meet the teacher monday: Sense and Sensibility

It's the most wonderful time of the year...

The winter holiday season is by far my favorite time of year. My senses come alive as the smells, sights, and sounds unique to the holidays make their long awaited debut.

My ears are filled sounds of the musical styling of the Vince Guaraldi Trio's, A Charlie Brown Christmas, and silky smooth crooners like Nat King Cole and the Rat Pack. 

My eyes feast on twinkling lights sparkling along city streets. Dazzling displays of bright red, sliver and gold litter the landscape as far as the eye can see.

And the smells...THE SMELLS. The aroma of fresh baked cookies and gingerbread lattes penetrate the air. I said this before and I will say it again, by the end of the holiday season I will have either a fat (fatter) ass or (*in my Wilfred Brimley voice*)diabeetus. 

The sounds, sights, and smells are what make the holiday merry and bright!

Here are a few of my holiday faves that stimulate my senses...

What are your favorite holiday sounds? Sights? Smells?

For those new to Meet The Teacher Monday, here's the scoop:


MEET THE TEACHER MONDAY is a weekly linky celebration, dedicated to making and culminating friendships among our tribe of fellow teachers. Just follow these simple guidelines:-)

• Snag the MTTM graphic. On your blog, please respond to this week's questions or prompt provided.
• Return to my blog and link your post.
• Visit one or two bloggers ahead of you in the linky, and leave a comment in response to their Meet the Teacher Monday post.
• Visit one or two bloggers after you in the linky line-up and leave a comment as well.
• And because it's so hard to find time to blog, feel free to post any day of the week, not just Monday.

3 Things I Learned From A Stripper

For a minute there, I managed to gain some momentum on my edupreneurial journey. Momentum meaning: blogging more, making authentic connections on various social media platforms, and creating quality TPT products. But alas, my momentum started to wane as my professional workload increased, and my time to create decreased. As a result, lacking time to devote to my entrepreneurial endeavors, extinguished my creative spark.

To reignite my spark, I need two key ingredients, a dose of inspiration and a dash of motivation. While in search of these key ingredients, I recalled an inspirational post I wrote 5 years ago on my weight loss blog. Yes, I know. Judging from pictures recently posted, you may be asking yourself, "She had (has) a weigh loss blog?" I do. My blog chronicled my trials and tribulations  as I painstakingly struggled and lost 58 lb. That's neither here not there, and this is a conversation for another day,

So, in attempt to reignite my creative spark, I recalled an inspirational and motivation post I wrote. Although the post pertained to my weight loss journey, it also relates to my edupreneur story.

I enjoy many guilty pleasures. And the guiltiest of them all...I watch Maury, when time allows. Nothing pleases me more than yelling, "You are NOT the father!" from the comfy confines of my couch. Yes, I know. My time could be spent more constructively.

One day while watching Maury, I caught a glimpse of the preview for an upcoming show, EXTREME NERD MAKEOVER. The show planned to feature a stripper exotic dancer with one leg, Amber, wanting to surprise a former crush. Needless to say, I tuned in the next day. Surprisingly, I learned a lesson or two from Amber.

Despite a disability, Amber overcame adversity and fulfilled her dream of becoming an exotic dancer (Don't judge.). You may be wondering, did Amber showcase her skills??? Of course Amber showcased her skills on the show. The Maury show just wouldn't be the Maury show without a stripper and a pole. Grabbing the stripper pole, Amber lithely jumped up, seductively slid down the pole, and rocked it! 

You may be asking yourself, "What lesson can be learned from that?" Well...for starters, Amber never let the fact that she has one leg get in the way of her dreams. So many times, I let obstacles detour me from allowing my edupreneur dreams to become a reality. I often find myself making excuses as to why my personal goals remain unaccomplished. And if there's one thing I know about making excuses, "Excuses don't build empires!"

 So the lesson to be learned here ladies and gentlemen...

Like Amber, we need to overcome our own adversity and jump on the "stripper pole of life" and RIDE! 

Amber focused on the positive. She chose NOT to allow a disability to shape her destiny. And judging from her profession of choice, she's not lacking in the self-esteem and confidence department. Seriously, it takes confidence to strut and display your wiggly bits for the world to see...and to do that with one leg, BRAVO to you Amber. Like Amber we, need to tap into our confidence reserves and strut our stuff...not our wiggly bits. You know, stuff like your edupreneurial skills and teaching expertise. 

So the lesson to be learned here ladies and gentlemen...
Stay positive. Always try and find a positive to every negative situation.  

Amber experienced a setback at the age of eleven months old when doctors amputated her leg due to a birth defect. I basically arrived in this world with all standard factory functions: two legs, two arms, a somewhat semi-normal (but what is normal) functioning brain, two eyes to see with, as well as two ears to hear with. Everything necessary to create and succeed.

As an edupreneur armed and endowed with everything I need to fulfill my dreams, I need to STOP complaining about what I lack and “USE WHAT I GOT TO GET WHAT I WANT!” 

And what I want…

I believe what most entrepreneurial minded individuals want...

                      a clear vision and opportunities to come your way. 

And the lesson to be learned here ladies and gentlemen...

"Use what you got and JUMP on the STRIPPER pole of life and RIDE that biatch until the wheels fall off..." 

*find the meaning of "til the wheels fall off" on urban dictionary dot com.

*Side Note

The prolific quote, “Use what you got to get what you want,” I first heard it in the movie, Players Club…coincidentally, a movie about strippers. If you know me, you know...I subconsciously wish to be a stripper (LOL) #truestory. Should a stripping opportunity arise, my music set list is already prepared. I can envision it now, "Coming to the stage...MochaTrina!" You know like mochaccino coffee? #ineedjesus. 

With the state of the teaching climate today, a career change to exotic dancer sounds like a viable option. #forrealthough

meet the teacher monday: Teachers to be Thankful For

It's Sunday, but this girl is NOT suffering from the usual case of the Smondays. Smonday is that moment when Sunday stop feeling like Sunday, and the anxiety of Monday kicks in. And the reason why the Smondays escaped me THIS Sunday...Yours truly is OFFICIALLY on Thanksgiving Break.

I am in much need of some down time. As break approached I participated in 4 ARD's. Special Education teachers feel my pain right about now. For non-SPED teachers, preparing for an ARD consist of conferencing with the parents ahead of time, assessing the student to obtain their present levels of performance, desegregating data, creating new goal and objectives (if applicable). Working on paperwork for each ARD can vary from a few hours to a week or two...or maybe more. Many factors determine the amount of time invested in each ARD.

The last week before break also brought with it, students bursting with holiday excitement in anticipation of a week with NO school. If only they knew, I was probably more excited than they were. And how could I forget to mention  the walk-through that happened whilst these students burst and inappropriately vied for attention. Let's just say many conversation happened with parents last week. 

So, this week's prompt: 3 Teachers to be THANKFUL For!

If this is your first time participating, just follow these simple guidelines.

MEET THE TEACHER MONDAY is a weekly linky celebration, dedicated to making and culminating friendships among our tribe of fellow teachers. Here's the skinny:

• Snag the MTTM graphic. On your blog, please respond to this week's questions or prompt provided.
• Return to my blog and link your post.
• Visit one or two bloggers ahead of you in the linky, and leave a comment in response to their Meet the Teacher Monday post.
• Visit one or two bloggers after you in the linky line-up and leave a comment as well.
• And because it's so hard to find time to blog, feel free to post any day of the week, not just Monday.

Well, let's get to it!

I am thankful for these three(in no particular order).

Kelli Alaina Wise

I discovered Kelli on the Facebook group, Teacherpreneur Tribe. Kelli recently hosted the Instagram Insiders challenge on Facebook. Thanks to Kelli, my IG account received a face-lift, I changed the way I connect with my audience, and in the process, I made some new connections. For me it's not about the number of followers, it's about growing an "authentic following."

Kristin Kalani
In my opinion, Kristin Kalani from @easyteachingtools (...you can also find her on Facebook under the same name) represents what I call the "big dawgs." Although Kristin is a big dawg or educelebrity, she remains humble and willing to lend her expertise when needed. Believe it or not, NOT everyone is willing to "mentor" a budding teacherpreneur. (Read about those type of people here. #shamelessblogpostplug) I digressed. Thanks to Kristin I am more  knowledgeable about creating products for my TPT store, and through her I connected (in real life) with two fantabulous (fantastic+fabulous = fantabulous), down-to-earth, real souls from Cali, Cheryl from @auntiessweetlife and Janice from @islandloverteacher. It's all about the connections...

Samantha Zuniga
Samantha and I work in the same school district, but unfortunately not on the same campus:-( If we worked together we would be dream team of creativity and innovation...a force to be reckoned with. Samantha keeps it real and never comes across as a self-important diva (Can't say the same about myself...I have my moments). Samantha worked as a paraprofessional for many years and recently became a Special Education teacher. If no one has told her, she needs to know she is rocking her new position and I am learning a thing or two from her.

If the mood strikes you, feel free to add more than three. Rounding out my list of "Teachers I am Thankful For," Cheryl, who I mentioned earlier. I love that Cheryl keeps it gangsta sometimes. Hahaha:-D MY favorite quote from her and my new life mantra, "Hugs to the hustlas who get sh*t done!" 

And my friend Janice (also mentioned earlier), this lady keeps me in stitches with her quick wit. Janice recently wrote a post on the Global Glitter Tribe's blog, and the following resonated with me: 

"However, I never suspected that I would meet people from online, all over the world, and pray each night that God keeps them forever safe and healthy, for fear that my heart couldn't endure such heartbreak."

Knowing that she prays for her teacher friends makes me all the more thankful for Janice...

Did you think I would leave out Shelia Jane?!  Thanks to Shelia, I changed my perception in regards to teaching and entrepreneurship. I am taking ownership of my future! 

So, who are you thankful for?

Don't forget to return to my blog and link up.

Reindeer Buffet

With the holidays fast approaching, I wanted to share my Reindeer Food Buffet product with you (*The fonts displayed on the product photographs below have been updated. A preview is available in this post.) 

Last school year, I introduced this Reindeer Food Buffet activity to my classroom and in the process...I started a new holiday tradition! The buffet was a HUGE hit.  The students were engaged and chomping at the bit to create their own blend of holiday magic. This activity provided my students with the opportunity to promote mathematical thinking: measuring, weighing, counting, and estimating.

Here's a preview of the Reindeer Buffet product contents:

Page 1: Cover Page
Page 2: Thank You
Page 3: TOU
Page 4: Reindeer Buffet How To Steps 
Page 5: Reindeer Buffet How To Steps (version 2)
Page 6: Reindeer Buffet Directions
Page 7: Reindeer Buffet Directions (version 2)
Page 8-15: Ingredient Place Cards ( 2 different fonts available)
Ingredients:
Red Glitter
Silver Glitter
Flying Powder
Oats
Potato Chips
Bread Crumbs
Raisins
Cocoa 
Page 16-17: Reindeer Food Tags
Page 18: Reindeer Food Buffet Sign
Page 19: Blank Ingredient Cards
Page 20: Credits

Start a NEW holiday tradition in your classroom! This Reindeer Food Buffet will be a guaranteed favorite in your classroom year after year! Added plus, with your special blend of reindeer food, Santa will be able to locate your home, as well as the homes of your excited students anxiously awaiting Santa's arrival! Enjoy and thanks in advance for your support! As always...make the ordinary, EXTRAORDINARY!  

P.S. A letter from Santa will be added to this product. I am waiting on Santa's elves to proof the letter and email it to me;-)

meet the teacher monday...this or that?

Geesh...Another Monday had rolled around yet again. Currently, I am experiencing a case of the Smondays . It's the moment when Sunday stops feeling like Sunday and the anxiety of Monday kicks in. (I saw a Smonday meme on a friend's Facebook page)

So, this week's prompt: This or That: Thanksgiving Edition! If this is your first time playing along, just follow these few guidelines:

MEET THE TEACHER MONDAY is a weekly linky celebration, dedicated to making and culminating friendships among our tribe of fellow teachers. Here's the skinny:

• Snag the MTTM graphic. On your blog, please respond to this week's questions or prompt provided.
• Return to my blog and link your post.
• Visit one or two bloggers ahead of you in the linky, and leave a comment in response to their Meet the Teacher Monday post.
• Visit one or two bloggers after you in the linky line-up and leave a comment as well.
• And because it's so hard to find time to blog, feel free to post any day of the week, not just Monday.

Well, let's get to it!

Let me sum up my thoughts on all of the yummy goodness Thanksgiving has to offer:

 Your turn!

Don't forget to return to my blog to link up!

3 Things You Should Not Forget Now That You're A Celebriteacher

Before I move on to my second point...first let me preface my post by stating the following:

The need to write this 3 part series, 3 Things You Shouldn't Forget Now That You're a Celebriteacher, stems from a place of frustration, not jealousy. I KNOW, someone read the first installment of this series and thought... this hooker seems #peanutbutterandjealous. Umm...no. You know what "they" say about jealousy,

"People only RAIN on your PARADE when they're jealous of your SUN and tired of their SHADE" 

Trust. No SHADE here. I am the Grand Marshal of my OWN parade. My need to write this series emerged from frustration. Many of us possess scads of talent and creative ideas. But, unless you ARE or roll with the celebriteachers aka the "big dawgs," the valuable knowledge you wish to impart falls on deaf ears. Unfortunately for the novice teacherpreneurs (like myself), the "big dawgs" run the show and the masses tend to flock to these celebriteacher's show.

Let me put it this way. The celebriteachers are the main act and we are the opening act. No, we are the opening act for the opening act. LOL. We are the Meek Mill to their Drake. The Michelle to their Beyonce. HaHa. (Calm down...I am joking). But, you know I am preaching the truth. #realtalk Let me clear one thing up before I move on. I will never be any one's Michelle to their Beyonce. I AM THE Beyonce.#BOOM And to succeed, you need to have a winner's mentality! Be the Beyonce. Be yourself! Be whoever you want to be. 

So, on to my second point.

2. "You Got By With A Little Help From Your Friends" 
You may be successful, BUT...

 I am more than sure someone helped you along the way. Now, you have the opportunity to pay it forward and assist others up the ladder of success by mentoring them and teaching them what you learned on your teacherpreneurial journey.  

On occasion, I put myself out there and ask celebriteachers questions ranging from TPT product advice to classroom tips. Many respond and provide assistance, but a few shunned a question or two.  I understand life gets in the way and time may not permit a social media Q&A session. Instead of ignoring teacher's inquiries, choose a social media platform and take the time to motivate, empower, and/or inspire. If you find many teachers asking the same question, reach the masses on Periscope or with a blog post. Your response may be the catalyst needed to ignite a budding teacherpreneur's journey.

You may be asking, "Who are you to tell a celebriteacher what to do?" Oh, just a teacher who has received a cold-shoulder or two.  Case in point, on Instagram a few months ago, a teacher posted an amazing opportunity experienced by her campus. I along with at least 20 other teachers asked the celebriteacher how she earned the opportunity for this once in a lifetime event she posted.  She never answered. I checked back days later, no answer. Since 20+ teachers asked, I didn't take the comment neglect personally. Instead of being irked and waiting for a response, I investigated the matter myself and obtained the information I needed. 

I said it before and I will say it again, you may be successful, BUT... Everyone should be treated with dignity and respect. I sound bitter, but again let me reiterate. This post comes from a place of frustration (sometimes failure), not resentment. I recognize the struggle and realize you have worked hard for your rightfully earned success; however, it bothers me when celebriteachers look down on others and ignore opportunities to mentor or pay it forward, which brings me to my last point...

3. Stay Humble
Read about my next point in the last installment of my three-part series, Three Things You Shouldn't Forget Now that You're a Celebriteacher. 

As always make the ordinary... EXTRAORDINARY!

meet the teacher monday: five for fall

Yes, this episode of Meet The Teacher Monday is a rerun. Since there was very little response, I decided to recycle the FIVE FOR FALL prompt. After all FALL is in full swing! 

MEET THE TEACHER MONDAY is a weekly linky celebration, dedicated to making and culminating friendships among our tribe of fellow teachers. Here's the skinny:

• Snag the MTTM graphic. On your blog, please respond to this week's questions or prompt provided.
• Return to my blog and link your post.
• Visit one or two bloggers ahead of you in the linky, and leave a comment in response to their Meet the Teacher Monday post.
• Visit one or two bloggers after you in the linky line-up and leave a comment as well.
• And because it's so hard to find time to blog, feel free to post any day of the week, not just Monday.

Well, let's get to it!

This week, share your 5 favorite things about FALL

Fall is one of my favorite times of year. Nothing announces fall like the return of my favorite Starbucks holiday drinks. And for the first time ever, I recently tried the infamous "red cups." Let's just say, by the end of the holiday season I am going to either have (in my Wilfred Brimley voice) diabeetus or a fat ass!

Another one of my fall favorites...The Charlie Brown Trilogy:

Its The Great Pumpkin Charlie Brown
                                        A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving
                                                                          A Charlie Brown Christmas 
When my boys were younger we baked cookies, made cocoa, and watched these Charlie Brown classics. 

As far as sweater weather is concerned, those are few and far between here in Texas.  Our fall days usually start at 60 degrees and end at a balmy 80 degrees. But that doesn't stop the ladies from busting out the Han Solo boots. Calm down ladies, calm down. It is not quite Han Solo boot weather here in Houston yet. 

Thanksgiving Break cannot come soon enough. Until then, I shall countdown the days. And with Thanksgiving Break comes some of my favorite comfort food, my stretchy pants, and usually a food induced coma.

So, what are your fall favorites?

Don't forget to return to my blog to link up.

Thanks for playing along. And as always, make the ordinary...EXTRAORDINARY!

Pumpkins! Pumpkins! Pumpkins!

'Tis the season for pumpkins! These fall fruits are everywhere and there are so many fun things to do and learn with them. My students and I enjoyed our busy week of pumpkin shenanigans!

We started our pumpkin fun with a CAN, ARE, HAVE graphic organizer. The students and I brainstormed various attributes of a pumpkin. As the students dictated their answers, I modeled how to spell familiar words with letter-sound matches. We worked as a collaborative team. I yelled out the sounds, and the students provided the corresponding letter. 

As the students threw out their ideas, I jotted them down on an anchor chart. 

The following day we initiated our PUMPKIN INVESTIGATION! Our pumpkin investigation covered many student goals and objectives. For example, measuring the pumpkin provided the students the opportunity to demonstrate an understanding of how to represent and apply measurement concepts by using nonstandard units to estimate and measure the length of an object. 

In addition, the students were asked to identify vocabulary associated with measurement comparisons ( long/short, small/medium/large, heavy/light) for length and weight. 

To kick off the investigation, we assessed the size of our pumpkin. After much debate, and taking a vote, we reluctantly came to the conclusion that our pumpkin is large. 

To document our investigation, the students used the form pictured above as I scribbled the information on my Pumpkin Investigation anchor chart. 

Next we determined the height. Using unifix cubes, we discovered our pumpkin sits 15 cubes high. 

After measuring the pumpkin we employed the use of scientific inquiry to describe the outside of the pumpkin. When using our scientific inquiry skills, instructional targets included the following:

• Observe and ask questions about the pumpkin
• Make simple observations and participate in simple investigations
• Use senses to learn about the pumpkin
• Use simple tools to gather data
• Communicate with others about observations and investigations

So when asked to describe the pumpkin, the students stated the following

• orange
• stem
• lines- Our pumpkin had 32 lines (give or take...)

The last task on Day 1 of our investigation involved estimating the number of seeds inside the pumpkin. Guesses ranged from 20 to 100. And let me tell you, those estimates were way off the mark.

Day 2 of our pumpkin investigation commenced with more scientific inquiry. The students actively participated in the scientific process to discover if our pumpkin would sink or float. Before the experiment, the students were asked to predict what the pumpkin would do. 7 out of 8 students predicted the pumpkin would sink.

We have a floater! 

The pumpkin fun continued as we voted on how to carve our pumpkin. I first saw this idea on the First Grade Parade blog. This voting activity rolls around at the perfect time...during election season! The voting opportunity allows the students to recognize voting as a means of selecting leaders or ending conflicts. So for student with a social studies goal/objective in government/civics, voting offers the chance for the student to demonstrate how to assess options and then vote to make a classroom decision.  

And the winner is...STAY TUNED!

After we voted, we began the carving process. The carving process covered  a wealth of math goals/and objectives. For example, the students demonstrated an understanding of how to represent and manipulate numbers and expressions when counting the seeds inside the pumpkin. More specifically, the students skip counted 10s to a given number (#pumpkin seeds). In addition, the students compared numbers to determine more, less or equal.

There were millions of seeds inside the pumpkin. To make counting the seeds manageable, we made groups of 10 with the seeds. 

We counted 510 seeds!!I am more than sure our numbers were off. Counting those piles of seeds proved daunting. Next year, our piles will be created in a more organized fashion. You live and you learn. 

So, for the moment you've all been waiting for...

How did we carve our pumpkin?

                                                           

                                       And the winner is...

It never fails...ANGRY EYES wins every year!

How did we light our pumpkin? Glad you asked. We used a cell phone flashlight. Oh course...we put the cell phone in a plastic bag FIRST! 

Pumpkin carving covered the following goals/objectives:

Identify and describe shapes. 

• Identify basic shapes by name (square, circle, triangle, rectangle, etc.) and describe attributes (number of sides, size, etc.). 
•  Describe positions of the shapes on the jack-o-lantern with positional vocabulary (in, on, under, beside, etc.).  

Reason with shapes and their attributes. 

• Define two-dimensional shapes as being flat and three-dimensional shapes as being solid. 
• Compare two-dimensional shapes and describe their similarities and differences

An off course, no pumpkin adventure is complete without the toasting of the pumpkin seeds. This was our first year toasting. Although they were pretty toasty, the kids ate them. 

Currently...November

I am linking up with Farley over at Oh Boy Fourth Grade for November's CURRENTLY. November.... ALREADY! Where did the year go? In the blink of an eye, Christmas will be here before you know it!

After last week, I am not sad to see October leave. Between the full moon, Red Ribbon Week, Halloween Hi-jinks, and the Fall Carnival...November couldn't have come soon enough. Plus, November is my birthday month. And in honor of my birthday, my weekly linky, Meet the Teacher Monday celebrates all things birthday! When you get a chance, check out my weekly linky here.

Without further adieu, November's Currently...

Listening...

Every morning I listen to Mandisa's Good Morning for the pick-me-up that I need to face the day! I also listen to "Overcomer" as well. Both songs serve as the perfect motivation for me to start my day and to remember to keep hustlin!

Loving...

I am excited about my new Shelia Jane Teach Happy Membership. This evening I plan to explore my membership opportunities. I hope this membership helps to boost my morale. Right now, I feel stuck and I need some guidance to decide if teaching is still where my heart is at.

Thinking...

My TPT to-do list is as long as a CVS receipt. LOL. I need to hire a personal assistant to help me with my many TPT creations that have yet to be created.

Wanting...

It's Monday and I already need a bottle of wine and a nap. I could also use a couple of extra hours each day to help with creating new TPTproducts. And this time change...it makes me think I should be in my pajamas by 5:30 and asleep.

Needing...

I really need the Thanksgiving Break to arrive quick, fast, and in a hurry.

Yummy...

I am so looking forward to my Mother's Thanksgiving feast! Her desserts are legendary. Time to bust out the stretchy pants and eat myself unconscious.

Thanks for stopping by and don't forget to check out MeetThe Teacher Monday on my blog. As always, make the ordinary...EXTRAORDINARY!

meet the teacher Monday...Birthday Edition!

In honor of my birthday on Wednesday, this week's Meet the Teacher Monday prompt centers around...All Things Birthday! I'll be turning 42! As I grow old gracefully, I tend to keep my birthdays low key. For me, birthdays tend to become a little less magical each year. But, I am grateful for another year to keep hustling. 

So here's the usual MTTM weekly spiel

MEET THE TEACHER MONDAY is a weekly linky celebration, dedicated to making and culminating friendships among our tribe of fellow teachers. 

• Snag the MTTM graphic. Respond to the this week's questions or prompt.
• Post your response on your blog. 
• Return to my blog and link your post.
• Visit one or two bloggers ahead of you in the linky, and leave a comment in response to their Meet the Teacher Monday post.
• Visit one or two bloggers after you in the linky line-up and leave a comment as well.
• And because it's so hard to find time to blog, feel free to post any day of the week, not just Monday.

On to the fun!

One of my favorite birthday memories...

My mom planned and executed the celebration flawlessly.

Do I tell the truth about my age? Aboso-frickin-lutely. Pictured below, my Grandmother's 100th birthday celebration,which took place a few weeks ago: My mom (62), Me (41), and my 100 year old grandmother. Ageless beauty. My mother loves when people ask if I am her sister. I just roll my eyes. LOL. 

Now...you!

Remember, return to my blog and link up below! Thanks for participating. And shout out to those that played along last week. 

As always, make the ordinary...Extraordinary!