Showing posts with label Smartboard. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Smartboard. Show all posts

Monday, January 31, 2011

a snowy, snowy month

Having received over 50 inches of snow in the last two months, the Boston area sure has seen its sharing of snow! My school has had 3 snow days already, and today was an early-release. Oy!




All the snow has given me opportunities to tackle some long term projects, (book labels, center activities, reading comprehension games) baking, (see below) blogging (on a sister --literally--site at www.whiskandreward.com ) and catching up on DVR.

Early in January, the girls and I went out for dinner at Jacob Wirth's before a drag burlesque in Boston called Jacques--quite entertaining.

one of the "ladies"

The following weekend, I met Sarah in Harvard Square to catch up over dinner. Cambridge 1 was delicious. The next day, after tutoring a girl for the MTELs, Mom and I ventured over to David's Bridal to choose a bridesmaid dress for RO's July wedding. Here's what I chose!



Justin and I began looking at houses and we have seen a few we are interested in. They seem to be going quite quickly. As soon as we see a property we like, we find out from the realtor that it is already "under agreement." So the search continues this weekend.

We also celebrated a good friend's birthday at The Half Door in Quincy in late January. (The birthday girl was also a flower girl of mine at our wedding.)

As an ode to the very snowy month we have endured, I whipped up these for the staff at school.

Last week, the other bridesmaids and I were chatting about bachelorette party plans for RO and a few cities were thrown around--as her bridal party spans the country. Final decision: Vegas in March at the Venetian. It will surely be a pricey weekend but a blast I'm sure.

For Soup Day at school, I experimented with a cupcake idea from Hello Cupcake! --spaghetti and meatballs. I was really impressed with how they came out and am eager to try a new design next time!

ingredients


"meatballs"


finished products


This past weekend, in addition to Justin's work holiday party where I had the opportunity to meet many of his coworkers at a Roaring 20s themed party, we also ventured up to Woburn where he purchased another firearm. Gosh, it makes him so happy. He could talk about them for hours. And I could listen on intently, for hours, wishing I understood, even remotely. :)

Also this month, Leah was offered a position through Teach for America in Memphis--and she accepted! I know it's going to be an incredible opportunity for her, and I look forward to helping her any way I can!

Speaking of teaching, life in the classroom has been going well and we've been having some fun! I have a few great Groundhog Day activities I hope to do with the class this week. The potential for a snow day tomorrow and an early release for professional development scheduled for Thursday don't bode well for all that I hope to do with them. My observed lesson last week went very well I thought. I was able to incorporate the Smartboard in the lesson to add an interactive element to our lesson on animals and their "sixth sense" before a natural disaster occurs.

I have found some other great blogs--mostly written by moms--and some by teachers, and others avid bakers--just like me! I've also been hitting the gym 5x a week switching up workouts between the elliptical and treadmill. Last week paid off on the scale--down 2 (holiday binging--eat whatever is in sight) pounds. Here's to hoping this week is equally successful!

We ordered photo Valentine's Day cards last night and I can't wait to pop them in the mail this week! :)

Friday, October 22, 2010

Time flies and nearly two months pass when...

....you're a married lady.

....you are asked to host a SmartBoard Share for teachers.

....much of your time in and out of the classroom is spent establishing precious relationships and essential routines within the first few weeks of teaching a new group of bright, and eager students.

....you have set a goal to write your first grant for your school--and do it.

....you become a nurse/therapist/psychologist/role model to 17 inspiring minds.

....you establish a pen pal exchange for your students that has them truly engaged and writing for an authentic purpose.

....you are asked to become the newest member of your school council.

....your school adopts a new math program.

...you venture out west for some quality sister time in the apple orchards of New Salem.

...you have good company, good food, and football.

....you visit a best friend across the miles over a long weekend.

....you begin a married tradition of Friday night dinners of oven-roasted chicken.

....you spend weekend afternoons at DSW, TJ Maxx and Macys with Mom.

...you spend endless hours searching for SmartBoard notebooks to use with your brand new Smartboard.

....you re-orient your entire classroom and student desk arrangement to maximize on SmartBoard usage.

....you spend 13 hours in school one day for data meetings, parent-teacher conferences and tackling long-term projects and feel so accomplished after.

....you challenge yourself every day to create a home-away-from-home for students whose alternate is at times unstable and meek.

....you bake as therapy.