Friday, July 22, 2011

Pinterest

New obsession. Some of you may have heard some of your friends talk about it, heard it mentioned on tv, or have read about it on other discussion boards (i.e. ProTeacher Community...those women are obsessive!). A couple months back, my friend Catelyn sent me an invite to Pinterest. At the time, I was busy with wrapping up school and moving to NC for the summer so I didn't have a chance to dive into it at the time. However, the other day I saw all these teachers on ProTeacher Community writing about it and wanting "an invite." So I figured now is the time to really see what this website is about--there's no way it can be better than Google Image Search.

Oh my macrole, it is. I am addicted. Well, I wouldn't say addicted but this is WAY better than Google Image Search. On Pinterest you can set up different board interest (like collages) and search through other people's boards to pin their image to your inspiration board. For example, one of my boards is Home Collections (or something of that nature) and I have started collecting images of things I would like for our home. I find this way intriguing and a better use of my time. I have stumbled across some neat ideas and designs for not only the home but for the classroom. There are other areas I want to explore on Pinterest, such as the food section and fashion but that will come later. I just love that it organizes my images on boards instead of me having to create a file folder on my computer and filing them that way. Maybe I'm just lazy. But I am definitely hooked on Pinterest. Dern you, ProTeacher Community members and Catelyn.

Wednesday, July 20, 2011

You Are What You Read

So this morning I was watching "Nemo." I love the quote Dori says towards the end when she is begging Nemo's dad to not leave her because she remembers things better when he is with her. That made me think about some my favorite quotes from children books I have read in the past. Often times I will be reading aloud to my class and find a good quote in a book. So, here are a list of my favorite quotes in children books. What are some of yours?

Every action, reader, no matter how small, has a consequence. -A Tale of Despereaux, Kate DiCamillo

I assure you that you can pick up more information when you are listening than when you are talking. -Trumpet of the Swan, E.B. White

Honey is sweet, and so is knowledge, but knowledge is like the bee that made that sweet honey, you have to chase it through the pages of a book. -Thank You, Mr. Falker; Patricia Polacco

Think left and think right and think low and think high. Oh the things you can think up if you only try! -Dr. Seuss

Tbere are no small parts-only small actors. -The Best/Worst Christmas Pageant Ever; Barbara Robinson

It is not often that someone comes along who is a true friend and a good writer. -Charlotte's Web, E.B. White

I am sure there are so many more quotes that I treasure but these are the ones that I thought of off the top of my head. What are yours? I would love to know!

Tuesday, July 19, 2011

School Countdown

It's that time where my teacher friends and myself have started the (DA DA DUMMMM) "How many more days do I have to sleep in and stay in my pajamas" countdown.

Lately, the title of my countdown has been "Crapola-I-have-too-much-to-do-for-school-before-I-go-back-to-school" countdown.

I hung out with my sweet friend Lindsey last night and we started making my "list." At first my list consisted of basic school stuff I want to accomplish for my classroom. Then, the more we researched stuff online I was adding new ideas and concepts and drawing pictures all over my list.

Lindsey then made me review my list, throw it away, and start over. I had too much going on on my paper that I knew I would never get to. She is forcing me, thank goodness, to be realistic about what I want to really accomplish or need in my classroom. I found some new reading strategies I want to implement; a new math game for my center I need to prepare; some seats I want to construct; rearrange my classroom and my enormous retro plaid couch...Will I get these things done? Probably. Will it be before the first day of school? Um, probably not.

As teachers, we learn to simplify and come to terms with what we really can accomplishn for the school year, especially elementary school teachers. As for myself, the last few days I have been reflecting on last year (what worked and didn't work) and if I am going to do it again. I find great ideas and classroom management strategies that I want to create, use, and decorate immediately. But it's not always that easy or simple minded. I do overwhelemed and sometimes have to close my pretty notebook, shut down the computer, and just forget about school, which is pretty darn hard when I am this close to starting back to work.

But like an excited school kid that is getting the new bookbag, tennis shoes, and freshly waxed crayons, I do get excited when I see a penny ad in the newspaper and can smell freshly laminated paper. Even as I look down at my list and make mental notes of what I should do first to get ready for school, I am brought back to the current date and realize that I still have a little bit of summer vacay to enjoy.