I Just Love CuRreNtLy!

I have been M.I.A. for a bit.....
Thursday was my daughter's 3 appts @ Vanderbilt (things are looking up).
We had an Early Release Day this past Friday with lots of meetings (ie lots of paper work to fill out).
BUT my OLW is Priority- and this weekend was Family First...so I didn't bring anything home! Yeah for me! (except I felt bad and went up there for 3 hours this morning)

Looking forward to everyone's currentlys.....

Phoneme Segmenting....what a load of @$!#*

OK, so I am "intervening" at small group today. {Makes it sound like they are addicted to something}
"Hi. My name is Sally and I'm a recess-holic.  I haven't used since yesterday"

Anyway- trying to improve those very creative spelling skills, so I busted out the Counting Creatures, set out number cards 2-6 and gave each student 5 or 6 picture cards from my stock FCRR box.

They were going to take turns, place their card under the # of phonemes they hear in the word.
So, "Jack" says, "Miss Squirrels! Miss Squirrels! Miss Squirrels!" {because he always says my name three times} "I'm all done look at my cards!"
I had him tell me what the picture was and then he used the counting creatures to count the sounds.
{We were on our way to extending to writing} but alas, it was not to be....
I picked up a card- to be pictured in a moment- because I was sure it was 6 sounds, but "Jack" had it under 3.

The back of the card had potato written on it- that is not what he saw.
I said, "Well 'Jack', This is a potato.  Watch me count it on the creature. We will place it under the 6 card. Let's count the sounds."
"I did! I did! I did! I did count the sounds and its THREE!"
"Well. Jack, what word do you think this is?"

 "Poop. Watch me count it on creature- p/oo/p. Poop."
 It was at that moment that I knew this lesson had gone to #%@^#!


Heading to my big appointment today! Nervous, excited, scared.....I just can't wait!

And I love the tags- it's the answers to the questions that are the best- teachers are just so darn witty!
If I am not all swollen, I will post a pic-
Have a great Tuesday!

(Tech problem: I downloaded SMiley Monster- but when I try to use it in word or ppt, the dots on the "i" is cut off and the "g" and "y" are cut off- I have changed the size of the font and that didn't work- and I scrapped it and downloaded a new one.....any suggestions??)

Ok, NOW you can have a great Tuesday

{after you solve my problem}.

Just kidding!

Get outta here-

you have work to do.......

go........really:)

Great Googly Moogly!- I'm am soooo Tagged!

1.       Wow! I got tagged 4xs today! And I feel bad if I don't answer all the questions- because then I feel like I am picking favorites- and we all know that teachers never pick favorites!!!

Here goes:

You must post the rules.
2. Post 12 fun facts about yourself on the blog post.
3. Answer the questions the tagger set for you in their post, and then create 12 new questions for the people you tagged.
4. Tag 12 people and link them on your post.
5. Let them know you've tagged them! 

 My Fun Facts:

1. I am almost 5'10". Always been taller than my friends:(

2. I was in an 80's Cover Band for about a year in 2000. Lead singer.

3. I hate to drive- anywhere!

4. I don't like to sleep at night- that is why I always have to take a nap!

5. My sister is my next door neighbor.

6. I was a bartender at Applebee's while I was in college (made more $ doing that) for reals!

7. The only thing I hate more than "kitchen" is laundry (remember the bathing suit bottoms?)

8. I think only 1 teacher I know at my school knows I have a blog- she hasn't said it- but she made a comment the other day that makes me think she does....hmmm....can you say "start censoring!?!?!"

9. I used to be able to fit my whole fist in my mouth- let me try....nope, scratch that one.

10. I am addicted to reality TV.

11. I am two years older than the Mr. (he doesn't let me forget it)

and

12. I hate to shave my legs (I do it, but I hate it) I would rather "grow socks" in the winter!!

Ok- now for the other questions

Questions from  Tammy @ Klinger Cafe

How long have you been teaching? 6 years

What was your first teaching job? Kindergarten here in the same school

What made you decide to become a teacher? Watching my daughter in her toddler years

Do you have a teaching “idol?” yes, her last name is Skau
What is your favorite thing to do in the summer? swim, then nap, then swim, (and indulge in adult frothy beverages)

Do you get a spring break if so when? Last week of March this year

Do you have extra duties besides teaching that are nonpaid? non that require extra hours at the school- i get in service hours for Leadership and Hospitality

Who is the “go to” person at your school? on grade level- me (I'll take my bow now)

What is your greatest dream in the world of teaching? iPads for everyone!!!!!

What snack gets you through “those days?”Anything with Chocolate

What would you be doing if you didn’t teach? My first major was Acct. but I don't know if I could hang in that business!

Would we be friends if we taught together, why or why not? Of course- I think the teachers who choose to blog and share automatically have something that would spark a friendship....I think we are all the same personality type!

Bonnie @ Living a Wonderful Life

1. What state do you live in? TN
2. Do you collect anything? weird friends
3. What is your favorite color? grays and black
4. Do you do anything work related on the weekend? Every weekend!
5. What is your favorite food? Chocolate
6. How long is your commute to work? 7 mins tops
7. If you won the lottery, what would you do with the money? splurge on the family- then work on our school district!
8. How do you spend your time when you're relaxing? napping
9. How many weddings have you been in? 3
10. What is your favorite place you've visited? Fredericksburg, VA
11. If you weren't a teacher, what would you be? calm....har har....I don't know, really- I haven't thought of it before
12. Kids...do you have any?  How many do you have/want? I have 3. Daughter is 15, boys are 7 and 10
    Stacy @ 2nd Grade Paradise
    So...onto the 12 questions for my peeps...
    1. How long have you been blogging? October 2011
    2. What is your favorite flavor of ice cream? World Class Chocolate from Baskin Robbins
    3. Who is your number one blogging addiction, as in, gotta' read their new post every day?? I am copping out on this one- I read all the ones I follow!
    4. Best find on Pinterest to date? (slightly selfish motivation) My squirrels!!!
    5. Most memorable freebie from the blog world to date? (more selfish...) fresh in my mind- Abby's inferring activity
    6. Worst experience as a teacher? This past Friday- they were C.R.A.Z.Y.! Dropping the hammer tomorrow!
    7. Best? First year- it was stressful- but so fulfilling!
    8. Why did you become a teacher? Watching my daughter grow and learn was an inspiration
    9. What are you obsessed with BESIDES blogging? my displays at school
    10. I feel the best when I am in the room with the sweeties and we are working without worry of assessment and plans and evals- but they are into it and learning!!! (not really a question and yet, it so is!)
    11. What celebrities have you met if any? no actors
    12. What shows can you NOT live without watching? Jersey and Mob Wives
    
    
    Rebecca @ Teaching First
    1. What is your favorite t.v. show? Mob Wives the Hoarding shows
    2. What was your favorite food as a child? fish sticks
    3. What is one of your favorite quotes? "A person's a person no matter how small"
    4. What is your favorite season of the year? Fall
    5. If you could have any technology in your classroom, what would you ask for? iPads!
    6. If you could ask a person from history about a past event who would it be and what event would it be? Abraham Lincoln- I gotta know- why the beard and no stache......? It's just odd.
    7. What is your favorite dessert? Chocolate Chess Pie
    8. What is your best quality as a teacher? Patience
    9. If you had one piece of advice you could have give a new blogger what would it be? Set aside a time for blogging!
    10. What time do you usually get up for work? 6am
    11. Where would your dream vacation be? a beach....a private beach- that way no one could see me!
    12. What is the last book you read? The Help
    
    
    
    
    
    
    Whew!  With Valentine's Day being so close....
    My questions:
    1. When was the last time you talked to your high school sweetheart?
    2. What is the most important quality in your lovey- dovey?
    3. Do you believe in love at first sight? Has it ever happened to you?
    4. Where is the most romantic place you have gone for a date?
    5. Does your sweetie support you in the blogging world? (The Mr thinks it's silly).
    6. If you could plan a getaway with your honey, where would you go?
    7. What is one word that best describes you both as a couple?
    8. How long have you been with your honey-bunny?
    9. What is the best present you have ever received for Valentine's Day?
    10. What is best present you have given to someone for Valentine's Day?
    11. Where was your first date?
    12. Why don't you show ME some love and add me to your Blog Roll!?!?!?!? <3 Smooches!!
    
    
    
    Now for the hard part.... I am trying to make sure I don't tag someone who has been tagged!
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    Sunny from The Caffeinated Teacher
    
    
    Whew! 
    That was  A LOT! 
    Several Cups of coffee on this one!
    Keep Tagging!!!!
    

Inferences and Weapons of Mass Destruction

Thank you, Abby from The Inspired Apple!

I don't think I have EVER used the word infer or inference and had so many light bulbs go off!
I am SEEEER-E-US!
Brilliant Lesson {thank you, Abby, for your post}! And I totally traced the clipart from a google search (the keys and the camera).
The rest was Abby's!
I also used My Granny's Purse- a book that my mother in law gave to my daughter like 10 years ago!

It was a magical moment for them. And me! Some of their work on display:

I had Bath and Body works spray- he infers that I like other people to smell good and I spray them in they are stinky. 

And the "shrpie" cracks me up.....he sort of lost direction before he finished that one- but he was right, "It never erasis" :)

Ok, now for the WMD-

I know they were never found over there in Iraq- that is because they are living in my closet!

They are my favorite black shoes. And they make my feet SMELL HORRIBLE! 

I am talking about smells so bad, you can get a whiff IMMEDIATELY after the shoe is removed.

Sometimes when the MR isn't in the car yet, we play a game. It is called "Lets- see-how-long-it-takes-Daddy-to-realize-Mommy's-shoes-are-0ff"! {His record is under a minute}!

I don't know why. It is just those shoes. And I wear trouser socks! They are wearing out though- and I don't remember where I got them!  This makes me sad...:(

I am now using them as "Chemical Warfare". I have told my neighbor teacher that if any meeting seems like it is taking too long- give me the signal {holding your nose} and I will remove a shoe.....

We have an Academic Coach meeting tomorrow during planning- LET THE GAMES BEGIN......!

It's Been That Kind of Sunday!

If I were any lazier than I was today....I would be dead!

Here is a list of things I have done today: In order

1. Woke up.
2. Took a nap.
3. Woke up again.
4. Tried to take a second nap (thanks kids)!
5. Had the Mr drive me to 6 stores looking for  a new pen (really)
6. ....there isn't a #6 yet. I will have to get back to you!

I did read lots of blogs. Found lots of Giveaways!



She is celebrating 400 followers! Congratulations- I am thinking positively- I will win the gift card....I will win the gift card..... {we'll see how that works}



This is a "joint" giveaway- so lots and lots of goodies to win!




Jana has posted her first product on Tpt. It is very cute! That is a huge step- I haven't taken it yet- but I will soon, very soon...ok, not too soon because I lacking in motivation on the weekends....but hopefully soon! {It looks great, Jana!)

And last but not least- Melissa at DillyDabbles is having a PHENOM Common Core pack giveaway....she's not choosing until she gets to 50 followers....so send everyone over there! It is AH-Mazing!

Our 100th day is this Thursday- we really don't do a whole lot with it. Kindergarten does {I used to}...but it is hard to forfeit a day.
I saw someone comment early this weekend that she really liked so many of the Craftivities, but because of scope and sequence and pacing guide and curriculum constraints- she wasn't able to do as many of those as she liked....I am in the same boat!
We are a Scott Foresman district....it's on our report cards and everything- so I HAVE to do that.  I have to make our activities during our center time or small group.

I already push the envelope by making the things we do- only one other firstie teacher {out of nine} does them- and it is like a "covert" operation bc we are afraid others wont see it the way we do, as far as covering standards....

Do you follow a  reading series? is it optional? Do you have "freedoms"?

(I think this post now counts as #6)...hee hee