What a week! Starting the year off right!

Well I survived the first week back!  On day one I used my revised, editable Essential Questions activity and it went really well.  I love the new look of the speech bubbles!  The students loved that they could get up and move around, read the prompts, give their honest reply and read what other students had to say.  I had these chart papers spread out around the room for the first two days...and then on the third day I consolidated them on an empty bulletin board.  I want students to be able to continue to read them until we have new work to go on the boards.  If you would like to grab your own copy to use just click on the image below.

On the second day we completed our first Currently for the year.  If you read my blog, you will know I sometimes complete the template as part of Oh Boy in 4th Grade's monthly linky.  I purchased her templates several years ago and started using them with my students.  Students complete the template each month and after I read them myself, I post them on clipboards in the hallway outside my classroom.  It is a very popular board, students from all over come to read what my students write each month.  We all get to learn more about each other!  

                                

On Thursday and Friday, we put together our Back to School three dimensional apples.  It was a great way to start the discussion about growth mindset.  Students wrote their responses, and decorated and put together their apples over the two days.  I spent most of Friday creating a large wall sized tree.  I had seen the idea of making one with brown butcher paper, so with the help of a colleague, we have created the tree and branches.  Next week, we will need to add some leaves and hang the apples.  I will be sure to come back and share some pictures of the finished product.  In the meantime, here are the apples...

What's next week look like?  I am going to introduce my Back to School math task cards to my class.  You can get your own copy of these Ontario curriculum aligned task cards by clicking on the image below.

I started using task cards for math several years ago, and I find the students are much more motivated to complete the questions when they are allowed to get up and move around.  I ask students to start at random cards around the room and move about completing the problems.  Students are allowed to use calculators and manipulatives to help them solve the problems.  They often grab a clipboard to help them record and off they go!  Students stop and talk to each other, they discuss and debate their answers and when they have completed the problems, they come to me to have them marked.  Using task cards allows students to work at their own pace, and allows me to review and discuss errors or misconceptions with individual students.  It is a great way to differentiate instruction.  Those who are strong in math are able to demonstrate mastery quickly.  I have additional tasks for these students to complete.  Students who need more time or assistance can receive both.  It's a win-win situation.  As a teacher, I get to see student strengths and where students struggle.  I am able to adapt my instruction to address their needs individually, in a small group or even through whole group instruction.

How was your first week?  I would love to hear about all the awesome things you are doing in your classrooms!

Currently....

Listening:  Even though it is the weekend, I am up with the birds at dawn.  I just can't sleep even when there is no work to be done...because we all know there is always work to be done.  I decided that as I had given my students their May Currently to complete for homework this weekend, I should have to do mine as well.  

Click on the image to find this awesome product in Farley's store.

If you would like to do "Currently" in your classroom you can find it in Farley's TpT store (click on image above).  I have been using it for the past two years and I love it and so do my students!  I save each month for them, and at the end of the year they have a sort of Currently of the Year(book) to keep as a memento of their year in my classroom.

Loving: Sunshine.  I live in Canada where lately we seem to get two seasons, Winter and Summer.  We go from one careening into the next.  This year it seems as though we might have an actual spring though.  The weather has been lovely and there has been lots of sunshine.  Taking my students outside to run and prepare for track and field season has been a pleasure this year.

Thinking: My hubby last night leaned over as I was trying to fall asleep and said "It's just 36 more days".  I realized he was counting down for me.  He knows how wearing this last stretch becomes for me.  It has been a year of many ups and downs and I truly love my class and will be sad to see them move on, but I am ready to tackle some serious ME time!

Wanting: I have been battling a raging strep/sinus infection ever since I last posted my Currently.  I ended up getting sicker than I have ever been while in Cuba.  I had the worst case of strep throat ever!  It was awful to be so ill while vacationing in paradise.  I have been on four different antibiotics since I returned, and just last week my GP told me I am still testing positive for strep.  I developed a sinus infection that is so severe, I missed 5 days of school out of the last 10.  I have tried everything to clear up my sinus infections, including surgery.  If anyone knows of a miracle cure, send it my way!

Needing: Now that spring IS here, I realize there are so many things that need to be done.  At home, I would like to get a new front door for our house.  It is not easy finding something to replace a 50 year old, solid wood, double door.  We have to find something soon though, I don't think this old door will make it through another summer.   I also really want to get my kitchen renovated.  It too has original cabinets and backsplash.  I would love to bring it out of the 1970's!  I have been looking at IKEA kitchens lately, but I just cannot make up my mind. At school the list is mounting, update IEP's, make class lists for next year, write report cards, Open House is next week, we need to make a spectacular Mother's Day gift before next weekend, a field trip next Friday to the Brickworks here in Toronto, play day to organize...the list is just endless.

Summer: Last summer we rented a cottage in Wasaga Beach for two weeks from a colleague.  We have decided that we loved it so much that we wanted to go back.  Luckily, she has happily agreed to rent to us again so we will be spending two glorious weeks on the world's longest fresh water beach, getting sun, sand and relaxation.  CAN'T WAIT!  

Want to see what all the other fabulous bloggers are CURRENTLY up to?  Check out Farley's link up by clicking on the image below.

Warning...July Currently Ahead!

Don't want to be Debbie Downer so I warn you all that July's Currently is not an upbeat teaching post.  You may not want to read it, and I understand if you choose not to.

Listening:  We just returned from my Mom's house.  She lives two doors down.  Long story short, I moved here when my Mom was on her own after Dad died, but she had not been diagnosed with Alzheimer's yet.  That was 10 years ago.  A LOT has changed since then.  Mom has been sick with Alzheimer's a LONG time.  She probably had it years and years before I moved back, but she hid it well.  Now she is in the latter stages, and we discovered 3 weeks ago that she has very advanced, terminal cancer.  She continues to refuse palliative care in a hospital.  My hubby and I share the job of caring for her, and for my brother (who also has brain cancer and lives with her.)  The house needs to be dealt with and the lawn in the backyard literally looks like a jungle.  Trying to get my family to let someone on the property to deal with the mess has been trying!

Loving:  I won't lie, I 'm NOT loving being on holiday, but I am loving being done with school.  I found the stress this year to be overwhelming.  I am the alternate union steward for our school, and the steward and I weathered the storms of political unrest here in Ontario the best we could.  It was a tough year in all aspects.  I had a large class, we had a lot of stress at school, and there were a lot of changes and challenges.  I'm going to need the next two months to sort it all out in my head.

Thinking:  Thinking is my downfall, has always been so.  Are you like me and you think too much?  I think a lot of teachers do!  I run all the possible scenarios through my head for EVERYTHING.  Sometimes this is good because it helps me be better prepared in the classroom, other times it is horrible because I imagine all the bad things that can happen in my personal life.  I know that there is no good ending to the situation with my mother and brother.  It all came crashing down on me during our annual awards ceremony at school the other day.  I suffered what I have been told was a "panic/anxiety" attack.  I could not breathe, I thought I was having a heart attack, my face felt like there were a million bugs crawling on it, and I just FREAKED!  Took me quite awhile to calm down.  Ended up going to the doctor just in case. She gave me something to take in case it happens again.  I really just have to find a way to stop THINKING!  Any suggestions?  (Please don't say yoga or meditation, I just can't go there right now).

Wanting:  I don't want anything for myself right now.  I do want my Mom to die with dignity.  I don't know HOW to facilitate that.  She gave POA (power of attorney) to one of her sisters a few years ago, so there is nothing I can do to help without my aunt's permission.  She had not visited for YEAR until I called and told her Mom has cancer and is going to die soon.  My aunt is trying the best she can, but really, I need to have some say, and I don't seem to be allowed to have it.  I feel powerless watching things unfold in a way that I would not choose and I am certain my Mother would not want.  

Needing:  It is hard to understand what this feels like if you haven't been through it yourself.  I never imagined that life would end up like this.  I wish that the neighbours, and doctors and social workers could understand how it feels to be the family member of someone like my mother (or my brother) but how can they?  I am lucky that my hubby gets it, he lives it each and every day with me, perhaps even more than me, as he has been there while I was at work.  God bless him, he is my angel.

Tips,Tricks or Hints:  If you have a family member, friend or loved one who is a caregiver for an elderly parent or a sick family member, just try to support them and love them.  They need it, because they may be like me, and not know what to do.  The may feel that what they are doing isn't right or isn't enough.  I have never asked for prayers in my life before EVER, but I think I could use them now.   For my mother and brother.  I would like to think there are some good thoughts in the universe being directed their way.

Currently-May

After such a long week I am happy to have a chance to link up with Farley at Oh' Boy 4th Grade.  I love each months' CURRENTLY.  Finding new blogs and visiting old favourites each month is something I look forward to.  Click on the link above if you want to find out what's CURRENTLY going on with all my friends in the blogiverse!

Listening:  I think spring might have finally sprung in Toronto!  It has been one of the longest, darkest, loneliest winters ever!  I think I must suffer from SAD (Seasonal Affective Disorder) because I am so much HAPPIER when there is sun every day!

Loving:  We have had a year of labour strife in Ontario.  It continues as I write this, but things might be improving.  I just have to wait and see.  In the meantime, workshops resumed, and I signed up to go to one this afternoon.  It was nice to come home for lunch (although I didn't have much time to eat) and then park my car and walk to the workshop location.  The topic was Puberty Education and I got a lot of new strategies and ideas for teaching this unit.  I also received a TON of free resources, and who doesn't love a FREEBIE?

Thinking:  I cannot believe that there are only 8 weeks left at school.  I admit that I envy my teacher buddies to the south who are out at the end of this month, but geesh, I would never be done!  I still have to teach a major unit in both science and social studies.  I am glad that I have covered all the math curriculum and most of the language!  Where did this year go?  In my 23 years, I don't think  a year has ever flown by like this!

Wanting:  I really WANT a new purse.  My old one is about 5 years old.  I love it, but it is literally falling apart at the seams, the handles, the bottom!  I cannot find another bag I like though...I have to fall in LOVE with a bag to buy it, and it had better last!  Any suggestions?

Needing:  TIME!  nuf said

Summer Bucket List:  I honestly would like to say "go back to Nova Scotia" but I know this is not doable in my current situation.  So...I will have to admit that the way I have my classroom organized LOOKS great, but it isn't working for me!  I need to take everything out of the cupboards, and off the shelves and out of drawers and figure out a better way!  I have so much stuff, but I can never lay my hands on what I need, so I buy more, and then I can't find it the following ___________(insert hour, day, week, month, year).  Sad but true, I need to cross this task/chore off my bucket list!

Currently April...and a FREEBIE!

It's that time again....to link up with Farley at O'Boy 4th Grade..

Listening:  I gave my daughter a HUGE bunny for Easter.  I looked for over a month to find just the right "stuffy".  She has carried it everywhere with her (even in the car to get coffee) since she found it yesterday morning.  Cute isn't it?  She's thirteen!  That makes it even cuter to me:)

Loving:  The four day weekend.  Teachers here got Good Friday off and we get Easter Monday off too.  I managed to mark 28 novel studies (4 chapters X 6 questions + 4 writing activities + 2 integrated art activities + media literacy activities = what the heck was I thinking?).  I also cooked a full turkey dinner with all the trimmings, and hung out with my family.  Did my own manicure and took my daughter for a facial.  Today we are going to the mall.  Also, now I have a four day week when I go back! LOVING IT!

Thinking:  I have been putting off doing my taxes for over a month.  I have NO excuse...I don't even owe money.  I could really use my refund.  Maybe I'll start it tomorrow:)

Wanting: I have been blogging for almost a year now.  I would LOVE to reach 200 followers by my blogoversary on April 29th. I don't know why that number means so much to me...but it does.

Needing:  It's funny, I want a lot of things, but really when I think about my life, I don't really need anything. I have everything I need.  I am blessed in many ways, and I guess I need to remind myself of that everyday.

Advice:  My very first principal (the lovely Doreen Hall) told me "You could work 24 hours a day and still have 10% of your work left undone...so get over it now and let it go."  I think nowadays the amount left undone would be a LOT more than 10%, but the sentiment is still the same, "you can't do it ALL".  I choose to focus on what I can do well and the rest of it, I have to let it go.

And now for the FREEBIE...I know you are waiting...
It's testing time all over blogland so I have created a colourful test taking tips poster for you to print and share with your students!  Hope you like it!  

CLICK ON THE IMAGE TO DOWNLOAD FROM MY TEACHERNOTEBOOK STORE.

Late to the party...CURRENTLY and a FREEBIE

Farley at Oh Boy 4th Grade posts this great LINKY each month.  I try to get mine posted but sometimes it takes me longer than I intend.  CLICK on the IMAGE to check out all the great postings on Farley's blog.

Listening:  Have you all heard the "goat editions" of popular songs that are being posted on Youtube?  A teacher on staff showed me a compilation of some the other day and the Taylor Swift song Trouble (with the goats included) made me laugh so hard I cried. You have to check them out...too funny to be believed!

Loving:  My daughter spent the day at an event honouring International Women's Day. She learned about the good, the bad and the ugly of being a girl in today's world. She had the chance to Skype with girls in Taiwan, Thailand, Virginia Beach and Yemen.  She was very touched by the young woman from Yemen who said that she would be killed if the government found out what she was doing, but she was willing to die for her cause.  My daughter is the future.  She asked me what things had changed my life as a woman...and I told her the biggest change was having HER.  There is nothing better than being a mother to a bright, beautiful, talented child.  I am very proud of her.

Thinking:  The political situation in the schools in Ontario is not getting any better.  As teachers we have to stand united and continue to protest the attacks on our profession, our dignity and our rights.  I am finding this difficult when some members of the profession don't feel that our cause is worth fighting for.  Without solidarity, we all lose.

Wanting:  Some boards in Ontario start March break tomorrow.  Not my board, we have a full day of school tomorrow.  I would love an extra day off:)

Needing:  My trusty Dell computer has given us notice...it is about to die.  It's like an old TV...it takes forever to "warm up" and even when it does work, it has a lot of problems.  My hubby says it's the motherboard..so we need a new tower.  I also need new tires.  I didn't realize how bald mine were until I could not get out the school parking lot one day a few weeks ago.  That can't be safe.  I wonder how much money I will get with my tax refund this year?  I hope it's enough for both tires and a new CPU.

Like:  My new Swarovski pen.  It's not only gorgeous, it writes so smoothly! I think I actually might LOVE it:)

LOVE:  Listening to a great song puts me in a good mood for the rest of the day:)  I just love old Marvin Gaye and the Commodores.

Hate:  People who are not authentic.  Being superficial puts my teeth on edge.

Now for a FREEBIE...if you read my blog regularly you will know I am blessed to have a fantastic volunteer.  This angel is a certified teacher who cannot get a full time teaching job in Toronto.  The boards in the GTA just are not hiring.  This wonderful young woman has spent the past year working each day in my classroom assisting me in every way you can imagine.   I don't know what I will do when she DOES get a job.  I was musing about wanting to learn how to make my own poster for PI Day which is coming up on March 14th.   (Although it will be March Break holidays here in Ontario, I will be celebrating PI Day on March 18th in my classroom.)  My volunteer, Cindy Lam, created a poster for my students to use as part of our classroom celebration of PI Day.  

Cindy has generously posted this for FREE on her TPT store.  Just click on the image to get your own copy and enjoy celebrating with your own class!  Be sure to become a follower of Cindy's store while you are there...I am sure she'll have lots more great products soon!

Currently….hoping to get home alive!

To be really HONEST currently I am wondering how I will make it home today.  Toronto is in the grips of a HUGE snowstorm and the weather keeps getting worse.  My school board kept the schools open even though all buses were cancelled and half of my class stayed home today.  

I have never linked up with Farley at Oh' Boy 4th Grade but I decided to finally link up.  You can also tell by reading my Currently visual that I am CURRENTLY... LATE….I filled out my currently post last weekend while debating whether to mark, or to watch the Super Bowl.  I am happy to say that I succumbed to the excellent teamwork of the Ravens and I was able to get my marking done during the "power outage". 

I don't have a FREEBIE that I created to share today, but I do have one you can download from Education.com.  I was looking for something fun and challenging for my grade six gifted class to celebrate Lunar New Year.  I found the puzzle below for FREE and handed it out to the brave students who managed to get to school today.  My students are busy working with my student teacher, and they have the puzzle to keep them busy if they finish her project early.   If you would like a copy of this puzzle click HERE.  

Mensa for Kids also regularly publishes Ken Ken puzzles as part of their monthly newsletter.  If you teach gifted students and do not receive the newsletter from Mensa, I recommend that you sign up at at the Mensa for Kids website.