sunday's "so they said"... on monday

and, happy halloween.  officially this time.

This last week the kids worked on creating their own Declaration of Independence where they included original text from the document as well as sections re-written into "their language".  I will be posting photos soon, they turned out amazing, as usual, because like I've said before, my kids rock.  Anyways, I must preface this quote by saying that this quote, as punishable as it may seem, came from one of the sweetest, quietest girls, said to again, one of the sweetest, quietest girls.  And instead of a referral, I laughed until tears welled up!

Just as I happened to be walking past the table I hear:

"Seriously, I want to jump-kick you in the face right now."

Well, hers really was THAT good.  And so, there you go, my favorite thing one of my teenagers said this week!

And, because it is Halloween, I couldn't pass up sharing my favorite Post Secret from this week.

I couldn't agree more!

image here

cupcakes, carving, and costumes

Last night was halloween celebration #1.  Here are a few peeks into the night from my actual camera.  Later on it was strictly iPhone photos, so those will be up soon.  And yes, those are my pumpkin cupcakes in ice cream cones with cream cheese icing.  yum.

happy halloween weekend!

enjoy the weekend.

pumpkin carving, cupcakes, great friends, two parties

and one amazing costume.

I know I will!

getting mighty ready for fun

Pumpkins are officially in our home - like the big ones for carving.  The husband brought them home for me, and if I do say, did a very good job of picking them out.  We haven't carved pumpkins in years, not since we started throwing our own little halloween shindig after we got married and moved into a home we actually wanted to entertain in.  So this year I decided it was time to get back into the tradition!  Now I just need to figure out what kind of cupcakes I want to make for the party.  I'm starting to realize the downside of Pinterest - too many ideas!

sunday's "so they said"

Even though the temperatures haven't quite dropped to my standards of "fall", apparently the leaves are disagreeing.  Today - finish report cards on the patio.  But first it's time for "so they said".

With this being my first "end of the quarter" in middle school I had a very interesting week.  Even though we've been in school since August, no one has seemed too concerned about grades until this week.  Well, it doesn't quite work like that.  You ask me why you are failing when you have 12 missing assignments?  Do we really need to have this conversation?

So, this quote comes from COUNTLESS students this week:

"What can I do to raise my grade?"
If you asked last Monday I probably said to turn in any missed assignments.  If you asked Friday, I said nothing, start fresh next week.

Now on a more academically uplifting note, my next "so they said" made me smile.

"Mrs. Lewis, how come I learn more big words in your class than I do in English?"
my response:
"Because I like using big words - duh."
my students found that response pretty comical.  The funniest part was a girl had written down this "big word" (don't ask me what it was at this point) on her hand, and then I guess another one came up and she asked me to repeat it so she could write it down, again, on her hand.  Hey, whatever works!

Go academic language!

perfect saturday afternoon

It's been a while since I've had a day all to myself.  So, after some school work, house work, a trip to target, and an amazing discovery on pinterest, I rounded out the afternoon with some fall baking.  The husband has been asking for some pumpkin treats, so when I came upon a recipe too easy to resist - I just had to try it, and I will make a man very happy when he gets home from work.

All you need is a 15 oz. can of pumpkin & yellow cake mix (apparently spice cake mix can also be used for a little extra kick - it will be my next venture).  I did also add a little pumpkin pie spice to mine, but you don't need anything else, which makes these awesome!  Bake at 350 for 20 minutes and you are done.  I tried mine, pretty yummy.  Can't wait till they are all the way cool because pumpkin baked goods always taste even better completely chilled.

oh - and did you spy my newest pyrex find?  Yes, that is a 3qt. Designs bowl I picked up while thrifting after work this week.  I am SO in love with it, now I have the pair, and they rock.

So, a big thank you sweet verbena for this recipe - and to pinterest for allowing us to share all these wonderful little things.

have you seen this?

the husband told me about it yesterday

then I saw it this morning on pinterest

so I figured I should check it out

and my oh my - I'm seriously thinking about designing 

my very own instagram iphone case

yup, a company has combined two of my favorite things

and did so for the same price as a regular case

like I said - I will be playing around with this today!

if you love these things too - check out casetagram

long time coming

image here

Growing up in a softball loving/playing family I pretty much idolized the movie "A League of Their Own".  Everything from their uniforms to their overall awesomeness was just too much for me to handle.  And let's face it - things haven't changed much for me when it comes to my love of that movie.  When I was a kid my sister and I would watch this movie at least once a week, and no, I'm not exaggerating.  The entire script runs through my head even today when I watch it.  Now that I'm all grown up I have even more appreciation for the "real" women of the AAGPBL.  With all this being said, I have wanted since the very first time I saw the movie to be a Rockford Peach - who didn't?   Well, this Halloween, I'm going to get my chance.  I'm seriously such a dork about the whole situation that ever since I got my uniform in the mail I've had it hanging on my closet door just so I can admire it!  And this year we are hosting our own party & attending one the next day, so yes, I'm going to be on cloud nine for a full 48 hours!

just balance

so today was either the best planning day...or the biggest disaster ever

I'm still not quite sure

I just kept opening more books, binders, support materials...

until I found myself here

thinking - woah - what in the world is going on with this table right now?

of course since I have never been able to teach the same grade twice

planning is something I've become pretty much a master of

but now that I have just one subject I find myself really challenging

myself to make those lessons even more awesome

hence the ridiculous about of teaching materials shown above

turns out, my life is a constant balancing act

wife, teacher, masters student

have a fun weekend -

well planning is going to kill you when you return to work

finish your 8 page art rationale paper -

well your stacks of grading have found new places to stack up

my TA has been sick the last two days -

devastating.

it will all get done

it always does

but I'm thinking I'll be pulling 12 hour days this week

and when I hear of "those people" who get to work "four tens"

well, I envy you.  A lot.  

and just think, after I finish 10 more masters classes I want to 

throw a little munchin of my own into the mix

well that's just funny.

birthday celebrations

happiest birthday to my youngest cousin!

I'm glad all of your sweet sixteen celebrations were filled with awesomeness

sunday's "so they said"

friday was amazing
my favorite "so they said" came from smack dab right in the middle of one of the debates.
I was standing behind one of my students when he turned to me and whispered

"Mrs. Lewis - thank you so much for letting us do this.  Seriously, thank you."

You're welcome.  

Friday also brought me this - Halloween or not, I want to wear my costume 24/7

apple hill

 

  

I would say today was a Saturday success for sure.

my day

 when I look back at my year in middle school, 

today will be one of those days that I know will come back to me.

I will remember this...

  

all five classes made me so proud today.  their enthusiasm for this debate is still making me smile.  hearing that they were so excited about class today that they were continuing to talk about it in other classes, well, that rocks too.  I found the key to success on this day was really in the details.  hanging a sign outside the door announcing the meeting, re-arranging the classroom furniture, and even down to something as simple as changing the date from october 14, 2011 to 1775 really heightened their excitement.  having students already begging to do a debate for next chapter, well that makes up for the crummy week I had last week.

I work for my kids, my kids work for me.  And no, I don't need to worry about much else.

traveling back in time

this week we have been preparing for our town hall debate.  students were already starting a little "pre-debating" today.  hearing 13 year olds talk about loyalists, patriots, and neutralists without me prompting them is pretty much magic.  hoping tomorrow goes as well as the preparing has.  check out that propaganda!  awesomeness.