July Currently...and Happy Summer Break!

Wow! It's July 1st...already...where did the time go? I'm sure it was only a few days ago that I was doing the June Currently!

The last few weeks of school are usually pretty busy, chaotic, fun...and this year was no exception. However, throw in the retirement of our amazing Kindergarten teacher who had been teaching at our school for over 30 years (with a community bbq, our annual final day Celebration of Excellence, and our local teacher's union get-together), along with our guidance counsellor moving to a new school for next year, two EA's being laid off, and somehow, things were just that much more crazy! (Did I mention that I'm social fund person, so in charge of getting all gifts, etc.? lol)

The sad part is that, on my first day of summer break, I am feeling a little lost...not knowing what I should do to start planning for the new school year...oh well, give me a few days and maybe I will get into the summer groove!

Today I am linking up with Farley's Currently, over at Oh' Boy 4th Grade.

 

Well, I think that most of these are pretty self-explanatory. The only thing that I would have to clarify would be the "Needing" section. If you include all the things that I talked about at the beginning of this blog, as well as report cards, a field trip the second last day with kids, and our staff wind-up, it went way beyond busy. You would think that would be enough...but no...we also just got the word yesterday morning (our last day) that our principal has accepted a new position in our division for September. She has only been at our school for two years, and at the time, I had also applied for the position (I was just finishing the Administrative Internship in our division)...so I have mixed feelings over this. I then received an e-mail from our Superintendent, along with several other candidates to see if there was interest in taking on the position in September. Because it is so late in the year now, they are looking at it being an interim position (until the end of December) so that they can advertise it in the fall. I could still apply for the permanent position as well...it was just a lot to think about...In the end, and after about 10 seconds of pondering, I immediately said yes, I was interested...lol...I didn't even discuss it with hubby! Now I just have to wait for another week or two to see who else responded and what the next step will be.

 



The other issue was what should I do in my classroom then? As I was trying to clean up, I just couldn't focus...was I cleaning up so that I was ready to teach there in September, or was I organizing so that someone else could come into the space and teach for a term? Should I be taking things out and storing them at home? Or do I just leave it as is?

So...how do I shut off my brain for the next while until this is all finalized? Hubby always says I need a 12 step program to get out of "school-mode" in the summer anyway...I suppose this forces me to sit back and do nothing...although I was getting a little antsy last night, thinking about typing up my finalized (possible) timetable...and class lists...and...oh my!

Well, I hope that your summer break is off to a better start than mine...Take some time for yourself! Relax, read a book (not a school one...but something that interests you, is fun, makes you smile, etc.), go see a movie on a weeknight, sleep in, visit with friends...whatever it takes to let yourself be that person you are when you aren't a teacher!

Take care,
Tammy

June Currently...is it That Time Already?

It's June, and no...I'm not stressing out at all...just because there is just over three weeks of school left, with reports cards to write, one field trip to take, Tabloid Day to organize, the retirement/moving on of a few staff members, and two fun T.U.S.C. meetings to enjoy.

T.U.S.C. is one of my favourite parts of our school day...it stands for Totally Unbelievable Speaker's Club. Once a cycle, our class holds a formal meeting, where every student has a specific role during the meeting. These include a Chairperson, Secretary, World News, School News, Jokes and Riddles, and much more! The focus is not so much on the content of their presentations, although I love hearing about all the things that they want to share, but on the speaking, presenting and listening skills that I get to observe. I also love the fact that I get to sit back, take notes and enjoy, while the students run the meeting. I learn so much about my students during this time, as well as the many parents, grandparents, friends, etc. that come in as Invited Guests. We've even had a baby elk come for a visit!

Feel free to check out our class weebly to see our TUSC Handbook, to learn more about the many roles that the students complete. Click on the caption below the picture:

TUSC Program

 

By this time of the year, everyone has had the chance to try each role once. For the last two meetings, I give the students the opportunity to choose which jobs they would like to do...some jobs, like the Chairperson, can only be done by one person, but yes, other jobs might have several people, such as Demonstration.

 

Well, with the beginning of a new month, I also enjoy linking up with Farley's Currently, over at Oh' Boy 4th Grade.

 

Here we go!

 

I don't think there is much to explain here...

 

That's it for me...if you are like me, and down to the last few weeks of teaching, good luck and enjoy! If you are fortunate enough to already be finished your school year, it's ok...I'm not bitter...lol

 

Happy June!

 

Hugs,

Tammy



May Currently and Portfolio Night

Well, as most of you can probably relate...this school year is flying by way too fast! can't believe that it is already May, with only weeks to go before the school year is over. Although I have enjoyed this year, it has definitely had it's ups and downs. And of course, as we stress out over everything that still needs to be done, there is also the stress of all the planning that has already begun for next year...we've already had meetings over school plans (for next year, and possibly up to the next four years...)...and then there is the panic over what the timetabling will look like for next year (just wondering what I will be teaching - grades, subjects, etc.). That is the joy of teaching in a small school!

Portfolio Night!
One of my favourite days at school was this week...it was our Portfolio Night! I love it! Our entire school participates, Kindergarten to Grade 8. Every classroom/teacher has its own interpretation of what this looks like, but it is amazing to see all of the families that come in to share the day (in my room, some students brought in Mom, Dad, or both, siblings and even some grandparents...even with some families that are divorced, both parents came together to share).

My students had a "program" that they could follow to share with their families:
*First, they used the SmartBoard to "check in".
*Then, they could share our portfolios. They aren't anything fancy, but based on the 4 Pillars that we base our classroom on (Respect, Academic, Teamwork, Leadership). They have lots of pictures and write-ups from activities throughout the year, samples of school work, and reflections of what we have done.
*Students could teach a new Math game out of our Math With Someone binders.
*We had a few Science activities to demonstrate some of the concepts we have been working on in our Light unit (the bending pencil and the changing directions arrow).
*The French teacher had the students share their French work folder and their reflections sheet from this year.
*Computers had our classroom weebly up so that parents could see what we have been doing, if they haven't been able to check it out at home.
*Students shared our QR Code Book Reports that were on display in the hallway. We used our school iPads so that everyone could read the reports. They were very simple to do, but the kids were excited to share them!

A sample of what our QR Code Book Reports looked like

There was also a Scholastic Book Fair set up in the gym, a free yoga class in the Music room, and many displays set up all around the school.

The best part of the day was that the students were the ones running the show...I was just there to answer the odd question, make sure that the technology was working and take pictures of each group. But...I am glad it is done...lol...it is a lot of work to prepare for the evening, even though I was good and had been updating the portfolios all year long.

And Now...May Currently!

Once again, it is time to join up with Farley's Currently at Oh' Boy 4th Grade.

Here is mine!

I don't think that I have to explain any of these, other than the last one...lol...our daughter lives about an hour away. She and her husband are having a house built on their existing acreage, so they can move their family (1 baby, 2 dogs and 2 cats) out of their mobile home. Our son is also building his own house across town from us (at least he will still be close by...lol). However, he and his dad (hubby) are building it themselves, so it has been a slower project, and takes much of our spare time.

Well, that's it for me! Have a great weekend and a wonderful May!

Take care,

Tammy

February Currently!

Oh dear...Each month, Farley's Currently arrives, and I think about how neglectful I have become of this blog. I think that it is time to reassess what I am doing and decide how I am going to continue in the blog world. No, I'm not thinking of quitting, but I realize that it's time to think about what I want to make out of this space, and what I want to get out of it...

Anyway,  I am joining up with Farley's Currently linky at Oh' Boy 4th Grade.

 

 

I'm sure that I'm not the only one with this pageant title...maybe it's because I am a control freak...or I don't like to look needy...or maybe I procrastinate asking and then HAVE to do it myself...sigh...I'm sure that there could be a few other reasons as well!  lol

 

 

Well, enjoy this short month, full of too many activities - 100 Day, Valentine's Day, I Love to Read month, and whatever else they can fit into it!

 

Take care,

 

Tammy

Happy New Year! and January 2015 Currently

Wow! It's a new year...and I'm not sure if I'm ready to say goodbye to the old one...

2014 was pretty special for our family...I'm not sure how 2015 will top it!

In March, we welcomed the arrival of our first grandchild, the most beautiful little girl, Zoe Elizabeth!

In July, our daughter got married to a wonderful guy. The wedding was so much fun, with family and friends, lots of love and laughter, and so much happiness! The pictures from that day, of my daughter, her new hubby and baby Zoe, just melt my heart!

In November, I finally had surgery to have my chemo port removed! After two years of surgeries and treatments, I am taking this to mean that this journey has ended, and it's time to begin a different one! Although it is not something that I would want for anyone else, I certainly have apreciated what it has brought to my life...the people that I have met (both fellow patients and medical staff), the knowledge I have gained, and the support and encouragement I have felt through all of this...it has definitely shown me how blessed I have been!

So...there really isn't more I could want in life!

Although it's a day late, I am joining up with Farley's Currently linky at Oh' Boy 4th Grade.

I don't think any of this needs to be explained...well,maybe except for my wish...my little brother (he was always pretty special to me...my mom and I were actually pregnant at the same time, so my brother is the same age as my daughter! The two of them grew up together...) went missing 5 ½ years ago. It has been hard on our family, especially at the holidays. However, it also makes us extremely grateful for all that we do have. We appreciate those that are around us, tell them that we love them a lot more, and treasure each smile, tear and hug. So...I keep on wishing...

Well, I hope that your 2014 was also amazing, and that 2015 will simply bring more "amazing-ness" for you and yours! Enjoy the next stretch of your school year!

Happy New Year!

Take care,
Tammy

September Currently

Hi everyone! It is hard to believe that it is "Back to School" time already!

I am joining up with Farley's Currently linky at Oh' Boy 4th Grade. I am looking forward to checking out everyone else's blogs to see their pictures of their newly set-up classrooms. Maybe I will try to get some pictures of my own up as well!

 

Well, I don't think there is much to explain with today's thoughts, so I will just wish those who are just starting back to school this week, like me, a great start to the school year! As for those who have been back at it already, I hope that your year is doing well! (P.S. - My 'Pete the Cat' bulletin board stuff arrived a few weeks ago...I am so excited for my kiddies to see it!)

 

Take care,

 

Tammy

August Currently

Happy August, everyone!

I am joining up with Farley's Currently linky at Oh' Boy 4th Grade. I look forward to reading about everyone else's summer and all the work they have been doing to get ready for the next year!

It has been a wonderful summer, and I am having lots of fun!
*I have gotten lots of baby snuggle time with my new granddaughter. She is four months old now! *Also, my daughter just got married two weeks ago, and the wedding was absolutely perfect...it was so "her"! :)
*I have also been spending lots of time working on school planning...thank goodness for Pinterest, TeachersPayTeachers, some wonderful teacher blogs, and my daughter (a fellow teacher), etc. to help with the process of working through some new curriculum. I still think that I deserve shares in cardstock, printer ink and laminating sheets! Hopefully, I will get some time to share some of my new (and maybe some old) ideas as the new school year begins.
*And finally, this summer represents the end of my journey with cancer (I hope). I am coming up to my last treatment, and then surgery to remove my chemo port! I have even had time and energy to drive my old bug convertible around this summer!

I am grateful that I still have a bit of time before I am back to work. I love this time of year, planning and creating and getting ready for that first day of school...but I am also glad to have some time just for me, whether it is just watching some really bad daytime T.V. or reading a fabulous book or having an afternoon nap...it's all good!

Take care, and enjoy your last few days/weeks before you go back to work. And, if you are already back to school, I hope that you have had a great start!

Tammy