Currently - January 2014

I love Farley's 'Currently' each month. It has been a while since I did one, so I thought... better late than never...

Listening - to Seahawks beat Saints in a rainy amazing playoff game.
Loving - having a weekend with no marking, no plans, just relaxation (and housework)
Thinking - about ways to connect with my new students this term
Wanting - a massage
Needing - to organize my teaching resources that I am not using this year (different position)
Memory/Tradition - Kiddo tried Snowboarding for first time, we went to Cavalia Odysseo, which was amazing and we got all five cousins (my sisters kids, and mine) together for the first time since the youngest was born!!!

That's it for now

Currently...

 

 

Listening:
To my daughter and her friend giggling in the room next to me. It's the last slumber party of the summer.

Loving:
The weather we have been having. There was a wicked thunder storm the other night and the rain watered my garden for me. Since then it has been sunny and beautiful.

Thinking:
About back to school.

Wanting:
A job! I am a bit anxious knowing there are no classes available for many teachers, including me. I really hoped I would be able to know before school starts.

[For those new to my blog, our district had a major budget deficit and laid off approx 500 teachers. As of last week 200 were still not placed back in a classroom... there are no jobs... yikes!]

Needing:
To get my house cleaned! And not stress of things I can not control [like when I get my class assignement]
Love Yourself Spot:
1. Drink more water 
2. Learn to say 'no' sometimes
3. Scrapbook more

If you want to participate in 'Currently' check out Farley's blog - Oh Boy 4th Grade I try to participate every month and even use the idea with the mentors group I work with as an opening write sometimes!

CURRENTLY: May

Listening - to my fan blowing, it is actually hot enough to turn it on today =) Summer is near!
Loving - my puppy snuggles, she is 5 months old now!
Thinking - about the election coming up May 14, I am doing a lot with the local candidate I support as well as some work with my local union to call and remind teachers to vote for public education!
Wanting - to get rid of the cough I have... busy week, not enough rest, the cold/sinus infection I have has got the best of me!
Needing - to re-organize my work bag, it is stuffed with things from a very busy week, lot's of meetings, lengthy to do list.
Summer Bucket List - camping... tent, camp fire, swimming in the lake... we didn't get to it last summer and I regret it entirely!

Check out Farley's awesome blog - she is the fab blogger who does "CURRENTLY" each month!!
http://ohboy3rdgrade.blogspot.ca/2013/05/may-currently.html

April Currently...

I

Listening: to 80s music.
I made the mistake of asking "where is our ghetto blaster?" today to my Grade 8 class on our first day back to school. They laughed at me and I realized, it isn't called a ghetto blaster anymore. I said, "So what do you call it?" they laughed some more... "a stereo?!?!" This is the first time in a long time that I felt really old. But it was a funny moment. I love 80s music, blasting on my ghetto blaster - so what?

Loving: the weather.
We had the most amazing weather over Easter long weekend. It was a perfect way to wrap up Spring Break, spend Easter and celebrate my daughters 10th birthday. Fabulous sunshine!

Thinking: About our new units at school.
Touching Spirit Bear novel study and Castle Building projects. I am really excited about both units because I have some fun activities planned to make them more engaging and fun for the students.

Wanting: A massage.
I am feeling a lot of stress in my neck and slept funny last night so my shoulder is sore.

Needing: A massage? ha ha I don't know if that is a need or a want at the moment. I also need to get more sleep. Isn't that always my need every month ha ha!

Advice:  Hmmm... Work-Life Balance.
After some R & R over Spring Break, I am appreciating being back to work, but taking it easy and trying to have better time management and learn to say "NO" sometimes. I think as educators we take on too much, too often, and need to set aside time to relax. I have started to take longer walks with my puppy and family, play candy crush to unwind, and delegate/pass on tasks and say no when I simply can't do it all.


If you read my blog regularily you will know I have started to participate in this monthly "CURRENTLY" blog post that originates from Farley's awesome blog here.

Currently...

I recently started reading some teacher-blogs and participating in some linky parties they do... One I love is from here and every month there is a "Currently" posted and everyone participates and links up. I haven't quite had the time or patience to use the jpg and fill it in myself, so I just post it, link and type my answers.... So here goes....

Listening: American Idol. Reality TV is my guilty pleasure.

Loving: My puppy. She is sick right now so extra snuggles help.

Thinking: About my unit plan for a new novel study I haven't done before. Touching Spirit Bear.

Wanting: A vacation this Spring Break. Sadly, none planned, well, nothing major... nothing tropical!

Needing: More sleep, but isn't that always the case for teachers?

Like, Love, Hate -Acronyms, Adapting , Attitude

*These three words had to start with the same letter as your first name

-Acronyms are fun ways to learn and memorize things
-Adapting lessons, activities, ideas I pick up from my travels as a TTOC (sub) and online and through collaboration with colleagues.
-Attitude... I teach 8th grade... enough said right?


So if you want to participate go add your linky here and read the instructions ( rule of 3...you need to comment and share the love on the 2 in front of your link and then come back and share some love on the one behind your link)