Terrible Blogger!

So yeah, I am a terrible blogger, it seems! I fill my life with a ton of stuff to stay busy, but maybe a little too busy!

Let's catch up.

I love my class this year, but have a few little, I mean huge, challenges. We are making it through though. I love them all and want them all to succeed and do well, even though they are hard. I do want to take a nap everyday though, if that tells you anything. :)

Right now I have 2 full time assistants. Thankfully, I don't mind people in my room. I just do what I do . They can laugh at all my dumbness. Haha. I do!

I am starting my last semester of Grad School! Did you hear that?! I am starting my last semester of Grad School! I graduate in May! It really hasn't been bad at all, but it will be good to get done. It'll be one less thing on my plate. Yeah, right! Who am I kidding, I live to be busy and full. I'll just add something else to replace it. My whole family thinks I'll go back and get my Doctorate before too long. I say no. We'll see. I do like learning.

My oldest kiddo just got a car. What!? Yes. How did that happen?! He still has his Learner's Permit, but this car fell into our lap and is perfect for him, so why not give him lots of practice now. He loves it and is driving us everywhere. It is newer than mine though and much nicer, so I am jealous.

My youngest started Middle School. He hates dislikes it. Probably cuz he doesn't get to be with his mommy anymore. I know that is devastating. ;) Really though, he would rather be in the gym. He already spends more time there than he does at home. Gymnasts rock.

I get to teach summer school this summer. Yes, I am excited for it. I am weird. I just can't wait to give those kiddos a head start. Plus, again, I like to be busy. Might as well be helping children while I am it, right?

Ok, I think we've caught up enough. Maybe next time I'll do a real teaching type blog post. I love, love, love this time of year because they are just exploding with their knowledge and learning. Plus, there are so many fun themes to teach.

In fact, I am excited because I have my February Printables pack done and I got to look at all the things we will be learning. Cuteness and fun are coming up! Anyway, since I am done with the packet so early, I am giving it to you for $1 off through the month of January. It'll go back to full price in February. If you have my other packs, you will love this one, too. I added a few more pages and already have some new things in mind for March. Check it out and get it while it's cheaper!

Be fun and Fabulous!

~Mrs.Sweeney

Life

Life sure gets in the way of things sometimes, doesn't it?  Last time I blogged, I told you I would tell about the ordeal I had had that weekend. Well, I didn't get around to it because it turned into a much bigger ordeal than I could have imagined. Let me start at the beginning.

At the end of January, my teaching friend and I were supposed to go to another writing/math training so we could bring back what we learned to our school. The night before it snowed. Here in Tennessee that is a big deal. A tiny bit of snow wreaks havoc on our roads, grocery stores, schools, etc. We just aren't prepared. I think it's funny because I grew up in the west where it snows feet at a time. :) The next morning I wake up and check to make sure that the training is still on. I didn't have an email, so I prepared to go. My friend came and picked me up and we were on our way. Less than a mile from my house, we got to see firsthand why Tennesseeans freak out over winter weather.

We were about to pass the fire station, when suddenly we started sliding. We slid to the left, to the right, back to the left, and then turned around backwards. Both of us expected the tires to catch on dy ground any second. Nope. We see us sliding towards the edge of a creek bed into a creek that is full of icy water. I'll never forget that image, that's for sure. We went over the ledge, I forced myself to relax so the impact wouldn't be as bad. I had always heard that drunk drivers don't get hurt in car accidents because they are so relaxed. I figured it was a good strategy. Then suddenly, we slammed really hard and wedged into 2 trees. Thank goodness for those 2 trees. If not for them, we would have been upside down in the freezing creek.

After we hit, I looked to the left and saw the water less than a foot away. Then I looked right and a fireman was already at my window talking on his walkie talkie. We crashed directly across the street from the Fire Department and they just happened to be outside working on their truck! They pulled us out and did everything for us. If it had to happen, it couldn't have happened in a better place!

 Notice how close and high the water is!

We seemed to be fine after the wreck. We got to sit in the warm Fire Department for 3 hours while they tried to get the car out. It took 2 different tow trucks and several different towing cables (they kept breaking) to get it out. They finally had to pull it straight up into the air. Crazy!

I was totally fine. I was definitely sore within 30 minutes, but was good. I even went grocery shopping that night. I noticed that I kept holding my left arm funny, but it didn't hurt, so I couldn't figure out why. Then I noticed that I was sleeping very carefully with my left side super close and protected against my body, while my right side was willy nilly everywhere. After the 3rd day, the pain set in. I had definitely hurt something in my left shoulder.

I got into the doctor and had an MRI. Verdict- partial tear in my rotator cuff with severe inflamation and tendonitis. Yuck! I started physical therapy. I could move my shoulder pretty well, even above my head, but I was in constant pain. The PT started off strong, thinking it wouldn't take more than 3-5 weeks to get me good to go.

Nope, I have now been in PT for 9 weeks and I am not one bit better. I went back to the doctor and had a cortisone shot. Everyone told me it would be a miracle cure. Nope. It lowered the inflammation SOMETIMES, but I am no better. Sigh. They started talking surgery. Wah.

We are on Spring Break this week. I have spent 3 of the 4 days at the doctor. They sent me back for an MRI again. This time of my neck. I started having numbness, weakness, and my hand keeps turning blue. Maybe this will show something. Probably not though, since I can't seem to do anything easy. We'll see.

Needless to say, I haven't been around because pain is not my friend. I am barely making it each day. I have had to do this blog post in 5 different sessions today. Work is horrible, but thankfully I love my job, and am good at pushing through and dying later. :)

I've done some fun things though. We had a Family Fluency Night. As soon as I get around to downloading pics from my camera, I will show you. I loved it! We have done great activities in class. I am in the middle of my Masters Program. I am a coach for future teachers. I am competing in a quartet contest in 2 weeks, and so much more. Life still goes on, pain or not. My youngest, Crazy Boy, also turns 11 on Saturday! What?! How am I this old? :)

I have managed to get my last homework packet completed though. :) Here it is if you need it. I really, really want to get on of my  monthly printables packets done too. Darn shoulder really messed up my TpT plans! We'll see if I get to it. Hopefully, pain-free days will be coming soon!

Be Fun and Fabulous Even in Pain! :)

~Mrs. Sweeney

January Is Upon Us!

Man! The years just fly by! How is it 2015 already? That's like the future! I remember the 90s, for heaven's sake, and that was just like 10 years ago, I'm pretty sure!

This year will be full of new for me. It starts out with my first semester of Grad school. It's a little scary, but  exciting , too. I am excited to learn more, work on some of my weaknesses, and delve in to what I love. I'm also excited because I get to help future teachers learn about the classroom. I am working with Lipscomb to allow students changing careers to come into my classroom to see education in action.  Should be fun!

Some other newness will happen in my family. My oldest will get his Learner's Permit this year. My youngest will start Middle School. I will have no more children with me at school. That's a little sad. How do they get so big?

I'm excited for this part of the school year. The kids just explode with learning. Plus, all of my favorite units and activities happen in this half of the year.

I actually was a little lazy on this break. I relaxed, watched tv, read a book, and some days did not think one bit about school. I know I'm going to be insane after this break, so I wanted to decompress. I did, however, make some new products. Fun, fun!

First, I finished up my Homework Packet for Unit 4 Reading Wonders. Only 2 more units left! If you haven't checked it out yet, and use Reading Wonders, you should. This homework goes right along with each story. It includes reading comprehension, fluency, spelling, and math. It's everything you need in homework so each week is easy and ready to go. Here are some pages for you to take a look.

Make your life easier for the rest of the school year. Easy peasy.

I am super excited about my next product. My January Print and Go packet is up and ready. More pages, more cuteness. Can't wait to use it!

Back to work on Monday. This will make my life easier and yours, too. 

Be fun and fabulous in the new year!

~Mrs. Sweeney

December Already?!

How is this year just about over? How is it Christmas time? How is the school year so far along?  I had so much to get done these few days off for Thanksgiving Break. I didn't do a very good job at getting them done. I kept doing other things that needed done instead. Sigh. So a lot has been going on around here.

First off, I haven't been observed yet! What?! I have been waiting and waiting and waiting. I don't like to wait. I don't like to procrastinate. I like things done. I NEED things done. Waaahhhh. I don't want to be first, but I don't like to be last. In the middle is perfectly perfect. It's especially hard this year because I only get one observation, ONE, and it's a surprise visit. I REALLY don't like surprises. I am little miss planner, after all. Plus, I don't know who is coming. This is pretty much my nightmare, unexpected, unannounced, secret, everything rides on this one visit test. So yeah, I have been a bit stressed and need this done. You hear that people?! I need this done. :)

Second, um, I'm starting my Masters. What?! Yep, it's happening. At least I think it is. I have done my part. Next week I have my interview, and then I guess that is it. Lipscomb, here I come. It's not online. I can't work at my own pace. I have no time, but somehow this is gonna happen. Why do I do this to myself? I just kept finding myself filling out the application, taking an entrance exam, applying for scholarships, etc. It was pretty much an out of body experience. I know I shouldn't do it. I do too much as it is, but at the same time, I want to do it. I NEED to learn. It's in my nature. I guess there are worse things to give my time to.

Good news! I have partnered with Peekapack.It's an educational storybook that comes to children monthly. It's got props, materials for crafts, a learning guide for the grown-ups, etc. It's so cute and perfect for ages 4-8 to bring stories alive. They are offering a freebie e-book right now. Go check it out.

Finally, I have finished my December Printables pack! I added a few more pages. I used pretty much every single page from my November packet and I can't wait to get started on this one. I got tons of good feedback from my 1st grade teammates. I hope you like it just as much!

Here are some of the pages, so you can see what is included. 

Have a good start to December!

Be fun and fabulous!

~Mrs. Sweeney

School Has Sprung!

School has definitely begun! We've been going strong for 3 weeks now. Boy, is back to school time busy or what?! I've been having a great time getting to know my new class. It's going to be a challenge, but they are a sweet, little bunch. We are getting in our groove and really getting going now.

I'm pretty much keeping everything the same this year as I did it last year. Our schedule completely changed and that has been a struggle, but we are making it work. I'm usually good with schedule changed, but this one is throwing me for a loop. We changed our Math pacing this year as well, so that's always fun. Not! :) We'll get it. I hope sooner, rather than later. :) I did add Class Dojo this year. I'm loving it and so are the kids. In fact, we love it so much, I haven't really been using our clip chart or other incentive things. They love hearing the little ding that tells them that someone got a Dojo point. Occasionally I do the "oops" sound, too, and that gets them right on track. It is a fun little tool to help with behavior management and positive reinforcement. We have so many positive things they can get points for and only like 5 things that might have them lose points. Hooray for a positive classroom!

I revamped my homework packet this year and made it work for you guys, too! If you use the Wonders Reading series, you should check it out! Let me explain what I do.

I like to send home one packet on Monday and then not see it again until Fridays. :) It's easier for them to keep up with and for me, too! I also like that they can have more freedom within their family on choosing when to get their homework done. I'm a parent, too, and I know that some days are busier than others. It is so hard to do sports, music, school and everything else nowadays. I tell my parent right from the beginning that if they can't do homework on Monday because they have Baseball practice, then do it on another day that works for them. I don't care when they do it as long as it has been done and gets to me on Friday. :) They are still getting the practice in, it just works better for them. I do have suggested days of Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday for homework, but again, do what works for your families!

I like them to have practice in everything. I include Reading the weekly story and answering questions related to the story, We do fluency practice with the words and phrases from the reading series/spelling pattern each week. We practice the spelling pattern in various ways. I also made the spelling editable so you can choose your own words if needed. I do Challenge words in my class, for those that already know the spelling pattern. We take a pre-test for the next week's words on Friday. If they don't miss any, they are in my challenge words group and have a more difficult version of the spelling pattern. Those words are included for you, but if you don't use challenge words, then they can be deleted. Finally, we
do math practice. Math builds on itself, so it should flow from one skill to the next. I also didn't label it, so if there is a page that works better for you, then that one can be printed, instead of the one that is with the story for the week. Or it doesn't have to be used at all and it can be a workbook page or whatever works in your classroom. .

I am going to do a packet for each Unit and then I will combine them all into a yearly homework packet later. I also include a fluency passage from Tamra Russell's "Differentiated Fluency for Firsties" Packet after Christmas. This pack is awesome and I recommend it for every 1st grade classroom!!

I have used a homework packet like this for years and it works the best for me. I hope it helps you out too! It's an all in one packet, so you can just print, staple, and home it goes!

Hope your school years are starting off wonderfully!

Be fun and fabulous!

~Mrs. Sweeney

So Much to Do, So Little Spring Break

How is it already the last Saturday of Spring Break?! I'm pretty sure it just started yesterday! My to-do list is still SOOOOO long! Oh well, it will all get done sometime. maybe in the summer?!

Looks like I've become a once-a-month blogger. Rats! That was not my intention. Hey! I bet I'll do really well this summer. :)

We've done so many awesome things lately, most of it spring related, even though spring wasn't in sight for so long. Thankfully, this week has finally felt like spring, just in time for Spring Break! Let's review the past month in pictures.

Dr. Seuss Week! This is one of my favorite weeks of the year! I am pretty sure I say that about most weeks, but I really, really love this week! :) We had a snow day, so that disrupted our plans a bit, but we fit in most everything. Who wouldn't love silly socks?

 Exploring adjectives by eating PopRocks while wearing Dr. Seuss hats! What could be better?

Dressing up as our favorite Seuss character! Such fun! I was the Lorax, of course! Although I put together 3 different costumes. I can't wait until next year's costume.

 We made Oobelek! Fun and grossness at the same time=awesome!

We also learned the r-controlled vowel, "ar" this week, so we had to take off our Seuss hats and put on our pirate patches! Can't miss going on a treasure hunt, that's for sure! Look what we found! Argh, Matey!

I also coordinated a school-wide Book Drive to celebrate Read Across America Day. I was soooo proud of the kiddos for bringing in their gently-used books. We had sooooo many books that each kiddo got to choose TWO new-to-them books, and we still had plenty to donate to a local charity. This is just one side of the cafeteria and there were more books on the other side!!

We couldn't leave Dr. Seuss week without eating green eggs and ham, of course! Yum, yum!

We also had Schlopp, schlopp, beautiful schlopp!

Then it was St. Patrick's Day! We started out by figuring out what two primary colors would make green. Was it blue and red? Nope. 

How about yellow and red? Nope again!

Yellow and blue? Let's see....

Woohoo! Yellow and blue make green!

Then silly Larry the Leprechaun left us some magic leprechaun pudding. We had to make it ourselves and guess what?! There were tiny gold nuggets in the pudding. It was delicious!

 Then he left a giant mess! Plus, we had all invented leprechaun traps and he was so sneaky, he didn't get caught in one of them!

Then we topped off the day with Shamrock Shakes, complete with green cherries! Scrumptious.

 What says spring more than flying a kite?! We did a narrative writing about a day we flew a kite, so we had to go try it out, of course!

We also made terrariums and aquariums, complete with real live bugs and fish! 

Spring is amazing and I am so glad it is finally here! Although that means that there is not too much longer with my little cuties. 2nd grade will be here before we know it! 

This week was Spring Break. I can't wait to hear all about their adventures. I did get to visit with one of my favorite teacher friends from my old school. I also did my student teaching with her. She is fantastic, and I'm so glad I got to see her and her sweet kiddo. I miss my RSE friends!

Last but not least, I finished my Unit 6 Wonders Selection Tests. Now all the units are complete! I know you guys love them, so don't forget to grab them before you start unit 6. 

Be fun and fabulous!

~Mrs. Sweeney