Happy Summer...buried in your child's bookbag is a summer reading letter!
Everything is 100% optional :)
https://erielibrary.org/
https://erielibrary.org/services/get-a-library-card/
ERIE LIBRARY COUNTY CARD
https://www.barnesandnobleinc.com/our-stores-communities/summer-reading-program/
https://www.chuckecheese.com/activities-and-downloads/
https://www.bookitprogram.com/programs/camp-book-it
Other cool links:
More to follow :)
🍎 Teacher friends, in honor of Teacher Appreciation Week, share your teaching stats.
👩🏼🏫 24 years in education
🏫 Too many schools to name...but Wattsburg since 2007...9 or 10 different schools
🗺 2 private schools, 4-5 districts
🍎 Many classrooms...fav my STEAM room that I created in 2016
🧒 Classes taught: High School Life skills, Adjudicated 12-18 year old various math classes, 5th grade, Alternative Ed Math, Middle school math, Alternative Ed credit recovery, substitute teacher (K-8), High School Math, Elementary Library, Elementary STEAM
💼 Principals/Supervisors: ?
🌻 States taught: Pennsylvania, Maryland
🍎 Certified: Elementary Education, Secondary Math (6-12), Middle School Science, School Library K-12
As we prepare for this rare phenomenon. Here are a few links, videos, and information that I shared with my students over the past 2 weeks.
VIDEO OVERVIEWS:
First, this video from PBS is a great overview
Yes...my blog is quiet...lots of reasons...policy concerns, mental health, and a busy life. I know that this is a stage and phase of life.
Each year...I start with a new word...ONE WORD to steer my thoughts and year.
2023 was energy...well Covid caught hold in March and I had a tough fall. But I tried to sustain my energy.
2024...ONE WORD is EMBRACE! Embrace my job...Embrace the chaos of life...Embrace my children...Embrace my faith.
Can't run...can't hide...so open my arms and embrace life.
Here are my previous words:
Maybe we can get back to weekly posts ...
Life is crazy...
My daughter is doing color guard...as a parent you can just pick up your kid or volunteer, attend events, and more!
Plus I hosted 20 people for a training and attended another training.
Helped a family with a small funeral.
Celebrated my birthday.
Plus every day life with my husband, 6 kids, church, and more!
Chaos-october has 1 more weekend...
But yesterday was our Halloween events at school...parade, parties, and trunk or treat.
Here is the team costume for 2023...music genres :)
Fun tradition...ever changing team...great memories!
It was awesome seeing other teams join in too!
Wow...1 month of learning and fun!
Internet Safety, engineering our names, learning how to use devices, Dot Day, pixels, stick together, Pebble Go choice boards, pumpkin run, and more!
I am working on finding my rhythm or groove but love these lessons and learning.
In addition, I am also trying new things...finish old projects...embracing joy moments :)
Here are some pictures!
Week 1...creative name building using every day materials - the inspiration was from Carly and Adam blog
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| Shapes with Kindergarten and First |
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| Puzzles are great problem solving activities |
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| Create with caps/dots |
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| Dot Day 2023 |
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| Pixel art |
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| Pixel art - part 2 |
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| Stick Together Mosaic - started years ago - goal is to finish in October Stick Together |
Last year, we started a summer 'bucket' list.
We tried to repeat this year...
Ben wanted to check out USA kilts near Collegeville PA and check out the races near us. Hoping to do this next weekend?
Bella wanted to camp and re-visit Letchworth.
TJ wanted to have a summer birthday party and visit Letchworth.
Lucas wanted to have his friend over to play and just chill.
Cadia wanted to go McDonald's play place and have an over night with grandparents.
Mom wanted to go out 1 time per month with adults (dinner in June, breakfast in July, breakfast in August) and read at least 3 books. I read 4!
Well yesterday we finished most of the bucket list. 12 hours...no cell service...no camping but still a fun day :)
Here a few summer highlight pictures
They are already plotting for summer 24!
As a public school educator, I struggle with late August.
I LOVE teaching...really!
I LOVE seeing colleagues!
I LOVE planning new lessons!
I struggle/grapple with the end of summer feelings.
This week was no different. Our end of summer camping trip has to changed to a day trip.
Difficult but meaningful back to school presentations. Google Rachel's Challenge.
Mini stressors like delays in information.
But a few things are helping remind me to keep going forward.
1. Attending a high school football game...seeing students past and present. I have touched their lives in some way. I have more lives to touch.
2. This quote at inservice...
3. Seeing the excitement of new teachers. I am loving mentoring a new teacher. So ready to make a difference.
Onto a new year...new lessons...new outlook!
One day at a time!
I tried to post links on Facebook and hyper links were not working.
Here is the same info in a blog post.
Happy Summer...buried in your child's bookbag is a neon yellow summer reading letter!
Everything is 100% optional :)
https://erielibrary.org/ (starts on Monday)
https://www.wqln.org/q-kids-readers#q-kids-readers-for-home
https://www.barnesandnobleinc.com/our-stores-communities/summer-reading-program/
https://www.chuckecheese.com/activities-and-downloads/
https://www.bookitprogram.com/programs/camp-book-it
Other cool links:
More to follow :)
Two of my children are working on a fitness merit badge for Boy Scouts.
In addition, last summer we started a family bucket list.
Put those together...I have a 10 year old and 5 year old who want to visit as many playgrounds in our county.
As we visit playgrounds, I will add to this post.
Let us start with new finds...
6/7 Nature Play Space at TREC
It was quiet...like private experience!
Pros: New equipment like a tunnel, gravel pit, wooden seesaw, climber, and more.
Cons: No public restrooms after hours and might not be toddler fun.
6/5 was a re-discovery of Lake Cliff Park in Lawrence Park. We were in search of a zipline.
Pros: Zipline, fun climbers, 3 different play structures, short trail to the lake.
Cons: Port a Potties and flying softballs, and super high swings.
On Sunday, Cadia had a birthday party at Greenefield Township Park.
Pros: Pavilions, bathrooms, walking/exercise trail, 2 play structures, lots of space to explore
Cons: A bit out of the way and limited shade.
Saturday 6/3 we tried the McClelland Dog Park
This spawned the search for new parks.
Pros: Nature trail, new pavilion, dog parks, 1 play area
Cons: Port a potty, rough crowd of unmonitored children, and a broken zipline.
Over Memorial Day Weekend, we visited our favorite Greene Township and updated Wattsburg Community Park. No pictures of those yet!
Look for updates and inspiration throughout the summer...off to another playground - Scott Park.
