March Currently

March firsts means time to participate in my favorite linky: Farley's Currently.

I was a theater major and college and always wanted to be Kristen Chenowith. Now I sing during my hour commute to and from work. 

Yup. Absolutely a theater major. This was singing in the Mikado.

Since I work at a year round school, I am going off track the last week in March (although my students don't, heh heh). I am looking forward to sleeping in, sweatpants, starbucks, and walks to the Golden Gate Bridge.

I. Am. Obsessed. With. Pinterest. Enough Said

Many of my parents speak Spanish as a primary language. Today I had a very frustrating conversation with one parent who cannot speak English. She was very upset (not at me) and I was unable to reassure her. I hate that.

3 weeks till I can prioritize sleep again. Just keep swimming...

I know that teachers can understand the need for wine and the loathsome feelings towards daylight savings transitions.... and if you haven't tried truffle cheese... do it.


Check out March Currently at...

February Currently

So I COMPLETELY missed Oh Boy 4th Grade's January Currently. Man, that flu KILLED me! So I'm trying to be more on it this month. I LOVE her linky!

If you haven't heard any songs from Wake Up! check out this link for my favorite song, Hard Times. This is MY JAM! I really rock out on my hour long commute to work.

Loving this guy:

How could I not?

I also can't believe I'm done the 3 week in March! Before anyone gets too upset, I'll be back to work mid-June, so I work that same amount of time, I just get Spring off instead of Summer. It does mean my trip to Paris with my man is slightly cheaper, so that is nice.

Pumpkin Spice Lattes are Gods Gift. Enough said. Come on Starbucks, get with the program!

My boyfriend and I moved into our San Francisco apartment in July and we haven't totally figured out the best way to organize all our stuff. Our closet is embarrassing! That is project number one for this "Summer Break."

As I mentioned above, I have an hour commute. Ugh. That makes those tailgating, driving on the shoulder to avoid traffic jerks that much worse. I want to yell at them: "You may drive a fancy BMW, but my prius beats you in gas mileage EVERY DAY!" I shouldn't complain, living in San Francisco is truly wonderful. I live a 20 minute walk from this:

Rude drivers, have it your way. It's worth the commute :)

Check out Oh Boy 4th Grade's Currently Link up for more fun!

December Currently

So glad it's December and time for another Currently Linky Party! Here goes...

Clearly just looking at my Currently I am already in the Christmas mindset. The music, the need for a computer and the desire for a fancy shamncy camera... I am looking forward to celebrating with my family! As much as I want, I have some even better gifts prepared for them. I can't wait to give it to them :)

Christmas Around the World: Second Grade Style

I love Christmas. I don't understand those few who don't. It is such a delightful time!

When I was teaching K I did a Christmas around the world unit. It was based around crafts and read-alouds and my students loved it. This year I decided to adapt it for second grade and so far my students are LOVING it. I created a power point about the varying countries we're "going" to: Sweden, Italy, Germany, France, England, and Mexico. I have pictures of each country, a map showing where it is located, and slides discussing the different traditions.

 Check it out here on TPT!

Today they got their passports. On the first page I had them write their full name, address, and picture. I showed them my own passport as an example.

Each day as we got to a new country, the students "stamp" their passports with the flag of each country. They color the stamp themselves with an example on the board. Sweden was today, so that was a pretty easy one. England will be a bit of a challenge. The stamps are so small! (But adorable).  I got them from Sarah Cooley's scrapbook.

I love this unit so much I decided to link it up with 1..2..3..teach with me for her Christmas linky party. Check it out for more ideas for this fabulous holiday :)

Thanksgiving Literacy Centers

Now that its November it's time for Thanksgiving Literacy Centers! I feel like we're barely in school in November with Veterans Day and Thanksgiving Break, but I've still been creating activities for the students when we ARE in school.

I've created 3 so far.

Punctuation Sort: Students sort sentences into statements, exclamatory phrases, or questions

Long U Vowel Sort: Students sort long U words by the long u phonics rule

A & E Vowel Sort: Students sort words into either Long A, Short A, Long E, or Short E.

Check them out on TeachersPayTeachers:

Thanksgiving Punctuation Sort

Thanksgiving Long U Sort

Thanksgiving Vowel Sort (A & E)

Linked up to 4th grade frolics Made it Monday November Edition:

Currently November

Linking up with Oh' Boy 4th Grade's Novemeber Currently. Check it out to link up too!

Listening to election coverage needs to stop. The media hoopla is too much at this point. I should watch more of The Walking Dead. WAY more enjoyable.

I'm sure all of you agree that we need more hours in the day. Or eliminate the biological need for sleep. Either/or.

Happy November!

Linky Party with Clutter Free Classroom

I posted before about the awesome music of Flocabulary. Clutter Free Classroom has sponsored a linky party entitled "Sunday Snapshots"  and I decided to put up a picture of how much my students are enjoying math raps as part of our math routine.

My students love to dance and sing along.

Check out what other teachers have linked up at Clutter Free Classroom