Sandy Hook Elementary

I'm sure all of you know about this horrible tragedy yesterday in Connecticut. I still cannot wrap my head around it and honestly, I probably never will. I can only hope that those little ones and those that lost their lives trying to save those little ones did not suffer. As a teacher, you enter the profession because you have a genuine love for children. You want to see them grow, see them flourish, and send them off into the world to be successful. How can we do that now? How can we move on from this? As many educators across the country face the last week of school before holiday break, I have to wonder, what will we do to CHANGE our way of teaching and/or thinking. We have got to start talking more to our kids. As educators, sometimes we see our kids more than what their parents do. We have to get to know them, not ignore their feelings and their emotions. No more talk of evaluations, test scores, too much work...what we need to be talking about is how we can help these children. If they are in trouble, it is our duty to help them. This has to stop. We cannot be afraid to go to school.

God bless to all those affected by this. God give them comfort and love and peace knowing that you have those precious babies in your arms today. I pray for the ones left behind and for the children who are still here who witnessed the sadness and death. God bless this country because in all seriousness, GOD is the only one who can save this nation and get us through this horrible, horrible tragedy.

God Bless you all this weekend. Hug your kids and pray for those who lost theirs...

I'm loving my little Max today and will NEVER take another moment with him for granted. God bless you all.

Melissa

Really? December?

Well I still can't believe its December already and after my first full week last week in the 4th grade classroom, I have to say I'm pretty wiped out. All the grading and changes is just a lot to take in. As a teacher, you want to do things the way you see them, when you go into another teacher's classroom however, you can't help but do them they way they were being done before. Its just easier and more beneficial to the kiddos to do it that way. The teacher I took over for is amazing. I mean she is probably one of the best teachers I've seen in a while because she really took her time with helping the kids in their reading and writing. I definitely have big shoes to fill, but I know that I can do it! I'm going to be taking a lot of tips from what I saw her do, and incorporate some of my own into the mix.

I think that is what I like most about teaching...the constant want to keep learning. I never want to stop learning and I feel that every day is a new learning experience both in my professional and personal endeavors. I hope you all are having an amazing day, God bless and have a great week!!!!

Melissa

Thanksgiving

I'm beyond thankful this year. It has been a very trying year, but a very reflective and learning one. I've come to realize that teaching is such a learning process, and it's just so amazing that I can even have the experiences that I've been able to have. I LOVE teaching and I LOVE seeing my kids learn. I'm most thankful for the opportunities I've been given and thankful that God has given me the assurance that one day I will have my own classroom. For now, I will be thankful and appreciative to be a part of other teacher's classrooms. Its such a great way to learn and reflect on things that I do. To all of you, thank you for your support and thank you for your encouragement!

Happy Thanksgiving to you! May you and your family have an amazing break!

Photos by www.heysistersphotography.com

Meet The Teacher Letter

I wanted to revamp my teacher letter to introduce myself to my parents tomorrow. I officially start tomorrow, but had an unexpected first day on Friday! Of course it was Grandparent's Day and I needed to kind of wing it! Thankfully the other teachers at school were very helpful and I put a little twist into the day's activities as well! Let me know if you see any improvements in my teacher letter here! If you'd like a copy, just email me and I can send you the template!

New TPT Products and some Freebies Too!

During my spare time, (yeah right), I've been creating some Holiday products for my Teachers Pay Teachers store. I've created two Thanksgiving units, one full of math and literacy and the other full of writing activities for the month of November! I've also created a K-3 unit for Christmas and am finishing up my Christmas unit for my upper elementary kiddos. Take a look at them here! I'll be giving away a Thanksgiving and Christmas unit in the upcoming weeks, so be sure to look for that giveaway soon!!!

30 Days of Thanksgiving Writing Activities

Thanksgiving Reading, Writing, and Math Packet for Upper Elemtary

It's Christmas Time Math and Literacy for K-3

So nervous....Yet so incredibly thankful...

So I'm trying my best to get prepared for my upcoming maternity leave in the 4th grade. I'm so thankful that its in the 4th grade because that's where I have most of my experience, however, it just feels different this time. For those of you who don't really know a lot about me, here's my story.... I graduated in 2010 with my Education Degree. Shortly after, I received my Teaching License for the state of Indiana. I spend the entire summer searching for positions and interveiwing, but ended up back at the school I did my student teaching at. I was hired as a skill tutor at the beginning of the 2011-2012 school year. Well, shortly after I started that position, my principal asked me if I would be interested in a maternity leave position at another school in the district. I said YES of course! I so desperately wanted my own classroom! The position was in kindergarten and I can't tell you how nervous I was because frankly, I've never been that nervous before! Even on my wedding day! I went in full force however, the teacher that I took over for went into labor before her due date so I had to take over fairly quickly. I have to tell you, that was the BEST experiece I've had so far in my teaching career. Those kids were amazing and the building I was at was so supportive and giving. After that maternity leave ended in January of 2012, I went back to the school I student taught at and completed the year in 4th grade for another maternity leave position. It was really the perfect scenario! I spent the summer applying to every district in my area and went on about 7 interviews. Got called back for 2 and unfortunately didn't get the job...It was devastating. I so deserperatly wanted my own classroom and once I again, I didn't have it. I got an email message from a friend that I'd met throughout my experience in the district. She mentioned one of the school's needing a maternity leave sub for 4th grade! I jumped on that opportunity! Sent an email to the principal, prepared an introduction folder for her, and gave her a call the following Monday after the Friday I had heard about the position. I went in for an interveiw that Wednesday and got the job on the spot. I was hired as an RTI interventionist for the first couple months of school and am now getting myself prepared to take over the 4th grade classroom on November 18th. I'm so nervous. I don't know why. It's been a struggle these past few years, with school, graduating, looking for jobs, changing jobs, etc., but I'm blessed to be in this profession. I can't tell you how rewarding it has been to see students learn. In my experience in kindergarten, the kids learned so much! In my experiences in 4th grade, I learned so much. Through it all, it has helped me to be a better person, a better teacher, and a better learner. I will never know enough and I'm thankful for the opportunity to continue my learning experiences. I'm so excited to one day have my own classroom, these different experiences will only make me a stronger, wiser teacher. Wish me luck in this next journey. For some reason I'm more nervous than I've ever been. I want to help these kids so much and I pray that I will be able to do so!!!

Holiday Linky Party!

What better time to start thinking about the Holidays than the day before Halloween!!! I wanted to have a linky party with all of my fellow bloggers so that we can collaborate with others during the Holidays! I know for me its going to get pretty crazy, so why not link up below with your favorite holiday pack or lesson? When you link up, be sure to include the price and if its free, even better!!! Can't wait to start seeing all of the amazing products from you amazing teachers!!!!