From The Mouths of Babes!

This week at school we are celebrating presidents! We enjoyed a day off on Monday, Tuesday we focused on Abraham Lincoln, yesterday we focused on George Washington, and today we read If I Ran For President

http://www.amazon.com

This book is FANTASTIC!!!! My firsties just LOVED it!! It walks the reader through the process of running for president from start to finish in a easy to read and understand manner.  After we read this, we discussed the qualities of a good leader. WOW! They BLEW. ME. AWAY.  Here is the anchor chart that we created listing the traits:

What a list!!!! I am so impressed!!! Hey world! First graders believe that a good leader is HONEST! Do you hear that world?!?!?!? Also, a good leader is brave because sometimes they have to say or do things that may not be popular! Wait! What? Yep these were the conversations that were had today!!!
After we created our list of traits we did a little writing about if we were president.  Get this, they were ENGAGED! Oh yeah! That's right! It's February, single digits out, no snow day in sight and they were ENGAGED IN WRITING!!!! I used Michelle Tomaszewski's President's Day Free Printables for the template (check out here TPT store: https://www.teacherspayteachers.com ) here are a few examples of our writing:

January Revisit

So January brings all sorts of fun into the classroom.  Sometimes, we return from winter break ready to go like we never missed a beat and other times it is like the first time we have stepped foot into a classroom.  My K buddy D came back from winter break with a class of the latter.  Now, remember she was on maternity leave from the start of the school year until the beginning of December so her kiddos were still adjusting so she wasn't too surprised that her students were struggling when we returned to school.  She came to me and told me that her kiddos were struggling with Daily 5, this was the week that both K and 1 were completing their MAP testing.  I gave her the following advice:

Sometimes you have to walk away from the plan.

Your students have a crazy week this week because of testing,

scrap the plans and reteach procedures.  Oh and hey

my kiddos are awesome (in my humble opinion) with Daily 5,

how about you bring your kiddos down to my room and we 

can pair them up to learn the ropes!

Please note that the MOST IMPORTANT piece of information in that is "sometimes you have to walk away from the plan"!!!  Also, we had a 4 day week that week and I told D that it will be way easier to make up 4 days of material than to struggle the rest of the year.  Here is what happened in pictures:

Working on Writing

Work on Writng

Work on Writing

Listening to Reading

Work with Teacher

Word Work

Read to Someone

Work on Writing

We have now paired our students up twice! It was a great January refresher for my kiddos.  D is noticing that her students have a more concrete idea of what is expected of them! Believe me it was not perfect - students were being pulled for various services, students had to use the bathroom, students forgot what they had to do, I mean how perfect could it be?  We had over 30 students in there!!! But it was a positive experience and one that I think not only benefited the K kiddos but also the firsties!

Pinterest PD

Over my winter break I....
Spent time on Pinterest pinning ideas for a project that my K friend D and I are working on.  Okay so back this story up a little.
A Month Ago
D was on maternity leave and of course I was missing her like crazy! She called me one day and said "So what would you think about doing themes?" Ummmmm OK! So D created a calendar and a Pinterest board (that we share)  to pin any ideas.  She shared everything via Google Docs (so awesome) and we were set.
3 Weeks Ago
D was back at work!!!  Hooray!!! AND we had common prep! So we sat down and got to work!! Again LOVE Google Docs!!! Before we left for winter break we had the first week of January ELA planned for Kindergarten and First Grade - go us!
2 Days Ago
I needed to get the 2nd week of January done for my firsties. I totally rocked it out, but then...

I.Logged.On.To.Pinterest.

BIG MISTAKE!!!

I started looking for ideas for the last two weeks in January and the next thing I knew it was 1:30 in the morning. Oh my goodness, who does that? Oh me apparently!  It's too bad I can't earn credits because as my little ecard states I would have a Ph.D! 

Random Musings

So earlier this week I began a journey that involved 2 LOOOONG days of driving. Now I was very fortunate to have completed this drive in a reliable and comfortable vehicle. So comfortable that I was afforded the luxury of satellite radio which was awesome at first however I mentally compiled a list of songs that at the beginning of my journey I enjoyed but now have no desire to hear Ever.Again.

1. The Weekend I Can't Feel My Face
I Can't Feel My Face

I honestly liked this song and enjoyed it until this week. As my drive continued and I heard it for the millionth time I begin to wonder WTF? The song makes no sense! I can't feel my face when I'm with you? Really? That might be considered a health problem, you might want to get it checked out. Oh but wait you like it? Uhhhhh maybe not healthy.

2. Fifth Harmony Worth It ft. Kid Ink
Worth It

Ok again, a catchy song that I used to like to sing along to, however over playing it like 10 times an hour just ruins it. When I would hear it I began singing along in a nasaly tone that bordered on a witch's cackle. Probably not my finest hour, at least other drivers couldn't hear me!

3. Taylor Swift Bad Blood
Bad Blood

Peanut and I LOVE Taylor Swift but I am So.Over.This.Song. I get it, y'all used to be friends but now not so much. Friends come and go, reason, season, lifetime blah blah blah but wow, you really pack a punch here literally and figuratively

 4. Walk The Moon Shut Up and Dance

Shut Up and Dance

Another song that in the past I have found to be catchy but I was never very comfortable with the whole use of "shut up". I just find the saying impolite. Then add to the overuse in this song plus the over play and I am Over.It. I really just want to encourage whomever it is to just dance! Dance like no one is watching! Shake it! A good dance marathon while washing dishes, sweeping the floor, or doing laundry never hurt anyone, well ok maybe those of us that are less than graceful but we still end up happy!

Grandmas, Mommy, and Peanut Weekend!

So last year mom, my mother-in-law, Peanut and I began a new tradition - going to Great Wolf Lodge over mid-winter break. Currently we are enjoying the 85* temperature inside the hotel water park while the rest of the state is enjoying bitter temperatures and snow.  We love it here but I learned some interesting things today:

1. Once you become a parent and you begin to participate in the "family fun" you must pack the essentials. While checking in I saw a cart with not only the luggage that was needed for the trip but also the absolute necessities of a large case of juice boxes stacked on top of a large case of beer.

2. The restaurant is more than happy to offer to go cups of your favorite adult beverage that can be taken anywhere in the hotel.  This totally beats the slurpee that they add rum to and call a daiquiri at the pool!

3. No matter how old a person looks or how many children they have they are still a frat boy at heart. Case in point with the dads that were cheering their sons on as they face planted from log to log in the pool ignoring the rope that they are supposed to "monkey bar" across. I will say, in all this cheering they totally avoided spilling their beers!

We have such a great time when we are here!!!! ❤️ it!!!

  

Cupcake

So I have discovered the magic of "The Elf on the Shelf".  First and foremost, Peanut's elf "Cupcake" has been instrumental in reminding her just how she should behave in these weeks leading up to Christmas.  Not that we have many issues with her but in my experience even some of the best kids lose their minds a little as Santa's appearance draws near.  Secondly, DH and I are having a BLAST coming up with creative ways for Cupcake to show his face.  Even more than the aforementioned reasons, the joy that Peanut has when she discovers what Cupcake has done while she is sleeping is priceless.  Now, I have to share this little tidbit of history with you before I continue with the elf and his adventures.  I have a confession to make:
I made my parents MISERABLE at Christmas with the idea of Santa!!!!!!!
Whew! Glad to get that out! That will be a story for another day but I will tell you that had "The Elf on the Shelf" been popular during my childhood, all bets would have been off and my dad would have made the elf so believable, I would still be having issues!
Back to our Cupcake.  He made his appearance in  grandiose fashion:

Cupcake gift wrapped Peanut's bedroom door and left her a note from Santa!

Peanut's face was priceless!  She couldn't believe that Cupcake wrapped her door!!!!  My mama was in town for the holiday and helped me with this endeavor.  So parenting failure number 2375, I had planned on doing this, had the paper and the ribbon but no tape!  The paper is actually duct tape which i accidentally left on the table next to Peanut's bed!  Then the next day, Peanut fund it and told me that Cupcake used "this tape on my door and left it out!". FAIL.  I had another parenting failure that day, number 2376 if you are keeping score, Peanut found the pictures of the elf on my camera. I was on my game and exclaimed "Cupcake took selfies on mommy's camera!".  Peanut then proceeded to write Santa a detailed letter about Cupcake's antics including taking mommy's camera and taking selfies! The things we say to keep the magic alive!

Two Girls and a Dog

Earlier this week I embarked on an amazing adventure! Before the sun was up Suzy Q, myself and K (Suzy Q's toy Yorkie) began our journey across the country towards Colorado.  You would think that this would be some what uneventful yet we found ourselves in some interesting places and situations.

While still in Michigan:

While we were still trekking across our great state and the sun was rising behind us we began to watch a driver who was erratically swerving lane to lane.  Suzy Q and I became concerned. Once we were a safe distance away from the said driver we called the proper authorities about the driver.  All of a sudden the other car blasts past us and becomes no where to be seen. About a half hour later we passed the said car on the side of the road empty. Apparently our concerns were founded.

Indiana and Illinois were uneventful with little to report.

Iowa:

Ahhhh Iowa was an adventure! We began Iowa by stopping at "The Largest Truck Stop in the World". This place was INSANE!!!!! Not only did this have what we found to be the CLEANEST bathrooms we encountered but there was also a barber, a dentist and the trucking museum.  But our adventure in Iowa didn't end there.  When we left the aforementioned stop, the sun was shining and the sky was blue.  However, it didn't stay that way. While Suzy Q drove, I took a little nap but when I woke up the sky was GROSS!  According to the weather, storms were headed our way - BAD storms.  Anyone who knows me, knows that I have anxiety when it comes to storms.  We had to pull over into a rest area while the storm blew through.  We found out later there were some funnel clouds and huge hail. Phew!!!! We couldn't get out of there fast enough!!!!!!

Nebraska passed with beautiful weather and nothing special to report. We arrived in Denver around 12 mountain time!!!! Let the adventures begin!!!!

 

So you get to color all day?

Yesterday I had the privilege of attending my friend Suzie Q's soccer game.  It was a great game and I really enjoyed watching (notice I have said nothing about wanting to play - I probably would've collapsed in the first 5 minutes).  While I was watching, the woman next to me started chatting with me.  As we were chatting I said that Suzie Q and I taught together.  The woman asked what grades.  When I told her that I taught first she quickly exclaimed "That must be so fun!  You get to color and play all day!"  Ummmmmm riiiiiiiight...... It blows my mind to know that people still view teaching in this way.  I am ashamed to say that I cannot even recall the last time my kiddos picked up a crayon unless they were in art class with the art teacher.  There are so many intellectual demands on the littles now that sometimes I have to purposely plan for the fun.  So do I get to color all day? No. Do I wish that I could? Sometimes (see my mom's post about crayon therapy http://itstheprincipalofit.blogspot.com/2013/08/crayon-therapy-speaking-of-crayons-i.html).  Maybe someday people will realize just what exactly teachers do everyday. I leave you with this awesome video that always makes me smile:  

My $5.51 First World Problem

So anyone who knows me knows that this girl LOVES her coffee!!!  Even my kiddos know that my coffee is with me until lunch.  Most days I make coffee at home and bring it in my huge travel mug (it holds 3 cups), sometimes if I am running a bit late I will grab coffee at the gas station in town (which probably isn't that great but hey caffeine is caffeine) and once in a while I treat myself to Starbucks.  Now when I decide to give myself this treat, my choice is a venti caramel macchiato with an extra shot of espresso (a triple venti caramel macchiato for those schooled in Starbucks talk).  Earlier this week I decided that I needed to treat myself (again this is not a daily occurrence, there is no way I could afford this $5.51 cup of heaven every day).  So anywho, my day is going pretty much normally.  As I am sitting with my small group at the table, one of kiddos picked up my coffee (remember the $5.51 coffee) and dumped it all over the other kiddos' papers!  OMG!!!!!!!!!!  I just looked at him like really?  I didn't even know what to say!  The whole room that was just buzzing with activity was absolutely silent.  I know this falls into the category of "first world problems", but really?  He couldn't do it the day previous when I had cheap gas station coffee?  REALLY?!?!?!?  Maybe it has just been too long of a winter here and we are all suffering from a severe case of cabin fever.  Whatever it was, it was not my day to enjoy my heaven in a cup. 

Fail?

So I find myself frequently questioning my ability to be a parent. I encourage Peanut to try new things and always do her best. We have recently embarked on the gymnastics journey. The place we go is awesome! The coaches are super great and the other kiddos are pretty ok (there is always one tattletale or temper tantrum - never peanut!) and well to be honest I could take or leave the parents. Here's the thing, first of all Peanut is TALL for her age. We know that we are not raising the next gold medalist and that is ok! This is just for fun! It has really helped Peanut with her coordination which if you know us you know that we are NOT graceful people.  But I digress. You are probably wondering why I question my abilities. Two words - other parents. A class of 4 1/2 - 6 year olds was just called to the floor and I heard a mom say "if you have any negative energy, any at all, you need to take that and you need to use it to kill it in class!" WHAT? Seriously? I mean really? Your child is at the oldest in 1st grade! Do you think you have the next Team USA member? So my conclusion to this is, I am an awesome parent. I actually smile a little when Peanut struggles with something. Now before you go all judgmental  on me let me explain. Every milestone and activity Peanut has done she has met early and excelled with. This is good. But there is nothing wrong with learning that things do not always come easy and you have to work for things. So was this a fail for me or the nutty negative energy bar sitting behind me?

Did you ever have that day/week/month/year?

Well it has been quite a while since I have last posted on here (I'm sure you can give me an exact count dad!), but things have been CRAZY!!!  I feel like I have so much to say but I am not sure people want to read on for hours about it.  So what I thought was I would give a quick list of major highlighted events that have prevented me from posting and then some funny stories to share.  Here goes.  Since my last posting:
- I finished my writing class and am now taking an assessment class.  This class is an elective for me and is kicking my tail!
- Right before Christmas our boiler gave up on us - awesome.  Good news that was before we had Polar Vortex 1, 2, 3 and 4!
- When we were to return from winter break we ended up with an extra week off because of the snow and cold.  In fact in January I only taught 9 days! - Seriously 9 days!!!
- Ugh! Assessment class
- After all of this time off my firsties had to take their midyear assessment to which I am proud to say we made an average gain of 128 points in math and 201 points in reading - even with all the breaks!!!!!
- We had a full week in February off!!  Wahoo!!!!!  Peanut and I visited Great Wolf Lodge with both grandmas!  Peanut loved her girl's weekend!!!
- My washing machine bit the dust.  I know right?!?!?!? We can't catch a break with this house lately.  But I guess it was time, the washed came with the house and I believe it was actually older than me!!!
- Still plugging through the assessment class - 4 more weeks!
- Suzie Q and I have planned and are currently implementing one of the BEST reading months our school has seen in a long time!  Once it is over I will share pictures and ideas!
- I went on a scrapbooking trip with the girls and worked on my OWN stuff!  I NEVER get to do that!!!!
-Oh and if I forgot to mention it, my class is almost over and I am literally counting down the days!!!!

I will leave you now with the following conversation between me and Peanut:
Setting - the car on the way home from school
Peanut: Mom, you still haven't put a note in my lunchbox.
Me: What do you mean a note?
Peanut: I told you, I wanted a note from you in my lunchbox.
Me: Why?
Peanut: Everyone else gets a note in their lunchbox from their mommy.
Me: Really?  Everyone?
Peanut: Well not S____ she gets hot lunch.
Me: Oh so she gets a free pass.  I will try to remember. (In my head I am thinking, you can't read yet so your teacher probably loves me because you are the one student that she doesn't have to read a note to. )
Peanut: I am going to warn you tomorrow.
Me: Warn or remind?
Peanut: Remind.
Apparently this has become a trend to send notes in the lunch.  I missed the memo on this. I have explored the option of printable ones I have found on Pinterest as well as premade sets that can be bought.  Don't laugh, I looked into it.  DH told me that is all fine and dandy until 3 of the kiddos show up with the same note on the same day!  LOL!!!  Ok.  Enough of my adventures.  I will try my best not to let too much time go by before writing again!!!!

My Inner Extrovert

So Tuesday marked the beginning of my 6th graduate class!!!  I am officially halfway through my Master's Degree!  Go me!  When all is said and done, I will have a Master's in Reading and Language Arts and an endorsement for my teaching certificate as a Reading Specialist!!  This particular class is an elective and the topic is Teaching Reading and Language Arts with an emphasis on writing.  UGH!!!  I already took a writing class and it almost killed me!  One of our requirements is to write a collection of poems.  We were given a model that the professor wanted us to use as a guide to free write a poem in class, this is what I came up with (modeled after Everyone Needs A Father by Stephanie Miller):

Everybody Needs A Maid

Everybody needs a maid.

When your home is in chaos,

your life is in chaos.

It is not okay for the Laundry Fairy

to make her bi-weekly appearance.

One's hamper should not be overflowing.

The Broom Fairy cannot possible tackle 

the dust bunnies under the bed alone.

When shoes are being pushed out from under the bed,

it's too late.

Justification to hubby for a maid:

#1 Your socks, undies, pants and shirts 

do not walk themselves to the washer and dryer,

then neatly put themselves away

(contrary to what you may believe).

If you want dinner ready when you walk in the door,

laundry needs to be taken care of.

#2 Dust bunnies should not be permitted to grow teeth.

Running the vacuum, pushing a mop or swishing a broom

fall low on the daily need list

(somewhere after sleep).

A good maid would prevent teeth baring dust bunnies.

#3 A maid needs to clean

like we wish we could clean,

if we had time and energy.

When it came time to share our ideas, my classmates wrote wonderful ideas such as Everybody Needs A Hug, Everybody Needs A Friend, and Everybody Needs Love.  Yep I was that student...the class clown!!!  Who knew that the girl who used to hide behind her mother's leg and break down in tears when she went somewhere new would find her inner extrovert at age 32 in a graduate class!!

Who Says That?!?!?!?!?!?!?

Today was the first official day back to school for kiddos around the state.  As I was greeting my new class, DH took the peanut to her first day of preschool.  While unpacking Peanut's belongings in her cubby, DH heard a mother knocking on the door.  After unpacking her let the mama in the building. *Side note: I would have ignored the mother and if she questioned me later told her that for the safety of our children we just can't open the doors whenever we see fit but that is me.  Anywho, when DH let her in the building she asked "What took you so long?" to which he replied absolutely nothing and ignored her.  When they reached the classroom, Peanut's teacher exclaimed as she walked in the door "Hi beautiful (Peanut) we missed you!!!  You are so beautiful!!!"  Of course my kid totally eats this up!  The other mother stated matter of factly "She's not that beautiful." WHO SAYS THAT?!?!?!? Apparently that mom does.  What a terrible lesson for both children!!  Her child learns at a young age that you can say whatever you feel even if it hurts someone and Peanut learns at a young age that some people do not filter their thoughts before they hit their mouths.  Fortunately, Peanut did not hear this as it was the first day of school and she was "so excited" that she barely stood still for a picture!!!!

Oh The Places I Could Go...

This summer was one that was unique.  Normally Peanut and I enjoy the sunshine and spend time just hanging out around the house.  This summer not only flew by but as I really started to reflect, I realized I spent most of the summer in the car!  If I really wanted to be exact I traveled 3,134.64 miles for a total time of 54 hours and 44 minutes. 

All of this driving got me thinking, where else could I have gone?  This is what I have come up with:

Houston, Texas - My brother has just moved there and I could have driven there and back in 2,697.08 miles leaving me an extra 437.56 miles.

Denver, CO - Just a random place that I would like to see.  I could have driven there and back in 2,624.06 miles leaving me an extra 510.58 miles.

I wonder where else I could go???

 

Back to School Back to School

So this time of year, every year, the words "Back to School" are everywhere.  All I hear in my head is Adam Sandler singing in Billy Madison:

 

Sorry I can't help it!  It just makes me LOLOLOLOLOLOLOL!!!!! 

Anywho, as any teacher will tell you, as much as we get to enjoy the "summer off" we are constantly working just not necessarily in the confines of our classroom.  This week I have had the privilege to participate in Kagan training.  If you are unfamiliar with this check it out!!!  I cannot remember having this much fun in a Professional Development session!!  There are so many structures it is almost overwhelming!  The course I am in is 5 days - 8:30 to 4:00.  This makes for some very long days and some extremely mushy brain!!!  However, this being said, I have come home every night, jumped on Pinterest and Google looking for more ideas!!  I am very excited to implement these structures and procedures in my classroom.  Once I have got this going, I will share pictures!!!!  If you have any experiences that you would like to share, please do!!!!!

 

Halfway to 60

So this week it is the great Bohunk family vacation!  I would apologize for my lack of posts but alas, only 3 people actually read this anyway!  Per his usual, my brother once again celebrated his birthday on vacation.  This kid has spent his birthday in Reno, Missinabi Headwaters, Cincinnati, Branson,  Fox River, Virginia, a Bahamas Cruise, Boundary Waters in Minnesota to name a few.  I mean really?!?!?!?!?!?  Anyway, this summer was the BIG 3-0 and mom and I wanted to really go all out!!!  Of course, none of these ideas would have been possible without the assistance of Pinterest!  
Project Number 1:
"30 Gifts for your 30th Birthday"
As fun as this sounds, no one wants to receive 30 gifts!  Plus, what do you really get without going broke?  So modified:

As you can see, these are not new items.  Mom went through J's room and found a plethora of things that all had hilarious stories to accompany them.  
Project Number 2:
Memory Book
At the beginning of May, I began Facebook stalking J in order to contact his friends.  This was much easier said than done as his settings only allowed me to see our mutual friends.  In comes the help of J's beautiful fiance! JT was able to give me names and ways to get in touch with people.  Below is the "finished" product (I say this because people are still sending me emails and pictures - J may get a volume 2!):

It was a wonderful celebration!!!!  Happy 30th J!!!!  Remember...

Proud Mama/Proud Teacher Moment

Today I had the pleasure of waiting 40 minutes while new tires were installed on the goat mobile (long story).  While we were waiting I had the second pleasure of entertaining the 4 year old peanut.  Thank goodness for books and my phone!!  After we had read all of the books we brought with us, it was time to let peanut play on my phone.  I have an app for sight word practice and well it's never too early right?
The way the app works is the word comes on the screen and is pronounced out loud, then I have peanut repeat the word and we spell it together (I can't help it, it's the teacher in me!) then move to the next word.  Peanut took this one step further and began using each word in a sentence!  Wait! What? I almost fell off my chair!  Now these sentences were not always grammatically correct and some got a little silly but WOW!!!!  I am a proud mama/proud teacher!!!  Who knows? Maybe we will be reading by the end of the year!?!?!?!?!?!
 

Candy Crushed

So I hate to admit it but I have become one of those people that are addicted to the game Candy Crush!!!  But I am not alone in this!!!  DH originally started playing and got me hooked of course now I sit at level 79 and he is a little behind (but I'm not competitive!).  I know have my mom playing it and she is FRUSTRATED (I know, this is what we call a 'first world problem')!!  At last conversation about the game she told me that she is "still on the same stupid level" she was at when I left their house a few weeks ago.  Well not so much anymore.
I called there today and my dad answered.  I asked him what he was doing and he told me "playing Candy Crush"!  Uh oh!!  Now him?  Oh but this story gets better!
Few hours later dad calls:

"Hey dad what's up?"

"You're mom is going to be mad at me."

"Why? What did you do?"

"Well remember how I told you I was playing Candy Crush?" (on her IPad)

"Yes."

"Well I beat the level."

"I have a spare bedroom if you need somewhere to stay!"

Mom isn't home yet but this is sure funny!!  Who knew that this game would possess us the way it does?   

Scrapbook Chic

So far this year I have been a crafty bee!  Since January I have cranked out 3 scrapbooks for people as a wedding gift.  My only regret is that I did not take pictures of all of them  except for this one.  This was a collaborative effort between  myself and Suzy (two heads really are better than one!).  So in two Saturdays and some Lifetime Movies we created the following.  

 The album we purchased at Archiver's
I like this type of album because the ring style helps give extra room for large flowers and brads that cause the paper to push up.  
Paper was purchased at Michael's   and JoAnn's.
Layouts were various inspirations from Pinterest.