January 2016 CURRENTLY

2016!

Thanks to Farley and her monthly party.

Today is such a great day. For reflecting. For dreaming. But before I get to all that--how about some explanations...

Listening--My house is quiet. Everyone has an electronic devise and are plugged in (not proud of it, but it is what it is).

Loving--On the Saturday of the start of this break, I created a list. (Thanks to Alison at A Teacher's Best Friend for a wonderful post on thinking and being intentional.) Mostly the list gave me permission to rest, and fill my soul with good things that get depleted during the throes of the school week/year. So, as I come to the end of my Break, I am loving how I feel: rested, refreshed, and grateful.

Thinking--Nothing more needs to be said. I planned on doing it sooner, but some other stuff took priority (rest, refresh, gratitude).

Needing--Sometimes I just need my BTPSM (best teaching partner soul mate). Hoping that can happen soon. Check out this article... Teacher BFF or BTPSM in my case for a smile.

One Little Word-- I think this year will take some courage. Good things are happening, and hard things are happening. So, I will fill up my courage cup and do the best I can in every situation.

Do you have a word for the new year? I think this is the first time I've had a word. My wish is that my word can guide me and keep me grounded. 

Here's to a great 2016!!!

Hop on over to Farley's place and read some more Currentlys.

Ag Camp, Day 2 and June Currently

Well, Ag Camp was awesome and we did stuff, but I have nothing to show for it today.

That never happens during the school year, right?

So, that makes it easy for me to link up with Farley and attend her fabulous linky party.

One of the best things about summer is sitting on the couch and dreaming about how to renovate my house. HGTV helps a lot. I asked my husband the other day for $40,000 to rehab the kitchen. He laughed at me. So, I will keep dreaming.

Been on summer for 9 days and I'm settling in great. 

I've had plenty of time to peruse Pinterest and plan my classroom makeover...

Hopefully my Donor's Choose Project for Hokki Stools will be funded soon. Know anyone who wants to donate? Send them my way, please!!

It is summer vacation, but the weather has been cool and rainy. I want warm and sunny. 

Love summer for the trips and time to dream.

Want to meet some new friends? Head over to Farley's blog and say hello. :)

What are you loving this summer?

Party Time!

Not a Super Bowl Party.

A Currently Party!

February 2015--What I am currently thinking and doing...

Listening: I am so far behind in Parenthood. I'm in season 2, and my friends keep posting on FB about how sad they are... Maybe I can get caught up during Spring Break. 

Loving: Perhaps I can get some photos of all of our space, then I will show you... 

Thinking: What room/closet will be next for a purge episode?

Wanting: Mrs. Jones and I are planning a trip to Vegas in July. To meet teachers and experts at the "I Teach 1st" conference. We are giddy with excitement. Keeping our fingers crossed.

Needing: We have some leads for paying for the trip to Vegas, now to present our proposal and then make reservations!!!

Pageant title: I can be intense. Sometimes.

Thank you Farley @ Oh Boy 4th Grade for hosting this February party.

What are YOU loving today? Leave a comment and let me know!!

January CURRENTLY

Not quite 2015.

But close enough that the January Currently linky is up. 

I LOVE Friends, and this episode has me laughing out loud. The one where Rachel teaches Ben about practical jokes. 

I'm listening to/watching Friends from my comfy couch and warm blanket. Love this time of no time constrictions.

Just happened to catch part of Mr. Greg last night. Then I searched around some more, and 2 hours later I was wide awake, watching videos, reading reviews and planning my deskless classroom. Can't wait to get started on the makeover!

So, for my classroom, I want two circle tables (and a couch and pillows and bath mats). I'm looking for flexible seating, so that my little learners have choices.

How often do I write in my Currently that I need to be healthier, eat better, exercise more? Add one more time...

Along with the classroom makeover comes more decluttering. I watched two webinars by Erin Klein (find links on her website) today. A quote that I wrote down is "My classroom is not a storage unit, purge, donate..." So, decluttering starts ASAP. Wish I could be in my classroom RIGHT now--I am so excited to get started (hey--sister--want to come help???)

A lifestyle change--more vegetables, more exercise, less soda.

A seamless semester of engaged learners, standards taught and mastered, and teacher heaven. Check back in June to see if that all happened...

Welcome 2015--I have great ideas and fantastic people around me that make wonderful things happen. Bring it!!

December Currently 2014

The days last forever, but the months fly by.

Right?

Because, November's days were long, but now, here I am in December...

And another Currently from Farley @ Oh' Boy 4th Grade. This is one of my favorite linkys. I notice that there isn't much change between the months and my responses...

So, my shoutout:

Julie DiBenedetto from First Grade Critter Cafe. She is many levels of rigor and relevance. Her classroom is engaging, beautiful and inspires me to be a better teacher. I had the pleasure of meeting her several years ago, and we communicate by email often. She offers suggestions and advise and is so kind, generous and caring. If you do not know her, go check out her blog. 

Reagan Tunstall from Tunstall's Teaching Tidbits. She has so many ideas, her blog and classroom are kid-friendly and she offers wonderful products in her TpT shop. I have never met her, but refer to her as "Reagan" with Mrs. Jones... Collaboration conversations with Mrs. Jones often start with "Well, when I was reading Reagan's blog this weekend I saw (insert any idea or product) and loved it. How could we incorporate that in our day?" 

Wishing you and yours a Very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

Off to post some comments...

November Currently

Helloooooo November! I have been waiting all day to post my Currently, and here it is. :)

I am so pleased that Farley @ Oh' Boy 4th Grade continues this monthly tradition. My explanations follow...

Listening: ABC Family is making my night with a fun movie.

Loving: Yep, lesson plans on paper. They are boring and a whole bunch of talk, talk, talking. So, now to make them pop with hand-on first grade goodness. Pinterest, don't let me down...

Thinking: This is my fourth year in a general ed classroom, third year in first grade and I finally think I have a handle on most some of this stuff. So much to learn and make better, but this feels so much better than 2012. Yahoo!

Wanting: Time to finish my homework that was assigned last weekend. It is due on November 8, but why wait? Let's get it done!!

Needing: Time. Enough said, right? With my family, with my students, with my own professional development, with a hobby, to get healthy.

Reading: I learned of this book last weekend. So many great ideas in this book.

I love the currentlys, they are a fun way to reflect or anticipate. So, what are you doing Currently?

September Currently

Short and sweet today for my Currently.

No explanations today. I'm busy watching tv, being lazy, and browsing Pinterest and TpT.

Be sure to go to Farley's Place (Oh' Boy Fourth Grade) to see what my friends are currently doing, read a few, link up if you have a blog, and then--

Enjoy your Labor Day!!

August CURRENTLY

August has swept in on me.

It is time for a CURRENTLY from Farley and time to get ready to go back to school.

Good luck to all my friends who have gone back or are getting ready to head back to school.

Blogging Challenge and July CURRENTLY

My new friend from Chicago is hosting a month-long challenge. Thankfully no crunches, push-ups, planks, or squats are involved. 

Michelle from 

is encouraging new bloggers (not me, but I love parties) to blog every day in July and link up with her. Today's topic is: what brings you to your new blog?

Ok. Let's go back a couple of years. To April 8, 2012. That is when I started my blog. What brought me then?

I had been reading blogs for about a year or so. And they often had cool contests/giveaways. But I couldn't do anything with it, because I didn't have a blog. That is what prompted me to start one. I wanted to enter a contest. :) The very first contest I entered, I won. Yep, talk about excited!! Here is me telling the story about my Teacher Tipster morning routine DVD.

As I go back and read the early blog posts, I see growth (thank goodness), the change in voice (mine) and that I have a better understanding of what I want to write.

Now I write to share about my day, thoughts and feelings. So that I don't feel alone in this job of teaching first graders. To be a part of a large group that really "gets" it--what it means to be a teacher these days. 

I cannot believe how many friends I have made through blogging. Some nearby (2-3 hours), and others across the USA and in Australia. We share our hearts in our blogs and in our comments on the blogs. We correspond through email, we help each other, we encourage each other. We are friends. 

The contests and ideas brought me then, and the friendships have kept me here now.

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AND, since it is the first of the month--it is CURRENTLY time with Farley.

I will start with my currently and give explanations.

Listening: a guilty pleasure of summer of mine is to watch/listen to the Today show. I've been watching it on and off since I was in middle school.

Loving: I had a FB party on Sunday with Corinna and it was fun. We learned about Jamberry wraps, and placed our orders. Now the hard part--waiting until they arrive!

Thinking: I have a full day of nothing planned. What will I do????

Wanting: my Amazon cart is full, but I haven't pushed the checkout button. I thought I would wait until after payday, but it has come and gone, and still no extra money. The picture books are for my first week of school when Mrs. Jones and I are Cooking Up a Great Year Together.

So, I need a bigger budget, or a summer job...

Needing: I have big ideas of being the cool teacher that plays the guitar while the children around her sing, and we all have stars in our eyes, and the principal walks by and marvels at the wonderful singing. But this will only happen if I get my pick out and practice...

4th plans: my family will be having a gathering. But that is 800 miles away, so I won't be attending. Next option--lazy river. Hope the weather holds.

That's it folks. Since I have lots of blogs to read and leave comments on, I'd better get going. If you want to read more from Big Time Literacy or Oh Boy Fourth Grade head on over. If you do, the nice people would love to hear from you.

June Currently

Hello Folks! This is one of my favorite parties ever. At least the virtual kind. I love parties in real life also. :)

Thanks Farley @ Oh Boy Fourth Grade for hosting this fab party every month. 

Some explanations: 

Listening: relaxing after a fun 24 hours by listening to the few songs I have downloaded to my phone. Love what I have, but may be time to add several more songs.

Loving: my husband and I went to a concert last night, in a city about 60 miles away. I talked him into getting a hotel room and staying overnight. We also went early to have a nice dinner. It was awesome. Today we drove around in the sprinkles and had a lovely time talking and window shopping.

Thinking: I have a list of projects that I want to do this summer, better prioritize and get busy!

Wanting: I have not had a teacher desk for 2 years, but I need something small. Somewhere to place my Erin Condren teacher planner (not on my teaching table) and a few other essential books. 

Lovely, isn't it?

Needing: in order to finish some of the projects, I'm going to need some more cash. Wonder if I could get a summer job?

Summer Bucket List: 1. Read-already finished one novel, started on the second. Love it! 2. Relax-started yesterday, will continue as needed. 3. Plan-I love planning with Mrs. Jones (she really needs to get a blog, so that you can know her awesomeness also). (Here is my big summer list--in case you're wondering...)

Off to piano lessons and a baseball game. LOVE summer, LOVE my boys and their activities, LOVE my life. Go visit more Currentlys at 

May CURRENTLY

I didn't even think about it being time for another Currently party, but here it is.

This is a fun and entertaining partly, not to mention, this is how I've met some of my closest blog friends.

Thanks Farley for keeping this going!

It all seems self explanatory.

Here are my friends:

Julie at First Grade Critter Cafe has taught me a lot about first grade ELA, math, and general stuff. She is adorable and eager to share. I met her last summer and it was like meeting an old friend. 

Em at Curious Firsties shares so many good strategies for interventions and just "plain good teaching." I met her last summer also and love being in touch through our blogs.

Karen at An Apple a Day in First Grade and I have a lot in common, and I love reading about what is happening in South Carolina! We exchanged presents last August for a blogger exchange and the rest is history.

Sara at Sara at School is from Kansas (like me), and we have hit it off. I had no idea other teachers were blogging in my state (why is it a secret--are we afraid, and if so, of what?) and I love knowing someone close by is managing/thriving just like me.

Go check them out. You won't be disappointed. 

Happy May to you and all the wonderful weather that it brings!

Currently, It's March!

I love changing the calendar to the next month. So much hope. Endless possibilities. A fresh start. 

And in the blog world, a time to think about me, about what I'm thinking and doing Currently. 

It's Saturday morning and I have the tv all to myself. Hello Pioneer Woman. How will you inspire me today?

My student teacher did a fab job this past week. She taught everything, I hung out in the hallway/computer lab and began some planning for next week and beyond. It was lovely.

Some kids learn to read in spite of me. Some kids need me to show them how to read. I think about this all the time. Some kids need time. Some kids need intervention. How do I know which to give each kid? This is what I think about in the morning, in the afternoon, and as I'm falling asleep. 

Inner peace. I think I'm doing ok. I hope I'm doing better than that. I'm always second guessing myself. Having a teaching job is more than teaching. I wish I could find some peace and at the same time not give up.

BFF time grounds me. Especially in times of stress. I hope we can get together for a cup of Chai Tea soon.

Know what my question is? Give a guess...

Now I'm off link up with Farley, and leave some comments on my friend's currently posts. I will also be watching the weather--in like a lion? We might be in for it.

February Currently

Welcome to the new month. That means it is time to share my currently and read many more.

Thanks Farley @ Oh' Boy 4th Grade for keeping this going. I love the questions, they make me think, and it is fun.

I've been so jealous of my friends who have had snow days in January. Some of them are tired of it, but I want one. Just one snow day.

It's kind of like finding a $20 bill in your pocket. Thrilling. Joyful. Bliss. Just one. That is all I want to be happy.

Making lists are fun, but sometimes I get distracted and don't finish them. Today I want to knock off everything on my list. So far--3 out of 8 marked off.

Truths: In college I was stranded, alone, on the Interstate. I was also stranded in a boat at summer camp, luckily, the lifeguard was with us and she swam us back to the dock. Thankfully, I have never been stranded on a roller coaster (not sure I even like roller coasters).

All righty. Time to work on the rest of my list.

January 2014 Currently

Happy New Year Friends!! Welcome to 2014. I am super excited about this year. My plans: love my family, love my students, balance family/exercise/work. Not new, but definitely a work in progress.

Before I get busy with my plans for the day (which include sewing, watching parades/football, and eating black-eyed peas for dinner) I am linking up with the Famous Farley for her January CURRENTLY.

Some explanations:

Listening: I have this need to "watch" parades. Which basically means to have it on in the background while I "do" something else.

Loving: Great times of being together. Some families are glad to have school start again, because it is hard to entertain the kids, but my kids are getting big enough that I don't have to entertain them. So our time together is a mix of separate activities/games together/movies. Love our time, wishing for 3 more days.

Thinking: Kids are coming back on Monday and I ought to be prepared, or they will eat me alive!!

Wanting: I love the fabric I bought last week. I love the quilt pattern I chose. I love my husband's nephew that will be the recipient of the quilt when it is finished. I have time now, so getting it finished before going back to full-time, away-from-my-house work is a MUST.

Needing: Not getting any younger. In fact, I am getting older, and taking care of me is becoming more of a priority. So, time for me to get on the daily, healthy walk bandwagon.

Memory: My little family did not have extended family to be with on Christmas Day, so I had a GREAT idea. We traveled to the city and arrived at the luxurious movie theater at 11:30 am. bought tickets (for Saving Mr. Banks, The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug, and Mandela) and HUGE tubs of popcorn and pop. We watched the first two movies, then ate supper in the diner at the restaurant in the theater, and then watched the last movie. We left the theater at 10:30 pm. What an amazing, long day. But a wonderful memory.

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Hop on over to 

and read more CURRENTLY's, or link up with your own, and make new friends. 

November Currently

Yippee! It's time for one of my favorite linky parties. Currently, hosted by Farley.

Watching (rather listening, because I don't just sit and watch something) Forrest Gump with my boys. They haven't seen it before.

Loved that today was somewhat lazy. Time for a haircut, a nap, a choir program and some lesson planning.

Last night and today I watched Forks Over Knives. It definitely got me thinking. I want to make some changes, but they have to be small, I have some males in my life that LOVE meat.

I have pinned several focus boards. But I didn't create one at the beginning of school, because of my impending move to another classroom. Now that the move is not happening, I want to put one up. Here are two inspirations for me: First Grade Critter Cafe and Life in First Grade.

The crud is circulating my classroom. I've had something for about 9 days. Now I have this cough. Not really anything, but annoying.

Yummy:

I love sandwiches. Paninis. Find the recipe here.

That'll do it for this month's currently. Happy November everyone!