Measurement Fun in Math!

We had fun in math today.  Kids often don't get the measurement concept in the short amount of time we have to teach it.  I wanted to make it fun and yet make sure they're understanding how to measure, how to record the measurement,  and what the measurement even means.

 Last Friday, we took the 2nd graders outside and did 6 measurement tasks using non-standard measurement.   These girls were using their body lengths to measure how far it was from one chalk line to another on the track around the playground.

 Today, we measured playdoh shapes with our centimeter sticks.   We folded our papers into 4 quadrants.  The students had to listen and follow directions on what to make in each quadrant.

Then they had to measure each shape, label it, and record the measurement data on that quadrant.

They knew that if they completed their work before Math was over, they could have free play with their playdoh.  I would have to say that 100% of my kids were 100% on task throughout the lesson.

TEI would've been proud.

I got this fabulous math idea on Pinterest ~ my new obsession.

Happy Learning!

Sunday, Fun Day with Ms. Harper

I really can't tell you how happy it makes me to have Ms. Harper here on the weekends.  Of course, we LOVE having her mama and daddy here, too. :-)  But there's something about that squeal of joy and those mammoth blue eyes that just puts this Gigi's heart right over the moon.

 She loved her crayons and coloring book at Rib Crib this noon.

 Oooooh ~ love those colors.  Yellow was her FAV.

 Hmmm... a little contemplating before her giggles again.

 Sweetness.

 Now that is so goofy.

So much personality wrapped up in the most perfect package.

Loves.

Our God-is-so-Good Day!

We entered today knowing that our lives would be changed forever ~ either for good or not.  We were believing in faith that it would be for our good.  So we walked into this day with confidence that "God is a safe place to hide, ready to help when we need him." Ps. 43:1

David's CT-scan found a small mass in his abdomen about 2 weeks ago.  We wanted it O-U-T.  The surgery was scheduled for today but our work was only beginning.  We had a lot of praying to do to get ready for today.  We wanted God to reveal to us His power to heal David.  It's been one full year since David was diagnosed with renal cancer and had his kidney and tumor removed.  It was almost too much to think that he would have to go through any of that pain again so soon.

So many friends and family all over the world have been praying for David's healing and for our peace leading into the surgery.  We were at peace ~ the day was an adventure, for sure!  Katie and Lindsey were here this weekend, FIGHTING BACK against this big unknown "thing" we faced.  Just having them here has had a calming affect on me.  I would've loved to have had Natalie here, too, but Tennessee is only a heartbeat away.  She was here in her heart.

The surgery went well!  It was done laparoscopically (woo hoo!!) and the mass was removed without a problem.  He took the appendix out, too ~ David's dad asked if we'll get charged extra for that. hahaha.
We wait now for the pathological report and are praying and believing that it will be benign.

David is at home ~ up and walking ~ sore but so much better than what I expected to see from him!  We feel like God listened to every earnest prayer lifted up to Him and answered them perfectly.  We are feeling really loved right now!

Thank you all for praying and PLEASE keep it up!  I hope to report in the next few days that he is STILL cancer free and that the mass was benign.  Whatever happens, we know that God is SO GOOD!

What a miracle!

A Labor of Love Weekend

I just love when our kids are home and I hear them talk and giggle and plan baby showers ~ I love when Ms. Harper throws her arms around my neck or leans close to me when she's a little shy around other people ~ I love to watch her holding her Grandpa Diddy's big hand and look up into his eyes ~

I love when she screamed, "Atie!" and we all cheered at her first attempt at saying Aunt Katie's name ~ I love listening to her squeal with delight when she 1-2-3-jumps into the air between her mommy and daddy ~ I love to watch her great grandpa holding her and showing her how the magical trunk of his car just pops open!

This girl has so much personality ~ She makes my heart so happy!

He loves me ~ He loves me not.  I'm sure he loves her.

How could anyone not fall in love with this blue-eyed beauty?  Perfection!

But every little princess runs out of steam.   Time to say good-bye, Gigi!

I am so blessed!

Meet the Teacher

I love teaching!  

I work at the best elementary school in the whole wide world!  Every student in my school recites that every day and truly knows it to be true!   I started teaching 16 years ago at an inner city school.  I really didn't think I was cut out for that hard of a school ~ first year almost did me in.  BUT!  I found out I could do it and do it well!! So here I am 16 years later thinking I'm so blessed to be able to teach the coolest kids anywhere.

After teaching 3 years of multiage Kindergarten/first grade and then 6 more years in first grade, I was asked to move to 3rd grade.  I have to tell you ~ I went kicking and screaming!  I didn't think I could teach those "big kids".  (I must have a "short" complex!)

Day #1 in 3rd grade convinced me ~ I LOVED IT!  Who wouldn't love cuteness like that?!  Plus they could already read, so that's half the battle, right?

This was my team in 3rd grade where I taught for 5 years.  We rocked!  But I broke away and decided to tame the 2nd graders to prepare them for 3rd.  Even though we don't teach together anymore, my heart will always be with our "team".  Maybe one day we'll get to reunite!

I knew I wanted to be a teacher in high school and majored in education in college, but somewhere along the way I strayed.  In the early 90's I went back to school and got my early childhood degree and have never regretted it. Two of my daughters are teachers, too!  How cool is that!

Happy Learning!

Teacher Week

I'm going to join the teacher bloggers and celebrate teacher week on my blog, too.

To all my teacher buddies, join with me and add this to your blog.  I can't wait to read all about your week in school and your goodies that you'll share.  Here is what we'll write about...

Meet the Teacher Monday – Introductions, please!  Tell us all about you!

- Teacher Talk Tuesday – A day dedicated to providing advice for new teachers :)

- Where it All Goes Down Wednesday – Pictures, please! Show us your classroom! 

- Three for Thursday – Link to your favorite font, favorite blog, and favorite online resource.

- Free for All Friday – Everyone loves a freebie!  Link up with a printable that you’ve created and would like to share out with the teaching community.

Happy Blogging!

Blessings

I haven't blogged since going back to school August 1st, but it's been a whirlwind, to say the least!  Four days of second grade are under my belt, I'm surviving the heatwave of 2011, and am starting to look ahead to fall with excitement that there are only four more months left until our grandbaby girl is here!  I'm over the moon excited!  I have so many blessings in my life and want to write down a few so I don't forget them!

~ My amazing husband that I love with my whole heart.
~ He has been cancer-free this past year and I'm believing for another C-Free report next week!
~ Our 3 incredible daughters, talented, beautiful, and all strong in their faith.  That's everything.
~ Our 2 wonderful sons-in-law and one 'wishing-for-to-soon-be' son-in-law that we love as much as if they were our very own flesh and blood. (Hope you followed that one!)
~ And Ms. Harper ... oh my!  The love of my life!!!  God knew exactly what would make my heart sing and SHE is that little girl!!!

~ And as if that weren't enough, we have another baby girl on the way!!! If I get much happier, I'll burst!
~ My mama, alive and well, active and happy with her husband, Bill, up in Indiana.  I want her to live forever!
~ My sister and very bestest friend ~ why do we have to live so far apart? ~ She is my inspiration and my hero.  I can't think of anyone that I look up to more than her.  She truly is everything a sister should be.

~ Her hubs, Sid,  who says he doesn't understand why anyone would want to live down here where it's so hot all the time, but in my heart, I know he'd be here in a New York minute if I'd just invite him ~ j/k.  He LOVES it here!!  I'm so thankful that he's doing as well as he is with cancer.  We beg you to pray for his healing!
~ My in-laws ~ we truly have such a close-knit, wonderful family.  I love them dearly!
~ My best friends.  Sometimes we see each other often, and other times it goes awhile but they are there when I need them.  I trust them with my heart.
~ My school kiddos, past and present.  If they don't send me to an early grave, I'll love them forever.  They have enriched my life in ways I can't explain.  They have lived long, hard lives by the time they enter my classroom and it pains me that I can't fix things for them.  But while they're in my care, I can be strong and nurturing, showing them unconditional love.
~ My peers and boss at school ~ Wow!  God has orchestrated the most amazing group of believers into one school.  We don't always act so spiritual, and we slide sometimes, but never in my life have I seen such a presence of God's love and protection where I've worked.  Scriptures are written all over the doorposts and floors of our very foundation in our building.  God honors that.
~ My furry boys.  Who would've thought I could love four-legged boys as much as I do?  OOOH my.

Tyson is King of the Hill around here.

And my sight-disabled baby, Riley.  Cute doesn't do him justice.
~ For the possibilty of 3 days under 100 degrees forecast for this week!  Woo hoo!!
~ My church and the freedom to worship as I choose.
~ Probably one of my biggest blessings is the chance to pray for my family, some of whom are completely overwhelmed by expectations and obligations for the coming months, have physical mountains that seem too high to climb, who are preparing for a new baby, who have job needs, and who needs God's wisdom and strength right now.

I know what it means to say my heart overflows because God is so good to me!

Blessings to you!