Exercise!

EXERCISE!

I know that most of us have a love/hate relationship with it. We know it's good for us but have a hard time doing it especially before or after a loooong day at school.

One of my goals this summer was to start a regular exercise program, the problem was finding the right one for me. I love to walk but walking around the neighborhood early in the morning just wasn't enough and I wouldn't be able to keep that up once winter came. (I hate to be cold!) I've tried going to the 'gym'. When I exercise 'it ain't pretty'. Actually, it's pretty comical so the gym isn't for me. I've bought DVDs and love doing it in the comfort of my own home but I get bored doing the same DVD over and over. I have a treadmill but again BORING. In my search to find the perfect fit for me, I stumbled across it on YouTube at JESSICASMITHTV.

Jessica is a certified trainer with all kinds of training certificates and her goal is to make fitness FUN! The best part is: it's FREE! Just go to YouTube, search Jessica Smith TV and tons of workout sessions pop up. When you find one you like, just click 'like' and start creating your exercise playlist.

 The other thing I love: it's not BORING. There's a ton of variety. She does power walking (which is my favorite), yoga, strengthening & stretches, pilates, kickboxing, barre, zumba, and tons of cardio.

Another plus is the time issue. Sometimes I only have a few minutes and other days I have lots of time to spend exercising. Some of the videos last only 6 minutes while others are as long as 60 minutes, most are around 15 - 30 minutes. You can do a combination of whatever you want. Plus you can hit the pause button when you need a break.

She shows you how to ramp it up for advanced exercisers or how to take it down for the beginners.

You can also take it on vacation with you. All you need is the internet and a phone, iPad, or laptop.

Here's one I like to do after a looong day. It helps relieve stress.

She also has DVDs for sale on Amazon.com

By the way, I am NOT getting any kick backs for writing this post. I just found a cool thing that works for me and want to share hoping it might inspire someone else to get on the exercise train.

Happy EXERCISING!

Story Behind the National Anthem

Happy Summer ya'all!

I hope everyone is enjoying their summer break! (I hope everyone is out of school AND ON break. I know except for our friend down under hang in there!)

I found the most AMAZING video on YouTube about the National Anthem. It's the story behind it and the events that happened to inspire Francis Scott Key to pen the words. 

Your kiddos really need to watch this! 

I am so grateful to live in this country with the freedoms that I enjoy. I am indebted to the brave men and women who fought and are fighting to preserve my liberties. 

(Clipart from Educlips)

Happy Independence Day to all my USA friends!

Birthday Bundle

I just completed my newest packet and I gotta say I love it!

This packet has 9 different activities to choose from to make birthdays special in your classroom. 

Here is a detailed description of the activities included.

If you're like me I like to have everything ready for when school starts and getting the birthday stuff together is the first thing I start on in the summer. That's why I wanted to get this packet done and out there.

I hope you'll check it out in either of my shops. Just click the sidebar for a link to my shops.

Thanks for stopping by and I hope you're having an awesome summer!

Bubbles

 As teachers we see our little ones doing crazy things all the time and sometimes it makes it so we don't look at things the same way as others. You've probably mistaken mud for poop or water for pee. You're nodding your head and thinking about that time in the assembly when you went to clean up the mud on the floor without a paper towel. Yeah right mud doesn't smell like that! Have you ever been in the middle of a very important teaching moment only to look down at a child making bubbles with their saliva? Yeah, you've seen it, bubbles all over their lips like a dog foaming at the mouth.

 

Well keep that picture in your mind and then picture this-

My sweet hubby took me out for a 'fancy' dinner on Saturday night. I ordered the halibut and this is what they brought me. It was a unique masterpiece but all I could see was the bubbles and a kid's mouth. I started laughing and laughing and had to plug my nose so I wouldn't snort. People in the restaurant started to stare. They just don't understand teachers!

Needless to say, they were made of grapefruit foam and not saliva.

Hope you're having a wonderful summer!

The End

A fabulous Hawaiian vacation, a rope, the school year, a good book, a delicious meal, and a career. What do these all have in common? They all have an end. And as the familiar saying goes, "all good things must come to an end." So it is with very mixed emotions I say good-bye to not only my darling little firsties but my career as a teacher. I am officially retired!

After 38 wonderful, crazy, stressful, tiring, unforgettable, rewarding, fun years-- it's time to cap my red pen, turn the Smart board off, put away my pointer and say good-bye.

As I begin a new chapter in my life, it's hard to leave the old behind. Teaching gets in your blood and I know I will not be able to survive without it. I'm teaching piano lessons and I'm teaching children in my church. So hopefully I can get my teaching fix. I also have a notebook full of ideas for teaching packets that I never had time to make. So please don't 'unfollow' me just because I'm an 'old-retired' teacher. Hopefully, I'll still be able to contribute to a profession that I cherish with all my heart!

My sweet husband and caring children sent me 38 gorgeous roses for my retirement open house.

I have been so blessed over the years to work with wonderful, caring, creative, and smart teachers, administrators, parents, children, and friends that have changed my life forever. I take with me many cherished and precious memories.

THANK YOU 

from the bottom of my heart!

Keeping Them Engaged and Busy To The END!

I don't know about you but I am in the final countdown. We have 8 days left and my firsties are high as kites! 

With all the dance practices, assemblies, parties, rainy weather, and activities it's hard to keep them in control. But a few of my packets have been lifesavers in keeping my kiddos engaged and busy.

There's no way my kids want to learn something new so we are reviewing and staying strong to the end but in a fun way.

 My kids LOVE to do a Find a Friend. It gets them up and moving and they get to talk to their friends while reviewing important skills.

 Anything that involves Do-A-Dot markers is a HUGE hit in my class.

 Another favorite is playing Tic-Tac-Toe. Again playing with a friend is the best!

Flip Flaps have been a favorite all year and the fast finishers even play a little game with it.

 We've been doing some reviewing with SCOOT! Another fun activity to get them up and moving while reviewing.

My kiddos love doing these a second time because they are more confident and think they are really smart because now it's 'easy'!

You can find these at my Teacher Shops. Click my side bar for a link to my TeacherPayTeacher  or Teacher Notebook shop.

I'm trying to enjoy every minutes with my little ones. All too soon it will be time to say good-bye and then I'll miss them terribly.

Happy End-of-the-Year Teaching!

Teacher Appreciation and a SALE!

LOVE, LOVE, LOVE Teachers!

Last week we were spoiled, pampered, loved, and appreciated by our wonderful PTA, parents, and students.
THANK YOU parents and students!

We were treated like Rock Stars!
We had lunch brought in every day, a dirty drink bar all week, flowers, candy, gift cards, presents, classroom supplies, and one PTA dad made everyone smoothies. 

What more could a teacher ask for?

A SALE you say? Okay!

Get ready to shop till you drop! 

My shops are 20% off. Enter the promo codes for extra saving!

THANK YOU TEACHERS FOR ALL YOUR HARD WORK AND DEDICATED SERVICE TO THE CHILDREN OF OUR FUTURE.

Happy Teaching!