B.J. and I are babysitting our grandson overnight! It has been fun and exciting. I snapped a few pictures, but forgot my camera cord at home, so pictures tomorrow!
Simple Joys: Watching Landon smile and talk to the puppy, Jax!
Saturday, May 31, 2014
Friday, May 30, 2014
Day 7 - Summer Vacation
Today I was reminded
Remember, summer break is like New Year’s Eve for teachers—grand expectations can lead to disappointment. It’s okay if you don’t read every book, finish every house project or cut out every last decoration for next year’s bulletin boards. It’s okay if you don’t have a traditional summer break or are working a second job, too. The next few months will still be filled with small, simple joys. Look out for them!
This is number 10 on the list from "10 Things Every Teacher Should Do This Summer" from the "We Are Teachers" Blog.
Simple Joy: Watching the STEM participants shoot off their rockets on the football field!
Job: Did a little weed whacking and sprayed for dandelions. The weed killer tank is small and I have to drive slow. Next week I'll be wearing my earbuds, listening to music for this continuing adventure.
Funny thing: After filling the water reservoir of the weed killing tank, I put the hose on the ground to close the lid. The spray nozzle pressed against the ground and sprayed up right between my legs! Yep, major "pee pants" looking wetness. I laughed out loud! I don't think any of the baseball game crowd saw or heard me, but if they did, hopefully they laughed as hard as I did.
Reading: Began reading "Billy Creekmore" by Tracey Porter. It is about a turn of the century (19th - 20th century) orphan. Starting off with a little mischief. This boy is comparable to Huck or Oliver!
Writing: More book ideas.
Running (exercise): Rode my outdoor bike and walked about a mile with my summer companion, the weed whacker.
Here is a picture of my "...room without a roof..."
Remember, summer break is like New Year’s Eve for teachers—grand expectations can lead to disappointment. It’s okay if you don’t read every book, finish every house project or cut out every last decoration for next year’s bulletin boards. It’s okay if you don’t have a traditional summer break or are working a second job, too. The next few months will still be filled with small, simple joys. Look out for them!
This is number 10 on the list from "10 Things Every Teacher Should Do This Summer" from the "We Are Teachers" Blog.
Simple Joy: Watching the STEM participants shoot off their rockets on the football field!
Job: Did a little weed whacking and sprayed for dandelions. The weed killer tank is small and I have to drive slow. Next week I'll be wearing my earbuds, listening to music for this continuing adventure.
Funny thing: After filling the water reservoir of the weed killing tank, I put the hose on the ground to close the lid. The spray nozzle pressed against the ground and sprayed up right between my legs! Yep, major "pee pants" looking wetness. I laughed out loud! I don't think any of the baseball game crowd saw or heard me, but if they did, hopefully they laughed as hard as I did.
Reading: Began reading "Billy Creekmore" by Tracey Porter. It is about a turn of the century (19th - 20th century) orphan. Starting off with a little mischief. This boy is comparable to Huck or Oliver!
Writing: More book ideas.
Running (exercise): Rode my outdoor bike and walked about a mile with my summer companion, the weed whacker.
Here is a picture of my "...room without a roof..."
Be Happy!!
Thursday, May 29, 2014
Day 5 & 6 Summer Vacation
Job update: Yesterday I watered about 30 new trees that the elementary students planted at the beginning of May. The trees are looking good! Today consisted of weed whacking, scooping rocks, that the snow plow pushed into the grass, out of the grass, pulling out a dead pine tree, running twigs/branches to the dump, and spraying weeds. Tomorrow it will be spraying the dandelions. This must be the year of the dandelion!
An interesting sight:
Sibley-Ocheyedan's new apple orchard!
Reading: Finished "Percy Jackson, The Titan's Curse". Today I started and finished "The Year of the Book". This will be a fun book for small groups to read for Guided Reading.
Writing: I wrote down some good ideas for my formulating book idea.
Running: Well, I'm not a runner, but my exercise for yesterday was riding my bike around town delivering/mailing bills. Today, scooping that rock was hard work - so I'm counting that.
An interesting sight:
Sibley-Ocheyedan's new apple orchard!
Reading: Finished "Percy Jackson, The Titan's Curse". Today I started and finished "The Year of the Book". This will be a fun book for small groups to read for Guided Reading.
Writing: I wrote down some good ideas for my formulating book idea.
Running: Well, I'm not a runner, but my exercise for yesterday was riding my bike around town delivering/mailing bills. Today, scooping that rock was hard work - so I'm counting that.
Wednesday, May 28, 2014
Day 4 - Summer Vacation
I started my summer job today. The job consists of taking care of weeds and trees at the school. Now, I know I work hard during the school year, but this job is very physical and boy am I tired tonight. This afternoon I worked on cataloging the books in my classroom! After that I read some Percy and watched two movies: Red Riding Hood and The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo. I liked the costumes in Red Riding Hood. The storyline was okay. The Girl ... Tattoo I've had DVRed since January. Wow - great story! Stayed tuned tomorrow for a picture of the new apple orchard the FFA is starting at school:)
Monday, May 26, 2014
Day 3 - Summer Vacation
Today I went to the Memorial Day program in Le Mars. It was a beautiful program remembering deceased veterans from Plymouth County. My childhood neighbors were there honoring their father and uncle. It was held on the Plymouth County courthouse grounds. There were over 1,200 flags displayed on the grounds and the surrounding neighborhood yards. My dad assists in putting up/taking down the flags. It was breathtaking! I'm proud to be an American!
I also drove down Sibley's Avenue of Flags!
Thank you to all the men and women who have served and are serving in the U.S. military!!!!!
Sunday, May 25, 2014
Day 2 - Third Grade Teachers Summer Vacation
Day 2 - Years ago I heard Will Smith's acceptance speech for some award (not quite sure of the name of the award). In his speech he talked about what helped him become successful. Part of his success he accredited to three things: reading, writing, and running. I have found this principal very useful in my class room.
So each year I tell my students to be successful they need to "Read Everyday, Lead a Better Life" (Scholastic campaign), do some form of exercise everyday, and write each day (keep a journal, write stories, make comics, etc.). Especially during the summer months.
Today I read some more Percy Jackson, completed 95% of the rest of the laundry (the remainder is too small of a load), put the plants outside to enjoy the Iowa humidity, walked about 1.5 miles (this is tough with toe surgery recovery), signed up for a summer class "Teacher Toolbox 301", returned items to the prop room, scrubbed the kitchen floor, made chili (I know it was hot today, but that's the meal that was requested), spent time Facebooking (that word could be made up), watched the movie "Ghost Town" with BJ, went to the movie "Mom's Night Out" with BJ (not his choice, but was okay with going with me), and wrote this blog post.
So each year I tell my students to be successful they need to "Read Everyday, Lead a Better Life" (Scholastic campaign), do some form of exercise everyday, and write each day (keep a journal, write stories, make comics, etc.). Especially during the summer months.
Today I read some more Percy Jackson, completed 95% of the rest of the laundry (the remainder is too small of a load), put the plants outside to enjoy the Iowa humidity, walked about 1.5 miles (this is tough with toe surgery recovery), signed up for a summer class "Teacher Toolbox 301", returned items to the prop room, scrubbed the kitchen floor, made chili (I know it was hot today, but that's the meal that was requested), spent time Facebooking (that word could be made up), watched the movie "Ghost Town" with BJ, went to the movie "Mom's Night Out" with BJ (not his choice, but was okay with going with me), and wrote this blog post.
A Third Grade teachers summer vacation - Day 1 comments
Day 1 (yesterday) - mowed the yard, did the laundry, cleaned up the kitchen, read two chapters in Percy Jackson & the Olympians, The Titan's Curse, made a home remedy of weed killer, sprayed the weed killer on the rock areas of the yard (should kill the weeds in three days, stayed tuned), paid bills, and topped off the day by shopping with my daughters and grandson!
Saturday, May 24, 2014
A Third Grade Teachers Summer Vacation Day 1
Wooh...it took me awhile to find my own blog. I'm so new to this, it may take me awhile to get it all organized. Today is the first day of summer vacation 2014. I have so many items on my "to do" list. Let's see what we can get accomplished!
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