This just a simple post to remind my followers to follow me on Bloglovin' with Google Reader being removed as of July 1st. Thank you!
Bloglovin'
This just a simple post to remind my followers to follow me on Bloglovin' with Google Reader being removed as of July 1st. Thank you!
Monday Made It 6/24/13
Another marvelous Monday, another installment of Monday Made It. I am linking up with 4th Grade Frolics for this week's made it projects! *Side note- I love Monday Made Its, it keeps me productive*
Monday Made It # 1
I made my own lesson planner using a notebook and post its. Better planning was my top goal for this school year. Going into my third year, I am beginning to really discover that having those handy notes at hand during your lesson makes a huge difference. I decided on the post it lesson planner because it fit my needs, I can write quick jots of and refer to them throughout the lesson. I followed the directions for assembling my planner from The Wise and Witty Teacher. I still have tons of extra pages and need to add curriculum maps and other plans. Here it is all ready for plans!
Monday Made It # 2
As shared in my last post I'm a new mommy to my little puppy Giselle. I found that she doesn't really like store bought treats which is making it really hard to motivate and train her. In the midst of finding a treat she loves, I remembered the sales clerk at Pet Supermarket telling me dogs love and can eat peanut butter. Off I went to buy all natural peanut butter (no salt or sugar) and she LOVED it! But I didn't want to cart around a whole tub of peanut butter sooooo enter pinterest and google search for yummy peanut butter doggie treat recipes. I found a really easy one by Paula Deen (although she's under hot fire at the moment). She loved the treats!
I made my own lesson planner using a notebook and post its. Better planning was my top goal for this school year. Going into my third year, I am beginning to really discover that having those handy notes at hand during your lesson makes a huge difference. I decided on the post it lesson planner because it fit my needs, I can write quick jots of and refer to them throughout the lesson. I followed the directions for assembling my planner from The Wise and Witty Teacher. I still have tons of extra pages and need to add curriculum maps and other plans. Here it is all ready for plans!
As shared in my last post I'm a new mommy to my little puppy Giselle. I found that she doesn't really like store bought treats which is making it really hard to motivate and train her. In the midst of finding a treat she loves, I remembered the sales clerk at Pet Supermarket telling me dogs love and can eat peanut butter. Off I went to buy all natural peanut butter (no salt or sugar) and she LOVED it! But I didn't want to cart around a whole tub of peanut butter sooooo enter pinterest and google search for yummy peanut butter doggie treat recipes. I found a really easy one by Paula Deen (although she's under hot fire at the moment). She loved the treats!
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| Whole wheat flour, milk, peanut butter, baking powder, egg, whisk |
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| Whisk all wet ingredients |
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| Form a dough |
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| Roll out using a rolling pin to desired thickness 1/4 inch is best |
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| I used a bottle cap to cut out to accommodate her size |
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| Dough made about 50-60 treats |
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| Yummy finished product! |
Link up and show what you've made!
Week in Review
I've been a little absent from my blog, that I just started but for good reason. I'm a new mommy! That's right I am mommy to a super adorbs little Yorkie/Chihuahua mixed darling named Giselle. She is named based on the middle name of mommy's favorite...Beyonce (super fan)! I am already in love with this stubborn little diva. She is giving mommy a run for her money as far as training is concerned. Needless to say this little baby is taking all my time....and my money. But....her company is priceless. I'm glad I made the decision to get her!
Also this week I got together with the calendar committee at my school to plan all the events for the entire school year. I know some of you are thinking...already?! Yes....already but at my school and as hectic as things tend to get the earlier the better. Not mention, it's not all that early. We go back to school very early here in Hot Georgia (August 7th). We planned things such as our school-wide activity day that is based on students receiving points in class dojo, our monthly teacher breakfast club, open house, programs and more. I also got the inside scoop on the master schedule for 3rd grade. Although I am not grade level chair, I know I will have to play a very active leadership role especially when it comes to outside events. My schedule.....not exactly a fan because my grade level has thee earliest lunch for the second year in a row. 10:15 a.m.! Ahhh! Other than that they did change the schedule so that we can have a literacy block which will be about 120 minutes long! I loooove that. This will give me the room to do Daily 5 and CAFE in the way I want....soooo excited!
My donor's choose project was fully funded! Woooohooo my first one and it was funded relatively quickly! I'm so excited for these materials from Lakeshore that are common core aligned. Thinking of my next few projects already!
All in all a good week. I've gotta get busy on finishing my grad school portfolio, and making my first promethean lesson for TPT. How was your week?
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| Giselle -loving playing with old socks |
My donor's choose project was fully funded! Woooohooo my first one and it was funded relatively quickly! I'm so excited for these materials from Lakeshore that are common core aligned. Thinking of my next few projects already!
All in all a good week. I've gotta get busy on finishing my grad school portfolio, and making my first promethean lesson for TPT. How was your week?
Storms and Whispers
Very late or perhaps early 1 a.m. post here from me but that is because I am wide awake, I have no power in my apartment and I live alone so that equals....scarrrryyyy!!! I'm sitting in Dunkin Donuts because I was freaking out about all my technology in near death states. I don't like that disconnected feeling....especially when it's late, I'm alone and it's suuuuuuuper dark out so.....here I am posting about my thoughts.
As I sit here and sip this very sweet frozen coolata I am reading Chapter 7 of The Book Whisperer by Donalyn Miller. For those that have read it, in the middle of reading it, or plan to read it, I would love to discuss the full on motivation to TEACH that this book inspires. I haven't put my tablet down! (This is why I journeyed out to DD at this hour) Sitting in my dark and quiet apartment gave me the time to really focus on Donalyn's message about awakening students' love for reading by simply giving students time in class to read books of their choice. I love all of the "whispers" throughout the book. Donalyn's whispers confirmed that I taking the proper steps to become an excellent reading teacher and also create life long readers in my students.
Reading the book reminded me of my third graders from this past school year. Like Donalyn I was very confident in my students ability to pass the standardized reading test because throughout the year my students read, read, and READ some more. I actually used to worry that because I told them to read instead of giving them a list of "to do" tasks when finished with work was too much. Boy was that a wrong thought. All of my students passed the standardized test! Even those *little angels* that I was worried about. You all know the *little angels* lol. After I read this book, I will read it again and again as a constant reminder that because I love to read, I must instill that love in my students. Even when others don't understand the why's and the how's I know that what I do is bigger than passing third grade, or being prepared for fourth. Donalyn whispered to me....and I listened. :)
If you have not read this powerful book, please please pick it up!
As I sit here and sip this very sweet frozen coolata I am reading Chapter 7 of The Book Whisperer by Donalyn Miller. For those that have read it, in the middle of reading it, or plan to read it, I would love to discuss the full on motivation to TEACH that this book inspires. I haven't put my tablet down! (This is why I journeyed out to DD at this hour) Sitting in my dark and quiet apartment gave me the time to really focus on Donalyn's message about awakening students' love for reading by simply giving students time in class to read books of their choice. I love all of the "whispers" throughout the book. Donalyn's whispers confirmed that I taking the proper steps to become an excellent reading teacher and also create life long readers in my students.
Reading the book reminded me of my third graders from this past school year. Like Donalyn I was very confident in my students ability to pass the standardized reading test because throughout the year my students read, read, and READ some more. I actually used to worry that because I told them to read instead of giving them a list of "to do" tasks when finished with work was too much. Boy was that a wrong thought. All of my students passed the standardized test! Even those *little angels* that I was worried about. You all know the *little angels* lol. After I read this book, I will read it again and again as a constant reminder that because I love to read, I must instill that love in my students. Even when others don't understand the why's and the how's I know that what I do is bigger than passing third grade, or being prepared for fourth. Donalyn whispered to me....and I listened. :)
If you have not read this powerful book, please please pick it up!
Monday Made It 6/10
Monday Made It is probably one of my faaaaaavorite linky parties! To see the full on creativity and imagination of some of the teachers out there in the blogging world is amazing. If you've made something either for the classroom or at home link on up with 4th grade frolics for Monday Made It.
#1 I've been a "making it" fool this weekend! I even made my next blog design....lol. On to my made its....the first is my first freebie/tpt product. For those WBT'ers I made a sports themed super improvers wall. I love the super improver wall, my babies last year worked hard to earn their stars and improve in everything from simple things like remembering to raise their hand, to improvement in spelling. You can find it in my brand spanking new TPT store.
#2 Made it number 2 took a few days to make. I made vocabulators! The first time I saw these was posted by Tara at 4th grade Frolics and I loooooved them! Last week I collected all the materials I needed including rice, food coloring, alcohol, and empty drink containers. The most tedious part was printing the words on cardstock, cutting, gluing, laminating and cutting again...whewww! Here they are....so far I've only finished two and haven't added the small trinkets yet. But I'm loving them. Can't wait to see how my students enjoy them!
#3 The third made it was really simple. I bought a frame at the dollar store, printed and Voila....classroom Keep Calm mantra! Trust....I need this constant reminder to keep calm. I got the poster from FlapJack Educational Resources Click the link to get your own, they come in all kinds of colors and they're F.R.E.E!!!!
I had a "personal" made it but it was an epic fail. I wanted to ombre my nails but it just didn't work out. *super sad face* I have a nail expert friend that pointed me in the direction of some tutorials...so maybe next time.
So proud of my little creations! Yay me! :)
#1 I've been a "making it" fool this weekend! I even made my next blog design....lol. On to my made its....the first is my first freebie/tpt product. For those WBT'ers I made a sports themed super improvers wall. I love the super improver wall, my babies last year worked hard to earn their stars and improve in everything from simple things like remembering to raise their hand, to improvement in spelling. You can find it in my brand spanking new TPT store.
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| Sample level |
#3 The third made it was really simple. I bought a frame at the dollar store, printed and Voila....classroom Keep Calm mantra! Trust....I need this constant reminder to keep calm. I got the poster from FlapJack Educational Resources Click the link to get your own, they come in all kinds of colors and they're F.R.E.E!!!!
I had a "personal" made it but it was an epic fail. I wanted to ombre my nails but it just didn't work out. *super sad face* I have a nail expert friend that pointed me in the direction of some tutorials...so maybe next time.
So proud of my little creations! Yay me! :)
Five for Friday
1. I began blogging again this week and I'm loving it! Playing with graphics, designing and posting is bringing me a whole new kind of joy.....and keeping me occupied. I look forward to getting to know more bloggers.
2. Instagram! Now....I have been an insta-addict for quite some time on my personal account (over 200 pics ;) ) but I'm also loooooving my blog/teacher instagram. Being a visual creature it's so great to see everyone's classrooms, and projects and parts of their personal life. Love....love....love!
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| In My Shades- follow me @thegeminiteacher |
3. This week I received my first donor for my first donor's choose project. I let out a very girlish squeal of excitement when I received the notification. LOL. I am sooooo close to being fully funded! *does a dance* Great inspiration to continue grant writing through this wonderful, wonderful site. Teachers if you have not yet please please check it out!
4. This weekend I want to try this diy ombre nails tutorial found on no other site than Pinterest! I am going to use Essie polish (love Essie). The names of the polishes I will use are lilacism and jamaica me crazy! Let's see how this turns out!
5. I have been working on my first project for the classroom. I tore up target and the dollar store this week gathering supplies for this time consuming but fun project. I am already thinking of all the wonderful ways my students can use this new tool. I am also working on my first offered freebie so look out for that very soon!
Link up to share your five randoms from the week!
5. I have been working on my first project for the classroom. I tore up target and the dollar store this week gathering supplies for this time consuming but fun project. I am already thinking of all the wonderful ways my students can use this new tool. I am also working on my first offered freebie so look out for that very soon!
Can you guess what project I'm working on?
Link up to share your five randoms from the week!
Why the Gemini Teacher?
Not sure how many bloggers tell the story of the reason behind their blog name but since it is gemini season and I recently had a birthday (May 28th), I decided to tell mine. So here goes......
I have been pondering about starting to blog again for a while. I knew I wanted to create a teaching blog with sprinkles of my personal experiences. But what to name it??? So many of the teaching blogs out there are so unique in name, design, content etc....and I am allll about unique. Since this blog is created by me, represents me and my professional and personal experiences I needed a name that fully represents me. Enter my zodiac sign...Gemini. I tell everyone all the time I am a true Gemini. Yes...mood swings and all. LOL. Gemini's are also know for being talkative, intelligent, multi-taskers, and extremely outgoing. I am all of these and more! I love to read up on astrology. It's so interesting to me that I look at the horoscopes, compatability and follow zodiac related accounts on twitter and instagram. And so The Gemini Teacher was born. I thought my zodiac sign was a great way to show who I am. Where are all my other Gemini bloggers? It's our season!!
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| via Google Images |
Want to read more about Geminis or other zodiac sign. Check this out!
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