New Year's Resolutions

It is almost New Year’s and you know what that means – time for New Year’s Resolutions. I am linking up with Second Grade Nest to give you my resolutions.

First, I want to learn how to create my own clip art. I bought a scanner a few months ago and have started an Adobe account. So the next step is to try it out. I am not an artist but there are a few things I could draw. I want to use the artwork in my classroom and for my TpT products. So, wish me luck!

Next, I want to get my office organized. I have piles of papers that need to be filed or trashed. I have been in an extensive remodel of my house and needless to say, my paperwork has suffered with all the moving around. I just carpeted the rooms, so it is time to organize the office. I am going to purchase a new file cabinet and get started. Yeah!

Surprise, Surprise – I want to eat better and exercise more. Lately, I have been eating more than usual because of all the holiday parties and family visits. Plus, I haven’t been to the gym in the last few weeks. I love how when things get crazy, it is so easy to drop eating well and exercising. Oh well, I am geared up and excited to get back on track!

Next, on the remodeling road is to complete my master bathroom. We just completed our floors with travertine and carpet this fall. Right now, my husband is installing all the baseboard and molding around the doors and windows. But this year’s goal is the master bath. We just need tile everything and install the cabinets. We have the fixtures and tub already. The shower is functioning – it just needs tile too. So as usual, it is time and money. When I get my tax return we will have the money and then by then my husband will be done with the baseboard and stuff – so he will have the time - lucky him!

Finally, I signed up for my new Spanish class. I am super excited – it is with my favorite instructor, Carmen. I learn so much from her. This is a conversation class - something new for me. Two classes to go and I will be ready for the test. I am almost there!

Thanks for stopping by - I hope you have a wonderful year ahead!

Sunday Scoop - 12/7/14

Happy Sunday! Here is my Sunday Scoop!

This week I am linking up with the gals from 

Teaching Trio.

 Three things I have to do:

1.   I have to put my house together. We just got carpet in 6 areas of our house – five bedrooms and the living room. So needless to say, I have a lot of furniture and stuff in the garage and patio that needs to go 

back in its place.

 2.   I have to write a practice test for my students on fractions. I am using NY engage math to do common core math, but I like to have a practice test so the students are prepared for the test. We are still learning how to do math with common core. My students still struggle sometimes with what they are being asked to do.

3.  Laundry – not only my weekly clothes but linens and blankets. I have cleaned out rooms that stored some linens and blankets and I want to clean them before I put them back.

Two things I hope to do:

1.   Finish my TpT product I am working on right now. 

I am making a visual presentation for the book By the Great Horn Spoon. When I have read the book in the past, it helped students to have a slide show of vocabulary of words they didn’t really know. For example, I would put up pictures of paddle boats or pantaloons. Now I am going back and adding questions to the PowerPoint.

2.  I am hoping to have some extra time to read some books I bought. They are in Spanish. I am continuing to improve my Spanish so I become bilingual. The book sitting next to my bed is El Libro de la Vida (The book of Life). It is about a 3^rd grade level – just my speed. I know most of the words, but as I tell my students, reading improves vocabulary. So, that is what I am doing – in Spanish.

One thing I am happy to do:

1.   This Wednesday for our staff’s professional development we are all going bowling. My principal is having us do team building by bowling and having pizza together. I am looking forward to having a good time with my colleagues. We are always talking and working together to help students. This will be a 

fun change.

Thanks for visiting! I hope you have a good week and Happy Holidays!