Ahhhh......Lovin' My New Computer

Howdy Doody,

Well, I feel like a brand new woman - life has been pretty eventful around this household.  Hubby in the ER for a bad back, computer fries, my kiddos are completely bonkers (both at home and at school), it's been project central around this house...who do these teachers think they are giving MY children so much homework?  Family Tree?  DONE!  Diorama? FINITO! Carnival Game? Just about done...PHEW. I still have lunches to pack, clothes to pick out, but by golly if I thought my fingers were permanently attached to my computer before...watch out baby!

Last week we did Learning Stations for the first time this school year.  Like I've said before, I'm so jealous of you girls who are able to create these fun, thematic, game-based units.  My curriculum just doesn't allow for that.  Seems everything is canned between our new math program {that they have paid out the wazoo for - so we just better use it}, and our science kits {FOSS - which I DO love} there just isn't a lot of wiggle room.

My cronies and I call ourselves "The Stepford Wives"...with that, there are couple of things I refuse - REFUSE - to let go of:

1. Snack/Free Choice {A lot of teachers do a working snack}Seriously? SERIOUSLY?!? Put a group of teachers together at an inservice and how many of you agree with me that we are the world's worst listeners?  Holy chickatoli - we're all whispering, grading papers, cutting out lamination - and even with all that multi-tasking we need our breaks, am I right?  One can only listen to the Charlie Brown teacher for so long.  I will *never* do a working snack in my classroom {okay, unless I'm really running behind...sometimes I do - but not very often}

2. Give up Learning Stations - Learning Stations/centers are my most favorite day of the week.  Back in the day {okay, 13 years ago} we used to do centers every day {and I used to teach in themes}...oh the good ol' days. So, while I DO salivate over your adorable thematic units/games/etc., etc., I am able to incorporate some of your cuteness and create even a little of my own during this SACRED hour one day a week called Learning Stations. My kids were in heaven ...and seeing the happiness in their little faces and their active engagement just made my heart sing.  Check out some of the pictures of our fun ...learning

Candy Corn Word Wall Game

Pick it up here

The kids loved this and the candy corn they ate at the end of the game!

Netbooks

Write The Room

Candy Corn Men (and more candy corn eating)

I'm off to do some blog stalking - need some ideas for my little slice of heaven Learning Stations...