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8.03.2012

Catching up, and my first Link-up!

There is so much to catch up on, but I don't know where to start. I don't want this to be waaaay long! So, let's see if I can just wrap it all up in a nice, neat list. I like lists...I *love* lists. They are so handy, and such a great way to keep track of all kinds of stuffs. heh

Okay:

1) Move-in day did not go quite as I had planned. They seemed totally shocked that I was even there (I was the only one there) and hesitant to even let me in. Once we got that all cleared up, I was informed that I could bring stuff in, but that it had to be pushed up against the wall, stacked high, and I could not set anything up. Boo. But, apparently the nasty, Texas cricket epidemic has affected my school. It stinks, y'all. Like, way stinks. That many crickets in one place, and then combined with high summer temps and no air?? Holy cow. It was toxic. But, it's supposedly going to be all taken care of this week, and Monday we should be able to get started. Which, is great, since In-Service starts on the 20th, and school starts on the 27th. Cutting to the wire for a neurotic-perfectionist like me, now... =)

2) I didn't get to go to all the Professional Developments that I wanted to go to this week. In fact, I made it to none this week. Last week, we went to a Flip Flippen training, Capturing Kids' Hearts. It was pretty amazing. The training itself was almost more like a three-day therapy session than it was a training. The theory is, "if you have a kid's heart, you have his head." It deals a lot with developing relationships within the classroom, and developing a safe, trusting environment to create a self-maintaing classroom. I really learned a lot from it: creating and using social contracts, using management signs (hand signals) within the classroom, and how to handle disruptive and disrespectful behavior in a way that actually decreases the behaviors overall. Best part? I was able to share that I learned the "Three Questions" technique (What are you doing? What are you supposed to be doing? What are you going to do about it?) in my Classroom Management class...and I even, SUCCESSFULLY use it with my own son! =) Score one for the new teacher. haha

3) Today, I had my first meet-up with another Teacher-Blogger, Jennifer, over at Rowdy in First Grade. So much fun! I guess there aren't many of us here in the Central Texas area...and if you're out there, speak up! =) We talked about all sorts of things: classroom set up and decoration, experience, neurotic tendencies in the classroom (haha)... It was great. I can't wait until the opportunity to get together again. And, she was so sweet with my son, who can't wait to hang out with her again, either. He's (almost) five, and she let him use her phone to take this photo of us:
  Please ignore the double chin, haha. Apparently, I pull my head back when I take photos. Nice. And, he cut off the top of my head, so I look strangely bald...and you can't see my cute bangs-twist. =) But, if you don't follow Jennifer, you should. She's awesome! 

Okay, I'm going to end with a CURRENTLY from Farley over at Oh Boy Fourth Grade! This is the first time I've done this...but I see everyone else doing it during my stalking reading-up times. I thought it may be fun to partake! There is a rule for sharing, though: the "Rule of 3". If you share, you are supposed to read and comment on the two link-ups before you, and the one after you. It's all about spreading the love! 


As you can tell, I'm pretty excited to finally have my own room...and even more excited to get IN said room. 

Busy week next week, though: 
Monday = staycay to Schlitterbahn with the family, Tuesday = doctor appointment and *hopefully* time in the classroom, Wednesday & Thursday = more hopeful-time in the classroom, and Friday & Saturday = family in town and getting things ready for Sunday's party.

Okay, I think that's long enough. Thanks for sticking around, if you did. And, thanks to my new readers and followers! It's so awesome to be a part of such an amazing network of teachers! Hopefully, my next few posts will include pictures of things as they progress in the classroom!

Now it's your turn to link-up!

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9 comments:

  1. Hey Sarah! I'm so glad that you were two ahead of me and guess what?! I'm a central TX blogger too! I've driven past Schlitterbauhn at least 1000 times, lol! I can relate to those crazy crickets! They're just plain ole gross!

    Stop by and see me! Shoot me an email sometime! My Currently post is full of pics from beginning to set up my classroom. Talk with you soon!

    ~Tanya
    Mrs. Dwyer’s A+ Firsties

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    1. Yay! Another Central Texas blogger! =) Thanks so much for stopping by! I made sure to follow your blog as well, and left a little love over there, too. <3 I'll be checking back often, to see how your progress goes!

      Sarah

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  2. Found you on the Currently linky, and am your newest follower! So sorry to hear about the crickets - that sounds just awful...especially to someone like me who is terrified of critters. And they smell??? I had no idea!! Good luck with your room set-up (& the crickets)! Stop by sometime! :)

    Kelly
    First Grade Fairytales

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    1. Thanks for the l♥ve! Yes, who knew that crickets would be such a smelly little nuisance?! I just hope that they have it under control, and I don't have to be responsible for clearing out the "remains"! *shudder* ugh! I will have to stop by sometime and really give your blog a good, thorough going through! I have SO many new ones on my "to catch up with" list! hehe

      Thanks again for stopping by!
      Sarah

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  3. Hey Sarah!I found you through the currently linky. OMG- cricket epidemic? I would die. That being said I have noticed many more bugs this year at my school (nothing like an epidemic though!).

    I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE these three questions: What are you doing? What are you supposed to be doing? What are you going to do about it? What a great,concise way to get kids to think and redirect them. Totally using it!

    I am a new follower!
    Mandy
    http://mandys-tips-4-teachers.blogspot.com/

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    1. Thanks for following! I love those questions, too! They work GREAT with my 5 year old (I started when he was 3, and it worked great then, too!!) and I've even used them on 4th and 5th graders when subbing. It's amazing the honesty you can get from them when you ASK them, rather than TELL them what they are doing wrong. They really take ownership and responsibility for their actions. Pretty soon--I learned in my 3-month, 4th grade long-term sub position--you only have to ask the first question, and they self-correct. It's amazing! =)

      Good luck with it! And, thanks again for stopping by!
      Sarah

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  4. Yuck, crickets! I can't even imagine. I have mice in my room but so far I haven't seen one. I hope you get to set up your room soon. You were the person after me in Farley's Currently link-up. I am a new follower of your blog.
    Cindy
    JustAnother PBJ Day

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    1. Thanks for following me! I can't wait to really go through your blog and catch up on what I've missed since I'm a new follower. =) And, seriously, I love your little pb&j signature that you use! It's so stinkin' cute! hehe

      Sarah

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  5. We have roly poly bodies everywhere. We had an invasion in the Spring and they have all died. It is pretty yuck but I bet the crickets are worse.

    I am a Texas teacher too and have been trained in Capturing Kids Hearts...in fact, at the top of my blog I have "before you reach their heads, you have to touch their hearts". I believed that even before the training. I am using Conscious Discipline now which is 1,000x even more amazing. It is all about building your school family. =)

    I am happy to be your newest follower. I would love for you to hop over and visit me when you get the chance.


    Heather
    Heather's Heart

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