Brain Bubbles

 I have started Brain Bubbles this week in my class.  I got this idea off of pinterest and I hope it will be a huge success in my class.

How it works:
1. you create brain bubble questions. Mine are language and math related.
2. when students finish early they can choose a brain bubble.
3. they have to record the number and question in their brain bubble work book.
4. after they have answered the question I will give them a sticker for that question number.

I got a new job!

I have been super busy preparing for the first day of school!! Until recently I was prepared to spend another year as a substitute teacher.  But that all changed when I got the call to teach in a grade 3-4 class.

It has been a lot of work and I am already exhausted, but I am super excited to start this new chapter in my life.  I also have some great ideas that I cant wait to share!!

I am keeping this short and sweet because I need lots of sleep before my big day.  Have a great day at school!

Currently!

Howdy Yall!!

I just got back from Montana where I spent some time camping, golfing, and tanning! It was a wonderful vacation and I miss it there already. 

Any who I found this currently very entertaining.  My B2S must have was a personal laminator.  I love to laminate... so having one always available would make me smile.  I also have a ton of personal projects that would benefit from this purchase as well :)

My DoGgIe ate my currently!

So I may have been a little tardy lately and I didn't hand in my Currently at all on time... my excuse..
1. the dog ate it??
2. my extra curricular activities got in the way??
3. I was having too much fun!!

I will go with excuse number 3 please.

Any who.. here it is!

I love Farleys blog and I have missed participating in the currently... I must stay focused!! hehe

Manic Mondays!!

Summer has already flown by way too fast for my liking!! I have felt extremely busy..
the
whole
time!! Yikes

However I have had a lot of fun... so I really shouldn't complain.

One of my goals for the summer was to go hiking.  I was able to climb Chinamans Peak (this is a beautiful mountain close to Canmore, AB).

 This is at the very top of the mountain.... I have to admit that I had shaky knees at this point...I am not a fan of heights.  But the view was definitely worth it.  Also, when we started the hike it was 28 C and when we made it to the top it was around 0 C.... note the snow in the background.  It was very crazy experiencing such a drastic climate change in that short of a time period. 

 Here is another view from the top. At the very bottom you can see the beautiful Canmore. 

I was also surprised by the mountain goats.  They were all over the road licking the salt... Very CUTE!

This summer I developed Celiacs Disease, so I have been spending a lot of time trying to make yummy gluten free recipes.  One of my favorites cooking books is Make it Paleo. So far every recipe has been delicious.... and I am no longer missing certain foods.

Ok... that is a lie... I will always miss perogies... sniffle.

Here are some yummy creations:

 Pork with mango chutney and veggies.

 Breakfast Burrito! The wrap is an egg and it is filled with ground beef, homemade salsa, guacamole, and red peppers. 

Lastly... I have spent some time this summer at the Calgary Stampede.  This year was the 100th anniversary so I felt the need to go a couple times.  My favorite things were:
- watching the chuck wagon races
- Paul Brandt at the Grandstand Show
- and having VIP passes to the barns

 Here is a picture at the chuck wagon races during the singing of "Oh Canada".  I just love all of the cowboy hats in the air.

Being behind the scenes at the barns was amazing!! I have really high standards for how horses should taken care of in these facilities and I was blown away by the superb care these animals received.  I also fell in love with this horse Cash.  He loved to smell my breath and then turn his nose up at me.  What a cutie!!

I wish I could say that I have some lazy days coming up.... but that is not happening.. too much fun in the works.  I have to leave now and get ready for the driving range :)

Happy Blogging.

What I'm Pinning!!

I have been finding a lot of inspiration on pinterest lately... I have also wasted a lot of time on pinterest as well (but who's keeping track??).

Here are some of the things that I have loved:

Making a classroom wordle for your door or bulletin board.  If you haven't used wordle before I suggest you check it out... very cute and easy to use. 

I thought this was an awesome example of PBS (positive behaviour system). When a student finds themselves in trouble they can pick a random act of kindness job.  May not work for every situation, but I thought it was a really cute idea that would promote a positive classroom community. 

Story Sticks!!  Do you ever have a student that spends the whole class "thinking" of an idea and never puts a thought down on paper.  Well I do!! And instead of finding myself frustrated I will use this idea instead.
Yellow = character, Red = conflict, Green = setting, Blue = "Special". The student chooses one of each and then they make up a story based on what they got.

This idea made me giggle... but I think in an elementary setting this could be very effective.  Each day you choose from the jar a mystery person and that person will not know until the end of the day.  If they behaved in line, listened and followed directions, they would receive a surprise and their name on the wall of fame.  If that person did not behave the mystery person would not be told and their name would go back into the jar.  I thought it was another great positive way to approach classroom management. 

Now some of my non teaching pins..

Grapefruit and Mint Mojito......

Happy Monday!!

Newspaper Board

I have been thinking a lot about certain things that I have to have in my classroom.  Specifically the bulletin board.  I love to showcase students work in a fun and dynamic way!  So here is an idea that I have seen and used and I am going to try and implement it on my own.

It is called the Newspaper Board and it is a way to encourage students to write outside of classroom time.  Each week they are responsible for one newspaper article.  When they bring in there writing it gets posted on the board.  Throughout the week these articles are presented to the class and the students get a chance to "take the stage".

Every month I will change the theme of the newspaper board, for example:
- short stories
- interviews
- picture walks
- poetry
- fun facts/research items

This will keep the students interested, and challenge them in a different way regularly.  Then at the end of the month I can collect their writing and add it to their portfolio.  I can then use the portfolio as a talking piece to showcase their writing development throughout the year. 

I am still investigating some fun science/math bulletin board ideas.... I will keep you posted!!!

ps... the funky frame is provided by The 3AM Teacher... I heart her graphics!

My SuMmEr so far!

 I just returned from a beautiful vacation in Palm Springs.  I had to escape for some much needed vitamin D, pool time, and palm trees.  This time I spent my vacation with my mom and we had a blast. 

I managed to finish 4 books....
The Mockingjay... I found this book slow at first but then turned into a great read.  I am not sure if I agree with the ending.  It felt a little rushed in the last few chapters... but maybe that is because I was sad that I didn't have another Hunger Games book to read.

I then started the Lucky One.  This was a great romance novel by Nicholas Sparks.  It was a great transition from Mockingjay and now I am super excited to see the movie.

The Blessings of Animals was a book that I bought in Palm Springs. I sadly read the only books I brought and wouldn't last the rest of the vacation without a good read.  This book was fantastic.  It is about an animal lover that is going through a messy divorce.  The author did a great job illustrating the animals personality throughout the book.

The Rescue was my last book... I am still working on this one, but I am already hooked!

 While I was on vacation I had to keep tabs on the temperature back home.... as you can see Cochrane was very cold and rainy the whole time (I am soo happy I missed it!)

I have become addicted to taking pictures with my phone and using photo editors to adjust the quality.... here are some of the plant photos I took.

Besides applying for jobs, going to interviews, and working I have been making time to work out and enjoy the little summer I have left..

Today I went for a hike in the beautiful rocky mountains... I am already sore... so I am a little worried about how I will feel in the morning.  I think a long bubble bath is in order for tonight.

Closet Organization Complete!

One thing that was driving me CrAzY in my closet was my jewelry.  I couldn't find a system that worked well for me.  As you can see by exhibit A, I had some issues... I think the tree was about to fall over from the number of necklaces I had hanging from it (Can you even tell that it is a tree??).

Exhibit A

So I had a brilliant idea!

Why not use a fish tackle box to organize everything (another classy redneck idea)! These are very reasonable and I managed to find a package of 3 on sale at Canadian Tire. YIPEE

These containers have removable parts so that you can make different size compartments for different jewellery.  This is amazing for necklaces, rings, and earrings (See exhibit B!)

Exhibit B

What I love most about my new organization system is that:

1. My necklaces are all separated and wont get tangled and ruined... (I had to throw a few away due to the tree mess...)

2.  The containers are clear... I can easily see the jewellery I have and can make a quick selection.

3. I can organize each container by colour, necklace length and style! That is important for someone with CDO! hehe.

In other news... I have begun the interview process!  So far it has been exciting... nerve racking... but great.  I have my fingers and toes crossed that I get a full time position soon so that I can start planning.  

Good Reads!

Mrs. Stanfords Class is having her first linky party all about Good Reads!!! I love it, and I have a few books that I am working on that I think qualify as "Good Reads".

First: "Mockingjay"

I am still reading this book, and I am enjoying it.  I definitely like the first two books better, but this is still a great read from the Hunger Games series.  I also went to the movies and watched the Hunger Games!! It was amazing.  I am very happy that I waited for the crowds to die down before I went.  I absolutely hate lines!

Secondly: The Daily 5 and Cafe

I keep these books on me when I go to work.  I am still reading through them and I cant wait to implement this into my classroom next year.

Lastly: The Lucky One

I haven't read this book yet.... so I am not sure if it is a "Good Read" but I am taking it to Palm Springs so I hope it doesn't disappoint.  Have you read it? What did you think?

My Summer Bucket List!

I thought that Teri at A Cupcake for the Teacher came up with a great Linky Party that I had to join!! My bucket list is slowly growing....

1.  Spend a lot of time being a red neck lady... now I am not saying that I am going to hold a gun and wear plaid (you may have had that visual just now)... no... I am going to do classy red neck things...
such as:
- fish
- camp.... I love food camping.. it always tastes better for some reason
- lastly hiking!! I absolutely love hiking in the mountains!

2. Spend some quality time by a pool... I have been fortunate enough to book another vacation to Palm Springs.  This time I am going with one of my best friends.. my MOM! I am soo excited.

3.  Finish my English class.... I have been avoiding it lately.... I am sick of writing papers! I need to find some new motivation ASAP.

4. Lastly... and most importantly... I want to have a call for some of the jobs I applied for so I can do a major happy dance.  I would love a full time job for next year.  Right now I am busy working a second job as a waitress.... it is amazing motivation to find a job :)

So head on over and link up! I would love to hear about your summer wish list :)

MAY Currently!!

Wow.. May... where did you come from...??? I am actually kinda surprised because May snuck up on my like a kinder with wet paint on their hands.... YIKES

However, I have a list of positives when it comes to May..

1. It is beautiful out... well for the most part (I think I have witnessed snow every month of the year... it was a "you know you are Canadian when..." as the snow arrived on Saturday)
2. It is almost the end of one school year... which for me means INTERVIEWS!! yay :)
3. I absolutely love the summer.... it means fishing, swimming, hiking, and consuming small amounts of alcoholic beverages on the deck
4. Farley always posts a currently each month.. and I am an addict. So here is my MAY currently!