Happy Thanksgiving!!

I love this time of year!  The weather is getting cooler, and everywhere you go things are more festive!!  Pumpkin spice lattes at Starbucks, butternut squash soup, chili, eggnog all those holiday foods.
Today I'm linking up with Lucky to be in First for a Thanksgiving linky. 

I'm thankful for friends and family, my health which allows me to stay active with swing dancing, yoga, hiking and running.

I'm thankful for a career I enjoy and that continues to challenge me and for students who make me excited about coming to work.  

I'm also thankful for the blogging community which given me opportunities to re-energize me and expand my knowledge about my career.  

I'm thankful for great friends and a boyfriend that love going out and enjoying life-hiking, yoga, dancing, festivals and exploring the city.

Last but not least I'm thankful for a five day weekend which will give me the opportunity rest, recharge and spend time with family and friends.

Happy Thanksgiving and welcome to the holiday season!!

Gobble Days!

Sorry for laying low this last month, but I've been feeling under the weather most of the month.  I had a pretty bad cough that took forever to improve!  It took three sick days and a round of antiobotics to clear up.  It's so nice to feel normal again and get back into my normal routines of hanging out with friends, hiking, doing yoga and going swing dancing.

In addition this year, has been pretty stressful with lots of changes with the way we teach thanks to common core, and for me a lot of large personalities behavior wise.  I've had to really learn, change and grow in the ways I manage the behaviors in my classroom.  What has worked in the past, isn't working as well this year.  

So after a short work week I'm looking forward to some time to myself and a chance to relax, recharge and spend time with family and friends.

I hope everyone has a wonderful Thanksgiving and that you are able to spend time with your loved ones during this holiday season.

November Currently

It's finally November!  These last three months have dragged on it seems.  I have a few students who are really keeping me on my toes this year, in addition to dealing with a chest cold that just wants to keep holding on.  Along with a new month comes a new Currently from Farley and here is mine.

Listening:  I'm listening to the news tonight and trying to rest up.

Loving: The cooler weather!  So happy it's finally cooling down this month.  It's the kind of weather people come to Arizona for!

Wanting: To get back to my normal activities-having fun with friends, swing dancing and exercising!!

Needing: To get over this infernal cold.  I've had this stupid cough that's been dragging on for two weeks.  It's seemed like I was getting a little better, but I feel like I had a set back these last few days.  It's been stressful at work with those students which hasn't helped my ability to get better.  I took two days off and went to the doctor, made some progress and I've just plateaued.  I'm so busy at work, so it's been really hard to take time off. ; (

So come link up with Farley and tell us what your doing Currently!

Behavior Management Ideas

It's hard to believe that it's almost November.  It's been an incredibly busy month with iep meetings, testing and a group that has been really keeping me on my toes.  This year I have one of the hardest groups I've ever had, and one of the nicest groups I've ever had.   Plus, I've been dealing with a chest cold that's been dragging on and on.  So it's been leaving me exhausted!! 

Typically I've only used one classroom management plan and that's worked out pretty well.  I've used and still use a sticker chart system where students work towards the treasure box, as well as Dojo points where students also work towards rewards and points.  That's always worked pretty well for me, and the students have always typically responded.  They are also able to earn tickets towards a big school wide drawing at the end of the week.

However, this year I've been finding that one is not enough.  I have a lot of students on behavior plans and using individual point sheets which is becoming really hard to manage since they come and go from my room to their classrooms, as well as other classrooms.  I would love, love, love to hear what others do for their behavior management within their classrooms, especially if they like me have students that go back and forth between classrooms.  It would be great to use something that would fit seamlessly into my daily routine and classroom.

It's almost Friday!  Yay!!

A great resource for teaching multiplying with multiple digits!!

Hope everyone is having a great October.  I just finished my fall break and now it's time to get ready to return to work and get back into the routine.   I didn't go anywhere exciting, but it was nice to just hang out at home and relax.  I saw movies and met friends for lunch and coffee.  Today was my first day back at school.  It was hard getting used to having to wake up with an alarm clock again.

Anyway, I've been working on teaching my students to multiply double digit numbers.  They had such a hard time getting things mixed up, what steps to take when.  I was looking around through websites and videos and found this cute video called Turtlehead Multiplication.

My students love it and ask to watch it over and over again.  It takes students step by step what  to do and how to do it, in a cute, funny and engaging way.

Happy Monday!!  Hope you have a great week ahead of you!

It's time for October Currently!

It's hard to believe that it's October already.  The school year is flying by and already the first quarter is over and we're gearing up for Fall Break.  I am SO ready for it!!  It's been a rough start to the school year.  I have a lot of characters this year in one of my grade levels.  Luckily it's balanced out by a really sweet, wonderful great grade level.  They're so fun and sweet and hard workers.  Plus, there are so many changes coming down the line for my students with common core.  Unfortunately, I haven't blogged as much as I like because I've been so busy and up with work, and I haven't spent much time taking care of myself or anything else.  Hopefully, things will turn around soon.  Anyway, without further ado here is this months Currently.

 

Listening-I discovered Parenthood on Netflix, and have been catching up on old episodes in hope to be current when the new season starts.

Loving-It's been a long, hot summer in Arizona and I'm SO happy it's finally cooling down here.  It's much needed and I'm looking forward to all the fun things I can do once the weather cools down.

Thinking-Fall break is only three days away, I'm so excited!!

Wanting-One of the things I like about this time of year are the seasonal foods and drinks-like pumpkin spice lattes.  Yummy!!

Needing-Some free time to catch up on my life.  Luckily fall break is right around the corner.  I'm really looking forward to relaxing and recharging.

Trick or Treat- My trick to getting along is agreeing with people and doing what you want to do anyway.

What are you doing Currently?  Come on over and tell us what your doing currently.

September Sunday Social

Happy Sunday Social day!

Once again I am linking up with Neely and Ashley for their Sunday Social.

This Weeks Questions:
1. What is the name if your blog?   Resource Room Rules

2. What do you love most about blogging?  I love writing, and connecting with other teacher bloggers who are passionate about their careers, as well as learning about other things such as photography, travel and cooking.

3. Why did you start blogging?  I started reading some teaching blogs and was looking for special education and resource teacher blogs in general.  After reading and following so many I decided that was something I wanted to do as well.

4. What is something you’d want to tell someone just starting out in the blog world? Keep at it and take your time.  Join in with linky parties to get exposure and find new blogs and hopefully have other blogs find you.


5. Biggest blogging learning experience you’ve had? There have been lots of different things.  Commenting on other people's blogs, as well as linky parties.  Another thing that I've learned about is participating in giveaways, as well as making and selling products.  That's another thing I'd like to learn more about.  My blog is coming up on one year and I need to figure out how to do a giveaway.

  
6. What are three blogs you love? 

The Lower Elementary Cottage 
The Resource(ful) Room
Heather's Heart
 
Next Weeks Questions:
1. What is your favorite handbag you’ve ever owned?
2. What is your dream handbag you lust over?
3. What are the daily essentials in your purse or work bag?
4. What’s in your purse (with pictures)?