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!