February 2014 Currently

Brrrr...it's cold outside.  Snow, snow, and more snow.  Can't it just warm up already?  Mama needs to walk off some more baby weight.  However, being burrowed up inside next to the fireplace with my warm cocoa provides me with LOTS of time to blog, create, and work on lesson plans for when I return to teaching in 2 weeks.  Can you believe it?  My maternity leave is almost over!

So, today I'm linking up for Farley's February Currently!

 

 

I love DVR.  It allows me to watch some of my favorite shows when...ever....I....want.  Which is perfect because my schedule pretty much revolves around sweet baby Natalie.  What am I LISTENING to today?  Goldrush and Bering Sea Gold, which recorded last night after I was fast asleep for the night....or until Natalie decides she is hungry again.

 

Speaking of Natalie,  I am absolutely LOVING taking photographs of Natalie. 

 

 

Lately, I have been THINKING about returning to school.  I have been out on maternity leave for 4 whole months and I will be returning to school on Valentine's Day.  It's really bitter sweet.  Although I love my time spent home with Natalie, and I can't imagine being away from her Monday-Friday, I truly miss teaching.  When Natalie is asleep....I....am.....bored!!!

She is 3 months old today!  Wow, time sure flies by!

Lately, I have been WANTING for it to warm up outside.  When it is nice out my husband and I always walk our dogs 3 miles to the park.  I can't wait to bring Natalie to the park to see the ducks.  I also can't wait for the extra exercise to help shed the final pounds of my baby weight off.  We live in NY and unfortunately, the sidewalks are often not plowed. 

 

Since I'm stuck inside though I have been busy working on my Fractions Interactive Notebook file to add to the rest of my interactive math notebook collection.  I am NEEDING to complete it...NOW!  It is aligned to the Common Core Standards and Module 5 on the Engage NY website.  Module 5 has been out for about 2 weeks.  What's taking me so long?  It's 543 pages!  Insane huh!  I'm almost done with it too.  I'm to the point of taking photos of my notebook pages and creating the teachers guide.  I'm hoping to have it posted on TPT in a few days.

 

And as for my 2 TRUTHS & 1 LIE.  Last February I did visit Florida and we traveled there by car.  I have never flown in a plane before but it is definitely on my bucket list.  I'd love to bring Natalie to Disney World in a few years and I'm thinking a plane trip is definitely in our future.

 

Oh, and before you go.  Check out Techer Gems huge GIVEAWAY for a chance to win $200 in prizes!!!

 

What are you up to in this marvelous month of February?

December Currently

Well, we've made it to December.  Snow has fallen, the crisp winter air has returned, and I am enjoying my maternity leave sipping hot cocoa, listening to music, snuggling up with sweet baby Natalie.....and.....creating a new blog post for Farley's December Currently!

So, the bulk of my day consists of taking care of (now 1 month old) Natalie.  Between many bottles, diapers, and baths comes peace and quiet.  But only when Natalie is in her Fisher-Price Rainforest Friends Cradle n Swing'.  Thank you Fisher-Price.  If it wasn't for you I'd be a sleep deprived maniac.  Natalie loves her swing.  The music is actually soothing and relaxing for both mom and baby.  This week Natalie has been taking 3-4 hour naps in her swing providing me time to catch up on some zzzz's.  Not to mention, I finally have time to clean the house, start blogging and creating again.

I am also (finally) starting to incorporate a little exercise into my daily routine.  After months of partial bed rest, and the last few weeks recovering from a surprise c-section, I have been chomping at the bits to get out of this house.  I've finally been able to use my Planet Fitness membership and have been sneaking out to walk on the treadmill.  Planet Fitness is amazing.  They have TV's hooked to each treadmill so I an catch a little TV time while I work out.  

After I get cleared by the doctor in 2 weeks I plan on snagging the new Zumba Fitness World Party workout game for the Wii.  After 9 months of being Zumba free I...Can....Not....Wait!!!!

What are you waiting for?  Link up with Farley at Oh' Boy 4th Grade for her December Currently!

Currently October

October has finally arrived.  It is one of my favorite months of the year....the cool fall breeze, hot apple cider and donuts, pumpkin picking, the works!  And with a new month brings a new Currently!

I love personal white boards.  They keep students engaged during whole group and small group instruction and allow the teacher to see quickly what students know (or what they need support with).

However, this year our district purchased new materials and manipulatives to use with the Engage NY Math Modules.  I am loving these Reusable Dry Erase Pockets that my district purchased from School Specialty.  We have been using them the most during whole group math instruction.  You can slip a place value chart or number line inside.  What a great manipulative and HUGE time saver during our lessons.

See....focused, engaged, and happy!

Due to my high risk pregnancy, I have been closely monitored these last few weeks with twice a week appointments.  I have had weekly ultrasounds since 32 weeks (Monday I hit 34) but sweet baby Natalie has continually hidden her face from the camera.  Until Monday....my birthday!  She decided to give me a wonderful birthday surprise and peeked out for a brief moment.  Just long enough for the ultrasound tech to snap a picture of her adorable face before she squirmed away.

Only a few more weeks until I get to meet her.  October is sure to be an exciting month!  Link up with Farley at Oh Boy Fourth Grade for more Currently fun.

September

Oh my, I can't believe yesterday was the first day of September.  September is by far my FAVORITE month.  I love the cool, crisp fall air as it starts to blow in.  I love seeing the leaves changes colors.  And, I love the back to school rush!

With the first of the month, comes Farley's Currently!

Tomorrow we have a conference day and Wednesday is our first day with students.  The back to school butterflies have been fluttering in my belly at full force and my nights have been full of wacky first day dreams.  Fingers crossed that this will be the best year yet!

Currently April

Yippee!  I couldn't be more excited that Spring has arrived and it is finally April.  Now, if only it would stop snowing. 

In honor of Spring I posted some new flower themed writing prompts.  Check them out here.

Check out everyone's currently at Oh' Boy 4th Grade!

Currently January

I'm super excited that Farley, from Oh' Boy 4th Grade, has posted her monthly Currently a day early!  Cheers to a New Year!  Happy 2013!

Listening:  Lately I have been listening, or shall I say watching, a lot of TV.  Oh, how I love Gold Rush.  Actually, I love any of Discovery's shows lately.  But, I especially love Gold Rush.  I love seeing hard working Americans pushing the limit, going to the edge to strike it rich.  My 2 favorites happen to be Dave Turin and Parker Schnabel!  I have days where I wish I could leave it all to spend some time in the Klondike digging for gold.

Loving:  I am currently loving the extreme amounts of snow we have gotten this year for Christmas.  I'm only loving it, however, because I haven't had to drive much in it.  Wednesday we start back to school and I'd love for it to stop snowing so that I can have a safe and relaxing drive!

***Correction, I just checked the Post Standard and we've now had 34 inches of snow this week!  Insane!!!!***

Thinking:  I can't believe tomorrow is the last day of Christmas break.  As I scan my to-do list I see that I still have a lot of things that need to be crossed off.  Too many to check off in one day.  I always over plan when I have time off.

Wanting:  My class size has grown from 21 students to 23.  I am in much need of another Kindle Fire.  I previously received 3 from Donors Choose and purchased a fourth with my own money.  Students love using the Kindles during reading and math rotations.  But, I like to group students in 5 groups and 3 groups now have 5 students (instead of 4) which means someone has to share.  A Kindle is hard to share when you are in fourth grade.

Needing: I've spent quite a bit of time this week relaxing and trying to rebalance my life.  However, January is going to prove to be a stressful month.  Data, lesson plans, meetings, observations, common core, and more.  I need to revisit some of the stress relief strategies I've acquired over the years.  One of my New Year's resolutions is to live a more balanced life and to make more time for family, friends, and myself.  In regards to myself, I need to frequently remind myself to save time to relax and live in the moment rather than always planning, and worrying, about the future.



Ahh, just looking at this picture melts my stress away!  I need to plan a vacation sometime soon!

OWL:  My One Little Word for this month is:  HOPE!  Hope for today, hope for tomorrow, hope for a snow day, hope for an easy observation, hope to start a family, hope to live each day happy.  My mother in-law got me this cute Angel of Hope.  I've placed it by my computer so that I can start each morning with the hope that something wonderful will happen.

That's all for now.  See you next year bloggy buddies!

December Currently

Jingle bells

Jingle bells

Jingle all the way.

Oh what fun Farley's currently has become

It brightens up my day!

Link up with Farley from Oh' Boy 4th Grade for her December Currently!

November Currently

I live for the weekends.  Not because I want to be away from my classroom.  No!  Because I love planning for the upcoming week with my kiddos.  I love sleeping in a little late, keeping on my pajamas a little longer than normal, and sitting in the peace and quiet while I relax, read, write, plan, create and blog. 

Next weekend is a 3-day weekend.  3-day weekends are obviously even better than 2.  I think every weekend should be a 3-day weekend.  You can get so much more accomplished.  You can actually enjoy both Saturday and Sunday.  Usually, Sunday is a little chaotic because all I can think of is trying to complete my to-do list before Monday comes.  Having Monday looming over your head adds a slight amount of stress.  Not much, but some.  Not having to work Monday...now that makes Sunday so much more fun!

Now...can you believe it's already November?  It's time to link up with the fabulous Farley from Oh Boy 4th Grade for her monthly currently!

Here's a quick pick from Halloween.  Our "little" Apollo "wanted" to be a banana for Halloween!

Too bad he only kept it on for about 30 seconds.  Have a wonderful and relaxing weekend!

October Currently

Yippee...it's time for October's Currently compliments of Farley from Oh' Boy 4th Grade!

Check out Jerry Seinfeld's book, Halloween!  It's super cute and great for making text-to-self connections.  The illustrations are to die for and you will definitely have a few good laughs throughout your read aloud.

My 1st Currently

2 posts in one day....oopsie!   But I just had to link up for my first currently.

Check out my giveaway in the post below...

...and link up for September's Currently on Oh' Boy 4th Grade's lovely blog.