5 Things I Loved About Last Week 12/21/2013 #celebratelu

Be sure to visit Ruth Ayers blog to check out how our friends are celebrating today.

I cannot believe that I’m sitting in front of the Christmas tree watching a Christmas cartoon on the first day of winter break. Between switching school districts and switching grades, this school year has been exhausting. I’m so thankful that I get a chance to reflect and relax these next two weeks.

Here are 5 things I loved about this past week.

1. Staff Breakfast

Before school yesterday, my principal provided a beautiful and delicious breakfast for our entire staff. I even got to bring my kids (they ate a lot). When it was time for students to enter the building my principal headed to the gym and hosted an assembly with the entire student body, so that we could have a little more time to eat.

2. A New Book

This goes along with the staff breakfast, but it is so awesome that I felt it needed its own spot on my top 5. A few weeks ago my principal asked the staff what book that would want if they could get any book for Christmas. When we got to the breakfast each staff member found the book that they asked for wrapped in ribbon. It was really neat to see all the books requested by our staff. I got Holding on to Good Ideas in a Time of Bad Ones by Thomas Newkirk.

 

 

3. Smarter Charts

Since this whole Nerdlution thing has started I have become a giant fan of Kristi Mraz. I just had to get the book she co-authored with Marjorie Martinelli, Smarter Charts K-2. I asked my principal if we had a copy. She informed me that we didn’t, but that she would purchase one. I found some time to dig into Smarter Charts Thursday evening. The book has blown me away. I’m a huge fan of charts in the classroom, but I always feel like my charts were missing something. Smarter Charts has really opened my eyes to see how effective, interactive, and awesome charts can be in a classroom.

You must read Smarter Charts.

 

4. Class Party

I am in no way an expert on class parties. They give me anxiety. I stress out about them for days. Our winter party this week was something that I was really worried about. I decided to give the kids the opportunity to choose what we did during the party. My ideas never work, so I figured their ideas would probably be a whole lot better. I was right. They decided that we should go out side and play in the snow during the party. We ate our pizza, way too many treats, and then we headed outside. Playing with my students in a field filled with snow was amazing. Best school party ever!

5. Break!

It’s winter break! I’m so excited. Time to get off my computer and dig into a good book.