Currently July 2015

 This month has come way too quickly…June seemed to FLY by! 

But since it is a new month, I’m linking up with Farley at Oh’ Boy 4thGrade for the July Currently.

Listening – My Summer 2015 Playlist

I made a playlist of upbeat and fun songs for summer.  I’ve been really into Meghan Trainer lately, but Taylor Swift, Jack Johnson, Muse, Incubus, and Lady Gaga also make appearances.  It’s basically 153 songs that keep me in an upbeat mood for summer!

Loving – My New Hobby

I decided earlier this summer to stop working on school stuff 24 hours a day and actually have a hobby…so I started sewing!  I have made pj pants, an iPad case, and half of a quilted shopping bag so far.  You can see pictures here (http://bookishadvantage.blogspot.com/2015/06/monday-made-it-june-29-2015.html) if you’re interested.

Thinking – I should really start focusing on school stuff!

Because of my “no work in June” decision, I feel like I’m way behind on school work.  But I am also kind of enjoying the break from it…

Wanting – Someone to mow my grass…

I think this is self-explanatory.  I hate mowing.  L

Needing – Some awesome focus to help with the school work that needs to be done

See “Thinking” above…I need to just get moving, but this relaxing thing has been going so well…

All Star – Morning Person

Even though I’m not working on school work, I’ve been up early every morning this summer, and I actually love it.  It’s been relaxing to just drink coffee, read blogs, browse Pinterest, and watch Good Morning America.

That is my July Currently.  I’m really hoping to get some motivation and focus for the school stuff…tomorrow (since I’m going to the lake today)!

March Currently

This month, I am excited to be linking up with Farley at Oh’ Boy 4thGrade for March Currently. 

 

Listening: Muse is one of my favorite bands, and lately I can’t get enough.  My current playlist on iTunes is very eclectic, but there’s a lot of Muse.

Loving: My kids ROCKED their persuasive paragraph assignment over the weekend!  On Friday, we read I Wanna Iguana and the kids were asked to write their parents a letter explaining something extravagant that they would like.  The final results were awesome!  They asked for everything from cars to bagpipes to dragons.  I am hoping to post some of their finished paragraphs this week.

Thinking: I am a list maker, but lately, it seems that the lists are getting longer and longer (and harder and harder to accomplish!).  I am hoping to tackle some things today to decrease the stress load.

Wanting: Spring Break cannot come soon enough.  I love teaching and I love coaching, but the combination is exhausting!  I am ready for a week with no requirements!

Needing: This week is the first round of our state testing, and perhaps the only time I am adamantly opposed to school delays and closings.  We just need to get there with nothing out of the ordinary so the kids can do their best on this test!

Spring Break Plans: I have nothing planned for Spring Break except relaxing.  Ok, I’ll probably be tackling some things on the never-ending-list, but I also hope to read and relax a bit, too!

Februarly Currently

Today, I’m linking up with Oh Boy, Fourth Grade for this month’s Currently.

Listening – My NYE playlist on iTunes

I made a huge playlist for New Years Eve this year, because I was staying in and wanted a list of music  that would keep me entertained for several hours.  I have very eclectic taste in music, so there’s a little bit of everything on it: lots of Muse, Fun, Amy Winehouse, Ingrid Michaelson, Lorde, Ra, The Band Perry, and tons more. 

Loving – The start of a new swim season

In addition to teaching fifth grade, I coach the boys and girls swim team for one of the middle schools in my district.  Last week was try-outs week, which is always stressful (especially cuts night on Friday).  But now, I have my team established and we’re ready to go.  It should be a pretty great season!

Thinking – I’m going to have a lot of snow to shovel today!

We are supposed to get hit hard with snow today.  Nothing like the storms out east, but at least 6-10 inches, with blowing snow on top of that.  I’m not looking forward to all of that shoveling, especially since it’s supposed to be wet heavy snow on top of that.

Wanting – to sleep past 5 am

I have been a morning person most of my life, but lately, I am waking up between 4:00 and 4:30 every morning, which is just ridiculous!  It’s kept me productive, because I’m waking up motivated, but I’m exhausted by 8:00 at night!

Needing – a good book to read

I’m in a reading slump.  I just can’t find a great book that keeps me hooked.  If you have any suggestions, PLEASE help me out!

Pageant title – Coffee Queen

I drink coffee all day long, which lately means starting around 4:30 and going through 3:00.  I know it is a lot, and probably isn’t super healthy, but it is what it is.

Currently September

Today, I’m linking up with Oh Boy, Fourth Grade for this month’s Currently.  I can’t believe it is already September!  August just flew by!

 

Listening – I know it’s mundane, but I love the sound of the coffee pot brewing my coffee, and this morning, I’m extra looking forward to my cup!

Loving – I have found that I enjoy the weekends SO much more now that I’m back to work, and this three day weekend is absolutely wonderful!

Thinking – My school district has adopted Journeys as our Reading and Language Arts curriculum this year, and there is SO MUCH involved!  I worked on planning over the summer, but now we have new directions to use all of the parts of this program (and I only looked at the grammar and reading).  This weekend a lot of time was dedicated to reworking my Spelling program to incorporate the Journeys lists into my daily plans.

Wanting – We are new to the interactive science notebooking, and our materials are a bit lacking.  Currently, my students are working on a month long Moon Journal, but in the mean time, I wish I had some fun activities to do with them in class.

Needing – I took some much needed time to work on planning this weekend, but I always feel like I need more time!

<3 b=""> – These are my three goals for September.  So far, I’m doing pretty well (but we’re only a few days in . . .)

August “Currently”

It is August (already) and I’m going to be linking up with Farley from Oh Boy Fourth Grade for this month’s currently.

 

LISTENING – I’ve been on a huge Ingrid Michaelson kick for most of the summer.  Her songs are so cheerful and they just make you smile.

LOVING – Every morning this summer I have enjoyed drinking my coffee while watching Good Morning America and trolling education blogs.  I’m REALLY going to miss the routine when I go back to school!

THINKING – How on earth is it already August!?!  My summer project list still has so many things to accomplish and I’m not sure how I’m going to get it all done!

WANTING – I’m actually making pretty good progress in my classroom this year, but I could get a lot more done if I knew what my daily schedule was going to be.  BUT I can’t plan my schedule until I know when my specials are, and I won’t know that until the first teacher day.

NEEDING – As I said, my progress in the classroom is really going well!  I’m at the point now where I need a class list to make any more progress.  Unfortunately I probably won’t get one for another week.

B2S MUST HAVES – I still need to make a Homework Club board for my room.  I got the idea from LessonsWith Laughter and am excited to try it this year.

Sharpie extra fine markers are my obsession in my classroom.  I use them to grade, to write lists, to write just about anything you can imagine.
A chiropractor appointment is my last must have.  I was never a believer in the chiropractor until I threw my back out last year and gave it a try.  Now, I’m obsessed!  The fact that my chiropractor adjustments come with a 60 minute massage probably helps with that obsession a bit too!