Summer's Just a Stone's Throw Away

I am linking up with Doodle Bugs Teaching for their weekly Linky Party. We have made it to Friday! I can almost see summer in my future . . .

With April flying by and summer on the horizon (we get out of school May 22nd), we have been working our tails off during guided reading. Most of my groups are becoming *rock star* readers, thinkers, and questioners. It is so exciting to see (I really owe it to their consistent hard work)!

I just love seeing their faces light up when they *finally* get something that they have been working so hard on. It's magic, I tell ya!

I have been using my literature and nonfiction packets with some of my guided reading groups. When we first started using them, the children were challenged and didn't quite have the stamina for them. However, we pushed through (with lots of support, scaffolding, and encouragement).

Recently, I have been amazed how they are able to close read and pull things from the text to support their answers (all with minimal support). They independently conduct literature circles like a pro. I have been able to release the responsibility. They have proven their accountability and as a teacher, it has allowed me to work more closely with the kiddos that still need me by their side.

I have added Poppleton Everday - Small Group Literature Packet to my TPT shop. The preview includes the entire packet so you may see exactly what you're purchasing.

I also bundled all of my Scholastic True or False Nonfiction packets for a savings of 20%. The preview includes all of the packets so that you may see exactly what you're purchasing.



A few co-workers and I went to see Glennon Doyle Melton, author of Carry On, Warrior and the Momastery blog, on Wednesday evening in downtown Kansas City. I have written about her on my blog before and find her to be inspiring, genuine, and passionate.

She mentioned some incredible things that I have been thinking about since Wednesday evening.

One of those things was about BALANCE. She said to create balance we must have tension. To have a balanced life one must experience tension and have tension and know how to handle tension.

She also talked about how no one is living their life AT us. I love this thought! Check out what she says about this here.

She also spoke about mommy guilt. Check out watch she says about that here.

Okay, one more . . .

She spoke about the importance of being tested and having to struggle . . . the importance of letting our kids struggle . . . how it makes them stronger, more resilient. I would have liked to bottle this portion of her presentation to keep in my pocket.

I would listen to it when I needed advice about how to help Maeve & Gibson.

I would also play it during parent/teacher conferences.

 

All in all, she is just really cool and real and inspiring.

I also won a raffle to a great restaurant in Kansas City! That was a huge plus. Mr. T and I get to have a date night soon. Thank you Rainy Day Books!


We have less than 2 weeks until Easter. I love all things sugary and sweet and have craved Peeps, Cadbury Eggs, and Reese's Peanut Butter Eggs in the past.

However . . .

I gave up all kinds of sugar (real and fake) as well as processed foods for Lent. I have a serious sweet tooth so quitting sugar and processed foods have been a challenge. I didn't do this as a weight loss thing. I chose to do this because I want to be healthy . . . really healthy. Not "low-fat this" and "sugar-free that" healthy. 

Since Lent began, I have eaten more fat than I ever have in my entire life. My diet has basically consisted of organic chicken, fish, and beef as well as a wide variety of fruits and vegetables. I have enjoyed Alpen No Sugar Added Museli with full fat plain yogurt, coconut oil, legumes, coconut milk, Ezekial bread, rice bran oil, and RAW Protein in vanilla.

I've followed a few wonderful blogs and read a few books to get recipe ideas and how I should deal with cravings. This Easter, instead of eating sweet after sweet of processed candy, I am looking forward to making these two delectable treats and indulging in a small piece.


Chocolate Covered Coconut Bars from Food Sweet


One Bowl Vegan Chocolate Cake from Minimalist Baker

In the future, I do plan to continue this healthy lifestyle. However, I will allow myself small indulgences on special occasions.


I attempted to create a few gallery walls in our house. I also attempted to take a few pictures of them (photography skills need some work).

What do you think? Obviously, I need to find prints and pictures for the frames.

Maeve and Gibson also wanted to be part of the photo shoot.


Here's the latest from Maeve and Gibson. Where did these big kids come from?

Happy Friday!

Just hand over the chocolate . . . It's Friday!

I am linking up with Doodle Bugs Teaching for their weekly Linky Party.

Valentine's Day Party, Birthday, Parent/Teacher Conferences.

I have consumed plenty of sweets this week. It is time to kick the sugar habit for a little bit!

Whew! What a week. It was busy but energizing. I love the February Parent/Teacher Conferences. At this point in the school year, I know all of my parents well and have built a strong relationship with them (hopefully!!). We celebrate their child's growth and can focus on their goals for the remainder of the year.

This year, I had the children complete some informal self-reflections. I adapted one used by the 2nd grade team at our school. It was very interesting to see how the children perceived their classroom work habits and social skills. Grab it for free!

A lot of the children asked if they could circle both true and false. Some of the children who struggle with confidence, marked false for all of the questions. This allowed parents to see how confidence affects the way they view themselves. It was very telling . . . a lot of parents replied with a "Wow" when I showed it to them.



The other self-reflection I had them complete showed parents how the children see their strengths and needs.

I had them take a big piece of white construction paper, fold in half, and then fold it in half again (leaving 4 sections). I gave them the following sentence prompts.

I am the best at . . .
I need the most help with . . .
My favorite part of the day is . . .
I need to work on . . .

My favorite was one little girl who wrote, "I am the best at staring contests." I didn't get a picture but it sure made me chuckle when I saw it!

I also had a little one say that he didn't need to work on anything because he was perfect. Ha! What confidence!

I had to set him straight on that one and explain to him that EVERYONE has things they need help with and things they need to work on . . . even Mrs. Teddy - I know, that was a surprise for him too! :) - his parents - even more shock - and himself - INCONCEIVABLE! 

 I need the most help with reading.
My favorite part of the day is word work.
I am the best at writing.
I need to work on math.

 I need the most help with getting along with friends.
My favorite part of the day is reading.
I am the best at computer.
I need to work on listening.

I need the most help with math.
My favorite part of the day is P.E.
I am the best at reading.
I need to work on math.



The second season of House of Cards came out today. Perfection! Can't wait to see it!





Maeve and Gibson had their Valentine's parties at school on Wednesday. Their Valentine's turned out so cute. You can grab them by clicking on the pictures below. File them and use them for next year!

I printed these on white cardstock and then I attached these adorable lip whistles that we got at Michael's to his Valentines. I'm sure the parents of his classmates are thanking me. :) Of course, I didn't grab a picture of his finished product . . . but trust me, they were cute!

We got mini bubbles with a heart wand from Michael's. Maeve signed her name and I used sticky dots to attach the bubbles to the Valentines. I also printed these on white cardstock AND I did manage to snag a picture of hers.

Tickets to see An Evening with John Legend: The All of Me Tour go on sale February 19th. I really want Mr. T and I to go. We've never seen him in concert but love listening to him. It is also at an incredible venue in Kansas City.



I'm off to enjoy my **4** day weekend and listen to Love in the Future.

 ~ Happy Valentine's Day and Happy Weekend ~

Just a little TGIF!

I am linking up with Doodle Bugs Teaching for their weekly Linky Party.

Awhile back, I watched this video on Empathy vs. Sympathy. I watched it again this week to help refresh my mind . . . ground me to what is *REALLY* important in education. As teachers, we are asked the same questions thousands of times . . . in interviews, by parents, by colleagues/administrators, by family and friends.

Why did you become a teacher? What made you want to be a teacher? Why did you go into education?

Normally, my answer varies depending on the type of day/week/month I'm having. :)

However, I always come back to one thing . . . CONNECTION. Teaching is about making connections. Teachers need to be Connection Connoisseurs.

Just watch the video. It will help you "get it."

My parents are visiting us! This is their first time to our new house and I am *so* excited they are here. This morning while I am at a district professional development meeting, they will be going on an adventure with Maeve and Gibson. The first Friday of every month there is a Jazz Storytelling at the American Jazz Museum in downtown Kansas City. I can't wait to hear how it is!





I have been working hard on my literature packets and hope to add some more to my TPT shop very soon. In addition to the literature packets, I have also been working on nonfiction packets for small groups. These nonfiction packets supplement various nonfiction texts (such as the Scholastic series "True or False" and the Scholastic series "Smart Words Reader") and include 10 days of literacy/writing activities.

Check them out below. They are $2.50 - $3.00 each and are challenging, engaging, and thought-provoking. They are great tools to integrate different areas of study to small/cooperative learning groups. Click on the pictures to take you to my TPT store.

Next week, we have our Valentine's Day Party (the parents are bringing in a chocolate fountain - YUM!), Parent/Teacher Conferences, AND it's my birthday.{Tuesday the 11th ~ be on the lookout for a little birthday sale in my TPT shop ~ } My birthday is actually the same day as our Valentine's Day party so it should be an *energetic* day to say the least. Although it is a busy week I am looking forward to talking with all of the parents about their child's accomplishments.

Back to my birthday . . . Mr. T always makes me a birthday cake or the dessert of my choice. I am thinking of the possibilities . . .

You guys, I *LOVE* chocolate and mint together. I have a serious weakness for chocolate mint brownies with that mouthwatering mint buttercream layered between chocolate ganache and a dense chocolate cake. The thing is . . . I don't have a *go to* recipe for them. When I search Pinterest in hopes of finding a recipe, I become a little overwhelmed. I mean, I want the best recipe out there! And I can't realistically make every single mint chocolate recipe out there (shhhhh . . . the reason is not time, it is because I will eat all of them!).

Seriously, if you have a *tried and true* chocolate mint recipe SEND IT MY WAY!



We no longer have babies in our house. We have a toddler and a pre-schooler. However, I am searching the internet for the perfect blankies because my children *LOVE* their shredded, ripped, worn-through blankies and they are on their last leg.

When they were born my sister bought them each a four pack of the Aden + Anais muslin blankets. Mr. T and I thought it was perfect - there were four in a pack so if one was dirty, no biggie; if one was torn, throw it away; if one was stained by a glob of spaghetti sauce, go ahead and toss it . . . you get the picture.

We are now down to 2 shredded, torn, faded, embarrassments for (1 for each of them) blankies but Maeve and Gibson *LOVE* them. It is such a comfort for them.

That settles it! The kids are getting new blankies for Valentine's Day!

Have a wonderful weekend!

Let me leave you with a few quick photos from our week of snow.