A Week with Our New Pup

So, how could I not share a couple of pictures of our new pup Ellie? We're completely in love with her!!

Our NEW Little Lady

We picked this little lady up on Saturday.  It was a bittersweet moment but we're ready to love another pup.  She is definitely a spunky little dog and will keep us on our toes.

It looks like she's not going to be a picky eater.  Hopefully "trying" to train her will go smoothly.

Teacher Week: 10 Fun Things About Me

Talk about myself?  I normally don't do this...

I'm linking up with Blog Hoppin' for Teacher Week!  Here are 10 random facts about me.

Here's a pic of me in first grade!!

1.  I was born in Honolulu, Hawaii and was married on Lanikai Beach almost 5 years ago.

2.  I'm accident prone.  I'm constantly tripping, falling, or running into things and often have a bruise some where.  My grandparents began calling me Grace at a young age.

3.  I LOVE anything artistic or crafty.  I'll try any DIY project.

4.  I'm the middle child.  You know what that means if you are too!  I'm the one (in my mind) who had to fend for myself, be overly comedic, and get attention any way I could.  

I always wanted a sister and even dressed my younger brother up (in a dress and clip on earrings) and had a fashion show. He...would...hurt...me...right...now...if he knew I was typing this. Love these guys but as you can see someone's squeezing me too hard!

5.  Flying TERRIFIES me yet fascinates me at the same time.  I love to travel but...the thought of flying and not being in control scares me A LOT!

6.  As a child (first grader) my dream job was to be a paleontologist.

7.  I want to believe I created upper-body dance moves while driving.

8.  I NEVER thought I'd be a runner but began years ago when the special ed teacher I worked with encouraged me.  I've been running since and have found it to be such a stress reliever.  As long as the knees hold up!

9.  I LOVE hiking even though I'm terrified of heights.  My husband knows me so well and always picks the perfect trails.

10.  Cliches...cliches...cliches.  I ALWAYS thought I was saying them right but found myself often corrected.  Growing up I would say, "Pull your buttons" instead of push your buttons" and "rocking the cradle" instead of "rob the cradle."  At least they got a good laugh!

Check back in throughout the week for more of Teacher Week!

Meet the TEACHER!!

Here I am with a 5 lb box of York Peppermint Patties and a shirt to show just how much I LOVE these little treats!!  I thought this would be a GREAT way to introduce myself, in my classroom with my favorite treat.

I'm so excited for the new year to start and look forward to working with all of you this year.  It's going to be a fun filled year with LOTS of learning.  It's amazing to see the  growth from the beginning of the year to the end.  I'm always blown away with how much these little kiddos grow socially, emotionally, and academically.


My classroom is bright, cheery, and inviting!  My goal is to make learning fun and engaging.  I want my room to look like the kids LIVE in it so you'll always find work and art on the walls.  I have also created small work areas for kids to go to when they want a change from their desks or during Daily 5 time. We'll be creating a strong community within our room with set expectations.


As for my teaching style, I like to consider myself relaxed, patient, and determined.  I have high expectations that ALL my students can learn and be successful.  I strive for my students to work to the best of their abilities and celebrate their accomplishments.  I want kids to know that it's okay to make mistakes because no one is perfect.  They'll quickly learn that EVEN their teacher makes mistakes.  They just need to give me 100% and work hard when they come to school.

Enjoy the rest of your summer and I'll see you soon!!

You Know You're a Teacher When...

Abby, at The Inspired Apple, is doing a Linky Party!  Join in...

You know you’re a teacher when…

*your collection of really COOL stickers (especially smelly stickers) takes up a shelf in your cabinet.

*you buy your own personal laminator so you can laminate ANYTIME of the day or night.

*you don’t make time during the day for a bathroom break but don't realize it until the end of the day.

*you do a quick little dance when supplies are donated to your class.

*you’ve memorized kid’s songs (we listen to Dr. Jean) and you find yourself singing along.  I really love when one song just goes around and around in my head!

*speaking your sentences don’t always make sense but your kiddos seem to understand.  My kids are now picking up on my foolish mistakes.

*you continually misplace items you JUST had in your hand.

*you find yourself getting wrapped up in creating your OWN art project while the kids work on their own.

*you find yourself having conversations about Justin Bieber with your six/seven year old students.

 *your shoe choices and styles seem to change over the years from uncomfortable to comfortable shoes.  When I first started teaching I wore kitten heels, now wedges...but most often flat ballet shoes.

Ten Things (or more) I've Learned From Teaching

Jennifer at Rowdy in First is hosting a "Ten Things I've Learned" link party so thought I'd join in on the fun.  I'm POSITIVE I've learned more than 10 things!

1.  I get just as excited as the kids do to read new picture books!  Today, a teacher gave me a new Scaredy Squirrel book and I read it first thing to my kids.
2.  First and for most I am a teacher, but I also hold many other jobs while working: parent, role model, nurse, secretary, guidance counselor, data collector and analyzer...
3.  Kids are like sponges!  I'm amazed more and more everyday at what these kids have learned in a year.  If you teach it, they'll learn it.
4.  GOOD teachers RARELY sit.  I have a desk but rarely use it.
5.  I thought teachers were a bit obsessed with laminating when I saw them with their own.  I'm now one of THOSE teacher and have a small laminator at home!
6.  I love organization and having things in their place.  Binders are a big deal to me!
7.  Routine and structure is ESSENTIAL for all students.
8.  Set high expectations-students CAN meet them with effective teaching!
9.  People truly have no idea how much $$ you spend on your classroom and supplies unless they work in this field!  I'm sure my husband would cringe if he saw ALL of my receipts.

AND NUMBER 10...
10.  It takes a school community to grow successful, happy students.  I've ALWAYS believed this!  One person alone can't always do it.  Having the support of fellow colleagues is crucial.

AND A COUPLE MORE...
11.  Making kids laugh out loud is pure bliss for me!  I've worked so hard this year on sense of humor with them.  They were all so literal at the beginning of the year.  Having those "small" moments with them and then having them know it's time to go back to work is PERFECTION!

12.  PATIENCE.  I've always been a patient, relaxed, low stress type of teacher even though life seems to be SooOoooo fast paced and constantly on the go.  This year, since moving to first, I've really taken notice of this and have worked hard on creating a calm environment where it isn't about how fast they can get their work done or HOW MUCH we can squeeze into a small amount of time.  It's quality!

WOW, I could probably go on but I was suppose to stop at 10!!

Our Little Dog Lily

Click here (Ladybug's Teacher Files) to join the Linky Party!  Of course I had to add a pic (or a few) of my dog that I absolutely love!  She's an eight year old Cairn Terrier (that's right TOTO) that acts like a puppy.  She constantly wants attention and I LOVE the fact she's always on the go, even though at the vet they labeled her chart as being a SENIOR in a bright orange sticker!  Here are a few pics of her.

Meet the Teacher

Cara from The First Grade Parade came up with this great idea for teachers to answer questions about themselves.  Her blog is great and has provided many lesson ideas.  I find myself reading so many first grade blogs.  Here's the link to her page.

The First Grade Parade

A bit about myself.  I graduated from the University of Maine.  I began my career as an ed tech and then had the opportunity to be a long term art teacher for a year!  After that I was hired to teach 3rd grade and taught for 6 years.  Now, I'm in first grade.  Change was difficult but I finally feel like I'm in a groove and have adjusted to working with the younger kids.  I'm grateful to have found so many useful blogs to help with planning, ideas, and lessons!  I also have wonderful teammates who have supported and helped me this year.


I was married over 2 years ago on Lanikai Beach in Hawaii.  Sun, sand, beach...and oh yes, Matt was there too.  It was PERFECT!  It still amazes me that I actually got on MANY planes to get there with my fear of flying but I had always wanted to go back because I was born in Honolulu.

We have a cairn terrier who is 8 but still acts like a puppy, always ready to play!

Now for the Q & A

Q: What would you be doing if you weren’t a teacher?                                             
A:  I would love to tap into my creativity more.  I love photography, painting, and anything crafty.  I often find myself trying to include my creativity in the lessons I teach.


Q: What are your hobbies?                                                                    
A: Running, hiking, anything crafty  
                                                           
Q: When you were little, what did you want to be when you grew up?     
A:  A paleontologist.  I wanted to get down and get dirty finding bones!

Q: What are your guilty pleasures?                                                  
 A: Um, that's easy.  Lets say a 5lb box of peppermint patties can be very dangerous!  My grandmother introduced me to these and has always called them "delicious treats."  I want to believe that I introduced my former teammate to these delightful chocolates and am responsible for her current addiction.  These helped us survive many days.  We even calculated that 3 a day would be completely fine for caloric intake.  As I ventured on to first grade she bought a new supply right when I was trying to get off my chocolate kick.  I get a chuckle when staff members sneak into my room throughout the day to get their hands on a few.  I just might have them all addicted soon!

Q: What is your biggest fear?!                                                           
 A: Flying, heights, and not being in control

Q: When you’re on vacation, where do you like to go?                   
 A:  Anywhere the sun is!
                          
Q: What’s the best advice you’ve ever received?                                  
A: From my dad...make sure you always take care of yourself first.  I fall into the category of "people pleaser" too often.

Q: What do you value most in others?                                                   
A:  Genuine people and honesty.

Q: If you could choose one of your personality traits to pass down to your kids, what would it be?                                                                                        
A: No kids yet but I would have to say my sense of humor.  Lets just say moving to first was quite a culture shock.  I would tell a joke and they would just stare at me.  They are so literally at this age but NOW they get humor!!