another day of joy

What a great day! My dear sweet boy I see first thing took a spelling assessment today. This child who didn't know the  names of all the letters at the beginning of the year, can now spell some of the second and third grade words. And he has had two days in a row of wqrking nicely and cooperatively in the classroom. I am overjoyed. How hard I have worked with him to learn how to "do school." And the smile on his face when he realizes he is actually getting it and doing things the way others are, well, it's priceless!

On the homefront, I am glad to be home. We had a team dinner for the basketball team, which we do every Thursday, so I am glad to be home, on my computer. I am going to go read The Hunger Games. I just bought it for my ipad and I am enjoying it immensely! It is really good.

I want to post some freebies I have been creating. but not sure how to post a link to TPT. How does one do that? I welcome any assistance.

See you tomorrow.

cindi

glad to be back

Well I hope everyone has had a great return to the classroom. I had a bit of a rough day yesterday, not because of school actually. but more because of my lovely high school boys! Ahhhhh, parenting 17 year olds can be the best of times and the worst of times. My own personal Tale of Two Cities. HAHAHAH

But today has been great so far. My little guy that I have the pleasure of working with one on one every morning had a great day! He was out yesterday and I  worried that he would be all over the place after such a long break. But he fell back into routine and remembered all he has learned these past few months about "doing school"!

I got the opportunity to make some activity sheets for the first grade class and they were excited. So all in all, a good day.

I feel as if I have very little to share with all of you today. Guess I will sign off for now and be back later!

Respectfully,

cindi

Okay, so I am whooped! Today was my first day back. My little guy I work with one on one was absent. That was too bad.I love working with him and worry when he is away too long. I had three kiddos move since we were in school last and three more move in! UGHHHHH. Sometimes that is the hardest part of teaching ELL,  the inability to always complete the work you start with kiddos. And having to constantly start in the middle of things.

Anyway, long day at school, then two basketball games. Then home to get "yelled" at by one son for speaking to an ex girlfriend who came and sat with me at the game, and by the other for telling his girlfriend he needs to spend a bit less time with her and a bit more in the gym. (AFTER she brought up the fact that coach said he wasn't playing like a D-1 player!) Gosh...my great day ended up being a pain in the but!

On the positive side I made a great new game for one of my students and my principal caught me coloring and laminating after schooland commented that I was just "way too creative." Sometimes making materials gives me such peace of mind.

So here's to a great day tomorrow. Happy first day back for some of you! And happy creating , whether it's materials, shining teachable moments, or just a moment of peace....create away!

Much love,

Cindi   (wish I could adda cursive fint to this blog!

Greetings to all.
I am soooo new to all of this. I love technology, but I'm self taught so sometimes it takes me a while to get on board. I have spent my vacation reading so many teacher blogs that are amazing. SO I decided to venture out and start one of my own. I cannot say that I will be able to keep up with everyone, but I will learn as I go.

Guess I should tell everyone a bit about me. I assume there is a profile I should post this on, but since this is my first post I will do it here. I can add it there later" (When I figure it all out!) I have been teaching since 1983, so that makes this my 29th year? WOW! I am so so blessed because I still love doing what I do. If I won the megabucks tonight I would still go to work tomorrow. Okay,, well maybe I would take tomorrow off to claim the money! But I'd keep on teaching.

I began teaching in a Catholic school in grade 3. I loved it and did that for 5 years. Then I spent a year as a Chapter 1 reading teacher, which I did not like. I missed having my own classroom. I moved to public schools and taught Grades 3/4, and 2/3/4 and then K, I wanted to try K because I adopted a baby in 1995 and I wanted to experience the younger side of things! I loved it, but it was a 1 year only position, so I then moved onto ELL Grade 1/2. I moved to a new school when the program changed and finally got to teach full day K! I taught an ELL K for 9 years. When the program was eliminated and all of my ELL Ks were put into mainstream classes I began as the ELL specialist for my building, providing services for mainstream ELLs in grades K-5. I was shocked to discover I love what I do! I missed having my own classroom that first year, but this is my third year and I am enjoying the chance to work with individuals as well as small and large groups in all different grades. I get my first grade literacy fix first thing in the morning and end with my older students doing Read 180 and SYstem 44. I am truly blessed. I am hoping to keep up with the blogging and welcome any tips and ideas. I just started posting on TPT last month and I am loving that, so I am sure I will enjoy meeting many new friends here as well.

Have a wonderful first day back tomorrow!

Cindi