First Week Inspriation

This was sent to me (and other staff) by one of my assistant principles and I thought I would share it with you.

I love how I get to teach my students so much more then academics!!! They also get to teach me so many things.

Registration Day

Today I met 18 out of 20 of my new students. I am really looking forward to a new group of children. Getting new students is what makes my job so interesting and fun.

While the parents were filling out boring paper work, I had stations for the students to work on. They got to explore the classroom, record their birthday, record their bus number, read books on How to Survive Fifth Grade (written by my former students) and complete an interest survey.

I would LOVE to share some of my favorite answers to some of the questions!

If I had $50.00, I would spend it on "spend it on a special person."
          Precious, but I want to know who that "special person" is. I am sooooo nosey.

If you could travel somewhere, it would be "Hollywood" because "famous people live there."

My favorite outdoor game is "badminton."
          What? 10 year old plays this?

My favorite movie is "Shawshank Redemption."
          Really? She has seen this and most likely understands it.

My favorite...
When I am with my friends we like to "gossip (habit.)"
          Love the honesty here.

After reading through these forms, I realize I have an eclectic group of fifth graders this year. I can't wait to see what the year has in store. 

P.S. I took classroom pictures today. They should be posted this weekend.

A new year has begun

I know that I have been a serious blog slacker, but have no fear the new school year is hear. I have made it my New School Year's resolution to blog more often (once or twice a week).

I have spent the past two weeks in my classroom, even though I do not go back to work until Monday. I have unpacked my new room and set it up. I will post tour pictures next week once all the laminating is back and hung up.

I hope you all continue to follow me and read all about my Learning Explorers.

TTFN

Christmas Break 2011 Part Two

Well I thought I would share a bit more about my break. I have two top 5's to share.

Top Five Gifts
5. LL Bean Trail Model Rain Jacket (have worn it twice, Love it!!!)


4. Rachael Ray's Look and Cook cookbook (I have already cooked out of it)

3. Iphone 4s (I finally feel up to date!!!)

2. Toms Houndstooth black and silver shoes (perfect for school)

1. Rachael Ray Pots and Pans
I know that gifts are not what the holidays are about, but they are an added bonus. I love, love, love to give gifts to the people I love. It is fun to shop and figure out the right gift that they will enjoy. I did enjoy my break and spent A LOT of time doing things that I wanted to do.

Here are my top 5 things I did on break.
5. Cleaned (I know not fun, but it was necessary and nice to get it done on my schedule)
4. Worked out (and lost 3 pounds)
3. Slept (ahhhhhhhh)
2. Spent time with Friends (saw Desiree, Taylor, Kristy, and Whitney)
1. Spent time with family (see pictures)
Me, Patrick(cousin), and Kelly (sister) at Fort Caroline
Me and Kelly (sister) At Fort Caroline

I hope that your holiday was equally as amazing and blessed. May your 2012 bring you joy and blessings!!!

Christmas Break 2011 Part one

My break this year started off with a blessing. On November 15th my best friend gave birth to the most perfect baby boy in the entire world, Quin Reiter Scales. It was a very short trip, but perfect all the same.

To see pictures and what Desiree had to say here is her blog post on the trip.

http://dannyanddesiree.blogspot.com/2011/12/auntie-shannon-meets-quinn.html

When Desiree was pregnant I stumbled onto the book Savy Auntie by Melanie Notkin.
I am now regestered member of this group and website (www.savyauntie.com). I am an Auntie by choice and not one by relation to Quin. After reading the book, I realized that I will have a big roll to play in his life. I know how to care for him, purchase gifts for him and most importantly what mom is going through. I truly hope that this bundle of joy helps to mold me into a wonderful Auntie and prepare me to be a mother.

Hugs,
Auntie Shannon

Thanksgiving Morning Meeting

Upon the return of my students from their Thanksgiving break, I decided to have a morning meeting where the students could share about their holiday.

They were asked to share 2 things:

1. The best thing or memory from the week

2. Their favorite food from the week.

Several shared stories of being with family. 2 students decided it was appropriate to share that their family members had a bit too much to drink and made for an entertaining holiday in their eyes. The kids slept and played video games. I had one who came back on crutches after having to have stitches in is leg. But my most favorite comment of all was this, "My mom is too Asian to cook Thanksgiving food, so we went to Golden Corral."

I also learned that my students love turkey, Macaroni and Cheese, and pumpkin pie.

It is moments like these that make me love my children and spending time with them.

Oldie but a Goodie

This was an conversation I had with one of my all time favorite students from two yeas ago..

Student quote of the week: I have a boy in my class who has a huge crush on a girl in another class. He writes her name all over everything. Today he was disturbed because her name had been written on his ruler by someone other then himself. I asked him if he wanted me to find out who did it and he said, " Nah Ms. Finnegan, I probably would have done it myself eventually." This made me laugh out loud.