Clip chart update

  My husband came home today and saw the glue and scissors in my hand --"What Pinterest project are you working on now?" When I showed him my latest attempt at duplicating something cool I had seen, he said, "What are you going to do after you retire next year? ". I have wondered the same thing, but I am sure I wil think of something!
   I have used a clip chart for a couple years now as a behavior system, and the one I had was faded and sad looking.  I looked around on Pinterest, ans saw lots of fresh new ideas.  So I went to good old Dollar Tree to see what they had. I found some honor roll certificates with a cute owl on them, and that was my inspiration -- and what I was cutting out when my honey came home. I found the pretty card stock on sale at Michael's yesterday, so here is my new clip chart,all ready to be laminated.

So since I had all this pretty paper, it looked like I could see if I could fancy up the organizer that I got at Lowes -- after seeing it on -- where else? Pinterest! Now I will be able to find things -- especially my remote! Isn't it lovely?

My husband, Sam, got involved in my other project. He finished it today and I will post a picture when we take them up to the school next week. I love how I can show him a picture and he can figure out how to alter it to fit my vision. He made my book barn 2 years ago and painted my polka dotty bookcase last year. We celebrated our 39th anniversary this week and I appreciate him more every year!

2 years and 20.000 hits

        I just realized today that it has been 2 years exactly since I entered the world of blogging-- it's my second blogiversary!  And here's the most exciting and surprising part -- as of today, I have had over 20,000 pageviews or "hits" on my blog!! That is just incredible to me, especially because this includes readers from all over the world -- Russia, Japan, India, Australia, Ukraine, Indonesia, Germany, Latvia -- I don't even know where Latvia is, but thank you for looking at my blog! 
       I have no delusions about being a great writer, but it has been fun to be part of this world.  I actually got to meet Dr. Jean and Heidi Butkus, 2 of the teacher superstars I follow.  And I have had comments from other superstar bloggers as well, and it is a great honor and thrill to find out that they read my little blog and actually took the time to write a comment!
       So, thank you to all who have read -- and especially those who comment.   I feel like Sally Fields when she said "You like me -- you really like me!"
        Wish I had a cake to share...

Summer Projects and Plans

    School has been out for a couple weeks, but the mess I left in my room is still bothering me. So I went back up this afternoon and started sorting, one shelf at a time -- and I now have 2 bookcases that are looking better.

                                                       This is how it looked before...

                                          And this is how it looked after a complete reorganization!

     I am such a pack rat -- it is really hard to turn loose of things that I might need someday. And there are still things on my shelves that I have never used. But I will keep working on it -- I am determined to get rid of the piles of books and games and worksheets, and put everything in a place where I can find it.

    It was very satisfying to have this big stack of empty baskets at the end of the day. Notice the clock -- it wasn't really 6:30 -- but it was 5:30 before I left. I need many more hours to get through the rest of the room and if I wait until August, there will be meetings and workshops and class lists and more than I can do.

   I also got my husband in on the plans -- he came up and measured and drew diagrams on the board to show me how he will make my latest Pinterest idea -- he is the BEST!!

   If I retire next summer, what will I do with all my time??

    When I am not at school, I am still thinking about school.  Besides gathering ideas from blogs and Pinterest, I am doing  book studies with 3 books this summer.

    I have used this guided reading book some, but I really want to use it more this fall, so I am following the bloggers who are writing about this one.

 I have also read the CAFE book before, but I am really hoping for a smaller class so I can actually use some of the ideas from the sisters who wrote this book.

I have successfully used some ideas from Whole Brain Teaching this year, so I was excited to see a book with all the "how-to."

I really do plan to enjoy time with my family, work on my house, memorize some scripture, learn some new songs, and take some long naps this summer -- even go to Charleston, SC for some beach time, carriage rides, and pralines before school starts again. 

 I'm also learning to cook healthy meals again -- after too many fast food suppers -- and even agreed to do the "Run for God" program with my daughter ( WALK for God would be more believable).  I am so thankful for this long summer, because my list is long!  If I didn't have to waste time going to various doctors, I might get everything done!

Purge and organize

School has been out for ever a week, but all I have seen are doctors' offices, the funeral home, and the hospital. I'm dealing with 2 ailments -- and my sweet little aunt died, so I made a quick trip to wv for the funeral. I hope my distractions are over so I can get on with my plan for summer.
I am reading 3 books right now that I hope will help me be a better teacher next fall. If I don't change my mind, I will be retiring at the end of the next school year , but I hope I am never too old to learn!
Not only am I planning to organize my thoughts, I have GOT to get my classroom organized!

I have spent a bucket full of money on learning material in the past 9 years. As I plan to retire after one more year, I think I need to get rid of lots and organize the best. I took pictures so I could remember how much work I have left to do.
Bummer!