Attention, attention please!

Well, in a creative spurt that only took an hour few minutes, I created a new button for my blog.  The old one, well, to be frank Scarlett, sucked.  I made it and thought it was awesome, but after awhile, it just looked blah.  Annnnddd, it didn't really show what my blog was about.


The new and *improved!* button shows that I'm trying.very.hard.to.be.optimistic in a non-optimistic career (at times...let's say, 85% of the time).  My school is in year 2 of year 2 of school improvement (yup, I meant to say year 2 twice...we made AYP don't.get.me.started.on.politics.or.AYP in math last year and are currently in a "holding" year for math) and each year, I feel like the list gets longer while nothing else gives.  It's really hard to focus on the kiddos when you have to piles of irrelevant paperwork.  Who cares if I have to contact a certain number of parents each week (which I do ANYWAYS) and keep up with that?  Does it make me a better teacher if I don't maintain a record?  Seriously?  sigh and defeat But I suppose you do whatcha gotta do.


My button also tells everyone that I teach the awesomest grade EVER.... And I do mean EVER!  2nd grade people....that's where it's at! And having taught 3rd and 5th grade also, I can proudly say that (bahaha).  


Side note:  I saw one of my former students that I had the PRIVILEGE to teach in 2nd AND 5th grade (how lucky!!!).  Now keep in mind I've only taught 7 full years, going into year 8.  I'm 5'7 and I was looking at this beautiful teenager at EYE LEVEL.  WTW?  Hard to believe they grow so quickly (and so freakin' tall!!!)


Then later I saw one of my current second graders and was happy to see that he was still way below eye level, restoring my faith completely.   No heels for this girl....not until PTC.  That's when I bring those puppies out.  All business! Bahah!


Yes this is a very random post, but I think after teaching, all teachers either develop ADD or get it from a contact high.  Seriously.  Having your own children doesn't help either.


And with that, please check out my new button.  Probably won't post again for awhile but I want to wish all a very Merry Christmas.  Enjoy what Santa brings (either watching precious faces or unwrapping your own) and enjoy your family.  




And since Stacy was so kind to me and giving me a shoutout- y'all, we are within like two hours of each other and teach the same grade...too cool!- check out my fellow blogger!

Stacy at 2nd Grade Paradise

She's got a lot of awesome ideas over at her blog, especially on her seating arrangements...go check it out!

2nd Grade Teachers Band Together! and a few giveaways!!

Enjoying my first day of Christmas break!  Even if it is 60 degrees and RAINY outside.  Weather channel even mentioned (cue Local on the 8s voice....) THUNDER possible.  WTW?  It is Virginia...December 21?  Wow!

Anywho... I've spent the morning blog stalking (between diaper changes, breakfast, coffee, Sesame Street, etc.) and found some awesome 2nd grade blogs.  I wanted to let you all know about a giveaway!!

Buggy for Second Grade is giving away a Winter Math Unit (OMG...everything I'm teaching and reviewing in the next few months in math!)  Go on over and check out her cute blog!  Good luck on the giveaway because she's giving it away to THREE people!!  Chances are good!

Hope at 2nd Grade Shenanigans is having a giveaway also...everything in her TPT store!  Wowzers!!!  Head on over to check it out and enter!

And Tara at 4th Grade Frolics is having a giveaway as well!  She's got some reallllly cool packets (I totally want the Snowman Boggle to go on my new Boggle board I'm making over the break!!!)  Head on over to check it out and enter!!

Working on a penguin unit for January... getting some ideas together so be on the lookout!  Pinterest, here I come!!!


I tell you, this is the 4th time I've gone back and added something to this post!  What a luxury it is to have time to read and find all these cute things on everyone's blog!  Just found this as I read through Ladybug's Teacher Files I saw this cute holiday card!  So, I'm following along and passing this to some of my favorite blogs!  Merry Christmas!!

This card goes to the following:

Staci at Going Nutty! (Sorry there isn't a squirrel on it! lol)

Sunny at The Caffeinated Teacher because she's outta Diet Coke and I think she needs some cheering up.

Denise at Sunny Days in Second Grade because her TPT store has saved the day on more than one occasion in my classroom.

AND....

Tara at 4th Grade Frolics I just found her blog and it is awesome!

The Rules:

So, here's what you can do if you'd like to pass it on:

1. Grab the button and place it in your post.

2. Blog an entry sharing which blogs you are passing the card along to (no set number...totally up to you!).

3. Contact the bloggers you passed the card to, so they know you are sharing it with them.

4. Ok, I guess there's not really a number 4--just have fun and good luck with your holiday preparations!!! Feel free to post the button in your sidebar and in your blog posts.

http://ladybugsteacherfiles.blogspot.com/2011/12/pass-bloggy-christmas-card.html

I will try not to add anything else to this post....haha!

Did you think I'd forgotten about you?

Well, the craziness is almost over.  I had to take a mental health day Friday to go visit two separate doctor offices (one for me, ya know, the fun one you go to once a year...) and my daughter's two year check up.  It's sad that those visits were more fun than crowd control at school.  Sheesh.  Whodathunkit right?


I still have two more days to go next week.  Tuesday is going to be our fun day/I give up trying to teach you something/Christmas party.  We are having an ornament exchange.  All the kids (hopefully) bring in a wrapped ornament and they get to pick one to take home.  Sometimes I play Dirty Santa with it, but my kiddos this year don't really have a sense of humor (aka...very immature 7, 8, and 9 year olds) so I don't think they would appreciate the fun.  When I taught 5th grade I did that and the kiddos had a blast.  I had one try to hide her gift in her desk just so it wouldn't get taken by someone else!  Monday I haven't exactly figured out what I'm going to do other than maintain some sense of routine.  I've got some Christmas activities and math graphing that I've prepared for, but hopefully it'll get done.  Anyone have any fun ideas?  


Here is the Reindeer Job Application writing activity that the kiddos did last week.  I have gotten SO many compliments on them.  The kids just BEAM when someone peeks in the door to say how cute they are.  I'm proud of them because this is the first writing project they've had to follow the steps to the writing process.  AND they get a little keepsake for all the hard work.  I really hate to take them down, but pinterest is just floating with cute ideas that I'm sure to use.

We also did the Christmas penguins I found at Amy Lemon's page and the kids really liked making those.  You can see some of the crazy ways they decorated them.  


You can see my classroom has been BLOGIFIED!  (and I absolutely love it!)  I feel  so much better about teaching since I've found all my new friends and ideas out on blogland.  Instead of either scrapping art all together, I've found new ways to incorporate it into my curriculum.  I really think the kids are learning more because it's sticking with them.  So please keep sharing!  And when I get two brain cells clicking in the right direction, I'll try to come up with goodies for you.  


2 more days....