Five for Friday...on Sunday???

So I wanted to do my first linkup with Doodle Bugs Teaching for Five for Friday!  I am really excited about this linky and hope to continue linking up in the future.

First of all, I graduated Saturday!!!!  I didn't actually walk at graduation, but my family threw a wonderful graduation party for me.  A lot of my family gave me gift cards and money to add books to my future classroom library.  I am very excited to build that library and watch my students enjoy the books!  I remember when I was younger reading a story about a character that loved his books so much that he had to wash his hands before he could read one.  Does that sound familiar to anyone else?  I would really like to get that book so I can discuss the proper ways to take care of books with my students...

I am sitting here thinking about everything I have to tackle this week.  Lots of to organize and thank you cards to finish.  I'm also thinking I only have a few minutes left of relaxing with my husband before bedtime and him working tomorrow.  I love every minute I can spend with him, even when he is purposefully trying to annoy me!!!

I am going to start applying for jobs this week finally.  I still want to tweak my resume and put a binder together of my best work, but I am going to try to get those out there.  The thoughts of interviewing really terrify me!  I am just going to be myself, and hope that they see what all I can offer.  I truly love what I do and will continue to make myself better.

I'm also very excited to do some professional development this summer.  The Phonics Dance is coming to Cincy this summer. I'm hoping to attend.  I've heard its worth it.  If I were to get a job in first or second grade, I would like to get trained in Orton Gillingham, but its $1000 and a weeklong PD so it will have to wait.  Please let me know if you can recommend any writing PD.  That is one area where I always feel that I can use work.  I know many seasoned teachers who feel the same way.  I t has been recommended to me to attend a 6 writing traits PD.  I also want to read some of Lucy Calkins' work.  If you read her work or been to her conferences, please let me know!

Finally, I'm sitting here watching "Step Brothers."  Hubby was changing channels and came across the beginning of a movie where one of the characters was loading tortilla chips with cheddar cheese and I said, "this seems familiar...is this "Step Brothers?"  Right at that time, the title came across and I was correct.  This is so interesting because before today I had only seen that movie once.  Its weird the things I remember.  Its also sad that I remember things associated with food.

Oh well! That's all for now!  I'll try to include more pics in my next Five for Friday post!  Thanks Doodlebugs!  Click on the "Five for Friday" picture to be taken to her blog!

I'm back! With a New Product!

Man, where have I been?!?  I am a super blogger slacker!  I have been student teaching my little heart out!  I'm currently with first graders at an AMAZING oh-my-goodness-I-wanna-work-at-this-school-so-bad school!  My kiddos are full of personality and my cooperating teacher is also fantastic.  I have learned so much from her, we get along famously, and I truly feel like I'm in a collaborative setting.  Its really hard to believe but I only have two more days of student teaching left.  Yep. Two. I graduate Saturday.  A day that some said would never happen. Ha. Ha. Ha. Ha. and Neener, neener, neener may I also add.  I am super excited to start applying for my dream job.  I realize the chances of me getting my dream job in this educational market is slim when schools only seem to be making cuts right now, but I choose to remain hopeful.  If I don't get a teaching job, I will apply for a position as a para-educator, secretary, sub, or whatever else I can get.  If I only get to volunteer, I will do so with gusto and continue to read my professional development books.  As summer is approaching, I have high hopes to make new products.  I want to dabble in products aligned to the common core, decorative products such as calendar and classroom sets, and whatever else I think of.  If I'm feeling really ambitious, I may make some "I can" statement packs in coordinating themes for my classroom packs.  I really want my store to be in full force.  I love being a teacher and getting to make products, so its time I start putting more of the products I make all of the time in the store.

Speaking of which, I added a new product today!  My students are being a little hairy right now (calling out a lot, not following directions, not keeping their hands to themselves, etc.) so my cooperating teacher and I decided maybe it was time to start giving out "good choice tickets" to students making good choices and they can be put in a bucket with a matching label for an end-of-the-year drawing.  The students love things like this.

 

I'm going to take a stack with me wherever we go so that the system is always in place.  To show my teacher appreciation (as it is teacher appreciation week!), I am giving away a copy to the first three people to comment on this post and leave their email.  I hope this file is useful to you!  You can purchase the tickets here!

Tonight was the volunteer dinner at the school where I'm currently student teaching.  I love this school and the fact that they honor their volunteers in such a way with a big dinner they've been planning for weeks.  The volunteers really enjoyed themselves and the food was fantastic (they fed us too!).  The teachers were generous with their food offerings, and everything was fantastic.  We had a table full of delectable desserts.  I had a blast helping out and would gladly participate again.

I will make an attempt to post much more, and comment on other blogs.  I am a fan of many blogs and stalk visit them quite often.  Please stay tuned for my products and news regarding my job search!!

Amy