Five for Friday!

So much has changed since the last time I posted!   I started a new position as a K-3 literacy coach for schools in Georgia and am ecstatic about the opportunity! I've already done several trainings for teachers and coaches, met with the leadership of the school site I'm directly supporting, and am so grateful that I can call what I do work!   I'm really going to miss having a group of students (and classroom!) I can call my own.

           

I FINALLY cleaned out a room I somewhat made  a guest bedroom to a home office / guest bedroom.  I challenged myself with a $50 budget and used furniture and accessories from other places in the house.  Most of the money went towards spray paint (which was so much easier than actually painting... I tried both!).  I painted the desk, bookcase, and chair so they would match the color theme from the other side of the room (guest bedroom portion).  The frames were from my wedding, bins from my class (spray painted gold), and I bought the A for $10 from Ross.  

Last weekend I went to Chicago to visit my friend Gillian from college. We spent a day on a friend's boat in what they call the "Playpen,"  when to a improv comedy show, and ate some good food!!  It's always fun when we're together!                   

 If you haven't been to Cox Campus... go now!  The website is readrightfromthestart.org  and is FREE !!  It is all about language and literacy with an emphasis on how to increase vocabulary through meaningful and intentional conversations and interactive read alouds. Right now it has videos that supports Birth to 5 classrooms, but the strategies are also applicable to K-3.   I've already completed some of the modules and can't wait to share with the teachers/coaches I support.

These are two of my all time favorite teacher TED Talks.  They are perfect to get you motivated for the school year.  I used to watch them throughout the year, especially on my not so good days for a pick me up.

 Rita Pierson:  Every Kid Needs a Champion

Linda Cliatt-Wayman's: How do you fix broken schools?  Lead Fearlessly, Love Hard!