Random Photo Wednesday

Brody loved watching Pioneer Woman's new show on food network with me this weekend. Mostly because there were cows and I think he misses the ranch.

Menu Planning Monday

Hola! Life is pretty sweet right now. I had an awesome Monday, it's my birthday week, and I'm looking forward to Pappasito's and some Aggie football in just a few days! Whoopity whoop!

Menu Planning Monday
sunday :: mexican pizza (verdict: seriously easy and yum. I exchanged the seasoning packet for spices below.)
monday :: baked potato night and leftover pulled pork
tuesday :: shrimp and salad
wednesday :: leftovers before small group
thursday :: out for my birthday :o)
friday :: slow cooker brisket (I never made it last time I posted!)

Taco Seasoning Substitute
I use the following spices in lieu of a packet for about a pound of meat.
2 T. chili powder
1 t. cumin
1 t. coriander
1/2 t. oregano
1/4 t. cayenne pepper
salt, to taste

I have been totally craving macaroni and cheese lately...maybe I'll look for a "grown-up" version to make soon. Happy almost September!

Friday.

Oh praise Jesus, I made it through my first week! I guess I shouldn't say "made it through," because it actually went pretty well (I think...)! I realized Monday morning at about 7:37am that if I messed up, unlike subbing, if I was too mean or too nice for the day, I wouldn't just go into a new class the next day and start over. So I was really feeling the pressure.

My classes are two periods long, so I have three groups of students total. My first group of kids have a lot of personality, my second group is smaller and super quiet, and my third group loves to get off-task and act rambunctious. And my advisory is awesome--but I don't tell them that, because they actually work on homework and are quiet, and if they knew I liked it, they would probably change their ways.

I forgot my camera this week, but I thought I would document what my classroom looked like at the end of the week. I apologize for the iPhone graininess.

View from my desk.

I make sure the kids pick up after themselves, but my desk is a mess. I was in the middle of grading. Everything was clean again when I left for the weekend. :o)

I finally threw some pictures up on my homemade board. I would like to add some instagram pictures or something; it's a little sparse for my taste.

Super blurry. Still love it though.

I've got a to do list to tackle, full of trainings, grading, and a few more things to craft. Then I've got some cleaning and laundry. Hopefully a nap as well?

Brody's weekend to do list is a little less full.

For the love of all that is random.

While I was in the middle of reading to my class...

Girl: "You had a pretty wedding dress."
Boy: "And your toenails are faaabulous."

I'm Alive...

Well I've almost made it through my first week of teaching! The only negative side effects have been a sore throat (I think from reading aloud almost all day) and possibly pink eye...but it might just be red eyes from allergies. Not entirely sure. Taking medicine either way. :o) Oh, and I wore heels/wedges the first three days so my feet hurt and then new flats today so my heels have blisters. You have to love being on your feet all day! But I'd rather do that than have my kiddoes going crazy because I stay seated. It's a trade off. 

I've already started my to do list for the weekend, and I'm really excited that my first week of morning duty will be over for a few weeks after tomorrow! I even got my ID today so I'm a real teacher! Now I can get discounts at Panera! And J.Crew if I'm ever allowed to buy clothes again (tee hee!).

A Peek in my Classroom...

I got to school a little early this morning and was able to take a few pictures...of course, I also worked in my room throughout the day and it looks a little different now. So I'll probably be taking a few more pictures next week...we shall see!

My door as you walk in. I wrote on Mr. Owl in dry erase marker so I can write messages as needed. :o)

View from the door. The front is kind of boring; I'll need to add student work or a few more posters soon!

For students to collect absent work. This is on the wall on the left as you enter. I still need to add class periods on the folders, but I don't want to cover my owls!

Calendar...next to the absent work section. A desk will probably be moved underneath for handouts...I have 33 desks and 29 students in my largest class so far. :o)

Class expectations. I made this in Photoshop and printed it. I kind of love the owls (freebie I found online!).

To the right of the door when you walk in. I have my podium in the back with tardy/advisory sign-out sheets and hopefully miscellaneous student supplies eventually. Once we write our social contracts, I will post them on posters on the chalkboard. I cannot stand the sound or texture of chalk so I covered my board up as soon as I got in my room!

Class library...I need to go through some more boxes of books in the garage to add to it. The bookshelf was a score from Walmart for $12.50! I made the pillows in college and am finally pulling them from obscurity in the attic. The chair was also from college, but I can't remember when I actually used it...

View from my desk. I had major issues with my SMARTBoard today and have cords everywhere now...but this morning it looked nice and neat. :o)

Board for assignments. Homework goes on the outside for the week, and date, objective, and agenda go in the middle for my different classes. I totally dig the symmetry.

Front of the room...the crates will probably hold graded work to be handed back and upcoming assignments (which would be moved to somewhere closer to my desk if that was the case!). Still need to figure that out.

My desk area. I need to print pictures this weekend to add to my boards!

That's all I've got for now! I finally unpacked my class sets of books today, and have started to organize my cabinet and figure out an organization system for all of my files. Thanks for checking out my room!

Random Photo Wednesday

Sleepy Brody.

Yesterday was my first day of teacher inservice, and although it was jarring being back in school mode after the summer off, I was getting really excited for school to start (Sidenote: my mentor teacher would probably say that I need to build up my "teacher stamina" again. Major headache in my brain by 3:30! I came home and fell asleep on the couch for over an hour.). Our team met and we planned pretty much all day, which was great to hear the experienced teachers' thoughts and methods. I am hoping to take photos of my room tomorrow to post on the blog! I tell myself that anyways...we'll see if it actually happens. ;o)

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How cute is this?! Fairy tales as math equations...totally love. Oh Pinterest, how I can waste so much time with thee.