And I’m Back :)

I’m finally back with another post!  All day today, I’ve had Everybody (Backstreet’s Back) in my head.  I blame Halloween, and their obviously awesome dance skills.  Once upon a time, this song was my LIFE.

(Maybe this was a sign that I should return to blogging?)

Here’s my November Currently!  Thank you, Farley!

Listening: I was soooooo excited when I found out House was on Netflix.  So excited.  I love him and how sassy he is.

Loving: Fall is here!  Starbucks red cups are here!  Leaves are trying to change color in Southern California!  The sad news is that it’s still going to be in the 80’s this week.  I just bought a bunch of gloves this weekend, hoping that maybe it will give the weather gods a hint…

Thinking: I love the holidays!  This year, I’m spending Thanksgiving with some family members I don’t get to see very often.  I’m so excited because love LOVE my family so much!  And this year, I’m holding my family so much closer than before.  My aunt passed away in September, and it was an extremely difficult time for me.  She was one of the strongest, funniest, most amazing people I’ve ever known.  She loved the holidays, so I’m celebrating in her memory and honor.  It’s going to be a great day!  And plus, I really love those cans of jellied cranberries that look like something people probably shouldn’t be eating.

Wanting: I love boots.  I have way too many pairs, but I still need them ALL.

Needing: A car wash.  I work at a school with a bunch of trees and birds, so you can imagine what my car looks like a week after I’ve washed it.  I kept hearing that rain was coming “soon”, so I put it off for far too long.  Of course, it didn’t rain here until Friday night…and my car was parked in the garage. 

Reading: This might be my 9th time reading this series from start to finish.  I think maybe I’m hoping that J.K. will write book #8 if I read hard enough.

I hope you all had a happy and safe Halloween!  Stay tuned for a blog post about a fun Halloween activity I did with my students!  And…some freebies are coming your way, too!  <3

Happy Teaching! 

12

Oh, hello, August.

It’s August.

(I’ll just let that sink in…)

Happy Almost Back To School Time!  I am sure all of you are frantically trying to get yourselves ready for school to start.  I’ve been trying to prepare myself all summer.  The problem is, most of the preparing has been done in my brain and I haven’t actually been productive.  Oops.  I keep reminding myself that I aced so many college papers by writing them at the very last minute, so hopefully this will also apply to classroom stuff as well.  I doubt it, but I am remaining optimistic.  Or, I could just stop procrastinating.

Here’s my August Currently!  Thank you to Farley over at Oh, Boy Fourth Grade!  I hope you all take the time to join in on this fun monthly linky party! 

Listening:  It has been cloudy all day and I was really hoping it would be raining tonight, because I adore the sound of the rain!  I turned off my iTunes and the fan near me, hoping to listen to outside my open window.  But no, the crickets are out there just mocking me right now.  I’ll get my sweet revenge next week.  They’ll all get a nice shower, because we’re supposed to have thunderstorms!  I am beyond excited.  And maybe I can get a free carwash, too.  Love it!

Loving:  A few years ago, I discovered teaching blogs.  It was a completely foreign notion to me that other teachers (who I assumed all taught in some magical teaching land together) created their own worksheets and activities AND that these worksheets and activities could be incredibly adorable.  Prior to that, I was relying on T.E.’s and making up my own supplemental activities off the top of my head.  Oh, and buying teacher workbooks for just one page that I absolutely needed.  My whole teaching life changed after I discovered those first few blogs (special shout out to The First Grade Parade, Oceans of First Grade Fun, and What the Teacher Wants!), and I was so inspired and excited to use all of these amazing things I found on the internet.  The problem was, at the time, I was transitioning from having my own classroom into becoming what I referred to as a “classroom tenant”.  For these past few years, I have been a sub/floater/support teacher/co-teacher at several different schools, with no classroom to call my own.  I literally had a library in the trunk of my car, you guys! (Please comment below if you read that sentence in your head as Chris Trager.)  I’ve been very sad about not having my own room, and a big reason for that was I was never able to organize or decorate the rooms I used (…not to mention establish rules and procedures that worked best with my teaching style, but that’s another blog post!) I was getting all of these amazing ideas on blogs and TPT that I couldn’t wait to use one day.  But I am so happy that I will have my own classroom once again, and I am super excited to start fresh and basically try everything.

Thinking:  I am NOT a summer person.  I loooove fall and all of its scarves and holidays and pumpkin spice things.

Wanting:  A teacher can dream, yes?

Needing:  I had to upgrade my ancient iPhone 4 (Four!!!) recently, and I am all kinds of in love with my 5c.  But I’m pretty disappointed in the charger cord that comes with it, which is much flimsier than my last one.  My cat can easily chew through it if I leave it lying around somewhere.  That may or may not have happened already.

1st day:  I start the staff development excitement right after Labor Day, and my kids start on the 8th.  That’s a Monday.  A MONDAY.  (How did that happen?)  I’ve never started school on a Monday before!  I can only imagine how tired the kids and I will be by Friday.  I’m already ready for the epic nap I will be taking after school that day.

 

I can’t wait to read what everyone is up to this month!  Best of luck to all of you starting school soon! 

Happy Teaching! 

8

A Magical Shopping Adventure

So.  In the middle of summer, every teacher everywhere started posting photos about amazing back to school deals on Instagram.  I remember when “Back to School Season” was in August, and I would always feel nervous that there wouldn’t be enough crayon boxes left for me at Target.  Does this shopping season feel earlier to anyone else this year? 

Anyways, I just couldn’t stop looking at those IG shopping photos.  I am a sucker for school supplies.

No, really.

When I was little, I would bypass the candy aisle at the grocery store to look at all the glorious pens.  I’m still kind of that way.  I do love pens.  But this time, I was all about the gorgeous baskets and bins that teachers were finding at Big Lots and Dollar Tree.  They’re pink and turquoise and lime green and purple and beautiful.  And you know what?  NONE WERE LEFT FOR ME WHEN I WENT TO THOSE PLACES!!!  {Insert sad face here.}  My crayon nightmares came true, in basket form. 

I did manage to score some pretty amazing deals, though!  Especially on things I didn’t realize I absolutely needed until they were staring me right in the face.  You guys know what’s up.  I literally went into Target to ONLY buy cat food, and I ended up spending way more money on my students.  My poor kitty.  But one humongous major bonus {for me anyway} is a glorious find that I…found. {Sounds weird.}  Check it out at the end of this post!

I decided to link up with Kickin’ it in Kindergarten for a fun linky party!  This one is called Teachers Be Shoppin’, which I just knew I had to join because I love the name of it so much!  I love reading blog posts like this.  I’m always wondering where teachers get such amazing things in their classrooms, so I’ll let you know where I found everything.  I’m also giving price approximations, since I know prices vary depending on location.  Unfortunately, some of the things were on sale, which may be over already, but I know there are lots of great deals everywhere right now!  I’m including some AMAZING TPT products, too!  Hopefully this will help you out in your own magical school shopping journey! 

First up: Bins, bins, and more bins:

Clear shoebox-sized bins with pink lids: Target {approx. $5.99 for a set of 5}.  Adorable chevron pencil holders: 99¢ Store {well…99¢ each}.  Green, pink, and blue milk crates: Big Lots {approx. $3.50 each}.  Black bins with gray handles: Big Lots {approx. $1.50 each}.

{P.S.  Since I couldn’t find my beloved colorful bins from Dollar Tree and Big Lots, I settled for these black bins to hold books in my classroom library.  Stay tuned for a Monday Made It post!  I’m going to make them awesome.}

 

Because I can never have enough storage:

This colorful guy: Big Lots {approx. $28}

 

I am also very indecisive when choosing folders:

Seriously, I couldn’t figure out which colors I wanted to have for each subject.  So I bought all the colors.  You do this, too…right???  Folders: Staples {On sale: 15¢ each for the first 30, but I sweet talked the guy into letting me get 60 for that price!  The rest were 50¢ each.}  Composition books (wide-ruled): Staples {On sale: 50¢ each, and may require some sweet talking if you’re buying more than 30}.

 

Clipboards for clipping things!

Aren’t these adorbs?  Small plastic see-thru clipboards: 99¢ Store {99¢, These are perfect for centers!}  Regular-sized paisley clipboards: Dollar Tree {99¢, These are perfect for something I haven’t even figured out yet!}

 

Pretty much every school supply you can imagine:

Let’s take it from the top!  Binders and pocket dividers: Staples {Less than $6 each}.  Hipsterpotamus notebook: Target {I lost the receipt!  Approx. $2-3 dollars}.  Extremely colorful Post-it notes and Paper Mate pens: Staples {On sale: approx. $10 each}.  Various stickers, bookmarks, and pencils: Target dollar section {99¢ each}.  Ticonderoga pencils: Target {approx. $6 a box, I think. But they’re the best!).  Various erasers: Target, Big Lots, 99¢ Store {approx. 99¢ each}.  Large push pins: 99¢ Store, I also saw them at Dollar Tree {99¢ per package}.  Pencil sharpeners: Big Lots {80¢ each.  I bought about 20 of the green and blue ones, but they have other colors, too!}  Crayons: Target {On sale: approx. 25-50¢.  I bought way too many to fit in this picture}.  Glue sticks: Target {approx. $2-4 per box, depending on the size}.  Steno notebooks and graph paper: 99¢ Store {99¢ each}.

Here are some close-ups, because some of the pictures are kind of hard to see:

I just had to.  My love for pens is real.

I want to write everything on Post-its this year.  Even my blog posts.

Hipsterpotamus!  I’m still laughing…

I love scented erasers!  BTW, did you know there’s a website called everythingsmells.com?  I just discovered it right now!  They have a ton of school supplies.  This could be dangerous.

Ticonderoga pencils are the best ever!  {Stay tuned for a Monday Made It post on what I’m making for my students’ school supplies on the first day of school!}

And now for some TPT love! {Click on the pictures for store links!}

I am in love with my new planner/organizer by A Modern Teacher!  It’s adorable and has everything I want, and more!  A lot of teachers have been raving about the beautiful Erin Condren planners, but I do all of my planning on my computer.  I’m hoping to “take a page” from The First Grade Parade and make visual lesson plans this year!  Check out how she keeps herself organized here!

If you follow me on Instagram, you might have noticed that lately I’ve been listening to way more 80’s music than anyone should.  All of this neon goes so nicely with that!  So rad!

These math games are meant to be used as homework.  SO.  GENIUS.  My school uses math workbooks for homework, so instead I’m going to use these games as centers or Fun Friday choices!

 

And finally!  FINALLY!!!  My favorite thing of all!!!

Let me tell you a story.  Once upon a time, I saw this magical chevron rug on so many teacher blog posts, and it made me stop in my tracks.  Basically, it was love at first sight.  I searched everywhere trying to find where it came from, and discovered that it came from Big Lots.  My local BL has only been stocked with boooring rugs, which I expected, since most of the posts I read were from around 2012.  I looked for similar ones at other stores, too, but nothing else felt so meant to be.  Then yesterday, I randomly found a BL far from home, and there it was!  I’m so happy!  I love love LOVE it!  Oh…the end!  {This would make a great read-aloud.}

I can’t wait to set up my classroom now!  I hope you’re all having a great time setting up your rooms!  Let me know if you find anything you can’t live without this year!  Or better yet…join the linky party, too! 

Happy Teaching!

4

Back to School Goals!

Hi friends! 

I started seeing this Back to School Goals linky party going around Instagram, and I wanted to join in on the fun!  Thank you to I {heart} Recess for this awesome idea!

Personal: I used to work out every single day, and then I fell off the wagon.  Now I’m determined to start it up again!  Unfortunately, if I don’t do it every day, I don’t stay as motivated.  But I’m planning to go to the Bahamas with family next year, so now I have something to work towards!

Organization:  I am NOT known for being very organized at home.  But at school, I’m kind of a rock star!  I looooove binders, file folders, cute boxes, binder clips, snack baggies, colorful paper clips...you name it.  I have worked really hard on coming up with a system that works for me to keep me from going crazy when I’m searching for something I need in my classroom.  Except for my library.  I’ve had magical dreams of leveling all of my books and organizing them by theme and reading level, but I never got around to it.  This is going to be a HUGE undertaking, but I am very excited to try it this year.  I’ve found labels that I’m super in love with {found here! BTW, I adore Maria’s classroom! Check out the photos on her blog!}, and I’m using the Scholastic Book Wizard app on my iPhone and computer {check it out here!}.  I’m kind of dreading this plan, but the good news is, I only have to do it once!  Please let me know if you have any tips and tricks that work for you!   

Planning: I LOVE the visual lesson plans Cara over at The First Grade Parade uses.  In her plans, she includes small photos of read-aloud books and cover pages from TPT products that she uses during lessons.  Such an amazing idea!  Want to know how she does it?  Check it out here!

Professional:  My school is using Singapore Math this year, and I have to become acquainted with the program!  My goal is to create some helpful resources that align with SM.  We’re also working on revamping our assessments this year.  Sounds fun, right???

Students: I want to force inspire my kids to become more aware of their responsibilities and to “own” their work more this year.  I love when they get so excited to show off their work!  I would love it even more if they felt that way about homework…

Motto:  I LOVE KID PRESIDENT!  This quote is just so inspiring and relevant.  He’s so adorable!  And hilarious! 

       

 

I hope you are all having a great end of the summer!  I know there are some year-round teachers who started school again this week, and I hope you’re having an amazing time with your kids!

Happy Teaching!

0

July Currently

Hey, kids!

I can’t believe it’s already July!  I hope you are all having an amazing summer!  Here is my July Currently.  Thank you, Farley!

Listening: These guys are one of my favorite bands.  I looooooove Dave Gahan’s voice, and I love 80’s music! 

Loving: My “summer” lasted only a week!  I’m teaching summer school most of the summer, so I’m really excited for a day off!  Happy 4th, everyone!  Have fun and be safe!

Thinking: (Admit it, all of you have wondered every once in a while.  Cat people.  Dog people.  Small children people.)  My cat was being mischievous, and all of a sudden, she stood up and sat in a corner facing the wall.  I call that a self-proclaimed Time Out.  Way to go, kitty.

Wanting: I’m so proud of my team this year!  I’ve been watching most of the games (thanks, DVR and the trusty FAST FORWARD BUTTON) and it’s been an exciting World Cup!  That can only mean one thing: there are so many amazing teams out there!  I’ve been rooting for the underdogs, as well, but my heart will always be in Deutschland.

Needing: I’m in the midst of classroom decorating decision-making, and it’s hard.  Ya’ll know how it is.  I LOVE TPT for so many reasons, but I also slightly dislike it, because there are too many options sometimes.  You guys are too amazing!!!

4th Plans: When I was little, my mom and I used to crash our neighbor’s party and watch the Disneyland fireworks from their balcony.  It was great!  And now, we watch from inside, a little cramped and squished on the floor, but with an equally awesome view. 

I can’t wait to read what all of you are up to in your Currently posts!

Happy Teaching!

7

What I’m Loving Wednesday

I thought I’d try to step up my blog writing game a bit and do “What I’m Loving Wednesday” today!  Thank you Covered in Glitter and Glue!  There are so many things I am currently in love with (both school and non-school related) so here we go!

Butter London Nail Polish

If you haven’t tried these, you should!  They’re so, so gorgeous.  {From L-R: “Union Jack Black” (the blackest black EVER…which I like to rock from time to time), Hardwear P.D. Quick Topcoat, Nail Foundation Flawless Basecoat, and “Kerfluffle” (a super cute pinky coral…perfect for summer!)}

 

THIS AWESOME PACKET

This was made by the lovely Cara Carroll (The First Grade Parade)! (Click on the photo to see it in her TPT store!)  It’s adorable!  I’ve been able to use the literacy worksheets with my little Kinders, and I’m excited to give the writing prompt calendars to my second graders over the summer.  Everybody wins!

 

These super cute chairs from Target!

I bought two of them for my classroom library.  I am so in love with the colors.  I’m tempted to buy an entire class set…ha!

 

My new kicks!

Love LOVE these!  And just in time for World Cup season!  (Because I like to dress sporty when I’m watching sports.)

 

Will and Grace

I must have watched and rewatched this entire series about 27 times.  I can’t get enough of Jack and Karen!  It’s definitely one of the best shows out there! 

 

I can’t wait to see what all of you are loving this Wednesday! 

Happy Teaching!

0

Happy June!

Hey kids! 

Here is my June Currently, thanks to the fantastic Farley!

Listening: It’s quiet!  And I’m loving every second of it.  I still have to teach tomorrow.  Ya’ll know what I’m talkin’ about.

Loving: My new blog is just what I wanted!  I’m a sucker for rainbows, and black, and glitter, and pink stripes (á la VS).  Megan at I Teach, What’s Your Superpower? and A Bird in Hand Designs is SO AMAZING.  She’s just wonderful.  I highly recommend her to anyone looking to fancify your blog!  (Also, I’m loving Windows Live Writer!  This is my first time using it to write a blog entry…and I adore it!  So easy!)

Thinking: There are soooooo many things I can’t wait for.  A European vacation…a new car…new teaching curriculum (let’s be real).  Nothing is “in the works” right now, but if I stay positive, all of these things can happen soon!

Wanting: Somehow, my 3 pairs of trusty Converse are all heading to Shoe Heaven.  Time for some new kicks!

Needing: You guys.  I have no idea how this happens.  My HP printer is amazing and beautiful and I love it to death.  But I can’t handle the crazy ink situation I’m faced with every few weeks.  It won’t let me print for very long after one color is out.  So if a color I don’t even need runs out, I can’t even use black to print in grayscale.  Ugh.  I feel like I was just at Staples yesterday.

Summer Bucket List:  I’m not the “Bucket List” type.  Mostly because I have a memory similar to that of Dory the fish.  And also, I’m lazy.  But I chose things that I think/hope/daydream will be attainable over the next few months.  {1.} Over the years, I’ve obtained a LOT of teaching materials and books.  This year, I haven’t had a classroom of my own (I currently share the second grade room with my team teacher, and I’m a “floating” kindergarten reading teacher).  So I have a storage unit to keep all of my junk precious gems.  I can’t part with anything!  Ever since I became a teacher, every year I’ve been faced with the inevitable “What’s going to happen in September?” question, due to budget cuts.  Things are still up in the air for next year!  One day, I’ll be in a school where I can have a room to call my own for at least a few years!  I’ve been scared to part with things, you know, just in case.  And this summer, I plan to organize everything by grade, subject, holiday, etc.  I wonder how long my plan will last…but at least it will give me an excuse to buy some cute boxes to organize stuff in.  {2.} This one is pretty self explanatory, I think?  Also, I’d love to meet some of YOU!  Hopefully a SoCal Meetup will happen again soon that I can actually attend!  That would be super awesome.  {3.} Since it’s summer, I ll finally have more time to create for TPT!!!  Yay!  My fonts and clip art are burning holes in my pockets.  I know that’s not the actual saying, but it totally applies to teachers.

 

Happy Teaching!

10

New Blog Design!

I have to dedicate this post to the AMAZING Megan from A Bird in Hand Designs and I Teach, What's Your Superpower?  Not only is she a super creative teacher (and a mom!), but she is also an extremely talented blog designer!  I have been wanting to redesign my blog for a while, and I couldn't be happier.  She was so helpful and worked with me on creating exactly what I wanted, as well as adding some adorable touches of her own.  She was willing to answer any questions I had, as well as working out some technology kinks.  I cannot sing her praises enough!  I would definitely recommend her as a designer if you're thinking of changing up your blog! 

Here's where you can find this lovely lady:

Happy Teaching!

0

May Currently!

I'm sorry, you guys, but I just have to do this first:

You can always count on me to get a boy band song stuck in your head.  You're welcome!

Now that I've gotten that out of the way, it's time for my May Currently!  Thank you, Farley!  I love doing these, because it gives me a chance to get to know new bloggers!  And I can never get enough of teaching blogs.  Ever.

 

Listening: Ed Sheeran...who doesn't love him???

Loving: Ok. So, I bought a Scotch laminator a month or so ago at Target.  It was around $20.  I was skeptical.  I assumed it would be too good to be true.  But seriously, it's probably one of the best things I have ever purchased!  Aaaaaand, the laminate is super strong and durable!  I am always impressed by durable laminate.  It's a weakness of mine.

Thinking:  I'm an OC girl at heart, and I get lost very easily, and I hate traffic, so I have had an aversion to LA for practically my whole life.  But I've made some friends recently who live there.  And now it's my goal this year to get up there more and do some exploring.  All of those people who make me waste hours on the freeway must live there for a reason, right???  If any of you can recommend any cool places, I will be forever grateful!

Wanting:  I was a PC person for most of my life, and I was completely ok it.  Even when Mac came out with those desktops that were super cool colors.  And then I got a job at my old school and they gave us Macbooks.  I FELL IN LOVE.  And then I got an iPhone and I FELL IN LOVE.  And then Microsoft came out with Windows 8.1 and I absolutely hated it, which was the final straw.  I am secretly hoping that someday I will spill coffee on my HP and oops, I guess it's time for a new computer!  But I would never wish that upon anyone, so I will stick with my trusty Windows 7 until I decide to splurge (one of last week's spelling words) and make a switch to becoming an Apple girl for live.

Needing:  I don't have many followers on here, but I have been totally slacking on the blogging part of my life.  I need to post more.  I love blogging, and I keep trying to think of interesting things to write about, but I usually fail big time.  However, I am much better about  posting on Instagram.  Maybe it's my Apple obsession?  (see above)  If you're interested, you can find me on IG at glitteratschool.  I absolutely love the teacher blog/IG community SO MUCH!!!  Which leads me to...

SURPRISE:  This month, we are supposed to pick a blogger to write about.  I am the most indecisive person in the world, so I chose five.  These ladies are super sweet and wonderful, and I love "talking" to them on IG, and checking out their bloggy blogs.  I love making new teacher friends on there, and EVERYONE has been so amazing and supportive!  It's amazing how many teachers are so friendly and so willing to share amazing tips and ideas...and also their super cute outfits.  Check out these lovely ladies and their blogs!

Miss Vericker's Adventures

Covered in Glitter and Glue

The Hands On Teacher

Third in Hollywood

Easy Teaching Tools


Happy Teaching! 

10

April Currently!

I can't believe it's already April!  (Miraculously, I didn't get "April Fooled" today.)  I have no idea where the past three months disappeared to!  I'm kind of glad they're over, because I have a lot to look forward to this year!  (Including a trip to London and all over Germany over Christmas!  I'm already counting down the days!)

Here's what I'm up to at the moment:

 

 

 

1. Listening: I'm not usually a fan of singing shows, but I've been sucked into The Voice this season.  (Although I really thought I'd be a bigger fan of American Idol...I adore Harry Connick, Jr.)  There are some incredibly amazing people on the show this season, but I'm totally Team Stevie Jo.  I haven't watched in a couple of weeks, but I couldn't miss my love Chris Martin!  Who doesn't love Coldplay???

 

2. Loving: I love technology.  And music.  SO MUCH.

 

3. Thinking: I have a feeling you're thinking the same thing as me.  Hurry up, Friday!  (And Spring Break...mine is super late this year!)

 

4. Wanting: I could smell those things all day long. MMMMMMM.  Except for the licorice one.  I could do without it.

 

5. Needing: I've recently created a new TPT product, and I have so many ideas planned.  But since this is so new to me, I have no idea how everyone manages to teach, and create, and live!  And eat.  Wow.  I get so caught up in creating, I forget to eat sometimes.  Oops.

 

6. Hours and Last Day: My hours at work tend to vary, and my last day is June 19th!

 

 

I can't wait to read what you guys are up to!  Have a great April!

Happy Teaching!



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