April Currently

Hi Everyone,

I'm still working on my St. Patrick's Day Post...I have lots of fun pictures to share and they are taking me a little bit longer than I anticipated to edit!  It is also crunch time before graduation at school and I have three huge projects due within the next month, so I have been a little more stressed, crazy, high strung than usual.  I know...I know...how could I be even MORE high strung?!  :)  I will hopefully get the post up sometime this week.  Until then, I have linked up with Farley at Oh' Boy 4th Grade for the April Currently.

The April Currently is pretty self-explanatory this month...head on over to Oh' Boy 4th Grade to fill it out yourself!

Until I get the St. Patrick's Day Post up, here are some green sparkles to hold you over!  :)

Slantboxes!

As a teacher I am always trying to broaden my social circle of colleagues and other educators.  I love hearing about different strategies, programs, and lessons that others try and use in their schools and classrooms, which is just one reason that I decided to start blogging!  I love to read other blogs and get to know other teachers!  When I heard about the Slantboxes that Jameson at Lessons with Coffee organizes each month I knew this was something that was right up my ally!

This was my fourth time participating in a Slantbox exchange.  Each month you are paired up with one other teacher (Anywhere throughout the world - Yes, you can even request to be paired up with someone internationally!  How cool is that?)  and Jameson selects a theme.  February's theme was, I LOVE Teaching!  You spend the month getting to know the other teacher through e-mail, blogs, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, any and all forms of social media.  As you get to know the other teacher, you put together a box of goodies that you think the other teacher would enjoy to receive around the 25th of the month and mail it off!  It is so much fun getting to know different teachers and realize how much we are alike!  And sometimes different!  :)  

In February, my Slantbox partner was the lovely Linda from Teach-a-Latte.  I loved getting to know her and when I received my box, I felt like she had known me for years!  

I am a school supply addict!  I just can't get enough!  And Roxy and Ozzy were SO EXCITED to get some treats in the box they went crazy!  I had to open them up right away!  They loved the treats...and they are picky treat-eaters. :)  I also already read Schooled! (While I probably should have been doing Grad work...shhh!)  I loved it!  I am thinking of sneaking the bell into some meetings this week.  We could always use extra smiles!  Thanks so much Linda!  You really brightened up my week! 

I missed the deadline for the March Slantboxes but I will be checking back at the beginning of April to get back in on the action!  If you want to participate as well check out the Slantbox Link at the beginning of April!

March Currently

How is it already March 15^th?  Could someone please explain where January and February went?  2015 is already flying by and I am going to do my best to blog a little more regularly. 

I’ve got two more posts on their way… one later this week…(**SLANTBOX post **) and another with some St. Patrick’s Day Fun coming up next weekend.  Until then I’ve linked up Farley at Oh' Boy 4th Grade  for the March Currently!

Listening

I’m Listening to Property Brothers.  Is anyone else completely obsessed with HGTV??? I spend days watching home makeovers and sometimes I truly think that I CAN easily complete home improvement projects on my own.  This might become a problem some day considering I hang pictures on the wall with a high-heeled shoe…

Loving

I am loving St. Patrick’s Day and all of the fun and excitement that my students are sharing with me as we are learning and creating some pretty cool leprechaun traps and St. Patrick’s Day activities.  Look for a post next weekend detailing all the fun! 

Thinking

Spring is always such a busy season.  I feel like I live with a list in my hand.  And yes…the list is always color coordinated.  J

Wanting

My want to read list is so so so long!  I cannot wait until I can read books for fun (i.e. not textbooks) this summer!  What are some of your favorite books I should add to my list? 

Needing

I need to remember what I’m working towards and find my focus.  I am so close to my goals.  I don’t want to lose sight of them now.

Spring Break Plans

I am so excited to simply relax, clean, work on some grad school work, catch up Netflix and hang out with some friends.

December Currently

It’s been awhile but I’m back and ready to link up with Farley over at Oh' Boy 4th Grade!

Listening

I’m listening to Bones on Netflix and wondering why I have never watched this show before!!!  Funny story I had a life-size cardboard David Boreanaz as Angel living in my basement for years!

Loving

I love having the Christmas tree and decorations up.  There is nothing like working on schoolwork next to a beautifully lit tree.

Thinking

I’m thinking about Krista Wallden’s Christmas Morning Surprise!  I am obsessed with her clip art and can’t wait to see what awesomeness awaits me on Christmas Morning!

Wanting

I am wanting the rain to stop!  This rain needs to stop before recess tomorrow!  No indoor recess!  These kids need to get outside!  

Needing

I NEED to finish my Christmas shopping!  I don’t want to be running around at the last minute like a chicken with my head cut off!!

Giving

I am giving a shout out to my friends at Smartie Pants!  Check out their blog and TPT store for some great products! 

As you can see, Lauren's Loft has gotten a brand new look from the wonderful Lindsey Johnston over at L Paull Designs!  Lindsey did an amazing job helping me decide how I wanted my blog to look and ensuring that it was exactly what I wanted!!! Thanks so much Lindsey!!!

I've got a lot of posts planned for the next few weeks so be sure to follow along!  :)

WHO Monday! (On Tuesday...)

I'm a day late, but I definitely wanted to participate in Teacher Week 2014 on Blog Hoppin'!  I will catch up throughout the week!

As you know, I am Lauren Patricia, and I am 29 years old.  I grew up and live in a suburb of Cleveland, Ohio.

 Here are 10 facts about me!

1.         I have two Boston Terrier rescues who I love beyond words and will talk about WAY too much.   Their names are Roxy and Ozzy.  Roxy’s had a rough summer and needed to have her eye removed!  She is doing AMAZING with only one eye and has had no trouble keeping up with her brother.  Ozzy is my crazy boy and such a lover.  I feel so lucky to have two happy little faces greet me whenever I come home.

2.        My sister, Megan, is four years younger than me and is one of my best friends.  We fought like crazy when we were younger, but I am so glad I have someone who has experienced life with me.  It’s also super awesome to see her find herself and a career that she loves.

3.        I didn’t always want to be a teacher. Crazy, right?  I was adamantly against becoming a teacher.  I have no idea why, but it was not going to happen.  I graduated college with degrees in Criminal Justice, Sociology, and Psychology, worked for a year and realized I was in the wrong profession.  I went back to school and earned my teaching license in two years.  I was born to teach and have never been more positive of anything in my life.  It just took me a while to realize what I was meant to do. 

4.        This will be my third year teaching.  I haven’t had my own classroom yet, and I can’t wait until I do, but I am loving the positions that I have gotten in the meantime.  My first year teaching, I was a Kindergarten Tutor.  I loved working with Kindergarteners and am always AMAZED at how much they learn in ONE year!  They are sponges – and I love it!  The next year, I worked as an ESL assistant.  I have really enjoyed this role and am learning so much and gaining experience in Kindergarten – Third Grade.  I am excited to have the same position this year.

5.        This past year I was really sick and missed almost half of the school year.  I am doing so much better now and am ready to get back to my life.  It’s cliché, but you never realize what you have until it’s gone. 

6.        I love watching Dateline, 48 Hours, and Unsolved Mysteries.  I hear Keith Morrison’s voice and can’t wait for the mystery to begin!

7.        My grandpa was my best friend.  He passed away almost eight years ago.  I still pick up the phone to call him all the time.  I wear a bracelet on my wrist everyday that he ordered for me before he passed away.  He was a Detective and the bracelet has a miniature police badge with his badge number (707) on it and a message he wrote.  I rarely take it off.

8.        I am a bit of a nerd.  I love to read and love history.  I collect Abraham Lincoln books, figurines, pictures, boxes, anything about Lincoln.  This has been my obsession since sixth grade when we had a speaker who dressed like Lincoln come in and speak to our class.  One of my favorite things to teach is American Symbols because I feel like my passion for history and teaching all comes together.

9.        While I was student teaching I used to “rehearse” some of my lessons – I still do!  I like knowing where I would like to be (near the chalkboard, by a certain student, near the table, etc.) while I’m teaching.  Then when I’m teaching, I am familiar with what I want to say and I am able to concentrate on any questions, comments, issues that might arise.  I’m sure it’s pretty funny to walk in on me “rehearsing” with no students!

10.      My favorite children’s book is Purple, Green, and Yellow by Robert Munsch.  I mean who wouldn’t want to color themselves with “super-indelible-never-comes-off-till-you’re-dead-and-maybe-not-even-then” markers?! In fact, I love ALL of Robert Munsch’s books! 

 

Feel free to ask any questions in the comments and I'll be happy to answer them!

Here's the rest of the schedule for the week!  I'm hoping to add Where and Why tomorrow! 

Click HERE! to link up with Blog Hoppin' and join in on the fun!!!

First TpT Product!

Hi everyone!  I am so excited to let you all know that I have my FIRST product/freebie available on Teacher Pay Teachers!!!  Ahhhh!  I have made a simple ABC Upper Case/Lower Case Match Up...but they have a Boston Terrier theme!  If you know me, you know I love my dogs and love sharing stories about them with my students.  I cannot wait to use these in the classroom this year.  I KNOW my students will LOVE them!  :)

 And here's a couple pictures of the real Boston Terriers just to make you smile!

Check out my store by clicking here: Lauren's Loft, download my FREEBIE, and let me know what you think!

Meet the Teacher Blogger!

Hi Everyone!  I have been busy working on my first TpT product, getting ready for school to start next week, and my Masters classes to start the week after that!  It's going to be a busy, but exciting year!  I thought that Falling Into First's Meet the Teacher Blogger Linky Party sounded like fun so here it is!

THESE ARE A FEW OF MY FAVORITE THINGS...

boston terriers, black iced tea, organizing, books, traditions, banana cake, abraham lincoln, shopping, teaching!, target, colored pens, the color pink, owls, purses/bags/totes, reading, and binge watching netflix

IF YOU WEREN'T A TEACHER, WHAT WOULD YOU WANT TO BE?

I would love to be a full-time Nanny!

THREE LITTLE WORDS THAT DESCRIBE YOU.

determined, responsible, creative

FINISH THE SENTENCE, "________,  SAID NO TEACHER EVER!!"

“Please sharpen your pencil while I’m teaching,” said NO teacher ever!!

  

Q: IT'S YOUR BIRTHDAY AND YOU CAN INVITE ANYONE {DEAD OR ALIVE} TO THE PARTY. WHO ARE YOU INVITING?

Abraham Lincoln, Lucille Ball, Lady GaGa

  

Q: IF SOMEONE WROTE A BOOK ABOUT YOUR LIFE, WHAT WOULD BE THE TITLE?

Wake Up Lauren!  I have a tendency of missing what is right in front of me…

Q:YOU GET TO PICK ONE SUPERPOWER. WHAT IS IT?

I would love to have ESP and be able to know what people were thinking.

Q: WHAT'S YOUR FAVORITE QUOTE OR SAYING?

"to live each day with gratitude, for true gratitude will guard against selfishness, envy, self-pity, and pride.”

Q: IF YOU HAD TO SING ONE SONG ON AMERICAN IDOL, WHAT WOULD IT BE?

Miranda Lamberts “Mama’s Broken Heart”

Q: ARE YOU A MORNING PERSON OR A NIGHT OWL?

Definitely a Night Owl!

  

Q: WHAT'S YOUR FAVORITE RESOURCE THAT YOU'VE CREATED IN YOUR TPT SHOP?

I am working on my first product/resource now and hope to have it up on TpT this weekend!

Q: SHARE SOMETHING WE MIGHT NOT KNOW ABOUT YOU!

I absolutely hate for my food to touch and will not eat the parts of food that have touched other food.  Trust me, it’s contaminated!!!  

Click on the image to link up!