The Long Way Round

Well, I haven't blogged in far too long-and I've always hated that as a blog reader.

People would be blogging fairly consistently, and then stop, for weeks, or months-sometimes years.

I never intended to be one of those bloggers, but this year, I am.

It's a few different things that have turned me into a non-blogger this year.

My class, for one. I love them, but do they ever keep me busy and on my toes! (More so than previous classes!). I usually don't have the energy for much once I'm done with them! Plus, they usually keep me so busy that I forget to take pictures.

Curriculum, for another. A lot of the things I am doing this year, I have talked about and blogged about before, and I don't want to beat a dead horse.

Some changes too-we have a new administrative team (who are pretty cool so far!), but that has lead to some change in our school (and some discomfort) with more changes coming. Plus, my team isn't gelling this year (which could be me, or a combination of things), so that brings me down a little.

For a long time, my life was all about teaching. I did have a good home/work balance (I'm too much of an introvert to really not have a good balance), but now I've found myself pulling away from having a lot to do with teaching during my 'off' hours.

Which means that I've been creating things for my classroom less, and doing a lot more reading and crafting. And it means that I've been doing less blogging-as this is teaching related.

Plus, in general, I've noticed a general decline in the amount of posts in almost all the blogs that I follow. (Not to say that I'm one to follow the crowd...but the era of education blogs may have run its course).

While I've found blogging to be a good outlet, plus a good reflection tool for me, I don't want to leave you hanging.

And I don't want to completely close this blog down (plus, I use it to help me find things I've done in the past!), as some things can still be useful to old teachers and new.

So I'm apologizing in advance, and say that posts will probably be very sporadic. If I feel I have something interesting to say and share, I will.

But that might not be for awhile.

If you want to know what is happening more currently, you can hit me up over at Instagram (just click on the little insta flag to find me).

I've changed my name from smilesandsunshineteacher (in honor of this blog), to teachreadcrochet, to better reflect what is happening in my life right now.

 Perhaps I'll see you around? If not, I hope you've found something helpful-I know I was immensely helped by blogs, which inspired this one.

Smiles and Sunshine,
Kaitlyn

5 Fun Facts

Whew! I manage to survive the first two days of school (as well as 3 days of meetings!)-although I slept a great deal this weekend!

I'm excited for Blog Hoppin's Teacher week, so today we're talking about me! :)

#1

I am a voracious reader-I hit 1,000 books on my Kindle this month! (And I've reread 98% of those multiple times!)

That time I reached 1,000 books on my kindle. 😄😍😎📚#reading #iheartreading #amazonkindle #teachersofinstagram #iteachtoo

A photo posted by Smiles & Sunshine (@smilesandsunshineteacher) on Aug 18, 2015 at 11:14am PDT

#2

I also dabble in lots of different crafts-it helps me relax! I've been known to make my own jewelry, scrapbook, make cards, paint and crochet!

#3 I JUST got an iPad this year-and I still don't have a smart phone (my kids call it a 'dumb' phone)-although my flip phone has been acting up, so I may be getting a smart phone soon!  (I have a prepaid plan, since I don't use it all that much. I'll need to re-up my 'year' soon, so I figure that's a good time to switch phones! :)

Yay!! One small step for me, one giant leap for my classroom!😃

A photo posted by Smiles & Sunshine (@smilesandsunshineteacher) on Jan 19, 2015 at 2:10pm PST

#4 I'm still considered a 'beginning educator' by my state - after 8 years!

 There is a reasonable explanation :)

First, it took me a few years to find a 'full-time, permanent (public school) position'.

 I did a lot of other things in education, like subbing, long-term/continuing subbing, para position, K teacher at a preschool-but the state doesn't 'count' those as professional experience.

Next, the state changed the law a few years after I got out of college-from requiring 3 years of 'experience' to FIVE years of experience before becoming an experienced educator.

So, I'm going into my 9th year of teaching, and 15 years of working with kids-and I'm 'beginning'. (Which means I can't take a student teacher).

BUT! After my next re-certification (at the end of this school year), I'll have those 5 years in public school as a full-time, permanent position, and should get an experienced educator certificate. :)

#5

I heart me some sci-fi! From TV shows (like Star Trek (Voyager is my fav!), Warehouse 13 and Doctor Who) to romance novels (I go from shifter, to paranormal (with magic, physics, and more), to futuristic), I love the possibilities and the differences of it-since my life is pretty mundane! I can get lost in the worlds that others have created :)

I hope you enjoyed those 5 fun facts about me!

Smiles and Sunshine,
Kaitlyn

What I'm Wearing Wednesday ~ Interviewer Edition

Happy Wednesday!

I was recently on an interview committee for a new upper grade teacher for our building (the person who had that job was promoted to principal in another district-great for them, sad for us).

This was my first time being on the other side of the table, so to speak, and I found the whole process very interesting!

I also struggled with what to wear! I wanted to look professional, but it's the middle of summer, so it's also quite hot-I don't have many 'hot-weather' professional outfits!

In the end, (with some help from some insta-peeps), I decided to wear what I would wear if I was going to an interview-or just a regular day at school! ;)

Since we had two days of interviews, I had two outfits!

We did two days of interviews-so, two outfits! I wore the polka dot dress (which was the clear winner!) on the warmer day. #teacherstyle #interviewer #whattheteacherwore #teachersofinstagram #teachersfollowteachers #iteachtoo

A photo posted by Smiles & Sunshine (@smilesandsunshineteacher) on Jul 27, 2015 at 1:12pm PDT

I did take off my school ID for the interviews-it's almost too hot to wear it!

I love both of these-the dress because it's easy, and the blue skirt with the black shirt because it's a little different-normally it would be a black skirt!

I also wore the blue and black outfit when I met with the superintendent for my current job-although I wore heels then (my shoe style has changed since then-and it's only been 4 years!)

I had fun at the interviews, and I enjoyed dressing up again-it almost makes me look forward to going back to school (almost-we have little less than a month left of summer!).

Smiles and Sunshine,
Kaitlyn

2014-2015 Goal Reflection

Last year, I reflected on my Back to School Goals from Jess at I {heart} Recess B2S Linky.

I think that it's important to do the same thing this year!

Here were my 2014-2015 goals.

Personal: Well, I do have a pretty good school/home balance-but I still took a lot of naps! I think it has something to do with me being a night owl, so I stay up later {meaning I only get ~4-5 hours a sleep}, so I make up 2-3 hours after work...

Organization: I moved away from an online grade book and did a paper one (I had a paper for each subject). It was a lot easier to see who was missing work or what they weren't getting. I did start organizing my math manipulatives by putting them into toolkits-which you can read about here and here.

Planning: I LOVED my curriculum map I made this year-it came in handy when I was planning for the next week. I loved it so much that I redid it and made it better :)

You can read about how I do my curriculum mapping with ELA and Math.

Professional: I've definitely been spending some time with Math in Focus, and I think I did okay teaching it this year. Next year will be better :)

I did get some new tech! I bought myself an iPad

which led to a series of post on the One iPad Class.

I'm always on the lookout for new and better apps, so if you have any suggestions, let me know!

Students: Well, we did a little data tracking. We definitely tracked our pre and post tests for spelling scores, and I tried using  Jenifer Findley's Delicious Data Tracking, but it was hit or miss. I do think that they had fun learning!

Motto: In the stresses of our jobs and the changing environment, I think that it remains important that we remember the nonsense in our lives-and show the kids. It's okay to be silly (and to be a kid)! When we forget to be imaginative and silly, I feel {and please don't throw the tomatoes}, that we lose a way that we can relate to our kids, and that it's okay to be silly sometimes and still learn something.

Now, what am I going to focus on for next year...

Smiles and Sunshine,
Kaitlyn

3-2-1

Today I'm joining with TWO super 3-2-1 linkys-one for new teachers and one about me!

                

First is the 3-2-1 for new teachers!

Now for a 3-2-1 about me!

Smiles and Sunshine,
 Kaitlyn

Home Office

I'm linking up with Lucky Little Learners and  Schroeder Shenanigans in 2nd for their Home Office linky.

This is 'technically' my 'Home Office'

Although it is more of a library than a home office...

I even have books stashed in the closet!

These are just SOME of my teacher books-I have them all over the place!

Where I really work is here, on this beauty (which is oh so comfy and nap approved-many times!:)

I have a TV Tray stand with everything I need on it-within easy reach!

When I know I'm going to be working on my computer a lot, I pull it over for easy reach and settle it in my lap.

This way, I can work more easily, and watch TV at the same time :)

So, my 'home office' is portable-although that room does make a lovely library and printer display! :)

Smiles and Sunshine,
Kaitlyn

Five for Fraturday~Insta Edition

Only 1 week until vacation!


I posted this on Tuesday.  It snowed two days later >:(

Spring is coming!! Spotted these beauties hiding in between snow banks 😊 Buh-bye, Winter! I won't miss you!! #springiscoming #yayflowers #hastalavistawinter #iteachtoo #teachersfollowteachers #teacherblogger #teachersofinstagram

A photo posted by Smiles & Sunshine (@smilesandsunshineteacher) on Apr 7, 2015 at 7:41am PDT

But the snow is {mostly} gone now and we're supposed to get up to 70 on Monday!
We worked hard on angles this week~and I whipped up some task cards for us to use!

Working on some measuring angles task cards for tomorrow-since I'm too cheap to buy what I need!😜 #math #taskcards #iteachfourth #teachersofinstagram #teachersfollowteachers #igteacher #teacherblogger

A photo posted by Smiles & Sunshine (@smilesandsunshineteacher) on Apr 6, 2015 at 6:17pm PDT

Last night was measuring angles-tonight is drawing angles! Ready for math tomorrow! #iteachfourth #math #taskcards #teachersofinstagram #teachersfollowteachers #igteacher #iteach456

A photo posted by Smiles & Sunshine (@smilesandsunshineteacher) on Apr 7, 2015 at 6:47pm PDT

Our book box came! I used up some of my many bonus points (I had been saving for an iPad Mini-and wasn't too far off!) to pick up some kids choice.

Do you think I went a little overboard-I used up some of my BP to grab some kid's choice 😃📚📚 now just to label and level! #ilovebooks #youcanneverhavetoomany #scholastic #iteachfourth #teachersofinstagram #teachersfollowteachers

A photo posted by Smiles & Sunshine (@smilesandsunshineteacher) on Apr 9, 2015 at 5:01pm PDT

We had some more testing this week-and I used the time to map out math lessons, and what I thought the CC Standards were (putting measurement into a word problem does not constitute teaching MD 1 in my opinion!)

Using the SBA time wisely-plotting out lessons in the math curriculum and what CCSS they follow. Hope this makes next year better/easier! #iteach345 #iteachfourth #iteach456 #teachersofinstagram #teachersfollowteachers #igteacher #math #curriculummapping #planningwayahead

A photo posted by Smiles & Sunshine (@smilesandsunshineteacher) on Apr 6, 2015 at 8:15am PDT

WE FINISHED TESTING!!

Celebrating the end of state testing and the hard work they did with Willy Wonka-they're all so engrossed! #iteachfourth #classicmovies #funfriday #reward #teachersofinstagram #teachersfollowteachers #teacherblogger

A photo posted by Smiles & Sunshine (@smilesandsunshineteacher) on Apr 10, 2015 at 7:43am PDT

They picked Willy Wonka over Wizard of Oz~and also had a treat of Munchkins (and HOLY COW, has a box of 50 gotten expensive! They weren't that much when I worked there (about 13 years ago!) Glad I had a gift card!)

Happy Weekend!!

Smiles and Sunshine,
Kaitlyn

Five for Friday

This has been a very long week...glad it's over!



I started off the week by going to the New England Blogger Meet-up-it was a lot of fun!

I think I won for traveling the furthest! :)

Thanks to Amanda for hosting!


I started off my week at a close reading workshop-which was very good!

We also happened to take a detour to Barnes and Noble on the way home :)

Of course, I couldn't leave without picking up a few things for the class!

I found out last week that one of my students has leukemia, so we spent some time in class create a pillow (which was a BIG hit when I visited today!)

I also worked (somewhat frantically) on an afghan for my student.

You'll see the finished product for Monday Made It. :)

I went and visited my student today...and felt so much better once I saw how much better they looked. We had a nice visit (and I got my butt kicked playing war), and I also got a leukemia ribbon-which went directly onto my lanyard!

So happy for the weekend to be here...this was a mentally and emotionally exhausting week (and extra drama at school this week was not helpful-why can't we act like the adults and professionals we are?!)

Here's hoping to a better next week!

Smiles and Sunshine,
Kaitlyn

Five for Friday

Happy Friday!

This week is all about my vacation :) February vacation is all about the errands and appointments for me...getting stuff done that I don't normally do on a regular day.


First, I made sure everything was ready when I left school last week-espcially since I have a workshop day the first Monday back!

Date and message written, morning work laid out, hw in mailboxes and sub plans prepped and ready! It must be vacation! (Plus a workshop day!) 😃😍 #iteachfourth #ilovefebruaryvacation #vacation #teachersofinstagram #igteacher #teachersplanwayahead #teachersfollowteachers

A photo posted by Smiles & Sunshine (@smilesandsunshineteacher) on Feb 20, 2015 at 2:42pm PST

I had my car looked at-oil change, tire rotation and fluid top off and checks.

Sitting waiting for my car's oil change-this is a teacher vacation 😜 #teacherlife #vacationisforerrands #teachersofig #igteacher #ilovebooks #iheartromancenovels

A photo posted by Smiles & Sunshine (@smilesandsunshineteacher) on Feb 24, 2015 at 9:43am PST

One does not simply travel anywhere without a Kindle/book :)

I got a hair appointment-it was time! I hadn't cut it since August!

Got the hair did-took off 5 inches! 💇 #teacherlife #vacationisforerrands #teachersofig #igteacher

A photo posted by Smiles & Sunshine (@smilesandsunshineteacher) on Feb 24, 2015 at 12:44pm PST

I also posted it on Facebook-and then my family proceeded to corrupt the post with arguing over who would get the 5 inches (the males have some baldness issues). Only my family...

I also started on my next garland for my classroom-here is a sneak peek!

Sometimes, you need a rainbow in your life. 🌈 #crochet #crochetersofinstagram #color #rainbow #iteachtoo #icanmakeit

A photo posted by Smiles & Sunshine (@smilesandsunshineteacher) on Feb 26, 2015 at 4:17pm PST

Tomorrow, I'll be hauling my tush to Providence for the New England Blogger Meetup!
I'm nervous and excited all in one! It'll be a couple hours drive (if I don't get lost :P ), so I'll have some time to look forward to it!

Smiles and Sunshine,
Kaitlyn

My Teacher Hero

Happy Wednesday!

I'm linking up with
for her My Teacher Hero linky.
My first teacher hero is my 2nd grade teacher, Mrs. Carr (who is still going strong!) She made learning seem like so much fun, that I knew I wanted to be a teacher. I actually got to work with her (and a few other teachers I had had) my 2nd year out of school-I taught part-time Kindergarten (covering a year long maternity leave) for a year. It was fun, but a little weird (for both me and them!)!

My second teacher hero is Mr. Tiano, who was my 5th grade teacher (and first male teacher!). He's the one who did the Explorer game that I know do with my kids. It was pretty impressionable that I remember all these years later-something that I hope I'm doing for my kids!

And lastly, (but certainly not least!), all the teachers in the blogging world that have inspired me to try new things, to recognize that I do know what's best for my kids, and introduced my to new ideas, thoughts, and products! Thank you! :)

Who are your teacher heroes?

Smiles and Sunshine,
Kaitlyn

Instagram

I hope everyone enjoyed their long weekend (and stayed safe if you were driving in the Northeast on Sunday!).

I've finally joined Instagram...and would love for you to come see why! :)


Have a great day!

Smiles and Sunshine,
Kaitlyn

Five for Friday

Happy Friday!

We had a very Grinch-y week in 4th grade!

We finished our Weathering and Erosion unit-with a lot of success on the test!

and started our States of Matter unit.

I made this little cutie...

and gave him some snowflake friends for a garland for my door!

Vacation!



Done! I love my kiddos, but I always enjoy vacations-they always seem to come at the perfect time!

Happy Holidays!

Smiles and Sunshine,
Kaitlyn