July Currently

Hello July!

Where has the time gone? It has flown by.  It is now time to get started thinking about getting in a routine to start thinking about school.  I return to work in only 34 days.   Yes you read that right.  I return to work the first Monday in August.  {Insert frowny face}

Tonight I am linking up with Farley over at Oh' Boy 4th Grade for her July Currently linky party.

Listening:  I love listening to my daughter play the piano. She has become quite good even if I do say so myself.  She is currently working on numerous patriotic pieces because she has been asked to play at an event.

Loving:  My youngest daughter has created an Instagram account for this blog after I talked with her about a teacher summer challenge.  She thought it would be fun.  I think she will be my biggest fan.  If you are interested you can follow me.  My user name is @barrowshodgepodge.

Thinking:  I have spent the last month thinking about this blog and its purpose.  I like to blog and share the experiences in our classroom.  From today on I am going to try my best to write about our classroom and the learning that is taking place there.  I have realized I was a better teacher when I was blogging.  I don't know why.  Maybe I was just more thoughtful?  I don't know...

Wanting:  My car is a hot mess!  No explanation necessary.  I just want the inside of my car cleaned.

Needing:  I have many things I want to get done and it seems like there is not enough time in the day.  Have you ever washed your sheets and left them in the dryer and did not remember to get them out until you thought about going to bed?  Yep....the story of my summer.

4th Plans:  We have a family reunion in the morning followed by lunch.  We usually get home about 2.  My dear husband has invited a couple of families over to grill, swim, fireworks, etc... Basically just hang out with some friends.

I hope you all have an awesome week!  Be sure to hope on over to Oh' Boy 4th Grade and see what everyone is "Currently" up to!

Currently September

Today I am linking up with Farley with this month's currently. 

I am loving today!  My hubby and girls are home and we are not going out.  We are finally all together!  This makes my heart happy, happy, happy!  There is no work, school or any type of practice schedule today.  Hallelujah! 

However, we have a small bump in the road.  Saturday I fell and badly sprained and bruised my ankle and foot.  I spend Saturday evening getting x-rayed.  Thank God nothing was broken.  I still can't put weight on my foot without it hurting.  I am going to try to walk on it this evening so I can go to work on Tuesday.

My goals for this month:

1.  To cook more for my family.  They have noticed that I haven't cooked since school started and they are not thrilled.  Together we are going to make a menu and try to get back into a routine. 
2. Walk more.  I hope my hubby will join in a brisk walk a couple of times a week.  Maybe I can walk to my parents rather than drive.
3. I want to visit my parents more.  They live very close to me and there is no reason why I can't go over and check on them more.

Head on over and see what other bloggers are up to this month.  Have a great week!

Classroom Photos and Currently

Where has summer gone?  Can you believe it is August?  Well, it is here and we might as well roll with it. Today I am going to link up up Farley over at Oh Boy 4th Grade for her monthly linky party.  First, I am going to share some of my classroom pics.

I have spent this week getting my room ready.  Is it completely finished?  No, but it will do until I return to work the Week of the 12th with 4 PD days and 1 work day before the children arrive.

I have a small rectangular shaped room.  I have no windows, just one door to the outside and one door to the hallway.

This is what you would see if you entered my room through the hallway. I have grouped 20 student desk in the middle of the room.  My small group table and teacher desk is to the right of the door.  I have a group meeting area in front of our magnetic white board.   (Sorry for the poor photo)

 This is the view when coming in through the outside door.  I have a second meeting area to the right of the room.

 This is the view from the back right corner.

This is the view from my teacher area.

As you can see I still have boxes stacked on top of the student closet area.  I am like many other teachers with lack of storage.  I need some ideas on how to make my sink area more functional for storage and student use.  Any ideas???

Now for my August Currently...

I enjoy being at home with my two girls.  It seems that the television is only background noise to their talking and laughing.  I love to hear them together.  They are also loving to play Just Dance.

I am loving the way my room is coming together.  I have thrown away so much stuff this week.  I have a few more areas to organize around my sink and above the children's closet.  I hope to get that taken care of before August 19.

Thinking about supper.  I have no idea what I am going to feed my hungry family tonight.  It may be a sandwich night.

Wanting to get my literacy centers finished up and organized.  It is a very challenging task.  I am determined to finish.

What I need and my Back To School must haves are self explanatory.  I think several of us have similar B2S items.

I am off to read others are currently doing....

8 States Neeeded, Currently, Where are we cards

Happy Sunday.  Are you ready to start a new week?  Might as well be, it is here!

I am hoping that we have a complete postcard exchange.  We only need 8 states.  If you live in Alaska, Idaho, Maine, Maryland, Montana, North Dakota, Rhode Island, or Vermont.please consider being a part of our exchange.  All you have to do is email me your school name and address and  mail about 50 postcards before your Thanksgiving Break.  I look forward to hearing from you.


Now this month's Currently.  I am linking up with the famous Farley from Oh' Boy, Fourth Grade.

My B2s must haves are very basic.  I wanted to share why I included Teaching Buddies on the list.  I think it is important that we have friends that are teachers.  Sometimes, they are the only ones that can understand what is happening with you and they can offer support and help.  It is very helpful if you all can work as a team.
  If you will remember, Amy from The Resource(ful) Room and I collaborated on the Schedule Cards based on some themes she has created.  You can find these here.  I used the black and red theme and created some cards I can hang outside my door to show where the class is.  I will try to post a picture of the finish product tomorrow. Here is the red and black set.  If you are interested in any of the other color combinations to match the schedule cards let me know.   Where Are We Cards (Red Black)   Be sure to check out Amy's blog for additional resources.  

4th of July, Currently, Postcards

Happy  Fourth of July Eve!

I will be spending tomorrow with family at our annual reunion. Each year one person is asked to read a poem, verse etc… in honor of the family members that has passed during the year. Well, this year it is my turn. I have a couple of things picked out, but, if you know of a poem or a verse I should consider please let me know. It should be a great day full of food, fellowship, fun and fireworks!




Now, for my Currently…I am linking up with Farley, she has the best Pledge of Allegiance posters! Although I am sure you have seen them since I am late joining the party.  

As for the favorite read aloud I chose Lily’s Purple Plastic Purse just because both my girls loved this book when they were younger.  There are so many fabulous read aloud that it was hard to choose just one.  Right now my go to book is Math Workstations because I am trying really hard to implement the math workstations better this year.  I am also reading Guided Math and it is a wonderful resources to improve my math instruction.

 WOW! This postcard exchange is going to be great. My new friend Lili shared some things she used when she teaches about the United States. She wrote "I made a big map of the U.S. and every time we learn from a new state they paste the state on it and then we put the nickname, bird, and flower, I also made these using cute clipart from DJ Inkers. In general is a great activity that we really enjoy."   She included this picture:




The best party is that she has the pieces she uses for her Map free in her TPT Store. Check it out! 




We still have a few states left in “The Great Postcard Exchange”.  If your state is listed below and you would like to participate in our exchange please email me at mechele.barrow@gmail.com.

If you still want to participate email me, I have some contacts that are also organizing other exchanges.  If you are organizing another exchange please let me know so I can pass on your contact information.

Currently... and Book Studies

Happy Tuesday!

I am linking up with Farley over at Oh' Boy 4th Grade with this months Currently. 

 Go check out what everyone else is up to and see Farley new blog.  It looks great!  

I am thrilled about all the Book Studies happening in blogland.  Just think of all the wonderful ideas and resources we can all share.  

Brenda from Primary Inspired is coordinating a Guided Math Books Study.  I am participating in a chapter.  This will greatly enhance my math program.  Check out Primary Inspired for all the details.

Mel D over at Seusstastic Classroom Inspirations is coordinating a Daily 5 Book Study for Grades 1-3.  I am so loving this one.  I started using my version on the Daily 5 in January and loved it.  I can't wait to share with you the things that I have done.  I will be sharing a chapter with several other wonderful bloggers.  

Grab your books and get ready to get started.  These book studies are going to benefit us all!

April Currently

I was thrilled when I saw that Farley over at Oh' Boy 4th Grade had her Currently Monthly Linky Party going on. Head on over to her blog and enter for a chance to win a Thirty One Snack Bag. These bags are great. We have two in our house. My girls take them every day. They are the perfect size for their snacks!

I hope you all had a blessed Palm Sunday!

Currently March

Here is my "Currently" for March

Rules for the 3 words:

First word--How students would describe you
I am sure they would say that I am bossy, because I tell them what to do all the time.

Second word-How family would describe you
This one was easy for me--My Dad always tells me that I am blessed every day that I am alive. I am blessed because I have a job. I am blessed because I have a wonderful and loving family.

Third word--How friends would describe you
My friend told me today that I was "bubbly" because I was so happy. I feel as though I am taking this word from Alisha over at "The Bubbly Blonde".

I hope you all have a fabulous week. Don't forget to head on over to Oh' Boy 4th Grade and link up!

Currently February

I am linking up with Farley over at Oh' Boy 4th Grade for the February Currently Linky Party.

Thanks Farley for hosting this each month!

Currently....

I am linking up with Oh' Boy 4th Grade

"Currently" Linky Party.

I have chosen "RENEW" as my OLW word for the year.

• I will "RENEW" my faith
• I will "RENEW" my love of teaching
• I will "RENEW" my overall attitude
  

Be sure you check out Farley's blog this month. She will be giving away a super cool pencil sharpener.