Monday Letters // Groundhog's Day Edition

It's Monday! Welcome back! How was your weekend?

Dear teachers, tomorrow is GROUNDHOG DAY! And if you're like me and had no idea until today, then you're needing some resources. Check out these cheap or FREE resources (here, here, and here) I love!

Dear educators, are you discussing growth mindset with your colleagues and students? It's a great way to get your students thinking about their learning. And Class Dojo has a stress free way to incorporate it into your classroom and conversations! And it pairs nicely with this product in my store.

Dear friends, you make life definitely more interesting. We had a blast kayaking, cornhole playing, and eating. So much eating. I just wish I could get more sleep! Bear and I are already looking forward to this coming (quiet) weekend!

Dear Two Writing Teachers, I loooooooove your blog. And am stoked for this new mini series that's coming this week! Be sure you stop by!

Monday Letters Return

Dear teachers, have you seen this fantastic freebie? With all the snow our East Coast has been collecting, it's worth checking out (and sending to your families!).

Dear writers, I finally, as in I've-been-working-on-it-since-October-and-it's-FINALLY-complete, finished my 6th grade Informative Writing Unit. This guy is packed to the gills with everything you could possibly need to teach about Informative and Expository Writing. Phew.

Dear football, I love you and am so sad to see the season coming to an end. But given that I have lived in Colorado (and was a band wagon Bronco's fan during my time there) and now live in North Carolina, I am ecstatic to watch this match up. #BroncoNation #KeepPounding #SoConfused

Dear February, I know it's still January but I am all about February and Valentine's. I'm not talking about Valentine's Day. (I'm more about my Galentine's anyways...) But it's really all about the cards. Making them (or buying!) and sharing them with those you care about or need some love. I'm drooling all over this, this, and THIS. 

Monday Letters

It's time for some Monday catchup!

Dear teachers, have you gotten bored of your usual iPhone background?  Check out these FREE iPhone backgrounds and get inspired!

Dear weather, I am SO ready for you to make up your mind.  My sunburned face is confused by the sudden 50 degree drop in temperature.  Bring back 80!!

Dear Spring Break, Although I don't get to bask in your glory this year, I am happy for all other teachers who are partaking in the oh-so-much-needed break!  Enjoy it friends!!

Dear  upper elementary teachers, it's that time of year again.  Testing Season.  My least favorite time of year.  Are your kiddos ready?  Grab my (RECENTLY UPDATED!!) Writing on Demand Unit to prepare your students for any possible writing assessments!

Enjoy your week, sweet friends!

Monday Letters!

 

Dear Daylight Savings Time... I was in love last night when the warm weather lasted until 7ish.  Until this morning.  When you were still dark at 7 am.  Wompwomp. 

Dear Watercolor Typography Class at Pineapple Studios, I had so much fun meeting other ladies and getting to try something new!  Now I just need to find time to play with watercolors more!

Dear Teachers,  Want something pretty and green for your iPhone?  Grab this week's inspiration >>here!!<<

Dear Etsy,  I have been on a purchasing craze!  Be sure to follow me on Instragam to see all the beauties I've grabbed lately!! 

Have a happy week!

Is it the Weekend Yet? Monday Letters

Happy Monday! 

Dear teachers, did you grab yesterday's freebie?  Stay motivated and treat your awesome self to a fun iPhone wallpaper!

Dear any teacher anywhere, Have you hear, have you heard, have you heard?  TpT is hosting another huge sale this Wednesday!  You can grab anything in my store 28% cheaper than usual!  I am stocking up my cart now!

Dear rainy Monday, Can I please go back to playing Cards Against Humanity with my friends?  What an amazing weekend to get away to Savannah, lounge by fireplaces, and create delicious meals together.

Dear ladies,  Have you checked out the amazing bible study packs from She Reads Truth?  Day by day they're helping me gain sanity and remind me of what's important.  Simple, right on your phone, and easy to discuss.  Go!  Check them out!

Inspired by Elle & Co., Monday Letters is a weekly installment where I write four letters each week.  Two letters are to teachers or are school related.  The other two are for anything else in my world during that week. 

Monday Letters

Cheers to Valentine's Day weekend 2015!  I loved having Valentine's Day on a weekend this year!  Not that I did much to celebrate... but I do love a good holiday!

Dear Valentine's Day... What better time to share with my friends how much they mean to me!  This was definitely my favorite card I made (because homemade is always better, right?) Love it?  It was inspired by this fun little shop!

Dear arctic blast...  I do love earmuffs, I do love earmuffs has been my mantra these past few days.  And it looks like I'll have to keep it up.  Brrrrrr.

Dear Pet Enthusiasts... Be on the lookout for a fab giveaway hosted by Lisa from Pawsitively Teaching, Amy from Learning Lessons with Mrs. Labrasciano, Marissa from Inspired Owl's Corner and Jennifer from Stories and Songs in Second.

Dear Timehop... Thank you for this pleasant reminder that Valentine's Day may not be the best day to look back on the past.  I had to laugh out loud when I saw this lovely reminder pop up!

Monday Letters {Slacker Edition}

It's Monday... and my slacker-ness with teacher/work things have hit an all time high.  But for a very good reason.  My bestie was visiting.  And not just from anywhere, friends.  She flew from SOUTH KOREA (where she's teaching English) and so, knowing that she flew from South Korea to be with lil' 'ol me- we have been busy doing lots of fun things.  And eating.  SO. MUCH. EATING.  So here's this week's letters.

Dear Freaker USA,
We are loving your adorable drink coozies that fit ANYTHING.  Wine bottle? Check!  Beer bottle?  Check!  Water bottle?  Check!  Seriously - go buy one for all your friends!  I did. 

Dear sunsets,
We cannot get enough of you - even if you're in the Walmart parking lot.  There's nowhere I'd rather witness a beautiful sunset than the Walmart Parking Lot. {<-- Sarcasm}

Dear Valentine's Day,
I love celebrations.  I really do.  But I just cannot get into you this year.  I am hoping my heart shaped Panera cookie will get me in the spirit.  Or at least pacify my sweet tooth!!

Dear 70 degrees and blue skies,
You were a much welcome gift this weekend!!  Sit inside and watch a movie?  No thank you!  I loved having a little bit more color to my face this morning!!  I am officially ready for Spring, y'all!  And will never, ever, ever move back up North.  Ever. 

Inspired by Elle & Co., Monday Letters is a weekly installment where I write four letters each week.  Two letters are to my classroom or are school related.  The other two are for anything else in my world during that week. 

Monday Letters

It's Monday already!  This girl has been going through crazy life changes and those of you who have followed me for a while know what I do in times of turmoil.  Or celebration.  I travel!  So this edition of Monday Letters has absolutely nothing to do with teaching and everything to do with traveling! 

Dear Seattle...  What a wonderful trip with friends this weekend.  It felt amazing to see college friends, go to the Seattle game, and let loose.  I am not ready for that red-eye back tonight though. 

Dear Charleston... I cannot think of a better way to ring in the New Year than with 2 crazy friends in bikinis.  Thank you for taking me out of my comfort zone to participate in the Polar Plunge on January 1st! 

Dear Key West... Your warm weather, bright sunshine, and blue ocean is exactly what I needed to re-energize over Christmas break and get ready to tackle the year that lies ahead. I'm still daydreaming about the beautiful walks in the sand. 

Dear West Palm...  I cannot wait to come spend some time in the warm ocean breeze.  Thank you to my parents for opening up their home so I can explore somewhere new. Cheers to new experiences! 

Inspired by Elle & Co., Monday Letters is a weekly installment where I write four letters each week.  Two letters are to my classroom or are school related.  The other two are for anything else in my world during that week.

Monday Letters!

Happy Monday!  Can you believe it's already Monday again!?  Well my weekend was amazing.  My hubby and I visited Austin, TX for the first time to see some friends who recently moved there.  Be sure you're following me on Instagram to see some pictures!  I definitely had a rough start this morning.

Dear Students,  I am so proud of you for your great report on Friday from the sub.  We will have to have a celebration, considering the previous sub walked out of the classroom.  {A story for another day}.

Dear Lesson Plans, I know you sit completely untouched.  And that there's so much to do.  Please help me just get through this week.  T-Minus 6 school days until Thanksgiving Break!  Can I get an AMEN!?

Dear Austin, I had to roll off the plane to get home.  Thank you for your mountains of delicious food and drinks.  I will be back soon!

Dear 3rd, 4th, or 5th grader sitting near me on the plane, Just so you know, I'm glad your Mom was making you complete your homework on the plane.  You can complain all you want - but I am grateful for parents like yours who try to do homework with their kids.  It takes a village, y'all.

Enjoy the rest of your week!  Gobble, gobble!

Inspired by Elle & Co., Monday Letters is a weekly installment where I write four letters each week.  Two letters are to my classroom or are school related.  The other two are for anything else in my world during that week. 

Be sure to stop by my blog post I shared yesterday!

It's Monday!

Happy Monday to all!

It's time for some Monday Letters! I hope you've had a great start to the week!

Dear GPencil.com and Catherine from The Brown Bag Teacher, Thank you for the brilliant idea of ordering personalized pencils!  I went ahead and ordered a set for my class.  I cannot wait to give them their personalized pencils, personalized bookmarks, and a book from Scholastic as their Christmas gifts!  Thank you for making Christmas cheap and easy!!  SCORE!

Dear Mr. Writer, where did this writing enthusiasm come from?  I was shocked when we met for a writing conference and I saw all of this beautifulness!  I can't even get mad about the drawings since they were so "important" to the story.  {It MUST be my amazing Writing Units at work - wink!}

Dear hubby, I love you to the moon and back and I'm ecstatic to be going to Austin, TX with you this weekend, but are you sure you need the Texan Style Mustache you've been rocking since Saturday?

Dear sub plans, I cannot wait to go out of town Thursday night, but do you really need to take this long to write?  {I'm drowwwwning in Sub Plans!}

Inspired by Elle & Co., Monday Letters is a weekly installment where I write four letters each week.  Two letters are to my classroom or are school related.  The other two are for anything else in my world during that week.

Monday Letters // NF Text Giveaway

Happy Monday teachers!

With report cards around the corner, the classroom stresses get a little more overwhelming.  I'm definitely feeling it, as you can see from my desk this week!  

Anyone else feeling like this is your life right now?

How would you love to have some nonfiction texts to help you out and save you time?   These Nonfiction Leveled texts are just what you need.  Be sure to check out the amazing giveaway, below, sponsored by the adorably fab The Sweetest Thing!  

And of course, it's time for our Monday Letters!  

Dear Classroom Floor, I apologize for all the crayons that were ground into you today.  It was apparently the only thing that calmed our sweet friend whose anger was off the charts.  Thank you for providing a calming, therapeutic effect... Even if the beautiful crayons had to suffer.  {Time to repurpose some crayong pieces!!}

Dear Beautiful Weather,  I am looking the cool/warm combo we've got going on.  Scarf and boots in the morning?  Please!  Short sleeves in the afternoon?  Bring on the suntan!!  Please don't go away Southern Fall :)

Dear Bottle of Wine, Big Bang Theory, and Purple Pen,  You're about to make a daily presence in my life as report cards come tumbling up all too soon.  Thank you for always being there for me as I grade 3,928 pieces of paper that I've procrastinated over for the past few weeks.  

Dear New Mac Book, WHYWHYWHY did I wait so long to make the switch to a Mac?  5 minutes in on my newest TpT product and there's no going back!!  Have you made the switch?  What did you think?

Inspired by Elle & Co., Monday Letters is a weekly installment where I write four letters each week.  Two letters are to my classroom or are school related.  The other two are for anything else in my world during that week. 

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Monday Letters... on Tuesday

Happy Monday Tuesday y'all!  I'm really feeling down with a case of the "Mondays" today.   I'm not sure if it's the gray weather or the lack of a break in our midst- but I was definitely struggling today with my kiddos.  I made a few adjustments this afternoon, rearranged a few desks, and googled new transition ideas, and am ready to go into tomorrow with fresh eyes and a bushy tail.   *I hope*  How are y'all holding up?

Last week was an exciting one in our classroom- full of earning rewards, sailing to China, and exploring the power of magnets!  For 4th graders, magnets are pretty much the coolest thing since sliced bread.  Seriously.  "Do they stick to our desk legs?"  "I don't know!  Let's find out!"  "AHHH they do!!!!!"  Who knew?  But life in 4th grade is going full steam ahead and I'm embracing every crazy second of it!  How's your year going? 

Dear Classroom... Why oh why would you allow paper airplanes to fly through you this past Friday?  Just because there was a substitute in there does not mean it is appropriate to have these guys fly through the air... No matter how impressive their designs were.  (And they were impressive).

Dear Target... I am in  love with your beautiful home items.  Can you please have a sale so I can finally afford them? 

Dear 24 thumbtacks that were in the hallway holding up papers... Which 4th grade boy placed you in the urinal?  Please tell me before recess is lost for good.

Dear hubby... I am ecstatic to not even think about school this weekend!  I can't wait to take my Fall Break and spend it exploring through the woods with you!!  Let's pitch a tent, unroll those sleeping bags, and make a smore (or ten!). 

Have a wonderful week friends!  Be sure to stop by tomorrow for a fab giveaway!!

Monday Letters

Well, it's been three whole weeks and we've been getting to know each other like crazy!  I am SO ready to get started with lessons, conferences, and guided groups.  BUT, I know that this time is precious and must not be rushed.  Building relationships and getting to know my learners (and them getting to know me) is invaluable.  We've practiced, modeled, reviewed, and discussed our routines to death and will continue creating our classroom community for another week or so (and then continue periodically throughout the year!).  What do you do in order to get to know your learners?

How I spent my airport time last weekend!  A teacher does what she has to do...

Dear 4th graders, thank you for responding with "railroads" and "with the pilgrims!" when I asked you "How did Native Americans get to North America".  Obviously I need to get caught up on my history!

Dear classroom floor, I'm sorry for all the desk rearranging and scuffed floors I caused you this week.  I feel like we're finally getting settled into a decent arrangement and I promise not to move desks around any more.  Well, not too much more.  I guess I can't promise. 

Dear football season, welcome back!!  I am so excited to see you again.  You fit into my weekend perfectly with all the grading I have on my agenda.  Hubby and I are both happy!

Dear hubby... thank you for picking up the slack when we come home to a missing garbage can, only to realize we need to set up the service and they won't bring us another one for two weeks.  You have lovingly taken our garbage to the dumpster every other night so that I don't have to worry about it with back to school madness.  You sure do know the way to my Acts-of-Service heart!

Inspired by Elle & Co., Monday Letters is a weekly installment where I write four letters each week.  Two letters are to my classroom or are school related.  The other two are for anything else in my world during that week.

5 Days In!

Tired.  Oh so tired.  5 days in and I can't believe the bags under my eyes will ever go away.  I fall into bed every night and crash, not moving until my alarm goes off at 5.  But I wake up excited and ready-ish to go- Oh the life of a teacher.

Chinese take out, paper plates, and a glass of wine. Typical weeknight dinner.

And so much grading all ready

I am loving my 4th graders and every day we spend together.  I swear some day soon I will blog more than once every Monday- but right now I'm adjusting to life in a new school, learning the quirks of my kiddos, and early mornings.  Oh the early mornings.

So much learning to do!

I forgot how little 4th graders can be.  It's been a while since I started my year with them... and it has been quite an adventure.  Some of our 4th grade antics will kick off our Monday letters...

Dear 4th Graders... Thank you for reminding me never to take life too seriously with your oh-so-serious quips, like when I told you to "double check your entry," and you reply "isn't that a big meal?"  or when we're brainstorming what we know about the government, and you write "spream cork." Thank you for reminding me it's okay to laugh out loud sometimes frequently. 

Dear Classroom... Oh classroom.  You forgot how loud it could be.  How messy it could be.  And how silly it could be.  Thank you for hiding my paper-piles in your cabinets, being open so it's easy to air out those student smells, and for your amazing windows with their natural light, offering a soothing and welcoming environment. 

Dear Hubby... thank you for waking up early every day with me, making me lots of coffee and lunch, and sending me out the door.  Your support {and coffee} makes my day so much smoother.  There's no way I could do it without you!

Dear Kitty Cat... Happy 5th birthday!  We missed you so much while we were in Spain and are thrilled to have you back in our home after living with your "grandparents" for nearly a year.  Your "barks" at birds, love for raw chicken and turkey lunch meat, and frequent snuggles, are a much welcome part of our lives. 

 Inspired by Elle & Co., Monday Letters is a weekly installment where I write four letters each week.  Two letters are to my classroom or are school related.  The other two are for anything else in my world during that week. 

Monday Letters

Dear summer... Where oh where did you go?  All along I've been thrilled to get back into the swing of things and ready to be in my classroom.  Now, I'm not so sure.  5 am?  You are so not welcome back in my life. 

Dear classroom... You're slowly coming together and will be filled this week with staff meetings, families visiting for Meet the Teacher, and much Singer-Song Writer music from my Pandora playlist as I attempt to finish getting everything set up for my 4th graders.

Dear family... I had so much fun rocking out to Don't Stop Believing with you at our cousin's wedding this past weekend.  I will try to hold on to that feelin' as the school year starts to kick my tushie. 

Dear IKEA... I am sure yesterday's visit will not be our last.  Please stop trying to convince me that I must have your adorable kitchen accessories.  While I completely agree with you, my wallet just won't accept it.  I appreciate your cooperation in advance. 

Inspired by Elle & Co., Monday Letters is a weekly installment where I write four letters each week.  Two letters are to my classroom or are school related.  The other two are for anything else in my world during that week.

Past Letters:

Monday Letters

  

$25 to TpT + Monday Letters

You could WIN $25 to TpT... below!  Seriously, have you entered yet??  It ends at 11:59 tonight!!

Before you enter below, or after- if it's reaching 11:59 pm and you want to meet the deadline, I wouldn't blame you,or if you are scared you'll forget.  I'm not judging. But make sure you come back!  Have y'all heard of Elle & Co.?  She's not a teacher- but she shares the sweetest phone backgrounds {for free!} once a week.  They are all full of inspiration, prayer, and beautiful designs. She also has a fun thing she does once a week, where she writes 2 quick letters to her husband and then 2 random letters to whatever else is on her heart.  I love this idea and plan to begin sharing 4 letters on Monday... 2 to my classroom and then 2 to be determined receivers. 

Click on the picture or here to grab this background!

So here goes my first four letters...

New Classroom... you are still all covered with sheets and have a freshly polished floor.  Who knows how long that shiny floor will last {not long!}. You do not know what to expect of this year with this new-to-you teacher and her class of 4th graders.  We look forward to many excursions in and out your door, tears {of happiness and sadness} shed on your floor, hundreds of books read in our heads and aloud, and hopefully very little vomit, boogers, and other 4th grade things shared with you. 

Soon to be 4th Graders... You do not now what to expect of 4th grade, what your new teacher will be like, what the expectations will be, what the schedule will hold.  Have no fear, I am just as nervous as you!  Those butterflies in your tummy are just like the butterflies in mine!  Sure I know the expectations and the schedule, but I do not know what our year will hold.  How exciting that what you will teach me and what we will learn together is still a mystery that we will get to solve together! 

Fabulous College Friends... It was amazing seeing you ladies this weekend in Savannah!  I love that we pick up right where we left off.  You take me right back to how it was when we were still 21, living in our cruddy apartment, eating ramen for dinner, always with a glass of cheap {boxed} wine to share.  Thank goodness for our new-found cooking abilities and our love for early nights.  We are friends who truly laugh together.  

New home... Today is our first day together as your new renters.  We look forward to filling you with our home-things {which we haven't seen for 18 months!} and getting to set you up and make you your own!  In this week of so much new-ness, we thank you for the shelter you will provide over this coming year and the stability of "home" you will give us travelers! 

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