It has been such a long time since I last blogged. Did you notice my new look? Its so cool! I love it. Its a new year and now I have a new look. The young lady who created this for me has the patience of a saint for dealing with me. THANK YOU McKenna!!

So.. real quick update of what I did with my kiddos during the month of December.. We traveled around the world learning how other countries celebrate Christmas. Of course I got this from tpt website from an amazing teacher named Hope King. The kids absolutely loved the end of the day when we worked on our books. I gotta be honest I loved it too. Then we did a couple of how to writing papers, like how to make a snowman. We celebrated Grinch Day (so much fun in one day) and trust me we did do a lot of learning that day. Then we had our once a month art carte (done by one of parents, so don't worry). I have so many amazing parents and they spoil me..

Finally, it was our last day of school and I wasn't feeling very good. I thought it was exhaustion and nothing else. So, over the weekend I still wasn't feeling to good.

By Monday I knew I was in trouble so my daughter had to take me to see the doctor. I mean seriously people I did not trust my driving skills. The nurse says oh you poor thing. Your throat looks bad..

By Tuesday I get a call from Kaiser and yep I have a bad case of strep throat. I can't even remember when was the last time I had that. It took two days for me to feel normal. Yikes! This is what happens when I get bored people. 

Then, the day after Christmas we lost our internet service. Really? I went into withdrawal big time. I had to go to Starbucks to get my fix, but its just not the same when you can't have the same fun blogging and shopping on the internet when you are not in your pjs. Overall, I really had a nice vacation and I am so ready to get back to my classroom and do what I love best and thats teaching. 

So, its really hard to believe that we are in December. I love this month, I just wish there was a way to slow it down. My kiddos are currently counting coins, I have discovered that most of them don't really understand counting coins. I can't help but wonder if its because so many of us use our debit cards now.  We are also working on traditions around the world, making inferences, and of course I have found ways to add some fun crafts. They are going to be so excited to write How To's papers.. They are! Because its all about making a snowman and making snowman soup!
Update on our desks! The kids love them so much! I moved them around because in case you haven't been following this blog, I like to change things around at the beginning of every month. So, I found on Pinterest a really cool look and that is making them into horse shoe shapes! So, cool people!
We only have 10 days of school left and of course I'm not crazy enough to tell them that. My amazing teammates have agreed to have a Grinch Day and a Polar Express Day! I love those girls.. I am so excited!

 This is what I have been doing for the month of November. Report cards snuck up on me way to quickly. Then, I made it through conference week(once again)! I gotta tell ya, my second year teaching second graders is going much more smoothly too. I have been blessed again with great parents. I have one who shall remain nameless, but holy moly people she spoils me! This year is going by way to fast.. I mean seriously one week left until Thanksgiving. My classroom has been like heaven every since I got my student's desks. We have so much more room, we now have a nice space for our class meetings and other areas for small groups to work together. We did manage to make our classroom turkey. What is so cool about my teammates they joined in on the fun. Currently my kiddos are learning all about communities and double-digit subtraction. I'm loving it!

Second Grade Class Turkeys!

 Sometimes as teachers we need to take a break from all the hustle of teaching this.. ok now teach this.. ok now teach more of this.. ok.. wait.. now teach this… It's so exhausting and stressful! So, I did just that! I literally put the brakes on teaching at warp speed. For the whole morning I dedicated that time on contractions. We became surgeons and nurses. I have exactly 30 kiddos so they got to pair up with their friend (which btw is huge!) Then, they took turns becoming a nurse or surgeon. There was a lot of talking about which letter has to go.. and some oh no's! We lost a patient Mrs. Packard! Of course many shouts of we did it! This is a moment I will treasure for a long time..  Have I mention how much I love teaching second grade? This is me and one of my amazing kiddos demonstrating the correct way of performing a contraction surgery. 

More Pictures Coming Soon!

Hello Blog Land,
It's been a few weeks since I last blogged, but thats okay because things have been going great! Life certainly keeps me busy and I am not complaining people. Last was amazing! First we went on our first field trip. The weather was gorgeous and the butterflies were out and about. My kiddos were so good of course it helps when you keep them busy with scavenger hunts, life entertainment (thank you very much my parent volunteers!) and taking a quick walk to the beach. Don't worry my friends we kept them everything aligned with the state standards. Here is a picture of one of the many things my kiddos had to finish by the end of the trip.

On Friday our school had their third annual Panther Prowl Run. Our second graders are full of so much energy (if I could only have just a little of that) sigh.. Again, the weather was perfect, and the popsicles

were refreshing after walking for 20 minutes. Whew... Here is a picture..

Now, for the best part... we had our first art cart and we had so much fun! Yes, I said we.. I just had to join in. It was so cute, I couldn't resist. Here's a cute photo of what it looks like..

We have also been working hard on finishing our Animal Reports, at least the writing part. When we are done they get to make their animal habitats, this should be very interesting since I have never done it before. Keep your fingers crossed for me. Okay, folks thats all for now!

It's Only Wednesday

Even though we are in the middle of the week it feels like the week should be over. It has been crazy busy but in a good way. Monday, I celebrated my daughter being on the honor roll. We had a great day together that I will treasure. Tuesday we had a really cute assembly and of course the kids were so excited. Today our school celebrated Unity Day against bullying. It was so cool! Almost the entire school wore orange and our parents were amazing putting this whole thing together! In my class were are continuing to work hard making scarecrows, leaves, and soon bats! Don't fret! I have been tying this all in with reading, writing, math, and creative thinking. Have I ever mentioned how awesome second grade is?? I love telling my kids that their teacher does normal things.. like going to the dentist. I didn't tell them that my tooth was cracked and I was okay with it until I saw my dentist. He cracks me up! He looks in my mouth and says wow! thats really cracked! So as I am typing this up I am just now starting to have some feeling come back. You know that horrible kind where you want to itch your face off. The good news he saved my tooth!  I promise I will not tell my kiddos the horror of the shots, the drill, etc.. They did give me encouraging words about don't be afraid.. and maybe he will give you a toy?? So darn cute!!

Scarecrows!

I am half way done with CCSS training and it feels good. My amazing team have been brainstorming on how we are going to use common core into our existing textbooks and such, its so much fun. Don't get me wrong, its a lot of hard work (secretly I love it!) but it will be worth it. Here are a couple of recent pictures that my little ones did. Have a great night my bloggy friends!

Can you read this?

Hello Blog Land,

My Awesome Kids Together!

Well things are settling down for me. My back to school night went extremely well. I love my second graders! I showed them the powerpoint presentation that their parents were going to enjoy. They loved it and promised that their parents will smile at me, which they did! So, now its time to share what my class will be learning this month. We are currently learning all about double digit addition ( I love Amy Lemons math lessons) and we are just starting our animal units. Which I am very excited about because we are starting to integrate common core into our units. I also want to celebrate fall because its my favorite season, so I will be having them do some writing first and then they can make their scarecrows!

On a personal level, I keep having these last-time moments with my daughter. I'm not sure what to call it?? I just know that when we go to her games, I find myself saying that this is going to be the last time I see her performing... yep.. I got it bad people.. She's growing up way to fast for my comfort..sigh..
So I want to share a few photos that I recently took.

Back to School Night

The other side