Currently July

Popping in quickly to link up with Meghan for another Currently!

Listening: Nothing makes you feel like more of a bum that when the "Are you still watching..." notification pops up mid-binge.

Loving: Self-explanatory.

Thinking: Picture is worth a thousand words.

Wanting: Every time I hang out with my work friends, it makes me more sad to leave them next school year. I know this change is for the best, but that doesn't make it less painful! They are the best!

Needing: I've lost about ten pounds in the last month by cleaning up my diet. I have much more to lose, and I need to incorporate exercise to make up for my sedentary summer lifestyle!

All Star: I've always been told that I'm a great listener. So much so that I'm a popular person to vent to in various aspects of my life. This skill solidifies my career choice as a school counselor. =)

Click her button at the top of this post to link up! =)

Summer Reading Recommendations

I LOVE posting about what I'm reading. (Hence my posts here, here, here, here, and here! Yikes. Click those links for more book recommendations!) What I love even more is reading about what others are reading! Because of that, my to-read list on Goodreads is a mile long and always expanding. Darn you, talented authors!

So I'm linking up (a little late!) with Lucky to Be in First for a Summer Reading Linky! These lists are obviously abbreviated. Enjoy!

Prisoner B-3087: I saw this book on another blogger's list, and it looks pretty interesting.

Me Before You: I bought this book on my Kindle a while ago but haven't gotten to it. What better time than the summer!

Wonder: I started this book during D.E.A.R. time with my students, but toward the end of the year, I used that time to catch up on paper work. Bad teacher! So, I brought this hard copy home to finish!

101 Solutions & How Children Succeed: Some professional reading for my new job.

Life in a Jar: I loved this book for a couple reasons. Number one, I love narrative nonfiction. One of my favorite genres! Also, the secondary plot is about how a teacher ignites a love of learning in a group of girls, which leads them to learn more about this historical, yet widely unknown, woman, Irena Sendler.

And the Mountains Echoed: From the author of Kite Runner & Thousand Splendid Suns. The stories he writes are just so beautiful, and they are always a tangled web of characters. I gave this one 4 stars, only because I kind of needed to draw a character map to keep track of all of the connections between them! But it is worth the read!

The Martian: So stoked that this is going to be a movie. With Matt Damon. Bonus. All about a guy getting left on Mars. Loved it!

Up the Down Staircase: I'm reading this now, and I can't put it down. It was written in the 60s, and it is proof that much about teaching has not changed much! It is about a young woman who is a fictional teacher in an urban high school. It chronicles her relationships, struggles, and successes. 110% recommend! Apparently, it was made into a movie a few decades ago that I might need to track down and check out.

Tuck Everlasting: I read this with my above level students this year, and we fell in love. We watched the movie during the last week of school, and they were so excited! Don't you love when that happens?

Thanks for reading. Any other suggestions? Comment below!

Counseling... in the First State?

I am so happy to announce that I've accepted a position as an Elementary School Counselor in upstate Delaware.

The interview alluded to in my Currently post was followed up by teaching a couple of guidance lessons in front of students, the principal, and out-going school counselor.

I am very anxious to start this new chapter in my career. I will miss being a classroom teacher more than I can express. However, I've always known that my true calling was to be a counselor. So, I'm trading in my reading and math binders for McKinney-Vento and 504 binders.

As far as Third Grade in the First State goes, I want to keep blogging at this address. A name change will come over the summer. Suggestions are welcome! I'm thinking "From Classroom to Counselor" or something along those lines?

As far as content, you can take the girl out of third grade, but you can't take third grade out of the girl! I still plan on posting relevant content for elementary educators. The only difference will be that now, counseling/guidance content will be the main focus.

I hope that you stick with me through this journey! I'm excited to share everything I learn as I begin my new career!

Meet the Teacher Blogger Linky

I am probably the last to this party! I've added a bunch of new blogs to my feed recently, and it has been great to get to know everyone a little better! So I knew I had to join in on the fun.

In case you're new here, here's a little intro! My name is Meg, and I'm a 28 year old third grade teacher in Delaware. This will be my sixth year as a teacher. I can't believe it! My first year (2009) was spent as a writing specialist. Followed by that were two years in a general ed third grade classroom, then two years in a co-taught inclusion third grade classroom. This year, I'm in for another change, as I'll be teaching the accelerated third grade class. I'm pretty sure I could rattle off most of the third grade Common Core Standards by heart. #embarrassing #sorrynotsorry

Let's get personal! I currently live with my boyfriend of two years and my cat, Mona. She started out as a foster, but her cuteness convinced me to make it permanent. I mean, how can you resist?

Now to the Q & A portion!

These are a few of my favorite things..

My nephew (pictured. you're welcome.)
Chai Tea Lattes
My magic machine a.k.a. Silhouette Cameo
Sleeping in
Hashtagging to the point of annoyance

If you weren't a teacher, what would you want to be?

I went into college as a journalism major, with dreams of being a news anchor. That kind of career involves moving around the world though, and I'm pretty family oriented, so that kind of lifestyle just wouldn't work for me. I've always wanted to work in higher education, and I still see myself doing that someday. I guess for something completely different than education, I'd be an optometrist. (Even though I just had to google it to make sure I spelled it right.)

Three little words that describe you.

Passionate. Loyal. Goal-oriented.

Finish the sentence, "_____, said no teacher ever!"

"I'm in it for the money!" said no teacher ever!

It's your birthday and you can invite anyone (dead or alive) to the party. Who are you inviting?

Jennifer Lawrence and Emma Stone seem like they'd be a good time. Or maybe a few cast members of Saturday Night Live, past and present, like Gilda Radner or Bill Hader.

If someone wrote a book about your life, what would be the title?

This is a tough one! Maybe "A Work In Progress." I feel like I have SO much more to accomplish, both personally and professionally!

You get to pick one superpower. What is it?

Teleportation! My family lives all over the US, and I'm over an hour from my immediate family and friends. Being able to see them whenever I want, without having to worry about travel time or expenses, would be amazing. Also, I hate commuting to work, even if it is only 40 minutes, so I'd use it for that, too!

What's your favorite quote or saying?

"I am only one, but I am one. I cannot do everything, but I can do something." I just love this saying, especially in our profession. Sometimes, we feel hopeless, unappreciated, and overwhelmed. But we do "something" every day. We need to remember that when we're in the thick of it this year!

If you had to sing one song on American Idol, what would it be?

"Somebody to Love" by Queen. It is my absolute favorite song to belt! If you are unfamiliar, go listen, now! The Glee version is great, too!

Are you a morning person or a night owl?

Night owl, for sure. Although I'll probably be in bed by 8 at the latest during the first couple weeks of school. No judging!

What's your favorite resource that you've created in your TPT shop?

I don't have the biggest or best shop, but I put things in there that I use and love. I love using this product with my students!

Share something we might not know about you!

Well, you definitely won't know this. My hair doesn't look like the picture above anymore! I went to my back to school hair appointment today (you all have those, right?) and got about 4 inches chopped off and went a few shades darker to my natural color (see roots in the picture above). I miss it already!

That's it! If you haven't linked up yet (I can't be the ONLY one!), here's the place to go! =)

Teachers in my district go back to school Monday. I've been in to my room a couple times here and there to start setting up, but expect pictures of the finished product next week sometime!

Goodreads Purge Part One: Nonfiction

During my blogging hiatus, I picked up the pace on reading for pleasure! This continued through the first half of my summer, as well. I loved reading when I was in elementary school, but once middle school/high school/college came around, I rarely picked up a book for fun. 

I love my new-found motivation! 

This is going to be a two-part Goodreads purge! I'll start with nonfiction.

A Thousand Lives: The Untold Stories of Hope, Deception, and Survival at Jonestown

Goodreads says: In 1954, a pastor named Jim Jones opened a church in Indianapolis called People's Temple Full Gospel Church. He was a charismatic preacher with idealistic beliefs, and he quickly filled his pews with an audience eager to hear his sermons on social justice. After Jones moved his church to Northern California in 1965, he became a major player in Northern California politics; he provided vital support in electing friendly political candidates to office, and they in turn offered him a protective shield that kept stories of abuse and fraud out of the papers. Even as Jones’s behavior became erratic and his message more ominous, his followers found it increasingly difficult to pull away from the church. By the time Jones relocated the Peoples Temple a final time to a remote jungle in Guyana and the U.S. Government decided to investigate allegations of abuse and false imprisonment in Jonestown, it was too late.

Meg says: I became interested in learning more about Jonestown after my friend took an entire course on it in her masters program. I was really interested in how people decided to give up everything, leave their families, and join the mission in Jonestown. This book is well-researched, and it answered a lot of my questions. The text reads like a timeline, and it takes you from the very beginning of the movement to the very end. I learned so much from this book, but it didn't feel like it because it also read as a narrative. I recommend this book if you'd like to learn more about this kind of thing! Very eye opening. [5/5 stars]

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The Naked Lady Who Stood on Her Head: A Psychiatrist's Stories of His Most Bizarre Cases

Goodreads says: True stories are more bizarre than any fiction, and Dr. Gary Small knows this best. After thirty distinguished years of psychiatry and groundbreaking research on the human brain, Dr. Small has seen it all—now he is ready to open his office doors for the first time and tell all about the most mysterious, intriguing, and bizarre patients of his career. The Naked Lady Who Stood on Her Head is a spellbinding record of the doctor's most bewildering cases, from naked headstands and hysterical blindness to fainting schoolgirls and self-amputations. It is an illuminating journey into the mind of a practicing psychiatrist and his life in medicine as it evolves over time—a behind-the-scenes look at the field and a variety of mental diseases as they've never been seen or diagnosed before. You'll find yourself exploring the puzzling eccentricities that make us human.

Meg says: A few years ago, I read Weekends at Bellevue, and I really enjoyed putting myself in the shoes of a psychiatrist. Don't let the title scare you away from this book! Although this text kind of leads you through the career of the doctor, the main focus is interesting cases that he has come across in his work (one of which is cited in the title). It reads like a short story anthology, and it was easy to get through. I've always been interested in psychology, and I enjoyed the road to diagnoses in each one of the cases. The book is more for entertainment, not for information, but it was definitely entertaining and worth the read. There are many books out there that follow this sort of template. [3.5/5]

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The Boy Who Was Raised as a Dog: And Other Stories from a Child Psychiatrist's Notebook--What Traumatized Children Can Teach Us About Loss, Love, and Healing

Goodreads says: What happens when a young brain is traumatized? How does terror, abuse, or disaster affect a child's mind--and how can that mind recover? Child psychiatrist Bruce Perry has helped children faced with unimaginable horror: genocide survivors, murder witnesses, kidnapped teenagers, and victims of family violence. In The Boy Who Was Raised as a Dog, he tells their stories of trauma and transformation through the lens of science, revealing the brain's astonishing capacity for healing. Deftly combining unforgettable case histories with his own compassionate, insightful strategies for rehabilitation, Perry explains what exactly happens to the brain when a child is exposed to extreme stress-and reveals the unexpected measures that can be taken to ease a child's pain and help him grow into a healthy adult. Through the stories of children who recover-physically, mentally, and emotionally-from the most devastating circumstances, Perry shows how simple things like surroundings, affection, language, and touch can deeply impact the developing brain, for better or for worse. In this deeply informed and moving book, Bruce Perry dramatically demonstrates that only when we understand the science of the mind can we hope to heal the spirit of even the most wounded child.

Meg says: Like the previous book, this is also the story of a psychiatrist and the interesting cases he has seen on his journey. However, I was able to relate to this text much more because it is based on the trauma of children. In my graduate counseling courses, I've learned a lot about how trauma can have a profound impact on children and how its effects can present themselves very differently in each child. To me, this was more informative than the latter book, but it was still entertaining. It was also quite sad to hear how children are mistreated, but that was not really the focus. The focus was more about the effects of trauma, the reasons behind the effects, and treatment.  [4/5]

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Inside Scientology: The Story of America's Most Secretive Religion

Goodreads says: Scientology, created in 1954 by a prolific sci-fi writer named L. Ron Hubbard, claims to be the world’s fastest growing religion, with millions of members around the world and huge financial holdings. Its celebrity believers keep its profile high, and its teams of “volunteer ministers” offer aid at disaster sites such as Haiti and the World Trade Center. But Scientology is also a notably closed faith, harassing journalists and others through litigation and intimidation, even infiltrating the highest levels of the government to further its goals. Its attacks on psychiatry and its requirement that believers pay as much as tens and even hundreds of thousands of dollars for salvation have drawn scrutiny and skepticism. And ex-members use the Internet to share stories of harassment and abuse. Now Janet Reitman offers the first full journalistic history of the Church of Scientology, in an evenhanded account that at last establishes the astonishing truth about the controversial religion. She traces Scientology’s development from the birth of Dianetics to today, following its metamorphosis from a pseudoscientific self-help group to a worldwide spiritual corporation with profound control over its followers and even ex-followers.

Meg says: Let me assure you that I AM NOT interested in joining the Scientology movement! Because as soon as I told my boyfriend I was reading this book, he seemed concerned. No worries. Like my interest in Jonestown, I was intrigued by how seemingly intelligent people get roped into things like this. My questions were definitely answered. This book tells about all angles of Scientology: the history, the scandals, the celebrities, the techniques, etc. And let me tell you, the celebrity side of it is pretty interesting! My only qualm with this book would be that it jumped around a little in terms of time. I understand why it was needed, but I'm the kind of person who likes things in order. Shocker. Like the Jonestown book, I recommend this if you are looking to learn something new. [4/5]

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Stiff: The Curious Lives of Human Cadavers

Goodreads says: Stiff is an oddly compelling, often hilarious exploration of the strange lives of our bodies postmortem. For two thousand years, cadavers some willingly, some unwittingly have been involved in science's boldest strides and weirdest undertakings. In this fascinating account, Mary Roach visits the good deeds of cadavers over the centuries and tells the engrossing story of our bodies when we are no longer with them.

Meg says: I realize that I've read a lot about pretty bleak topics. Sorry. But this book was both informative and entertaining. Have you ever wondered what happens if you donate your body to science? Have you ever wondered about the history of testing on human cadavers? If not, this book probably isn't for you. Mary Roach visits all kinds of experts in the field to learn about these questions. She asks the tough questions and supplies awkward commentary. I laughed out loud a couple of times. Some of the reviews I read knocked Roach's writing style, but I enjoyed it. [4.5/5]

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I Didn't Come Here to Make Friends: Confessions of a Reality Show Villain

Goodreads says: Courtney Robertson joined season 16 of The Bachelor looking for love. A working model and newly single, Courtney fit the casting call: She was young, beautiful, and a natural in front of the cameras. Although she may have been there for all the right reasons, as the season unfolded and sparks began to fly something else was clear: She was not there to make friends. Courtney quickly became one of the biggest villains in Bachelor franchise history. She unapologetically pursued her man, steamrolled her competition, and broke the rules—including partaking in an illicit skinny-dip that sealed her proposal. Now, after a very public breakup with her Bachelor, Ben Flajnik, Courtney opens up and tells her own story—from her first loves to her first moments in the limo. She dishes on life before, during, and after the Bachelor, including Ben's romantic proposal to her on a Swiss mountaintop and the tabloid frenzy that continued after the cameras stopped rolling. For the first time ever, a former Bachelor contestant takes us along on her journey to find love and reveals that “happily ever after” isn't always what it seems. Complete with stories, tips, tricks, and advice from your favoriteBachelor alumni, and filled with all the juicy details Courtney fans and foes alike want to know, I Didn’t Come Here to Make Friends is a must-read for every member of Bachelor nation.

Meg says: No judging on this last one, okay?! I've been a Bachelor/Bachelorette fan for a few years. [Since Jake Pavelka's season for fellow fans!] The show is ridiculous. We can all admit that. I'm an even bigger fan of Reality Steve, a well-known spoiler site for the show. I probably wouldn't even watch the show if it weren't for this site. Anyway, knowing "behind the scenes" type of info makes this show even more fun to watch. When Courtney was on the show, I hated her (as much as you can hate a TV caricature that you don't really know, of course.) I thought Ben was getting played like a fool. But reading this gave me a new perspective of Ben and Courtney, along with juicy behind the scenes gossip and information. Warning, though, she doesn't hold back in the language department, and it is full of adult content, so it is for adult eyes only. I didn't really care about Courtney's back story, but the rest of the book made up for it! [4/5]

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Do you have any nonfiction books to recommend? I'm not really into biographies; I'm more interested in topics or events. My to-read list is super full, but what's one (or ten) more, right?

Are there any linky parties going on right now about summer reading? I haven't seen any, but just wanted to make sure. I'd be happy to start one if anyone is interested. Let me know in the comments! =)

Edit: Found somewhere to link up! Join Beth by clicking the image below!

I'll be back with my Fiction list soon!

The Good, The Bad, & The Ugly

As mentioned in the last post, this past school year threw me for a loop. If you're interested in the cause of my blogging hiatus, read on. If not, stay tuned for my blogging return in the coming days/weeks. Less than one month until school. Yikes!

The Good..

Let's start with the good, shall we? I was assigned a student teacher for the second year in a row. Another guy! His presence turned out to be my saving grace, as he ended up taking over for my teaching partner when she resigned (more on that later). He grew into a great teacher, and hopefully he lands the job opening in my school!

Another highlight was that I was named Teacher of the Year in my building. It was such a nice honor, and the best part was how excited my kids were. They thought it meant that they were "Class of the Year."

I didn't burst their bubbles on that one.

With only five full years of experience under my belt, I didn't expect to be recognized as District Teacher of the Year, and I was right. But the experience and recognition were nice, even though I'm extremely uncomfortable with being center of attention. Especially when the entire school floods the hallways and forms a human tunnel. Holy panic attack. But, the front row VIP parking spot makes up for that part! :)

One last bit of goodness was that I became an Aunt on May 21st! My sister gave birth to her insanely adorable son, Kiyan William. I could hold that kid all day long. He has brought so much joy to our family in the short two months he's been around. I can't wait to watch him grow!

The Bad..

Well, this is the tough part.

If you've been a reader of my blog for more than a year, you may remember that I was asking for prayers for my co-worker/best friend last summer. Here's the short version of the story.

Toward the end of last school year, my teaching partner/best friend's husband went to the doctor for a couple of lumps that turned up on his body. No other symptoms. On our last day of school last year, he was diagnosed with Stage IV metastatic melanoma. At age 28, with two young boys, his own farm, and a full life ahead of him, this wonderful family was hit with this horrible news.

The next six months were filled with doctor appointments at the University of Penn. Sam tried to keep teaching, but ended up resigning in order to care for Brett, her two boys, and the farm full time. There were a couple of times where they thought good news was ahead, but in the end, nothing could be done. Only six months after his diagnosis, cancer took Brett's life.

I encourage you to watch this video of Sam telling her story. Sam is now a spokesperson for the cause in Delaware, and her goal is awareness. Please help her in that goal by viewing the video and educating your friends and family in honor of Brett.

I could write much, much more about this, but I won't preach. In short, I challenge you to educate yourselves about sun safety and life each day to its fullest. As you can imagine, it was extremely difficult watching her go through this, and it still affects me each day. She is an insanely gifted teacher, and I can only hope she finds her way back to the classroom when the time is right.

The (kind of) Ugly..

From January to May, I was teaching full time (with just myself & my student teacher, who took over for Sam for the rest for the year) while also trying to complete my practicum/internship hours for my School Counseling certification. Talk. About. Stress. Every day, during my planning/recess, I would spend time observing/helping/taking over for the school counselor. I was also staying after school to try to log some hours. Which meant that I needed to stay even longer after that to get my actual work finished. I was a hot mess on most days. The hours, the papers, the practicum meetings. Oh my. But, I survived, and I graduated with my Masters in Elementary School Counseling in early May! (My sister actually gave birth two short days after my graduation!)

What's next?

Well, as of early May, I am a certified Elementary School Counselor! But, I've applied to the few counseling jobs that have been posted, have only gotten one interview, and it didn't pan out. So it looks like I'll be continuing to teach third grade in the first state this school year! A slight change, though, will be that I will be teaching the "accelerated" reading and math classes. It will definitely be a change of pace after co-teaching for the past two years.

There you have it. I know that post was all over the place, but I feel better now that it is all out there. Looking forward to getting back into blogging about teaching. =)

My Summer Reading!

I've added a ton of books to my 'read' list on Good Reads! Here's what I've read this summer!

[All book images and summaries are from Good Reads]

1 & 2. Divergent and Insurgent

Good Reads says: Divergent: In Beatrice Prior's dystopian Chicago world, society is divided into five factions, each dedicated to the cultivation of a particular virtue--Candor (the honest), Abnegation (the selfless), Dauntless (the brave), Amity (the peaceful), and Erudite (the intelligent). On an appointed day of every year, all sixteen-year-olds must select the faction to which they will devote the rest of their lives. For Beatrice, the decision is between staying with her family and being who she really is--she can't have both. So she makes a choice that surprises everyone, including herself. During the highly competitive initiation that follows, Beatrice renames herself Tris and struggles alongside her fellow initiates to live out the choice they have made. Together they must undergo extreme physical tests of endurance and intense psychological simulations, some with devastating consequences. As initiation transforms them all, Tris must determine who her friends really are--and where, exactly, a romance with a sometimes fascinating, sometimes exasperating boy fits into the life she's chosen. But Tris also has a secret, one she's kept hidden from everyone because she's been warned it can mean death. And as she discovers unrest and growing conflict that threaten to unravel her seemingly perfect society, Tris also learns that her secret might help her save the ones she loves . . . or it might destroy her. Insurgent: One choice can transform you, or destroy you. Every choice has consequences, and as unrest surges in the factions all around her, Tris Prior must continue trying to save those she loves, and herself, while grappling with haunting questions of grief and forgiveness, identity and loyalty, politics and love.

Meg says: I was looking for a new series to read, and I had heard that this was going to be made into a movie, so I gave it a shot. It was really easy to read, and I enjoyed the plot. I will say, though, that it wasn't as good as The Hunger Games, but it definitely filled my dystopian void! I can't wait to read the third book when it comes out in October! I gave both books 4/5 stars. I had a lot of unanswered questions about the 'back story' that I hope are answered in the third book!

3. She's Come Undone

Good Reads says: In this extraordinary coming-of-age odyssey, Wally Lamb invites us to hitch a wild ride on a journey of love, pain, and renewal with the most heartbreakingly comical heroine to come along in years. Meet Dolores Price. She's 13, wise-mouthed but wounded, having bid her childhood goodbye. Stranded in front of her bedroom TV, she spends the next few years nourishing herself with the Mallomars, potato chips, and Pepsi her anxious mother supplies. When she finally orbits into young womanhood at 257 pounds, Dolores is no stronger and life is no kinder. But this time she's determined to rise to the occasion and give herself one more chance before she really goes under.

Meg says: Eh, I had heard good things about this author, and the plot seemed interested. I didn't really like this book, though. There were so many bizarre plot twists in such a short amount of time. I couldn't really relate to the story at all, which was disappointing. I was able to finish it though, which is always a good thing. I gave it 2.5/5 stars.

4. The Fault in our Stars

Good Reads says: Despite the tumor-shrinking medical miracle that has bought her a few years, Hazel has never been anything but terminal, her final chapter inscribed upon diagnosis. But when a gorgeous plot twist named Augustus Waters suddenly appears at Cancer Kid Support Group, Hazel's story is about to be completely rewritten.

Meg says: Loved it! I had heard how lovely this book was, and I couldn't wait to read it. So many people said they balled while reading. I definitely had tears at one point, but there was no sobbing. I thought the main characters were sweet while slightly cynical, and I devoured the book in less than a week. 5/5 stars. This is also being made into a movie, but I'm afriad the movie will ruin the book [Kind of like Zac Efron ruined The Lucky One for me! GR!] Can't wait to read more from this author!

5. It's Kind of a Funny Story

Good Reads says: Like many ambitious New York City teenagers, Craig Gilner sees entry into Manhattan's Executive Pre-Professional High School as the ticket to his future. Determined to succeed at life -- getting into the right high school to get into the right college to get the right job -- Craig studies night and day to ace the entrance exam, and does. That's when things start to get crazy. At his new school, Craig realizes that he's just average, and maybe not even that. He soon sees his once-perfect future crumbling away. The stress becomes unbearable and Craig stops eating and sleeping -- until, one night, he nearly kills himself. Craig's suicidal episode gets him checked into a mental hospital, where his new neighbors include a transsexual sex addict, a girl who has scarred her own face with scissors, and the self-elected President Armelio. There, isolated from the crushing pressures of school and friends, Craig is finally able to confront the sources of his anxiety. Ned Vizzini, who himself spent time in a psychiatric hospital, has created a moving tale about depression, that's definitely a funny story.

Meg says: Well, I read this a little before summer, but I never wrote about it! I can't say enough about this book! I loved it so much. You can't help but root for Craig through all of his adolescent issues. The summary looks like its depressing, but I assure you that it is not. It is kind of a coming of age story, with a 'bump' in the road. And after I read it, I found out that there was a movie, which I ended up enjoyeing as well. [Book was better, though!] 5/5 stars!

6. The Children of Men

Good Reads says: Told with P. D. James’s trademark suspense, insightful characterization, and riveting storytelling, The Children of Men is a story of a world with no children and no future.  The human race has become infertile, and the last generation to be born is now adult. Civilization itself is crumbling as suicide and despair become commonplace. Oxford historian Theodore Faron, apathetic toward a future without a future, spends most of his time reminiscing. Then he is approached by Julian, a bright, attractive woman who wants him to help get her an audience with his cousin, the powerful Warden of England. She and her band of unlikely revolutionaries may just awaken his desire to live . . . and they may also hold the key to survival for the human race.

Meg says: I obviously read a ton of books that are movies. My BF recommended this to me because I was looking for another dystopian fiction. The story line seemed really interesting to me, so I bought it. I read 100 pages in the first sitting, simply because I was waiting for something important to happen. NOTHING HAPPENED. So I put the book down and picked it up the next day. Finally some action, but I read another 100+ pages waiting for more. Repeat one more time, and that was my experience with this book. I had no idea why the main character did the things he did. So, the back story was an interesting concept, but the book didn't really do it for me. 3/5 stars. I'd like to see the movie, even though I heard that they were very different.

7. Eleanor & Park

Good Reads says: Set over the course of one school year in 1986, ELEANOR AND PARK is the story of two star-crossed misfits – smart enough to know that first love almost never lasts, but brave and desperate enough to try. When Eleanor meets Park, you’ll remember your own first love – and just how hard it pulled you under.

Meg says: Um, this book was incredible! It was a light read, and I could really relate to Eleanor. The ending crushed me! Not how I wanted it to end, but I had to accept it. This book is written in kind of a ping pong style, bouncing back from Eleanor's to Park's point of view. I know that some people don't like that type of writing, but I love it. I definitely recommend this if you like YA realistic fiction. ]There is some language.]

8. Now reading: Attachments [Same author as E & P]

Good Reads says: Beth and Jennifer know their company monitors their office e-mail. But the women still spend all day sending each other messages, gossiping about their coworkers at the newspaper and baring their personal lives like an open book. Jennifer tells Beth everything she can't seem to tell her husband about her anxieties over starting a family. And Beth tells Jennifer everything, period. When Lincoln applied to be an Internet security officer, he hardly imagined he'd be sifting through other people's inboxes like some sort of electronic Peeping Tom. Lincoln is supposed to turn people in for misusing company e-mail, but he can't quite bring himself to crack down on Beth and Jennifer. He can't help but be entertained -and captivated- by their stories. But by the time Lincoln realizes he's falling for Beth, it's way too late for him to ever introduce himself. What would he say to her? "Hi, I'm the guy who reads your e-mail, and also, I love you." After a series of close encounters and missed connections, Lincoln decides it's time to muster the courage to follow his heart . . . even if he can't see exactly where it's leading him. Written with whip-smart precision and charm, Attachments is a strikingly clever and deeply romantic debut about falling in love with the person who makes you feel like the best version of yourself. Even if it's someone you've never met.

Meg says: Nothing yet! I'll let ya know! =)

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Linking this post up [a couple days early, oops!] with one of my favorite blogs, Juice Boxes & Crayolas!

Notice anything? No professional reading. Fail.

Have you read any of these books? What did you think? Any recommendations for me?

Ten Pin Linky: Back to School

I had a wonderful birthday down the shore! No pictures [of course], but there was late night frolicking on the beach, yummy indulgences, and quality time with the boy! This year is going to bring great things, I can feel it!

I'm glad a few people were able to take advantage of my birthday sale at my TPT store. [Things are on sale for another half an hour if you're interested.] I have a product that I plan to have finished in the next couple weeks that I'm really excited about. I can't wait to share it with you. I've also reached 100 TPT followers. SO unexpected. Thank you!

Anyone else taking graduate classes this summer? Ugh. I have a 12 page paper with my name on it that is due Sunday that has to do with running a small group counseling session. Fun, right? But I'm happy that I was able to take twice as many classes this summer. Because of that, I'll be able to be elementary certified in the spring and secondary certified in the fall!

I'm linking up with Ashley at Just Reed for her linky. I wish I didn't miss half of these. They are fun! Thank you for hosting all summer, Ashley! At the moment, it'll take my mind off of the fact that the Phillies are embarrassing themselves against the Cardinals. Gr.

1. I hate when the original crayon boxes get gross and fall apart. This is a great solution! I have 24 containers ready to go for the year from the dollar store [2 for $1]. I will show you when I get around to putting together my table buckets! [Source: Miss Squirrels]

2. Amazing printable brochures that I will share with families at back to school night. Take a minute and browse. You might find a few that you'd like to share with your whole class or maybe with a certain family. [Source: Jim Trelease]

3. I love doing math by the numbers during the first week of school! First, I model my own. Then, I have my students choose their numbers. Before they decorate, I call each student up to the front, and they share one of their numbers, but they do not tell the class what the number represents. The class has to guess! It's fun, informative, and lets personality shine! [Source: Mr. Auerfeld]

4. I have a bazillion of those little dots. This would be a cute way to use them! [Source: Ginger Snaps]

5. This year, I'd love to do a writing piece about the students' names. I've wanted to do it the past few years, but I've never gotten around to it. I love this idea, so I need to adapt it for my third graders! [Source: Crazy for First Grade]

6. How cute is this poem? I wish I could send postcards or letters home to my students before school starts, but my class lists always changes up until the very last minute, so I've always been wary. I'll give this out on meet & greet day, which is the Friday before school starts! [Source: Our lovely hostess! Ashley Reed]

7. I've done this for the past couple of years. I better start collecting post its! [Source: Mrs. Robinson]

8. I've done this for the past couple of years, too! I made my own template that I'll have to share if I haven't already. I draw the large circles on the paper and lay them around the room. Students find a partner, and they lay out their cards in the appropriate way. When I call time, they find another partner and do the same. On the third partner, they do the glueing. The extra few steps lets us get to know each other better! [Source: Third Grade Thinkers]

9. I've done this, too! Wow, it seems I actually use the pins that I find for back to school. Not always the case! A free smartboard activity. Great for the first day! [Source: Gena M.]

10. This last one is a freebie from my blog. It is the back to school activity that I blogged about last week. I can't wait to try it out. Check out this book! [Source: Me!]

I hope that you found some new ideas for your back to school endeavors! Teachers return August 19th, and the kids return a week later. Let the panic start... now! When do you all go back to school?

My Darling, Sandra Dee..

Welp, I'm coming to you live from where Hurricane Sandy is expected to make a direct hit in the next few days. I got the call a few hours ago that I do not have school tomorrow or Tuesday. My first grad class of the block is cancelled tomorrow night. According to the news, it is pretty much inevitable that the power is going to go out, and I am petrified! I'm on the second story of an apartment, so I'm not worried about the rain. I'm a little scared of the wind, but it's not even that! Just worried about having to sit in the dark. I was thinking about traveling home to PA to stay at my dad's until Tuesday, but decided against it. Kind of regretting that now due to the newscasters scaring me!

I know. I am pathetic!

Anyway, I wanted to quickly post [again] about a new product that I posted in my TPT store last week. 

[Is it obvious that I'm trying to keep my mind off of the impending doom?]

In my classroom, we do reading centers. It is kind of like the daily 5, but not really. Each day, the students visit two centers that we have scheduled for them. One of the centers is "Read to Someone." This just involves the group of 3-4 students going to the carpet and reading an assigned story from the reading anthology. [This is really the only way we are integrating the weekly stories this year, and it is for pure convenience purposes.] By the end of the week, each student is assigned to each center once, with the exception of "meet with teacher" centers for the below level groups.

After the students are finished reading, they are expected to discuss what they have read. Last year, I wrote these questions on index cards and put them together with a binder ring. This year, I had to make them a little cuter!

This product includes a set of fiction cards and a set of nonfiction cards. It also includes a few blanks, in case there are more specific questions that you would like your students to discuss. I've also included an optional response sheet, where the students are to choose three of the cards and write their responses. I do not use this in my classroom, but I thought it might be helpful. I plan on splitting the fiction and nonfiction sets in my TPT store in case you'd only like one or the other. 

Maybe tomorrow if I don't end up powerless?

Click HERE to see the product in my TPT store! 

[Clip art is by MareeTrueLove. Loooove her stuff!]

Would you like a free set? Leave me a comment with your email address [I'd really appreciate it if you were a follower!], and let me know how you'd use these cards in your classroom. I'll choose a winner or two sometime tomorrow, pending the power situation! =)

Are any of you being affected by Sandy?

If so, stay safe!

The Blah Blah Blog

Okay.. so in my last post, I was having an argument with Blogger/Gimp. Well, I think I figured it out! But I need to put it to the ultimate test.

So I bring you..

The Blah Blah Blog!

Because I'm just starting out, I just made a new blog so that I can test run my designs. All computers and browsers are different, and I want to make sure that a design that I've customized looks normal on all computers, not just my little old Mac.

So, I'm asking a favor! Can you, my lovely readers, go check out my new blog? And then leave a comment here [or there, I guess it doesn't matter] letting me know if anything looks funky or needs to be tweaked? My main concern is the background, which is what was really confusing me. Can you see the different layers? The outer-most layer should be vertical, wavy lines. Next should be polka dots, followed by a teal paper with tan lines. I just want to make sure nothing is covered up and everything is the right size!

UPDATE: Thank you for your feedback! I'll be changing my Blah Blah Blog whenever I make a new background, so it probably won't look like the description above anymore. =)

Thanks in advance for humoring me!

And, for the record.. Let's get real, I'm probably never going to turn this into a profitable thing. There are too many power houses out there who do a great job, and honestly, I don't think I could ever compete. But now that I've kind of got the hang of it, it'll be nice to be able to change my layout whenever I want!

As for the personal life-- here's the deal. My boyfriend and I, of almost two years, ended things. On my birthday weekend. So it just wasn't a good situation. I'll get through it, with the help of my friends, family, and some healthy distraction [e.g.blogging]. Thank for the kind comments. =)

Summer's no fun....

when you're the only person off!

I AM NOT complaining about summer. Trust me. I'm totally fine veg-ing out everyday and rarely wearing anything but sweats. But I have no children. I have no teacher-husband. I have no teacher-friends [who I hang with on a regular basis]. No pets [of my own]. Everyone can hang after 6pm, but they are all tired from work [don't blame them!]

I'm a certified loner! Waaaah.

So I sleep in. Craft. Watch TV. Repeat. I think I'm going to go back to working next summer. Summer school is probably not an option. It is pretty competitive to get hired in my district, I think. I don't really want to work with kids in the summer, anyway. I need my break! I loved working at my summer camp, but I don't think I'm gonna go back there. I'm thinking somewhere part time? I'll also be taking one class per session from now until 2014, so that's something to think about, too.

Aside from summer school, do any of you work during the summer? I know a lot of you have families to take care of & such, but I'm just wonder if there's anyone out there in my position.

Well, the puppy just got picked up. Wow. It is so quiet in here.

A few other things!


A couple of bloggers graciously gave me the Versatile blogger award! Thank you, ladies!

First is Dani at A Place to Thrive. She is a second year, 4th grade teacher. She has a ton of great things to say, so why don't you head over and check her out!?

The next blogger is Jillian at Little Miss Whimsical. She is a third year, 3rd grade teacher. She has a great product in her TN shop that focuses on multiples.

I won a giveaway! Amy over at 3 Teacher Chicks was giving away her word study unit. Go check out the post and see what you think about it! Her button will take you to her blog, and clicking the link above will take you to her post!

Sorry for the quick and random post! I hope I feel like posting about school sometime soon. I'm really just not feeling it yet!

It is Monday. I have not Made It.

Ahh, I really wanted to have something made for today!

My problemo: I've been splitting time between spending time at my apartment in the first state and spending time at my dad's house in the second state, pretending that I am a stay-at-home daughter. He loves it when I'm home I think. I'm his favorite. I've started a couple projects there, but needed materials I already had here. Ay yi yi.

Anyway, I'll link up later this week when all of my materials are in one place.

In other news---

Here we go! I'm hoping to start in the Fall. Next step is to go to campus & meet with someone so that I can get on track!

In other news, I went to the movies a couple days ago. The boyfriend vetoed Magic Mike [I have no idea why! hahaha], so we saw my second choice:

Madagascar 3!

So cute! I kind of love the Madagascar and Ice Age franchises. I can't wait to have kids so it will be socially acceptable to see these movies. For now, my boyfriend obliges, as long as we balance it out with a movie of his choice. So, our next movie is this:

Ted. =\

Eh. I love Marky Mark. I love Mila. I don't love Bears who engage in questionable behavior! I'm sure it'll be entertaining for what it is. 

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Expect me back in a few days with my Made It Monday Thursday!

My Non-educational Summer Reading

Does blogging make anyone else out there feel super guilty? With all of the book studies going on right now, I'm totally feeling like a bum/underachiever! And all the Make It Mondays?! Yeeeesh. I want to get stuff made, I reaaaally do! Just wondering if there's anyone out there with similar sentiments.


However, I have gotten some personal reading in that I'd like to share with you!


The first book I read was The Handmaid's Tale by Margaret Atwood.

Summary from Good Reads: Offred is a Handmaid in the Republic of Gilead. She may leave the home of the Commander and his wife once a day to walk to food markets whose signs are now pictures instead of words because women are no longer allowed to read. She must lie on her back once a month and pray that the Commander makes her pregnant, because in an age of declining fertility, Offred and the other Handmaids are valued only if their ovaries are viable. Offred can remember the years before, when she lived and made love with her husband, Luke; when she played with and protected her daughter; when she had a job, money of her own, and access to knowledge. But all of that is gone now.. Funny, unexpected, horrifying, and altogether convincing, The Handmaid's Tale is at once scathing satire, dire warning, and tour de force. It has 3.96/5 stars.


My Thoughts: Interesting concept. This book was recommended to me on Good Reads, so I thought I'd give it a shot. Lots of good scenes. I just wasn't a huge fan of how it was written. And the ending didn't give me the resolution I was looking for. For those reasons, I gave it 3/5 stars. I recommend this if you like dystopian fiction.

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The second book I read was Ella Minnow Pea by Mark Dunn. [Someone wrote about this book in blog land, but I've searched and searched my google reader & I can't find who it was! Hm...]

Summary from Good Reads: Ella Minnow Pea is a girl living happily on the fictional island of Nollop off the coast of South Carolina. Nollop was named after Nevin Nollop, author of the immortal pangram,* “The quick brown fox jumps over the lazy dog.” Now Ella finds herself acting to save her friends, family, and fellow citizens from the encroaching totalitarianism of the island’s Council, which has banned the use of certain letters of the alphabet as they fall from a memorial statue of Nevin Nollop. As the letters progressively drop from the statue they also disappear from the novel. The result is both a hilarious and moving story of one girl’s fight for freedom of expression, as well as a linguistic tour de force sure to delight word lovers everywhere. *pangram: a sentence or phrase that includes all the letters of the alphabet. It has 3.8/5 stars.


My Thoughts: So neat! It was a quick read, only took a few sittings. The characters are all funny, but pretty surface level. The whole book is made up of letters written between those characters, which I love. Of course, there's the whole issue of freedom of speech, which the Nollopian government had no problems taking away. I gave it 5/5, not because it was literary genius or anything, but because it was exactly what it was supposed to be! Totally recommend this as a summer read!

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Have any of you read these books? What were your thoughts?