CURRENTLY - OCTOBER

When did October get here?! I swear yesterday was the beginning of the school year, and now end of 1st Quarter is Thursday! I know I have been behind on updating, please forgive me! I need to find a way to balance school, life, and blogging. If one of you finds out the magic secret, let the others know please! :-)

So I figured a way to ease my way back into blogging without feeling overwhelmed would be to link up with Farley at Oh' Boy 4th Grade for her monthly Currently! I did one in August on Goals and actually have posted it on the back cover of my teacher binder this year so I am constantly looking at it.

Listening - Pandora Radio

So I am obsessed with Pandora Radio. Every morning when I get to school I turn it on when I first get there. I love to listen to a station I created based on Vitamin String Orchestra. They are an instrumentalist group that does popular music and some oldies. Right now it is playing Rolling in the Deep by Adele but it is all instrumental. From this there has also been some instrumental Christian music, and classics. What I love about it is how relaxing it is, and if students walk in and it is on a Christian song or a song that might have some language, I don't have to worry about the words. I have now begun listening to it at home when working on school work and it is helping me be productive! Check them out, they are a great group! 

Loving - Fall Weather

It has been a rainy weekend that is bringing with it cooler temperatures. But I love this time of year and the weather. I hate that it rained out the Art Show and there has been a lot of flooding though. Our drives to Chattanooga will soon include the gorgeous mountains with changing leaves. I need to switch over my wardrobe soon though! We are going to the Jack-O-Lantern Spectacular this next weekend and I am so excited. Here is just a glimpse at what it looks like from last year.

Thinking - Too much to do!

I've been working on my presentation that I am giving tomorrow at our county's technology conference. The presentation is on Math and Science apps. I am so excited, but it's been a lot of work. It's a busy week at school with meetings and I am being observed as well. I have a whole list of stuff I need to work on in my room, but I can't seem to find the time to do those things I want to do to help organize when I have/need to grade, create activities, etc. 

Wanting - FALL BREAK!!!

12 days! Included in those twelve days is a weekend, field trip, early release day, schedule rotation, and lots of grading. That twelve days can not come quick enough! Road trip to Memphis for a wedding, football game, and seeing friends and then to Chattanooga to see my new "nephew" that will be here any day now and friends! Can't wait!!

Needing - Write Sub Plans

I say it every time, it is more work to be away from school than it is to be there. I am taking a 1/2 day in the morning tomorrow for the presentation. The classes that I am missing are of course different preps, and we are at the beginning of new material so I can't leave them practice over what we've been working on. Just stressful. Jon is starting to substitute teach now in Jefferson County schools so I am hearing lots of interesting substitute stories. He's actually had two of my previous students already as well!

Trick or Treat - Appolearning

This app has been a lifesaver during the presentation. I could give you a list a mile long about Math apps that are great for the classroom, and I was struggling to find some for Science even asking friends for suggestions. I found this one on Apps Gone Free (another must download!). It is literally an app that rates other apps. It sorts them by grade level, subject, and subject strand. It even includes Sp.Ed., Fine Arts, Productivity, and College Prep! It has been amazing. Check out this video! 

I promise I will try much harder with updating the blog and sharing with you all of my technology ideas! Do you have any new tips for me to try out?

August CURRENTLY for Back to School

I am linking up with Farley at Oh Boy Fourth Grade! for her monthly Currently Linky Party. With it being August this one is dedicated to Back to School. Five days till teachers start, and twelve days until students start. I am ready, but not ready at the same time. lol

Listening - The Sounds of Summer

When I was writing this, I heard the ice cream truck, kids playing in the street, and the TV with day time shows. The sounds of summer that are slowly drifting away!

Loving - DEALS

I have gotten a lot of B2S deals from Office Max, Office Depot, and Dollar Tree! Protractors, rulers, tape dispensers, composition books, notebooks, paper, 20% off entire order!! Makes for a happy teacher, wallet, and husband! I haven't gotten many clothes deals unfortunately, and I am definitely missing TN tax free weekend that are this weekend!

Thinking - So much to do!

My room is thankfully 95% done! There were some teachers that were still moving this week! I really need to work on planning, but not as excited as much to do that as the decorating and organizing!

Wanting - Husband

My husband left yesterday for a six day trip to Minnesota for a Historical Brass Symposium. I had dinner and games with friends yesterday and tonight, but it's lonely during the days! He graduated in May with his Master's in Trumpet Performance and has a Bachelor's in Music Education. He has been trying so hard to find a job and has become very disheartened the closer we get to the end of summer. His professor called and told him about an Assistant Director position in IN and he had already recommended him to the director. It's an emergency position because they started school TODAY! I really hope they call him for an interview...but someone decided to leave their phone in Iowa last night on the way to Minnesota! Talk about nerve-wracking!

Needing - Work on course-work

I have got to get more done on my internet class! So that is tomorrow's plans!

Favorites for B2S - Teacher Binder, Organized, and Favorites

I created my own teacher binder last year, but perfected it this year. So excited to begin using which leads into being organized! I am trying to start the year right so hopefully I will continue it throughout the year! With B2S comes meetings and long days when you need a pick-me-up. I keep some of my favorites in my desk at all times...Hershey's Kisses, popcorn, Tyenol, Diet Coke, etc. Instead of Diet Coke I am going to bring ICE or Vitamin Water drinks to try to cut back on the coke!

What are some of your favorites for Back to School? Since Currently came out today, I am going to do Tune into Technology tomorrow! QR Codes!

Currently JULY!

Is it July already?! Where has summer gone!

I have seen this Currently Linky posts everywhere, but never knew who started them! Finally found her!
Farley at Oh' Boy 4th Grade hosts these linky parties every month, and has a blogger sponsor them with products! Great way to find new blogs!

• Listening - We are heading to Huber's Winery today with friends. Huber's is one of my favorite places up here, and on the weekends during the summer, they have live music on their patio. And today's weather is going to be goregous!
• Loving - I have just gotten more into my blog within these past few weeks thanks to Charity over at Teaching Blog Traffic School. But I am loving it! I have really enjoyed finding new blogs, writing posts, and creating new products! I am small, but growing!
• Thinking - It's already July! I start getting back in the swing of things when we get back from visiting our families. But I feel rejuvenated and am starting to go stir crazy!
• Wanting - I need an actual vacation though. We haven't had one since our Honeymoon alst year to Chicago. Everytime we go to Chattanooga or Memphis it is to visit family which is great, but not necessarily a vacation.
• Needing - I haven't started packing for said 3 week trip to visit family, and I always manage to lose or forget to bring something!
• Tips, Tricks, or Hints - I have been following and participating in linky's to find new blogs. But I have been trying to write about what I know and love. If you like what you see or have any suggestions, please comment or follow my blog. 

Enjoy the rest of summer!! Does anyone have any tips for a newbie?! I am having a contest for a $10 gift certificate to my TPT store over at my Bloglovin post! Check it out! :-)