New Year's Resolutions in the Classroom

New Year's is here! Don't leave your students out! Here are two ways that I have incorporated New Year's Resolutions with my students.

 

The person above is simply a circle the students decorate to look like him/herself. Add a triangle party hat with some designs made with construction paper scraps. The horn blower is also construction paper that has been rolled into a cylinder and taped to the mouth.

(This the one I made last year.)

 

 

 

The picture of above is three bells that students traced onto construction paper and cut out. The student made three resolutions.  One resolution was a resolution for home, school, and self. Not only did the students write the resolution, but write a way or two that the resolution could be accomplished. The students then glued the bells onto a complimentary color of construction paper, added words, graffiti, have students share. Display with the above person and a heading such as "Ringing in the New Year" and viola. You are done!

 

Happy New Year!

Making a New Year's Tradition

This year, I want to begin a memory jar for my family. There are all kind of memory jars out there. Look at this Pinterest Memory Jar board. There are lots and lots as you can see. However, I like Jaden's from a Steamy Kitchen idea the most. I agree with her, in that, we do remember the BIG memories. However, the little memories are usually forgotten. This is a great idea. Therefore, I found this jar. Tonight at the dinner table I explained the process to the family. Immediately, my daughter set off to find some paper. (I did not have any cute paper at home. We decided for me to bring some home from school tomorrow, but a piece of white scrap paper for today.) We added that on Jan. 1, 2013 it was a dreary, rainy day. We watched movies, the Capital Bowl (Go Dawgs!), and kept a fire in the fireplace all day. (I am also on a mission to get a larger jar, and then we can decorate it.)



For the classroom, I found this idea from Math Mojo also on Pinterest. Since, I don't have a homeroom, I am going to tweeked it just a bit for my students. For my AC 4th grade and 5th grade Math classes, I am going to have the students focus on Math "Cans" and adapt or add a goal-setting portion to the project. My second grade and fifth grade Focus students will complete the project also. Be sure to check out my January Pinterest Board for other ideas for the New Year and January.

I will have more January ideas in days to come. I head back to work tomorrow after a wonderful, relaxing break enjoying time with my family and friends. Students come back on January 3 in my district.

What new traditions will you begin for your home, classroom, or self?

Check out more ideas over Show and Tell Tuesday's with Sunny Days in Second Grade

Thankful and Resolutions

As I look back on the last year, I have many things to be thankful for in my life; yet, of course, I am making resolutions too. I have been saving this post for New Year's Eve (today) in my posts. However, I am also linking up to several blogging celebrities. I knew someone would be having a linky party in conjunction with this concept. I found this one over at One Extra Degree

However, I am listing all my resolutions in one post.

1-Technology-I am thankful that I found Pinterest. It is a blessing because it provides me to challenge myself to do new things in many facets of my life (recipes, kid stuff, family stuff, and especially teaching stuff.) However, one goal is to "clean up" my Pinterest this summer. Another area of technology that I am looking forward and would like to do more is share my lessons through units, lesson plans and games.  I have soooooo many; I just need to get them all "electronic". This would be less paper too and that is not a bad thing.  This means that I would also have more things in my TpT store. I have soooooo many things, and I have taught a variety grade levels in my career that I could maybe truly "touch" and help other teachers and students.

2-Organization- I want to work on decluttering my home closets and my teaching filing cabinets at school. (The files are organized, but I need to declutter and work on the electronic part that I mentioned previously.) I also want to organize at home by meal planning. I want to provide my family with more clean, real food (less processed and less eating out). I have seen the benefits. I want to organize my schedule to involve more time with my family.

3-Professional Growth-My school system has a new teacher evaluation system. Part of the system is a professional portfolio. I have a portfolio that I have kept current throughout the years since my undergraduate degree, graduate degrees, endorsements, and all my professional development. I want to "show off" me as a teacher. (Not to brag) I want to be seen as a leader and mentor, as well as, help other teachers learn and grow. I want to help provide collaboration and meaningful teaching and learning. Although this pic represents a few teachers at our school and our heartfulness toward the tragedy in CT., I want us to continue to show our love and dedication for students.

4-Downtime-What is that? I am a wife, a teacher, and a mommy to three amazing kids. In my downtime, however, I would like to spend more time making memories and vacationing (at Disney, of course) with my family.

I want to have date nights with the love of my life.

Have more mommy/ daughter days with my beautiful girl because she is growing up way too fast.

 Of course, I want to blog more often and gain more followers on my blog by helping other teachers and students grow and learn. Lastly, I want to make some of my new found recipes from Pinterest finds, as well as, begin a small garden.

5-Fitness-I am beginning today exercising with my husband. He works out everyday. I don't. (YIKES!) I have taken the first step, acceptance. I have accepted that I need to exercise. Therefore, it is time for me to get acquainted with this equipment once again.

 I want to eat (and drink)  less sugar. (That means I have to get rid of all the stocking candy and sweet treats from the holidays.) I want to detox my body and maintain a clean eating regime. I want to extend this to less chemicals and "bad" things for my body and switch to a healthy alternative (detergents, soaps, deodorants, make up, and whatever else I encounter.) I have joined a challenge on FB named My Real Food Family/My Whole Food Life Challenge made possible by My Whole Food Life and My Real Food Family. So if you see any blog posts that deal with these issues, you will know why. I am excited!

I wish all of you a Happy and Prosperous New Year.

Here is another pic of my kids (sorry, couldn't resist)