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?

Teacher's Wisdom Link-Up

I am linking up with Deb from Fabulously First today for her Teacher's Wisdom linky party. My advice, although it sounds simple, took me a loooooong time to incorporate. For years, everything I taught was about curriculum, curriculum, curriculum. Don't get me wrong, of course we have to teach our grade level expectations, but I had to reach a balance between teaching kids and teaching what kids want to learn. Rich, engaging learning that everyone is enthusiastic about is so exciting! Especially if you are able to incorporate hands-on activities or technology.

Hope that this is useful!

TAGGED By A Doodle Bug

Kim at Grade One Doodle Bugs has tagged moi. I have been tagged a few times already, so I've decided to answer the questions she has composed but not tag anyone in return (sorry Flams).

Kim's Questions:

The questions are...
1.What's your favourite kind of apple red or green?
I grew up with three apple orchards surrounding our house. Third generation, grandfather created, apple varieties. My most favourite is Lowland Raspberry (a species from Russia originally). It's mostly pink with a little green.
2. Tell of a time when you knew you were truely appreciated.
My cousins dad died after a long battle with brain cancer when we were teenagers. My mom and I went to Winnipeg to spend a week with the family. Ann (my age) and Am (a year older) are two of my dearest besties and I helped with whatever they needed me for. Sometimes this meant making a cup of tea. Sometimes it meant just listening to them when they needed to talk. To this day, they tell me how much that week meant to them.
3. What's the tallest your hair has been? (What can I say, I loved the 80's).
Hmmmm...Maybe six inches in the front when the BIG BACK-COMBED bangs were in. I used to blow dry my hair upside down, back comb it like crazy and then spray it for added volume.
4. If you could be any cartoon character, who would you be?
Veronica Lodge. 
5. What picture book makes you cry every time?
"Love You Forever" by Robert Munsch
6. If you were granted one wish for your classroom, what would it be?
MORE SQUARE FOOTAGE. I'd wish my room was twice its size. I could have areas for everything...sooooo cool.
7. Finish this statement: "If money grew on trees..."
it wouldn't be worth anything. It would be too easily accessed.
8. Favourite colour of jelly bean?
Red
9. If you won the lottery, would you hire an assistant or retire?
Never thought of hiring an assistant-YUPPERS that is what I would do. For the first few years anyway...until the wealth idea sunk in.
10. If you were a colour, what would it be?
100% blue

April Currently

I am linking up with Farley for her April Currently...love these!

Okay-so I laughed so hard at Farley's Super Power that I nearly choked. Seriously. On my Sunday-night meatloaf. Then I thought and thought and thought about what my Super Power could be. This one took a loooong time. So long, in fact, that I had to get a drink, go to the little girls room, and have a snack. This all tired me out. BAZINGA! What if my basic instinctual needs didn't have to be met? Ergo "Id Ignorer!" This way, I could actually get through the day without needing anything. Just imagine the time it would save. No lunch to worry about, have that second cup of coffee without bladder aches, stay up all night without being tired the next day...the list goes on and on.
{Sigh}
Yup, it would be awesome!

Currently...March & K-2 Link Up

I love these linky parties. As in everything-about-them love. I love reading them and I love reflecting/writing my own. Thanks, Farley at Oh' Boy 4th Grade for hosting another fantabulous Currently linky!

1) Knowledgeable...probably. My kiddos think I am pretty smart with my random pieces of information...thank you Discovery channel, National Geographic channel, Science channel etc...

2) Kooky...almost definitely. Although one friend (to my chagrin) once described me as "quirky." Took me a long time to get over that. I like to describe myself as funny or humourous {audible sigh}

3) Kind...and sometimes kranky, if I am being totally honest. Oh well...

SECONDLY

I am linking up with Jeannie at Kindergarten Lifestyle for her K-2 Linky party. After all is said and done, she will be making a Pinterest board that showcases all the blogs who have joined up. Click the picture to go directly to this linky party...and then link up!

Family Tree Projects BLEW MY SOCKS OFF! & Currently

I have been teaching grade 2/3 for four years now. Each month I like to have the kids complete an Oral Sharing activity (which used to be called "Show and Tell") that is directly linked to our curriculum. Each student then presents their project on their Special Day; which I assign calendar-style in my Newsletter package. It's a lot of work at the beginning of the month to organize it all, but it pays off in spades! Parents know what is going on curriculum wise, kids get an opportunity to build up their oral skills, and I get a homework/participation mark! win-win-win
In January, our theme was making a "Family Tree" (social studies). This year, I also added "One Interesting Fact About My Family." Honestly, this group of kids BLEW MY SOCKS OFF!!!  The family trees are so creative and well done...wowzers.

  One extremely creative/artistic girl made each family member a little lift-the-flap format. Under each flap is a picture, date of birth/death and name. Her mom called me to assure me that she did the project on her own...

This student made a three-d project Christmas-tree style. The decorations were names of her family members!

I provided bristol board to those who asked for it. Kids decorated their trees using materials from home. Every tree was excellent and unique. 

 Another drew symbols beside each family member to represent something special about them. Her dad, for example, had a tie beside his name because he is a teacher!

Kids also brought in photographs to present alongside their family trees. My favourite-a 100 year old picture of a great-great grandfather who may have been "panning for gold or making soup." lol

Secondly...

Here is my February CURRENTLY. Thanks to Farley (again) for a fun, fun, fun linky party.


My RAK was the hardest (somehow, that sounds wrong). I am taking my brother's kids (9, 5, 3) for the day/night. Random because he isn't expecting it. He and his awesomely wonderful wife NEED A BREAK. Plus, I love spending time with my nephews.

Does anyone else do monthly oral sharing projects? I'd love some new ideas for projects/tasks!

Tardy to the Party...A Day in My (Running) Shoes

Here's hoping that it isn't too too late to link up to Miss Klohn's fantabulous linky party. I have really enjoyed reading everyone's daily routine. I can't believe how EARLY many of you start your day...I have stopped whining when I get up at 6:30  6:45. I've also noticed that my little "annoying" (according to hubby) habit of hitting the alarm clock is shared by lots of blogging buds.

Okay-

6:20    ALARM GOES OFF

          ~First thwack of the snooze button

6:30     ALARM GOES OFF
           ~Second thwack of the snooze button

6:40     ALARM GOES OFF
          ~Finally drag my tired butt out of bed and head downstairs to make coffee

6:45     COFFEE
           ~Make coffee...which takes at least five times longer than it should since I fumble around in my      befuddled state...remember to turn it on so that it is ready when I get out of the shower...(I have forgotten and been very pouty disappointed)

6:50     LONG, HOT SHOWER
           ~Honestly, very relaxing and the favourite part of my morning

7:05     FIRST CUP OF JAVA
           ~A double double full of joy and love, enjoyed in front of "Canada AM" for ten whole minutes!

7:15     GET KIDS UP (for second time, first is before I go in shower)
...make lunches....get dressed...do hair and make-up (sorta lol)...tell kids to hurry up

7:45      OUT THE DOOR
            ~Off we go...two of my kids go to the same school as I work at...which is great (usually)

8:05      AT SCHOOL
            ~Last minute prep for day ahead...deep breathing...

8:30      BELL RINGS KIDS COME IN

1. Literacy Block
2. Recess
3. Math Workshop
4. Lunch
5. Writers' Workshop
6. Science/Phys Ed

2:35    SCHOOL IS OVER!

          ~Last minute stuff at school

3:10    HOME

          ~Head home with two cranky kids

3:30     CHORES, CHORES, CHORES

5:30     SUPPER IS READY

6:30-   PLANNING FOR TOMORROW

9:00     BEG KIDS TO GO TO BED...NOW!!

10:30    BEDTIME

             ~After doing lots of pinning and blog stalking of course

This is a typical day. Although, many days seem to be spent running to doctor's appts, the movies, the mall, friends' houses, hmmmmm...basically being a chauffeur for my two teens. I also like to watch a little tv to unwind (depending on the line-up). Mondays, so far, are my fave.

January CURRENTLY

I really like these CURRENTLY linky parties. I love reading about everyone else and what they are doing and it gives me time to reflect. OLW took me awhile. I started to think about the goals I have in mind for myself, my family, and my job...it made me realize that I need to start taking the time to really appreciate what I already have and all the wonderful things about my life. Personally, I need to stop the "but..." You know-sentences like "Thank you so much for _____ but ______" Or, even worse, "I like ____ but...." I am going to start ending my sentences BEFORE the "but" and APPRECIATE what I am thankful for. Or at least try to.
I am linking up with Farley at Oh Boy 4th Grade...so fun!

Currently I Am...

This is so fun! Okay, here is my Currently list for November...

Thanks to Farley at Oh Boy Fourth Grade for another super fun linky party...

Meet the Teacher Monday

I am linking up to the Blog Hoppin' party! This post is a day late, so I may have two posts in one day (to catch up)...

Tell us a little something about you...

I am thirty-something and have been married for fifteen years. We have three wonderful, bright, happy kids; Elizabeth (15), Abbigayle (13) and Logan (8).  We live in rural NorthWestern Ontario (nowhere near Toronto) and love it. Yup, I am CANADIAN! Our nearest neighbour is 1/2 km away and happens to be my brother and his family. I have five nephews and zero nieces. We don't travel but someday I hope we will...this summer we are going to Minneapolis (which is only a 6 hour drive south). 

How long have you been teaching?

I graduated in 2002, supply taught for one year and was hired permanent full time in 2003. I feel very blessed to have been hired so quickly-some teachers wait years before they get perm. f/t in our area. I have taught grades 2, 5, 6/7, 8 rotary and 2/3. Most of our classes in our board are split. I have been teaching 2/3 for the past three years and am staying put because I love it!

 You might not know...

Hmmm....I have a smallish (lol) addiction to online shopping :)  I love Amazon.com (not .ca) eBay.com (not .ca), Tpt, Kijiji, and now Etsy. I think it drives my husband a little crazy, but I have saved lots of money this way. I also have many, many projects on-the-go...and plan on finishing them up soon.

What are you looking most forward to this school year?

I cannot wait to try out the wonderful ideas that I have hijacked from the wonderful worlds of Pinterest and teacher blogs. I am getting a little overwhelmed and really need to sit down and figure out when to introduce what, but I am excited. I am going to try the Butterfly Project that my awesome Aunt Allyson (k teacher in BC) has told me about and am looking forward to it.

What do you need to improve?

First, organization. I am kinda all over the place. I really need to work on that...

Secondly, not taking on too much. I have been lucky to be part of three action research projects and on different school committees, but am looking forward to concentrating on my class this year by taking a step back...

What teaching supplies can you *not* live without?

Markers, binder clips, clear packing tape and a colour printer. I love markers-they are wonderful and make charts look so pretty. My kidlettes use EXPO markers for whiteboard work-which they love. 

Binder clips. Love them. I use them for Agendas, keeping work together, student boards, to hang sentence strips...I have the black ones and fancy ones from the dollar store. 

I use clear packing tape to cover Journal covers etc...kinda like cheap laminating. It has worked wonderfully well. I also use it to tape down nameplates and number lines.

My colour printer. I discovered an uber cheap seller on eBay who sells 4 cartridges (2 black, 2 colour) for $20 including shipping to my home. Can't beat that.

Don't know if it's a teaching supply, but can't live without my Smartboard. Enough said.

Thanks for reading...I hope I wasn't too rambly...loved linking up to this party.

Pinterest Linky Party

I have been pinning away and neglecting my blog :) So much to do so little time. We go back to school on September 7 so I figure that I have time...to pin. lol

I am joining up with Amanda from Plumdoodles (love the name)  Pinterest Linky Party. She is asking that we reflect/share some of our favourite pins, boards, ideas etc. Here are some of the pins that I have made over the past month or so...

1. German Pancakes
These. look. delicious.  My kids looooove pancakes, strawberries and sugar. This recipe reminds me of my Yorkshire pudding recipe so I am extra excited to see how they turn out. I am thinking the first day of school?  Admittedly, I am more of a bleary eyed, Eggo and orange juice mom in the morning BUT I have the best intentions. Perhaps breakfast-for-dinner on the first day of school is a more attainable dream.

2. Magic Playdoh

Well, first off  it's MAGIC. What more can I ask for? Like many of you, I give the kids a little welcome back package on the first day of school. Usually, it consists of  a poem and matching items (choc. kisses, eraser, Smarties, etc). This year, I was looking for something different (new provincial guidelines=no treats). When I saw this idea, I just KNEW I'd have to try it out. I make the playdoh, add a dash of food colouring to the middle of each small individual ball, put them in baggies and attach the poem. Let the fun begin!!

3. Bulletin Board Showcasing Each Student

I am definitely not a good bulletin board person. I find them quite challenging and spend loads of time stalking blogs looking for ideas. When I saw this idea, I thought BRILLIANT-I may have even shouted it out. I have lots and lots of borders, free bristol board and two teens to be bribed help me. My plan is to make one for each kid, which will include their name and photo. We have a laminator at our board office so I can laminate them in Sept. I also have a big bb in the hallway that I plan on hanging these on for the school year to showcase each piece of work. YAHOO!

Btw, I 100% encourage you to check out her blog by clicking on the picture-Victoria has sooooooo many awesome ideas!

4. Last One...

I would like this bedroom. We are in the process of redoing our bedroom and I would like it to turn out like this one. On a budget. With no time to spend on it. Tomorrow.

Top 3 Things Linky Party

Becca at Simply 2nd Resources is having a Top 3 Things linky party. So, what three things am I going to concentrate on this year?

1. Math
Our school board has been concentrating on Literacy for the past five years or so. Our Literacy scores have increased significantly and now I feel that Math needs some TLC. I've noticed that many teachers have been blogging about Debbie Diller's new book, and I am going to buy it! I am also going to go through the new resources that have been purchased by our board (ie read alouds) to supplement.



2. Poetry
I've had an incredibly hard time teaching poetry. I admit that it is one thing I REALLY have to work on this year. I have purchased a Unit from TPT on poetry and am looking forward to using it. I also have to find more poetry browsing books and am on a mission.


3. Start a Book Club
I have been inspired by the online book club for "The Book Whisperer" that has been going on this summer in Blog Land. Therefore, I am starting a book club at my school with my coworkers. Yes, you guessed it, the first book we are going to read is "The Book Whisperer." I hope to do one evening every couple of weeks and take turns hosting the club meeting. It will be a chance to get together, eat appetizers, and chat while reading a wonderful book. SO EXCITED!


It's going to be a very busy year! What are you going to work on? Link up and share.