October Currently and a Check-In!

Well,  it appears a once-a-month blog entry has become the norm.  I am not pleased with it, but I can't seem to find time during the school week to post more than that.  And by the weekends, I don't remember or don't have the energy!  Oh, the life of a teacher...

I am linking up with Oh' Boy 4th Grade today for my October Currently.  When I originally completed my currently, the house was silent and Ryan was still sleeping.. Side note- it is 2:50 and no, he is not "still" sleeping, but happens to be napping ;)

listening... to the silence of my house. Ryan is asleep, the TV is off, and I'm getting my think time :)

loving.... this year has been the craziest, and most educational year of my career so far.  The group I have this year is teaching me so much about myself as a teacher and person.  I am seeing the value in patience, being loving, forgiving, and "sticking to my guns" when necessary.  I see the importance of consistency, and the idea that fair doesn't mean the same for everyone, it means what everyone needs to be successful.  I am confident that by the end of this year, I will have learned even more about myself and my teaching than I already have!

thinking...  about how tired I am from this week!  Yikes!

wanting... a new fall wardrobe.. namely, new jeans, scarves, and some fun flats!  My struggle: when to go to the mall???

needing...  more sleep, an early bed time may be in order tonight.. and to get my long run over with tomorrow!  I am running the Baltimore Half Marathon next weekend... wahoo!

trick or treat...  a Trick please, to help me help my students transition more quickly between groups, tasks, subjects, etc.  We have practiced, practiced, timed, practiced, counted down, practiced, inserted brain breaks, and our transition times are still not where I'd like them to be... so, either I need to let go- or try something new!  If you have any suggestions I'd love to hear them!


I hope you have a stupendous weekend!  I am hoping to post Tuesday to share a "Tried It Tuesday" that I am super excited about.. :)

~Miss McDonald :)

Better Late than Never!

So... I believe I'm a bit late to the "Currently" linky party over at Oh'Boy 4th Grade.. but I figured better late than never!  This is my first ever currently.. I'm excited!

 

I am currently...

Listening.. to NFL network and the magic bullet!  Football season is so close we can taste it around here!!  And our new Magic Bullet blender is so super fantastic.. we are in love.  I have a smoothie at least 4 times a week now-- what I love most is that I know what goes into it! ahem.. no added sugar, chemicals, etc. :)  

Loving.. that my boy came grocery shopping with me to Trader Joe's!  I normally go alone, so when he joins me its a good day!

 

Thinking.. that I am nuts for being excited to already get back to school!  I missed my 22 4th graders.. :)

 

Wanting... a Grande Iced Caramel Macchiato.. they are my favorite!!! 

Needing... to finish my to-do list by getting up off of my bum!.. and to find a reliable magnetic curtain rod.. any suggestions, friends?

Loving myself by...  running 3 days a week and taking spin class at least 1 other day, hitting the hay by 10:00 pm, and having NO MORE than one Diet Coke per week...!

How was your Monday off?  Who's with me in wearing white pants tomorrow?????? ;) 

Have a fantastic week! 
~Miss McDonald :)

Food for Thought Saturday

Oh my goodness!  I have gained a whole new respect for all of you blogger-teachers who are so good about keeping up with your blogs!  As you may notice, the last time I posted was August 10- that is 20 whole days ago!!!  I can explain..... SCHOOL HAS STARTED!  Ok, not a good enough excuse, but I consider it a valid explanation at least..!  I promise to get better...

I had my first 2 weeks back (1 teacher week and 1 week with kiddos).  I can confidently say that this year may be the best year I've had yet.  My team is absolutely wonderfully fantastic- and my students, well they are even better than absolutely wonderfully fantastic!  It is funny to me all of the stories receiving teachers hear each year about groups of students moving up to that grade, and how many of those stories become an inaccurate description of those exact children.  I think that shows how important it is for us as educators to allow them to come into a new school year (school day, even!) with a clean slate-  we all make mistakes.  I think sometimes when we are in the throws of the school year it's easy to say that but not actually mean it.  We ALL really do make mistakes- even us teachers! :)

We spent the entire first week working on building our community, setting expectations, practicing reading stamina (my class read 28 minutes uninterrupted on Friday!!!!), and making our classroom our home for the year.  As part of our building a class community, we have had a Class Meeting each day at the end of the day where we Take Care of Business, and then play a Class Activity that is geared towards encouraging them to see that when we work as a team, we are so much more successful!  If you click this LINK, it will take you to my 4th grade Pinterest board, where you can find some of the activities we have done!

In addition to building a community, my students and I go through a 4 -day/step process to eventually agree on our class rules on day 5.  Here is the progression:

Day 1- Brainstorm things they loved about past teachers.

Day 2-  Brainstorm things they didn't love about past teachers. 

Day 3-  What should I expect of them as 4th graders?

Day 4-  What should they expect of me as their teacher?

It is absolutely amazing to me each year how beautifully they put the rules on day 5.  Here are the rules my 4th graders thought were important for this school year:

1. Follow the EES 3 (be safe, respectful, and responsible)

2.  Treat others the way you want to be treated, and they will do the same for you. 

3.  Be helpful and kind to each other.  

 I mean seriously!  I almost started crying.  These children already know the golden rule!!!!!!  If we all followed these rules a little more closely, this world would be such a better place..  

Just some food for thought from my amazing children.  

Happy Saturday,

~Miss McDonald :)