December Goals Review..

As for my December Goals.. Here they are in no particular order:

#1 - Have all Christmas gifts bought and wrapped by December 22nd. We don't get out of school until the 21st, so this could be pretty tricky.

FAILED. I did, however, get all gifts bought and wrapped within 24 hours though! Right after I had a Chili's date with my girls after school on the 21st, I went straight to shopping. So from about 5:30 p.m. on the 21st until 2:00 the next day - I was finished! I don't know that I'll get that lucky every year, but I'm super-impressed with myself this year. (Holiday cards are on the To Do List for next year...)

#2 - Organize my closet. My "closet" is really one of our extra bedrooms (the smallest one, but it's still full), and I feel like I am completely overwhelmed when I try to get started in there and get anything done. My goal this month is to clean out any clothes I haven't worn in a year and have all of them hung up or put away.

ACCOMPLISHED! How excited am I?!! I posted my vanity pics from Thursday's project, but the final touches (meaning - putting away all of the clothes from the laundry baskets and organizing misc. things into small baskets) were all done today!! Sadly, I got distracted from painting the bathroom, again, but soon!

#3 - Put up Christmas decorations! How sad is it that I have yet to decorate for the holiday season!? I know I'm behind, and I also know that it will only get worse/busier. At least, we have our lights up outside!

ACCOMPLISHED! I didn't go over-the-top this year, but I did manage to set out a few things - including a very small tree. It was a little late in the season to get up our big one, so I compromised. :)

#4 - Read 2 or 3 new books over the break. Yes, I'm a nerd, but if anyone has any great suggestions, I'd love to hear about them!

FAILED. I did re-read a book that was a gift a few years ago called Santa, Baby, but I didn't get much farther than that. I figure, since I finished many other projects, I could let this one go a little.

#5 - Print out my huge assortment of pictures. I am a huge scrapbook girl, and I need to get going on that again!

FAILED. I did get a few printed, but not near my assortment. (Not even half.. When I wrote this goal, I didn't realize how crazy it was to try to get them all printed!) I also TOOK more pictures this holiday season! I don't know why I ever really stopped - surely, not because I gained weight after college or became uber-obsessed with my career... Nah. I'm working on it.

Hope everyone is having a great start to their weekend! Can't believe our break is coming to a close, but I made the best of it! :)

PS - Newest December Goal: Make a resolution! I like having goals each month, for sure, but I need to try and see if I can decide on one that's long-term. Any ideas? Let me know!

Project Winter Break!

I have seriously been out of control when it comes to projects this break! I started the "break" with my Christmas shopping - yes, all of it within 24 hours.. I was lucky. However, after all FIVE Christmases in all of 2 1/2 days, we were exhausted! T and I spent all of Monday relaxing in our sweats (once we got back home, of course). And my sweet pups were so worn out, they didn't get back to their sweet, energetic selves until today! But I couldn't really complain, I do love to cuddle with them. :)

Onto my projects. I made my list, and set out to conquer them all over these past few days:

Monday - re-energize and prepare

Tuesday - Project Closet

Wednesday - Project Errands

Thursday - Project Vanity

Friday (to come) - Project Bathroom

TUESDAY - PROJECT CLOSET

On Tuesday, I seriously cleaned out SIX LARGE TRASHBAGS worth of clothes and shoes. I'm talking anything from shirts, skirts, dresses to coats, scarves and hats! It was amazing. T helped me load them up and take them down to the closest shelter. They may not be able to use everything, but I figured it could help someone. There are only 5 showing, but I didn't think about the coat closet until after I took the pic.

I can honestly say, I haven't seen this many extra hangers in my life. It feels great!

WEDNESDAY - PROJECT ERRANDS

I didn't necessarily need the "project" in my title, but it went with the rest of the days this week. We were really out and about from 10:30 until 3:30.. With a short stop for lunch at El Chico, we spent many hours at our small mall, Wal-Mart, Lowe's, AT&T, and Suddenlink. Whew! :)

We bought new curtains for most of our downstairs rooms (and T was honestly shocked at how much they cost - even with our coupon). I was trying something new to get more light in the dining room, and despite the sad image outside our giant window, I do like how it turned out.

We also bought some tubs to organize various things to slide under our spare bed, and extra laundry baskets to go in the basement for sorting clothes. I didn't take a picture, but they were promptly labeled as Whites, Darks, Colors, and Other. Oh, yes.. I did.

THURSDAY - PROJECT VANITY

So, I have had this adorable vanity and Mom and I found at a local garage sale two years ago, and I haven't done anything with it! It came to me a light, yellow color along with the chair's outline. When I was really feeling inventive, T and I painted it a matte black and sprayed the chair black as well. (There's just something special about my black and white relationship.) Anyway, I replaced the knobs, and it actually turned out pretty well.

Today was all about finishing it! I lined the inside of each drawer with cute, decorative paper, threw away the broken mirror (that came with it, but I was never able to use), and changed the material on the chair. I was so stunned by the finished product, I texted Mom and said that couldn't belong in my house! (I do love the mood lighting in the "after" picture though. hehe)

Before...

After!!

Isn't it so wonderful??! I'm in love.

FRIDAY - PROJECT BATHROOM

Pictures may come soon, but tomorrow I have one goal and only one goal. OK, that's not true. There's always something that comes up. Besides getting a teeth-cleaning at the dentist today, there were a few random things that came up around the house to finish or get distracted by. (Yes, I mean YOU, Pinterest!)

However, I plan to get a well-deserved (and well-needed) pedicure tomorrow, as well as painting my upstairs bathroom. I have a wonderful green that I adore - and painted the spare bedroom walls with - so I can only imagine that I'll love it in my bathroom with all of my brown/cream zebra accents, of course. There may be a couple of other Christmas gifts to put away, but we took care of the big ones on Monday and Tuesday (since T was off work both days). Big ones meaning my super awesome new mixer, my personal laminator (which may accompany me to school for a few small projects), my new label-maker, and his Keurig. He got some shoes that he's worn everyday since from my brother and sister, but there's still a small ice chest in the middle of my living room... Oh, how I love the holidays!

Hope everyone has had a blessed holiday season! Warm wishes to you!

xoxo

Happy Holidays!

Our last day of school was yesterday! Can you guess when my holiday shopping began? ...Yes, yesterday at 5:30 p.m. - directly after I met our Grizzly Girls at Chili's. :) However, I'm so proud to say that I officially finished in less than 24 hours! (Let's face it, I was pretty lucky.)

Our Christmas parties were on Tuesday afternoon - WITH BEAUTIFUL SNOWFLAKES, BTW - so our kiddos were pretty exhausted and restless to say the least. We have our class parties all at the same time, so I didn't have music classes from 2-3:00 that day. A nice, very well-deserved, break. Which I took full advantage of. I went to see one of my favorite friend's program! She teaches 1st-2nd special ed. and puts on a winter program for their parents in her classroom each year. I wasn't in the building for it last year, but since I don't have to travel this year, I was able to watch in the audience!

It. was. precious. Her students did such a great job, and she had provided them with matching holiday clothes that were adorable. They sang about 4-5 songs, had motions, and used props! I was so proud of them! (And she's our Teacher of the Year for our building - nothing short of spectacular. Seriously.)

I hope everyone enjoys their much-needed break and spending time with their families this holiday season!

We wish you a Merry Christmas!

We wish you a Merry Christmas!

We wish you a Merry Christmas,

and a Happy New Year!

December Goals

This isn't just a post for my goals, as much as I want to say... GO COWBOYS!

The Oklahoma State Cowboys defeated our own in-state rivals last night in Stillwater. The "Bedlam Forecast" sure had us all worried and prepared us for the worst, but most of the afternoon stayed warmer and dryer than planned. The game ended up making OSU look pretty darn good and gave us a win over the Sooners 44-10. (Awesome!)

As for my December Goals.. Here they are in no particular order:

#1 - Have all Christmas gifts bought and wrapped by December 22nd. We don't get out of school until the 21st, so this could be pretty tricky.

#2 - Organize my closet. My "closet" is really one of our extra bedrooms (the smallest one, but it's still full), and I feel like I am completely overwhelmed when I try to get started in there and get anything done. My goal this month is to clean out any clothes I haven't worn in a year and have all of them hung up or put away.

#3 - Put up Christmas decorations! How sad is it that I have yet to decorate for the holiday season!? I know I'm behind, and I also know that it will only get worse/busier. At least, we have our lights up outside!

#4 - Read 2 or 3 new books over the break. Yes, I'm a nerd, but if anyone has any great suggestions, I'd love to hear about them!

#5 - Print out my huge assortment of pictures. I am a huge scrapbook girl, and I need to get going on that again!

November Goals Round-Up

I was looking back at my goals for this month, and I'm so excited! 4 out of 5 is pretty darn good! :) Here's where the cards lay:

1. Run a full mile by the end of the month. Without stopping. Without walking. FAILED. It's just so cold already!

2. If needed, spend only ONE day at school after 5:00. ACCOMPLISHED! Most days I was able to leave between 4:00-4:30, so I'm getting better at getting everything I need done. (Also, it saved me some extra time since our school copier was broken from the 21st until now..)

3. Plan dinner 4 nights a week. ACCOMPLISHED!! We had all kinds of great foods! I guess I'll have to keep up my grocery shopping for the week on Mondays after school - seemed to work out just fine! (Felt like I was such a better wife!) haha

4. Send 5 cards to special people in my life just for fun. I love this one! ACCOMPLISHED!

5. Start planning holiday lists. ACCOMPLISHED! We even got the lights put up outside the house! Now the inside looks nothing like my usual Christmas does, but we were also gone for the weekend after Thanksgiving, so I couldn't quite fit in my normal routine. It will get done!

May the Odds Be Ever in Your Favor...

These new trailers are just teasing us! I cannot wait until some Hunger Games really come out! If you haven't read the books, there is still time! Don't walk to get them. Today. RUN. They are written so well and grab your attention from the beginning! I highly recommend them, along with many of my fellow teachers!

LOVE IT.

Drummer Hoff Fired It Off!

Tuesday Tune-Ups with Firsties!

I very much enjoy my lesson with my first graders this week. I started with a couple of opening Thanksgiving songs, but dove straight into our lesson after that...

DRUMMER HOFF FIRED IT OFF!

LESSON ONE:

I love using this great book, because it has so many great rhythmic qualities and I always tie it in with instruments. Adapted by Barbara Emberly & illustrated by Ed Emberly (yes, we always have to make sure we make the connection of their names.. haha), I always have a good time hearing how the two may be related! Cousins, siblings, parents, etc. So cute!

Anyway, we start the first day by reading the book and I have them actively participate by clapping as a whole group once after I say the sentence, "Drummer Hoff fired it off!" I like to keep them on their toes, so I tend to change it up and a pause in different places to really test their listening skills. At the end of the book, I tell them, "When I say this next word, I want you to pat your legs as quickly as you can until I give you this signal." And yes, the next word is "FIRE!" so they pat their little legs as quickly as they can until the explosion is over and I give the signal. LOVE THIS!

After we finish reading/clapping, I have the names of all of the officers in the book and I have the students put the names in order. Then, we clap the rhythm of each. "General Border gave the order" = ti-ti ti-ti ti-ti ti-ti and "Major Scott brought the shot" = ti-ti ta ti-ti ta and so on.

DRUMMER HOFF FIRED IT OFF!

Our school has adopted Safari (which is a recent switch from Discovery Education), and I actually found a great reading of the book that has animated the pictures and "makes them come to life!" Firsties were super impressed with that! (Let's be honest, I'm impressed, too. I'd love to know how to do that myself!)

That usually takes most of the first day, since I only see them for 30 minutes, so the next lesson is when we really dive into our instrument time!

LESSON TWO:

We start off by reviewing our book by either reading the book again with the claps or watching the video. (Always keeping fresh on their minds the explosion and cut-off signal.)

Next, I have my instruments set up in the front of the room, with each instrument representing a different character. I assign 3-4 students to each character, and then we read through the book. Students play the rhythm of their character on their instrument and stop once it gets to the next character. Of course, my Drummer Hoff could be a giant drum that only a few kids get to hit at the end, but since I do not have many drums in my classroom, I chose to use small cymbals. (I kept it a very small group of 1-2 kids only. It was plenty loud enough.) ;)

Again, always anticipating that explosion at the end, I have ALL instruments play when I say the word "FIRE!" If there's time, I have the groups change places, so the students are able to play more instruments. All is good fun though!

I need to take a cute pic of the students actually playing these instruments, but for today, you can see the set up of how it all went down.

DRUMMER HOFF FIRED IT OFF!

Hope you enjoy!

Sunday Fun-Day: Class Dojo

OK, so I've been reading about this all over the blogging world: Class Dojo.

I'm kind of obsessed!

Usually after the first 9 weeks (and once our procedures are down and practiced pretty well), I start a competition between every class that comes to music. I think my librarian may start the same thing and join my efforts, so I'm very excited about that, too!

How it works: I have a chart that lists every class, and I have students keep track and mark their stars once they line up. When they enter music, they are all awarded 5 stars as a class. It is their job to keep those 5 stars throughout our 30 minutes together. And then it all starts over the next day. (Since they come to me three times a week, a single class can keep up to 15 stars per week. After Friday at 3:00, it starts over the next week.)

Here are my 5 stars and what I require of them for their class to keep them:

Enter - come in quietly and go to their spot on the risers

Cooperation - work well with others, no disruptions, doing as they are asked, etc.

Participation - pretty self-explanatory, but if a couple aren't singing/clapping/etc., they lose this star

Attitude - a poor attitude towards fellow classmates, teachers, or the music = no star

Exit - line up quietly and ready for the hall

I've been posting these stars in the front of the room, so it is always visible to them, but I think this Class Dojo will be just as easy! I have it set up (for free, btw) for one class: Music, and then listed the classroom teacher's name as my "students."

You can add it to your smart phone AND pull it up on your SmartBoard anytime you'd like, too! I'm going to try it this week and see how it goes or if I need to stick with my old way. (Sometimes technology really is a fun time!)

Hope everyone's Veteran's Day Programs went smoothly - almost time for the Christmas ones! (Never a break... haha)

ABC's of Me!

I saw this cute get-to-know-you-idea on a fellow blogger's site, and decided that it would be a great time to throw it into the mix this week!

A. ATE FOR BREAKFAST: Mango-Pineapple smoothie from McD's. Yum.
B. BED SIZE: Queen
C. CHORE YOU HATE: Cleaning up a puppy mess or mowing. Not a fan.
D. DOG'S NAMES: Pete and Wrigley (pictured above)
E. ESSENTIAL "START THE DAY" ITEM: My phone! First, it acts as my alarm clock, but I tend to check emails and the weather first thing.
F. FAVORITE COLORS: Hot pink & turquoise. To wear - black or purple.
G. GOLD OR SILVER: My wedding rings are white gold (aka silver), but it depends on the outfit of choice for the day. :)
H. HEIGHT: 5'6"
I. INSTRUMENTS YOU PLAY: I took piano lessons for years, but studied voice after that. Other than my two weeks on the recorder, that's been about it.
J. JOB: Elementary music teacher
K. KIDS: Nope.
L. LIVING ARRANGEMENTS: Bought a house. Going on 2 1/2 years now!
M. MY FAVORITE SNACK: chips and salsa, Dr. Pepper, chocolate... You see where I'm going with this. N. NICKNAME: Linny was the only one that ever really sort of stuck.
O. OVERNIGHT HOSPITAL STAY: Never. (Thank goodness).
P. PET PEEVE: I have a lot of these, but I can never think of them when someone asks!
Q. QUOTE FROM A MOVIE: It's from Noah to Allie in The Notebook -- "So it's not gonna be easy. It's gonna be really hard. We're gonna have to work at this every day, but I want to do that because I want you. I want all of you, forever, you and me, every day."
R. RIGHTY OR LEFTY: Righty (except when I swing the bat! ...blame it on Pops.)
S. SIBLINGS: One of each, but I'm the oldest.
T. TIME YOU WAKE UP: On Wednesdays, I have a rehearsal at school at 7:30 a.m. and two/three days week I was running at 5:30 a.m. But I like to be at school extra early (since I only have 25 minutes to plan between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m.), which gives me time to accomplish at least one thing for the day. So I'm usually waking up between 6:05-6:15 now that it's too chilly.
U. UNDERWEAR: Um. Awkward turtle, homes. I have quite a variety, in case you were wondering. Oh, and I like to match my undies to my outfits if possible. True story.
V. VEGGIE YOU DISLIKE: I like most vegetables, but I've never had brussel sprouts and I doubt I'd be a fan.
W. WAYS/REASONS YOU ARE LATE: I love to sleep. Sometimes I get sucked into reading blogs/books on my nook or checking facebook (not as much anymore now that Pinterest has me completely inspired) and time gets away from me. Sometimes I have fashion emergencies - aka I just can't decide what to wear.
X. XRAYS YOU'VE HAD: For my teeth -- at the dentist & orthodontist.
Y. YUMMY FOOD YOU MAKE: I make lots of yummy food (if I do say so myself). Tonight's dinner was stolen from a fellow teacher and it may be my new favorite! Kind of a shephard's pie-type-thing. (Croissant rolls in a pie pan filled with beef, green beans, onion, tomato sauce and cheese - sooo wonderful!)
Z. ZOO ANIMALS YOU LIKE: Elephants (always my #1), penguins, anything my hubby wouldn't let me have as a house pet really.

Kinder-Music Mondays

I'm feeling a little behind with my kinders. For most of their classes, I usually follow Joy Nelson's The Music Effect to keep us on path, but this year has been a whirlwind of way too many extra things that have to be put into our musical time together. With my schedule, I only have time for one kinder class to come three times a week.

(Therefore, the other three kinder classes in our building have another - astounding, btw - teacher that sees them in the cafeteria... Yes, our building is officially out of classrooms and has no room for our traveling music teacher to have a classroom. She was presented with a Redcat-speaker system and CD player on a rolling cart. That's it. She's unbelievable. I don't know how she does it three days a week.)

Back to point. If you are not currently using The Music Effect books 1-2, I highly recommend them! Dr. Nelson gives you great stories and tips to keep the kids engaged and - if all keeps on track - a great base for their upcoming years in music.

I'd love to know what you're using in your kinder music classes!

Good luck to everyone on Veteran's Programs this week!

Solfa for Thought

So I've been doing some serious reflecting and research this weekend.. I have officially applied to grad. school and I am finally inspired! These past few weeks have felt like I was in a huge body of water, treading day after day, only to swim a few miles and tread again feeling like I've gotten no closer to land.

The past few years of my teaching experience have been a mixture of many of the main music-making approaches: Kodaly being the most dominate, with Orff following closely behind, and a dash of Dalcroze (which I am the least familiar with - but hope to change that and get a good grasp of all three and how they can be incorporated and somewhat fuzed together).

In the process of all this reflecting (and extra thinking), I've decided to give my posts a new goal. I've got an idea of where I'm going to go with my students, but getting there will be the work. So..

Each post will have some sort of concept I'm working on for the week. And only to make it easier on myself (since I can't promise that I'll get to post everyday), I want to dedicate one day a week to certain grade levels. It'll consist of anything from a great lesson I've got planned that day/week and maybe a cute story or two. Either way, here's my thinking:

Kinder-Music Mondays

Tune-Up Tuesdays for Firsties

What Second Grade Wants Wednesdays

Third Grade Thursdays

Fourth & Fifth Grade Fridays

Special Ed. Saturdays

Sunday Fun-Day!

I'm looking forward to a good time! Each day will have a theme - not saying there may not be something else on my mind to write about on these days - but this gives me a good place to start with ideas to jot down during the week!

November Goals...

OK... Let's be honest. I didn't do the best at last month's goals. It's already November 1st and my time is out! Here's a run-down of how October went. (I'm almost embarrassed to type..)

1. Run a full mile by the end of the month. FAILED. I am still up twice a week and running/walking, so I feel like that's a close one. I'll keep it up for November, and (even though it's about to get oh-so-cold) I'll have the mile before Thanksgiving!

2. Spend no more than $200. FAILED MISERABLY. I don't know what I was thinking with this one. I hosted an engagement party for a friend this month, so I down-right plummeted to failure at #2. (I also found some super-cute flat boots for $30 that are perfect to start this cold weather in and I couldn't resist! ...both pairs.)

3. Cook dinner 4 nights a week. ACCOMPLISHED!! Yay to me! I did do this one all but one week this month - and it was only 3 nights for that week, because I was not home for everyday of my so-called "Fall Break." (A week would've definitely done the trick.)

4. Send 5 cards to special people in my life just for fun. ACCOMPLISHED! Of course, my grandma got one again, but I also sent one to my sister and a Halloween one for my niece. A couple of teachers at work were having a tough week, so I technically didn't "send" them a card as much as I wrote them one and stuck it in their boxes at work. (If I count the 35 party invites for my friend's engagement, I'm way over my goal! haha)

5. Blog consistently twice a week WITH PICTURES! FAILED. I fully intend to continue with this as well for November.

So here's the final list for November:

1. Run a full mile by the end of the month. Without stopping. Without walking. I cannot wait to write "ACCOMPLISHED" for this one!!

2. If needed, spend only ONE day at school after 5:00. Last week, my workdays ranged anywhere from 6:45 a.m. to 7:15 p.m. There was only one day that I got home before my husband last week, and that was because I had to finish up a couple of errands before driving to the engagement party 90 minutes away, so I had to leave on time. There's just not enough time in my day when I teach 12 classes in a day!

3. Plan dinner 4 nights a week. This has to stay a goal each month. With the destination wedding moved to June, that gives me more time to get fit and eat healthy! Wish me luck!

4. Send 5 cards to special people in my life just for fun. I love this one! It's such a great feeling to get a card! I received a holiday card from my friend this month and it feels so good to be loved! (Thank you, Katie!)

5. Start planning holiday lists. I started one for myself and the hubs beginning this past summer. Just a quick collection of things I'd like to have and didn't want to buy myself when funds were tight. :) Thanks to other blogs and pinterest, I've got tons of ideas for my family and house decorations!

Keep Your Heads Up

Besides having a doc's appointment this morning, I decided that it was plenty necessary to take off the rest of the day. Today was known as my very first "Mental Health Day" of the school year. I figure that if I take one every nine weeks, I could very easily survive this hectic schedule I've got.

I made it through my first two program rehearsals this week as well. (Survived would be a better choice word actually.) I chose 3rd graders to kick off the programs this year, but let's be honest, a first rehearsal for any grade level is always rough. However, starting off the first rehearsal with 3 notes from parents about kids "having too much stress in their life" to have a speaking part (yes, I'm quoting it straight from the note) or won't be there, 4 kids crying after being on the stage for seriously no more than 5 minutes, and a fellow teacher who literally SCREAMS at kids. Interrupting teachers, interrupting students who are speaking, my lord it never ended! (I later found out that one reason a student was crying is because she is terrified of this teacher I speak of. Terr.I.Fied. How sad is that??)

Onto a better note, the second rehearsal went a million times smoother. Kids knew where to stand to say their part, they were ready, and our final dress rehearsal will be Monday, with the program for the school on Tuesday morning and the parents Tuesday evening. I'm not one to complain about not getting paid for this extra time directing (because I truly don't care about that part, but that seems to be the only language that the powers-that-be can understand). I, selfishly, tend to stress about the fact that between an eleven-hour period of the day, I'll have taught 10 classes on top of directing two program performances, while squeezing in a meal and a bathroom break or two. I'm a little anxious. Just a little. (And have to keep hearing other teachers complain about taking their kids on a local field trip, only to change their trip time in order to be back for specials. A few hours off of teaching and a break? May want to stay out of my line of sight for that day... hah) Luckily, our Fall Break is coming up at the end of the week, ergo, giving me a few relaxing hours to collapse into a deep sleeping coma.

Living with a coach of all sports, I learned at a young age that his go-to-phrase was all about "keepin' your head up." He tells each and every player to keep their heads up. (With part of his reasoning being, that if you have your head down on the field, you could get hit.) So seriously, if we don't keep our heads up and watch where we're going, we, too, may not see what's coming from the dark side. Respect the players and they'll respect you. Bringing me to yesterday...

Yesterday, a few of my fabulous co-teachers and I got together to have a nice, relaxing time time over a few cocktails. Well deserved and needed. :) My week has wrapped up very nicely if I do say so. Sometimes you just gotta go "Woohoo!!"

This next post will be chalked full of exceptional ideas, because I have some wonderful people in my life that inspire me to be a spectacular teacher. Stay tuned!

Lucky #57

OK folks, this has already officially been the longest week! But actually, I can't complain because I spent the majority of the weekend at workshops for school, at school, or thinking about new things to do at school. Seriously. I do love my job, but it didn't give me much of a break.

However, last night was also Parent-Teacher Conferences, which kept us all at school until 7:30. (These 12-hour days really wear me out!) On the bright side, being the music teacher, I don't tend to get too many visitors, and I was able to get plenty of things finished! ...Only to realize how much more I still needed to get done again. This job is seriously exhausting, but I wouldn't have fun any other way. Keeps me energized and excited to learn new things!

Today I spent my entire day teaching as a fellow colleague observed. I very much love talking about teacher things and stealing new ideas from people! She is a first-year teacher, and I completely remember how I was my first year. I wanted to take in everything I possibly could because I felt like I knew nothing! All I had to go from was my student-teaching experience (which was more than amazing, but still not my own classroom). Everything around me was brand new (not to mention new to the kids as well, being that they hadn't had an actual music teacher in over 5 years). It was interesting to say the least. :) We stuck with it together though, and I've very grateful for the experience. I can absolutely say that I learned a lot!

But she has some great ideas (and great frustrations) like the rest of us. Luckily, we have an awesome elementary music support system around here. Makes me realize why the music teachers stay in our district so long! :)

Hope everyone else is having a great start to their week! Program rehearsals begin tomorrow on the stage! (Wish me luck!)

October Goals

So I've taken the idea from Leah over at Happily Hitched, and I've decided that she's going to inspire me to start making goals for each month. New Month = New Goals. Personal Goals. Work Goals. Family Goals. Financial Goals. Health Goals. I'm choosing five goals for the month. Five things I hope to accomplish. Five things that cannot be added to a list and checked off in one day (which could be difficult for me).

These are my goals for the month (which I have taken most of Leah's since it's a great place to start). This is what I hope to accomplish. Here we go!

1. Run a full mile by the end of the month. Without stopping. Without walking. I have a best friend's destination wedding in March, so this goal will have to continue up each month!

2. Spend no more than $200. Clothes, classroom materials, Dr. Pepper, anything that is NOT a necessity. I'm sure this one will take practice, but I have to start somewhere.

3. Cook dinner 4 nights a week. Well, maybe this one should be PLAN dinner 4 nights a week. I started to get pretty good at this one last spring, but I took a little break during the summer months. No time like the present!

4. Send 5 cards to special people in my life just for fun. I used to do this one all the time for my grandma. (I guess I stopped when I felt like my sister "stole" the idea and started doing it herself. Who cares!? Gotta get over that, because who doesn't have room for more cards??)

5. Blog consistently twice a week WITH PICTURES! Sorry to everyone that has been waiting for classroom updates!

I'll check back at the end of the month to see what progress I've made! Hopefully, I can have all five accomplished! Wish me luck!

Groovy Bumble Bees

I had such a fun lesson today! My 1st and 2nd graders are getting so much better and consistent with our music procedures. We only have to "practice" once or twice before everyone is doing them correct now! And I totally mean only the little stuff: standing up together without noise, finding their "polka dot spot" while walking piano, etc. (Of course, I'm thinking as I write this, I'm going to be in for quite a day tomorrow... haha)

Anyway, our school's set of textbooks is Music Connection. And the one before that is Share the Music - which is where I found the songs.

We begin by reviewing a little bit of piano and forte (they were both introduced last week, and I use them daily for the rest of the year to keep them refreshed). Anyway, we slid through that and I had them listen to the "Flight of the Bumblebee." We talked about what animal we were hearing, what we think the bees were doing, and what the title of the song might be called before I tell them.

Next, I have them find their "polka dot spot" somewhere in the classroom, and play the song again. Only this time, if the music is piano, we squat down, when it's in the middle, we're halfway up, and forte is standing. Our version is pretty short and has quick dynamic changes, which keeps their body moving.

The song that comes after it is some kind of fancy version that has a very groovy feel to it. I have the kids mirror my movements (which are always a good time). We had lots of smiles today! :)

Tin Can Composer

Hello all! So I completely transformed this idea (and stole it from a fellow classroom colleague that does it just slightly differently), but I can't wait to try it out this year!

I'm calling it "Tin Can Composer" (but you could use any empty food or oatmeal can). I'm planning to use it with my 5th graders at the end of the year, after we've learned a fair amount of info about a few composers.

My plan is to give them two weeks outside of music class to create their Tin Can Composers, but they will have a few things to add to them. First, they'll have to use at least three different textures on their can to create the face/hair/etc. of their composer. Next, they'll write the name on the bottom (for us to check at the end of voting), and five facts about them written on slips of paper that will be inside of the empty can.

I'll show them to each class and have them vote as a class on who they think the composer is, only by seeing the creation and hearing the five facts about them. Once all classes have cast their votes, the 5th graders will graph their results to post beside the composer.

At first, I was thinking this would be a great end-of-year project, but now that I'm thinking more and more about it, I wonder if it would be better to have them set out around the music room or hallways at parent-teacher conferences. If I'm really being honest, I don't usually get a lot of parents to visit the music room on those nights, so I do get work done, but it would be a fun thing for parents to see...

Either way, I'm super excited about it and can't wait to tell the kids about it! (Even if I do have to wait until next semester...)

Happy Sunday, Everyone!

Love Me Some Ron Clark!

And PS - I finished Ron Clark's new book and I recommend it to everyone! It did not disappoint! I would LOVE to be able to visit his academy in Atlanta! A-mazing!

You're a.. Heartbreaker

WHAT A WEEKEND! I am so excited (but overwhelmed all at the same time), because I have so many great people in my life ready at the drop of a hat to bounce ideas around! There are a million things I want to incorporate into my classroom, a trillion ideas that aren't completely developed yet, and a zillion.... (Ok, so I don't have a zillion anything, but you could tell where I'm headed.)

I am mid-working on a 3rd Grade program that will be in October - speaking parts are being distributed this week, introducing 5th Graders to their program - which is the Veteran's Day Assembly, and in the process, auditioning students for our few extra honor choir opportunities they'll have throughout the year. Whew! (And that's only the upper-elementary grades!!)

Although, I have to say, I sent home an interest letter to the 4th and 5th graders this past week, and I have 45 (FOURTY-FIVE !) students that are interested! My only problem is that I can only pick 12 (plus 2 alternates) to go to one festival, and about 8 to go to Real Men Sing (boys only)... I'm slightly stressed. I LOVE that I've got their interest, but it's always the worst to break hearts in the process. I wish I could take them all. I always worry that I'm crushing someone's dreams, so I have to remind myself - "There's not one thing I say that can break - or make - a child." -Madame Esme. (It helps.)

Back to the weekend, I spent today hanging out with fellow sisters at our Kappa Delta Alumnae Tea. I love me some Stillwater and sorority life, but I felt so old there! My big/little family is still going strong, but I met my GGGG-Little (too many G's...I know, right?), who informed me that there are three of them and now five GGGGG-Littles! (I have to give a shout-out to Team Hendrix (our newly adopted family name), because we rock!)

Hope everyone else had a fabulous weekend! Once I get through these next few days, I hope to be back to posting classroom-ready pics and new ideas! :)

Gone to Library!

Today was wonderful. I mean, I've really had such an awesome time getting to know my new school of students. They have so much personality, they're adorable, and like all kids - full of energy and lessons to learn. :)

However, my "library time" began about 4:00 this afternoon at Chili's. Another teacher and I decided that we needed to make a date and talk over an order of their fabulous chips and salsa. We got to know more about each other and we talked about how much we have to look forward to for this year! (Cheesy, I know, but true.)

Hope everyone had a great Teaching Tuesday! (I'll be sure to fill you in on my day tomorrow - it seems to be becoming more of a "What-Did-I-Miss Wednesday" since I never seem to be caught up these days!)

Is This a Ride at Six Flags or What?

Okay. These past two weeks have been nothing but one roller coaster after another!

Let me begin:

• We started with Open House where I was able to meet a few parents and new students (all are new to me this year). However, I spent the majority of my night roaming the halls, helping direct parents to their classrooms, and chatting with my favorite new librarian. (It's her first year as a librarian, but she's taught theater/drama and English at the HS level for over 10 years - can you imagine how fabulous her read-alouds are going to be?!)
• Then was Day One. I should say that this was enough said, but I did survive. I taught 12 classes and still managed to love every minute. My principal came by to make sure I survived with this schedule (which is loaded to the absolute max - only 1 other music teacher in the district has a schedule like mine... it's rough). But I smiled and actually said "It was great! I'm a rockstar, so I new I'd be fine once I got the kids in here!" (Professionalism is seeping from my pores, no?)
• Well, within the first 3 days, I had lost my voice and the glands in my throat had started to swell. This is the wonderful thing about being a voice major/singer - you get this "feeling" and you know it's all downhill from there. Luckily, I loaded up on more vitamin c and sucked on cough drops enough to be fine once Monday returned.
• On to our first FULL WEEK. If I wasn't tired within the first 3 days, then this did it. It was sad in the fact that my hubs caught a 48-hour flu-like "bug" and was vomiting and out of the office for a couple days. Luckily, I took care of him, and made it through the week alive.
• This weekend, on the other hand, is another story. Pretty sure my lovely, well-deserved, 3-day weekend began with a 4:30 a.m. wake-up call. Yes. I caught the sickness, too. I missed my sweet alma mater's first game yesterday (GO COWBOYS!), and stayed home throwing up all day. (Yes, in case you were wondering, T did go to the game and tailgate all afternoon. I'm not bitter.) haha
• I will say that the only thing that was disappointing throughout the first full week was that a teacher actually kept 5 students from my music class with them, because she felt that they needed to "write procedures for her." Are you kidding me?! They only come to music only 3 times a week, and I do not feel like it's appropriate for them to miss my class because of a punishment given by their classroom teacher, not to mention that they also get a grade as well. I'm quite positive there is plenty of classroom time to make that up. Well, 3 boys returned separately all at different times within our 30 minutes once they'd finished. Such crap. (Mind you, this is also the teacher that has already been late picking up her kids, made them wait at my door while my next class was outside because she was finishing up a call on her cell phone, and is not my favorite person. We've only been in school EIGHT DAYS!) Just need to vent. Thank you.

Hope everyone else has a relaxing few days! Good luck this week!

Teaching... Only the Strong Survive

Well... I have almost made it through my first week! Teaching 12 (TWELVE) classes a day has really gotten me exhausted. Now, I understand that classroom teachers may have their kiddos for an equivalent amount of time, but I get to go non-stop for exactly 29 minutes, line them up, and start the process over again and again for the next five classes. (Here's where I eat some lunch and try to plan, after which involves a repeat of the entire morning all over again.) I'm not here to complain. But I don't get to take kids on a 15-minute bathroom break, to computers or library, or an extra recess. I fully believe that if I start getting tired and let up, that I may mess up a kid's entire music education!

Now don't get me wrong, I truly think I'm the right person for the job. And I know that any single thing I do will not break (or make) a child. But I do add a lot of extra pressure on myself to make sure the job gets done right!

I'm reading Ron Clark's new book (The End of Molasses Classes - AH-mazing by the way!), and I am completely inspired. If I could get my hubby to move me to Georgia, I'd be set.

Speaking of... My guy has been feeling under the weather this week, but he felt good enough to actually be involved in my nighttime reading last night! I read a few blurbs from Mr. Clark's book, and he was loving it! (Okay, "loving it" may be a stretch, but I do think he was totally into it.) It excites me when he gets into what I love so much!

Now that I have been spending all of my extra time at school, I'm not quite back on my making-dinner-or-going-grocery-shopping-so-my-hubby-doesn't-starve-or-doing-laundry-so-he-has-enough-clean-clothes routine yet. My schedule is finally set (which, sadly, is not always the case in some schools right now), so maybe this "long" weekend will give me time to catch up... Always playing catch-up. :)

Meet the Teacher

Well.. I officially linked up with I'm Blog Hoppin' this week!

(http://imbloghoppin.blogspot.com/) --I'm not super great at adding a link, so I figure adding the website is the next best thing!

Here's the deal: Everyday there's something new to blog about and once you get on their blog, you can check out as many other teacher blogs as your heart desires! Since today is all about "Meet the Teacher Monday" - here is my contribution!

Tell us a little something about you...

I'm Lindsey and I am so ready for my classes to start! I teach music and I have been bombarded by adults over these past few professional/work days, and I am ready for some smiling faces! I live in an historic house in a medium-sized town that is almost 100 years old! (I'm LOVING it!) My hubby and I have been married for close to 3 years now, and along the way, I found the sweetest pug, Wrigley, who is a daily burst of energy. Then about a year and a half ago, we adopted her "big brother" Pete, who added just the right amount of personality and love to our growing family. (Pete and Wrigley look absolutely nothing alike, and are pretty much as close to opposite as I could've gotten with them both being pugs.) "Real" kids are planned for the future, but probably later rather than sooner at this point.

How long have you been teaching?

This is my fourth year of teacher music. My first year was the biggest challenge so far, but I have an inkling that this year may run a close second. (More to come on that in later blogs.) I taught PreK-12th grade in a very small school, and it was exhausting! It was also 40-minutes one way from our home, which didn't do much for my car or my marriage. We powered through (we the marriage, not the car - she didn't make it), and I was able to find an elementary position in town. It was a traveling position and I stayed there and LOVED it for two year, but I transferred this year and I hope it can be just as great. It has a lot to measure up to though.

You might not know...

Teaching wasn't my initial career choice. Growing up with parents that were both teachers/coaches, I decided that by high school that I didn't want none of that cake. I saw the long hours, disrespect (by adults and kids alike), and financial burden it took with my siblings and I. When I got to college, I had full intentions of becoming a wedding planner. Didn't last long. By the first semester in, I had already talked to the music ed. advisor and gotten enrolled in choir and never looked back.

What are you looking most forward to this school year?

I'm most looking forward to a fresh start. In all honesty, I'm very nervous about some of the negative energy in the building, and I hope that it doesn't last all year. I have had some really discouraging days this past week, and it's not going at all like I expected it to. That said, I refuse to let anything stand between my happiness (and sanity). I will choose to make the effort every single day to make this year worthwhile for the students and myself.

What do you need to improve?

There's always something I'm thinking about that I want to improve. Summertime is usually my time to focus and reflect on what went well and what went poorly. I want to make sure my students know more about the classics. Composers, classical music, everything! Yes, I realize there are only so many hours that I see them, but I will cram everything I can get them to grasp into their sweet ever-growing brains before the year's up.

What teaching supplies can you *not* live without?

Love my Sharpies. I seriously cannot do a project without color-coding everything. Each grade level has its own color that I've continued for the past 3 years. It works, and I'm slightly obsessed with it.

Of course, I keep a healthy stash of Dr. Pepper around at all times. It's a sad, sad addiction.

I cannot live without my office supplies. Labels, markers, pens, post-its... Everything has it's place!

My SmartBoard is a-mazing! Every class will have a "Musical Moment" (or a "Martian Moment" since I'm all about my space theme this year... Guess I should decide that within 24 hours now.)

Books, books, and more books! It's another crazy addiction, and my husband cannot understand it. I'm doing my best to find him some good ones though. He claims he's not a reader, but I'm working on him.

Hope tomorrow brings just as much fun with Talk Teacher Tuesday! Have a great week!

On the Move

In the spirited (read: stressful, discouraging, anxiety-filled) days that have become of this week, I completely overlooked the fact that I have posted my 50th post!! So excited to get to this point! (Even if it has almost been a year that I've been posting...) Still proud! :)

Our school has been under some major construction this past year. Many schools have had serious renovations over the summer - to the extent that the insides aren't even recognizable! (The updates were definitely needed!)

The problem with construction in Oklahoma though.. It's hard to bid on a job due to weather. Our summer has been one of the hottest summer's of the decade! I know there are many states that are used to this weather, but 111 degrees multiple days in a row was a slow torture. (You have to count our famous wind that felt like a blow-dryer slamming into your face.)

All of that said brings me to my next point. OUR SCHOOLS ARE NOT FINISHED! Poor teachers this year have had to come back to their rooms and hallways upside down, boxes of their things and furniture packed into the middle of their rooms, and meetings upon meetings. I would like to be able to say that our "Opening Day" was there to motivate us and give us confidence and courage to tackle the new year, but, sadly, it was not. I love me some true professional development, and I'll be the first to say that I am a giant nerd in that department, but I also don't like to waste my time when there is already so much on my plate for the new year.

However, I have to say that honestly, there are always those few who complain (and they complain about anything and everything), but they are not the majority this time. There are teachers out there that were just allowed into their classrooms TODAY! And even though the students don't start school until next Wednesday, our classrooms have to be set up for Open House on MONDAY!!

To those who persevere:

Despite the late move-ins.

Despite the negative attitudes surrounding them.

Despite the classrooms that look like a war zone.

This and above all,

dedicate their lives to children.

3 cheers to those teachers who shoot among the stars!

Helping Hands

This week has been so much fun! I am helping out teacher-friends at other schools (a- because we're all fabulous, and b- because I'm not allowed to work in my classroom until tomorrow since they are waxing floors), but we're having a great time anyway!

My fifth grade friend is going with an underwater/fishy theme and she just found a few really awesome free fonts that she downloaded, and our first grade friend is going with a tiger/safari kind of thing. Put both of those with my outer space theme and we've got a great time!

I'll post a few pictures when I can, because you can believe that you'll want to see how my classroom has transformed. (That, and I'm just a little bit proud of my hard work. I have to show off sometimes.)

Lastly, I met with three other music teachers in my district for lunch today. We're just way too much alike in the fact that we want to give our students the best music education that we can, but I love it because we all have so many different -- but fabulous -- ideas to share! We had our own "teacher share party" and we each brought a couple of things to share with each other. (Which was hard, because most of what we all do is a lot alike!) We still managed. :)

Hope everyone is having a GREAT first week back (or a great week if your already back or haven't started yet). Peace out.

Let the Countdown Begin!

Just starting the countdown! School officially begins for me in 12 days! I'm mid-organizing my brand new classroom, so pics will be posted soon!!

Bumps in the Road

After being up in my classroom for a short while this morning, it's official... I am so excited for the new year to begin!!

Bump #1: There are approximately 5 large wooden doors, many spray-painted frames and screws, and an assortment of huge bulletin boards and whiteboard just WAITING to be put into the other classrooms that aren't finished yet! I can barely get around to find anything! (Which is a teeny bit dramatic, but I just want to get in there and get my boxes unloaded. There are two books now that have been misplaced somewhere and I cannot find them anywhere. How frustrating.)

Bump #2: School isn't even close to starting. I'm talking - a good 30 days away. The kiddos officially get to show off their new clothes, bring in all of their new-school goodies, and meet me one month from today! (Maybe I'm also a little nervous, now that I think of it. But a good nervous! I'm a planner, so I actually have my first 3 days of lesson plans done for K-2nd. That's a start.)

Bump #3: I have no schedule in sight. I guess it is only Monday of this week, and I've been looking forward to this since the beginning of June - when my principal said that we "specials" will meet and make a schedule. (This is the first time in 4 years that anyone has ever asked MY opinion about MY schedule... Is that normal?)

Other than the obsessive planning on my part, and the occasional (ok, weekly) collaborating with other fellow rockstar music teachers throughout the summer, I have had a few things that kept me busy. Time at the lake, many more weddings (including 2 more still to come), T's birthday tomorrow... The good stuff. :)

The poor guy is working so hard this week, and I'll have to get some kind of dessert ready for him. (This is the time where knowing how to make a pie would be so beneficial! I'll see what I can come up with!)

Have a great music-making Monday! Hopefully, when I come back later this week, I'll have an official theme picked out and ready to start creating!