Tell Me Something Good...

I am linking up with 

to tell you something good about school and home life!

I love this positive linky party!

Something Good from Home:

I ran 5 miles yesterday all by myself! (I think that is the most I have ever ran at one time in my entire adult life.....what an accomplishment!)  I am NOT going to tell you how long it took me to complete this task.  I'll leave that up to your imagination!

Something Good from School: 

My class brought the most boxtops for December and won a party.  They voted to wear their PJ's and take a NAP!?!?  I was beyond thrilled and shocked.  What six year old volunteers to take a nap?  My class has an old soul, I tell you.  

It turned out to be the cutest party ever.  We had milk and cookies, shared our favorite bedtime story, and took a "nap" 

Can you believe they actually laid down to try to take a nap?  Once again, this class surprised me.  

No one actually fell asleep.  It turned into a 15 minute giggle fest....teacher included :)

Tell me what's good in your life?

Link up here.

Five for Friday!

Happy Friday! 

 I am so excited to be linking up with Doodle Bugs for a fun *new* linky, Five for Friday.

Here is what I have been up to this week: 1.

 I celebrated my birthday (the big 2-5!) at a local hole in the wall fine-dining, authentic Mexican Restaurant with my parents, sister and husband.  Mr. Hubs and I enjoy finding the best salsa in town and have settled for this new-found eatery.

 Yes, my sister brought the ridiculous party hat,s and I was the talk of the town restaurant.  I was VERY embarrassed to have all six people in the restaurant staring at me as our waitress sang me a traditional Hispanic birthday song (Of which I have no idea what she sang about because I do not know any Spanish.   I do know that it might have been about me because mid-chorus she asked what my name was and added it in.)

2.

I taught my students "No Walk. No Talk." as a mini lesson for writer's workshop this week.  I made this anchor chart last year and decided it would still work for this class as well, although I am a much more laid back teacher now.  Here's what No Walk No Talk looks like in my class:

- 10 Minute Mini Lesson

- 10 minute No Walk No Talk where I display this sign.  This allows students to "settle" into their writing and actually WRITE!  It gets them motivated and sets some boundaries for the workshop (ex: stay in one spot!)  It seems a little strict, but after teaching my students the expectations, it promotes engaged writers!  

- 10 minute writing time- after the no walk no talk is over, I go up to the white board where this sign is located and flip it over.  On the other side it is a Writing Time I Can anchor chart which has a few more ideas for writing time (ex: Whisper read your story, talk to your writing partner about a story)

- We end our writing time with 5 minutes of the Share Chair.

3. 

We learned what a resolution is and wrote our own.  This student promised, "In 2013, I will be kind to my brother."

"In 2013, I will do more chores."  (Vacuum and mop included!)

4. 

I added a bunch (28 to be exact) listening stories onto our classroom Ipods for the Daily 5.  I discovered how to create a podcast on Garageband and save the file into Itunes.  It is BEYOND simple.  Now, my students have a free listening center at their fingertips.  I even convinced Mr. Hubsband to read a story, too! Oh, AND I read my first Pete the Cat story to my first graders (Pete the Cat Rockin in My School Shoes) They could not get over it.  They were singing the song all.day.long.  I am never turning back.  I am chanting along with my students: More Pete. More Pete. More Pete.

5. 

I finally completed my donorschoose Thank You Packages.  I had been needing to upload photos, write two impact letters, and send student-written thank you notes.  It's a good thing, too, because my deadline was quickly approaching.  Check that off the list. Hip Hip Horray!

That's all for me.  You should link up and let me know what you've been up to!

What's ahead in 2013?

Howdy Ya'll!  I am linking up with Michelle from Making It as a Middle School Teacher for a look at what's to come.  

If you would like to join, check out the rules and info here.  It's super easy.  It was a fun way for me to think about the upcoming year.

The only thing I needed help with was the personal reading section!

Leave me a comment with your best recommendations!

Happy Blogging.

The Frizz

Currently

I am linking up with Farley from Oh' Boy Fourth Grade for my very first Currently.   With the start of a new year and new blogging resolutions (that I have already broken! Yikes!), I thought 'Why not start a new tradition?'   Obviously this is my first, so please tell me if I made some huge mistake and my skirt is tucked into my underwear!

I am listening to the UPS man drive by my apartment.  I am always disappointed when he doesn't stop and knock on my door.  Although I haven't bought anything online, I am always a little surprise the package he has isn't for me.   I am loving the massage I got today with my two sisters.  Ever since we graduated from college, we have a "day" at the spa that includes lunch and a massage.  Today was the special day.  We got sushi and then headed to get pampered.  It was the BEST one hour of 2013 so far!

I love spending time with those two goof balls.   We are fortunate enough to live in the same city, but we unfortunately do not see each other often enough!  But that will change soon because today over lunch we decided to train for a half marathon in March.  I'll keep you posted about that. I am thinking that I should be lesson planning instead of writing this currently…but that's what the weekend is for right? I am wanting another day of vacation.  I start back at work tomorrow. Enough said. I am needing a nap.   That massage really took it out of me! Whew. OLW: Enjoy!  I am going to try to enjoy life as much as possible.  My type-A personality usually gets in the way of that most of the time, not to mention the rush and stress of my job.  This year I am pledging to stop.  Take a deep breathe. Relax. And enjoy life.  I want need to enjoy my first graders.  They have so many exciting things going on in their lives and as their teacher, I want to be a part of that as a way to help them grow and learn.  I also need to enjoy my life outside of teaching, which means leaving school a little earlier, joining a gym, taking Mr. Husband on a date, and setting time aside one night each week for ME time. That's it for me.  Leave me a comment so that I know you stopped by!  I'd love to check out your blog. Then go link up with Farley here.

12 in 12 Linky

I'm linking up with Miss Kindergarten and A Teeny Tiny Teacher for the 12 in '12 linky party!

I am not as interesting or entertaining as these two ladies, but I thought it would be fun to join! 

12. Favorite movie you watched: 

 The Hunger Games.  Hands down.  End of story.

11. Favorite TV series: 

The New Girl….who's that girl?  It's Jess.  

This is actually my only TV show.  I love the fact that she is a teacher who I can totally relate to.  I wear glasses, a cardigan and sing songs to myself ALL DAY Long!  Instead of viewing myself as a nerd, I'd like to think I'm as cute and funny as Zoe Deschanel.

10. Favorite restaurant: 

I don't have a favorite restaurant at the moment, but authentic Mexican food is climbing the ladder. (Shhhhh. Don't tell Mr. Husband.  He thinks I can't stand it.) 

9. Favorite new thing you tried: 

Conscious Discipline.
It has saved my teaching career and sanity!  Everyday is a better day because of it.  I am constantly being a "Star" in the classroom. (Smile. Take a deep breath. And Relax)

Check it out here and here. 

8. Favorite gift you got: I would love to say my new-to-me car…however it was less of a gift and more of a lot of money paid by yours truly.
I guess my backup answer would be:
2 IPod Touches from donors choose.org.  Post a project.  You will be surprised at how easy it can be!

7. Favorite thing you pinned: Finding Rachel F's teaching website and Whole Brain Videos.  What an amazing teacher! 

 Check her out here.

6. Favorite blog post: 

Definitely this one.  It captures the essence of my passion for teaching.  I am terrified of making mistakes, yet so excited when things get started.  I absolutely LOVE Writer's Workshop and this post tells why.  

"It is better to have tried and failed, than to not have tried at all." 

5. Best accomplishment: 

I would have to say taking on this school year as a whole.  If you would have told me a year ago all the things that would have happened over these past 4 months, I would have said 

1. You are crazy. 

2. You can't be serious. 

3. What are you smoking?

4. Is this April Fool's Day?

Starting at a BRAND NEW school with 12 students and ending this semester with 22 is a big change that I was not expecting. 

4. Favorite picture: 

This girl is my inspiration for all things teaching and blogging.  I don't know what I would have done without her these past 2 years as a teacher. This picture was taken at Barnes and Nobles where we spend the afternoon at a Writer's Workshop Institute looking through Children's Literature.  It was also her last day at our Region Service Center.
 She has challenged my thinking as a teacher of writing and as a writer myself.  Because of Leach Teach I am beyond excited to be a teacher!

3. Favorite memory: 

My favorite memory would probably be going to London.  Not school related at all but I think it deserves a shout out.  I went with my oldest sister and we surprisingly made it back alive.  We both are a bit directionally challenged.  Who's ideas was it again to go to Paris on a whim where they speak French WITHOUT our smart phones?  That day ended with us trying to ride the Metro, getting lost underground, and taking photos of the names of our subway route in order to find our way back.  Oh, and almost getting robbed.  CrAzY!
But London was, to say the least, lovely.
My 1st time out of the country and my 2nd time flying by myself.  So.Much.Fun.

2. Goal for 2013: Become more efficient as a teacher.  A mentor teacher and friend who used to be across the hall from me last year is the most efficient teacher I know.  I want to become more like her so that I can spend time with my family-outside of the classroom-doing the things that make me a more interesting teacher.

1. One Little Word: relax.  

My personality is Type A, up-tight, panties-in-a-wod.  I am learning how to relax and take things one step at a time.  Turning off my brain after school is a necessity for next year.

Don't forget to link up and read all of the other blogs!  

Happy Blogging! 

Spreading the Word

The ladies over at Primary Possibilities are trying to reach 500 followers!  They have great ideas and amazing FREEBIES!

Follow Here

If they reach 500 followers, they will give away their On the Back Pack for free!  They are SO close!

Also, Alisha over at The Bubbly Blonde Teacher has a friend that is in need.  If you donate $20 to her cause, you will receive some great quality teacher files in return.  You can find our more information here.

This year is going great.  I am actually afraid to blog about how wonderful my students are- don't want to jinx it! 

Happy Sunday!

Newbie Blog Hop

My first official Blog Hop!! (I sure hope I'm doing this right!)


Janice started this Blog Hop for newbie bloggers like me to link up!  What a great idea-better late than never!  It can be very overwhelming starting out blogging without any experience!  This is a friendly place to start hopping!


This is what you need to do:

   1.  what state you are in

    2.  your current teaching position

    3.  your teaching experience

    4.  when you started blogging

    5.  share a blogging tip / blogging resource

The Frizz:
1. I live in the lone-star state (Texas).
2. I will be teaching 1st grade this fall!  Yippee!
3. This will be my third year of teaching.    
4. I started blogging unofficially about a year ago to keep up with the funny things my firsties were saying, but created this teacher blog this summer!
5. I have three: 
 -youtube is your friend :)  
 -when in doubt google it!

 -This is a great place to start if you need a cute blog design for free!