day 13~

A picture of your favorite band or artist

I know it may be hard to believe but my favorite band is Nickelback!


I just love their sound, and their lyrics are always so real!

Challenge ~ Day 12~

A picture of something you love

I love my boys!!

Especially my tough, but sweet boy!



I love my kids!!


I love my girl!!


I love my mom and sister!!


And I LOVE LOVE LOVE purple and butterflies! :) Hence the name, ButterflyMama!!

Challenge ~ Day 11

~ A picture of something you hate ~



I absolutely HATE smoking!! I think it's absolutely disgusting, and rude. Most people who smoke don't care who is around them and just think about getting their next fix. I can't even drive with the windows down in my car with my kids because every time we stop at a stoplight someone is smoking! And when you walk past a store there is almost always someone smoking right by the doors. There are cigaratte butts all over the place. It is just disgusting. I just wish smoking would just disappear!!

Anyway, that's my rant for Day 11!

30 Day Challenge ~ Day 10

~ A picture of the person you've done the most messed up things with ~

Okay, so now that I'm a mom, and work, and am old (I will be 29 next week, YIKES!) I haven't really done any "messed up" things in a long time, but back in the day my BFF Leslie and I liked to have fun! :)



This is Leslie, with her beautiful daughter Hailey.

I remember having a lot of great times in High School in her red TURBO! Haha!

We still like to have fun, but now were more of the getting drinks and dinner, or wine and movies kinda girls. It's fun to see the changes, and I'm so glad we've been friends for like 13 years!! :) Love ya Leslie!!