What's Up Wednesday!

I saw this a few times at Mix and Match Mama with Shay and Pinterest Told Me to with Scheaffer, today I decided to play along. 

1. What we're eating this week...

Ryker and I headed to the zoo so we had to make a pit stop on the way home for a yummy treat! So refreshing!

2. What I'm reminiscing About...

This week I signed a contract for a new teaching position in a different district. I plan on dedicating a separate post to the topic but I'm very excited yet it was tough to pack up and move after six years.

3. What I'm loving...

Summer! I'm a teacher, I'm straight up loving summer!

4. What we've been up to...

This weekend!! Clearing out some space and hopefully getting rid of a lot. 

5. What I'm dreading...

Nothing really, I'm hoping for some relaxation and continued good fortune. 

6. What I'm working on...

I meet with my new team mate tomorrow and she's going to go over my new classes and schedule, then I'm sure I'll be hitting the books!

7. What I'm excited about...

The Man has an interview early next week and some things in the works. I'm excited for him and some changes in his future. 

8. What I'm watching/reading...

I'm still working on this book, nonfiction always seems to take me longer. What I've read so far is so different from what was published early on. I was so young when it happened that I didn't follow the story for long and now I'm learning all that followed. 

9. What I'm listening to...

Rachel Platten's song is my favorite right now. I wrote down a couple lyrics in my planner and use it on my long runs.

10. What I'm wearing...

I love the C9 shorts from Target. They're great for chasing and playing around with the boys and amazingly comfortable for running, yet cheap!

11. What I'm doing this weekend...

Hosting a yard sale and making sure the Man relaxes on Sunday!

12. What I'm looking forward to next month...

Tucker is in his first year of baseball, there are a lot of games coming up next month. I'm so excited to see him growing into his own and making friends. 

13. What else is new...

Shoe shopping! Some nice, tan sandals would be great but it's time for a new pair of running shoes! While I hate spending the money, I love knowing that wore out another pair!

14.  What are we doing this July 4th?

A parade, catching up with family, and ending with local fireworks.

Summer reading!

I love our public library! I made a list throughout the year of books suggested by others or that I saw so that I could stock up. I have a line up for requested books and the first five were ready for pick up last week. 

First, The Glass Castle, this was a pretty quick read. I started it Wednesday evening and finished it throughout a long car ride Thursday. Jeannette Walls is a correspondent for MSNBC and the book is all about her crazy upbringing. Some of the stories are so crazy and hard to believe. Her family moved around a lot and saying they didn't have a lot is an understatement. It's hard to believe that she was able to achieve all that she has, but family is family and she shows an interesting take on why kids behave the way they do and continue to thrive.

Second, Columbine, Dave Cullen was a journalist that was one of the first to report on the high school tragedy. After years of research from all the compiled interviews, evidence, work with law enforcement, and more Cullen has shred more light on the situation and all the false reporting that occurred. This book pooped up on my suggested reading list and I intrigued. When I picked it up the Man was interested right away and it's become a book we read together. It's interesting to look at from my view point as a mom and teacher, while he reads it as a father and law enforcement point of view. There are so many procedures in schools today that came from this tragedy. While it's very tragic, the research and truth puts a different light on what really transpired.

Third, Eleanor and Park, Rainbow Rowell was suggested by an English teacher I work with. We were considering it briefly for a new novel in the tenth grade. While it didn't make that cut, I was interested in it. From what I've seen it's a teen love story and a modern day Romeo and Juliet but less death.

Fourth, Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children, by Ransom Riggs as been a book I've picked up a couple of times to read but never started. A student stopped me towards the end of the school year to ask if I've read it and was pretty crestfallen when I said no. Therefore, it must be good!

Meanwhile, Mr. Lemoncello's Library, by Chris Grabenstein was pointed out by the elementary reading interventionist. Tucker and I are going to read it together for fun.

Any recommendations?

Currently June!

I'm linking up with Farley again! Be sure to check her out and all the other links at Oh' Boy 4th Grade!

Listening: I love the wedding scenes at the beginning of the movie, they're so pretty! I also have someone curled right up next to me who was just saying, "I not ty-red mama." That same person is out cold, snoring, and I'm pretty sure drooling on our shared blanket. I wouldn't trade it for anything.

Loving: Four days left of school! Teachers keep saying how things are gearing down but I really feel the opposite. I love how my new position this year as evolved and my schedule shows that it was definitely a step in the right direction for our building.

Thinking: Today when I got to school I started my list of what has to be done by Friday, I added throughout the day but I'm pretty sure nothing was marked off. I also want to make sure that I wrap up my two classes well. The students have come so far this year and I hope they realize that.

Wanting: The last two summers I was in school. This year I want to make sure the boys enjoy our time together. We created our family summer bucket list and we love crossing things off!

Needing: I've heard so many good books are out and I'm starting a list for the library. We love, LOVE our public library. Any recommendations?

Summer lovin': The Man has a new job that ensures we'll see him A LOT more this summer! LOVE THAT! We're going to spend some days relaxing and enjoying each other. Of course summer is also a great time to go through things and purge a little.

Be sure to link up and donate for the cause!

Count it down!

This morning I woke up thinking three school days! THREE SCHOOL DAYS! 

It's too early to count down to summer, but it's not too early to count down until NYC!

Today and tomorrow are filled with state math tests for sixth grade, make-ups for other grades, schedule changes, tutoring before and after school, sub plans, meetings, and laundry. But I sort of don't care. That's lie, I really care and it's helping keep me busy rather than stare at the clock counting down the hours. Today was an insane day at school and I hit my step goal early, that's a perk!

Anyway, let's talk NYC! It's a girls weekend with my mom, cousins, and aunts, nine of us total.

I can't wait to hit:

 Central Park- I've been to the city twice but never ad a chance to walk through it.

Dylan's Candy Bar- my nephew's name is Dylan and this play is so much fun.

We're seeing a Broadway play!

 I'm SO excited about MoMA! I will go by myself if I have to!

Two more school days to go, then airport HERE WE COME!

Currently April

It's April! I thought it would never come and then all of a sudden it's here!
I'm linking up with Farley over at Oh' Boy 4th Grade

Listening: I was super productive on our workday before break so now I'm just waiting for class to start.

Loving: Today is the first day of fourth quarter, only nine more weeks. They're going to be packed but I'm sure there will be some fun, at least I really hope so!

Thinking: In three weeks I get to head to NYC with my mama, some cousins, and aunts for an extended girls weekend. I can't wait!

Wanting: Besides the scores reflecting on our teaching practices (don't get me started on that!) we just have a lot going on with ours all being on the computer so that requires teachers to be flexible. Tensions get a little high during this "season" so it'll be nice to resume our regular schedule.

Needing: Now that it's nice outside I can start running in the morning which means getting to bed earlier. That means being proactive after school so I'm not running around at night.

Name: When I created my blog I wanted something that pertained to our lives so I thought of what occupies my time most. My husband and our two sons are my biggest priority, laundry is just something I can't get away from, and teaching is my passion. BLT came from that, which is funny because I hate the sandwich, ha!

Currently March

So I might be the last one to link up, but I'm in.

Listening- I love Christian Bale, he plays the part so well and is yummy looking. Of course he ahs nothing on my true love, the Man!

Loving- Today we lost a WHOLE lot of snow. It means that we're in mud season for a while but it brings us so much closer to spring. We all went for a walk this afternoon and Ryker was determined to walk, he was such a little trooper!

Thinking- I keep stalling on starting a TPT account. I need to get some last things finished up and get going! I've done a lot of research and I'm just worried someone will think I copied something or I'll put something up and not give the right person credit, or worse, no one will buy a thing.

Wanting- Tomorrow night is conferences so we have Friday off. I'm putting some finishing touches on my spring cleaning list, it's 3 pages typed, but includes every room. I love printing it twice a year and working on it piece by piece.

Needing- Ryker is 3 next month! Three years old!!!! The theme will be "Where the Wild Things Are". I can't wait to have fun planning this one!

Spring Break Plans- We really just get an extended Easter break, but I head to NYC later that month so I want to make sure everything is set for the boys and I've got my packing things all figured out.

Job title

I am so in love with my new job this year. I completed my Reading Certificate in August, but I knew at the end of the school year I was switching to a new position. I left a classroom and moved to an office. A windowless, three chairs,  used to be the "calm down room" office. I've slowly made it mine but you really can't hide the pipes in the corner (I'm not taking a picture, because the space can't dampen my love).

From our initial conversation to today, my job has changed. I already have ideas of how I'd like to tweak it for next year! My job has two parts I am a Literacy Specialist and the Reading Interventionist for our 6-12 building.

I started the year working with our Social Studies and PE/Health PLC's to ensure they were implementing the reading and writing standards within the content areas. While one group has said they are assigning lots of various writing I've started to realize that they're standard of writing and where our district hopes for them to be don't align. Currently, I've also been helping our English department work on the Essential Outcomes, which will hopefully progress to assessment and intervention planing based on those scores.

I have been working closely with a 12th grade teacher and his class to adjust the content to hit the needs he has encountered with his group. We had to really look at the books he preferred to teach, then find additional resources that could replace them because they weren't right for the class. I've also been working with him to have more writing work.

I feel like I am going to be comfortable looking at our results from this year's testing and then addressing our staff as to what we should focus on and do to ensure we meet our district goals. We have some great teachers in our building but I don't feel that we're hitting what we need to the best of our abilities.

After all the research and additional text I've been finding I've really fallen in love with teaching reading. What many see as a basic skill can be so hard for some students. What's even more worrisome is that we have students that have fallen through the cracks for many years, hit high school, and just can't do. I don't think any one specific grade or teacher is to blame. I have seen so many victories from teachers who work together. This year has really allowed me to branch out and really have fun again at work. Bring on the second half of the year!