Oh Happy Day!

1. Okay, I am ready for my friend Spring to arrive. Cabin Fever has set in!  My feelings about snow days are super mixed now. It's like ya want em, ya get em, you are happy. Then....ya get some more, and more, and more, and more, and then you wonder if you are crazy for ever wanting them in the first place. As busy as my life can get, I really need the structure and routine. I am not as productive without it. Anyone else have this problem? 

2. I love my cousin Chris! I am thankful that my Aunt Christy brought us back together. We were "normal cousin close" growing up, but over time life happened and we grew apart. I remember riding roller coasters with him at Kings Island, he taught me how to play solitaire, he has always been super intelligent, and always gives me a hug when I see him.  Since he called me in June and asked me one of the most important questions I've ever been asked we've kept more in-touch with random conversation and thoughts. He brings a smile to my face. Smile on the face. Period. (He is also Cray!)

3. I have this odd addiction with the show Vanderpump Rules on Bravo. It's such a hot mess that I cannot stop watching. There was a marathon on Monday. I may or may have not had it on all day. 

4. I received a pretty special nomination this week. Words cannot express how much it means to me. A few that come to mind: Thankful. Blessed. Feeling loved. Motivated. EEEEKK! Really, me?

5. I feel like I am turning a corner in my reading instruction. Things are changing and the way reading content is delivered is becoming more rigorous and challenging for not only the kiddos, but the ones delivering. I feel good about where I'm headed. Plus, I was able to watch a super duper awesome colleague teach this week and that helped me see the light. Lot's more room to grow though! Definitely motivated!  

And a final thought...

Life is short.

Time is fast

No replay,

No rewind.

So enjoy every moment

as it comes...

How was your week?

xoxo-Kim

No Facebook for a Month

So, one of my 30th year challenges was to give up Facebook for a month. I have no clue who challenged me to this or what their motivation was. I'd say my Facebook activity was pretty average. I wouldn't be on it at all during the day because well I was at work of course. There was the occasional scroll through the news feed during lunch. I sometimes engulf myself with my phone at lunch because I do not like to talk during that time. Those 20 minutes go way too fast and are sometimes sacred- get it back together- minutes. Maybe the person that gave me the challenge feels that they are on Facebook to much or was just thinking that it couldn't be done. Anyways...the challenge arose and of course I had to complete it.

As thoughts arise about social media over the next month this post will added to throughout the month. Currently is it January 5th. When it's actually posted it will be February. Keep in mind that things change.

The first couple of days were the hardest weirdest. Not being in school I naturally had more time on my hands. I would pick up my phone for a little scroll and then remember that little blue icon had been deleted. I initially felt a tad bit out of the loop and wondered what  I was missing. I sent my mom a few Flipagrams and she posted them. I told her that was cheating, but she didn't think so. With my empty moments during commercials I started scrolling through Twitter. I usually looked at Twitter MAYBE once every 2-3 weeks before this. Twitter to me is more news related and less personable. I initially tweeted more in 2 days that what I had in the past year. It's easier to say more random info via Twitter. Not sure why, just is. Maybe because I have like 10 total followers! HA! Then all of the Charlie Strong news was going on and Twitter provided up-to-the second news. I was engulfed. I quickly realized that you could get breaking news in a flash! During this big coaching transition there was so much information to take in. 

Throughout my non-Facebook month I have had a few people say, "Did you see my status, or did you see that link I posted?" When my response is no, it's given a reason to have a meaningful conversation. The power of voice is greater in the connection of a friendship. It's more meaningful to hear your friends voice and expressions rather than the clicks on keyboard. It's kinda weird saying that because here I am clicking hoping you are there reading. Is this the same thing? Just a really really long status? Hmmmmmm....

I have had a few people reach out to me that I do not see on a regular basis ask how I was doing. This is evidence that Facebook helps people stay feel personally connected to those they do not see often.

Welp, the month is half over and to be honest....this isn't so bad. I still feel a little out of the loop, but not like I am missing anything.

It's January 22nd and my time off Facebook is almost over and really....I may not (will probably) return. :)  I find it funny that I have received, at minimum, one email a day from FB telling me that I am "missing" in the lives of my "friends." It's also interesting how many screen shots of news feeds that I have been sent of FB happenings. I think I have survived well without it. Maybe....just maybe...I'll pick a month to not participate in any social media.  I mean at least I thought about it. HA!

It's February 2nd and my challenge has been completed! I definitely think I view Facebook a little differently. I really don't want to explain myself here because I may go on a rant and that's not really necessary.

Bottom Line: Challenge Completed

Wonder what's next?!?!?!

xoxo-Kim

"It's everybody's duty to give the world a reason to dance!" -Kid President

Kid President is a little guy named Robby that makes videos weekly with his brother-in-law Brad. You can find their story at www.kidpresident.com. Beware....you may spend the next few hours watching his videos. He has the ability to make you laugh, cry, reflect, think, wanna dance, and inspire you to be more awesome. At school we watch and discuss his videos during morning meetings. The kids absolutely LOVE him! We have even watched his famous "Pep Talk" a faculty meeting. You will totally understand once you watch. 

A few weeks ago in room 106 we watched "Kid Presidents 20 Things We Should Say More Often"  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m5yCOSHeYn4&list=PLzvRx_johoA-YabI6FWcU-jL6nKA1Um-t&index=7 and decided to come up with our own 20. I was pretty impressed there was only one duplicate. 

Enjoy...

"Ya got air comin' 

through ya nose, 

ya got a heartbeat, 

that means it's time ta DO SOMETHING!" 

-Kid President

xoxo-Kim

Guess what day it is?!?! Nope, not Wednesday!

Hey you, the weekend is near...watcha gonna do when it really gets here?!?!?! I hope everyone had a awesome week. Here are some things to high-five about his past week. 

1. What does it mean when everyone around you is turning 30?!?!?! It's means...party time! Life's a party right??? I like to think so too! For Nat's big 3-0 we flashed back to the 80's and skated the afternoon away. I think the last time I skated I was ummmmm 10. That was 20 years ago!!! I was definitely rusty, but this gal did not fall! 

Happy 30th Nat! 

Love them!

Cuzant and Nousin!! 

2. After the party on Sunday I was gearing up for a super busy week. Something to do every day on top of work. I decided that I was just going to take it one day at a time. I mean what else is there to do. Monday was fine and then Tuesday and Wednesday were super rough. I felt like I couldn't do anything right. My to-do pile was growing exponentially and I was letting little things get on my nerves and was feeling pretty defeated and drained to say the least. I had a personal day Thursday for National Boards work so that helped my mind relax some. My point for number 2 is that....I am thankful for Genna that just listens,  Jayne and her upbeat support, my across the hall mate Tabor for being just plain awesome and sending the worlds greatest texts, Welch and Toles for the hugs (they know I love em), Rowan and Meghan for providing the best instructional support a teacher could ask for and my kiddos for just going with the flow. I know it was a rough week for lots of people, but I hope that I helped them as much as they helped me.....cause that's what friends are for!

3. My month off of Facebook ends tonight. In the end, I really do not feel like I have missed much. I have received more Facebook screen shots over the past month than ever. Have any of you been keeping up with me on here? Am I even interesting? 

4. I have enjoyed getting to know the other educators in my National Boards cohort. They are super down-to-earth, funny, and real. 

5. These two though....are pretty darn amazing. 

6. And one to grow on....Steph and Leanne were nice enough to come over for dinner last night instead of going out because I just wanted to stay in. I enjoyed the company! 

Anything notable from your week? Everything is notable even in "tough" times. 

I am not afraid of tomorrow

for I have seen yesterday

and 

love today!

xoxo-Kim

Happy Weekend!

5 supercalifragilisticespialidocious things from the week....

1. I noted a few Friday's ago that I like snow days. I'm rethinking this statement now that we are at 5 and it's only January. I do recall the farmers almanac predicting a rough winter. Oh well...it is, what it is. Oh, and delays are cool. 

2. I think I work better under deadlines. I procrastinated some this week and I'm cool with it. I may not be cool with it April 30th. (That's when I am submitting my National Boards work.) I'm am declaring tomorrow an official work day. It's gonna be a  productive snow-day Saturday.

3. UofL's football schedule came out and it made me happier than a camel on Wednesday. I'm just pumped. So pumped that we should have a red, white, or black out every game. We should wear black uni's with matte black helmets and listen to old school rap music, throw oranges, black-out, rush the field often and tailgate like its 2006. Okay, so we shouldn't do all of those things, but I'm definitely excited! 

4. I am so thankful for my dear friend Jayne. We met in graduate school, taught at our first school together, and moved to the Lane as a pair. We do not hang out much outside of school, but I'm pretty sure my life wouldn't be the same without her. She is my other "piece" at school. Not to mention, she lets me bug her and I think that's pretty nice. Not only is she a great friend, but she is a great inspiration to all. You can find her inner thoughts at: http://anchoredwithhope.wordpress.com/  You will love her too! 

5. I mentioned last Friday I was excited to hang out with some favorites Saturday. Had a nice time celebrating Leann, Jayne and Bub! Leann gave the sweetest introductions to all of her guests and opened lots of things that will definitely have a direct effect on her becoming a master chef. Jayne welcomed 30 with a smile and did not flip out when I spilled RED wine on her carpet, and Bub's birthday was perfect family time! 

Happy Birthday Jayne!

The day is near!

I hope you can find 5 (or more) happy things that happened this week too.
Life is too short not to be happy.

XOXO-Kim

F.R.I.D.A.Y

Gimmie a F, gimme a R, gimmie an I, gimmie a D, gimmie an A, gimmie a Y.....What's that spell?????

FRIDAY!!!! 

1. Do you ever have to ask someone to reach things for you at Kroger? I do about twice a month and I am thankful everyone is kind enough to help a fun-sized gal out. 

2. It's a THREE DAY WEEKEND!!!! Yippee!!! I am so excited to spend tomorrow with some of my favorites! 

3. I have not worked at CPK since the weekend before Christmas and I miss it...a lot. I am excited to go back Sunday.

4. Brothers. Are. Amazing. They are just simply amazing. 

5. This week my students pointed out that we have not had to use our behavior letters. I am still thanking God that each day is wonderful in it's own. 

xoxo-Kim

A Book

January's Sparrow

By: Patricia Polacco 

Before we went back to school I was searching the web for some reading lessons. I found some reviews on the book January's Sparrow that captured my attention. I was excited to find and read this book. As my team was planning last week the standard we are getting ready to focus on deals with students being able to understand how visual elements contribute to the tone or beauty of a text. One of the teachers mentioned that she used January's Sparrow with her students in previous years. This caught my attention being that I had just read such wonderful reviews. I was excited to get busy reading to prepare lessons.

I was captivated with all 95 pages of what is probably the longest picture book I've ever read. The illustrations could tell the story by themselves and will go along perfectly with describing the tone of the story. 

Here's the gist...

After a member of their extended slave family, January, escapes and is brought back to a Kentucky plantation where he is brutally whipped, the Crosswhite family decides to escape up north to Canada. On the way, they stop at a small Michigan abolitionist town. The story is told from the point of Sadie, the family’s young daughter, who looked upon January as an older brother, with January’s interjections to relate the story from an adult point of view. Sadie’s favorite toy is a wooden sparrow that January carved for her, but on the night her family leaves to cross the river into Indiana, she realizes, heartbroken, that she has left it behind in Kentucky and her family tells her that it’s too dangerous to retrieve it. All seems to go well for the Crosswhite family once they arrive in Marshall, Michigan—her family find jobs and Sadie goes to school and finds a friend in a little white girl whose name is Polly Hobart and whose father is the town judge. And although the Crosswhite children have been warned never to tell anyone that they are escaped slaves because a law exists that requires escaped slaves to be returned to the south. Despite this admonition, Sadie reveals to Polly that her family are escaped slaves, and shortly thereafter January’s sparrow appears on their doorstep with a note that reads, “I have found you.” Sadie is terrified—has her new friend betrayed her, or have the so-called paddy-rollers come to take them back to Kentucky? One winter night the Crosswhites’ worst fears are confirmed when the paddy-rollers arrive at their doorstep. The whole community, black and white, turn out to defend the family of escaped slaves, among them, January, who displays his horrific scars and declares that this is what will happen to the Crosswhites if they are forced to return to Kentucky. The crowd decides that this is a matter for Judge Hobart to decide, who jails the three paddy-rollers for three days until the Crosswhites can escape to Canada and to freedom.

I am excited to share this heart touching story with the minds in my room. 

Sources: 

Polacco, P. (2009.) Philomel Books: New York.

Good Books for Young Minds

xoxo-Kim