Tot School Supplies

While I was researching and creating Adelei's curriculum, I started writing a list of things that I wanted to get.

My first stop was at the Dollar Tree, and I was so, so surprised by all the wonderful things they had!

I know I'll be picking up more things along the way, but here was my loot from my first trip.

Large Zip Lock bags, Giant Art Pad, Hair Gel*, Disney cardboard book, Wild Animal Fruit Snacks, Die Cut Letters 69 ct, Teddy Bear Cookies, Playskool Shapes workbook, Disney Colors workbook, Sesame Street Alphabet with Elmo workbook, Fisher Price Zoo coloring book, Foam Letter Stickers 124 ct, Playskool Number Flashcards/Alphabet Flashcards/Colors&Shapes Flashcards/First Words Flashcards, Animal Window Clings, Highlighters, Mini Marshmallows, Bubbles, Stickers 300 ct

All of that for less than $25. Can you believe it? I can see SO many projects with all of these goodies we picked up today, I can hardly wait! 

*I know the hair gel seems really random, but I will be using it as well as the zip lock bags to create sensory experiences for Adelei!

Alphabet Board

I have always been a very hands on learner.

I can't just hear something and remember it.

I have to hear it, see it, write it down, read it over & over.

I'm only guessing that Adelei may be the same way.

Regardless, I decided that, to aid in her learning, I wanted to make her an Alphabet Board.

Start out with a piece of 20x30 foam core. You can use poster board if you prefer, I just wanted something that was a little more sturdy & would stand up against my rambunctious toddler.

I bought these die cut letters from the dollar tree, but they also sell them at Walmart.

All you have to do is line up your letters, add a little glue, & ta da! 

Note: I used yellow & blue instead of black & white so this can also be used when I'm teaching her colors!

If you're worried about the letters coming off, you can put a coating of Mod Podge over the top. I skipped that step, though.

This is a very simple project that will act as a visual reference and help enhance the learning process.  The whole project cost about $3 & took less than an hour. I know that we are going to get a lot of use out of it over the coming weeks!

With an alphabet board, you can:

Sing the alphabet while pointing to the letters

Have your little one trace the letters with their finger

Get your little one to point to the letters as you call them out

What kind of learning aids have you created for your little learner?

Learning with Adelei

I mentioned a few posts ago how fun my daughter's age is.

She's picking up on things & learning so fast, it's amazing.

Not that she hasn't been learning all along, but her brain is a sponge right now and I love it.

She has inspired me to create a curriculum for her!

My husband looked at me a little crazily when I told him what I was doing, but after all, I do have a degree in education, so it's not like I'm not going into this blindly.

After I put her down for a nap, or put her to bed at night, I pull out my computer and start researching & planning. What I know for sure is that the first step will be a 26 week curriculum learning the alphabet, colors, simple shapes, and numbers 0-9.

I cannot even to begin to express how passionate I feel about this right now. 

I know teaching is something that I am meant to do with my life, and I am so grateful that I have the ability to stay home & teach my daughter.

As we go through the curriculum, I will be sharing our activities, ideas, tutorials, and pictures of my sweet girl in action, so be sure to check back! 

Bitter Sweet Symphony

Yesterday was my last day at the elementary school.
It was so bittersweet.
There were days that I came home absolutely loving what I do, and some days where I came home wondering what I got myself into.
Next week I will start at the high school.
It's a whole 'nother world.
Oh well. 8 more weeks until I'm done with the whole thing.
This weekend I'm just relaxing. There are a lot of things I COULD be doing, but honestly, I just need a break. If I get some motivation later, then so be it.


I stole this idea from Melissa at Days filled with Love. She just had her bundle of joy! Go check her out.

How far along? almost 23 weeks
Total weight gain/loss: 6 lbs gained
Sleep: Some nights I sleep really well, and some nights all I can do is toss and turn.
Food cravings: corn dogs, root beer, cream cheese wontons
Best moment this week: Hearing her heartbeat!
Movement: I've been able to feel her kick more and more! I love it :)
Gender: girl!
Stretchies: none, yet.
Belly Button in or out? still in, for now.
What I miss: sleeping on my stomach, eating sushi, regular jeans.
What I am looking forward to: the baby shower, and a 4D ultrasound.
Symptoms: random body aches.
Milestones: half way done!
Weekly wisdom: none, yet.
Emotions: excited!

...

Thank you, random fourth grader, for wearing so much perfume that you cause me to have an allergy attack.
So bad, might I add, that I have completely lost my voice.

"real talk"

If you:
are a teacher
have ever been a teacher
are going to school to be a teacher
have ever subbed
have kids in school
or just attended a public school
you should totally appreciate this video.
And yes, this really happened.

p.s. Happy Easter!!

Take a breath

The past two days have been full of experience and insight.

I was inspired not only as a teacher, but as an artist.

For those of you who are just tuning in, Me and a few of my peers had the opportunity to teach an art project to 4th, 5th, and 6th graders at Gordo Elementary School. Each of us dealt with about 72 students each [not at the same time, thankfully], and were fully responsible for teaching these students how to make pinch pots.

I will not lie. It was completely exhausting, both mentally and physically. But, it was absolutely worth it. Not only for all of the experience that we got, but also for the kids. They loved it! They [for the most part] were well behaved, and I fell in love with their personalities. They were so sweet and full of life.

After we got done teaching, we went on a tour of the town. I met Glenn House, a famous book artist/clay enthusiast, his wife Kathy, who does beautifully hand colored photographs, and they were kind enough to take us through their museum and studio space. They also introduced us to Amos Kennedy who gave me these posters he made:





This is the kind of town I want to live in. One where the whole city supports the arts, and actually welcomes new artist, because they believe that it enriches life.
I have plenty of pictures to post, but for now, I am far too tired.
Hope you all have a great weekend!

You pick me apart while I search for witty things to say

I lost my engagement ring last night.
You see, when my hands get cold, it slips right off. I was sitting on the couch, and I felt it slide off. I thought for sure when I stood up, it would just be laying on the cushion, but no. We looked for it for close to an hour, before Aaron finally gave up. I mean, we pulled the cushions off, he lifted it up so I could look under it, we shook out the blanket and everything. And as I was on the verge of tears, I decided to put myself in the rings position. AS CRAZY AS IT SOUNDS, it worked. I was basically upside down looking in every nook and cranny & I found it. It was wedged between two pieces of fabric in the bottom base of the couch, underneath all of the springs. Needless to say, we had to use tweezers to get it out, but LUCKILY I found it. Talk about almost having a panic attack!

Anyways,

A few of us art ed. majors are leaving this afternoon to head up to a school in Gordo, Alabama to teach art lessons for two days. It should be interesting, but I'm a little bit nervous. We're each going to have our own classes ALL day for two days [thursday & friday]....4th, 5th, and 6th graders.

I'm not even nervous about the teaching part...I'm nervous about the fact that we are supposed to be staying at random people's houses. People who we've never met before. People who are going to be in charge of making us meals, and driving us around. *sigh*

It should be nothing shy of interesting. Wish me luck!

no one is as lucky as us

Does anyone else hate group projects as much as I do?

For some reason, my teacher decided that since there are only 5 people in our methods class, that we should create a lesson plan as a group.

Well, that part was easy, I mean, way easier than everyone having to come up with one from scratch.

Except now we have to teach it.........
TOMORROW.

Only three of us, though, since there are only 3 teachers willing to let us come.

Obviously I was one of the ones chosen, or I wouldn't be freaking out right now.

Since we did sections of the lesson plan on our own, not everyone has everything. Do you see where I am going with this?
The only thing I'm missing.......the most crucial item for the teaching part, is the PowerPoint.
I want to go over and over it in my head and out loud in preparation for tomorrow....BUT
the girl who did the powerpoint said she won't be able to send it out until late tonight.
WHAT!?

We [me & one of the other girls] are freaking out. We feel totally unprepared. And our teacher is going to be sitting in MY classroom, watching ME teach, ME interact with the students, ME discipline. The other two girls will be observed by peers.

So you can see why I'm freaking out, right?

Not to mention the fact that ESPN is at my campus right now, getting ready to film a conference game...the only game I really wanted to go to. And now I can't.
Because I feel like it will cause me to fail tomorrow.

*sigh* I need a soda.

Life Changing

Yesterday I had to teach an art project to 4th graders at a low socio-economic school. They were so thirsty for the knowledge, it made me feel good to be able to share that with them. They don't have an art teacher at their school, and MOST of the teachers there are 'old school', and think that art isn't important, so they don't integrate it in their lessons.

I was there for three hours, and when I left, I thought I was going to fall asleep on the drive home. They totally exhausted me. [Did I mention the school doesn't have central heating or cooling, and it was definitely in the 70's] I'm not sure if I can do this every day!
They just lovvvved it. They were so needy, too. 'Ms. Keith, I can't draw.' 'Ms. Keith, I don't know how to fold paper.' All they wanted was a little bit of attention, and I'm glad that I could be the one to give it to them.

I realize that I was the one being graded, but at one point, I just wanted to grade their teacher, or at least give her a few pointers. Like, integrate art into your lessons, even if it's just a coloring activity. They were SO enthralled, I'm sure they would behave better if they had SOMETHING to look forward to. Also, don't just yell at your kids all the time, all they want is attention. Show them some every now & again. Oh, and how about some positive reinforcement? That might help.

As tired as I was, I felt so good as I was walking out the door, and a kid said 'Can you come back tomorrow' and another kid added 'And the next day' and another kid chimed in 'Please just come here every day.'

So, now I am a little more motivated about teaching, and I really hope that when I do graduate and get a job, that my students will be as appreciative as those kids were.