Sick.

It was one of those weeks.
Negative.

Nothing is organized.
Everything goes wrong.
The room looks like crap.
My house is a mess.
Laundry hasn't been done in weeks.
My head is about to explode.
I struggle with my guided reading groups.
My classroom is a mess {I despise all my piles}
No one seems to be following or listening to instructions.
I repeat everything twice {or more!}
I can't hang things on our hallway walls {Stupid fire codes}
The kids seem to have forgotten EVERY expectation.
The worst = I keep getting asked dumb questions ... I HATE dumb questions ... especially in February.

     " Where do I get lined paper?" smile. {Teacher's head: "Where you ALWAYS GET LINED PAPER!"}
     " What do I do?" smile. {Teacher's head: "READ THE INSTRUCTIONS!"}
      "Can I go to the bathroom?" - insert I am giving instructions. Shake head. Smile.
         {Teacher's head: "Does it LOOK LIKE A GOOD TIME TO PEE!?!?"}
ugh. What a witch I am.
Feeling bad cause I'm cranky with the kiddos.
Everyone's blog pictures of classrooms, crafts, displays, anchor charts, ETC. make me angry.
Nothing is planned for next week.
I'm Sick.
I want to go to bed.
It is 4:00.

I hate to be such a Debbie Downer, but these weeks happen.

Now that I have vented. And made my job/kids sound terrible.

Let's Rewind <<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<

Positive. {insert sigh and reluctant smile}

A colleague gave me some DayQuil this morning {LIFESAVER}
Everyone in BOTH classes had their homework done {insert choir of angels singing}
EVERYONE WAS HERE TODAY! {insert audible gasp}
No one stayed in from recess {What? You ate lunch in peace??}
"T" improved by 40 words per minute this week! {So proud!}
My kids are THRILLED with my Plymouth/Jamestown settlement research activity
Called every parent and received great appreciation 
Kiddos earned an extra recess today for filling their healthy snack jar
Worked out a great schedule with the Special Ed teacher
LOVE the staff at my school
Morning procedures have been flaw less - nay, relaxing ;)
It snowed a little today! {I miss winter...}
My building is heated {ok, I may be stretching a little far with that one}
I love me kids. Every one of them.

So, I guess I love my job. Even when days like this are as far from perfect as they could possibly be!
Even when everyone's "perfect" blog classrooms make me ill.
God is good.
I am happy {still sick}but hallelujah it is the weekend!

Tag - you're it!

Rules of the Game:

1. Post the rules.

2. Post 12 fun facts about yourself in your blog post.

3. Answer the questions that the tagger has set for you in their post; then create 12 new questions for the people that you tag.

4. Tag 12 people and link them in your post.

5. Let them know that you've tagged them.

 I was tagged by Casey at Cardigans and Curriculum and Linda at Tales of a Fifth Grade Teacher, so here goes the LONGEST post EVA! *grin*

I'm gunna cheat a little on the 12 facts about myself - I just did a post about myself .. check it out!

Casey's Questions:

1. If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would you go? I would get one of those round trip tickets and travel to each continent - I have been many places that are amazing so I would really just like to "taste" a bunch

2. If you had to live in a city besides your own, what would your top choices be? If I knew this answer I would not be where I am right now ... my husband and I are currently seeking where God wants us to be! I would prefer to stay here in Michigan ... specifically Northern, but we shall see!

3. Do you follow any sports teams? I am a Green Bay Packer Fan through and through, I also cheer for the Chicago White Sox, the Detroit Pistons and the Detroit Redwings, and the Michigan University Wolverines - yes, I do follow sports ;)

4. What is one lesson/topic that you get REALLY excited about teaching? SOCIAL STUDIES!!!! It is the axis with which my room revolves - I also love teaching reading and on good days, writing *grin* Because it's fifth grade I enjoy teaching American history, but I would be thrilled to teach Ancient History as well!

5. If you had to go back and get another degree, what would you pursue? I am currently getting my masters to get a degree in History - particularly European Renaissance - thinking someday of teaching university history ... ?? 

6. What is your favorite dessert, or two? ICE CREAM! Any kind. Any time.

7. If you could re-do any year in your life, which one would you choose and why? My senior year in high school ... I wouldn't have dated, would have spent more time with friends, pushed myself in areas I was scared, smiled more.

8. What do you like on your hamburger? Cheese, lettuce, ketchup, ranch dressing - very plain I know.

9. What is your favorite type of marker or pen? Fine point sharpie, purple gel pens

10. What is your favorite recipe? My grandmother's raspberry and custard tort

11. Do you have a song that makes you cry? What is it? TONS of songs can make me cry! Some happy, some sad ... I am such a sentimental.

12. If you had to go on a reality show what show would you want to be a part of? I do not like reality shows ... never watch them. But, if I HAD to choose one ...Amazing Race. 


Linda's Questions: 

1. Do you have a theme in your classroom? If so, what is it? My theme this year is ROBOTS :) I really had fun with it this year ... but my mind is already heading in next years direction ... I'm thinking Super Hero's - with a twist, focusing on historical hero's and their impact ... 

2. What colors are your classroom? VERY BIGHT COLORS ... neon pink, blue, green, yellow, orange, purple (lots of purple, it's our school color!)

3. How long have you been teaching? this is my second year teaching

4. How long have you been blogging? about a year

5. Twitter, Facebook, or Pinterest? Facebook and Pintrest - haven't gotten into Twitter ...

6. What is your favorite subject to teach? SOCIAL STUDIES ... my obsession ;)

7. What is a book you really enjoy reading to your class? Swift Arrow (Native American Book), Snow Treasure (WWII book)

8. Do the other teachers at your school read your blog? A teacher friend of mine emailed it to everyone in the school once and a lot of them checked it out and complimented me on it, but I am not sure if anyone follows it.

9. If you could improve one thing about your teaching what would it be? Guided Reading groups and conferencing during reading workshop time ... I just can't seem to fit it all in!

10. How do you unwind after a stressful day at school? Call my mom on the way home and vent, cuddle with my kitty and hubby, read my Bible/devotional

11. How do you stay positive during the school day? PRAY! and remind myself that I wouldn't want to be actually teaching robots so the rough is just as much part of the job as the smooth.

12. What is your favorite TV show? How I Met your Mother, Big Bang Theory


My Questions:
1. How many students do you have in your class?
2. Do you have a pet?
3. How active is your lifestyle? Do you play any sports or have any outdoor hobbies?
4. What is your most necessary item in your school wardrobe?
5. What is the one thing you MUST HAVE when you leave the house (cannot be your cell phone *wink)
6. Are you/did you watch the Superbowl?
7. Are you close to your extended family?
8. What was your worst lesson/activity that you've taught?
9. What is your favorite book?
10. Do you have a favorite house decoration?
11. Do you collect anything? If so what and why?
12. What does a typical Saturday/Sunday look like?

Here are the 12 people I'm tagging. 

Sorry if you've already been tagged!

A cupcake for the Teacher
A day in the life of Miss Kranz 
Life in 4B
In my classroom: The forest and the trees 
Reading is Thinking
Views from Room 205
Teaching in High Heels
Create.Teach.Share
Confessions from the desk of a future teacher
Clutter Free Classroom
Annecdotes
Keep Calm and Teach On