Mel's Box of Chocolates

I know, I know, I haven't blogged since January. Where does the time go?  This morning I had an urge to visit my blog and saw that it was still in winter mode with snowflakes and ice blue colors. Can't have that when we are celebrating Memorial Day. So now we are all ready for the summer with pink gerber daisy's...my favorite flower! I hope you all enjoy the long weekend. A little Memorial Day trivia... Did you know that Memorial Day was originally called Decoration Day? It was because the graves of soldiers were decorated with flowers. I had no idea until I was planning a lesson on Memorial Day for my 3rd graders. One of my favorite things about being a teacher is that I learn something new every day too. Be sure to take the time to remember those who have served and are serving so that we can enjoy our freedom.

Yes, I realize that Earth Day was over a month ago. I was playing in my posts and realized I never finished this one. We had so much fun I didn't want to pass on sharing!   It's always fun to celebrate Earth Day in the classroom. Usually there is such a diverse understanding of the day depending on my students background knowledge and family beliefs. Then again, that is just another day in a public education classroom. This year I hunted down some new ideas. Along with some reading, writing, and math activities, I decided we'd do some crafts too. Honestly, I find that many students don't get nearly enough opportunities to cut, glue, color, paint, and all those other crafty things. So anytime I can incorporate these types of projects, I do. One of our projects this year was creating Earth sun catchers. This was a super simple project using contact paper, tissue, and small piece of red construction paper. Oh and a coloring page of earth to use as a template to k...

While the Olympics have been over and done with, I just stumbled across this draft I had started and I just can't let it go to waste.  It has been an interesting Olympics this year especially when it comes to the swimming and gymnastics.  In previous years we would do the American thing and watch the nightly recaps cheering on the American's and their victories.  We were watching history happen. It was great. But, we were pretty removed from the action. This year though, we were watching from a whole new perspective as we now have our own swimmer and gymnast in the house.  As I watch, I can almost imagine what those athletes parents are feeling. I can hear their thoughts... finally all that money I paid is paying off! I watch the strokes and the routines through new glasses. I sit at the edge of my seat as swimmers dive off the blocks and reach to cut off that last hundredth of a second that separates first and second. I hold my breath as the hands come off t...

I remember those days. We'd come home from school and work, make dinner, and sit down as a family to enjoy dinner. We'd talk about the day, yell at the kids for not using their table manners, share our stories, yell at the kids for complaining about what they were eating, and basically just spend quality time checking in with each other. We connected.  I always swore that no matter what, we'd always make time for dinners. Together. At the table. Ignorance is bliss they say. Time passed. The kids grew.. Gymnastics started. Swim practice began. Homework commenced. I started teaching a night class at college. Now our dinners at home around the table are few and far between. One or two and sometimes if we are lucky, 3 of the 4 of us are able to eat together now and then. Our dinners have become whatever is easiest to grab and warm up, or pick up from the pre-made section at the grocery store, and yes, may even be a bowl of cereal.  I miss those days where we w...

Every year, I spend a day or two sharing the story of Martin Luther King, Jr. around his holiday. Considering that students get this day off school every year you would think that most know a bit about him, but I still find that there is always more to share about his story. I usually read a picture book, show an excerpt of the actual speech, and have the students complete some activity related to MLK. Of course, his dream is shared throughout the lessons. "I say to you today, my friends, that in spite of the difficulties and frustrations of the moment, I still have a dream. It is a dream deeply rooted in the American dream. I have a dream that one day this nation will rise up and live out the true meaning of its creed: "We hold these truths to be self-evident: that all men are created equal." I have a dream that one day on the red hills of Georgia the sons of former slaves and the sons of former slave owners will be able to sit down together at a tabl...

One of my favorite things about January is that new shows are back on tv.  Nothing like spending a winter evening caught up in the drama, reality, or humor. Some of my favorites. Scandal, Revenge, and Modern Family.   We will see about Biggest Loser, American Idol, and The Bachelor. Sometimes I find myself sucked in and sometimes I miss the whole season.  Haven't watched yet. Starting to get curious about this Downtown Abbey show. Lots of twitter and facebook chatter about it. I heard it was on Netflix so thinking it deserves a watch or two. What about you? What are your winter favorites?

I think I kept a paper-pencil planbook for exactly one year before I made the switch to electronic planning. I created a basic excel template where I plugged in my schedule annually and then planned the days away. It was very convenient when I taught the same grade for consecutive years because I could just copy, paste, and add my upgrades to the lessons.  It worked for me for the past 7 years. Then, recently after a conversation with a colleague, I bought a planbook app.  My new school district supplies every teacher with a Mac Notebook so I figured I may as well try out the app.  I have it set up and planned for the week. But, I'm not so sure I'm hooked on it yet. How do you plan? Paper-pencil? Spreadsheet? App?