update

Well the snow did come! As I was driving to work it down-poured snow, so much so that I couldn't see the road. As I was going down the hill to my school there was a car struggling to get up and this made me nervous. We were all baffled at school that they didn't cancel. My theory is that because it was called off yesterday with no snow they were trying to make up for it. Well long story short they finally called off all elementary (middle and high were still on because of short notice), which was good because many teachers were calling in saying they couldn't make it. So here I am home again, with my car stuck at school! Hopefully everyone is staying safe and warm inside!

Work.Life

Wow....it definately has been a crazy week! I almost feel like I am on vacation time right now. So we were 2 hours late Monday and Tuesday, had no school yesterday (which I was very upset about since we had NO SNOW), and now are an hour late today....will see if that changes! So you can imagine how our normal schedule has been very mixed up. I just hope that we have school today so we don't have to make it up at the end of the year!
Of the kids who have showed up we have had a really fun time. I am working on a poetry unit (thankfully for my program where I learned great ways to teach it) which is turning out amazing! They are writing a personification poem on winter. I will have to post some of their published work when they are done!
I have been doing a lot of thinking lately that I want a change. I feel like moving somewhere new for a while, but I'm not sure where. I just think it would be fun to experience a new place and see what it has to offer me. If this were to happen it would have to be after finishing my graduate program (another year and a half), so don't get too worried! Any suggestions of anyone up for joining me???

Late Start

Today school started 2 hours late, and I only had 14 kids show up! If only.....

P.s. Jessie I can't read your blog anymore!!! =(

Hannah

Because Hannah is so precious I had to include pictures of her! Enjoy!!

Lily

As most of you know I have added a new kitty to my family named Lily when she was given to me from the neighbors upstairs because thier daughter was allergic to her. She is super cute, and VERY sweet. She is 6 months old so I took her to the Vet a couple of weeks ago to get her fixed. I was very lucky when I got Mango because he was already fixed so I've never had to experience this before and was pretty nervous and sad to be without her for a night. Well I got her back the next day and everything seemed to be fine. She was happy to be home and Mango, although very jealous to see her back so soon, was secretly happy too. I had her back for about a week before I discovered that her stiches were coming out so I took her back in and they proceeded to give her a few staples and gave me a cone for her to wear because they thought it had happened due to her licking at her stiches. So again I brought her home thinking that all would be well. The next couple of days she started to not act like her normal self. She was sleeping almost all day and her eyes were dialated and red. I actually had Dani come over and check as well to make sure it wasn't just me being paranoid. So I called in the Vet again and made another appointment on Friday. When I brought her in they came out and thanked me for bring her in and said they needed to put her into surgery right away. So me being me I started crying but they assured me that she would be ok and that they would call me right away after to let me know how it went and what was wrong (they thought it was due to her being to active), and to set up an appointment to pick her up on Saturday. Well the final verdict ended up being that she had an allergic reaction to her stiches. I picked her up on Saturday and finally brought her home (hopefully for good now) and she is sooo happy and healthy! Hopefully we have no further problems! I am upset at the vet that they didn't catch this the first time I was in there though and am actually considering switching vets! So here are a few pictures of my now healthy Lily- Cakes! =)

Camp

Thanks to Kayleen I am finally getting around to posting pictures from my week at Camp Waskowitz. It was a great time and I definately see the difference it has made in my class going at the beginning of the year compared to the end. I created a photostory slideshow of our photos today for a celebration we are having for camp on Friday after they finish their essays which turned out very cute. If you haven't heard of photostory you should check it out! Its a really cook, and easy program to make photo slideshows! I apologise ahead of time for the sideways pictures! For some reason my computer is being difficult and not letting me fix it!

This is one of my favorite activities that I love to lead, and especially the first day. This is called meet a tree in which you pair up with a partner where one is wearing a blindfold and the other partner leads them to a tree and has them use their senses to get an idea of the tree without seeing it. They then are returned to a meeting area and they have to go and find their tree. It is really fun!

This was the first day there, and luckily the most rainy day as well. As you can tell we were soaked!!



I thought this picture was adorable! This was when we learned about the worm bins.

Amazing! We had really great weather!

This was at the Cedar River Watershed. We had a silent walk through this forest area.

At the Watershed

My goofy class

Looking for invertabrates in the river. They really enjoyed getting to go in the water. Unfortuantaley I had a few fall in so we had to go back to camp for some of them to change clothes.

On our long hike day we had a cookout with hotdogs and smores !

Our class

This REALLY steep trail that we hiked up and down on.

Our last class picture before we left back to school!

I decided to sneak in a picture of Lily and Mango. More to come!

If only....

So this afternoon was a little stressful and hectic in my classroom. I was getting upset at them because they would literally not stop talking. After coming back in from recess one of my students came up and gave me a big hug and said that she was sorry that they made it so stressfull for me sometimes and that I should take a week off and go and hang out with my friends like they got to do when we went to Waskowitz. I said something like yeah that would be nice and I wish, so she proceeds to give me a penny that I can throw into a well to make a wish! It was pretty cute! I really enjoy getting hugs from them because I really don't get them to often with teaching 6th graders and all!

Youth

So today I went to costco with a friend and I had to return a jacket. So I go up to the lady and she is looking at my costco card and proceeds to say, "Are you really 18!" So i'm slightly confused thinking maybe she was wondering if I needed to be in school or something, but the reason she was asking was because you have to be 18 to have a card apparently! So I tell her that actually I am 24 and she totally did not believe me. My friend Laura who I was with is always mistaken for a younger age (she teachers 6th grade too) and she thought that she and I looked like we were 17! I told her that acutally we were both 6th grade teachers and she asked what school so I told her. I still don't think she believes me but whatever. I guess this will be a great attribute to have when i'm older and truely want to look younger!
I'm being observed on Friday...wish me luck!

Here Goes Nothing.....

I've finally made it to the blogging world! Thanks Kayleen with the setup help! I am in the process of setting up my classroom now. It has been really crazy these last couple of weeks with the anticipation for the school year to begin. Last week I attended new teacher orientation (since I am still considered new which is great because I still get a mentor) and met some other new younger teachers. I was really excited about this because it is great to have support from other people going through the same thing that I am. There are also 3 new first year teachers at Shorewood. I am sooooo thankful that I had the opportunity that I had last year taking over a classroom because I feel a lot more comfortable now. Our school is still in the process of finishing up the new building that has been taking place for over a year so this makes me even more thankful that I already know that staff and some of my students. It is frustrating though trying to unpack your room when you have people coming in and moving everything around to finish painting and installing everything. But, I get all new things so I shouldn't be complaining.

On other news I found out the I will be teaching just 6th grade now! This is very good news! I am very excited to go to camp again, and we are going in October this year so it's coming up! I am also moving into my own place in Burien. There is a great program thorough our school district that offers extra money to teachers living in the area so I decided that being close to work is a great thing. I'm ready to be on my own...no more Emily crazyness =) Well thats about it for now! This just might end up being my new addiction!<3