Thoughts on Thursday: January Edition

Hello, friends, and HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Today, I am linking up with my friends Kristi, from Pelicans and Pipsqueaks, and Jessica, from Tech and Teachability, to talk about Resolutions....

As you may have noticed, this little old blog has been mighty quiet for the past few months. There are reasons (cough, excuses, cough) for that, but the MAIN reason is that I moved homes (across town) and am now moving back to kindergarten from first grade following our Winter Break (we go back on the 9th). 

PERSONAL RESOLUTION:

I don't know about you, but 2017 has been a motivational year already by way of resolutions. For one thing, I really put on a lot of stress weight in this school year alone. I'm not talking about 3-5 pounds of fluctuation weight. I'm talking about almost 20 pounds on my 5'4" frame since AUGUST. It's been a school year of change on campus AND at home, and, to be honest, I went home and "ate my feelings" a lot more than I exercised. SO, I have resolved to eat healthier and more CONSCIOUSLY. I'm not so much focused on counting calories and following a strict "plan" as much as I am trying to be more mindful of the WHAT and WHY I am eating. 

TEACHER RESOLUTION:

I have the advantage of starting 2017 at school with a clean slate. Without boring you with the details, our kindergarten classes were WAY too full, and our first grade classes weren't, so I am moving back down to kindergarten. My main resolution this year is to teach my new students that school can be fun, and that change can be good. It sounds simple, but how I handle change will directly affect how my students handle change. I am making it my resolution at school to show students that change can be good. I am also making it my goal to build a strong community in my classroom. One thing I prided myself on with my former students (some of whom I've had for 1.5 school years) is that they were a true community who knew how to work well together. I am going to work to really build that with my new students, and, hopefully, it will be an engaging and safe environment for all learners. 

Ok, so now I am curious. What will your resolutions be? Have you made any resolutions? Click through the linky below to participate! 

HAPPY 2017!

An InLinkz Link-up

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Celebrate good times, c'mon!

HELLO!
Notice anything different? In the months since my last post, Very Perry Classroom has received a face-lift from my girl Jessica at Tech and Teachability! I love it! I PROMISE that there will be more on that later.... I have some EXCITING news:

The Primary Punchbowl is turning 1!! :)

I cannot put into words what this group of amazing educators has done for me over the past year or so. I have made some lifelong friends, some clear across the country! I even got to meet up and bond with some of them this summer at TPT Orlando! I hope to see some of them in January when I go to Get Your Teach On!

In spirit of celebration, I wanted to share one of the ways I encourage students in my class to take ownership of their positive behavior.... I don't know about you, but I LOVE Class Dojo for management. I mean, really? Where has this been all my life?!? My students are so engaged by it, and I LOVE the ability to share more with families about what is going on in our class. Students will often ask "Can you add that to my story?" I enjoy that their school day is a conversation piece now with their families. In spirit of our celebration, you can click here to get the brag tags I allow my students to choose from if they are the Dojo Leader of the Week. We store our brag tags on rings located at our Wall of Fame in class. Simple, fun, and inexpensive. ALL three words that teachers LOVE!

Now, here's where I get to feel like Oprah:
1. We are hosting a GIVEAWAY from some of the girls of The Primary Punchbowl, so be sure to check it out!

2. Some of us are ALSO hosting a sale on Teachers Pay Teachers. Just search for #letscelebrate for some amazing deals

3. You can download my Class Dojo brag tags for FREE right here!

4. Hop on over Jessica (my fabulous blog designer)'s blog to see how she is celebrating!

I hope you have a WONDERFUL weekend!!

Mixing up the Punchbowl!

Hello! Long time, no talk.... I have good reason, though... What might that be? Oh, just the end-of-the-year craziness! Today, I would like to share some fun news:

As a member of The Primary Punchbowl, I have often reached out for support and to give support for the craziness that comes with this life. I LOVE my job, and I LOVE having people who "get it." With that said, many of the girls in the group have shared that they are planning on moving schools and/or grade levels next school year. This past school year, I had an AMAZING class. One of those classes that get along SO well, give their work their best effort, are engaged, and are just plain fun. As the end of the year was growing closer, I began to feel very sad thinking about "losing them," even though I am in the first grade wing... After discussion with admin and other teachers, I am, as of right now, going to first grade next year!

Don't get me wrong, I LOVE kindergarten, too! I am excited to be challenged as an educator, and to challenge my first graders to deepen their understanding, try new things, and become readers and writers. I also get to stay in my current classroom, which is a huge blessing, as I have moved rooms more than once in the past few years. My mom is also a first grade teacher, and I look forward to sharing and collaborating with her. I also am very close to both the first grade and kindergarten teams, so I hope to help bridge any gaps with my knowledge of both grade levels. 

After all is said and done:

 

An InLinkz Link-up

Currently May 2016

Ok, I can't be the only one who is a little emotional about "Currently" ending... Right? I have to say, as a new blogger last year, this linky has helped me to form friendships that are so dear to me.... With that said, I am linking up with Farley for the last Currently!

Listening: What did I do before Netflix? No, but seriously, what? I feel like any down time I am filling with new/old shows... Has anyone seen "Catastrophe" on Amazon Prime? Blew through that one in a weekend... How about "Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt?" DOI! ;) 

Loving: I am a VERY sentimental/nostalgic person. And the end of the school year is always hard for me, because I start missing students before they're even gone... I LOVE the fun activities in the last month of school, because they celebrate what students and teachers have accomplished all year!

Thinking: Every year I say I am going to do something different, and then, by February, I am running around looking for where I stored my big books, holiday decor. etc. I have even MORE ideas for next year, so hopefully I can get that show on the road already!

Wanting: But seriously. Refer back to "Loving," and you know I love this month... But WHERE does the time go in May?! Also, Fro-Yo never hurt anybody...

Needing: I had the chance to (finally) go to Disneyland this weekend. I haven't been since January, and, for me, that is a LONG time! I had a great time, but my body is ex-haus-ted! I have had 2 massages (gift cards) sitting on my dresser for more than 2 years... That's 2 years too long... Time to cash them in!!

Truth: My friends, in all reality, something has GOT to give. For me, it's usually my diet and grocery shopping... This month has been no exception.. Who gets their milk from a donut shop?!

That's my May 1st in a nutshell! I can't wait to hear from you!!