teacherhood

There's such thing as "parenthood" and because my brain is already on break without me, I decided that teacherhood was an appropriate made up name/title for what I do.

It can also have many meanings..... you know, when you teach in the hood...

 

While this school year has been a tough one and has consumed much of my time, so it's the little things that have helped me smile. 

My kids can be so extremely sweet and their hugs and sweet notes always brighten my day. But one of my favorite things, is what they sometimes turn in. Funny answers, honest to a fault answers, smart ass responses, and pictures that make you second guess yourself. 

Like I said its the little things....

xoxoxo

ms. stapleton

a pirate's life for me

 So today was the first day back to school. I wasn't as nervous as I thought I would (but plenty enough, trust me). Thanks to my friend Kelly (seen below) I got an idea together on how to dress the part of a pirate, which is our schools theme. I had so much fun with it and the best part was that everyone in the school seemed to have. The adults and kids alike were all excited for this new change and theme. I think its going to be the beginning of something great!!

(PS my hair looked amazing before I had to put it up from being in the 90 degree heat. I also have on awesome boots to complete the ensemble, just thought you should know.)

And speaking of my awesome friend Kelly..... this past weekend we took a lovely (and quick) trip to Miami. We hung out with friends and her family and most wonderfully of all.... we went to the Justin Timberlake and Jay-Z concert. I think I may be even more smitten with JT now. He's just such an incredible performer. 

So yea, the picture below is our excited to see JT faces.

 Then to cap off the end of a good first day, I had dinner with my sweet and beautiful girlfriends and then came home to awesome mail (which included these two books)!!! So excited to put them to good use and craft. It probably won't be until Winter Break though.... this school year is already crazy busy.

Well.... sleep time. If you're a teacher, parent, or student- I hope you had a wonderful first week back!!

-kel

dead men tell no tales

And I guess busy teachers write no posts either.

This week I am back in my classroom (well in a new classroom) setting up for Monday. I've moved rooms, organized, crafted, and created one too many bulletin boards (I had 8 total). I may be tired, but I'm getting more and more excited about this coming year. 

And I seriously love our school's theme. Everyone is so into it- I can't wait to see the kids' reactions.

 Well mateys, until next time.......

-kel

back to the grind

Well, as of this past Monday summer is over for me. This week consists of teacher training, next week is pre-planning (and I get to set my room back up!!!) and then the following week the kidos come back to school.
It's funny, the other day I took Chloe to the dog park and it was completely empty- I guess everyone is back to work. It's kind of sad....while I am looking forward to a new school year, I love summer and I hate to see it go. But alas, the last of my pool days and sleeping in during the week as ended. However, now I have some other things to look forward to....bouquets of freshly sharpen pencils (please tell me you know what movie I'm referring to), cooler autumn weather, scarves and jackets, football and pumpkin spice lattes. Fall is my favorite season and I'm really looking forward to it!

So, good-bye summer. Thanks for the wonderful memories and awesome suntan!!
-kel

P.S. Can you tell what my school theme is this year?? (the photo is a clue....)

FCAT--one more day!!!

And this video seriously has made my week!!!

link love (awesome teaching links)

Skittles plus fractions plus free printables equals an awesome math center.

A great science anchor chart plus activity for the students on plants.

The absolute best place to find just about any and every activity for any subject/grade/lesson. It's all teacher made and a lot of things I've found are even free!!!

I'm absolutely in love with this math notebook. I really want to be this organized next year. Plus it's a lot more than just students making notes- love it!!!

I've been looking for a fun fraction center/game and I can't wait to try this one with my students this week!!!

Great examples of turning non-educational games into educational ones. In the beginning of the year I made a jenga game with science questions on it, but since then I've moved from 5th grade science to 3rd grade math....so this gave me a great way to make it more subject and grade appropriate.

This woman has activities for any math area for 3rd- 6th grades. I've used a lot of her work with my students and they loved it!

Some really great math anchor charts. I've used the quadrilateral and rounding ones and they've really helped further my students learning.

I LOVE this art piece. I want it for my classroom so badly!

Places to get teacher discounts (J. Crew??? Auh-mazing!!)

Felt fractions. I need to make some for next year!

teaching geometry

This year was my first time teaching 3rd grade geometry. Talk about being stressed, scared, sometimes a little lost. And while I have amazing co-workers that have helped me incredibly (and are my life source at times) pinterest has been another life saver! I talked a while back about how pinterest kind of helped me become excited about teaching again during a low moment. It might sound silly, but the truth is, seeing all these amazing ideas from fellow teachers got me anxiously excited to work on fun projects with the kids while helping them learn.
So I decided to share some amazing projects, ideas, and sites by amazing teachers that I have used and loved. If you teach (or even have kids) you might find it interesting as well. Just make sure you visit these lovely ladies' blogs and see what other ideas they've dreamed up.

 This project has kids using toothpicks to create angles and shapes. I used it as a center and got some great examples to hang up in the room While I couldn't find the link back to the original site, this is where I found it (via pinterest). 

This parallelogram club poster has been an incredible help in teaching the differences of all the quadrilaterals. You can find the link to the original and it's owner here.

 Last but not least, here is a polygon printable that I found from a couple of sites. My students and I created the list together of polygons, their names, attributes (verticies, angles, sides), and what they could look like. Then it was up to them to create a foldable based on mine and how I modeled for them. When they were finished and graded, I put them up in the hallway bulletin board to show off.  You can find the original source for the above photo here.

Hope you enjoy these sites and projects as much as my students and I did. 

Next up is fractions!!! I've got tons of ideas and pins for that module!!

-kel

feeling renewed

Yes, another blog post about feelings. Mine to be exact. And while it may not be of interest to anyone but myself, I have this need to write it all down, because today was so wonderful, and I want to remember it. Let me rephrase, it wasn't exactly today but a certain situation of today. First I should backtrack.....

For the past few months I have began feeling extremely and intensely overwhelmed with work. I began questioning myself, what I was capable of, and if I was good enough. The worst of it all is that this is something I've wanted for so long and to then feel like I was failing, hurt. Painfully. I just kept asking myself, what if I am just not cut out for this? Granted, there was also a little voice in the back of my mind reminding me that there is a reason I've wanted this for so long and it's doubtful it's only been my wish for my life.

So.... it began yesterday. I started looking for some pins on pinterest to help with my lessons, because if I don't have those tricks up my sleeve yet, I can at least borrow them! Then, all of a sudden I started finding tons of amazing ideas that I could actually use and I got excited. I literally became giddy about using these techniques in class.

Then today, for the first time in too long, I tagged along with a friend and visited her church. And it was a "God thing". The sermon almost brought me to tears as it filled me with a sense of renewed excitement. I suppose you could also compare it to a light bulb going off moment. The pastor talked about fulfilling the God potential in us all, how He created us with a purpose in mind, and how He sees the potential of us. It was as if God was trying to remind me that the small voice in my mind, telling me that I had a purpose, and that teaching would fulfill that, needed to be listened to. And there are so many points from that sermon that stuck with me....

"God created you to love you and do great things through you"

"Even then God had designs on me. Why, when I was still in my mother's womb He chose and called me out of sheer generosity!" Galatians 1:15

"'For I know the plans I have for you' says the Lord. 'They are plans for good and not evil, to give you a future and a hope'". -Jeremiah 29:11

"My abilities are beyond what I can see, so I trust God for what He can see."
"Glory belongs to God, whose power is at work in us. By this power He can do infinitely more than we can ask or imagine" - Ephesians 3:20

I must surrender myself and my life to God daily.

".....Are you called to help others? Do it with all the strength and energy that God supplies. Then God will be given glory in everything through Jesus Christ. All glory and bower belong to Him forever and ever. Amen." - 1 Peter 4:11

I choose to believe that God wants to do the miraculous in me, and it will be the most exciting aspect of my life. I simply just need to chose His will and remember that through Him all things are possible.
I may be stressed and worried with work, but it will be His energy and strength that get me through, because it is His will and His purpose for my life. And haven't we always been told that a life following Christ isn't the easiest, but it is the best? I am just so grateful that He reminded me of this today. That He loves me enough to call me out and then renew me. And while I know He will probably have to do this many more times, I feel a weight lifted off me and a sense of joy that I had pushed away. And I can't wait to go to work tomorrow and love on those students of mine.

Praise be to God.
Amen!!!!!

-kel
ps sorry if there are any typos....chloe decided to cuddle with me and the computer....

small peeks into my classroom

Some glimpses of my classroom from this past week. We started on polygons. I'm actually really enjoying looking up fun ideas and journaling prompts for this module. Hopefully the kidos think so too.

my ministry for Him

I recently read this amazing book, Kisses From Katie. I was truly and deeply inspired and touched by it. And then I wandered upon a new blog (thanks to instagram). Afterwords, I began thinking about my life, my ministry for God.

I admire these women (some who are even younger than me) who have literally given it all up for the Lord. With the calling in their hearts, they left all that they knew, everything that was comfortable and left for an unknown land where God had so much in store for them. They were to be a vessel for Him to show His love to all they encountered. To make a difference for and through Him.
What an amazing thing, to be doing something so great for the good of the Lord. To know that you are doing exactly what He wants and where He wants.

My best friend has been doing this as well, as well as a few other friends I've had. They gave up their normal and stable lives here in Florida, here in the US, and left to fulfill the Lord's plans for their lives. Most made their way back to the US eventually (or even to Florida), but their faith and love of Christ was strengthened through this walk of theirs.
I always envied this kind of life. To give it all up for the Lord. To not know what I would be doing in this foreign land, but only knowing that it was what God was asking me.
But can I truly have this life when I seem to be struggling with knowing what God is saying to me now. In my everyday life? Like every other Christian, I struggle with knowing how to follow Christ all the time. I struggle with calling onto Him for every need I have. I think that I can do it on my own, and so I forget to ask Him. To praise Him. To thank Him. To love Him.

But then I wonder about my life. About what I am doing to help establish and further the kingdom of God, if anything at all because honestly most days I feel like I am doing nothing for Him and it truly makes my heart ache. He is the only reason I am here. The only reason that I didn't give up hope long ago. The only reason I get out of bed some mornings. And then I realized that even the Bible tells us that not all of us are meant to travel to a foreign land to fulfill His purpose and share His love. Some of us are meant to simply share His love, His peace, and His will with those in our own community. 

I've wanted to be a teacher since I was five years old. People always ask me why. What led me to that decision. Was there a teacher that sparked this choice? I've never known how to answer, because I've never even realized what they answer was. But suddenly this past weekend it hit me. Teaching was never my intent for myself really, it was all God's. I never had to make the hard choice of what degree I wanted, what career I wanted, or even what school I wanted, because all along He was making those choices for me. He wanted me here. Now. Doing this work. Now that I look back, it makes sense as to why I didn't feel quite like I was where I should be, or doing what I should be. I was preparing for this journey, for this career, for this life. A life where I could share Christ's love to all the students in my life by loving them as Christ loved me first. How could I not see that before?
Some of my students come from loving homes with two parents. But a lot of my students don't. They haven't been loved in the way that Christ loves us. But they can't understand Him or love Him without first seeing what it is to love (a line I read in Kisses From Katie).
With all of this now swirling in my mind, all I want is to be full of Christ's love. To be so consumed by Him and His love for all that my heart explodes with love for everyone I encounter, for every child I teach or hug. Even the trouble makers that make my job more difficult, I want to love them so much that even they see what it is to love like Him.
And while I already missed my sweet and precious students, I can't wait to go back. I can't wait to shower them with love and teach them not only what they need to know, but also what Christ wants them to know.

Thank you Lord, for reminding me of Your purpose for me all along. Thank you for giving me the love I have for these students and for children. Thank you for showing me that I can learn from them as well. They have the most generous hearts at times and they remind me of how amazing You are. Please Lord Jesus, help me in the coming year to give that love back to them even more than I have before. Help me to not run out, but continue to love as You have loved, never ceasing.
All these things in Your Holy Name I pray,
Amen.

thoughts on finally being a teacher

Today while I was up at the white board teaching, I suddenly felt like I was back in time.  I remembered being back in elementary school, hanging out in my playroom, writing on my mini chalkboard, pretending to teach to my stuffed animals and for a minute I had to stop and smile. On a day like today, twenty years ago I was hanging out at home, pretending I was a teacher and so excited for the day when I finally would have my own classroom. And it finally happened. I finally have my own room. My own whiteboard. My own students (who aren't stuffed animals... although at least those guys didn't talk back or threaten me....). It hasn't been easy by any means, but I felt so content at the fact that I have finally achieved the goal I wanted and worked at for so long. I feel like a real grown up. It's a little scary....

An on another note.... today was that day, the day I look forward to every year, October 10 (10-10).
 (You can see previous posts (and explanations) here, here, and here.)
Yet it was nothing out the of extraordinary. It was a good day, don't get me wrong, but nothing like I've been hoping for). Maybe next year.

-k

business and shoe love

Ok so nothing is more amazing to me than seeing my name spelled correctly. Ever since I was a little girl I have had the hardest time trying to find things where my name is spelled correctly. And now, on an awesome shoe site, which was created by an amazing celebrity and designer, there is a gorgeous shoe and it holds my name.
Can we just take a moment to take this in?

And other than that, life has been insanely hectic. Hence my lack of blogging (which is one of my all-time favorite things). My life as late is full of learning schedules, planning, creating homework, organizing, filing, teaching, instilling rules, lack of sleep, awesome girl talks, sweet conversations with my boyfriend, supportive co-workers, and definitely not as much reading as I would like.

I am looking forward to.....
A pub crawl/ghost tour this weekend, bridesmaid dress shopping, and engagement party, Green Bay football, Auburn and FSU football, sleeping in, Halloween (seriously my favorite holiday...well, next to Christmas), looking at ways to decorate (especially using this site again!), finally shopping at the new H&M in town, Dog-toberfest (where I am working a booth!), and spending more quality time with all my friends and loved ones.

I need to:
make my October goals, finish decorating and organizing my classroom, make plans for next week's lessons, figure out 3rd grade, and drink more water. Whew.

Until next time......
kel

hello 3rd grade, good-bye 5th grade

   The past couple of weeks have been absolutely insane. Last week I dealt with a lot of teaching firsts (including parent/teacher conferences) and while it was a bit overwhelming, I learned so much.
Then Friday rolled around and I got the biggest shock of all. My principal let me know that as of Thursday (today) I would no longer be a 5th grade teacher, but instead 3rd. I've been going back and fourth on this for a week. While I know there is nothing I can do, budget cuts are what they are, I still have been feeling such extremes.

On one hand I'm incredibly sad. My first class and it's taken away from me during week 6. I've grown to love these kiddos. I've invested so much in them. I've invested so much of my own personal budget, of my time creating a nice classroom.... and now it's all gone. I love my former team members and my students as well. I hate leaving the 5th grade, especially since I was suppose to go on a field trip with them Friday that we have been preparing for for weeks!

But on the other hand, I'm excited. I think I'm really going to love 3rd grade. I met my students today and so far they seem amazing. I also love my new partner (who shares the same name as me!!!) and my team. I'm also no longer in a portable (which is good and bad...no more personal bathroom).

So that's my life lately. Today I had my students help me move some things and I tried to get situated in my new room. Tomorrow my amazing partner is going to help me as I work on my new room and prepare myself and classroom for my new teaching position. Lord help me!

But my fifth graders did write me some amazing good bye letters (and some even gave me little gifts)!! One of the best letters I got was the one above. I had been so close to crying all day and after reading this letter, I almost died laughing. It was just what I needed and made me so glad I'm a teacher.
-k

my down time

 

 I seriously want to laugh while reading the title I posted. Because the response to it is.. "What down time?" 

I've tried to give myself some of course, or I'd go crazy, but life is still so hectic lately. Which is how I'd prefer it yes. And it's not that I'm complaining. I'm not. I'm just feeling so overwhelmed and it's a little hard for me to keep my grounding. 

I was warned though. Everyone says that your first year of teaching you just have to hold on and try to survive. It's like a rollercoaster they say. It's all about surviving they say. 

It's easy to get frustrated though. I know that I won't be the best teacher in the world this year. I do promise to be the best teacher I can be this year though. It's just that all the planning and meetings, assemblies, and testings make it a bit more difficult. 

I don't want to come out of this year merely surviving, I want to come out thriving. 

I'm kind of wondering if veteran teachers are reading this laughing at me right now. I get that I have a lofty goal. There is so much to take in the first year. Hell, I'm only in week 3 and I'm aware of this. 

And part of me wants to slap all those people that think teaching is merely babysitting and such a easy thing to do. While it's gratifying, it's definitely not easy. You have 20 or so students all with different attitudes and different needs, that all need attention and support (but in different ways). Some have help at home, a lot don't. Some have learning disabilities. Some have been held back. Some have no respect for others. And yet, I'm trying to reach every single one of them and help them to be a better student and person. 

It's an overwhelming goal. But it's why I wanted to teach to begin with. I may not reach every kid, but my goal is to try. 

Sometimes though, I wonder if my first year goal should be more like "Don't cry in front of the kids". 

This is such a random tangent about so much. And while normally I might not post it, instead clicking "draft" and going back to look at it later, pointing out all the mistakes I made and sentences that didn't make sense, I won't this time. I don't want to edit myself on this. I want to look back at the end of the school year and remember how I felt and what I said (whether it made sense or not). 

And veteran teachers, I would absolutely love and appreciate any advice you might have (on anything!!!). So please feel free. And parents- you too. I feel like yall are teachers in the home and often times have such amazing advise (and management skills!!!).

 

Oh yes- and pardon the post about teaching and then a picture of beer. BUT I did say this post was about "down time". And the little time I have gotten (while not being sick) I did enjoy with a cook out and single beer. Sometimes it's just what's needed at the end of the day. (Don't judge).

-kel

september

(found on pinterest.com)

September is one of my favorite months for so many reasons.

Pumpkin spice lattes at Starbucks are back, which also means the 1st one is with my friend Ash on our beginning of Fall date!!!

Steven's birthday is the 4th.

Football is back.

College football especially is amazing (go Auburn and FSU!!!)

Fall is around the corner. My favorite season. 

So many things to look forward to, but the thing I'm wanting the absolute most right now is to get better. Thursday I ended up coming down with strep throat. So on my 10th day of school, I had to call in a sub. And I still feel crappy.

But on the plus side, Steven's mom and stepdad are visiting and while I haven't been much company (sleeping 20 hours a day does that), it's so nice having them here. They are some of the best people I know. 

Happy (almost) Fall, y'all!!!

-kel

back to the grind tomorrow; week 2 of school

 Well, the first week of school is over, and the first weekend of relaxation with it. I'm not suffering from the usual Sunday Blues, but I'm not exactly ready for tomorrow to come yet either.  There is just so much to do and never enough time to get it all done. I really hope that it's not always like this....

my completed classroom!!!

This is my classroom. I love it. And since it is where I spend most of my time now, I'm glad I spent so much time on it before and during pre-planning week. All the little touches really helped it make it special. And pinterest of course helped too!!

So far this week has been tiring and has tested me, but it's been good. I have some great students and even though I have 3 classes, each one has been good (for the most part). And I love, love, LOVE m co-workers. They are some of the most helpful, caring, and amazing people I could ever ask to work with. And one of my favorite parts about this place??? Well, one is that on the first day I got to wear jeans and cowboy boots (because we were dressed as farmers, due to our school theme "sowing the seeds of love"). But the main one is that during our very first faculty meeting not only did we have amazing food to eat, but we also all prayed over it, even praying the Lord's Prayer. Granted, we are not a private school. But it is so awesome working with people that are so God loving and fearing.
Here's to hoping that this year continues to be great!
-kellie

classroom progress

Some pictures from my classroom on my first day there. Before I even rearranged the desks or put my things away. It's a bit empty, but I can't wait for all the progress I'm going to make (and have already started).

 Today, my parents came with me to help me spruce up my room and get things done. They helped me put up my 3-D glow in the dark solar system, and other things. So far my room is coming along nicely and hopefully I'll have a good amount done before I go to teacher planning next week!

So exciting!!!
-kellie

PS- all photos on my instagram feed: kelzify!

hello august

source

August is for.....

new beginnings

bouquets of pencils

chalkboards and white boards

hot nights

fro yo

planning

birthdays

pool days

family afternoons

This month is going to full of so many firsts and while I'm scared, I'm also extremely excited. Bring it on August!!!

-kel

questions and life

Yea, so it's been awhile....

There's just been so much going on. At least, so much going on in my head, keeping my occupied. I have 2 friends coming this week (so excited!!). I also have to clean my current roommate's room and such so we can try to show it and get yet another roommate. I've been doing tons of research and reading for my new teaching job. Plus I've been trying to get stuff together to decorate my new room (which I haven't even seen yet, boo!). Plus I've been running errands for others. I've also been contemplating switching my hair back to its original blonde.... which means yet another thing to plan.

Life is crazy. But good. Just so hectic and full questions.

The one thing I'm really frustrated about is the roommate situation. I feel like we just got one and now we have to look yet again. We've had several fall through and tons that either can't pay the asking price or have a dog. Sometimes I wish that Steven and I were rich and didn't have to worry about roommates. I'm just hoping that we find one really soon, and we get along, and they stay for more than 6 months. Cause this searching is getting old.

-kel