Wow! I made it!

I have to say, I cannot complain because I knew teaching would be a lot of work, especially my first year. However, the 12 hours days everyday is not exactly what I expected ha. But I don't have anything pressing to get home for, so I feel like I don't have to time manage AS WELL. I need to get out of that mindset! The first week went really well. We did some great team building activities the first two days. We had the students get into groups of 10 and we gave them a bag of various materials. Some bags had a whole roll of masking tape, some cups, and 5 sheets of paper. Some bags had only a strip of paper, 20 sheets of paper, popsicle sticks, and 8 cups. Some bags had NO tape. The students had to work together to build the tallest tower. Some of the towers were very impressive. When I have some pictures on my computer, I will post some. We also had a challenge where they had a metal washer with six strings tied around it. The only directions were to balance the golf ball in the middle of the washer and they couldn't touch the metal part. The groups worked together to figure out the best way to balance the golf ball. It took some groups longer than others, and every group did it a different way. But eventually, a couple of groups figured out that they could hold the string close to the washer without touching the metal. Their group work was very impressive. During our group meetings, we emphasized our high expectations for the students as well as for each other. We also talked about positive talk and then had the students do an activity called "Good Graffiti." The words had to be positive but the artistry could be theirs! They really got into them and I am putting that display up this week so pictures will come soon. Our final "team" activity was to trace their arms/hands and write their academic and personal goals. Their academic could be anything from to get on the honor roll to exceeding the CRCT to reading a certain number of books. Most of them really took their time on their goals and I have a picture of what our display looks like. This second week has already started out a little smoother than the first. I even got a run in after school! Looking forward to some great Science activities this week.

1 Day Down, 159 To Go

I SURVIVED MY FIRST DAY OF TEACHING! The day went really well, but I do have to say, there is a noticeable difference between teaching from 7:15-2:20 to 8:30-3:30. The extra hours do make the feet ache a little more. But I made it through and it was fantastic. The team I work with made it seem like I had been teaching for 8 years. We did a team building activity along with a team meeting this morning. Our team building activity included a bag of items (paper, tape, cups, and popsicle sticks) and the different groups had to work together with the members to make the tallest tower. The catch was, not all groups had tape. And each group who did have tape had a different amount. Some groups had a strip of tape. Some groups had an entire roll of tape. The results were outstanding! We had one tower 36 inches tall and another group did NOT use any tape and had a tower 23 inches tall. These fourth graders have held up to our HIGH EXPECTATIONS for the first day.  We are going to do both things again tomorrow. I am very excited about our team building activity. We are doing "Good Graffiti" where the students are going to be able to really show their creativity by writing positive words that pertain to themselves, the team, or the school year. I am very excited to see what the students come up with!

The students were very quiet during the morning time, but once we came back and started "rotating," (we practiced rotating classes), they grew more comfortable and became a little more talkative. However, this group of fourth graders are very sweet and did a great job in the hall and at lunch today. I am so excited to see what the year is going to bring to our team and our student's lives!

All the hard work...

...will finally pay off! I get to meet my kiddos tomorrow morning, very bright and early. I am so excited. My room has finally come together. I will make sure to post some pictures of my room on here tomorrow. For now, I have one that goes with tomorrow:

I am ready! Here goes nothing! 

A New Adventure

Today, I began a brand new adventure in my life. I sent a piece of my heart to Louisiana this morning with the family I have lived with for the past year. I then drove myself to my new job! I sat through a couple of meetings, learned all about Common Core (a very condensed version of Common Core), and organized my classroom library. I have the best mom and the World's Best Mom Award goes to her! She brought my handmade curtains to the school and helped sort my books into categories. I am looking forward to getting back into my room tomorrow morning. I have another meeting with more training on Common Core, so I am sure I will have some fun and exciting news tomorrow! As overwhelmed as I am with getting ready for the first day of school, I know that it will all come together! I will post pictures of my classroom as it becomes more put together (there is no reason to put pictures of the piles on here right now :))! Keep sending the good thoughts!

Where did the summer go?

I feel like I was just cleaning up a classroom yesterday. Now, I'm reorganizing and moving stuff into a classroom. Where has the summer gone? I was in a Kindergarten classroom last year as a parapro (teacher's assistant). I moved all the kidney tables and kitchen stuff and started traveling the East Coast. My first stop was Williamsburg, VA. I have some family friends who recently moved up there and welcomed us with open arms. My friend, Lucy, met me there from Connecticut. 

Here are the parents with the kiddos. 

After a great visit, I ventured down to Destin, FL to spend a week and a half with the family I live with. It was just the break I needed. I am a true beach bum. We rented a boat and hung out on Crab Island. We also saw dolphins while we were riding around on the boat. It was the coolest thing to see the dolphins playing in the wild. 

Crab Island

Dinner at Fudpuckers

After a great and relaxing time at the beach, they dropped me off at the Jimmy Buffett concert, where I met some friends. The next day, we all left to travel to Gordon, GA (which is in the middle of nowhere) to counsel at our church camp. I have gone to this camp since I was in first grade. I have made some lifetime friends at that place. I always say those are the people who truly love me for who I am because they have seen me at my sweatiest (this place never gets below 70 degrees...I'm certain of it). This summer, a group of my close friends and some new friends counseled about 80 high schoolers for the week. From luaus to the city (NYC that is), we celebrated community and friendships all week long. 

Counselors

Talent Show...Notice the giant mugs of coffee. That is necessary at camp :). 

A beautiful and serene sight

Childhood Friends-Corey and Sara

Childhood Friends-Harrison and Joseph

Counselors

Small Group

My rockstar cabin-The Monogram Cabin

After Camp, I was home for a week babysitting. Then I went BACK to camp (in the middle of nowhere) to direct a camp. It is a wonderful outreach project that the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) do every summer. This camp hosts children from the surrounding areas of camp (Gordon, GA) and pays for their three days of a camp. We provide a day camp for them, complete with recreation, community, swim time, lunch, snacks, and fun! I counseled this camp for three summers in high school, then came back for two summers to help out, and am now directing! This is my second summer directing this camp and I can't wait to start planning the third!

I then flew to White Plains, NY to hang out with my best friend from college for a week. It was so great! We ventured to Old Greenwich, CT, Samford, and NYC. We were in NYC for the 4th of July with another friend from college. I am glad I had the experience of NYC on the 4th...it was pretty, but we also watched the show on TV when we got home. I also got to go to  Mets game (I am an Atlanta Braves fan so that was hard) and experience part of a summer WITHOUT humidity! 

I finally stopped traveling and took a class for my Master's program. I also started helping the family I currently live with (only for two more nights), pack up their things. They are moving to Louisiana in a few days. Now, I am moving my stuff into a fourth grade classroom. Everything is brand new. I am confident I have what it takes, but I am anxious about what the year will bring. When I reflect over this summer, it has been a whirlwind, but every trip and every minute has been worth it! I am looking forward to my new adventure, and am reminiscent over the adventures that have helped shape me. 

Luau's, Safaris, and Birthdays! Oh my!

Whew! What a DAY! We began our day at 7:30 this morning. And boy, did we hit the ground running. After cutting the hotdogs like octopuses and getting the car loaded, we headed to the friend's house who so graciously hosted the parties. The luau went off without a hitch. The cake was a hit. The hotdogs were well liked. And the leis were a kid favorite.

We had about an hour and a half to break down the luau and prepare for the safari party. We made it happen with time to spare! The adults even got to spend a little time in pool! We had a brand new cake, more hotdogs, some veggies, and lot of zebra and cheetah print!

What a day! After six hours of parties and lots of restocking and unloading, the outcome was all worth it! The kids had such a great time! Now that the parties are done, I am hoping to get in to my classroom tomorrow! Wish me luck!

Welcome To My Life!

Welcome! I am a brand new teacher in Fourth Grade at BES! I graduated from UGA in December of 2010. I had the opportunity to be a parapro (teacher's assistant) part time at BES that Spring. I helped students prepare for the CRCT (Georgia's standardized test). The following year (2011-2012) I was a parapro for a Kindergarten class at YES. This summer (summer of 2012), I accepted a job with BES teaching fourth grade! I am also currently working on my Master's degree at UGA in Early Childhood Education.
               As I sit here thinking about the upcoming year, I am overwhelmed with thoughts of  two little kiddos birthday (and half birthday) parties. For the past year and a half, I have been a live in nanny with a compassionate and wonderful family. They welcomed me with open arms. I have loved, laughed, and lived with them. On Sunday, the family is moving to Louisiana where I am sending a little bit of my heart. However, because of the move, we are having the kid's birthday parties a little earlier than normal. The little boy, Cole, will be turning 10 in just three weeks. He wanted a safari party so we have all the burlap, zebra, and tiger print in the local area. Kinsey, the little girl, will be turning 7 in December. A few months ago, we told her we could do a half birthday party because December gets so crazy for EVERYONE! So, we stuck to that and are having a luau! We have plenty of leis, flip flops, and hula skirts for everyone! I will post some pictures soon of this grand adventure we will embark on tomorrow! Until then, Go USA and enjoy the Olympics!