It's Sunday and I'm not planning...

Yes I am going to work tomorrow and this whole week.
Yes I know what I am teaching and how I am teaching it.
Yes I will be at the copy machine at some point TOMORROW getting things ready.

I just decided this weekend that I was going to have 2 days to enjoy and cherish my life.

This past week something very shocking and life changing happened to a family member of mine.
(No details because the person would not be comfortable with me sharing that info in this forum.)

Throughout the week I have been thinking about how valuable my time at night and on the weekends is to my own happiness.

This life is too short to spend my whole Sunday worrying about the upcoming work week or how one of my challenging students will behave, or the district officials coming to observe me on Friday.

As a person with a profession that expects you to give so much, I have decided for a short while that I am going to take some of that back.

Teaching is a large part of me, as I am sure that it is for all of you, but it isn't ALL of me.

So I encourage you to think about spending a Sunday night not planning.

Let yourself have a break!
EmilyK

Currently Update and Calendar Time

I know our Currently was just posted yesterday but I already have an update!
Like I said in the post, Farley hit my life on the nail.
I go, go, go and I come last.
My goals for me this month were:
Exercise, lose ten pounds, and read for fun.
Well I am excited to announce that I have lost 2 of my 10 pound goal and I actually went to the gym tonight.
I did a class called Butts and Guts and it is as intense as the name sounds. lol
Go me!!!
Now for that read for fun book!

Ok- moving on to teacher talk! :)

As you might know, I am a Teaching and Learning Coach.
I worked with K-5 teachers in all content areas.
I have always been an upper elementary teacher, so I am learning so much about primary grades.
Well today, one of my amazing teachers asked me advice on calendar time.
She is looking to switch up her schedule to ensure that the core subjects and Common Core Standards get enough time to be taught thoroughly.
She also wants to give more time to shared and guided reading.
Calendar time is something I have heard a great deal about and I know the gist of what is taught during this time, but I definitely don't know everything it entails.

So my questions to you all...
Do you use calendar time or have you found a way to incorporate those topics into other points in your day?
If you are a fan of calendar time, how do you use it in your day?
Last, how much time do you spend on it and do you teach it daily?

I am currently doing some research and decided to include you all in it.
With all you amazing primary teachers out there, I figured the most valuable information would come from you!
Any information would be great!

Thanks for you help!
Antoinette :)

It's Currently September

Every month we say something about how time flies.

Well... it's September.  School has started and now begins the Fall.

Head over the Oh' Boy Fourth Grade and link up with Farley for her monthly Currently.

Emily's answers are in red.

Antoinette's answers are in blue.

Political tv.  It makes me question the path of America.  Hubs loves it.  So for a few hours a week I make a sacrifice.

If you have read my Currently posts before you know I am a DIY person.  I am not always on schedule to finish things, but this Labor Day.  I am going to labor through some of my projects are get some things done.  

(No pics yet!)

It's the time of year between Back to School and the end of first quarter.  That means an increased workload.  I am trying to work more efficiently.  If you have any tips let me know!

The best laid plans... I just want my lessons to go according to plan.  My life to go according to plan (just for this month).  My grad school class to go according to plan.  You know what people say, we plan. God laughs.  But my (planning) hope springs eternal.

And on that note.  Patience is a virtue.  In today's society we are not always encouraged to have patience.  In general, I have very little patience sometimes.  Working on it.  

Patience with a student with challenging behaviors.  

Patience with technology. (They have restructured our technology department, and as the teachers tech for my building I am getting tons of questions.)  

Patience with my hubby and his part of the DIY projects. :)

Just for me:

Exercise: I started doing water aerobics this summer.  I would love to get back to it.  I am also really thinking of joining a gym.  After a long stint of physical therapy, my ankle really likes walking on the treadmill versus on the sidewalk.

Cook: I LOVE pinterest recipes!  

My latest favorite:

Cowboy lasagna.  Click the pic to go to the source.

BTW, if you would like to follow me on Pinterest, click here.

Craft: Sew curtains, cross stitch project, planning my Halloween costume.  

Today is Labor Day and like all of you, I had the day off!
YEAH!!!!!!!!
Although it was not a go to school work day, it was a SUPER productive day for me.
Slept in just a bit- 8:45.
Made some coffee and worked on some school stuff...
Caught up on emails
Updated my resume for a PGC (Professional Growth Course) that I am teaching
Finished my time log for unit of study work
and a few other things that are coming to mind at this moment.

Next I moved on to preparing my food for the week.
I truly believe one of the reason I have been so successful with my weight loss is because I spend my Sunday (Monday in this case because of the day off) making my meals for the week.
It is VERY time consuming, but well worth it to me.

Last some cleaning and now blogging.
So that was my super productive day.
But there is always more on my to-do list.
Sadness...
Need a magic wand to finish it all up. lol

As we all know, this time of year is SOOO stressful.
I can't sleep when I am stressed.
My tummy hurts also.
So I need to not let it get to me.
I want to turn the stress into something productive.
Instead of complaining...
Find a solution!!!

Farley couldn't have put it better when she said we put ourselves at the bottom of the list.
I have SOOO felt like that lately.
Work all day...
Meetings in the evening...
Family and friend events... (which I love don't get me wrong)
These day-to-day things take up almost every evening and weekends.
I go go go!!!
People joke that I don't know busy until I have a husband and children.
I would love to compare notes because I think I could give most people a run for their money!
So no complaining...  No stress... lol

I WANT to exercise... Sounds crazy I know, but I have been too busy (literally to go to the gym). LITERALLY!!! lol
So it's on my calendar... Going 3 times this week.
Gonna get back in the habit of it.
This and eating healthy (GOTTA QUICK THE CHEATS HERE AND THERE) will help me lose my goal of 10 pounds in September.
Wish me luck!!! :)

I want to read for fun also.
Been saying this for awhile, but I am really gonna do it in September.
Will let you know how it goes.
Have a book in mind, so just have to find the time.

That's it for me!!!
Sorry no pics or anything.
Hope to be a better blogger in September also! :)

If haven't already, link up with Farley's Currently.  They're a ton of fun and you get to meet lots of bloggers!

Looking forward to reading your Currently!
Antoinette and EmilyK