One Year

I'm excited to be back at blogging.  It's been exactly one year since I posted here.  There are a lot of reasons I took a year off, and it wasn't entirely planned.  I would love to tell you more about that, but not just yet.  I made a list of the top ten things that happened this year.

1. Today is our 3rd anniversary!  Woohoo!  I love you David!

2. It's almost been a year since we MOVED!  It was a LONG process due to many different life changing events happening at once, but we finally finished!

3. I started a new job!  This year I made a huge transition, high school teacher to middle school teacher.  There are things I love about both, but the world of 8th grade social studies stuck to me like glue, and I loved it.  And those sweet adorable kids.

4. Husband passed the bar!! Woohoo, real lawyer status!  He also started a new job.

5. Husband and I did a lot of renovations on my grandma's house.  It took a lot of energy and time, but we got it done!  We also revisited the last four decades through wallpaper, it was an adventure.

6. We went to a lot of UGA games... GO DAWGS!

7. Husband and I bought a truck!  Merry Christmas to David!

8. We took a couple vacations this year.  We took our new truck on a winter vacay to Asheville.  It was a much needed and refreshing break.  And at the end of the school year, we went to St. Simons for a few days for some sunshine!

9. I went to Washington, D.C. with my parents for my spring break!  We had a great time!  We did a lot of walking, taking in the monuments. David and I are headed back later this summer.  We have had a lot of fun planning our trip, now we are just ready for it to get here!

10. I joined a special new little family called OrangeTheory Fitness, and it has been an awesome new beginning.  More on that another time!

I hope you will continue following my at SimplyIndecisive.  I look forward to sharing some new things to you!

bacon, spinach, and mushroom egg muffins

We are almost half way through the semester, and midterms are closing in.  Things are speeding up like crazy!  I feel like I'm constantly grading and just trying to stay on top of things.  These kids hormones are raging too!  They have homecoming this weekend, and it seems like they have been pairing up all over the place.  Looking around the school and parking lot, you can see all of the imaginative ways the students have been asking one another to the dance.  They are so funny.

  With the semester moving so quickly, and the work piling up, breakfast becomes the hardest meal of the day for me.  It is hard to begin with because there are not many low-carb options for breakfast.  Secondly, those low-carb options are hard to eat on-the-go.

I know I've talked about this on the blog before, but truly, breakfast is the hardest meal to prepare when you have to be at work so early!  I've seen these floating around Pinterest and finally decided to give them a go and they are fantastic!  They are great on the go.  Just warm one up in the microwave!

Bacon, Spinach, and Mushroom Egg Muffins

Makes 12

6 eggs

1 box of frozen spinach

1 box fresh mushrooms

1/2 cup shredded colby jack cheese

1/4 cup 0% Fage yogurt

2 tbsp skim milk

2 tbsp of turkey bacon pieces

Salt and pepper to taste

Preheat to 350.

Cook the spinach and mushrooms down over the stove.  While they are cooking, mix the eggs, cheese, yogurt, milk, bacon, salt and pepper together well.  The greek yogurt can clump sometimes, so mix well.

Spray your muffin tin with cooking spray well.  You want to make sure these pop right out!  Once the spinach has cooked down, mix it into the mushrooms in the skillet.  In each of the 12 cups, put some of the spinach and mushrooms.  Then scoop the egg mixture into each of the cups.  You can fill them up almost all the way.

Bake for 25 minutes and enjoy!

What are you teaching the world?

Just before I went to bed last night, I saw the latest "Kid President" video.  And then today at lunch, my department watched it together.  This one was for teachers.  It made me feel really good--it was a great reminder of why I'm teaching.

Even if you are not a teacher, this video can apply to you.  This little boy will definitely lift your spirits and make you think!

What are you teaching the world?

Enjoy and remember to be more awesome!

what really went down...

School has really taken off.  I can hardly believe I've made it through 3 units in both of the classes I'm teaching this semester.  Collectively, my students have been doing wonderfully.  However, there is always a moment that you just wonder... are they hearing me?

My moment from this last week occurred just after we talked about President Washington and his role in the Revolutionary War.  A girl looked to her desk neighbor and very loudly said, "I just don't understand...I always get George Washington and George Bush confused!"

I had to take a deep breath.

A couple weeks ago, I posted ideas I found on Pinterest that I was looking forward to implementing in my classroom.  And much like the year before, all of them actually happened!  This year I am teaching Government and US History.  So I thought I would show you a little bit about what really went down....

Bulletin Boards

I think it's really important to stay relevant with kids, especially when teaching high school.  Using things that they are familiar with, think are cool or just generally draws their attention.  When I was thinking about my bulletin board this year, I came up with a few ideas.  First, mustaches!  I mean they are just funny!  So I found some mustached presidents for my board and cut out a giant mustache.  Get it? "I 'mustache' you a question?"

I had a harder time with the rest of the board.  I really wanted to use the "Keep Calm and Carry On" sign, but couldn't think of anything cool enough!  I asked my husband to think about it as he walked to the mailbox, and he came back with this! Awesome!  Abe and Andrew are just chillin' in their glasses--excited to debate the differences between Republicans and Democrats!

Lastly, these kids love music more than anything.  I see Beats by Dre more times a day that I would like to.  So I thought the kids can look to this board to see what's on our "playlist" for US History!  It's really just a list of all the topics that coincide with each of their units.  However, I have seen numerous students go over to the board, just to see what it says!

Review Game

If you were ever a student at any point in your life, you probably know all about "trashket ball."  For some reason, it is a review game favorite.  We've never played it in my classroom before.  I've always tried to come up with new interactive ways to help my class review for an upcoming test.  I was inspired by a magazine someone put in my mail box at work.  It had all kinds of materials you could order to use in your classroom.  Unfortunately, everything was super expensive!  Don't they know we're teachers!

So I ripped out a page and headed over to the Dollar Tree determined to recreate something I really loved in that magazine....generic game boards.  I bought eight foam boards and construction paper.  The only other materials I needed I already had--eight dice and a hot glue gun.

I made eight games boards exactly alike.  Just plain, not geared towards anything.  I have a new set of questions for the game every time we use them!  I call it, A World of Possibility!  The students love it!  There are crazy things for them to do on the "Possibility Cards" and when they land on "Roll the Dice"!

Warm-Up/Do Now/Starter

Whether you call it a warm-up, do now, starter, or something else, those first few minutes of class always need to be planned strategically.  You need something that draws them in for the whole period.

One of my favorite warm-up activities is a scavenger hunt.  Now I don't let the kids run around the school, just my classroom!  I've been known to tape things under desks, under seats, on the ceiling, on the walls, hide Easter eggs, and more.  I try to keep my methods of scavenger hunting different and exciting so they never know what to expect!  I do it about 2-3 times a week and it never fails to be exciting.

What do you do to keep the attention of kids? Or stay relevant?

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!

egg salad sammie

Happy Easter!! I hope you are having a wonderful day!

We have spent the day honoring our Lord and Savior, spending time with family, playing with the pup, and napping :)  It has been really great!

David and I boiled a dozen eggs and dyed them last night in honor of Easter.  It was really fun and has provided for a week's worth of yummy egg salad!  While I enjoy it by itself, I have been buying Sugar Free Whole Wheat Premium Bread for David at Kroger for his sandwiches.

I always start a new semester with my favorite get to know you game.  It's derived from something we did when I interned at the UGA Wesley Foundation.  It's quick, fun, and I don't lose much instructional time doing it. I call it "Hot Seat." I usually spend about the last 5 minutes of class playing it with the students until we've been through everyone (about a week).  Each student is asked three questions.  I always ask the first one and allow other students to come up with the others.  And these questions are usually silly.  Most famously, I ask "How do you like your eggs?"  The kids always think this is funny, but I'm really asking!  I love eggs! Weird, I know!

However, getting back to the basics of egg usage is egg salad!

And I LOVE egg salad!  I fell in love with it as a kid and it's never changed.

It's so easy to make and high in protein.

Easy Egg Salad

1 serving

2 hard boiled eggs

1 tsp Light Hellman's Mayonnaise
1 tsp French's Spicy Brown Mustard

Spoonful of Vlasic Sweet Relish

I mash up the eggs and mix in the mayo and mustard.

I suggest using equal parts of both mayo and mustard to the consistency of your liking.  Start off just adding a little of both.

Mix in a small spoonful of sweet relish and refrigerate!

We enjoy it by itself, on a bed of lettuce, or on bread!

ENJOY!

prom?

Sometimes you just have those moments in the classroom that are priceless.

And sometimes you have those students in your class that are sweet and hilarious.

And sometimes they make you laugh until you cry.

Last Friday was like any day.  I walked into my 4th period to start class by asking the students to put away their things and get ready for a quiz.

Then I asked if anyone had any questions before we started....

The entire class was silent.

Apparently, before I entered the room their was a class meeting.

Then one hand went into the air.

As he started to ask his question, he pulled a single rose wrapped in baby's breath out of his desk and said: "Mrs. Dove, will you go to prom with me?"

I mean... it was sweet.

And it made my day.

This was one of those times I laughed so hard I cried.

Unfortunately for him, I had to say no.

He's a freshman anyway :)

election

The election is over and not much is changing... Unless you count DOW dropping 300 points today. Which isn't a great thing.

Being a Government teacher, I polled my students on Monday. We set up a booth and ballot box! After they voted for President and submitted their ballot they got a sticker!

The results throughout my classes actually shocked me. We've been studying the different issues all semester and they were all confident in their vote. They understood the importance of being an educated American citizen and took this opportunity in my class very seriously!

We finished up by having a victory party (for whoever would win on Tuesday) and watching a History Channel documentary about the every day life of a President!

Here are some pictures from Monday :)

It's been awhile since I've updated.  Life has really gotten in the way!

Or really, riding on hot buses to volleyball games far away.

It will really wear a person out!

This past Wednesday I joined a new Bible study group!  I'm really excited about the other women I met and what God is doing in their lives.  We are doing a Kelly Minter study on Nehemiah.  And it's been really great so far!

This weekend, my sister and bro-in-law came up to Athens for the UGA game!  They brought their precious dog with them.  Margo had full reign of our place while we were all at the game.  I loved getting to love on this snuggle muffin for a little bit this weekend!  She is seriously the best dog!

Recently, I've gotten really into couponing.  I'm not one of those people that just buys stuff to buy it because it's cheap/free.  But I do love getting some savings.  While I was at the Dollar Tree, I picked up this beauty to help keep me organized!

Tomorrow is Oh How Pinteresting! Wednesday and I have some GREAT pins this week!  I can't wait to share!

Have a GREAT Tuesday!

coming together!

I've been MIA from the blog world all week! Opps!  I've been so busy in my classroom and with volleyball! I've been making Pinterest ideas become reality, writing syllabi and lesson plans, and doing a lot of hot gluing. 

I finally got the bins I first saw at the Container Store.  Except, I found them on sale at Bed, Bath, and Beyond.  Score! They are labeled for class periods.  One set is for composition books and the other for completed work.

Above is a homework bulletin board.  Where I can post weekly homework assignments.  But my favorite part about my desk area (other than how I covered the front of my desk!) is the map behind my desk.

The map was my grandfather's.  My grandma gave it to me after he passed and it has hung in my classroom since!

I divided my bulletin board into three sections.  Farthest right is a sports board.  I hang the schedules for all of the current sports seasons at the school.

The middle is for STAR work!  I got this idea from a friend on Instagram and then found it on Pinterest later.  They both inspired me to create my own!  I plan on hanging a piece of star student work on each of the stars!

Lastly, furthest left, my song inspired board (We built this city on rock and rolllll...) is for an assignment.  Each students is to bring in a picture of something that is affected by the government.  It could be paid for by the government or be under law by the Constitution.  Then we will divide them into local, state, and federal.  So that the students can gain an understanding of how government affects their lives everyday!

While decorating my classroom, Carly Rae inspired me to create this above my homework board.  I hope the kids don't think I'm cray cray.

And the last shot I have of my classroom for you today is the back.  If you look closely, you will see my grandfather's flight helmet.  It's always a big hit with the students.

The giant flag hanging on the wall was flown above the United States Capital by Representative Jack Kingston of Georgia in honor of me!  Cool right?!

Hope you had a great week! Let me know what you think of my room!

the end :(

The end of summer vacation has finally arrived! I can't believe it's already over and pre-planning is here!  While I have been at the high school every day for volleyball tryouts, pre-planning actually starts tomorrow.

Thoughts of getting my room organized, decorated, moving furniture, and creating lesson plans are flowing through my every thought and dream.  I've come up with, what I think, are some pretty creative ideas for my room this year.  And creative lesson plans for that matter!  My only hope is that it all comes together!

I've been hiding out everything I brought home for the summer in the hall closet.  When I started to pull it all out, it became a disaster...

Sometimes things have to get messier before the get cleaner right?  Well it's clean now!  In fact, our whole apartment is!  It has really come together and we are super proud of it!  We still need to hang a few things on the wall, but otherwise, it's cute!

I can't wait to tell you about all of the Pinterest project's I am excited to accomplish in my classroom this week!  As well as a few printables I've been working on!

Hope you have a great start to your week!

Kicking Into High Gear

I hate to say it, but summer is coming to an end for me :(  While we have had several volleyball tournaments the last two weeks, next week we begin tryouts!  Summer has gone by crazy fast! So I have already begun putting some of the new ideas I've had for my classroom into action!  I got a lot of my ideas from Pinterest.  Most of them are directed at elementary aged kids, however, I have found it very easy to translate them into high school activities.  Even if it is just a warm up!  Here are a few of the things I'm getting ready to put into action!

http://whattheteacherwants.blogspot.com

First, I found this "Mystery Motivator" on Pinterest!  What a great idea!  A little Wheel of Fortune game that can last all period!  Of course in my class I could have 'popular sovereignty' or 'rule of law' as the mystery!

Then I saw this picture!  They are using it to teach younger children what synonyms are, but I've been trying to think of a way I can use it in my classroom.  My students LOVE, I mean seriously LOVE McDonalds, and I think that this would just hit home with them!

 

I'm all about using what you already have!  What a great idea for creating ready to use stations!  You put everything your students will need in a container and its all ready to go.  I've used folders and paper clips in the past, but I always seem to lose stuff!  What a creative way to cost effectively create stations!

If I had to pick a weakness in the classroom, it would definitely be keeping up with who is in the bathroom, media center, front office, etc.  Now don't get me wrong, I do know who I'm letting out of the room, it's the remembering who is out and when.  

So when I saw this on Pinterest, I knew I was going to have to make one!  Not only will they need a pass out of my room, but they will sign the board.  For example, if someone goes to the bathroom and I make groups before they are back, I can remember who is out and make sure I include them as well! 

I recently found these cute bins while wondering around the Container Store.  I had been looking for something just like these!  I've decided to get two in each color, except white.  One for each class period to turn in work.  One for each class periods composition note books.  One for make-up work.  And lastly, one for extension activities.

Teachers! You can sign up with the Container Store's teacher program and get 10% off your first purchase!

I'm really excited about this coming year! I have a lot of new activities up my sleeve and I can't wait to see how they turn out!  I will keep you posted :)  Please let me know if you have any unique ideas.  Or if you found something cool on Pinterest too!  I am always willing to try new things!