Atmospheric Awesomeness!

Today was the big day that I've been nervous about since our week of pre-planning back in August...it was my day to give the teacher devotional during our Wednesday facutly and staff chapel. I don't know what it is about speaking in front of adults, but it is definitely a fear of mine! You'd think being in front of my students all the time, I'd be able to naturally wing it...uh no. It doesn't work that way, not for me anyway! I had been mulling, worrying, and praying over what to share with a room full of my successful, spiritual, and educated co-workers most of the year. A couple of weeks ago I had a nasty experience with someone being all up in my grill you know...and well...the Lord used that situation to help me come up with my devo...The Bible does say..." In everything give thanks..."
  The devo may not seem like a big deal to a lot of you, but to me it was like my life was dependent upon conquering this. Half of the people in there I've seen before but couldn't even tell you their names. I had butterflies all night and rehearsed out loud like 5 times no joke! My hubby decided it'd be a good idea to zone into a video game for a while, but I found him laughing, interjecting, and corrrecting me more than he'd like to admit! I felt really good about it come this morning. Yesterday's post included a little about what I shared!

 Fortunately, for me...it's over...whew! Glad to have that behind me! 

Today we reviewed the Layers of the Atmosphere. Something new to me...if I learned about these in school, then I definitely was writing notes to my BFF's or doodling my boyfriend's name! I was that girl.
Shocking news for some of you, but I had NEVER heard about these...yesterday as we were reading in our text books together, I found myself super confused so I found an idea on Pinterest where a homeschool mom took a ballon and her kids used dry erase markers to do this. Ain't nobody got time for that...so we blew up balloons and used some standard black sharpies and added our own twist! 

 I think they had the most fun blowing up the balloons....although I had 3 girls who just didn't have enough hot air in them and couldn't do it! I've always wanted to do the "How to Blow up a Balloon" writing, so I may have to do it now! While everyone else was working on a review worksheet, I had 6 at a time come up and work on these.

This quality is terrible...I had a really clear pic but I had a "photobomb" in it! 

Some are hiding...but here they are with their finished project!  

This atmospheric awesomeness ended their day with a whole different shade of happy, and I definitely learned something new! I feels so smart now!

We were crazy busy today and unfortunately didn't manage to get in our Shape Poetry lesson :( Tomorrow is another crazy busy day with a water safety program, and 3 specials...and we won't be in school on Friday...bittersweet :) We have so much to learn and so little time! 

I also have some more you will be "green with envy" posting to do...

This morning, when I was relieved from that devotion, I walked into my classroom and on one of my student's desks is this adorable BIG TOP cupcake cake. I thought to myself, great someone had a birthday and I forgot...no card on their desk...no balloon from me to them...so I didn't want her to think I forgot and when she walked in I said "Happy Birthday Sweet Girl!"

She begins laughing and says "Mrs. Stewart...that's for you, it's not my birthday!" 

You can imagine my surprise...how sweet right...and literally! My birthday was over spring break and I never expect them to remember...but she did...and was celebrating with a belated adorable birthday cake....

But wait...there's more....

I delightedly get over to my desk and see all this....

I. couldn't. believe. it. 

How thoughtful right...

Two gift bags, a wrapped gift, an apple, chocolate bars, and a diet mountain dew!!!

If you're anything like me, you love wrapped presents so I couldn't wait to open them up....

A mustached mason jar cup with a red and white striped straw, a teacher sign with an apple and a tiny mustache inside...perfect combination, to the far right is a beautiful apothecary style jar (that I love), an apple (it was good!), mustache sticky notes and vintage tape, a card with 2 movie passes, etc...

Some of this was from my two fifth grade team members too! Is it safe to say that I have the best class and team ever?! Because I do...they are incredibly thoughtful and like this all the time, not just on birthdays...I also have a really great room-mom...and that can make all the difference in the world! I am not ready to move these kiddos on...seriously the last two years, I have had the "World's Greatest Students"...it could be that the last two years, I've had a circus classroom theme?! I think not....it is the Lord blessing me! This belated surprise came on the perfect day considering that I was running on 4 hours of sleep if that!
SO...Blessed!

Here's a pic with my new sign up..I couldn't wait to see it up and shining! 

"I have been blessed...God is so good to me,

Precious are His thoughts of you and me.

No way I could count them,

There's not enough time.

So I'll just thank Him for being so kind!

God has been good...sooooo good! 

I have been blessed!"

Devo Butterflies!

Oh my soul, yall...these first two days back so far have super productive and HAPPY days!

(Insert 3 song lyrics...."Because I'm Happpyyyy....") 

The students seem happy, I'm happy, we all seem happy...it could be that the countdown has started!

 31 days :) 

 I know I'm  thankful I spent Friday and Saturday planning and getting some enthusiasm back. Of course, I have not wanted to get up any this week and have quoted Shel Silverstein's 

"I cannot go to school today said little Peggy Ann McKay, I have the measles and the mumps a gash a rash and purple bumps..." from "Sick" every day this week! Seriously though.

 I'm all about themes and better late than never so here's my small little Easter corner.The basket is full of that grass that I always intend to save but end of throwing away and on top of it are 17 plastic eggs. Each egg has one of my student's names in it. Randomly, throughout the day, but especially during transition time, I'll say in my best announcer voice..."And the EGG-cellent student is..." I pick an egg at random and if the student is on task, then they get to pick a class coupon. If they are not on task, I just say unfortunately this student isn't on task and put the egg back in the basket never announcing who it was. It really gets them quiet for a while and I *think* it's working! I've used plastic eggs and a basket for incentives before. Challenging them with "how many eggs can the class earn" instead of the marble or brownie point ideas.... but I really liked the idea of this more when I read about it from What the Teacher Wants this weekend. She has some great ideas for prizes and I think there is a freebie to go along with it! My kids love our class coupons...especially the "No Homework" coupons so I just thought I'd use those! I also displayed an Easter subway art print (that I also have on display in my home)....I have it pinned on my "Easter" pinboard, but can't remember where I downloaded this from :( Sorry! I absolutely love this print! There aren't many that are much more about the Lamb and less about the bunny, if you know what I mean. I also plan to discuss the Resurrection Eggs. I've used them at church and in my classroom for the last 5 years. If you've never seen these before, please visit Ashley Reed's TPT store! Again, more about the Lamb and less about the bunny!
I also have a Target sign dollar spot sign "Everyone needs a friend who is all ears" :) So...true! I'm a terrible listener, but very thankful for a hubby and some great friends that are really all ears when I need them!

Overlook the class rules sign, that was so beginning of the year and needs to be relocated!

 We've been doing a lot of poetry this week and I've been using Jessica Zannini's 4th-5th Poetry Unit...this unit is worth every penny it is priced at and I can vouch for that! It is the largest unit ever and absolutely EVERYTHING you need to be successful teaching poetry: reviews, comp questions, EQ's, standards, examples,an entire portfolio!, an invitation for 'rents as publishing,  etc... She has other grades for sale too! I am in poetry love and very thankful for this resource! We've compared and contrasted poems, written acrostics, and we worked on bio poems today! Here is an exceptionally creative name acrostic poem: 

Can you figure out the author's purpose?!Ah...LOVE IT!

 We wrote several different types of acrostics together using continuous statements or some just using adjectives or words and this one was really impressive with a tone and  purpose! I can't wait to show more from our fabulous poetry portfolio's!

 We've also been working super hard on our Research Paper....dun dun dun....we have written our outlines and our first drafts. To say "It's not my favorite thing" is an understatement.

Lining up points was a challenging task when handwriting our outlines!

Tomorrow I give a devotional in front of *all* of our school's teachers, some of the office staff, and some administration!!! Probably 50 plus people...not a big deal for some of you presenters but a gianormous deal for little 'ole me! We are preschool-12th and have a lot of teachers!

I'm really nervous and have a lot of preparing that I need to be doing...below is my 3 word topic:  
WORRY ABOUT YOURSELF
I'll be emphasizing John 21 and then concluding with 3 more words: 
LOOK UNTO JESUS!

Planning on giving these away for others to post in their class if wanted! 

 Ah...I have butterflies already and am sure I'll be up all night. Pray for me!

Back to the Daily Grind

It's back to the daily grind for me tomorrow! After a stress free, well almost stress free...(big argument with my Momma :/ ) week of sleeping in, sunburn, and silence, I am ready to tackle the next 32 days of the 2013-2014 fifth grade school year. I hate that the countdown has started. I feel like there is still so much to do and learn and be and make and share and and and...all that stuff! I know we need rain tomorrow to wash away some pollen but I'm hoping it moves in later in the evening so we can keep our focus...rain makes us crazay!

Friday, I went down to Macon with a couple of my coworkers to Georgia School Supply. I bought some dinosaur border, realistic dino posters, and a welcome banner...I'm planning to go big with dinos next year. I also bought some adorable hexagon border that I couldn't resist because we're studying geometry right now. I also bought a few chevron goodies and some mustache border...for whenever and whatever...I should be a member of Borders Anonymous because I have a serious addiction...I had several others that my co-workers talked me out of!!! So..this is doing good!  

And then...I couldn't wait to get it up and around these adorable Geometry Glyphs that we did Friday so I went in to work. Doesn't it look spectacular?!?...it does to me and that's all that counts. :)

Ignore the terrible pic quality...I'm really trying to get better!!!

I also worked diligently on plans...oh and these plans make me super sad...they go all the way to the last days of school....sigh...I'm not ready yet. Are you?!

Do notice...that there are not any plans for Friday...we are out for Good Friday! :)

I feel as if I've turned into a movie critic this month with $30 worth of AMC giftcards from one of my kiddos for Valentine's Day. (be jelly...it was taped to the back of a candy heart and from a most handsome young man!) I went to see God's Not Dead and Rio 2.  God's Not Dead WAS a good movie. Obviously, you church friends of mine know that it was not an "Old Fashioned Heaven Sent Revival" type of film, but it definitely had a lot of positive impact and clearly gave the plan of salvation! I was really impressed with that.. Aside from the whole story line of the college kid taking an atheist professor's class, I was really pricked and moved with compassion for Muslims. There was a minor conflict in the movie about a young lady raised Muslim who was forced at home to worship Allah and wear traditional Muslim attire even though  she didn't want to. The movie opened my eyes and heart for that religion through this conflict. I have never truly had a heart to see Muslims converted to Christianity...now I do and unlike never before.  The great thing about the God I serve is that He allows each of us, Christian or not, to choose. He doesn't force us to serve Him or pray to Him or even accept Him.
Now that I have shared my Sunday Sermon....ehem...Rio 2 was adorable! I loved that it involved the Amazon Rainforest and saving species and the trees! The teacher in me was shouting out all of the different creatures that we studied in the fall...I seriously took notes yall...during the movie and on my phone. The movie referenced the pitcher plant/venus fly trap, poison dart frog, capybara, sloth, caiman, marching ants, Brazil nuts, macaws, anteaters, piranhas, jaguars, and... the MOUSTACHED TAMARIN! Bwahaha...I couldn't believe it but he was a major feature! The movie is G rated and I'm really hoping it's out in September for us to celebrate the end of our rainforest unit with!
Unfortunately....the second and thirds are never as good as the first so...Rio is still my favorite but it was a super cute movie!

Giftcard selfies....what is this world coming to?! That was all meeee!

Oh! I also experienced MARTA for the first time everrrrr with some friends and my hubby Saturday! I was only a little petrified to say the least and let me just say....this country bumpkin will neva...rephrase, hopes to neva eva, live in the big city life! I suspected everyone of being a robber and wanting my purse and didn't like the feel of being underground or over the interstate....but I do feel like a central Georgia resident now! All thanks to some friends from New York and California!
 We went to the Braves game and boy did they knock some outtta the park! It was a great win and an awesome game!

<3

Here's to a great week full of poetry, weather, geometry, and finalizing that research paper! :)

Spring Break Goodness!

This girl is lovin' the Spring Break part of being a teacher...sleepin' in, gettin' some sun, shoppin' and celebratin'! 

Yesterday, I went in Kohl's and looky what I found! I LOVED Rio and I LOVE that in 5th grade we start the year out with a big rainforest study so I was super excited to find this loot...especially Blu, the macaw and the adorable tree frog! The dog I just couldn't resist because my hubs does the best "I's gots yous guud!" impression of him from Rio...the first one. Did you know the second one is coming out Friday?! WHOOT-WHOOT! I just hope it's as good as the first one! All of this was a part of the Kohl's Cares for Kid's $5.00 rack! This was the first time I've ever noticed puzzles as a part of the sets but you bet I snagged that 500 piece baby!

And yes, I did complete the puzzle in a day! Go...me! I'm really feeling OvErStImUlAtEd now! Hey, if I can do it in a day, then my early finishers can accomplish this in a couple of weeks!

:) Just look at that work...oh! and the puzzle comes with 3 different size pieces...it was a tricky one! :)

I celebrated a birfday Tuesday and well, my seester and neices know me well...

Disney, Disney music, and good reads.

 Below are 2 of the biggest pieces of my heart! If they only knew how much their Aunt Jen loved them they probably couldn't handle it! Ada, whose four, is on the left and Gracie, whose about to be 7, is in the middle! They are precious!

Take ONE!

Take TWO!

Take THREE!

I also celebrated my sis-in-law by watching her play softball this weekend! She and her dad stayed the weekend with us and I played for the first time in forever a game of Monopoly. Yes, I lost and I am a really sore loser but the brownies and milk made up for it!

And it's not even over yet...:) Happy Hump Day for those of you teaching this week and Happy R and R to the rest of you Spring Breakers!

Mistakes, Monsters, Messes, Money, & Music!

"The sky's awake...so I'm awake!" 

 Can  you believe that on my first day of Spring Break...I've been up since 7:00?!? My sweet hubby had to work today :( so I've been up ever since. I've been catchin' up on some blog readin' and some laundry all while trying not to be too noisy because Michael's Dad and sister are staying with us this weekend!

 Yesterday was our last day of testing and marked Spring Break...my kids were CRAY CRAY Yall!
After we did our math achievement tests we had a snack and I overheard some of the students talking about how easy or hard they thought the test was. One of my absolutely adorable young men said most matter of factly:

..."Uh...Mrs. Stewart, they made a mistake on that test!"

I obviously had no idea what question he was talking about and just looked at him intently for a moment then laughed out loud and then he too laughed realizing that they probably didn't make a mistake..it was absolutely hysterical...but they could of...I never told him that they did or didn't just laughed hard and loud! 

We finished testing pretty early yesterday which left us some time to emphasize geometry with a craftivity. We made these adorable geometry monsters! I found them on TPT and used them last year with my fourth graders and this year with my fifth graders and it was still perfect for the skills we've been learning!

They had a lot of fun with this "just letting off steam..."

We don't get to cut and paste much and after testing some of them were very cut happy! 

 

I can't help but SQUEAL seeing that he's reading C.S. Lewis' Chronicles of Narnia series!

Oh! And you would have SQUEALED too if you had seen pieces of the back of this book cut up in the floor....

Total accident but some were Cut Happy I tell Ya! 

Look at that mess! But hey, it felt good!

  The pic below will take you straight to this talented TPT'ers store!

Not only is this a freebie, but it is also really easy to understand and follow and very well put together!

I had a surprise on my desk when I got to school...and the card inside was so...sweet!

"To my beautiful teacher 

Who is Sweeter than honey

And far more precious than money!"

Is that not the sweetest little note! I teared up! She is a sweetie! And what student remembers your birthday when it's on Spring Break?!

And the contents..mmm... I love me some Olive Garden!

Oh...did you catch all the "Frozen" references?! Yea well our entire elementary watched it yesterday as a celebration for being finished with testing! I've seen it like 6 times now but CAN'T buy it because someone plans to give it to me on my birfday this Tuesday...no idea who..cough cough...

but I really want to STEAL Abby Womack one day next week so that she can watch it with me once I own it!

Happy Saturday and start to Spring Break for some of us Georgia teachers! I'll be at the softball fields today watching my sis-n-law play ball...soaking up some sun and pollen! :)

Worry About Yourself!

     Do you have those determined "Mother Hen's" in your class or even more so in your school?!  You know the ones who are always busy worrying about what someone else is or isn't doing instead of worrying about what they themself should be doing.
   
   I've found that while my fifth graders don't "tattle" that they are constantly telling others what to do...a form of tattling.... as I explained to them this week. What's even worse though is when an adult is constantly telling and tattling on you! My Soul! Worry about yourself Peoples!

I have this sign from technology rocks. seriously posted in my classroom. She has a lot of great home and school printables. Click on the pic for the link.

 Below is also a really great video of this adorable little girl whose parents have taught her well to "worry about yourself"!! I've shown this to my class a couple of times this year!

 Two days until Spring Break!!!

Badabababa...I'm lovin' the thought of it.

CURRENTLY! & Testing Tragedies!

It's that wonderful time of the month...not the crampy unmentionable thing.....

but the Farley thing.....

Currently! 

I love linking up and I love the creativity of this gal!

 

Listening: We live super close to our neighbors which also happen to be our landlords...like actually our house is attached to theirs wayyy back in the woods! We are super thankful for them and adore their grandkids. They of course spoil them rotten like all good grandparents do. Right now, I can hear one of their grandsons outside bossing  his 'Nanny' around the yard as they play. Oh to be carefree and 5 years old again! 

Loving: I am absolutely ecstatic that we have spring break next week! Every morning this week,  I have found myself quoting aloud to my hubby..."I CAN NOT GO TO SCHOOL TODAY!" from Shel Silverstein's "Sick" while laying in the bed! Ah...so ready....3 more days! I just want to sleep in!

Thinking: I have been a really lazy wife the last couple of weeks. We probably have like literally 6 loads of laundry! My father-in-law and sis-in-law are spending the weekend with us because of some softball tournaments on this end of town that she's playing in so I know they need to be done...I'm just so...tired!

Wanting: I long to have my full strong teacher voice back and get rid of this drainage and gunk! All the changes in weather and now this pollen is really messing with me. ugh...and I can't. stop. sneezing. and my muscles hurt!!! I should also include here that I'm desperately wanting the Frozen DVD. My hubs has refused to let me buy it until after my birfday because someone...I have no idea who...coughcough....already has it for me! I can't wait! Hopefully my voice will be back and strong by then so I can sing along!

Needing: To an escape from reality! Some fun, rest, shopping, and relaxation! I'm thinking a girl's trip. What do you say Steph?!Beck?!  You can take a couple days off right?!

Hours and a Day: As far as I know (I've been having a lot of new...fyi's lately) we are 7:30-3:30 peeps but I never leave at 3:30. I figure if I'm out of there by 4:00 then it's  a really good day and I'm on top of everything! Our last day is May 28th with kiddos! I have a really good group and though I'm ready for summer break...I'm not ready to part with them yet.

We started testing today and let me tell ya...there's a first time for everaythang...

In the middle of tests I had...

a massive nosebleed,

 some ridiculous outbursts,

& 

a kid get the pukies....it. was. bad.

And I thought I was ready when I set up this cute little encouragement area for them! 

Here's to a better day of testing tomorrow!