Things you learn during the summer...

Here's a list of things I've learned already this summer:
1. My nails are prettier than I thought they were.
2. Being hot in the pool is better than being hot anywhere else.
3. Speaking of being hot, I'm not sure why I even bother doing my hair and make-up. I just get hot and it sweats right off.
4. A five year old can talk for hours and not stop.
5. A five year old can also use more energy in an hour than most adults use in three or four days.
6. Gas prices at $3.16 seem like a luxury. I can remember when it was a dollar a gallon (and even about 12 years ago when it was like $.78).
7. Old Navy tanks for $2 is a steal of a deal (tanks a lot, Old Navy!). I will never pay regular price for an Old Navy tank again.
8. Impromptu trips to Summerville/Charleston can make you feel like a million bucks.
9. There's nothing better than Wade's sweet tea.
10. Being a dog mommy is the best. After coming home from the Summerville/Charleston, the dog that I've only had for three weeks was so happy to see me, it almost made me cry.

And, the best thing I've learned this summer (yes, I know that makes 11):
Having a kid with a loose tooth is the cutest thing in the world!

Getting My Master's...

So, for the past 1 year and 4 months, I've been working on my Master's degree. I will finally be finished in August. I'm so excited for a number of reasons. I will finally be able to spend more time focusing on my family. I will also be able to apply all of this wonderful information to my classroom. But, the main reason: no more writing papers! Yes, I am a teacher and I know the importance of it...but, I am not a great writer when it comes to formal papers. I enjoy blogging, email, and texting, even. But, formal papers, UM, NO! So, when my students complain about papers and projects, I get it. I understand completely. But, as a teacher, I understand the purpose. Luckily, my sixth graders don't have many papers to write. And, now that I'm more well-versed in technology, I'm guessing that I won't be requiring my students to write many papers!

A Major Step This Week

I stepped into a whole new world this week. I can now, officially, be added to the iPhone club. I'm learning how to use it and find new things each week. I can't believe all that it can do (if only it could wash the dishes and clean the house!). As I'm sitting here, I'm thinking about how much technology has changed in my lifetime, which in turn makes me think of how much will change in the lifetime of my son and my students.

We didn't have a computer until I was in fourth grade and that was just to run a word processing program. When I was in high school, we had an updated computer and internet access! By the time I was writing papers in college I chose to visit the campus library online instead of sitting in the library for hours doing research.

Even though I say I'm old, it really hasn't been that long since I was writing papers in college. Now, I access the internet anytime, anywhere from my phone. While I have been using a smart phone for about a year, the change to an iPhone has really made me think about technology.

All of the things I've learned in the past year (in my master's program) have taught me and my students so much. I can't believe how much technology has evolved and how much technology has changed my teaching! It seems that technology has made my job of teaching more meaningful and more engaging! How has technology changed in your lifetime? What does technology do for you?

Off topic: A new dog!

I've grown up with dogs and always had dogs in my life. I absolutely love dogs. My parents have a dog that greets me when I come in and loves to snuggle, but she's not mine. So, last weekend I made up my mind that I needed a dog and the beginning of summer break was the appropriate time to get one!

I went to the local animal shelter and she was the last dog I looked at (after I'd given up hope of finding a dog that day). She was bred and given a name by her owners, but was surrendered last week because they couldn't afford her anymore. Her name is Mushu (her name from birth) and she's a one year old Pekinese Pomeranian. She's housebroken and a sweet, sweet girl. She's actually snuggled up next to me helping me complete my grad school work. She has a pretty pink collar and my son is already calling her the pretty pink princess!

I can tell that this is going to be a great summer with our new dog!

The first weekend of summer!

So, I just made it through my first weekend of summer break. I managed to:
go shopping (and not spend too much!)
take a gigantic Sunday afternoon nap
eat at one of my favorite places - Kanpai!

This Memorial Day, I plan to play in the pool with my son and then spend time with the rest of my family. This week, I'll mix grad school work with pool time. I am not planning to think about my classroom or my plans for next year just yet...although I say that and don't mean it. I'm already plotting ideas and keeping a list. :-)

So, even though it's summer time, ideas go on and new lists arise. I'm trying to figure out the logistics of all my ideas for next school year (already!). With each new grad school assignment, new ideas pop into my head. I'm looking forward to incorporating podcasts, Skype, and blogging into my classroom next year, along with a wonderful website for my students and their parents to use. What are you looking forward to, technology-wise, for the next school year? And, yes, I realize, it's the first week of summer and I'm thinking ahead. I'm such a planner and could always use ideas!

5 days left!

Wow! I can't believe we just have five days of school left. In a way it seems like we just started and at the same time, I thought it'd never end! Now, it's bittersweet. In the next week we will:
Monday: distribute yearbooks - I'm in charge! Being the editor of the yearbook is hard work!
Tuesday: Field day and end of year pizza and ice cream party!
Wednesday: MAP celebration and talent show
Thursday: Sixth Grade Awards and 1/2 day
Friday: Last day of school and 1/2 day

I'm most looking forward to handing out the yearbooks. I put hours and hours into making it perfect. I get frustrated, I cry, and sometimes, I even scream...but, in the end I always end up loving it. But, what I love more is when I'm able to share the book with the great students at my school.

In my last post, I asked what you were doing over the summer. This time, I want to back up and ask you what you're most excited about as the school year comes to an end?

May Flowers bring...Summer break?!?!

With just ten school days left, what are you expecting to do over those days? What are you most looking forward to: end-of year party? Awards Day? yearbooks? field day? the last day?
I'm looking forward to it all. I love this time of year - not because it's the end of the year, but because we get to have so much fun together. I really wish we had a field day at the beginning of the year - I enjoy working together with you all and seeing how to work together on different events!

Once the year ends, what are you planning this summer? Tell me about it! I'll be finishing grad school and spending time at the pool.