back to school prep

I have done a lot of preparing for the new school year this summer.  Every now and then, I do or see something that inspires me to create a lesson or activity.  But more than refining my lesson plans and preparing to get my classroom organized, I am teaching a new subject this year!  And don't you know that Pinterest is the best place to get new ideas! There are only two weeks left of summer, so it's time to organize my thoughts!

Everyone wants to start the year with a get-to-know you game or activity.  I think I've used a different one every semester!  But with shorter semesters this year, I try to think of something that is less time consuming, but still gives me the most information about them.  So far, I'm really liking both of these ideas.  I could have the students start it in class and finish it for homework!

Source: Teaching Madness

Source: CZ Blog

I also really like the idea of incorporating current technology into the classroom through different methods.  The students are always on Facebook, Twitter, Vine and Instagram, so why not figure out a way to make history relevant to them, right?

Source: Integrating Tech

Inevitably there is always a handful of students per class that do exactly what they are supposed to all the time and do a good job.  Sometimes its difficult to have enough extension work (extenstion work is for students who work far ahead of others).  This year we are implementing some new common core literacy standards.  I love this idea.  Of course this teacher uses it with smaller children, but I could EASILY upgrade this for my students!  She has several notebooks with different writing prompts on the front of each.  Students write responses in one when they finish early!  What a great way to keep students engaged!  She also has a lot more really great ideas such as this review game, I could easily do this with history or government!  When kids have fun they learn!

Source: A Love for Teaching

As a teacher, you are always trying to think of ways to evaluate your student's understanding.  Sometimes it can be really difficult if I'm trying to do a silent activity with the students and their hands start flying up and they are asking each other questions (especially when I really want them to be thinking for themselves!)  Last year, I tried a red card, green card system.  Early on, the cards were lost or damaged (even though they were laminated!)  But I really like this idea!  I know it is made for an elementary classroom, but I could definitely upgrade it for my high schoolers.  Even put a couple 3m hooks on the wall to keep them safe with!

Source: A Teacher's Wonderland

I love this idea as a warm up or summarizing activity.  For my 11th graders, we could read something and each of them could place a sticky note on the light bulb to get conversations flowing at the beginning of class.  Especially in government, when I really want students to be thinking for themselves and developing their own ideas about the world.

Source: Not Found

These are just a few of the new ideas I will be implementing in my classroom this year!  I'm looking forward to getting started and seeing how they work.  I can't believe pre-planning is just around the corner!

Check out last year's prep here!

Sewing!

Lucky for me, my work week is almost over!  We have Friday and Monday off!

I go to work REALLY early in the morning... every single day.

And it doesn't ever get easier, especially now with this precious face pouting at me in the mornings.

I always imagine her saying, "Are you leaving me again? Please don't go!"

After reading the manual and making sure I really understood my new sewing machine, I started to sew tonight.  My love for sewing started in high school when I took a clothing class.  Ever since I got this beautiful machine for my birthday, I've been pinning and saving all kinds of projects to do!

I set up a bed for Hazel right next to my feet, but to where she could still see what was going on.  I thought she was asleep, but when I came out of my deep concentration I couldn't find her!

Apparently, her view wasn't good enough, she perched herself up on the back of the couch to watch the action.  She only stayed long enough for this picture to be taken once I found her!

I completed two projects tonight!  One for Hazel and one for me!

At every dog shop I've been in, they are selling bandanas that fit on the collar.

When I see them I think, "I could do that myself!"

And Hazel loves it!  Well at least I think she does! She hasn't been bothered by it at all.

Hazel hanging out in her new bandana!

The next project was for me!  I made a small bag out of some large scrap pieces I had.

I wish I could give you measurements and a pattern, but I made it up as I went.

I can tell you what I did though!

I took two same size pieces of the pink patterned and sewed them right sides together.  The turned it inside out, so that the right side was showing and the seams were hidden.  Then repeated it with the beige with white pattern.

I then sewed the now doubled pieces together and turned it inside out.  The top of the bag had the cut edges still showing.  I folded them over about an inch and sewed along the top of the bag and down and inch to make a nice border.

For the straps I took one piece of fabric folded it right sides together and sewed along the open side (leaving both ends open).  Once sewed, I stuck my fingers in one end and turn it inside out.  Lastly, I sewed the strap on the inside of the top and adjusted them for the length I wanted.  I stitched and back stitched a few times for reinforcement and was done!

I really enjoyed it and can't wait to get started on some of my bigger projects! :)