SUUUUUUMMMMMMMEEEERRRRRRRRRRRR!
I finished up yesterday so today’s my first official day of SUMMER! I slept in (until 10am!) for the first time in.. I don’t know! I’ve been sitting around lazily drinking coffee all morning and just enjoying life! Here’s my link-up:
1. Student Motivation Saturdays – Classroom Decor! (double-dip!)
Because my summer has officially arrived, like many, I’m making plans for next year. Now, I know that almost every elementary teacher would agree that having a “theme” or scheme or whatever for your classroom decor is a MUST. Whether you do owl or jungle or polka dots or WHATEVER, all you cutesy elementary people rock it! BUT in middle school, that all changes. Most teachers just throw a few posters (or whatever) up and call it done. The cutesy stuff is for the little people, and all the middle school (and high school) classrooms appear to be ALL-BUSINESS. However, I *totally* disagree! I think having an appealing classroom theme/decor helps set the mood for your class even though they’re visiting 7 others daily.
Here’s the classroom theme I’ve used for the past two years: There’s a Book for That
Of course, you can see I made book covers into “apps” and put them all around my boards.
And some of them were student-created:
After the first year of this theme, I just put up all new apps to make it fresh for the second year. But for next year, I really need to change things up.
This summer I’ll work on some kind of sweets theme. Cupcakes, most likely, but maybe candy too. I’ll put something up like “books are sweet” or work on a saying like that. I’m thinking instead of apps I’ll have cupcakes around my board that feature book covers on them – or something like that. My plan is to have sweet things all over.. and it’s fitting for me because I LOVE CAKE and my students know this about me!
2. Okay. Now, this one I’m *really* excited about! My principal selected me to undergo Common Core Black Belt Training through the Common Core Institute, starting this summer and lasting for about a year. I had to assure her before she invested the money in me that I wasn’t going anywhere anytime soon and I’d be willing to help train and implement my co-workers in grades 4-8. I have done A LOT of teacher training in the past and I don’t mind it. I’m just so happy she picked me! Of course, I’ve been jumping up and down waving my hand shouting “pick me! pick me!” and that probably didn’t hurt. I can’t wait!
I’m also attending an unrelated 3-day workshop on Common Core ELA in a week, starting June 3rd. I like to start early in the summer so I’ve got time to plan and implement ideas rather than do professional development in August right before school starts!
3. Alright. A personal one! Now that summer’s underway, I can’t wait to get back into camping! I’ve got 3 sons (ages 5-12) and we usually camp about once per month and weekly in the summer. Sadly, we haven’t camped since Halloween because of my husband’s new job schedule and other things, but now that it’s summer, I’m ready to get back into it! We aren’t primitive campers, and I don’t do tents. We’ve got an RV and camp at a RESORT! Cajun Palms is about an hour and a half drive away and we sure do ENJOY IT!
Hoping to go next weekend!
4. Sno cones!!
Somebody STOP ME from buying a sno cone every day of the summer to beat this south Louisiana heat!!
5. Leading right into #5, which is weight loss. I tend to lose 10-20 pounds at least every summer, because I’ve got time to exercise and eat right. Well, I’m counting on it this year! I hate how I always put pounds on during the school year, and this has been no exception. I guess it’s time to make a plan and get started. Man, it’s hot in here! Better get a sno cone first.
Love the theme "There's a Book for That!" I may try to incorporate that into my classroom. I even love that your put them into app shapes! Great idea! Have fun camping and enjoy your sno cones…how bad can they really be?! 🙂
Brandee @ Creating Lifelong Learners
That resort looks like so much fun! I've only just started my year so no holidays for a while! Hope you have a great summer holiday 🙂
Danielle
Apples, Ink and Mischief
I LOOOOOOVE that you still have a theme in middle school. My oldest son (I have three too and a daughter at the end of the line-up) is in middle school and this is one of the things that made him so sad at first – he told me everything looked dull and nothing was fun and colorful. So it matters, a lot, even when people think it doesn't – so BRAVO! I can't get your follower button to show up for me today 🙁
Heidi
inthatroomwithheidiharrell.blogspot.com/
Love the theme you have used. I'm sure the cupcake idea will be great as well. Enjoy camping this summer!
Hunter's Tales from Teaching
Love the theme! Nodding my head in agreement with the weight loss – I do the same thing. 20 pounds last summer came off, then they came back this year. I don't handle my stress well…. Good luck!
I love the "There's a Book for That" theme, really love it! I am excited to see your sweet theme too. I know I feel the need to change up my theme all the time. Have a great time "camping" with your boys – we still have a month to go!!
I love your "There's a Book For That" theme! THANK YOU for still having a theme as a middle school teacher! I was so disappointed when I went to open house for my son in middle school! That theme totally sets your class up and gets them excited! I can't wait to see your new theme! Our kids are about the same age! 14, 9, 6
Thanks for linking up Erin!
Joanne
Head Over Heels For Teaching
I love your app theme, Erin! Great idea! I'm sure the cupcakes will be sweet as well! 😉 I'm also having to reinvent my room for next year – changing grades & classroom I get a blank canvas to work with!
~Erin
Mrs. Beattie's Classroom
I love the idea of making books into apps to line the Smartboard! So cute! I just booked a camping trip this summer with my girlfriends- I've never really done it, but I'm looking forward to it 🙂
Michelle
The Organized Señorita
What did you learn from the Common Core Black Belt Training or any other training?
pam at pam.combs@floyd.kyschools.us