June Currently

It's been awhile since we've joined in a Currently Linky party with a great blogging mentor. We have missed sharing and exploring what a blog friends are CURRENTLY doing. Check out Farley's blog: Oh'Boy 4th Grade when you get a moment. 

Here's what is happening in my heel of the boot:

* There are times in my life when I do not realize how much noise whether it be productive or counter productive surrounds me. As the family is off in bed, I am enjoying the silence... oh and the occasional snore of my cat who has decided to join the post. 
*Summer Break, Thanksgiving, Christmas, Spring Break are the only time I can truly become lost in literature. My poor Nook is on constant charge these days. I always set a goal and I am far behind where I want to be. 
*As I began this process, our 13 year old cat decided he would snuggle NOW. Never mind that I am attempting to use the keyboard. No ma'am... Ozzy says the he wants it to be his turn. He does this all the time. "Oh you're grading those tests? Wait let me rest on them. " You don't need this iPad right now. SO I shall sit on it" All in all, I laugh every time and enjoy his company. 
* Can I get an AMEN on wanting a slow July?
*I had some major & much needed surgery almost three weeks ago. I was given strict instructions about resting my body. However, I am made of a stubborn cloth and think I can manage. Then I pay for it later. Doers are not good at this resting business. 
*Yesterday was such a joy. My little sister, her three sons, and our baby sister's two year old daughter came for a swim yesterday. Along with my sister, I sat (RESTING) in one of my lounge chairs watching our children playing and laughing as they did when they were younger. Now that my oldest will be going off to college in the fall, I am trying to take in the moments that are the last of all four of us under one roof each night. The day was beyond words as my sister and I took in the afternoon as we did years ago... it was as it should be! 

Root Words

Let's just face it...there are not that many apps out there for the ELA (English Language Arts) teacher. When I taught math, I could find just about anything I needed for my students in an app. And then I came across this little app on Apps Gone Free a week ago. 

From TaptoLearn, Root Words is a FREE app that allows the user to build a stronger vocabulary. Knowing the root and its meaning can help a student grow tremendously in his or her reading. Whether it for a great novel, the science textbook, or math terminology, vocabulary is essential for growth.   

The app gives the user 14 categories to practice. The next screens give the user a meaning and the user an attempt to develop the root.

Once the user has accomplished learning the roots, the app provides three activities of creating words with your new knowledge and definitions. I really loved figuring out what the words were. I found myself commenting on how the word made sense when it was "chunked". I was truly using some high order thinking as a tried. 

As the user accomplishes these activities, the app tracks progress with a pie chart. 

I think the app could be used more in the upper grades due to the complexity of the words that are being developed. I know it would sure come in handy for those students taking the SAT and ACT. 

APPy Weekend ,

 

April Currently

Joining Farley's April  Currently Linky Party. We so look forward to sharing and exploring what a blog friends are CURRENTLY doing. 

• LISTENING- My guys (hubby and two sons) are Walking Dead fanatics. They look forward to this time every Sunday evening. I do not like all that zombie stuff, so I retreat to my room for a little ME time. Even though I don't care for the show, I love hearing their thoughts and opinions. 
• LOVING - This last day of Spring Break has been so wonderful. The hubby and I bustled about the kitchen preparing our Easter family meal. It was just the four of us and I breathed every moment. 
• THINKING- lesson plans anyone?  
• WANTING- My wardrobe needs an infusion of color. I do believe I see a shopping trip in my future.
• NEEDING- Loved the two great books to keep me company during the break. Now, I need a few new ones. Any suggestions?
• ADVICE- I am still working on this advice myself. I am trying to look at the things I have accomplished and not the buckets of things I haven't. 
  

March Currently

Joining Farley's March Currently Linky Party once again. 

• Who doesn't love a little Chicago singing "Saturday in the Park" or "25 or 6 to 4" after a tedious week?
• 98 cents at Walmart means a bring home too many boxes of Bottlecaps, but I love some chalky candy. HMMMM???? Chalky candy... teacher? Is that ironic? 
• Heading to NO to watch my son's beautiful and talented girlfriend compete with her WinterGuard team. We're staying overnight and enjoying the city on Sunday... well, the best we can in 55 degree weather. 
• Gotta catch up with my T3 buddy and get some more iPads in my classroom. Just one isn't cutting it anymore. Wish me luck!
• I truly can not believe I will have an 18 year old in 4 days. It is very bittersweet. I love theme parties, but what do you do for an 18 year old? 
• Like, Love, Hate was a definite challenge. Specific directions were given to complete with only one word for each and it must start with the letter of your first name.  So I had to dig deep. The letter A is hard!

We sure can ROCK out to Taylor Swift!

Yes, I spend WAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAY too much money, but when you only have one little one, it's the only way to go!  So, my translation of an "Ariel" birthday party is "Under the Sea."

I leave for Chicago soon and I'm thinking that I may need to start a packing list...I hear it is COLD there!  I JUST might need to borrow Angela's RED peacoat!

Ahhhhhhh, don't we all?  Maybe I need more time because I have so much to do before the party!  (Note to self...don't try to repaint shutters the week before a birthday party!)

I have several on my "book list," but I'm still looking!  Any suggestions you have would be wonderful!  I really enjoy Dystopian novels.

Like, Love, Hate:  Agapanthus, America, Allergies...I simply love Spring time and this year, my Agapanthus are already looking good!  America - I love my country!  Allergies...need I say more?

My dog Katie whines when she doesn't get her way. My older dog Bella finally gets tired of it and gives in to Katie. 

I've been working out several days a week. I love the Crossfit family I have. They are a wonderful source of encouragement. 

I have a presentation to give for my college sorority. I haven't done one of those in AGES and I'm having a hard time writing up my presentation. 

Yeah so my desk looks like a bomb went off on it. My goal when I leave school by Friday is to have a clean desk! 

I have the entry for this week, so I am needing to get that written. 

Like, Love, Hate:  Roses are my favorite flower. I got a dozen red ones for Valentines Day this year. I love reading! I hate to repeat myself..... which is ironic being that I am a teacher. :)

Currently February

We may be a little tardy in our link party, but we LOVE posting. 

Listening ... Sometimes silence is golden and right now is one of those moments. 

Loving... It's Mardi Gras time in our little heel of the Louisiana boot.  My Krewe had our ball this past Saturday. We have a Royal Court. As president this year, I produced the presentation of the court and loved every minute of it. Even the bump on my head which bled!!! 

Thinking... My house suffers so during this busy season...I have boxes everywhere! Everything gets neglected. 

Wanting.... It is a rainy day. I just want to put on my PJs, grab a great cup of coffee, and curl up with my Nook. I am a reading teacher who doesn't read!!!! What's up with that?

Needing... Mardi Gras again!!! Our little city has a large Mardi Gras parade that stretches for miles. I haven't bought my beads to throw in the parade yet!!!! The good stuff will be gone if I wait much longer. 

Pet Peeves... My youngest son,15, loves milk and can go through a gallon in a day if we let him. He gets a new glass every time. UGGHHHH!!!!! However, I know I will miss those milk glasses one day. So smile MOM!!!!

Currently January

Listening...To the sounds of cell phones buzzing with our goup messages...blogging ideas with each "ping"!

Loving...Our blog!  This has been a dream of ours for many years and we are LOVING every minute of it!

Thinking...2013 is going to be a GREAT year!  We are starting it with a BANG!!!

Wanting...All of the blogging goals we have set to become a reality!  We want to share our knowledge!

Needing...To follow through on our personal goals and devote more time to ourselves!  Take care of #1!

OLW...Teamwork...the power of three...T3!