Day of Silence for Sandy Hook Elementary School

Happy Gobble Gobble Day

I cannot believe it has been so long since my last post. It has been a whirlwind around here this fall and I can't seem to catch my breath. Hubster started a new, demanding job at the beginning of September...he's been out of town lots 'n lots leaving me to get the teens to school, Logan to school and football practice/games. Eeek.
I am really excited to share some of the new routines and resources I'm using this year in my almost-straight grade 2/3.
Today, however, is our Thanksgiving so..."HAPPY GOBBLE GOBBLE DAY!"
ttfn

Q: What do you call a gobbler who thinks he knows everything?  A: A smirky turkey.  (sorry-made me giggle)

Checking in While on V-cay

It has been an i.n.s.a.n.e. summer, full of happy stress, sad stress and stressful stress.
One joyfully fun stress event I was involved in is my beautiful cousin, Sarah's, wedding. I was honoured to be part of her wedding party in BC.
Yup-that's right...we drove 3 000 kms from Ontario to BC this month. In fact, I am still on vacation and am resting at a hotel in Edmonton, Alberta.
Exhausted but happy. We still have 2 000 kms of travelling to do and then a hurry button must be pushed to get my room done before we head back to school on Sept 4th.
EEEEEKKKK.

Anywho, just wanted to touch base as it has been awhile.

Step 3: Shared Journals Success Criteria & MONDAY MADE IT

I absolutely LOVE Monday Made It with Tara from 4th Grade Frolics. I am so making one of those mini pocket chart stands. Or, more accurately, hubster is making one for me...he just doesn't know yet!





As I watch the Olympics, I am busy finishing up my Shared Journals. I'll be printing up each piece and putting it together soon. These will be glued to the back inside cover of the journals.

I am a member of Proteacher (which I love). I "found" a link for an option with Vista Print that allows you to purchase materials with FREE shipping. You have to spend $1 in order to qualify.
Here is what I created...it's just a few of the many, many items that you can make. I think my grand total was $13 because I paid extra for pictures that I uploaded for the t-shirt and cap.
Yup, you can get your FREE items shipped for FREE if you spend $1. I ship them to our nearby border outlet since I am in Canada.

This lawn sign will be hung in my classroom. It won't actually include the little stand :) I googled quotes for teachers/kids and found some great ideas.

This banner will be on the bulletin board outside my classroom door for the first month of school...maybe more.

This is the message on my pen. It coordinates with my banner and sign. {love}

Here are the cute sticky notes that I purchased. I added the message. I am thinking it will be cute for my class store.

I made lots more but didn't want to bore you. Other items that you can get for FREE include; hat, note paper, t-shirt, photo book, business cards (I am using as reading strategy bookmarks), address labels (I am using as contact info for parents), tote bag, mug, small stamp, and more...

So, so excited!

Okay-just one more.

My MUG...lol...for school. LOVE.

Step 2: Inside Shared Journals {check}

I really love the idea of shared journals. I prepared covers for the journals that I'll be using this fall. I made them 1/2 page size and will print, cut, and glue them to coil bound notebooks.
On the inside of each journal, will be instructions for the kids to help remind them what to write about.
I am going to look for 1/2 page blank & 1/2 page lined books but don't hold out too much hope.
Our school does provide this type of journal but I was hoping to get something more special.
I am also going to include a checklist on the back page of each journal so that kids can check their name off as they complete their entry.

Not done yet! Stay tuned...

Tell Me More, Tell Me More!!

Amy Lemon's linky party sounds like fun. Plus, I've had quite a kick reading about other bloggers and their lives. So, in the spirit of fair play, here are some things you may not have known about me...

1. I am a Canadian, eh (as you know) and I live in a small community outside of a small village (600 people) in North Western Ontario. We are approx. 250 miles north of Duluth, Minnesota.

Kakabeka Falls village is named after the 40 m (130 feet) falls that our tourism industry is centered around. It's beautiful and awe-inspiring. I grew up 5 miles from the falls.

Thunder Bay is the closest "city" that we have in NorthWestern Ontario. It has a population of 120,000. I got to town a couple of times a week (we love living in the country). This picture shows two things TBay is famour for...1) The Sleeping Giant and 2) Lake Superior. At one time, we had the biggest grain ports in North America.

2. I met my husband when we were both 15. At first I thought he was too city for this country girl. He wore a BRACELET and a NECKLACE. He also GELLED his hair. ohmyword. Luckily, I came around (lol)

This is one of my favourite pictures of hubster and Logan when he was a baby. {heart}. We dated from age 15 until we got married at 20. Young and naive. It's been really tough, but worth it. We always believed in each other and knew that things would work out. At the beginning, we were homeless and lived with my parents. Hard work, some tears, perseverance and 14 years later we bought our dream house.

3. Some of my closest friends are my cousins, from BOTH sides of my family. I am the oldest grandchild on my dad's side. Here we are 30 years ago (eeek). 

I am holding my cousin Sarah (pink outfit). She's my birthday twin (separated by 8 years) and this August I am very lucky to be her bridesmaid. Love.my.birthday.twin.

4. I've been married for 17 years and am 37 years old. Hubster and I have been together for 22 years (minus 8 months when we went our separate ways at age 19-only to reunite at 20). I moved to Winnipeg and lived with two of my other bestie cousins and had an AWESOME first year of university. Fun times, friends.

My beautiful children. Top left Abbigayle (14), bottom left Logan (9) and right side Beth (16). Love them to bits. They are smart, loving, respectful kids. They are, with the exception of Abbi, rather messy. They promise to get to it later...huh...later never arrives. I WILL instill a love of cleaning in them.

5. I hate mice. I am petrified of them and HATE them so much. When Beth was a baby our bedroom was being renovated as we were adding a drop ceiling. One night, I am sitting in bed, nursing the baby, when all of a sudden WHAM. a little mouse falls right beside me onto the bed. WHAM. another little mouse falls right beside me. Needless to say, I panicked, screamed, cried, ran in circles and a hatred of mice was forever born.

6. I have been to Toronto 7 times in the past three years. As part of an action research team, we met with other teams in TO. Our little team consisted of my bff Sherri, and three other super fantastic people. Good times were had by all. We learned a lot at our conferences during the day and were able to see some shows, visit some malls, ride the subway and more at night. This is a picture of Sherri and me. Our team bonded during our projects and we.had.a.blast.

7. I love my nephews. Love them like they are my own. I feel so blessed that we are close and thank God everyday for my family. I don't have any nieces. Not even one. Sad :(

Newphew Connor, my brother Jamie, wife Becky and nephew Parker. Little baby-almost-born Arin is also in the picture ; )

8. I cannot live without a Tim's double double. Someday, if we get to meet in a bloggy meet-up sorta thing I shall bring everyone a Tim's double double. Promise. You will LOVE it.

9. I don't like hockey. At all. Just sayin' this Canuck isn't a hockey fan.

So there you go. All kinds of info about me...what are you like?

Step 1: Shared Journal Covers {check}

My parents JUST got in from beautiful British Columbia for a three week visit. This blog post will be short...

I watched a tutorial on Classroom DIY by Tessa about how to make your own frames in MS Publisher. Here are six covers that I've made to cover my Journals for class writing activities. I have some ideas I'd like to try out concerning Journals, pictures, fancy pens and folders...stay tuned...more to come

I've tried to make sure that the Journals have different types of writing and that they are engaging.
The fonts are from Kevin & Amanda.

 

 

{click HERE to get covers}

I'm not finished this little project, but this is all I can do for now. Parents await...

Enjoy! Any suggestions for other topics? I am thinking a letter writing task would be good...hmmmm