Monkey bars

Has anyone heard of Monkey bars? It's an app you can download for free, but you buy the music. They are a "socially driven platform" for artists.  Anyway, the reason I bring this up is because Daughtry  has a song on there for $1.00 with all the proceeds going to Sandy Hook Elementary.  The song is "Gone too Soon".  Check it out: Monkeybars.net


Hope everyone is having as good a Christmas as you can!

       

Oh boy! I do kinda suck in the "keeping up with blog" department! I apologize! And now, it's not going to get much better in the next 2 weeks because I'm having surgery on Thursday. I don't know that I'll feel much like blogging. Has anyone ever had an ovarian cyst and had to have their ovary removed? That's what's happening. Anyway, I hope to be back and better at blogging in October!
Oh, one last thing, I was reading Elizabeth's blog Fun in Room 4B, and she got together with a bunch of bloggers in South Carolina! How much fun is that? I'm so jealous! But it got me thinking-are there any bloggers in Southern California? Wouldn't it be fun to get together some time? What do you think?

I Won an Award!!

Happy lazy days of summer, friends!  Yes, I've been MIA for a while, but that's because it's summer, and I am L.A.Z.Y!!  However, I had to acknowledge the fact that I won an award!!  I never thought that would happen!  

I must thank Penny, over at Superlative Science, for this coveted honor!  Be sure to check out her blog!    
         
                                                                                     
Now, I guess that last thing I must do is start some serious blog stalking so I can bestow this lovely award on some other wonderful people!

ISTE Conference 2011

Hi Friends! Happy summer to you all! I've been out of school for 2 weeks, and guess what? I'm at a technology conference! At least I'm in beautiful San Diego! I'm learning all about tech to use in the classroom. Overwhelming, but interesting! Have an enjoyable summer!

I'm joining the link party, too!

Bonnie, at Living a Wonderful Life, is having a cool linky party! So, of course I had to try it, since I do have some obsessions of my own.  Check out her site, and what everyone else is obsessed about-after reading my obsessions.

My first join in! Yahoo!!  And what a cute idea! So, what are my obsessions?? Well...

1. I'm obsessed with cute fonts and clip art! I think it's a little strange, however, I'm getting over the "weirdness" factor.

2. I LOVE blog-stalking and "stealing" ideas! I think if staring at a computer screen didn't churn my stomach after an hour or so, I would stay on all day long! I am so intrigued by what all of you incredibly talented teachers do! I get so many neat ideas, but then I have too many, so I don't know where to start or where to end, and my room ends up looking the same, and I don't create any of the cute curricular things I want! UGH!!!

3. I obsess over books!  Totally love Melissa Cruz and her Blue Bloods series, and Cassandra Clare and the "City" books.

                   

               




   4. Here's the worst obsession that I have, and I'm sure I'm not alone. I TOTALLY obsess over my weight!!  I am constantly trying to lose weight, eat healthy, exercise-all to feel like the biggest failure when I can't stop eating!! UGH!!  And as I always say, this summer, I am going to really focus on having a healthy summer, but making it fun!

I think those are about the gist of my obsessions.  Now I'm going to read what everyone else's obsessions are!

Great News!

Long time, no post-I know! But, I have a good reason...the Monday after testing, I got engaged!!!  My boyfriend popped the question a few weeks ago, right in our living room! It was the sweetest, simplest proposal, and I LOVED it!  So, as you can imagine, I haven't really had my head in the bloggy arena-let alone on teaching.  But, I'm back in my head again, so I'll try to focus on the task at hand-finishing up the last 4 weeks.  Yes-4 weeks left!!  It's going to be the longest 4 weeks, too.
We have Open House this Thursday, and as usual, I'm scrambling to get stuff up.  I am just NOT into work lately.  Does anyone else feel this way?  After testing, shouldn't the year be OVER??  Anyway, I'm going to try and enjoy the end of the year.  What do you do the last few weeks of school?

Testing Begins

So, as I had said, we started our state testing today.  I totally flailed this year, (not that I've done anything before), but I had this great idea to give my kids a little something to "pep" them up.  As I was in the check out line at Trader Joe's, I saw their Organic Pops, just sitting there, screaming at me, "You can do something with us! Buy us, lady!" So I grabbed a container, and went home. Hmmm...what to do with these things? What little saying can I put with 'Pops'??  I wracked my brains, and it wasn't until this morning at 5:00 AM, that it hit me! "Stay calm, the answers will POP into your head!" But, how to give this in a cutsie way? Ladybug's Teacher Files to the rescue! Thank you Kristen! She had mentioned www.misstiina.com on one of her awesome files, so I went there, downloaded oodles of borders and clips, and I can up with a cute little idea for my little darlings! And they loved them! Here's a picture of what I put on each desk before they came in to class this morning:

                                                                                                        

Folktales?

Happy Monday! We are testing starting tomorrow!! The positive is that I'm not giving homework, which is a break for me my kids! ;) So, with testing, we ease off a bit on hardcore curriculum, so I thought I'd teach Tall Tales; Fables; Folktales; Fairy Tales.  I've gotten a few items, but no units. Does anyone have or know of any cute units in these areas??  I'd be grateful!  Thanks!!
And good luck to all of you who still have testing ahead!

Home Alone

I don't know if I should be super happy this morning, or a little sad. My boyfriend left last night for Florida, and I am home alone for the week! It was weird sleeping in an empty house, except for the cat. Needless to say, I didn't get much sleep, and I feel very tired today.  However, I am a little excited to be on my own, because I think I'll be able to get more work done this week.  We start our state testing on Tuesday, and we have Open House on the 24th.  I need some good projects to do for that! Any fun suggestions?  Only 7 weeks left of this year! I can't wait! When are you all out?

Just saying Hi.

This will be quick, as I am trying to focus on getting grading done! I know I've been MIA for a few weeks, but that's because I was on Spring Break for a week, and last week, our first one back, was a little crazy since I somehow caught a cold, and was not feeling well for the last 5 days!  So, I haven't really had much to blog about.  We have our state testing coming up in a week, and I'm so worried that I haven't covered everything! I have to still teach double-digit multiplication and long division to third graders-NOT EASY!!  UGH! So, I definitely have my work cut out for me this week.  Suddenly, I feel so stressed out! But, the light at the end of the tunnel-only 8 weeks left! 39 days not counting Memorial Day. Yeah!!
Quick question: has anyone adopted a new reading program: Excursions? The publisher is Houghton Miflin Harcourt.  Please let me know, because I'm looking for teachers who either are using this program now, or will be next year.  Thanks!!

Hoppy Sunday!

Happy Easter, bloggy friends! I hope everyone had a glorious day! Here in SoCal, the weather was PERFECT! Low 80's, blue skies, sun shining.  A perfect start to Spring Break!  I have to say thanks to Miss T for tagging me last week, because I've gotten some new followers from tagging other awesome teachers.  I had no followers for a while, and it was kinda weird writing stuff to no one but myself. (sorta of like talking to  yourself with no one listening-creepy) However, I'm sure many people start off slowly, and you build speed as you go.  So, a big shout out to my new followers! And now that you're here, I have a reason to get better at this whole blogging thing! Yay!
I am going to say, enjoy spring break to those of you just starting, like myself, and have a great week back to those of you just ending.
Time for me to go relax for a while, and look for something to eat for dinner.

Long but worth it...Spring Break!!

I have been tagged! So, I am going to answer these great questions I've been asked, and then I'm going to hope that I tag 10 blogs that haven't been tagged yet. I apologize in advance if you get double-tagged.
Miss T. over at Journey of a Substitute Teacher got me!

Here Are The rules:

* Post these rules

* Answer the 10 questions that the tagger posted for you

* Create 10 questions of your own to ask the people that you're about to tag

* Tag 10 people and link them with your post (and let them know they've been tagged!)

First I will answer the questions asked of me:

1. If you could teach any grade, what would it be?

    Well, I have taught 4 different grades, and I would say 3rd or 4th are the grades I like teaching the best. However, I would love to teach 5th grade because I LOVE U.S. history and would like to teach that.

2. What is the one thing you couldn't live without in your classroom?

    I COULD NOT live without my laptop!!  When my old laptop died, and needed a new hard drive, I was LOST without it for 2 weeks!

3. What's one thing you need in your classroom?

    I need my Smartboard.

4. What's your favorite school lunch?

    I don't eat school lunches so I can't really answer that.  I think when I was a kid in school, burritos were my favorite.

5. Do you have a favorite tv show?

    Probably too many! I love White Collar, Fairly Legal, Vampire Diaries, Gifted Man, Blue Bloods, The Glades, Royal Pains, and Army Wives.  Do I need to get a life? Absolutely!!!

6. Do you have writers's block as a blogger sometimes?

    ALL THE TIME!!  That's why I haven't been blogging lately! Being a new blogger is pretty difficult.

7. What talent you would like to be able to do? 

   I wish I could draw really well.  I would also like to be able to play the piano really well. (I can't do either anymore) Oh, I wish I was more athletic, too. (does that count as a talent?)

8. Who's your favorite musician/group right now?

    I love Rascal Flatts, however, I really like Fun. and Gotye, too.

9. Best teaching moment ever?

    I would have to say the best moment ever was when a former student came back to find me when he was in high school or had graduated high school, (I was his 6th grade teacher) and he told me that his success in school was due to me. I totally got teary eyed, and I think I even cried when he left! He was the sweetest kid! In my class he had some personal issues, and I so wanted him to succeed. I was overjoyed!

10. Any funny sayings or happenings that happened in your class this week yet?

     No funny sayings, and I can't think of anything funny that happened, but I think something did. My mind is on sleep now that I made it to Spring Break!!

So, now I have to find 10 unsuspecting bloggers that I hope will still be my friends if I sneak attack.

Hmmm...

Amanda at One Extra Degree                                      Miss Ice at 3rd Grade Sprinkles

Dana at 3rd Grade Gridiron                                          Kristen at Ladybug's Teacher Files

Brian at Hopkins Hoppin Blog                                       Christina at Mrs. Bainbridge's Class

The girls at Lesson Plan SOS                                        Julie at Thoughts of a Third Grade Teacher

Erika at The Honey Bunch                                           Amber at Adventures of a Third Grade Teacher

Now, my questions. Oh boy! It's Friday at 6:00, on a field trip today, and I'm FINALLY on Spring Break! I can do this, though.  

1. What state do you teach in?

2. What is your all-time favorite movie?

3. Are you a sports fan? What's your favorite team?

4. If you could be anywhere RIGHT NOW, where would that be?

5. What was your reason for becoming a teacher?

6. If you had to change professions, what would you do?

7. What technology do you have in your classroom? (i.e. Smartboard; document camera; computers;responders, etc)

8. Do you own a pet? What kind? What's your pet's name?

9. If you had to recommend a book for  me to read, what would it be?

10. What is the best thing you cook?

Phew! I did it! I hope you have fun! Thanks for playing along.

Happy Sunday?

Happy Sunday, friends! Have you ever just had one of those weekends where you really want a new job? This has been one of those weekends! I'm so glad I only have one week left, and then Spring Break! I've been so exhausted lately, I don't know why?!  Kinda scary.
So, here is my question: how do all of you brilliant creative teachers create all of your beautiful curricular activities that you do?? I'm in awe. I'm thankful to be able to either buy your work or download it for free! But I want to contribute too.  I feel like my creative juices are dry.  Any inspirational tips would be appreciated! Thanks!

Too Many Subs!

So, have you ever had one of those months where you feel like you are never in the classroom? That is how my March has been! Between personal needs to be out of the class and district trainings, I think I've had a sub for 6 or 7 day this month!! My poor kids! I should probably plan something fun for them to apologize, huh? And they have been so well-behaved for their subs, too, bless their little hearts! Any suggestions or ideas??

Big Thank You

I have to thank Amber at Adventures of a Third Grade Teacher for posting Erika's name and site on her site, and Misty and Erika of The Honey Bunch for making over my blog. It looks FANTASTIC!! I love it!

CUE

So, I'm at the annual CUE (Computer Using Educators) Conference in Palm Springs. Having a great time learning about new things to do with technology in my class. This is my 7th year, and I learn something new each time. Of course, my kids are left with a sub for 2 days, but I'm okay with that, because I need a little break.
Happy Friday! And happy St. Patrick's Day tomorrow!!

Teachers helping teachers!!

Check out this blog, and do whatever you can to help.  We need to help out the people in our own backyard!

Thank you Crystal-you rock!

Is this Crazy??

Tell me if this is not the dumbest craziest thing you have heard of?  Our district got the community to pass a bond last year so now we have a (supposed) LOT of money.  It is supposed to be used for technology in the district, and for the schools, as well as structural things.  (second part of backstory) Our Foundation passed a grant in Dec. to get our teachers (3-6 grades) new laptops.  <our teacher laptops are 6 years old!!>  We should have gotten these by now, EXCEPT the district said, in Jan., that they are going to do this 3 yrs. roll out program to get ALL TEACHERS IN THE DISTRICT a new laptop. (sounds great!)  <present dilemma> They FINALLY sent out the email saying which schools are first to get laptops (yes, my school is included) and we got to pick Mac or PC, but...BIG CAVEAT HERE: in order to get the laptop, you are REQUIRED to attend 2 workshops-one being Computer Basics 101.  Granted, there is a Basic class and an Advanced class, but it's to show you how to work a laptop.  HELLO.... we've had our laptops for 6 years! Do they really think I don't know how to use it??  And these "trainings" are ALL DAY!  So I have to write sub plans for 2 days!!  UNBELIEVABLE! Right??

In case you're wondering, the money that was going to be spent by our Foundation goes back to Foundation.  We never spent the money. The check and order got put on hold when this all came to light.

Does anyone else have a ridiculous district?  What lame thing have they done?

Jamie
BTW, thanks for listening to the rant.

Spaced Out...

This week was the second week of learning about space.  The kids learned about orbits and eclipses. I was so excited that I had bought LessonplanSOS's Solar System Spectacular!!  They have the cutest projects! I love this "Awesome Orbits" project that I did with the kids. I will post a picture (hopefully). I think being able to see the model of the orbits of the Moon and Earth will definitely help the concept stick in their heads!

I think I like how they came out, except some of the labels are upside-down! Yes, we are getting ready for our Distinguished School visitors in 2 weeks!! Yikes! (I mean UGH!!)

Biography Presentations

Today was "biography presentation day".  The kids gave oral presentations on famous people, and they were dressed up as that person.  Some of them had great costumes, while others went bare minimum.  They are getting better at speaking in front of the class.  And today, they had to speak in front of 15 parents, too!!  They did a great job!

In math, we are studying fractions. Here is a picture of our fractional penguins, idea courtesy of Amber Polk.

Busy, busy, busy...

Yesterday was so busy! Up waaayyy too early, thanks to Bella. She kept hitting the bedroom door, trying to get me to come out, which, of course I did! Bad Kitty! Up and out of bed at 7:30-on a Saturday??!!  Breakfast, dropped car off to get the brakes fixed-ouch! Then a trip to CostCo and Home Depot with the boyfriend.  The good news is...we're getting new flooring!!  Since I bought my condo 2 1/2 years ago, I've wanted to rip out the carpet downstairs and put in hardwood. Since my boyfriend moved in, and his allergies have gone crazy, and my tax refund came through, we finally took the plunge! We're not exactly getting the hardwood floors of my dreams, but we're getting a decent laminate that will look just fine.  At least the creepy, crawly carpet will be gone! Yay!!

First post of the Season

Here I am, posting for the first time.  I'm hoping I will keep up with this, and share the funny adventures in my third grade class.  Hope it's not boring!  

Little angels...

Today was Dr. Seuss's birthday, and we had a reading party after lunch. All was great, until the end. The kids read with friends on their blankets, and they ate goldfish crackers.  As we started cleaning up, someone says to me, "Miss Hoisman, the boys in the corner were throwing goldfish." As I looked up, steaming frothing, okay, fire in my eyes, I saw lots of little goldfish on the floor. Without screaming, I firmly told all those boys, no one was leaving until they cleaned it up! "The broom is in the closet. Get it now!"
Needless to say, it got cleaned, and there will be no more foodie fun times in our class. What a bummer!