Back to School Craziness

Wal-Mart and Target have their large glue and pencil displays at the front of the store beside the large stacks of college ruled paper. There is a kiosk of back to school lists for the elementary schools. Parents are budgeting their time and money in preparation to send their little ones back to school after a long and busy summer vacation.

I loved this time of year as a kid. I would be so excited to return to school in my new clothes with my new unused school supplies. I would pack and repack my book bag the night before in giddy anticipation of the morning bus ride.

As a teacher, I see this time of year with new eyes. I too have lists of needed supplies and things that

must be done before the first day of school. I look forward to seeing my colleagues again and catching up on the summer happenings or discussing the latest news or changes that were brought up at one of the pre-planning faculty meetings. As a full time mommy during the summer, I yearn for adult conversation because I have been speaking "toddler" and watching cartoons for a good part of my days.

Chit chatting is one of my down falls during the preplanning days. I do enjoy talking and sometimes I get distracted from completing the more necessary tasks at hand like lesson planning, cleaning, running copies or decorating a bulletin board or two.

Of course, back to school pre-planning is not all socializing and decorating. As a teacher, we usually "loose" planning time to meetings, trainings and such. I am all for a good training, but sometimes I feel like it is such a waste of time when there are so many or other "important" (to me) items to check off my to do list. My Type A personality likes to have everything I could possibly do done so that "I think" my first couple days will go smoothly.

I will be teaching 6 preps this year! Wowsa. For the first time since I started teaching, I will
Be teaching a majority of Social Studies classes: Government/Economics, Regular Psychology, AP Psychology, and Sociology. My remaining preps will be one section of Pre-AP Advanced Reading for 9th graders. Luckily, I have taught most of these classes before (except Gov/Econ) so I don't have to make lesson plans from scratch for everything....just tweak my LPs as needed!

Here are some of the things I did this week during pre planning. I created a "readbox" book display for my classroom library. I found this cute idea on pinterest. I redid two of my bulletin boards, beautified my student work file with labels, hung up and moved around posters, and I reframed and displayed my college diploma and awards.

I still have one more room makeover to accomplish for students arrive. I am painting an accent wall! My classroom got painted this summer by the paint crew, but they did not paint on of the partition walls where I have a display. I took the display down and I am going to paint it red for some "pop color." Luckily, my local ACE hardware had their annual free quart of paint promotion so I was able to get my paint for FREE!

The only remaining time I have to paint is Monday in between meetings and 9th grade orientation. I only teach one 9th grade class this year so I don't expect a lot of visitors. Fortunately, it's a small area which I am going to paint with a roller so I am hoping it will be a quick makeover project. I will post before and after pictures too!

As I finish my FIRST cup of coffee this morning, I will leave you with with this: A good teacher can inspire hope, ignite the imagination, and instill a love of learning.(Brad Henry) but first a good teacher must get through pre planning! 

 

Farewell Summer Vacation

As another summer comes to a close, I realize that I have mixed feelings about going back to work. Don't get me wrong, I love my job and look forward to the begining of school (it's one of my favorite times of the year), but I will be missing my Little Miss something fierce!

Little Miss and I have had a nice time together. She is growing up so fast and becoming her on little person with a very distinct personality. It is a joy to behold.

I will miss our morning jammy and cartoon sessions on the couch each morning. It's a special mommy daughter time because neither of us are fans of the "waking up" part of the day. She drinks her milk and I finish my coffee.

Most weeks, we ventured out of the house for some shopping. Mommy and little Miss both like getting out of the house. This summer we went to the parks and usually got rained out thanks to Florida afternoon showers. We've had play dates, pool time and races around the house.

She is starting  to talk more and more. It seems like there is a new word or two each week. Plus, she's starting to incorporate two word phrases like, Bye Dada, Night Night and All Done! She's dancing now too! It looks more like surfing with a butt wiggle, but it is so stinking cute!

The hubby took time off of work too this summer so we all could have family time. We took her to the Florida Aquarium so see the animals and play in the kid's water zone area. I think we had a good time looking at the animals and playing. We'll make an effort to go back as she gets older.

 I'll admit it's sometimes difficult trying to find stuff to do as a family with an almost two year old. My hubby and I weigh the pros and cons of different places. I would hate to go somewhere, spend  money and be absolutely miserable you know what I mean? It's not like she'll remember it. I'm am glad we have some friends with some older kids who can suggest places to go to or visit.

I've feel like I've struggled with early parenthood and adjusting to the first time parent lifestyle---maybe that's just the way it goes sometimes, but this summer my confidence has grown with her and I have found joy in being her full time mommy this summer. (I am always her mommy, but I am not a stay at home mom). The thought of having another child has started to float through my mind again. I don't think I am ready just yet to commit to that idea, but the idea of it is less anxiety filled!

This summer is jut another smll step in my simple, but significant journey on the road of parenthood.The lesson being (I think) about finding joy in the little things and treasuring the small moments you are gifted in life.

Duckin' Book Review

As summer winds down, I find myself with the reading bug yet again. It is nice to read a good book and get away with new people and places.

My most recent read is "The Duck Commander Family: How Faith, Family, and Ducks Built a Dynasty." I have been wanting to read this all summer and I am so glad that I finally downloaded it on my Kindle!

I like the show Duck Dynasty. I've heard about the show for a while, but since I don't have regular TV or Dish I don't get that channel. Now that there is an A&E app, I can watch this show and reruns each week on my Ipad.

I love the family, humor, and faith that this show embodies and it carries over in the book. Each chapter has a catchy title and a bible scripture which support the chapter theme. While reading this book, I got jokes and gained insight into the Robertson family. I learned how their past struggles built the foundation for who this family is and what the show is today.

Personally, I felt spiritually uplifted reading this book. I want to create a similar foundation and principles in my family. I see how their ideals, beliefs and faith has guided and protected their family. I think I might read, Phil Robertson's book, "Happy, Happy, Happy" next! 

I am glad I read this one. I will continue to recommend it to others who are looking for a fun read or book recommendations.

What's next on your reading list this summer?