Ah....Summer....

Well, I quit using this blog last year as it didn't seem necessary anymore due to the new technology of "Class Dojo." Once Dojo got the messenger app, it became way easier than a blog post and more direct for parents. I know, as a parent, it's way easier for me when the info comes straight to my inbox than for me to have to go to the website.
Now that it's summer and I have time to actually THINK (it's amazing how I can't do that from August to May!), I miss this blog thing. At least I think I do. A little.  So I'm going to share a little something even just to test these blog waters a bit again.
Even though it's only June, here's what I've been working on. Third grade is moving to a new hallway this year. We will now be in "Wing C," formerly known as the 4th/5th grade (aka "big kid") hallway. This hallway is home to me. I taught fourth grade for 14 years before moving down to third and I was in room 171. Guess what? I am moving back to the exact same room! Back to room 171! Yippee for me!! Even better is that I will be closer to all of my besties that I taught with while I was in fourth grade (like Mrs. Price and Mrs. Rase, my former 4th grade partners)! This is all good news...and there's more! This year there will be three third grade teachers. Besides Ms. Fryman and myself, we'll have another teacher and that teacher will be my friend, Mrs. Bonner! This is GREAT NEWS! Could I be any happier!?!?!??! Mrs. Bonner and I coach Academic Team together, so she is already used to my craziness (and she still likes me). I am super thankful and excited for all of these big changes this year. There are lots of other changes in our building this year, so I can't wait to see what this new year holds.
Change can be hard, but I think change is a good thing. Sometimes change is needed for improvement to happen. After all, things can't improve if they always stay the same. So, along with this moving back to my "home" comes a lot of packing, unpacking, and wheeling stuff from one hallway to another; completely decorating a new classroom, etc.
Our school's theme this year is "Under the Sea" (although it's worded cuter than that but I can't remember exactly). The main idea is that we're all different but we swim together (like a SCHOOL of fish)! I love a good pun or analogy! :) You won't see fishy decor IN my classroom but there may be some nearby...you'll just have to "swim" on by to find out. (I told you I love some puns!)
This week, I've worked at home on curtains, decor for my desk, and some organizational materials for my "junk." Last year was one of the most disorganized years I've had and it made a big difference in the kind of year I had overall. I thrive on organization, so I am getting an early start this year. I can never be too organized! I have also been doing some research on guided reading and culturally responsive instruction. Literacy will be a big focus for me this year and I want to improve it in any way I can.
Well, that's enough for today. I plan to go get some sun and enjoy this summer day. I hope you'll do the same! See you soon!