Currently on Christmas vacation

It's so nice to finally be on Christmas vacation.  It's been a crazy, busy hectic fall.  I started a new job this year teaching online-which I love!!  However, it's been a huge learning curve this year.  So many new things to learn but luckily I have a really strong support system and a lot of help.  Anyway, it's nice to be home, relaxing and taking the opportunity to reflect on my teaching and life and recharge for the new year.  I want to start 2016 on a positive note-recharged and ready to go.  So that being said it's time to join in with my favorite linky party Farley's Currently

Listening-Loving listening to oldies on Pandora

Loving-Christmas vacation of course!!  Two weeks of freedom Yay!!  I'm having lunch with friends, shopping, seeing movies, resting and planning for the new year.

Thinking-So much I want to accomplish over my vacation-now to make a plan on how to do it all.  One big thing is reconnecting with friends and family!

Wanting-Really wanting to do some clutter busting over my vacation.  I'm hoping to start working from home in the new year and I need to prep my home workplace.

Needing-Working on my New Years resolutions.  One big thing is exercise.  My new job is a lot more sedentary because I have to work from a desk, but trying to plan ways to add more movement into my life, both during the day and afterwards.  I also want to do more socializing and expanding my social and friend network.

Happy Holidays everyone!!

October Currently!

Once again I'm late to the game.  This year has been flying by!  I've had the best of intentions with my little blog.  I've been trying to get better about writing more often.  However, since I started my new job teaching online it's consumed me.  I love it, but it's been a very busy time stepping out of my comfort zone and learning something totally different.  Anyway, Farley's Currently is one of my favorite linky parties so I decided to join in on the fun.

Listening- I just started watching Dr. Who on Netflix.  I've been hearing a lot about it and it's one of my nieces favorite shows.  So I decided to start watching it.  So far so good!

Loving- My fall break- After a very busy 2 months at my new job it was SO nice to have fall break.  It always is, but this year has been particularly nice.  I went out to Ohio to visit my brother and his family and it was a nice get away.  The weather was beautiful between mid 50's and mid 70's and a nice change from the warm Arizona weather.

Thinking- About next week of course.  I've been busy planning and getting ready for the next week while I've been on vacation.  I had fun and relaxed with family but I also needed time to plan and get ahead.

Wanting- I've been craving a big trip (probably to Europe) in the near future.  

Needing-  The hardest thing for me to do when I'm working striving a good balance between working hard and playing hard and that includes exercise and eating well.

B00-tiful- What's beautiful to me or makes me feel beautiful. Either taking a trip to Europe or something cool like Greece or Italy and/or dressing up glamorously.

Anyway, what are you doing currently?  Link up with Farley!

It's September!!

Labor Day weekend and after this most schools will be back from summer vacation.  It seems like schools are going back earlier and earlier and it's no different in Arizona.  Most schools are back at school at the beginning of August.  Even though it's only been a month it's been busy for me.  I just started a new job teaching online and it's been a big learning curve.  I'm enjoying the challenge though and love the people I'm working with.  Anyway, a new month means a new currently and I love linking up with them so here is my currently.

Listening-  I love Netflix and my current show I love is Hawaii 5-0 the current one (although I love the older version as well)

Loving- I love my job but it's nice to have a 3 day weekend.  I'm looking forward to relaxing and recharging

Organizing- My constant quest is to get better organized at home and at school.  I just bought a new computer and printer and scanner so I'm looking forward to some time to set things in place and get better organized.

Wanting- I really want to spend some time working on lesson plans this weekend, and getting caught up with work

Needing- More balance in my life- More health and fitness, more fun, more laughter.  I love my job and the challenge of it, but there's always something to do and improve upon but it won't do me any good if I don't take care of myself.


3 goals-
1) Maintaining balance- I've been better this year but when things start getting crazy busy I put off my health and fitness and that's just wrong.  I need movement now more than ever since I'm working from a cubicle at work.  I'm looking forward to cooler weather and hopefully walking a bit during my lunch hour.
2) Health and fitness-  Regular workouts, cooking more and eating more fruits and veggies and foods that aren't processed.
3) Blogging more- I always have high hopes each month for doing more blogging.  I love to write and want to get more active in the blogging world.  Also getting more proficient with technology.

Anyway, September means cooler weather and hopefully that'll happen soon.  I'm tired of warm weather.  Come join the fun at Oh Boy Fourth Grade and tell us what your doing currently.

It's Currently the End of Summer

Well it's the end of summer for me.  Most schools in Arizona are starting this week.  It never makes any sense to me since it's usually the hottest part of the summer here (although it is sure is nice to get out of school at the end of May).

Anyway it's been a busy summer.  I spent the summer job hunting, although I did have the opportunity to relax, and spend some time at our summer cabin in Minnesota.  Luckily, I found a job that I'm really excited about, teaching special education online.  It's going to be a big learning curve, but I'm looking forward to the challenge.

Listening- Crossing Lines is a great show on Netflix.  It's a cop show about a group of cops that work internationally.  Really good!

Loving- I totally feel re-energized.  I just started a new job this year teaching online.  I'm learning so much and loving the difference!  Looking forward to eventually be able to work from home.

Thinking-So many goals for the new year.  Other than doing a great job and learning all the new technology, this year is going to be all about balance!  I really need to make a strong effort to make sure I'm exercising and moving around.  Since I'm working from a desk it's even more important than before.  I've been better, but I want to be more regular-at least 2-3 times a week for yoga and/or the gym for cardio and weights.

Wanting-Also a constant quest of mine.  I'm always working at being more organized.  Since I'm learning a new job, I'm learning how to be better organized in a way that's more efficient for this job.  I'm also working on being better organized at home.

Needing- Again to get in a regular workout routine...  At least a few times a week and mix it up with yoga and gym and hiking when it gets cooler here.

What are doing currently?  Come over and tell us!

B2S RAK-Little notes of appreciation for everyone that's been so helpful at my new job.

It's Currently July

It's hard to believe it's July already.  This summer vacation is going so fast.  I've been relaxing, reading and spending time with friends.  I've also been job hunting.  I was ready for a change and was able to find a job as an online teacher.  I'm really excited about the change and looking forward to the challenge of trying something new.  I've also been researching and trying to find online resources about being an online teacher, but most of what I've found has to do with teaching at a university level.  Any a new month means a new currently and I love joining in with my favorite linky party.

Listening-  My latest netflix marathon is Unbreakable Kimmy Shmidt.  I've heard lots of good things about it and I'm really enjoying it.  I definitely recommend it.

Loving- I'm loving the freedom that summer brings-sleeping in, reading, swimming, spending time with my family, and doing all the stuff I don't have time to do during the year.

Thinking- The highlight of my summer is always going to our cottage in Minnesota.  I'm looking forward to cooler weather and reconnecting with family and friends I only see once a year.

Wanting- I'm looking forward to some cooler weather and even dare I say it rain!!  I love Arizona and it has wonderful weather during the majority of the year, but summer time it's so darn hot!!  It's like living in a furnace, and all I want to do is spend my time indoors.  Luckily when I go to Minnesota I'll hopefully be enjoying some cooler weather and rain.  I can't wait!!

Needing-  I've been making some good progress in my new healthier me.  I've been going to the gym and working out, and swimming on a regular basis.  Now I need to just need to start doing yoga on a regular basis.  During the school year I was doing yoga outdoors at Lululemon, but it's much warmer now and they're no longer doing the classes outdoors.  I just need to be consistent with it once the school year begins.  I'm also working on eating healthier, but I still have my work cut out for me trying to find recipes that are easy to make, healthy and not too pricey.

How's your summer going?  What are you doing currently?  Come on over to Farley's blog and tell us what you're doing currently.

June Currently

Well summer vacation has finally arrived for me!  I've been out of school for at least a week and have been enjoying relaxing and catching up with all the stuff I don't have time to do during the school year.   Anyway, a new month means a new Currently and time to link up with Farley's Currently

Listening-I've been watching Bloodline on Netflix.  Wow is it good! The acting is great and the story is mesmerizing.  Loving having time for Netflix marathons.

Loving-So happy that summer vacation has finally arrived.  School was hard this year and it's nice to have time to take care of myself and catch up with my life.

Thinking-Summer always flies by so I really want to set some goals for myself so that I can do everything I want to accomplish this summer.

Wanting- I'm hoping to take a trip to the ocean this summer.  I don't live that far away from the ocean (well a days trip anyway). Anyway there's something about being near to the ocean that soothes the soul.

Needing-One of my big projects this summer is getting organized at home.  I really want to declutter and purge this summer.  It's amazing how much I accumulate over the years.

Summer loving-  So much I love about summer.  First and foremost I love the ability to relax and take care of myself in the summer.  I can exercise, eat healthy, read, write and reconnect with friends (and more swing dancing).  I also go to our cottage in MN in the summertime and spend time with family that I usually only see once a year.  It's spent swimming, reading and relaxing.  It's my happy place.

Come join us and let us know what you're doing currently.

Summertime goals

Well, summertime has finally arrived.  School just got out last Friday and now I have the summer stretching out before me.  So excited!!  When summer begins I always hold out high hopes on what I’ll be able to accomplish.  Now is the time to plan and set out goals so that I can hold myself accountable and get some things accomplished this summer.

Financial-I have a set amount of money to last me through the summer, so now I need to budget my money so that I can have some fun and enjoy my summer, but also live within my means and be frugal.

Career-I want to learn more about technology that would be good to implement in the classroom.  My goal is to work towards a paperless classroom as much as possible.  I learned a lot about having students use Edmodo in the classroom as well as incorporating more hands on activities with my teaching.

Health and Fitness-I’ve postponed staying on a regular workout routine this year and I need to get back on track.  I did so well last summer and on vacations, but when I’m back at work I find it very difficult to balance my health and fitness.  I need to do a better job at honoring my commitments to myself, especially when it comes to exercising on  a regular basis and eating more fruits and veggies, with  non-processed, organic foods.  

Spiritual- I would like to meditate daily.  This is the hardest one for me, because I always set it as a goal for myself and I never hold myself accountable for it. I also want to practice yoga more frequently (at least two or three times a week).  I believe that both activities will help me become more calm and centered.

Blogging- I really want to revamp the blog and expand it’s horizons.  Instead of only blogging about teaching, I’d like to blog about a wider variety of topics.  I think that’ll really help me as a writer.

Fun-   I also want to make sure I spend time reconnecting with friends.  Last but not least it’s time for more swing dancing.  I always have a lot of fun out on the dance floor.  In addition to great music and dancing it’s an opportunity to reconnect with friends.

What are you planning this summer?

Learning about Edmodo

I learned about a great new website this year called Edmodo.  My school and school district was really active in using it, so I decided to check it out and start using it towards the end of the school year.

It's a really great program because it you can post lessons, websites for learning, quizzes and other assessments on the program and send it out to the students and it's all online.

First you create classes, then you add students to your classes.  Then you can create homework, quizzes, test and classwork online and send it out to them.  They complete it online and return it to you for grading.  It also helps reduce the paper trail and allows to keep records of their learning online.

Also, there is a program called snapshot which creates quizzes based on standards and you send it out to the students.  They take the 'snapshots' and you have information on how they are on the standards.  When they're finished it recommends online lessons for them to enhance their learning.

You can use it to individualize your learning for your students, allowing them to work on activities and/or lessons at their level while you provide direct instruction to other students.  It also can help you monitor students iep goals online through snapshot and other online assessments.  There are so many possibilities for learning and individualizing student work.

Another asset of edmodo is that during days you have a substitute and/or snow days if students have access to a computer you can have their learning all online for them.

Anyway, that's just a general overview of how you can use edmodo.  Does anybody else use edmodo?  How do you use it in your classroom or school?

It's currently May

This year has flown.  So had to believe it's May already and the year is winding down.  Only three weeks but who's counting?

Anyway, a new month means a new Currently and I'm joining in on the party. 

Listening:  I'm catching up on old Downton Abbey Episodes on Netflix.  Love that show.

Loving: There are 3 more weeks until summer vacation and I'm so ready and excited!

Thinking:  So much I want to accomplish this summer-reading, writing, relaxing and taking care of myself

Wanting:  It's starting to warm up in Phoenix.  It actually hit a 100 on May 1st crazy!!  I know it's coming but I'm not ready for it yet.

Needing: A new computer.  My old one is on it's last legs and I need a new one for all the stuff I want to accomplish on it.

Summer, Yes, Hope, Dream:  I plan on going to Minnesota, work out on a regular basis and hopefully take some fun road trips (to the ocean).

Come join us and find out what everyone's doing currently!

Technology Thursday

So part of my spring break plans have been to play around with the technology I've been learning.  I recently took an online Edmodo class through our school district.  A lot of the teachers at school have been using it with our students and the more I learned about it the more excited I became at it's potential for my students.  I can set up online assessments based on standards for my students to see where they are and what they need to work on.  I can add materials, resources, activities and lessons for them to work on which helps me do more individualizing for them.  Does anyone else use Edmodo for teaching.

I've also been learning a lot about Notebook, which is what people use for creating programs on the smartboard.  I don't have one yet, but hope to in the near future.  However, I've been learning how helpful it can be in creating lessons.   I can use it to create lessons and thinking maps for when we're reading or doing other activities.

I've discovered I can also use it in conjunction with Near Pod which I haven't used yet, but also am pretty excited about using.  I've just recently discovered Near Pod, which is an application which will sync your computers with students computers and/ or other devices such as I Pads and allows you to project lessons to their computers, they can work on it and send it back to your computers.

Anyway, so many cool possibilities with those three programs.  I haven't used much of it because I've been gearing up for spring break, but I'm looking forward to jumping into it full force when I return to school next week.

What is your favorite website, application and/or technology and how do you use it with your students.

Happy Thursday!!

It's time for March Currently

This school year has been just flying by so fast.   I've really been delving into technology recently and have been so excited in what I've discovered.  It will really help transform my teaching and hopefully be a lot more engaging to my high maintenance kids.  I've been learning all about Edmodo, the use of notebook to create lessons, and just recently learned about Nearpod.  I met with our technology coach in our district a few weeks ago who helped me really get started with this and I'm really looking forward to having time over Spring Break to really learn more about it so I can be off and running with it when I return in a week.  What's your favorite technology piece and or application?

Now that I'm finally on Spring Break and have time to relax I thought I'd join my favorite linky party with Oh' Boy Fourth Grade.

Listening-I'm listening to great oldies music on Pandora while I do some spring cleaning and catching up with life.

Loving- This gorgeous Arizona weather.  It was cool and rainy earlier on this week, and now the weather is sunny and gorgeous.  March is one of the most fun times to be in Arizona which spring training, lots of fun festivals to go to and gorgeous weather.

Thinking-I've been thinking about all I want to accomplish over spring break-working out, relaxing, enjoying life and time to plan and play around with technology.

Wanting- Time to exercise and now I have it.  No excuses now.  

Needing- I've been excited about all the technology I've been learning about and so happy to have time to play around with and incorporate it into my planning.  I can't wait to show off what I've learned when I return.

Spring Break Plans- I'm staying in touch, resting, enjoying this great weather, hanging out with friends and time to plan and explore the technology I've been learning.  Today is my first day of Spring Break.

What have you been doing currently?  Come join us!!

January Currently

Finally I've returned and have time to do a currently.  It's been a very busy year.  I've been readjusting and trying different things.  So I'm excited to join in with the monthly currently.

Listening: I've been watching an Irish drama called The Fall.  It's so good.  I'm just finishing up the second season.

Loving:  I'm loving the cooler weather.  It's a beautiful time here in Phoenix, warm enough to be out and about and exercise outdoors.

Thinking:  It's a fun time to be in Phoenix.  The super bowl is coming up next week, which is going to be so fun and exciting.  We also have a big golf tournament the same weekend. 

Wanting: I've been really wanting to learn more about incorporating yoga and meditation into my classroom and my school.  If anybody knows more about that I'd love to hear about it.  I think it would pretty cool to see the results.

Needing: It's been a pretty stressful year, and I do such a bad job of taking care of myself and exercising so that I can alleviate that stress and maintain some balance in my life.

A Wish:  Balance-My goal this year is to maintain balance this year, to play hard and work hard.  Also to make sure I work out on a regular basis.

Come on over and link up with  Oh Boy 4th Grade for currently.