An Amazing Start

  I really haven't had time to post the way I had hoped.  I have had an amazing start to the year.  The kids in my class are fantastic.  I have been teaching for 10 years and all of my time before this year was spent in 3rd grade.  I completely feel like I have missed out for the last 9 years.  It has been a great 7 weeks so far. 


 As a 6th grade we have been looking at our Natural resources and how we acquire them.  We started off with learning about rocks and minerals.  Our sixth grade had an amazing opportunity to visit a park that was home to Jasper Mines, which the Native Americans used to make tools 1000's of years ago.  Students were able to collect Jasper, read about its history and actually watch a Native American expert show them how they would shape it into tools.



Jasper that we found at the park!

Old arrowheads and tools that were found around our school.

Here students are writing about what they observed about the rocks and minerals while we were hiking.



Beginning the Adventure

  I have been a teacher for ten years now.  I got a job out of college teaching third grade in Philadelphia and taught at my school there for 5 years.  I was then given the opportunity to teach at a school that exemplifies why I became a teacher.  When I started I taught 3rd grade.  Third grade has always been my world as a teacher.  At the end of the school year last year I was told I would be moving to 6th grade in the fall.
  My world started to spin, my first reaction was scared.  How was I going to teach 6th grade?  I had always thought about teaching other grades, but middle school.  It was scary to think of it.  My feelings soon changed to excitement.  I am excited to start this new adventure.  I am excited for the change and to see some of my old kids again.  I am excited teach something new.  I am excited to work with some new staff.
  So far this summer I  have been trying to wrap my head around all the changes and get a handle on everything.  I am a planner and want to know what my year will look like.  I would love to been in my classroom getting it ready to go, but there is construction and I can't get it.  My mind is reeling with all that I want to do and need to learn for this upcoming year and I am still trying to be a fun mom this summer.
  When I am not in my classroom I have three beautiful children who are my other world.  I have two very active boys almost 6 and 4 who want to do something "fun" everyday, and a baby girl who is 9 months, who loves exploring.  My oldest will be entering kindergarten in the fall, which is exciting and scary for me, both boys are beginning to play football which is going to be fun and seems time-consuming.  We are planning on moving in with my parents, purchasing their home and created an in-law apartment for them.
  Overall, looking at the year ahead and thinking about this blog, I see it as a place for me to share the exciting things I am doing in my classroom, and home, as well as, venting my frustrations when the time comes, I know it will.

 I look forward to sharing the adventures with you.