tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-67689734993412655812024-02-07T15:03:02.578-06:00Teacher WifeMeganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00979335611689148041noreply@blogger.comBlogger24125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6768973499341265581.post-27358798721790108832012-12-27T23:36:00.000-06:002012-12-28T00:34:01.675-06:00Dear Teacher Who Has Climbed the Mountain,Seasons greetings! I would say Merry (belated) Christmas, but it has been so long since I posted that I should be saying Merry Christmas, Happy Thanksgiving, and even Happy Halloween!<br />
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Fellow teachers, you have climbed the mountain! Whether you feel as though your students just walked through the door for the first time or if you thought you would never make it to this point, our school year is half-way through.<br />
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I love this time of the year. Besides, you know, that whole Christmas thing, this is the time of year when I always feel like I start to hit my stride with my class. Routines are tweaked to run smoothly, organization is well-established, parent-teacher relationships have been nurtured, and I have grown attached to each of my students.<br />
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Okay. So maybe I don't feel that way <u>EVERY</u> day!... It is easy to look back on the first half of the school year fondly while enjoying Christmas break, easy to forget the months of September, October......But everything just seems to look a bit brighter this time of year and there is a noticeable shift of perspective in knowing we are about to begin the descent of our school year (weird to think we are at this point already!).<br />
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But NOW! Wait just a minute. That is not to say that just because you are descending you can go on autopilot. Going down the mountain requires just as much skill and careful attention as going up because you wouldn't want to start going too fast only to end up tripping and faltering. That overwhelming stress of <a href="http://teacher-wife.blogspot.com/2012/09/dear-teacher-who-feels-like-she-is.html" target="_blank">days past</a> will still sometimes creep up and you will wonder how you will ever get everything done, but.... this is the time to remember what keeps you in this vocation you love, to remember the motivation you had when going <a href="http://teacher-wife.blogspot.com/2012/08/back-to-school-jitters.html" target="_blank">back to school</a>.<br />
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I have found my motivation this year in my students, my class of 14 lovely young women. And I do say women now when before I was said girls because the growth I have seen in each of them this year is astonishing. I don't know when I will every again have the opportunity have such a lovely group of students. I feel so blessed and fortunate to be able to share in just a small piece of each of their stories and this drives me to be my best each day for them, to give them everything I can during this short nine months we have together.<br />
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There is so much more to share, but all in time. For now, I leave you all, dear teachers, to find what motivates you to once again feel invigorated on this mountain top. What is it that will drive (and improve) your descent this year?Meganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00979335611689148041noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6768973499341265581.post-64710262767419516592012-09-23T01:41:00.000-05:002012-12-27T16:28:18.285-06:00Dear Teacher Who Keeps Forgetting to Breathe,After these first few weeks in 6th grade, I was kind of forgetting to do that sometimes.<br />
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Whew.<br />
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In preparation for the move from 2nd to 6th grade, I spent my whole summer, day after day, week after week, organizing my classroom, studying up on the curriculum, and trying to become super teacher to fill the shoes of the woman who spent more than two decades in the position I was taking over. I was so prepared. I was over prepared. No one had ever been this prepared, I was sure. I was quite pleased with myself.<br />
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Eek. That was mistake number one.<br />
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Do you know Phillip Phillips? I am kind of an American Idol Fanatic :).<br />
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Call it weird if you want, but I have always had this intense connection with music. I keep hearing the line from this song in my head, "Troubles they might drag you down, but when you're lost you can always be found. Know you're not alone, I'm going to make this place your home"....<br />
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I was confident teaching 2nd grade. I was good at it and I LOVED it. Each day, I start to love 6th grade just a little bit more, but every time one of my little ones from last year comes to give me a hug, my heart melts a little and I just miss them so much! One day at a time, I sure hope I can make 6th grade my home :).Meganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00979335611689148041noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6768973499341265581.post-8757968421251571532012-09-12T21:35:00.000-05:002012-09-12T21:35:03.779-05:00Dear teacher who feels like she is failing,You're not.<br />
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And do you know how I know that? Because you care enough about what you do to FEEL like you are failing.<br />
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Believe me, I know how easy it is to feel that way.<br />
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I've lived the less than restful night, pulling into the school parking lot so early that it's still pitch black outside and even Starbucks isn't open yet... the panic over realizing that you didn't copy something you needed for the day and then the wasted 30 minutes fixing a paper jam while you silently curse yourself for not being as prepared as you should be...the jealous glances into other classrooms in your school full of pinterest-inspired organization, decorations, and projects that you covet and are constantly itching to try but somehow keep getting pushed to the bottom of your to-do list... the "oh crap" moments when you notice your unfinished response to a parent's email that you started writing before school started in the morning... the disaster of a kitchen, empty fridge, and overflowing laundry baskets you force yourself to live with because you go home and work on school stuff all night until you exhaustedly fall asleep in front of your lesson plan book.<br />
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We teachers downplay all the incredible things we do for our students each and every day. Stop making yourself feel guilty for the toppling over stack of uncorrected papers sitting untouched on the table, or overflowing closet that requires a map for you to find anything. The time that the other teachers spent correcting their students' work, you spent making sure one of your students who is struggling in math felt good about his new math facts. The time that the other teachers spent filing and organizing, you spent listening to your students' stories about their dance recitals, softball games, and swimming practices.<br />
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Don't let the stress take your passion, don't let it make you forget why you're there.<br />
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For every person who complains to you or tells you you're doing something wrong, there's 5 students who know how to fill out a job application because YOU taught them how to read. You'll never know how deeply you've touched your students' lives.<br />
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Stay strong, teachers. You're NOT failing.<br />
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<br />Meganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00979335611689148041noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6768973499341265581.post-59291851709804791492012-09-08T11:34:00.000-05:002012-09-08T11:34:49.692-05:00Account Number, Please!I just love Saturday mornings. You know it's going to be a great day when you get to start it off with an early morning pilates class and a trip to the coffee shop to catch up on your web readings. How can that not be a great day?<br />
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So I have successfully survived my first week in 6th grade! For the most part I really am loving it, but I do miss my little ones...especially at times like last night when I was working at our school's carnival, The Gathering. I was running the Plinko game with another teacher. It mostly attracted the younger students, including many of my students from last year, and as they came running up to the game with their sweet little smiles and eager hugs it just made my heart break a little.<br />
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The hugs. Yes, I think all of the hugs are definitely what I miss the most!<br />
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And while I do have a few of my kiddos from my class last year stop by my room each morning, it's just not quite the same. Tear.<br />
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But there is definitely an upside to having older students. I am LOVING the curriculum. It is so much more interesting for me (duh, right?). Yesterday afternoon was the big opening of the classroom Bank of Hoxmeier and Hoxmeier's General Store, and this was definitely the highlight of my week!<br />
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<a href="http://www.vistaprint.com/any/lp.aspx?doc_sig=QSH_hsgTgUllgQur___tk_9KJwgABRSaAACv__%242T_0_gAAAWBJAYNzgkonCAAFFJoAAIbQsCtp_AAAAT%24AAAChmwAAUO1JGawLQtCwK2n8AAABP4AAAKHyhCZRIM%246LArafumgx76Vsb6fStjfT900GObxGGmUQTOgmwK2oGT1vxQMnrf6HrlRwsCwKooNSsCBcw9dsnfaIzoOAAAGBSLFJoKU2XgpYqEMKVGhfyg6HiKS%24iIilNoqopX6M%24KVSjrSg6QRKT6kUSlRpO4pTaVRKVCl5Sllpl0oOm1Ck8pxQpWKeZKVGoBClNqGgpX6j8KVGpa7QtC0LQtCwK2n8AAABP4AAAKGbAABRCKbbrAtC0LArafwAAAE_gAAAoZsAAFDDQAAsCwK2n8AAABP4AAAKKEcAAtC0LQsCqKIENr0XMPXbJ32iM6G4AABgUeUnNiQEUr1jKMUr9jwOUjVkS8UHZLBFJpZP_FK3ZZVlLJZjrFKzZwGlKjZ%24ElKraF1lKjaKElK9aR1lInabVlK_agL2hYFUURG3uUuYeu2TvtEZ0NAAADAo0pM7GuIpUbIDMpWrI04pUbJ2opXrKoUpTbLlMpWLMvMoOzZPKT%24zhMKWCzvsKVuz9oKV60PTKVG0ehtC0MGYGhmiAA--&width=424" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="270" src="http://www.vistaprint.com/any/lp.aspx?doc_sig=QSH_hsgTgUllgQur___tk_9KJwgABRSaAACv__%242T_0_gAAAWBJAYNzgkonCAAFFJoAAIbQsCtp_AAAAT%24AAAChmwAAUO1JGawLQtCwK2n8AAABP4AAAKHyhCZRIM%246LArafumgx76Vsb6fStjfT900GObxGGmUQTOgmwK2oGT1vxQMnrf6HrlRwsCwKooNSsCBcw9dsnfaIzoOAAAGBSLFJoKU2XgpYqEMKVGhfyg6HiKS%24iIilNoqopX6M%24KVSjrSg6QRKT6kUSlRpO4pTaVRKVCl5Sllpl0oOm1Ck8pxQpWKeZKVGoBClNqGgpX6j8KVGpa7QtC0LQtCwK2n8AAABP4AAAKGbAABRCKbbrAtC0LArafwAAAE_gAAAoZsAAFDDQAAsCwK2n8AAABP4AAAKKEcAAtC0LQsCqKIENr0XMPXbJ32iM6G4AABgUeUnNiQEUr1jKMUr9jwOUjVkS8UHZLBFJpZP_FK3ZZVlLJZjrFKzZwGlKjZ%24ElKraF1lKjaKElK9aR1lInabVlK_agL2hYFUURG3uUuYeu2TvtEZ0NAAADAo0pM7GuIpUbIDMpWrI04pUbJ2opXrKoUpTbLlMpWLMvMoOzZPKT%24zhMKWCzvsKVuz9oKV60PTKVG0ehtC0MGYGhmiAA--&width=424" width="400" /></a></div>
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Here's my store sign made on Vistaprint. Check out <a href="http://teachinginroom6.blogspot.com/search?q=economy" target="_blank">Teaching in Room 6</a> for more awesome ideas on running a classroom economy!</div>
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On Tuesday, all of the students filled out job applications and were given classroom jobs. Fridays are always pay day for these positions, so the girls all visit the bank and the banker (one of the jobs) gives them their pay. The banker fills out the bank log and the students all fill in their "check books" and/or deposit slips. After they are paid, they are allowed to visit the merchant (another job) at the the store. The best part of this whole thing yesterday (and the reason I deemed this relevant to post about) was the girl in my class who has the job of the banker. I just can't even convey how ridiculously ecstatic it makes me that she has the job of the banker. I quickly explained to her how to give out the pay, deposit slips, and fill in all the bank records of checks and balances and she took it SO SERIOUSLY. It was both amazing and amazingly amusing at the same time. For each job, she would call out, "Next customer!", greet them, and then say "Account number, please!". One time a girl came up to the bank before being called and she said, "I'm sorry ma'am, but I'm already in an appointment, you'll have to come back later". I was stifling giggles on this one. She even tried to convince a few of her customers to open savings accounts and relayed the benefits of saving their money vs. spending it all right away.</div>
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I'm pretty sure she's found her calling, ha!</div>
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<br />Meganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00979335611689148041noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6768973499341265581.post-64671327992643282062012-09-06T22:16:00.000-05:002012-09-06T22:16:37.280-05:00You Are Special<br />
How excited am I to have the first (three) days of the new school year completed?!<br />
It's always better after the first day! :)<br />
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Even though it was kind of a bummer of a day that started with me opening the door of my classroom to a wasp that dive-bombed down from the ceiling right at my face. Even though I had a coworker bum me out at lunch by saying we might have to reduce our staff down one teacher again next year. And even though after school I had a parent email me to apologize for not being able to attend the 6th grade parent meeting tonight that we had canceled in the school newsletter last week and had somehow magically uncanceled in the school newsletter this week causing me miss my warrior sculpt class so I could scramble around to contact all the parents and try to make sure they didn't show up at school since the meeting really WAS canceled. Confused yet? Yes, even after just three days it's already become so much easier, ha!<br />
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AND, I got to have dinner tonight with one of my absolute favorite people in the world, my former 2nd grade teaching partner, whom I just love and miss terribly. How could it NOT be a good night after that?<br />
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On the first day of school each year, no matter what grade I teach, I always read my favorite book to the class. It's called <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Special-Anniversary-Limited-Edition-Wemmicks/dp/1581348940/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1346985222&sr=8-1&keywords=you+are+special+max+lucado" target="_blank">You are Special by Max Lucado</a>.<br />
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I was introduced to this story by a 5th grade teacher three years ago. He reads it to his class every year as well, and right before my very first day of teaching he gave me a copy of my own. I really wanted to share this story with all of you because I just think it has such an amazingly powerful message and can foster a great group bonding experience for kiddos on their first day as a class together. Everyone is special in their own way and everyone is unique- and that's how it's supposed to be. Yes, yes, I know, awww, how cute and contrite (insert eye roll here). But really. You won't be sorry if you read it. The best part is the conversation is spurs in the students, it's really quite beautiful to listen to them. And this year with a class of 14 sixth grade girls when they're kind of starting to get to that catty stage it was especially awesome. I always read this story on the last day of school as well. The kids usually gather around with their arms around each other, and believe me tears are shed!</div>
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Trust me on this one. Best teaching item I own. </div>
<br />Meganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00979335611689148041noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6768973499341265581.post-25993619382712853422012-09-03T20:51:00.001-05:002012-09-03T20:51:52.777-05:00The Almost Alarm That Never Was3-2-1.... It's here!<br />
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T'was the before school, and where did summer go?!? Our first day of school is tomorrow and I have butterflies like a little kindergartener! As long as I teach, I don't think that will change. I'm always nervous for that first moment that I'm in my classroom with all my new students and I have to start everything from scratch. All the procedures, the rules, the routines... I long for that day about a month or so down the road... You know! That day when I will look around the room and realize with a smile that my classroom has gotten to the point that it can mostly run without me (besides that tiny little part called the teaching, of course, haha!). I'm sure you all know that moment :).<br />
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So today I ALMOST did something that would have been oh so terrible! I was working in my classroom like a good little teacher (I know, it's a holiday, shame shame....but I'm sure I'm not the only one!) My school building is still on summer hours until tomorrow when the school year janitor comes back to work. When he's back the building will be open until 10:00 P.M. But since it's still summer hours, it's open until 5:00 P.M. every day. Usually. So it's about 4:15 and I'm just bopping along to my radio finishing the set up of my classroom economy materials when all of the sudden I had a minor (ok, major) freak out. Wait a second. It's a holiday. That means that church employees aren't here today. That means the building might already be empty and the security system armed for the night! OhMyGoodnessGracious. So I frantically grabbed my purse and my computer, slammed the door to my classroom shut, ran down the hall and two flights of stairs and came to a screeching halt in front of the security system box. OH NO. It was already armed and I was trapped inside. Well, kind of. I was already playing out two different scenarios in my head: one where I played dumb and just walked out anyway as the building is surrounded with police, and another where I had to sheepishly call my principal and tell her I was still in the school building with the alarm armed and could she please give me the code so she didn't have to drive all the way to the school just to get me out.... Ugh. I quickly shot down my first idea and was about to execute the second when I had an aha! moment, or memory as it was, of one of the teachers a year ago telling me she had a code for the security system. So I quickly dialed her praying she would answer..............<br />
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Are you all on the edges of your seats now? I'm sure you are, hahahaha.... In any case, thankfully she DID answer and DID remember the code and because the security system happens to be the same as the one we have in our house, I knew how to use it, too. Crisis averted. So much excitement on my supposed day off! :)<br />
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And as the school year gets off and running, September Currently with <a href="http://ohboy3rdgrade.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Farley</a>'s Oh Boy 4th Grade:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCuD002JCwVv7Q3cfYE_VNpbTm7vJzBYaRuHWv2rFgLV0tYH0Ol53J6kjzeODnRa2VgzQmo57SpbuVRnoA_7xiv2W5Ahne5e0VXUiFSr6_zOeqauU-xI1RsK8RRnHor8zBs_hyb4b5aQdh/s1600/Currently" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCuD002JCwVv7Q3cfYE_VNpbTm7vJzBYaRuHWv2rFgLV0tYH0Ol53J6kjzeODnRa2VgzQmo57SpbuVRnoA_7xiv2W5Ahne5e0VXUiFSr6_zOeqauU-xI1RsK8RRnHor8zBs_hyb4b5aQdh/s640/Currently" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />Meganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00979335611689148041noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6768973499341265581.post-80052370781370347172012-09-01T21:36:00.000-05:002012-09-06T21:27:11.526-05:00You know that school is in session when...... when my living room floor looks like this:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlMPlCOHQnUVwYpQDlD3-ZUD_Ed8ZmhhyphenhyphenJ-nMAXGKoxDGHMhLrCGRxMzsfVF0mgUW9igTMP6-2wb-CiMxhEdZZPdKNcsVXaUSK8F6AY3j7bqSPhQJcPAQVyylgMLmZ3UyMSbK1gyfzL4zv/s1600/P1012312.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlMPlCOHQnUVwYpQDlD3-ZUD_Ed8ZmhhyphenhyphenJ-nMAXGKoxDGHMhLrCGRxMzsfVF0mgUW9igTMP6-2wb-CiMxhEdZZPdKNcsVXaUSK8F6AY3j7bqSPhQJcPAQVyylgMLmZ3UyMSbK1gyfzL4zv/s320/P1012312.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Yes, I pretty much spent my whole day cutting out things I laminated. Such is the life of a teacher, huh? Here's the finished product of everything I cut out:</div>
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So much fun, right? I'm so super excited about my theme/color choice for my 6th graders this year! I'll give a sneak peak of what some of these things are starting to look like in my classroom. This is a sampling of open house night:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzFVzYZ0YWkSrMiN_h0LN68JI04A1fKM9m9EXVadCwUVpXw2i9opJW8Ei4rpFXUrO0xt3ikYsBFirmwhkvu9nw4Qum-B8NX8Z2QcGAERJesAlQLhucSpsbWN9vhJ3OVXN6iZuD3xqRjeYw/s1600/P1012343.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzFVzYZ0YWkSrMiN_h0LN68JI04A1fKM9m9EXVadCwUVpXw2i9opJW8Ei4rpFXUrO0xt3ikYsBFirmwhkvu9nw4Qum-B8NX8Z2QcGAERJesAlQLhucSpsbWN9vhJ3OVXN6iZuD3xqRjeYw/s320/P1012343.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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I had there workbooks sitting out on their desks and ready for them when they arrived at open house.</div>
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I also had a couple forms for them to fill out: safety patrols, permission to be featured on our classroom website, and "help me get to know your child" survey for the parents. I also had a fun little ice breaker activity for the kids ready to take home and prepare for the first day (It's in the Bag activity courtesy of <a href="http://clutterfreeclassroom.blogspot.com/2012/08/plan-fun-get-to-know-you-activity.html" target="_blank">Clutter Free Classroom</a>). Then, I gave each girl a flower that matches the flower kissing balls we have hanging in our room and attached a free pass for a night of no homework. That was a big hit with all the girls at the open house!!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja2ITlogWEXzEx_z-nQcYoF5Rwrpp-GbsMzP3i5s3eE1PujJLDI0GXA0Wz6qU14TdKar2mFZz5ETuTrhyphenhyphenkhRfpM4JlSG5rFsesrOmWIPhyYuDxojZvQLc4HDJHkS3zEzuDBZdPwj6G2HRX/s1600/P1012345.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja2ITlogWEXzEx_z-nQcYoF5Rwrpp-GbsMzP3i5s3eE1PujJLDI0GXA0Wz6qU14TdKar2mFZz5ETuTrhyphenhyphenkhRfpM4JlSG5rFsesrOmWIPhyYuDxojZvQLc4HDJHkS3zEzuDBZdPwj6G2HRX/s320/P1012345.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Then I labeled and color coded these baskets (which made me really haha) with a place to turn in each of the forms. </div>
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.... This week is Open House Week on TBA (<a href="http://www.teachingblogaddict.com/2012/09/open-house-week.html" target="_blank">Teaching Blog Addict</a>), so I'm linking up with them to share! Go check it out... </div>
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Meganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00979335611689148041noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6768973499341265581.post-8274045913837452402012-08-30T22:21:00.000-05:002012-08-30T22:21:29.538-05:00Open House...Check!All right the race to begin the year is almost complete!<br />
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Today was our Open House so I got to meet all of new students (or re-meet, as was the case for many of them). My 6th grade class this year is a class of 14 GIRLS, NO BOYS, CAN YOU BELIEVE THAT? And no, it is not an all girls school, it just happened to work out that way! Which made it really fun for decorating the classroom this year because I totally turned it into like a girl's clubhouse :). The girls all seem just great. Two of them are the daughters of teachers at my school, and two of them are the older sisters of two of my 2nd grade students from last year so that's kind of fun!!<br />
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I promise that pictures of the completed classroom are coming, but believe it or not, even though Open House is over the room is not completely done yet. Not for lack of trying, believe me! I ordered a few VistaPrint items (<a href="http://teacher-wife.blogspot.com/2012/08/monday-made-it.html" target="_blank">as I talked about earlier</a>) and unfortunately they just didn't arrive in time :(.Of course, irony of all ironies, there was a VistaPrint shipment waiting for me when I arrived home today AFTER the Open House. I'm super excited about it and even though we have a 4 day weekend now before classes begin, I think I'm going to go in tomorrow to finish everything up quick! I'll give you a peek at the items I made on VistaPrint:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAdh9FkczsBdNnQHnsGbdzcmIHRwgx2EOcYWVs49N8rlXXD6gjVKIxnVPaT8RJ2vVbrZpywzlEi-0kfni51-893lXzqHQ70CUs4oFXcyAAzaPKzpYKIuI5nnnTg6VL2S8PBMsrEreiqZce/s1600/P1012346.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAdh9FkczsBdNnQHnsGbdzcmIHRwgx2EOcYWVs49N8rlXXD6gjVKIxnVPaT8RJ2vVbrZpywzlEi-0kfni51-893lXzqHQ70CUs4oFXcyAAzaPKzpYKIuI5nnnTg6VL2S8PBMsrEreiqZce/s320/P1012346.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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So the one on the right is the poster I talked about in my last post about Monday Made It. The poster on the left is going to be used in the classroom economy I am setting up this year. Not sure how well you can see it in this picture, but it says "Bank of Hoxmeier Payroll". I got this idea from Stephanie at <a href="http://teachinginroom6.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Teaching in Room 6</a>. I have some little pockets I am going to put on it to use for the classroom jobs in the economy.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3odfVDQQZ_PwvbXDg3a1Q8t1ydpOa4cGPBuSEDUiBOq86cVrhtIshmrJ1nQL6hUXiq3LWjielM-EmQEAu5yNwfd6b5MyszxrIzw8YYezWWPM0653FDtvR7CqhEjOsvL8i6XmYyPXc3E4s/s1600/P1012354.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3odfVDQQZ_PwvbXDg3a1Q8t1ydpOa4cGPBuSEDUiBOq86cVrhtIshmrJ1nQL6hUXiq3LWjielM-EmQEAu5yNwfd6b5MyszxrIzw8YYezWWPM0653FDtvR7CqhEjOsvL8i6XmYyPXc3E4s/s320/P1012354.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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The left notepad is says "We missed you while you were gone. Here's what YOU missed". The top business card says "Bank of Hoxmeier Deposit Slip". Also for the classroom economy, and I have to give credit to <a href="http://teachinginroom6.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Stephanie</a> for this, too! Definitely check out her blog :). The bottom business card says "Thanks for making a "paws"itive impact" and I plan on using them to right quick good news tidbits to parents about things that happen during the school days. I'm going to staple them in the student planner when a student receives one on the day it was received!</div>
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Such simple little creations, but so fun! Do you have any favorite ways to use VistaPrint in the classroom?</div>
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<br />Meganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00979335611689148041noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6768973499341265581.post-47757868432687512052012-08-27T20:01:00.000-05:002012-08-27T20:01:06.930-05:00Monday Made ItExhaustion. <div>
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The kids haven't even arrived yet, and I am so absolutely exhausted it's unbelievable. Somehow I always seem to make everything more work than it needs to be, you know? I was so inspired by all the blogs I have been reading to make my classroom super organized and super cute, and it's definitely getting there, but ever so S-L-O-W-L-Y.</div>
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I just keep telling myself only a few more days of this, because Open House is on Thursday so everything has to be ready by then! Ha. And I know in the long run I will be happy with all of the work I am putting in right now. </div>
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But seriously.</div>
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My husband just came downstairs to see what I was doing after leaving me to finish watching a show upstairs about an hour ago and when he got down he just looked at me slumped over my computer with bewilderment and said, "Have you even moved?" And the answer to that question of course was no. I haven't made it past the kitchen island since I got home today. That's how you can tell summer really is over.....</div>
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Exhaustion.</div>
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So I'm trying to remember that eventually everything always gets done (duh, hehe!), and in order to keep my motivation high I decided to post here about something fun and finally show off a Monday Made-It. </div>
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<a href="http://www.vistaprint.com/any/lp.aspx?doc_sig=QSH_hsgTgUjdgQur___tk_9KKOwABRM8AACv__%242T_0_gAAAWBJAYT5qEoo7AAFEzwAAIbQsCqKHKxeAXIMgbJkGiM6GgAABgUQUmtiCiUHYkElKfYoDFKbYvYlK1Y4olB2QNpSoWRNRSt2TFVoWBVFEHc5HLkGQNkyDRGdDlgAAwKKKS2mPSlYrGopWLEaooOxbqKWCxoFKVSyA4KVWyUbKVqyfBKVOy4tKV%24zT8tCwKoojNFZhcgyBsmQaIzoaAAAGBQ5SgWJWpSqWLYhSvWM8pSt2O2RSw2RDpSp2S4xSqWVENoWBVFEqkzNLkGQNkyDRGdDyAAAwKGKS%24jYilUrEYpXrEsopVbGrYpX7Hj4pYLJRq0LAqiiaTtQlyDIGyZBojOhoAAAYFHFJ_Ta5SwVTsUr1c3FKjYkdlK1YqrFKnYy5FLBY7nFKpZDilKjZJzFK1ZQAlK_ZYOlB2XyxSs2YyZSo2blNoWBVFEo0m3LkGQNkyDRGdDPAAAwKDKWOy_bKVSzUwKVuzhAtCwKooorahZcgyBsmQaIzoWAAAGBSIFJ5ZEXlKpZIhFKrZLpFKxZNVlKrZQslK5ZSZFK5ZVwFKrZZHFKbZazlK1ZfblK_ZjilB2ZwRSQWaQBSTWbbhSO2cDxSP2cz1oWhgzY0MEQA&width=414" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://www.vistaprint.com/any/lp.aspx?doc_sig=QSH_hsgTgUjdgQur___tk_9KKOwABRM8AACv__%242T_0_gAAAWBJAYT5qEoo7AAFEzwAAIbQsCqKHKxeAXIMgbJkGiM6GgAABgUQUmtiCiUHYkElKfYoDFKbYvYlK1Y4olB2QNpSoWRNRSt2TFVoWBVFEHc5HLkGQNkyDRGdDlgAAwKKKS2mPSlYrGopWLEaooOxbqKWCxoFKVSyA4KVWyUbKVqyfBKVOy4tKV%24zT8tCwKoojNFZhcgyBsmQaIzoaAAAGBQ5SgWJWpSqWLYhSvWM8pSt2O2RSw2RDpSp2S4xSqWVENoWBVFEqkzNLkGQNkyDRGdDyAAAwKGKS%24jYilUrEYpXrEsopVbGrYpX7Hj4pYLJRq0LAqiiaTtQlyDIGyZBojOhoAAAYFHFJ_Ta5SwVTsUr1c3FKjYkdlK1YqrFKnYy5FLBY7nFKpZDilKjZJzFK1ZQAlK_ZYOlB2XyxSs2YyZSo2blNoWBVFEo0m3LkGQNkyDRGdDPAAAwKDKWOy_bKVSzUwKVuzhAtCwKooorahZcgyBsmQaIzoWAAAGBSIFJ5ZEXlKpZIhFKrZLpFKxZNVlKrZQslK5ZSZFK5ZVwFKrZZHFKbZazlK1ZfblK_ZjilB2ZwRSQWaQBSTWbbhSO2cDxSP2cz1oWhgzY0MEQA&width=414" width="210" /></a></div>
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If you can't tell, I work in a Catholic school. This is a poster I made on Vistaprint and just ordered for the prayer corner in my classroom. It is one of my favorite quotes and even though it's super simple, I'm pretty excited about it! </div>
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There you have it, my (finally) Monday Made-It. And if you haven't checked out Vistaprint before, believe me, you definitely should! I've been using it for a couple years now and just LOVE it :). </div>
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Meganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00979335611689148041noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6768973499341265581.post-38770706830856498552012-08-23T22:06:00.000-05:002012-08-23T22:08:14.406-05:005 Things I'll Miss Most About Summer...Bring On Therapeutic Thursday!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCxaHTSLyC9BUWvWWJLB75FAupXwfrPNIZNOZyDuE93lvvEfuU9kvNQToJ3y9HI-YgD5Be2MRr8aPhIgZVuFdxNE9YPyjJE9jsjtsIif3F0S4HligapuyCNBWopEYRSbm_Y3IVAez5OFpd/s320/5things.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="190" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCxaHTSLyC9BUWvWWJLB75FAupXwfrPNIZNOZyDuE93lvvEfuU9kvNQToJ3y9HI-YgD5Be2MRr8aPhIgZVuFdxNE9YPyjJE9jsjtsIif3F0S4HligapuyCNBWopEYRSbm_Y3IVAez5OFpd/s200/5things.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
Meetings, classroom prep, and professional development are underway and my summer has officially come to an end. While I am thoroughly enjoying being back at school seeing everyone and preparing for the new year, there are a few things I am definitely mourning the end of. So, I am linking up with Nancy at <a href="http://joyoflife2011.blogspot.com/2012/08/5-things-i-will-miss-about-summer-linky.html" target="_blank">Joy of Kindergarten</a> to blog about the 5 things I'll miss the most.<br />
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And with the things I'm missing most, it's only fitting to link up with <a href="http://imbloghoppin.blogspot.com/2012/08/teacher-week-therapeutic-thursday-with.html" target="_blank">Blog Hoppin</a>'s Teacher Week again for Therapeutic Thursday.</div>
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The things I'm using to de-stress and and relax:</div>
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1. The new yummy fall coffee drinks at Dunn Bros.</div>
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2. Adding more Pilates and Warrior Sculpt classes to my schedule to fill the void that the lack of Heat Yoga has left in my life.</div>
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3. Catching up on some mindless TV with the hubby (and yes, he is THAT GOOD of a husband that he will watch daytime TV and trashy reality shows with me!).</div>
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4. Do a little pampering at the spa in preparation for Open House :).</div>
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How do YOU relax during the busiest time of year? Head on over to Blog Hoppin and link up!</div>
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Meganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00979335611689148041noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6768973499341265581.post-77931397093453205002012-08-21T21:39:00.000-05:002012-08-21T21:40:58.350-05:00About Time...For Must Have Monday?It's Teacher Week!<br />
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Even though it's a day late (totally meant to get to this post yesterday, but I spent the day working on my classroom and then hosted a jewelry party last night so the day escaped me!), I am so very excited to be linking up with <a href="http://imbloghoppin.blogspot.com/2012/08/teacher-week-must-haves-monday-with.html" target="_blank">Blog Hoppin</a> for Must Have Monday (on Tuesday)!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSUNjhQQQkLZz6zl6G_66vUAG_VB77mNvd6PMWNQmaWO4xoPVKTrnBCHGR0ZTCL_0anervMucQkTQWBFGuhC3lsR454e7puEyOABfTDOz-z8YY1boDYE0hAo1tvvn1T4sHlR9daywNTx4/s400/Slide1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSUNjhQQQkLZz6zl6G_66vUAG_VB77mNvd6PMWNQmaWO4xoPVKTrnBCHGR0ZTCL_0anervMucQkTQWBFGuhC3lsR454e7puEyOABfTDOz-z8YY1boDYE0hAo1tvvn1T4sHlR9daywNTx4/s320/Slide1.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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Last year during Teacher Week, I wasn't blogging yet (only blog stalking :) ha) so I didn't get to participate, but I sure enjoyed reading everyone else's posts...So let's get to the point, here are my top five must have teacher items:</div>
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1. Lots and lots of Sharpie markers. I use them every day for anchor charts, planning, projects, you name it... and having them in a bajillion colors is the best part because you can use them when color coding things.</div>
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<a href="http://fc04.deviantart.net/fs39/f/2008/320/4/6/Sharpies_by_gaaraofthechocolate.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://fc04.deviantart.net/fs39/f/2008/320/4/6/Sharpies_by_gaaraofthechocolate.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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2. My camera. Again, I use this every day in my classroom and not just to take pictures but videos, too. It's so great to be able to playback things that the kids do for them to see! </div>
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<a href="http://files.petapixel.com/assets/uploads/2012/08/j2a_mini.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="253" src="http://files.petapixel.com/assets/uploads/2012/08/j2a_mini.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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3. Super Sticky Post-It notes. Enough said.</div>
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<a href="http://content.etilize.com/Large/11965363.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://content.etilize.com/Large/11965363.jpg" /></a></div>
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4. A super awesome Teacher Planner. I always feel like this contains my whole life each school year, which is almost true because I would be lost without it! I prefer to put my own together in the form of a binder rather than buying one from a store so that I can customize it to my needs. In addition to having my daily plans, I include forms for long range plans, monthly calendars, all of the standards so they are easy to reference, short "important information" pages for each student along with a section to record parent contact, pages for notes at staff meetings, and pages to store those super sticky post-it notes with my to-do list items. Phew. Is it any wonder that I almost hyperventilate when I don't know where it is?</div>
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<a href="http://www.dillydabblesdoodles.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/Teacher-Planner-Calendar-Black-and-White-Damask-K-5-1.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://www.dillydabblesdoodles.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/Teacher-Planner-Calendar-Black-and-White-Damask-K-5-1.png" width="243" /></a></div>
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5. Last but definitely NOT least, my caffeine in the forms of Caribou and Diet Mountain Dew. Yes, I might drink far too much of it, but I figure there are far worse vices :). </div>
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<br />Meganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00979335611689148041noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6768973499341265581.post-2047541551002084712012-08-16T23:23:00.000-05:002012-08-16T23:26:06.253-05:00Goodbye, Summer!It seemed only fitting that I join up with Sheree @ <a href="http://petersons-pad.blogspot.com/2012/08/good-bye-summer-linking-party.html" target="_blank">Peterson's Pad</a> for her Goodbye Summer Linky Party today because I got my Back to School letter with my class list and teacher workshop schedule from my principal. When I see that envelope from my school come in the mail each August, that always seems to make it official that summer is coming to an end and I can no longer live in denial that school is about to begin... That being said, I feel like I had an awesomely productive summer and I'm quite excited for this new school year, so with no further ado...<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJsnU0Ozd_qg5o1Qohxi-kdtmFcCc0nKtOMAl2Gg_1bJtymQq8Pi3R6RIYdsalsTE7hQ72fwFtIibxJPY4c4axHmI6zPRmxIAu3vvyuwNFoS0gDssEiPfteGOLlMMB9cxkF5Zwnb5M6rqx/s320/good+bye+summer+linky.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJsnU0Ozd_qg5o1Qohxi-kdtmFcCc0nKtOMAl2Gg_1bJtymQq8Pi3R6RIYdsalsTE7hQ72fwFtIibxJPY4c4axHmI6zPRmxIAu3vvyuwNFoS0gDssEiPfteGOLlMMB9cxkF5Zwnb5M6rqx/s320/good+bye+summer+linky.PNG" /></a></div>
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Here are the rules: Share four things about your summer!</div>
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1. A place you visited</div>
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2. A book you read (for school or fun)</div>
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3. Something you did or made for your school class</div>
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4. Something fun you did</div>
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Then comment on the two links before you and one after you!</div>
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1. For our first anniversary, we visited St. Croix Falls, WI. That's the St. Croix River in the background, it's really quite beautiful :).</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCWllblM64dvoesksBKs8OE_kF4W2GwdQuu3jizxKcdCfXaZFvfNW3fSradB2OcJNi8HVN8w8VmefPb25ya2u8q-bR21MziVvumWu00_VsO0xk2jDqchGELuoSWLKjheB6b7bkd7Qm2PWg/s1600/P1011988.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="234" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCWllblM64dvoesksBKs8OE_kF4W2GwdQuu3jizxKcdCfXaZFvfNW3fSradB2OcJNi8HVN8w8VmefPb25ya2u8q-bR21MziVvumWu00_VsO0xk2jDqchGELuoSWLKjheB6b7bkd7Qm2PWg/s320/P1011988.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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2. I read a lot of curriculum books for 6th grade to study up for my move from 2nd grade up to 6th! I also caved and read the Hunger Games Trilogy, ha...</div>
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<a href="http://g.christianbook.com/g/display/0/010800.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://g.christianbook.com/g/display/0/010800.gif" /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: none; color: black;"></span></a><a href="http://hungergamesdwtc.net/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/the-hunger-games-books-1-3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://hungergamesdwtc.net/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/the-hunger-games-books-1-3.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
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(Ok, so that Math in Focus text is actually for 5th grade but I couldn't find a pic of the 6th grade text!)</div>
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3. Well something I did for my class was a lot of studying! I've made quite a few things to decorate my classroom in the past couple weeks like posters for the classroom economy magazine files to hold my daily plans, a writing process clip chart, and the list goes on...but you will have to check back next week to see pics! I was in my classroom ALL DAY today and made tons of progress, just not quite ready for any revealing pics quite yet.</div>
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4. Something fun I did this summer is that I spent a lot of time putting things together in my house! My husband and I just built a house- We've still got a lot of work to do, but I'll give you a little peek into how things are coming:</div>
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So there you have it, my summer in a nutshell. Make sure to visit <a href="http://petersons-pad.blogspot.com/2012/08/good-bye-summer-linking-party.html" target="_blank">Peterson's Pad</a> to link up and don't forget to visit MY linky party, too, by clicking on this link: <a href="http://teacher-wife.blogspot.com/2012/08/meet-teacher-night-linky-party.html" target="_blank">Meet the Teacher Night Linky Party by Teacher Wife</a>. Happy new (school) year!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWeErC20IDBLWj62lycGskLlPHQIjDEvPUaIhzKMZG-7kTF5ydg2vx1LQ-EH_B-5H3mZzrjswy1VnoGq5ELNeJescTk46b4dex73qIi7_td3tBP8bPAbuCFsIeu-DhOdAZ7U9l9HNK_y6O/s1600/Linky+Button.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWeErC20IDBLWj62lycGskLlPHQIjDEvPUaIhzKMZG-7kTF5ydg2vx1LQ-EH_B-5H3mZzrjswy1VnoGq5ELNeJescTk46b4dex73qIi7_td3tBP8bPAbuCFsIeu-DhOdAZ7U9l9HNK_y6O/s1600/Linky+Button.jpg" /></a></div>
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Meganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00979335611689148041noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6768973499341265581.post-60421583206273697902012-08-15T22:47:00.001-05:002012-08-15T22:54:01.315-05:00Meet the Teacher Night Linky Party!As I mentioned earlier, I am moving from 2nd grade to 6th grade. I've been racking my brain to come up with ideas for our Meet the Teacher Open House Night because I feel like all the fun "cutesy" things that I've done in the past aren't quite appropriate for my 6th graders this year... As I was sitting her, I realized that there is a whole world of teachers bloggers with fabulous ideas out there, why not ask them? I can't wait to read about what you all do when you meet your students and parents for the first time! So blog friends, link up and share your ideas for Meet the Teacher Night.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWeErC20IDBLWj62lycGskLlPHQIjDEvPUaIhzKMZG-7kTF5ydg2vx1LQ-EH_B-5H3mZzrjswy1VnoGq5ELNeJescTk46b4dex73qIi7_td3tBP8bPAbuCFsIeu-DhOdAZ7U9l9HNK_y6O/s1600/Linky+Button.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWeErC20IDBLWj62lycGskLlPHQIjDEvPUaIhzKMZG-7kTF5ydg2vx1LQ-EH_B-5H3mZzrjswy1VnoGq5ELNeJescTk46b4dex73qIi7_td3tBP8bPAbuCFsIeu-DhOdAZ7U9l9HNK_y6O/s200/Linky+Button.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
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Here are the rules for joining the party:</div>
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1. Grab that button above for your post and link back to this post!</div>
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2. Share your fabulous ideas for what you have the parents and students do when they come to your room to meet you. What do you have out for them to do or fill out? Do you give the students any "welcome gifts"? Don't forget to post pictures if you have them!</div>
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3. Comment on at least one link before yours and one link after!</div>
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Meganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00979335611689148041noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6768973499341265581.post-45296003542971441792012-08-14T18:26:00.003-05:002012-08-14T23:35:04.373-05:00Back to School Jitters <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Okay, so I know I already posted once today, I found this linky party for back to school jitters being hosted by Jessica at <a href="http://aturntolearn.blogspot.com/2012/08/back-to-school-jitters-linky-party.html" target="_blank">A Turn To Learn</a> and I just felt compelled to post again because we all have back to school jitters!</span><br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-o66tVljEABw/UCgYMNQI3xI/AAAAAAAABnM/cUBgMksmzqM/s400/Back+to+School+Jitters+Promo.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="155" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-o66tVljEABw/UCgYMNQI3xI/AAAAAAAABnM/cUBgMksmzqM/s200/Back+to+School+Jitters+Promo.png" width="200" /></a></div>
Here are the rules for the Linky Party:<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">1. Put your text over the picture to talk about your back to school jitters!</span><br />
2. Use the HTML code to link back to the linky party!<br />
3. Comment on the two blog posts before yours!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyaM5K7s0auVJVFyFmT51ElQ6keZppGhTBwMSvagSocG9c2czxkZoVUcs9OqUcZhnmUkoS8xwzT0yN1vntop5oeZgtqm_7a2PFkeGpK2DV_OxAPKyJX3Qr3kZFCLzm9p7CTX4oQVsJMApj/s1600/Back+to+School+Jitters.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyaM5K7s0auVJVFyFmT51ElQ6keZppGhTBwMSvagSocG9c2czxkZoVUcs9OqUcZhnmUkoS8xwzT0yN1vntop5oeZgtqm_7a2PFkeGpK2DV_OxAPKyJX3Qr3kZFCLzm9p7CTX4oQVsJMApj/s640/Back+to+School+Jitters.jpg" width="492" /></a></div>
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<br />Meganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00979335611689148041noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6768973499341265581.post-14671480279297467762012-08-14T12:14:00.000-05:002012-08-14T12:19:19.887-05:00Teacher Fashion!Well dear blog friends, with my husband being out of the country, I made my way down to SD to visit my mom. Very fun, but it does inhibit me from living in my classroom as the new school year looms closer and closer on the horizon... So, I decided to get some back to school CLOTHING shopping done instead and I'm linking up with Jess at <a href="http://mrsjwalk.blogspot.com/2012/08/whats-your-style-teachers-fashion-linky.html?showComment=1344730812706#c1525042894038646562" target="_blank">From Blood To Books</a> for her Teacher's Fashion Linky Party! Super fun, right?<br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Here are the guidelines...</span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">1. Tell me your favorite store(s) that you like to get your "teacher's fashion".</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">2. What are some of your favorite accessories?</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">3. What type of shoes do you teach in? (i.e. heels, flats, wedges, etc.)</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">4. Do you have a "go-to" item in your closet? (i.e. sweater you wear weekly, shoes you wear daily, etc.)</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">5. Have you ever had a fashion "uh-oh" at school? (i.e. heel broke, button popped off of blouse)</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Ok, so here's a peek into my teacher fashion:</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">1. Most of my teacher clothing comes from the Limited.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Admittedly the full price of most of their clothing items is a little silly, but they have the best sales! AND!!!! If you don't already know this blogging friends, they have a TEACHER DISCOUNT! All you have to do is show your teacher ID card.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">I also really enjoy shopping for my teacher fashion at The Loft and New York and Company.</span></div>
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<a href="http://www.couponhero.com/images/logos/logo_newyorkco.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://www.couponhero.com/images/logos/logo_newyorkco.png" /></a><a href="http://www.ehappylife.com/media/AnnTaylorLoftLogo.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://www.ehappylife.com/media/AnnTaylorLoftLogo.png" style="cursor: move;" /></a></div>
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I don't think The Loft has a teacher discount (that I know of, if anyone knows differently, I'm all ears!), but NY&CO has the same discount as The Limited :).</div>
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2. I used to have jewelry to match every outfit in high school and college, but I've gotten kind of slack since I started teaching... probably my favorite accessories now are scarves. However, I am having a Premier Designs Jewelry party at my house next Monday and I am excited to start building up my jewelry again!</div>
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3. I mostly teach in flats (which I've realized is going to make most of my 6th graders taller than me this year in all of my 5 feet and 2 inches!). If I'm feeling really snappy, I'll put on wedges. My first day of teaching I wore some stellar heels, and I went home barefoot with extremely blistered feet. I save the heels for special occasions now :).</div>
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4. I don't have any one item, but I love cardigan sweaters! There are so many cute cardigans out there right now, and they look super cute with skirts, pants, shorts, and capris! AND you can add fun camis and scarves to make different outfits! Here are some of my new purchases for the school year that I'm just loving:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHzbGX1p-p3J-5IxG6gVJLd1ExuBmCpSyIREomsEhmwY_wiKk6klWdON1EWKnTwtmpnaIcnE__gi-aQAFm538NmANwEFCiCOhbjVFrOP65KoE7ZYXmO5Yzw938TMblpWuUM8SJ_tF1f7lk/s1600/Yellow+with+Scarf.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg96MvZvT4hq8NnOP08pGq65YkjTscqNCMFyhajeLAFCjnmDfgzEUSoHEEPUQGiInRpudBHIslpqI7PsgXjTXUOvkcEnKJ5Pq8AxhHlqnS77roWnJ0har0oxS68wtJRCtaX_jdjCRCq2gDG/s1600/Black+Polka+Dots.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg96MvZvT4hq8NnOP08pGq65YkjTscqNCMFyhajeLAFCjnmDfgzEUSoHEEPUQGiInRpudBHIslpqI7PsgXjTXUOvkcEnKJ5Pq8AxhHlqnS77roWnJ0har0oxS68wtJRCtaX_jdjCRCq2gDG/s320/Black+Polka+Dots.jpg" width="191" /> <img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHzbGX1p-p3J-5IxG6gVJLd1ExuBmCpSyIREomsEhmwY_wiKk6klWdON1EWKnTwtmpnaIcnE__gi-aQAFm538NmANwEFCiCOhbjVFrOP65KoE7ZYXmO5Yzw938TMblpWuUM8SJ_tF1f7lk/s320/Yellow+with+Scarf.jpg" width="191" /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfuTWDg6-JwI2OuoX7Y5LWrSD6tKkym90mG1M2qyhs9ABwv49Kgz1y5Q3IIptHQywOQLaNnoHmjINUvlyzvX6xu4PQ1W29JRUjx7MHwEkAHgAaxKisFyYb3WgDBpevUJdFBfhXK8Q4Zc5K/s1600/Pink+Polka+Dots.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfuTWDg6-JwI2OuoX7Y5LWrSD6tKkym90mG1M2qyhs9ABwv49Kgz1y5Q3IIptHQywOQLaNnoHmjINUvlyzvX6xu4PQ1W29JRUjx7MHwEkAHgAaxKisFyYb3WgDBpevUJdFBfhXK8Q4Zc5K/s320/Pink+Polka+Dots.jpg" width="191" /></a></div>
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5. I haven't really had any big "oops" moments, but my school has a pretty liberal dress policy, and there has been a time or two that I've been leaning over working with a student and decided to take a certain top out of my school clothing options if you know what I mean!</div>
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So that's a little window into my back-to-school teacher fashion! Make sure to hop on over, link up, and look at lots of other fun school fashion if you haven't yet!</div>
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<br />Meganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00979335611689148041noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6768973499341265581.post-62030930384737709882012-08-12T23:25:00.001-05:002012-08-14T23:34:27.908-05:00One Lovely Blog Award<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px; line-height: 18px;">I wanted to give a shout out to Meghan over at </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px; line-height: 18px;"><a href="http://mrsmayhew.blogspot.com/">Inside the Classroom</a></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px; line-height: 18px;"> who nominated me for my very first blog award, the One Lovely Blog Award! Make sure you go check out her blog for some awesome 2nd grade ideas :)</span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">For this award, here are the rules: </span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black; line-height: 24px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">1. Follow the person who gave me the award. </span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black; line-height: 24px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">2. Link back to the person that gave me the award.</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black; line-height: 24px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">3. Pass to 15 new bloggers and then let them know they have received the award. </span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDa8N2S3I-66_8GvoH1jMYfTvxfZ2d3iGSH5oJoJvw5TGNMgJK_NNTW8c56w3TReMzDmEPIYlL-UOnoedhhUiDnc8vo8vHPk3nJPO8NxUwayDKsZtQLq0LTuhRKVVWkoaO1g3LSNfKI6Y/s1600/One+lovely+blog+award.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDa8N2S3I-66_8GvoH1jMYfTvxfZ2d3iGSH5oJoJvw5TGNMgJK_NNTW8c56w3TReMzDmEPIYlL-UOnoedhhUiDnc8vo8vHPk3nJPO8NxUwayDKsZtQLq0LTuhRKVVWkoaO1g3LSNfKI6Y/s1600/One+lovely+blog+award.jpg" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDa8N2S3I-66_8GvoH1jMYfTvxfZ2d3iGSH5oJoJvw5TGNMgJK_NNTW8c56w3TReMzDmEPIYlL-UOnoedhhUiDnc8vo8vHPk3nJPO8NxUwayDKsZtQLq0LTuhRKVVWkoaO1g3LSNfKI6Y/s1600/One+lovely+blog+award.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: none; color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Here are the lovely blogs I have nominated to receive the award:</span></span></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Ms. W. at <a href="http://uppergradesareawesome.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Upper Grades Are Awesome</a>: I'm always looking for good blogs to follow for the upper grades!</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Kayla at <a href="http://schenkgr4.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">High Tech Teacher</a>: I was inspired by the bucket seats (instead of all those crate seats) that she posted.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Melissa at <a href="http://fashioncrazelearningdays.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Fashion Craze Learning Days</a>: She just started blogging today, and I can already tell I will enjoy her blog just by the title! :)</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Greg at <a href="http://kindergartensmorgasboard.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Smedley's Smorgasboard Kindergarten</a>: He's a male kindergarten teacher, that in itself is awesome. I bow down to those who can teach the young'ins :).</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Kim at <a href="http://shadesofteaching.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Shades of Teaching</a>: She's a 5th grade teacher in NYC who has lots of fun projects and ideas in fun flashy colors just like my color theme!</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Lindsay at <a href="http://fortheloveoffirst.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">For the Love of First Grade</a>: I found a fun new linky party for the end of summer to participate in on her blog! </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Tamara at <a href="http://lifesabeachin1stgrade.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Life's a Beach in 1st Grade</a>: She has a couple super cute "Madee-It Monday" ideas with her owl theme! </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Eden at <a href="http://teachinginflats.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Teaching in Flats</a>: The title shows me she's my kind of teacher! I also start the year in the cutest of wedges and heels, but by October it's pretty much flats all the way.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Krissy at <a href="http://mshuttensbuttons.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Ms. Hutten's Buttons</a>: She also just started blogging and her enthusiasm for the blog world tells me her blog is going to be great! </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Sherry at <a href="http://sherrymarieandrighetto.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Kindergarten Milestones</a>: She's in the middle of revamping her classroom and I can't wait to see the results!</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Mrs. M. at <a href="http://ramblingsofafifthgradeteacher.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">The Ramblings of a 5th Grade Teacher</a>: I'm loving her classroom color choices and her desk set up!</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Shasta at <a href="http://theteachersloop.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">The Teacher's Loop</a>. She has some super cute "Made-Its" and and some fun linky parties to read through!</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Ok, so I know that's not all 15, but I'm working on it! </span></div>
Meganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00979335611689148041noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6768973499341265581.post-74890415227027345592012-08-11T22:14:00.000-05:002012-08-11T22:15:29.818-05:00The VERY MUCH "BEFORE" PicturesDo you know that feeling when you work, work, work, all day at school and then feel like you got nothing done?<br />
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I went into my classroom yesterday as I said I was going to (yay me for following through!) and worked for about seven hours straight. And even though I worked for what seemed liked forever, when I went to flip off the lights as I walked out at the end of the day, I couldn't help feeling a bit defeated at not quite seeing the progress I had hoped for :(... I really DID get a lot done, there was just so much left behind by the teacher who worked in the room before me, that I haven't gotten to any of the fun stuff yet! I took some "before" pictures so you could all see what I was dealing with when I moved in...</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEXIYnBI-69So3uq9uOiYHKIsrlaY5ej9_XBwDHx2QZ47gL-Yq-aT2CXKt_yaqUPrw3djTwBbaBHIo3wzExh3M0UtazYqqLrQnQaV3CaHCW7qdwqxRZ4as5nVrHfX5kO9CDlV27_VgFBN1/s1600/P1012100.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEXIYnBI-69So3uq9uOiYHKIsrlaY5ej9_XBwDHx2QZ47gL-Yq-aT2CXKt_yaqUPrw3djTwBbaBHIo3wzExh3M0UtazYqqLrQnQaV3CaHCW7qdwqxRZ4as5nVrHfX5kO9CDlV27_VgFBN1/s320/P1012100.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Ok so here it is. Believe it or not, the only things I have actually brought into this classroom are the boxes on the round table, the box of stacking cubes sitting against that desk in the middle of the room, and the computer and papers sitting on the desk. Seriously. Otherwise, this how the room was left. It really is a great room, and the teacher who was in here was really ver organized, but she hadn't originally planned on retiring and didn't take much of anything with her when she left. If you stick with me for the after pictures, I PROMISE it will look really super cute when I'm done! All the chairs, desks, and tables are moved to their proper places for starters...</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha_YNX-Curjbbhqx71b1IbeFqMvpG6hXA9sQa3SKMVbu_RaPI60wNDNl6nQZxBnw7NGK0CGdLjqDZMjQPLReTy5FkWQyUhtvOqRoiBUlz1bFzAfKyHI5ZzCGJNcAGPqT7dSjCdt7GkIxzT/s1600/P1012101.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha_YNX-Curjbbhqx71b1IbeFqMvpG6hXA9sQa3SKMVbu_RaPI60wNDNl6nQZxBnw7NGK0CGdLjqDZMjQPLReTy5FkWQyUhtvOqRoiBUlz1bFzAfKyHI5ZzCGJNcAGPqT7dSjCdt7GkIxzT/s320/P1012101.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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That cubbie area in the back is quickly turning into my cozy little reading nook and space for my CAFE board. That giant file cabinet is not gone and replaced with much smaller and neater cabinet that sits next to my desk (which by the way, is now on the other side of the room). The circular table is now gone and replaced with a kidney-like table that I dragged in from the room I had last year and the rectangular table sitting in the back cubby area has been moved out and put along the side wall to be used in our writing center. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2s8qB_N8zpXniJD-tvFfDHKkMJL-B2kuEbZQvi8Bxwy3TelB3taljSeA3pcXqWeji8Tod6mmMLoE3FP5VLnH2B1q5RI42kOKysATxa2svj5WXtCfyJIcE66AAdZDFpBKzdh5UOYhdQYHK/s1600/P1012103.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2s8qB_N8zpXniJD-tvFfDHKkMJL-B2kuEbZQvi8Bxwy3TelB3taljSeA3pcXqWeji8Tod6mmMLoE3FP5VLnH2B1q5RI42kOKysATxa2svj5WXtCfyJIcE66AAdZDFpBKzdh5UOYhdQYHK/s320/P1012103.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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I do love all the windows and the big beautiful tree outside my room!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgiQYjUJMqWYWPv8DzQSAXRSNr0EAGes5cNk6YXFzME6KX0TzzNr4CI_keYQG5gxQdmy7gedHRWyAoT0YmIa3AYtUOI-Ol7RtaHzv4ro17GmDLiWXCtxo-HXTX8fqbnaplzNQ5qnUe7FTY/s1600/P1012104.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgiQYjUJMqWYWPv8DzQSAXRSNr0EAGes5cNk6YXFzME6KX0TzzNr4CI_keYQG5gxQdmy7gedHRWyAoT0YmIa3AYtUOI-Ol7RtaHzv4ro17GmDLiWXCtxo-HXTX8fqbnaplzNQ5qnUe7FTY/s320/P1012104.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Did you notice all the fabric covering the bulletin boards and shelves and all the posters on the walls? Those are all gone now, too. Just taking all those down (and then the papers, borders, etc.) behind the fabric and organizing the materials on the shelves took me a few hours in itself. But I did find some treasures! The teacher left behind 30 matching clear shoebox containers!!!! It's like Christmas, right? She also left behind some fun games and things to used for indoor recess, so that was kind of exciting. I also started going through everything left in the two closets in the back of the room and got rid of all the containers that didn't match and old manipulatives and activities that I knew I didn't need or wouldn't use. </div>
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So what does that leave me with you might ask? Well... completely blank walls and bulletin boards, empty closets and shelves, and a few books, boxes, and files sitting on the ground. So not much. But better than what I started with, I'm at least super happy to have a blank slate because I am SO DETERMINED to stay organized all year. OH! I do at least have my classroom arrangement done :). I should have taken a picture as I was leaving to show the improvement, but I forgot. I'm hoping to have it organized by the end of next week, so I guess you will have to wait until then :).</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaz_CYNy9LsI2gaeyoYqg4pZ8dr0ezngKEZTfpB3RgheBIHRwvWYt_ve12Mm-qmp_pGtN9oIIN-r-Fs1vlxWD7FMXzF4XJsK8PFRicbFRKA6sK7jzVRFf895-6vhpgwi7rKgFEfYCyWd6c/s1600/P1012102.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaz_CYNy9LsI2gaeyoYqg4pZ8dr0ezngKEZTfpB3RgheBIHRwvWYt_ve12Mm-qmp_pGtN9oIIN-r-Fs1vlxWD7FMXzF4XJsK8PFRicbFRKA6sK7jzVRFf895-6vhpgwi7rKgFEfYCyWd6c/s320/P1012102.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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The one thing I can brag about is all my beautiful window and this view!! Look past that tree, and that is Lake Minnetonka! Not sure how familiar any of you are with Minnesota, but around here Lake Minnetonka is a pretty big deal. </div>
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What's your favorite part about your classroom?</div>
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</div>Meganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00979335611689148041noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6768973499341265581.post-91836318270143031912012-08-10T10:42:00.000-05:002012-08-13T01:18:09.368-05:00Fabulous Find FridayWell, I had the best of intentions to make it into my classroom, but the best laid plans... well, you know how that goes! I did, however, manage to get a lot of errands done and almost finish decorating our main family room in our house (pics to come later!) and we FINALLY got a security system installed in our house, YAY! Now that may not seem like such a big deal, but my husband travels a lot, and not just like he travels next door- he works in the international division so yes, he travels internationally. Even though I know I am perfectly safe, I get a little skittish staying by myself overnight so I am thrilled to have the security system installed before his trip to Argentina this weekend! It just puts me a bit more at peace.<br />
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But on to more important things! I also managed to pick up some more fabulous finds for my classroom and am linking up with Elizabeth at Fun in Room 4B for her Fabulous Find Friday Linky Party!<br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #77635e; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, sans-serif; font-size: 18px; line-height: 24px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Coming Soon'; font-size: 20px; line-height: 32px;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyH0jU2W1HZVtMpDg07Gh6d3UACzh0hzTviK-hG1iLmcJxa8VYIL0xKBuZjlR5W9jdn20cXD_-MTJsubC2i_ijHAqpOVixPEF6yGxEwB7bT1feoW3xp54tOh961BEF0U76_x60uF60Jva3/s1600/button3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="color: #191919; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-decoration: none;"><img border="0" height="160" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyH0jU2W1HZVtMpDg07Gh6d3UACzh0hzTviK-hG1iLmcJxa8VYIL0xKBuZjlR5W9jdn20cXD_-MTJsubC2i_ijHAqpOVixPEF6yGxEwB7bT1feoW3xp54tOh961BEF0U76_x60uF60Jva3/s200/button3.jpg" style="border-bottom-color: transparent; border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-color: transparent; border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: transparent; border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; border-top-color: transparent; border-top-style: solid; border-top-width: 1px; padding-bottom: 4px; padding-left: 4px; padding-right: 4px; padding-top: 4px;" width="200" /></a></span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijiO519jeyLDOTHpCM12Z67rAE5IN2i88G4y73GaIc2a1mrqNOuj7fmYgy7LIJchTe2pAs7_CBNun7tz9C9iIexcIX7cJfhjjpwEyB0EvQXuOAw77uzNG1-FLazznoDEFwvLuk-RpsKjEu/s1600/P1012099.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijiO519jeyLDOTHpCM12Z67rAE5IN2i88G4y73GaIc2a1mrqNOuj7fmYgy7LIJchTe2pAs7_CBNun7tz9C9iIexcIX7cJfhjjpwEyB0EvQXuOAw77uzNG1-FLazznoDEFwvLuk-RpsKjEu/s320/P1012099.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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First off, are these two big pads of scrapbooking paper that match my classroom theme. Let me tell you, I have big plans for these my friends! You will have to check back to see the finished pics of my classroom to find out! And the best part about these is that they were on sale for 40% off + I had a coupon for 40% off all items including sale and clearance items + they came from Michaels where I get my teacher discount! All this = 1 happy teacher!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiap-z_LEBsvbWujM16KiHkTQ-22WiJ31NlB_coF2Pv7OXLtaxQ_fYACfGLcKaoDh4gT4-MgF2OREgYB3roqwmQA790K1OGswptPiTefwZdOM3Ixw8i_VE0ub4K7eRRKvwgbQzlqR6deqDS/s1600/P1012098.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiap-z_LEBsvbWujM16KiHkTQ-22WiJ31NlB_coF2Pv7OXLtaxQ_fYACfGLcKaoDh4gT4-MgF2OREgYB3roqwmQA790K1OGswptPiTefwZdOM3Ixw8i_VE0ub4K7eRRKvwgbQzlqR6deqDS/s320/P1012098.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Ok, now my next find also from Michaels. Pretty simple, just ribbons matching my color theme, but they were on closeout for $1 each and let's not forget my 40% off coupon + teacher discount! Gotta love Michaels, definitely stop by one soon if you have one in your area and haven't been there yet (even though I know I'm probably "preaching to the choir" with this advice!)</div>
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What's your favorite place to get fabulous teacher deals?</div>
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So, that's all for today's fabulous finds, but make sure to check my earlier post for my fabulous finds from Target. I DO actually plan on going into my classroom this afternoon, and I will post "before" pictures of the disaster that is my classroom right now. So until then, happy Friday!</div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #77635e; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, sans-serif; font-size: 18px; line-height: 24px;"><br /></span>Meganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00979335611689148041noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6768973499341265581.post-83380026045302301482012-08-09T10:07:00.000-05:002012-08-09T15:29:34.568-05:00Newbie Bloggers Unite<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">I'm trying out something new today and joining up with my first linky party! I thought it was only fitting to link up with others who are new to the blogosphere. Janis, over at Grade Three is the Place for Me is hosting a Newbie Bloggers Blog Hop! If you are a new blogger, hop on over to her blog and check it out!</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;"><img alt="Grade Three is the Place for Me!" img="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhL8qtjbNOfkWloRZeRAI_Ek4HRr5bhyZCkDIEoo0XmkDFNGm_-HS7wU-KBufA-4rXIesQpeeC9pUoSYZZd8AF7gMRuyvldwyGLlrjsIzSx2DwBO63kjVdVTtswVfBJ8rvx-573DjYBgq8/s1600/button.png" /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;"></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;">http://gr3istheplace4me.blogspot.com/</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;">All you have to do is answer the following questions:</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;">1. What state you live in.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;">2. Your current teaching position.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;">3. Your teaching experience.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;">4. When you started blogging.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;">5. Share a blogging tip/resource.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;">Here are my answers:</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;">1. I live in Minnesota, but I am a recent transplant from South Dakota, where I lived almost my entire life.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;">2. I am a 6th grade teacher at a small Catholic School.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;">3. This will be my third year teaching. My first year, I taught 3rd grade in a huge public district in Sioux Falls, SD. Last year I taught 2nd grade in the same school I will be teaching 6th grade at this year. I've kind of been all over the place! :)</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;">4. I only started blogging in July 2012... but I have been blog stalking for quite a while!</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;">5. I don't have a lot of blogging tips, but I'll share my favorite blog that I've been reading a little over a year now: Clutter-Free Classroom. Many of you might be familiar with it, but if you aren't hop over there RIGHT NOW! Seriously, for any of you who are a little OCD with organization like I am, this blog will be your new best friend!</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 12px; line-height: 16px;"><a href="http://CFClassroom.com/" style="color: #6a1713; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank"><img alt="ClutterFreeClassroom" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZkhwDneMIxxw8BZt7Lkmmflzuw0cp0eQ0XREfW4Gk6LrKmFnzstVmVG8hbXGsx8KUuiPXkgvrGVfF6ed-DchbP8dmW27ygmN_M9s13JJe6m1OUuEcT06Sja2-hzsZSw0OwZGTDwCmzgQa/s1600/create_a_CFC_button.jpg" style="border-bottom-style: none; border-color: initial; border-left-style: none; border-right-style: none; border-top-style: none; border-width: initial; position: relative;" /></a></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">http://clutterfreeclassroom.blogspot.com/</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Cherry Cream Soda'; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Coming Soon'; font-size: 12px; line-height: 16px;"></span></span></div>Meganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00979335611689148041noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6768973499341265581.post-59545086662182354912012-08-08T22:02:00.000-05:002012-08-08T22:46:45.581-05:00And so it begins...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Well, the back-to-school bug got to me! En-route to get a gift for a friend's wedding, I somehow found myself mesmerized in the Target dollar section... two hours later, I found myself leaving with quite the haul for my classroom :).</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDJFYsegoGI9-uKFQzhv6lUel-7bgqpL3kCbqXk28rqTzDTSKnK94InS0dyMEGhWVJ8f8gmmaAK7dUnbZXAMI_E3-jXOVvFSZdr4vf5QG9FjRa5wn_b-yU7U36um4BPOl0rHB-ltT7kbS3/s1600/P1012094.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDJFYsegoGI9-uKFQzhv6lUel-7bgqpL3kCbqXk28rqTzDTSKnK94InS0dyMEGhWVJ8f8gmmaAK7dUnbZXAMI_E3-jXOVvFSZdr4vf5QG9FjRa5wn_b-yU7U36um4BPOl0rHB-ltT7kbS3/s320/P1012094.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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I was inspired by a fellow blogger's post on organization and might have gone a little bit "bin crazy"! But, one of my favorite buys is the dictionaries! I am so excited to finally have enough dictionaries for all of my students! AND BONUS- only $1 a piece, how can you beat that?!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieX7EbZAGs9w9pLKG408MD-tmd-6AOPzoXp1EOayeZ-ebNVf-b2iphcTxbIkCPuyxEamgao0mgOV7WiqLRSVTrph0GE9m15SVC4ImGM53hOC1hK3-A5uiugK2DZSWA95H10atrbTKEBuS_/s1600/P1012093.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieX7EbZAGs9w9pLKG408MD-tmd-6AOPzoXp1EOayeZ-ebNVf-b2iphcTxbIkCPuyxEamgao0mgOV7WiqLRSVTrph0GE9m15SVC4ImGM53hOC1hK3-A5uiugK2DZSWA95H10atrbTKEBuS_/s320/P1012093.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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I am moving from 2nd grade to 6th grade at my school this year (still in an elementary school), and I realized that I was severely lacking in intermediate/middle school classroom supplies.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmxBLqAoFbMmQbqZdq-XkQJHZlzUoJ4lXdwKgaAe7TiEQ346QCv9rPSyzMQrD1TIR51MWBaohKUriTK63FV8fNU5VEVWEJLHgc2NBIBkVExm07Z0MJ8GedWNaRHZk-cV7-jXovDkZFZ3dc/s1600/P1012095.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmxBLqAoFbMmQbqZdq-XkQJHZlzUoJ4lXdwKgaAe7TiEQ346QCv9rPSyzMQrD1TIR51MWBaohKUriTK63FV8fNU5VEVWEJLHgc2NBIBkVExm07Z0MJ8GedWNaRHZk-cV7-jXovDkZFZ3dc/s320/P1012095.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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I also picked up a WHOLE BUNCH of pocket charts. Not sure what I'm going to use them for yet, but for $1 each, I just couldn't pass it up.</div>
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Yesterday I made my first trip back to my classroom and brought all my fun new stuff in! I have A LOT of work to do because I had to move all of my stuff out of my previous classroom. Totally worth it with the awesome view I have of Lake Minnetonka out my window though! I plan to go back again tomorrow after my heat yoga work out and will update as I make progress! Oh, and don't worry- In my giddiness over new school supplies and the start of a new school year, I still remembered to buy the wedding gift :).</div>
<br />Meganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00979335611689148041noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6768973499341265581.post-29810086503553391582012-08-01T23:01:00.002-05:002012-08-01T23:09:38.858-05:00Sweet Summertime...for now!Every year it is inevitable... August 1 comes around and my brain goes into back-to-school mode! It is impossible for me to separate the two from each other. My aunt and cousin are in town from Iowa staying with us right now, and we had dinner at a restaurant down the street from my school. The itch to start getting things done in my classroom came on very strong! While we don't actually start school until after Labor Day, our staff workshops start the last week of August which means less than a month of summer left... I know, I know. That's still quite a bit of time compared to some schools. My mom is a speech pathologist at a school in South Dakota and she goes back in a week. But now that August is upon us I know full well I won't last much longer before my days are being spent in my classroom organizing, decorating, lesson planning, and blog stalking :).<br />
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But in other news, I can't let the event that occurred on July 22nd pass with out mentioning it. It was our first wedding anniversary! Peter and I had a lovely time celebrating the completion of our first year together as husband and wife. We went out to St. Croix Falls in Wisconsin and did a little exploring in the town and in Taylors Falls as well. We also went to Interstate Park along the St. Croix river and hiked along through the forest and along the river up to Lookout Point. Quite beautiful! We are so very fond of being by the water, so it was only fitting to include that in our celebration.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDizMPurF0qOsoJCcLAgH4bEeQI2lx56ZbznWoGhVomVbnth8enb0_GOpuNYkMc2l3g8hN-ajIQyDMq5NGLFg6yZy-oejrCi-YimQAzK_8PCUWoioc5kH4hBf0_huOR-P8bQWNZGiRJ8D_/s1600/P1011959.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDizMPurF0qOsoJCcLAgH4bEeQI2lx56ZbznWoGhVomVbnth8enb0_GOpuNYkMc2l3g8hN-ajIQyDMq5NGLFg6yZy-oejrCi-YimQAzK_8PCUWoioc5kH4hBf0_huOR-P8bQWNZGiRJ8D_/s320/P1011959.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQtmJpQwCyvrlpzf90EBpqYScElYSIc4HATy9v1V_0N41-oCquzfcGKqOEa9bOhVCcRE3pbpv2VgbtM3RPYG2UYWCbjdniyqtyAHEB-H1HyhXdT-Bfr6wb0I0qpujht5uvAF64fVejVMNY/s1600/P1011968.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQtmJpQwCyvrlpzf90EBpqYScElYSIc4HATy9v1V_0N41-oCquzfcGKqOEa9bOhVCcRE3pbpv2VgbtM3RPYG2UYWCbjdniyqtyAHEB-H1HyhXdT-Bfr6wb0I0qpujht5uvAF64fVejVMNY/s320/P1011968.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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I made the poor life decision of wearing heels and a skirt.... Fail! I didn't know that our excursion was going to include such extensive hiking! :)</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg24MSQA1P7dImsjt_Pd8CykKbz6hd2tXUjQm2KetEiXMxpRM8Yp-_kvKsqOKF5lZ4XrguDGbN0OIKWv1Z5BHb4p6P5eQ25x3EG6YwwytsfUz7ugVM3s9glgLHXDjeJiAImDoSBv_yz5icM/s1600/P1011983.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg24MSQA1P7dImsjt_Pd8CykKbz6hd2tXUjQm2KetEiXMxpRM8Yp-_kvKsqOKF5lZ4XrguDGbN0OIKWv1Z5BHb4p6P5eQ25x3EG6YwwytsfUz7ugVM3s9glgLHXDjeJiAImDoSBv_yz5icM/s320/P1011983.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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One wonderful year together! You are so wonderful to me and I am so lucky to have you. Love you, pickle! Cheers to many more.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggZCwJnMC92EY-Q3rylZMUTkLSu9CnJ1K1z3gjBikwR_nyEYG8WXdCQC66u3Oegjh0EeueX5rLjsrvwUDoHeNbe54J8kDH0GrHEkZISFrnJevLWM-dbCeKfMpr2uEm_mBye7QsH4Occrj5/s1600/P1011992.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggZCwJnMC92EY-Q3rylZMUTkLSu9CnJ1K1z3gjBikwR_nyEYG8WXdCQC66u3Oegjh0EeueX5rLjsrvwUDoHeNbe54J8kDH0GrHEkZISFrnJevLWM-dbCeKfMpr2uEm_mBye7QsH4Occrj5/s320/P1011992.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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We had dinner at a fabulous little restaurant called Grecco's on the St. Croix right in the heart of the town. After arriving, we found out that it was their annual town celebration complete with street dancing, music, and a giant parade making it nearly impossible to get anywhere we were trying to go. We parked a little ways away and enjoyed the small town charm during our stroll down Washington Street before locating the restaurant. It was DELICIOUS! They make everything from scratch and have a completely new menu each week. We sat out on the patio overlooking the river and watched the sunset as we ate and enjoyed some sangria. Perfect :). </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidEkXSPCBbNrUtvXwc4MgRbc6nrHk6vyJUZJaelFd9mdrCJyrwqPF6ahcHNWPRhzjY2bRBEZWXKy822XaJSA4aTMCnp2DqKPZOkrK9CJhjGEpTAv8ZJQOYzfO1NUIiQhv0F9TikcnzdrrI/s1600/P1012000.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidEkXSPCBbNrUtvXwc4MgRbc6nrHk6vyJUZJaelFd9mdrCJyrwqPF6ahcHNWPRhzjY2bRBEZWXKy822XaJSA4aTMCnp2DqKPZOkrK9CJhjGEpTAv8ZJQOYzfO1NUIiQhv0F9TikcnzdrrI/s320/P1012000.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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After arriving home from Wisconsin and watching the Bachelorette finale with our neighbors, we had to partake in the tradition of eating the top layer of our wedding cake...</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDvDCjnMw_eXVT5n5AIKBNWr2gqHKewE1OIKhdCLi4LBsJayqChvB4-EeGh2fWJyviYAzEc3oKQzhLehQOfqaw7ZXEAueSdb42_8H-91dmxcHLxruKS4P7-A7_L3wzN1wE39erCCsyPOBB/s1600/P1012007.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDvDCjnMw_eXVT5n5AIKBNWr2gqHKewE1OIKhdCLi4LBsJayqChvB4-EeGh2fWJyviYAzEc3oKQzhLehQOfqaw7ZXEAueSdb42_8H-91dmxcHLxruKS4P7-A7_L3wzN1wE39erCCsyPOBB/s320/P1012007.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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The cake was pink champagne with raspberry filling. We ended up making a giant mess because the frosting was quite disgusting so we pulled it all off and just ate the cake part. It was actually pretty good! :)</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicBIhQira9rv88cxCFk9PQ7HdF2B8WaQU5Th_zzA4BGRUn9RY8ftbKv717SJFwyja1pZyznDDu47s3ojBBr_i4cAgLTmMnfg-USqNDR3MmBTFxdL3qOLe0-afoCBnONPa8UI2FuC1gBn1U/s1600/P1012011.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="font-size: medium; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicBIhQira9rv88cxCFk9PQ7HdF2B8WaQU5Th_zzA4BGRUn9RY8ftbKv717SJFwyja1pZyznDDu47s3ojBBr_i4cAgLTmMnfg-USqNDR3MmBTFxdL3qOLe0-afoCBnONPa8UI2FuC1gBn1U/s320/P1012011.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
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All in all, a lovely time!<br />
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</div>Meganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00979335611689148041noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6768973499341265581.post-49231401763436260282012-07-11T14:01:00.003-05:002012-08-01T23:07:33.293-05:00Warrior SculptI recently discovered this awesome fitness class at the LifeTime Fitness that we belong to called Warrior Sculpt! It's a combination of yoga, pilates, cardio, kickboxing, and weight trainging. AND it's set in a room that's heated to 96 degrees. How awesome is that?! It's really just uplifting and gets me pumped and ready to go for the day. During the school year I had been going with a coworker at 6AM...but now that it's summer I've opted for a slightly later morning class!<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: orange; font-size: x-small; line-height: 21px;">Copyright wantfitness.blogspot.com</span><br />
<a href="http://www.wantfitness.us/uploads/posts/2012-03/1330655534_namaste-yoga.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Namaste Yoga" border="0" height="150" src="http://www.wantfitness.us/uploads/posts/2012-03/1330655534_namaste-yoga.jpg" style="-webkit-box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.0976563) 1px 1px 5px; background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-color: rgb(238, 238, 238); border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-color: rgb(238, 238, 238); border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: rgb(238, 238, 238); border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; border-top-color: rgb(238, 238, 238); border-top-style: solid; border-top-width: 1px; box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.0976563) 1px 1px 5px; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 5px; padding-right: 5px; padding-top: 5px;" title="Namaste Yoga" width="200" /></a>I've started going to a heat yoga class as well that is heated to 108 degrees. A little less intense without the waits and cardio, but the heat in itself makes it quite a sweaty work out. Before finding these two classes I was kind of in an exercise slump for a while after the wedding. You know the drill: elliptical, exercise bike, maybe a couple reps with weights. Boring. After finding these two classes that I love so much, I was reminded how important it is to ENJOY your exercise! Now this doesn't mean the same thing for everyone, but if you don't enjoy what you're doing, eventually you're not going to do it anymore. It's kind of the same reason I don't believe in diets. If the way you're eating is making you feel like you are depriving yourself, you're never going to stick to it. You have to make a lifestyle change. I love pizza, Mexican, and all Asian varieties of food, so even though they're not the healthiest choices, there's no way I would ever realistically be able to cut them out. It's all about moderation both in how often you eat these types of foods and how much you eat of them when you do.<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;"><br /></span></span>Meganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00979335611689148041noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6768973499341265581.post-14023201858867879162012-07-10T21:01:00.000-05:002012-08-08T22:18:18.562-05:00Changes...<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">I think your 20's are years of constant change. In your 20's you are both a child and an adult- you go to school, live with your parents, move out on your own, get a "real" job, and probably get married and start your own family all in one decade. Quite possibly it is the most diverse decade of your life. This can be both exciting and scary!</span><br />
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In the past year of my life, I have had a lot of change... Last year, I was living with my mom after finishing college and I taught my first year in a 3rd grade classroom in Sioux Falls, SD (which is also where I grew up, and will always be my *true* home ;) ). I then got engaged to my now husband, Peter, and we made the decision to move to the west side of the twin cities because he was offered a job he just couldn't pass up. This was very hard at the time, but I left my job and my family in Sioux Falls and we were married last summer on July 22nd, 2011 (our 1st anniversary is right around the corner!). We found an apartment in Plymouth, MN to live in after the wedding. This was going to be the first time either of us had lived on our own, and I still didn't have a job at the time! Talk about a leap of faith! Lots of learning was to come for us through these experiences! The day after we arrived back from our honeymoon in Costa Rica, we moved into our apartment and I interviewed with a small Catholic School in Wayzata, MN. I got the job and was simply elated!<br />
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We had been looking to buy our own house for a while, and with us both being employed, we decided it was the perfect time. After hundreds of house showings with a very patient realtor, we ended up deciding to build a new house in Maple Grove, MN. We moved into the house on in January of 2012 and everything seemed to be going swimmingly! I was loving my job, loving my husband, and loving being able to decorate our own space! Peter was doing extremely well at his job, too, what more could I ask for? There's always a bump in the road....<br />
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The enrollment at my school went down 20% so the school wasn't able to renew the contracts of the 2 newest teachers (me being one of them). Many tears were shed over this. I loved my job teaching 2nd grade, the school and the community were just a dream. But I picked myself up, and started applying for jobs like crazy! I was pretty much stalking the Archdiocese of Minneapolis/St. Paul website. I got an interview with a public middle school in the Wayzata district and I was stoked because that is such a great district to be in, but I was quickly disappointed after being turned down for not having any middle school experience. I also interviewed for a 5th grade position at a Catholic school in Rogers and was all set to take that, when I received a call from my principal at the Catholic school I had been teaching at in Wayzata. She said the 6th grade position had unexpectedly opened up and she wanted to offer it to me. I could hardly believe it. Even though I was a bit hesitant at first to jump from teaching 2nd grade to 6th grade, I truly do feel that it was meant to be that it unfolded this way. I accepted the position, and I feel so blessed to be continuing on at such an amazing school. I've already been preparing for next year!<br />
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After all the changes we've tackled this past year, Peter and I have come out happy, healthy, and even more in love. Through all the turbulence of life, I don't think we could ask for much more.<br />
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<br /></div>Meganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00979335611689148041noreply@blogger.com0Maple Grove, MN, USA45.0724642 -93.455787744.9827552 -93.6137162 45.1621732 -93.2978592tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6768973499341265581.post-17818108447417949792012-07-10T16:41:00.000-05:002012-08-08T22:18:56.045-05:00New Blog!After spending so much time reading other people's blogs in search of organizational and decorative ideas for our home and hopping from one teacher's blog to the next trying to plan hands-on meaningful lessons and activities for my students, I decided it was time to start a blog of my own. Yes, it is a fun way to share our daily journey with others, but mostly I just wanted a way to chronicle and remember the events that are happening in life with my family and friends.<br />
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In light of our upcoming first wedding anniversary, I am going to try and go back and highlight some of the more important events in the past year.....my life has changed so much in the past year, I feel like I need to go back and remember everything that's happened!<br />
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</div>Meganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00979335611689148041noreply@blogger.com0