100th Day and Valentine's

This week was an especially busy one in grade 1-2. Not only did we celebrate the 100th day of school but we partied it up for Valentine's day. I love my job.

A few photos from our celebrations:

Sunflowery Days and Starry Starry Nights

This really wasn't supposed to be a teaching blog, but since a huge portion of my life revolves around my profession I'm gonna blog it from time to time.  Since the beginning of January my grade 1-2's have been studying Vincent Van Gogh in art.  I was pleasantly surprised to find out they are totally into it and have taken a huge interest in Mr. Van Gogh.  At least twice a week I hear about a Van Gogh sighting...at Costco...on the news...on a calendar at a relative's house. I love all the Van Gogh inspired art we've been doing and how fabulously they turned out so I just had to share.  I am so proud of my little 6-8 year olds! We started with Van Gogh's sunflowers and have just completed Starry Night.  I have two more projects to do, Van Gogh's room and Van Gogh inspired self portraits. 

My little Van Gogh's:

Sunflower Cooperative Art

 

Our Flower Vases

 

 

Our Starry Nights

 



 

My classroom is looking extra spiffy these days and I don't want to take this art down ever!  I suppose I'll let it go home and spruce up a few refrigerators!



Mother's Day Love

Happy Mother's Day to all my mommy friends out there and of course to my amazing Momma:)  Here is a cute little activity I did with my class for their moms.

This was actually a math/art activity.  I gave each child a $5.00 budget and they had to decide what items (clothes, jewelry, make-up, etc.) they wanted to buy to make their mom.  Then we put them all together.  I think they turned out really sweet.  I loved reading their messages to their moms, absolutely precious!

Moms really are the best!!!

Kid's Stuff and other Tidbits

The only downfall of having a full time job and being able to pay your bills is not having enough time to do things like read for pleasure and create.  I have sneaked in a few crafty bits here and there but it is certainly not my number one priority at the moment.  I am looking forward to March Break in a months time where I can get a few things, both practical for work and fun done.  Here are just a few pics of what has been keeping me busy.

Art classes with the kiddos.

I love the Indiana Jones snowman...so cute!  I think he has chest hair.

Building skeletons of 3D shapes turned into tower building...I just went with it.

Taught myself how to cross-stitch, it ain't hard.  Made this little weinie.



I found this pic on Facebook from the wedding cupcakes I made this summer and hadn't seen it before, so I thought I'd share.

I also have some good vintage finds from over the past few months but I haven't taken any pictures so those'll have to wait for another post.  A hot shower and my bed are calling my name...gonna try to make it there before midnight tonight:)

School's Out For Summer:)

I have been M.I.A for a few weeks.  Just busy writing report cards and wrapping up the school year.  I am sad to say goodbye to my classes but more than happy to be off for the first summer in three years (save one shift a week at Hamachi).  I can't wait to take two months and relax and recharge my batteries which have been running pretty low.  Although not officially working too much I anticipate that I will be fairly busy.  Since teaching has essentially gone down the tubes (with regard to actually being able to get a job) I will be looking around to see what else is out there and revamping my resume and coverletter and getting those out there.  I also may have a side tutoring gig and am doing some cupcakes for a wedding and a baby shower.  I am going to actually put some effort into getting the things done around here that need to be done (curtains sewn, art on walls etc.) One of my besties is having a pool installed this week so I am sure there will be many hours spent splashing around there and at the beach as well as barbecues and drinkies on my back deck. 

As for today I am going to head out to enjoy the beautiful weather that has finally come our way.  I may check out the Mi'kmaq PowWow happening on the Halifax commons, the Multicultural Festival and some Canada Day Festivities.

Happy Canada Day Peeps!

Under the Sea

Here is something a little different from all of the thrifty posts as of late.  I just wanted to share some art that my grade 2/3's created.  I just thought that they did such a great job, there paintings are soooo darn adorable.  We did them as part of a lesson on primary/secondary colours and tint. 

Maybe I should just teach art full time.

Bittersweet Day

Friday was a very bittersweet day for me.  I finished up my Music teaching job and am starting at my new job on Monday.  I had to make the difficult choice between staying at a school that I love and going to a school that could potentially be a lot more challenging.  I really had to weigh the pros and cons of this one.

Current School (Primary to Grade Six Music):
-GREAT kids
-GREAT staff
-lighter work load
-not my area of specialty
-unknown end date

New School (Grade Two/Three combined and grade Five):
-GREAT kids(although more challenging in terms of behavioural stuff)
-GREAT staff
-heavy work load
-in a regualar class room
-guaranteed work until the end of the year

In many ways my heart said to stay but after many years of being a people pleaser I made the decision that best suited me (or at least my bank account).   I am moving on to the new school.  I feel guilty about leaving the kids.  They've already lost one music teacher before me and will have at least one more coming before (if?) their original teacher returns.  However, I am excited to be back in the classroom teaching the regular elementary subjects that I am actually trained for.  This makes me very happy.

The kindness and support of the students and staff was very overwhelming today.  I recieved bazillions of cards, flowers, cake, poems and many, many hugs.  They all understood that sometimes you have to make the decision best suited for your career and your financial well being.  I hope someday I will have the opportunity to work with some of these amazing individuals in the future again. 

Here are some pictures of just a few of my favorite cards/poems from the children:

It was true.  I was teaching all of the students at two schools.  After four months I just started getting all the names down pat.

I think this kid was the most distraught of all.  I love that I am portrayed as a mama duck leading her babies as well(assuming that is me anyway).

These girls are just the kindest girls you'd ever want to meet.

A gift of friendship

"Hold on to the songs we sang together, even if it hurts" :(

Who doesn't want to be portrayed riding a sea monster?

Sooooo cute!

Bring on Monday!