Let's Talk About Books!

I'm sure all teachers do, but I cannot express how much I love, Love, LOVE  children's books...like my garage is FULL of them...so is my car...so are my closets... and so is my classroom...I can't ever pass up a copy of one of my favs from the Goodwill or even a new one for that matter. Barnes and Noble/Books a Million are constant companions of mine...a new book ALWAYS makes me happy! Anytime I'm shopping and can't find something to fit or look good or work...a new book never lets me down!
I've loved reading all the book reviews from Deanna Jump's Let's Talk About Books linky and while mine is not a PD book this week...
I've got some favorites that I've used and stumbled upon here lately that I want to share!
Since I'm teaching summer camp at my school....I've read several within the last week...I'm trying to stick with oceany summery vacationy books to make them all feel like they're on summer break!

The Pout Pout fish is for sure one of my absolute favorites! It's about a pouty fish who turns into a kissy fish because of some love and happiness! I love reading that one aloud, go buy it NOW if you don't own it!  The Rainbow fish is a great one too and with an amazing message about sharing! Pig Kahuna was a bookfair book from a couple of years ago...I couldn't pass it up because...hello...pigs out on the ocean?!.. but the illustrations are absolutely adorable in it! The kids especially love the baby pig that puts his ocean treasures in his diaper :)

Barbara Park was an amazing author and definitely had a knack for getting kiddos interested in reading! I've been reading this gem to the 1st-5th graders in the summer camp program and they love her as much as I do! Just recently though, I've really noticed that a lot of her books are funny because of Junie's bad attitude...just wondering if any of you have ever had complaints about this? Don't get me wrong...I LOVE her books!

I also found a great new book in Barnes and Noble last Tuesday that goes perfectly with a circus themed classroom, but really for anyone! I can't wait to add it to my library! It's about this puppy, Jane, who is just plain and ordinary while the rest of her friends and family are extraordinary and have super amazing talents...it sends the message that everyone is extraordinary in an ordinary way and that it's okay to be Just Jane :) I LOVE it! Even though I'm a fifth grade teacher, I will definitely read this one at the beginning of the year! Kids have so much pressure on them to be the best soccer player, piano player, student...etc...and I think sometimes they need to be Just Them...their own fearfully and wonderfully made personality that God gave them! This past year really showed me just how much pressure 5th-6th graders have on them from other students to fit in...I think this book will be a perfect start to our year!

Now finally a book for the 3rd-5th grader...Mary Poppins! Did you even know this was a book?! I, for one, did not! I love Disney's Mary Poppins! It's definitely a favorite to watch, but until watching Saving Mr. Banks...I didn't realize it was a book!!! I bought it last Tuesday and have been reading a couple of chapters each night. The story behind the author's inspiration for the character of Mary Poppins was surprisingly depressing. I plan to incorporate it somehow next year and talk about the author inspiration and purpose.

I hope you invest in some of my favs if you haven't already!

Happy Book Loving!

Rescued my Renovation

From my title you can tell that I've spent a lot of time here lately watching the HGTV channel...oh, the plans that I have for my dream future!!!
My favorite definitely has to be Love It or List It or the house flip shows...can you imagine making $120 thousand in two months...ah, it'd be nice eh?!

This isn't really school related but Sunday School related :) And I can cross something off my summer to do list! 

One space in our life that definitely gets neglected is our Sunday School room at church...better yet, really, our entire church. Our church is in Brookhaven, Atlanta. We, and most of the members, live outside of Atlanta and travel about 40ish minutes to get there on Sundays and Wednesdays. Yes, traffic is always a beast and I NEVER thought I'd drive to Atlanta for church (I'm almost positive that those words came out of my mouth once!)...BUT the Lord has a sense of humor and His plan is perfect!

Shame on us, but we've never put a lot of time or energy into our classroom. We started revamping it last fall but then we just kinda stopped. I sit there every Sunday morning and dream of what the room should look like and what I could do to it...but just dream... up until last week...we both decided to put some time and effort and moneyyy into our class. We had FINALLY decided to go with a red/gray/black scheme. It took us a while to decide or errr...agree! Everything I suggested was too girly and since my man is the youth pastor and a Georgia fan...I let him have the last say SO LONG as he trusted me with the rest!!! I wanted the room to be a "cool" place for the teens, but I also wanted it to reflect us some...mostly him.
With Vinyl, Chalkboard, and Chevron everywhere nowadays we put a spin on all of that combined.
I'll recap what we have so far in 4 pics... I say so far because I'm sure I'll be buying and adding things to it now that I know what we're going for.

We painted this counter a flat gray about a year ago and learned that the cheap paint doesn't last and looks cheap so we repainted it with a glossy and are waiting to add hardware until we find it on sale. The frames above the counter are poster frames from Hobby Lobby with gray paper inside of them and chalkboard vinyl on top. My hubs free-handed the chalk words with a chalk board pen..actually, I did one of these...can you figure out which one?!?
Originally I bought 4 frames from Michaels but when I began adhering the vinyl, I noticed 3 of the 4 frames were cracked in some way..gir! The worst part is Michael's *almost* didn't take them back...it took some persuading and talking with the manager...word to the wise...check yo frames! I was in a hurry and knew what I wanted and where to find them...so I quick grabbed 4 and paid! Thankfully, they reimbursed me and I went to Hob Lob to get new frames! 

This counter top needs some serious scrubbing from some sloppy white wall painting we let the teens do years ago! I wish I had before pics because this room use to have a lime green, orange, and blue wall! 

 This one has to be my MOST favorite! I mean look at that writing...that would be my hubs! Be jelly :) because I am! I was really excited by how much we used his calligraphy and writing to revamp the room. This chalkboard sits in the most awkward spot and use to be green! We added 3 modern red shelves to the left that we got from Lowe's.

Absolutely Beautiful!

 The next pic shows the chevron wall we did last fall! It took some serious planning and execution on the hubs part! My word at all the taping that had to be done! We only have one set of curtains because I wasn't sure I'd like them...I did so I've since added 2 more curtains. All the little frames sittin around are from Michaels $2 deals...and we need to add some pics to them! The couch for this class is in poor condition but it "works"  and has a great story behind it from our first year working with the youth so we plan to keep it, but I'm keeping my eyes open for some cute red or gray accent pillows! The teen girls love it too!







The floor needs some help. We bought the gray rug from Lowe's for $20 bucks, but we really need another one and some carpet pads because it's slick.


This last pic shows that I did hang some girly paper lanterns and fans from the ceiling! It also shows that there's a bulletin board behind the couch...I plan to incorporate our kids some how with chalkboard art. Above it are the words "Let No Man Despise Thy Youth..."

I have to say that this definitely makes me happy to be in this room! We have rescued our reno :) and trust me, there are plenty other rooms in this church that are on my list!

"And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by Him." Colossians 3:17

"Inn Summmeeerrrrrrrr!"

 I hope you read that title with the best of Olaf in mind!

 I have kinda been relishing in this thing called summer lately and haven't put in the effort to update you alls on what's going on wif me.

My last day with kiddos was Wednesday, the 28th,  2 weeks ago tomorrow!!!

 Our last day was a half day-field day. We all got to wear our shirts that were adorbs! The fifth graders were easy to spot in our neon shirts! The front: "Orange you glad..." The Back: "Fifth Grade is Behind You!" And they were made by the fab SOS Designs and let me just tell you they were awesome at custom designing these because we really wanted an orange on the front with the year 2013-2014...and they made it happen just the way we wanted...well, better than we wanted because I couldn't quite handle drawing an orange!

It was the most organized Field Day I've ever been a part of and as you can see... the teacher's had to do very little! I'm thankful for these precious teammates of mine and our P.E. coach who organized this day!

I had a lot of boys..ehem..young men...

capture my heart this year and I mean really capture! The boys of this class made me laugh daily and were sooo...sweet!!! These are only two of them, but they were all so special to me....including my drama filled girls!

 I also hate to share for those of you who didn't have parents who were good to you this year...but because I had really giving and appreciate parents and I don't know if it will be this way next year...I will be thankful :) Here are some of my year ends:

The bottom was a beach bag full of beachy stuff! I can't wait to use it! I also got a Longhorn gift card, some Bath and Body soap and another beach towel!

Summer is already flying by! I'm patiently waiting for my couple of beach days :) 

For those of you still teaching or post planning, sincerest apologies!

 Thankfully, I was able to wrap things up at school that very next Thursday and didn't go back into the school until a full week later!!!

Why???

 Why did I go back into school a week later? 

Why am I not sleeping in every M, W, F???

Why am I making lesson plans during this summer vacay of mine???

Because this chick agreed to teach summer camp...

oh, yes, I did.

 

My Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays consists of 30 minute literacy classes starting with 5th graders and ending with K3ers :0 It's a lot of work and I definitely feel like I'm earning my $$$, but it gives me a chance to freshen up on strategies for younger kiddos!

I'm trying to spend my June NOT thinking of the classroomed partition move that is inevitable for this upcoming school year...I will stress more about it in July. 

For now I'll spend my summer being a workaholic because I love teaching.

Stay tuned for an exciting addition to my teaching career being posted this week...

All Smiles for T-Shirts!

Sooo...I'm super dooper pooped but have so...many exciting things to show that I can't not post! I finished 2 more projects today...one is my door...yes, this will only be up for today, tomorrow, and tuesday...all of 3 days...
It's not a great pic because it doesn't show the full door...but the last read aloud I do is The Wonderful Wizard of Oz. I was really excited because I thought it'd happen right around the same time as teaching weather...but it was a bit delayed...so I'm just now getting this up...the hot air balloons are uhh...dorable but did take a lot of time. I wanted to put the number of days left in the center of the cyclone but just don't even care anymore...I should have done this at the beg. not end of May...

Either wayyyy super duper cute!

It was kindly insane when I'm walking down the halls today and noticing that EVERYONE is taking things down or either has already cleared their door and hall decor...and then I realize that this crazy gal that they call Mrs. Stewart is putting stuff up on the ways!!!

 I. AM. CRAY.

 ANNDDD....
I know I've already shared my end of the year student gifts, but this year I also did these. I found out we have a "party fund" that I didn't know about and at the end of the year it disappears...so I used that budget to buy these for my dear sweet kiddos!

 They drew their pic on a tiny white square on the first day of school and I used those to create a newsletter template that I used all year...I won't share how I did the template because you'd really know that I'm a total techno dummy!!! Either way, by getting these ordered from one of my sweet coworkers, I definitely learned something that will save me a lot of time in the future!

Are they not the cutest ever?!? I think so.

I love my shirts and have had her make me several other specific shirts this year and I am NEVER disappointed! Check her out at SOS Designs!

Here's a pick of what their gift looked like! I didn't get a chance to make the poetry art keepsake with the photobooth frame like last year but I did manage one last photoframe:)

I sent them home with their Question of the Day magnet, their shirt, and a photo booth frame :)

Lastly, I will share a selfie...because yes, I'm that girl that takes selfies while driving...and walking...and before a parent teacher conference to see how turrible I'm looking at the end of the day...
Note:  the SOS Designs lady also made this t-shirt!:)

 Okay...2 selfies...I like this one betturr it just doesn't show my adorable t-shirt! :)

 Keep Smiling!

Parent Gifts and EOY writing

Okay Yall...yesterday I shared what I'm doing for my end of year student gifts, and today I'm sharing my eoy parent gifts! As you know parents can make or break your year! This year I have a whole bunch of really great supportive parents! This week I have my last conferences that include the parent and student together, and I wanted something special for the 'rents that sign up and come...these conferences are voluntary and not mandatory, and in a way serve a "closure" purpose for me but they're a great time of reflecting on our year.
I bought a bunch of mini hand sanitizers from Bath and Body and then did a search in TPT for "Thanks for your helping hands" and found an adorable printable! I don't know who created it because I was in a hurry, but I'm so dang thankful for TPT...everything you need is on there! 

Some of the parents who were especially helpful this year got a personalized note! I was really pleased with the results!

My conferences consist of going over grades, test scores, student evaluations, and "summer scholastic" ideas. I also have an eval for them to complete about me and turn in the next day.  ...I gave a pack of 10 papers to each 'rent that showed up and include the math website suggestions from Mr. Elementary Math :) and the summer reading log from Barnes and Noble.  One of the summer scholastic ideas was for them to send me an email every week summarizing their week. I told them that if they send at least 7 emails summarizing their vacation in at least 5 complete sentences, then I'd have a special sumin'-sumin' for them at the beginning of next year!

Conference papers waiting to be packet-ed!

Today we did a lot of "WORK ON WRITING" to finish up our final projects...one of my "fillers" while they were waiting for a writing conference was to write a letter to the next years class. I'd never done this before, but was super pleased with the results. I had them put their number instead of their name, and plan to give them out to the new students according to their alphabetical "number" on the first day of school next year. For Example: Number 1 wrote a letter to the upcoming number 1. They introduced me to the new class and answered some questions and then on the back wrote their letter...so many of them made me LOL!
I have to share a few...or maybe a lot...

"....not click pins it makes her mad" Can you tell this one really unnerves me! But I love that they wrote "she made me have the most fun in a classroom ever" :)

"Know when to stop playing around" and "have 2 pencils"

"My favorite thing about her is she is so energetic and happy" "Don't interject, be rude, talk back, and a lot more"

"she loves to sing so don't be alarmed"

"Worry about yourself" "She always knows how to help when you need help" :) "Box in your math answers"

"The first thing on your paper is your name and #, or else pitty on you" :) "She loves to sing and write"

"I think you should know that she gives a 'directions test' at the beginning of the year. Read all directions before writing" Hopefully, this one will heed his advice ;)

This one was one of my favs but it's hard to read! It has a lot of good advice

! 

"Be prepared for Mrs. Stewart's random singing when you are in the middle of a problem"

:) I am a singer and they know me well...and I sing everything and anything :)

I have so many projects layin' around waiting to be completed, but find that I can't finish one thing for starting another! I can now mark eoy conference packs and parent gifts off of my list!

Happy eoy planning!

End of the Year Gifts

Howdy Partners!

I'm knee deep in finalizing grades, our end of the year party, honor's day certificates, field day junk, processing the MOVE,  etc...
I just thought I'd share what I plan to do for my student's end of the year gifts...I'm doing the exact same thing as last year....EXCEPT...I'm a little ahead of schedule this year and definitely won't be mailing them....

Click on the pic below  to go to my post from last year, and read all about how they were made!

Time consuming...yes!
Inexpensive....yes!
Meaningful...yes!

What do you do for end of the year gifts?!

THIS Wednesday's Post :)

Hello Again (to all my friends...I'm glad you've come to play...Our fun and learning never ends...here's what we did today...) Yes, that was Barney's conclusion to the PBS show I used to watch as a kid...and unfortunately it goes through my head quite often....

So, yeah, I have no..earthly idea why I didn't post last week...or why I wrote a super long post last Wednesday and then never published it...
Actually, I do know...it probably has something to do with the fact that we have less than 10 days of school left and I just got INFORMED that I, and one of my coworkers, are for definite moving to the band room. You see, it's a numbers thing. They want to add some middle school classes...whoohoo! I'm all for growing...but I DON'T want to move.

I WILL MOVE.

 I HAVE TO MOVE

 I KNOW I'LL BE OKAY...

BUT...

I really don't want to move!

You see, this will be the 3rd classroom move I've made in 3 years...what's more...the room will have a partition...so I lose a wall...what's even more...I lose 2 walls because one wall has 2 closet doors...and no, I don't get to use both of the closets and I'm not exactly sure if I'll be able to even use or have one of them.

I'm sure a lot of you are in the same boat I  am right now...and we will get through this.

Since last Wednesday....
We have finished Where the Red Fern Grows. Every.single.one. of my boys cried....and I cried a lot! It's a wonderful read aloud. We watched the movie, but we were not impressed at all. For once, all 17 of my babies voted that they liked the movie better.

We started The Wizard of OZ . I hope to have it finished by next Thursday.


We finished our Mother's Day persuasive writing.I found this last year from the Polka-dotted Teacher. She has everything you need to make this happen. I have mine do a 5 para on why their Mom should be on the cover of People magazine, and I totally make them think it's a contest because they give wayyy more than their best! and Moms deserve our best for Mother's Day!
 I wrote "Millions for Moms" on the board and introduced this as being something they would submit for a contest. I never used the word money or win money, but a few dreamed it up and I never "shut it down"! On Friday, I told them I had kind of a confession to make by letting them believe they could win one million dollars....then explained that throughout their lifetime their moms will give them a total of a million hugs, kisses, smiles, dollars, toys, etc...and I gave them all a million dollar mint!


 I always like to give educational gifts, so being able to incorporate persuasive writing in this makes me one happy teacher.

They were all super impressive and so well written!

 I also took their pictures with a faux chalk board and developed them in black and white...I loved them...inside their cards were 2 more pics of them with their Mommies from Open House and they were taken inside our class photo booth. Since most of my kids came to Open House with their Moms, this was the perfect time to snag pics.

Sorry about the glares!

This is one of my hilarious kiddos and his sweet Mommy!

He wrote her  a sweet note on the back of his card!

I also ended up with a few more goodies last week and wanted to "document" them.
Thursday's goodies included a giant mustache paper clip that works well for important notes, and a wall smelly good plug in thingy :)

 Friday's blessings were monstrous! Lots of diet mountain dews, a bouquet of flowers, a mini rose bush, a donut :) Gotta love D&D ,a  huge moisturizing soap bar, mustache notepads, Starbucks, Krispy Kreme, and Olive Garden giftcards, and a little Clinique HAPPY : )

 Have I ever mentioned on here that my LOVE Language is...gifts!? Seriously, it is. If you've never read or taken the 5 Love Languages quiz or book...you should...I love gifts and giving gifts. It's a real "love language":) And I am very blessed this year with a great group of kiddos and their familes!

Speaking of gifts...we had revival meetings last week...and the ladies from our church put together a pinterest inspired "Box of Sunshine" for her! It looked amazing and I was super pleased with the turnout! Our guest preacher is a huge blessing and his sweet wife never gets to come because of her health...so here's what we sent her: all things yellow! It was super dee dooper cute!

I don't think I shared this gift with you either:

My bestie's brother just bought a house. He and my hubby have become pretty good friends and so a couple of us got together for pizza at his new place and took him some "WHITE TRASH FOR HIS BACHELOR PAD" Very practical stuff that should last him a while...he needs a wife...any southern takers?!

I told you my love language was gifts...now go take the quiz and figure out what yours is at: http://www.5lovelanguages.com/profile/


Happy Hump Day Peeps! Only one more left this school year!
:)