Another week gone

1. I am always surprised when I talk to people who think that teaching is a walk in the park. For some reason, the general perception of teachers involves sitting at a desk all day with quiet, well behaved children working silently. We apparently come in just minutes before we have to start teaching, and leave as soon as the busses are gone. Of course, no night or weekend work! And we just spend our summers laying by the pool, drinking margaritas... right?

 It's so hard not to make this face when someone expresses that opinion to me...

I just wish that people understood the early mornings grading papers, late nights making class yearbooks, Fridays spent volunteering at school functions, and summers spent preparing for fall.  /end rant/

2. Speaking of class yearbooks, I made my little darlings these adorable memory books last night. 

Of course, I had to use my favorite comb binder to make them into little books they can keep.

As tedious as it would seem to bind 30 memory books, it's actually pretty enjoyable. There is something about office supply products... I love them! 

3. I'm thinking of ideas for next year (as inevitably all teachers do in late May) and I've been contemplating themes. I went with owls this year, and it was a huge hit. I am thinking of sticking with owls because so many  kids gave me owl gifts to decorate my room- what would I do with them all? They do love being the "owlets", too. 

4. We went on a field trip to the Museum of Fine Arts this week. To be honest,  I didn't expect my fifth graders to be very interested. The rules are pretty strict- hushed voices, walking calmly, and no touching. I was really pleasantly surprised when my kiddos loved it! They were super well behaved, enjoyed looking at the art, and were even quiet on the bus. It was a great day! This sculpture is in the garden cafeteria. I loved it! 

5. I ordered an Erin Condren planner for next year, and it came in! I am a crazy person, so I filled in the school calendar for next year. I organized each week, set up the holidays, and wrote in meetings. It sounds really organized, like I am really on top of my game... but really, I was procrastinating. I have a huge stack of grading that I was avoiding! So far, I like it. Can't wait to use it next year and see if it lives up to the hype.