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.

Heart of a Teacher

One of the assistant principals shared this the first week of school.
I hope you enjoy it and I hope it makes you grateful for a teacher in your life.

http://www.heartofateachermovie.com/

Tell me one positive thing about your favorite teacher. Be thankful they were a part of your life (or still there).

Words of Inspriation

This message was sent to me by one of the young ladies who was in the youth group at my church. Her words were some meaningful and heartfelt. I thought I would share them with you.

"I just wanted to say that I look up to you a lot because of how you are one of those teachers who cares for her students and even though some may be a little like grr you still help them with everything that's in you and I can only hope that I could be just like you when I become a teacher. You have amazing enthusiasm even sometimes you have your off days. you make sure that everyone gets what your teaching them and that its not about how much you get paid or how many things you grade that they get wrong or right you help them in a way they get it because you use energy to do it. You help them out in every way you can and you relate to them even though they're like 10 or even a teenager and I look up to you for that 'cause that's how I want to teach and show the kids in my classroom one day how much I care for them as you do for yours you're awesome!"

I want to challenge you to share your thoughts and feelings about a teacher who you respect and admire. Either share your thoughts directly with them or share them here with us to see.