Tips and Tricks to help with teacher OVERLOAD!

Well I am about 6 weeks into the school year.  AND I am on OVERLOAD!  After a total break down this weekend, I have re grouped and reminded myself of a few tips and tricks that I use every year to help myself out.  Here they are!

Tip #1
Leave.
Yep- that's right.  I said it.  Leave school after the bell rings.  You have given your best all day long, and you are exhausted!  Why are you staying late?  To grade papers?  To plan?  To make copies?  That's just stupid.  You NEED a break.  That's why people go home after work.  Yes, you are a teacher, and yes there is a ton to do!  But let's face it, we could work 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and NEVER be caught up!  So to avoid total burn out, and to save your sanity, go home!

Tip #2
Stop grading papers.
You are a teacher, not a clerical aid or a book keeper.  You work with your students all day, EVERY day.  Have you ever made a huge difference by grading homework?  Or putting stars on papers?  NO!  Stop.  Use your time for something that truly will make a difference.  Plan an awesome lesson.  Go get that funny book from the library.  Make some phone calls to parents.  DO something that will make a difference.  I have always believed teachers should never be behind their desk.  They should always be with kids.  In doing so, you WILL make a difference!  Mark in homework and hold kids accountable- but for crying out loud, STOP grading papers!

Tip #3
Buy a secret recorder pen.
This is my best tip.  I have a secret recorder pen that I use for conferences and meetings.  As teachers we are bombarded all day long- parents, administrators, kids, etc.  By the end of the day I can't remember what was so important at that morning meeting... so a few years ago I bought a recorder pen.  I secretly record meetings and I listen to them in my car on the way to or from work.  That way I can wrap my head around what is really important.  ALSO, use this pen for conferences!  When we meet with parent after parent, it's so hard to remember what you promised one parent or what one parent said to you!  I record all my conferences and then I spend an hour or two listening to them at home.  Then I can make an organized list of notes or things that I said I would do.  I also can take some notes on which parents are divorced, have custody, kids background stories, etc.  This has saved me time and time again!

Tip #4
THROW away that pile.
We all have it.  THE PILE.  It builds slowly at first, then gets bigger, and bigger, and BIGGER, and next thing you know it's a mountain!  It stresses you out just because it's there.  It could be papers to grade, notes from your literacy coach, articles to read, etc.  If you haven't touched it in a week, you are never going to touch it.  Save yourself a heavy dose of Advil and just throw it away.

Tip #5
Invest in some spa music and lavender.
Spray yourself down with lavender and put on some spa music.  Close your eyes and just be calm.  Do this at least once a day.  Just don't fall asleep or do this while you are working with kids... ha ha!

Tip #6
YOUTUBE
This should be my number one tip.  Youtube has saved me so much time!  If my principal suggests a book or a training, I just search it on Youtube.  Then I watch the video while I get ready in the morning.  Or I listen to it while driving to work.  This way I don't have to READ anything and I sound like an expert!  I have subscribed to many teaching channels on Youtube so I can even stay a little ahead.

Tip #7
SPEAK SCREEN
Again, this one should be my number one.  I make Siri read me my work emails, messages and articles form my principal, and books.  If you can get a digital copy of something, then Siri can read it it to you.  This is such a time saver!  I will be doing a tutorial on this one soon.  It's that awesome.

Well... those are my biggest tips.  Use these regularly and see if they help you!  Also, let me know your ideas down below.  We can all use these tips to avoid teacher OVERLOAD!  

How do you cool off on a hot summer day?

What do you do when it is hot outside?  Nala lays down in my bathtub... Lol!  :)

Well, I'm not laying in the bathtub all day and I am a human!  So I came up with my own budget-friendly idea!

Yep- that's a baby pool with a raft floating in it!

Here's what you need:

1.  Blow up kiddie pool.  I got mine at Walmart for $15.  Make sure it's long- I got the 10 foot long one (I may have over-done it.  I think you would be fine with a 6 or 8 footer!)

2.  A raft.  This was free for me because I already had one.  I have seen rafts at the Dollar Store for a $1.  The one I have was from King Soopers- I got it on sale a few years ago for $15.

3.  Sunscreen, sunglasses, and a hat.  Let's face it- skin cancer and sun spots are not worth it!  Protect yourself.

4.  A good book!

     I am reading Falling in Love with Close Reading and then for fun I am reading the last book in the Divergent series.

Steps:

1.  Blow up kiddie pool.
This turned out to be the hardest part.  I thought I could use my bike pump, but the nozzles didn't match!  Then I tried to blow it up.  That was just dumb.  So, after a quick drive to my parent's house, I borrowed my dad's camping gear.  I used this cool little device to blow up the pool.  Much easier- but it did take about 30 minutes.



2.  Fill kiddie pool with water.  That took a loooooong time.....

3.  Let pool sit in the sun for a few hours.

4.  Blow up raft.  This took 30 seconds.

5.  Lay on raft in pool.  Read book and RELAX!  :)

I hope you enjoyed this.  If you try it, let me know in the comments below!

:) Nala Bella

TPT Challenge Week 2: Dare to Dream

I am continuing with the TPT challenge and this week is Dare to Dream!  

1.  Pay off my car.  I am SUPER close!  I only have about $3500 left.  It's so close I can taste it!  I don't just want to pay my car off, I want to start a savings account so I will actually have CASH the next time I need to buy a car!  The struggle is real...

2.  Make it through the month without a credit card.  This relates to number one!  I struggle on my one income.  As teachers, we only get paid once a month.  I get so panicky over how I am going to buy groceries and gas the last two weeks of the month- it makes it hard to enjoy the first two weeks!

This is me today.  Grr....

3.  Travel.  I have always wanted to spend my summers at the beach.  I have one major obstacle.  Her name is Nala.  Don't get me wrong, I love my dog!  But she is a difficult one.  Nobody can watch her except for the dog kennel.  She doesn't get along with other dogs and she is afraid of kids.  So- that means whoever watches her has to make sure she is away from dogs and kids at all time.  That eliminates all of my friends and family!  Everytime I want to go somewhere, I have to budget an extra couple hundred for the dog kennel.  Usually my TPT money covers that.  But then I don't have any spending money!  This is a huge goal of mine.

4.  Give back.  I want to get more involved.  When I am super successful, I will use my TPT earnings to donate to my school, church, and animal shelters.  If I ever make enough- I want to start a rescue for aggressive dogs.  I want to hire dog trainers to work with the dogs and make them adoptable.  There are too many "aggressive" dogs out there that could be saved with the proper training.  It seems like there are resources for Pitbulls- but what about the other breeds?  I would also hire a special trainer just to fix Nala and make her like kids!  Sigh... now I know I am dreaming!

Nala found her "place."  Ha ha- this reminds me of Snoopy!

Nala Bella  :)

My Dad :)

I have the best dad.  No really, I think I do!

In honor of Father's Day, I just had to write about my dad.

He is always there for me.  Not just to listen, but to help me with EVERYTHING!  He can fix anything- or if he doesn't know how to fix it, he knows who to call.  He's always been there for my mom and my sister, and anyone else who needs anything.  I've never heard him say no when someone asks for help.  He even hung a 20 foot ceiling fan with one hand for me.

If my car breaks down, he's there and knows what to do.  Water in my crawlspace?  He not only fixes it, but knows how to clean it up.  Light switch doesn't work?  It's fixed before I know it's broken!

My dad is a superhero.  He doesn't sleep.  He works nights so that he has time during the day to get chores and things like that done.  He's selfless- he volunteers at work to work on holidays so the parents of younger children can be with their families.

He loves golf and working on his model cars.  He doesn't ever go in half way to a hobby- it's always 100% in!

I just love my dad.  I feel so blessed to have him as a father.  :)

Inside Recess Blues... SOLVED!

I hate inside recess.

It's been a major problem for me the last couple of years because the school I am at has inside recess in my classroom.  My old school didn't do that.

I should tell you I teach 6th grade.  We are dealing with pre-teens who are VERY social.

I have tried many things.  I had a box of games that I bought at Goodwill.  Those were hit and miss- some groups of kids played them and enjoyed them.  But other groups thought they were boring.  Finally, so many pieces were missing or broken that I just threw them all away.

This is me after inside recess!

Last year I decided to just let the kids draw, color, read, or talk with friends.  Yeah- that didn't work.  The aids couldn't control them.  They quickly got out of control, and when I returned from my lunch my classroom was a mess!

I know showing movies is an easy fix- but kids need time to talk and socialize and be active!

Here's my SOLUTION!  Cheap and easy.  :)

Yesterday, I was at the Dollar Store.  An idea STRUCK!  Just like lightning... :)

I bought 10 boxes of cards ($1 each) and this bin to store them in.  

Each box of cards has two sets of cards.  That gives me 20 sets of cards!  I'm going to put each set of cards in a baggie.  I thought about buying those travel soap box things, but I would have to buy 20 of them- and that would be $20 just to store cards!  I'm hoping the baggies work.

Also, I might have to teach them a few games in the beginning of the year.  After their interest is perked, I will be able to leave them with the aid for recess.  YES!  Then I can be a happy teacher again!

Do you have any other cheap ideas to store playing cards?  Please let me know in the comments below.

Also, what ideas have worked for you for inside recess?  

Guilty Summertime Pleasures!

I love summer.  It's when I can relax and do the things that I have been putting off during the school year.  Those things are usually chores: clean the windows, shampoo carpet, paint the living room, etc...  Yuck!  Who wants to spend their summer cleaning?

As teachers, we need our summers to rejuvenate ourselves and re-energize!  So, I joined this Linky party all about guilty pleasures.  I'm not sure if mine are really guilty pleasures, or just my favorite things- either way I love them and enjoy them in the summer!

Check out my YouTube video about this blog post!  Click here.

1.  Carepost.  This stuff is my absolute favorite!  I always run out during the school year and forget to order more.  As soon as summer hits, I order away!  It goes on like eyeliner, before your make up.  I put one drop in the cap and that works for both eyes.  After about 2 weeks you will notice your eye lashes growing.  After about 4-6 weeks, you will notice a huge difference!  The results max out at 4 months.  Trust me- this stuff is amazing and works so well.  Everybody thinks my eyelashes are fake- but they are 100% real!  Plus it's only like $29.99- and one bottle lasts me almost 6 months!  You can order it here: click here.

2.  Icon 24K hair masque.  This stuff is AMAZING!  I love it.  You can use it many different ways.  I like to put a ton in my hair, put my hair in a bun, and take a long hot bath (with a glass of wine of course).

During the school year I just can't find the time to do that!  It makes your hair soooo silky.  You can get it here: click here.  

It has a strong scent- kinda like cologne-but don't let that detour you.  It's worth it!  Plus I can't smell it after I dry my hair.

3.  Kiss Nails.  I love getting my nails done-but let's face it, on a teacher's salary that is real luxury!  Plus, during the school year my nails just get torn up.  I found these Kiss Nails at Walgreens.  I buy the Real Short French nails.  They are super easy- you just glue them on.  Surprisingly- they stay really well!  I like short nails, so I get the real short.  

4.  Milk Shake Leave in conditioner.  I am obsessed with this stuff!  It smells so yummy.  Now that I have tons of time- I spray it on during the day and brush away!  It is a guilty pleasure.  :)

It de-tangles my hair and protects my hair from heat.  I use it when I get out of the shower, after I dry my hair, and any time I think I need it!  I just love how it smells and how it makes my hair soft.  It's a little pricey for leave in conditioner, but I splurge on this one.  Here's the Amazon link: click here.

5.  Sinfully Soft lotion by Blend Skin Care.  I can't express how much I love this lotion!  It's a tan extending lotion, but I use it because it makes my skin so soft.  I usually use Eucerin Intensive Repair lotion, but this makes my skin 10 times softer!  You get it at At The Beach tanning salons.  Or, if you are cheap like me, you can sometimes find used bottles on Ebay or Poshmark.

It has a nice scent and doesn't leave you feeling greasy.  Plus, it's summer- so it helps your tan stay longer!  Here's the Poshmark link that I used to buy mine for only $18: click here.

 That's the only place online I have found it.  If you find it somewhere, please please please comment below!  I think to buy it you have to go to the tanning salon and I suspect it's at least $50.  Grrrrr.....  I don't want to tan, I just want this lotion!

I can't find it online.  I might just have to cave and try something new....  

Well, those are my 5 guilty pleasures!  Sometimes I sell my clothes on Ebay so I can splurge on these....  LOL.   What are your 5 guilty pleasures?  Tell me in the comments below!  

Also, make sure you follow my blog!  I am off to deep condition my hair and extend my tan...  Happy Summer!

Nala Bella :)

Help! I have to teach in a temporary building!

Help!  I have to teach in a temporary building!

This is the first in a series of posts about how to survive the trailers... or temporary building.

Tip #1

1.  DECORATE

      The temporary buildings are typically old and ugly.  School districts do not like to put money into these "temporary" buildings.  My first temp that I taught in had orange carpet and the walls were painted 4 different colors.  Each teacher had just painted a different color around each book case.  So, when I moved in, the walls were yellow, blue, brown, and pink.  Of course I wanted to move the book cases, so you could totally tell that someone had just painted around them.

Decorating tip #1: PAINT the walls.

     I know it sucks to have to buy the paint and do it yourself, but it will give your classroom a huge face lift!  Here's my before and after that I just did last week:





     My first thought was to just paint the walls white.  But that just seemed so ordinary... I wanted my classroom to pop!




     So, I spent some time on Pinterest just looking at different classrooms and paint colors.

     I decided I really liked teal and black.  Then, I went to Home Depot.  They have so many different colors and shades!

     I finally chose this one, Fiji.  It's not blue and it's not turquoise- it's in between aqua and teal.  I looooooove it!


     Here's some tips:

*Before buying any paint, ask your school if they will pay for it.  Sometimes the district will pay for the paint (but you still have to do it).  Of course, my school said no.  But I have heard of other teachers getting this paid for!

1.  Instead of taping your whole classroom, just use a wet rag as you paint.  The rag will wipe up areas that you get out of the lines.

2.  After you paint, line your walls with a solid border.  This will hide any painting mistakes and it makes your room look clean and neat.

3.  Go to the Dollar Store!  I bought drop clothes there for a dollar each!  Also, they have paint brushes, rollers, and the soft things that go on your rollers.  Remember- this is just your classroom.  Do not spend hundreds of dollars!

4.  Spend the extra 5-10 dollars and get the paint that has primer in it.  I chose Behr paint, semi-gloss that was about $35 a gallon.  I used two gallons on my classroom- but I only had to do one coat!  I also chose to paint the bathrooms (which you don't have to do).

5.  Here's my most important tip: GET HELP!  Other teachers might be free to help you.  You might have to help them paint their classroom in return, but it's totally worth it!  I was very overwhelmed by this project and having someone else there really helped.

Well, those are my tips.  Paint is the most dramatic way to makeover your classroom!  Are you painting your classroom?  What color?  Post below!  I would love to hear about it.  Also, if you have any tips, please share!

Nala Bella :)

Mile High TPT Meet Up: Recap!

Mile High TPT Meet Up: Recap!  AND... Swag Bag Give Away!!

Keep reading to find out how to win a swag bag full of classroom goodies!

Last Saturday I got to meet up with other TPT sellers in Denver!  It was so exciting because I have never talked to anyone who sells on TPT.  I even got to catch up with Nicole, who I have known since I was little.  Check out her store: The Craft of Teaching.

The meet up was at the RIO.  I loooooove the RIO!  Don't worry- I only had one or two mini margaritas.  I kept myself under control!  Ha ha!  Now as for the chips....  I might have ate a couple baskets by myself....

Ha ha- replace RUM with CHIPS!  Chips are my addiction...

It was so motivating and the meet up was FULL of energy!  I was surrounded by amazing teachers and authors.

Me and Nicole

We also got freebies!  One of my favorite freebies were these magnetic subject signs.  I think I will use them for my learning target board.  It should be perfect!  They will replace the colored targets or maybe the subject names.  We will see!  Here's my learning target board now:

For more about my learning targets and math workshop, click here.

These are the magnetic subject labels from Learning Resources;

I think they will be cute on my board!

Another favorite goodie that was in the bag were scented pens and pencils!  I am such a little kid- I just love these!  They are from Scentco.  Click here to explore their yummy website!

Another product that I was introduced to was the BEST pencil sharpener!  I ordered one in pink today.  Every teacher there was talking about it- and I was like "WHAT?"   I think I am the last teacher to hear about this amazing pencil sharpener!  You can get one here: click here.
Here's the sharpener I ordered:

I was told to make sure I watch a Youtube video to learn how to use this AMAZING device.  Here's the video I watched: Click here.  You should watch the video- this little contraption is sooooo cool!  I am interested to see how well this works in my 6th grade classroom.  I might just keep it for me...

Anyways, back to the meet up!

Ashley and Nicole picking names for the raffle

Ashley Cook put everything together.  She is so amazing.  She did all of this- and she has twins!  She said she did it all during nap time... but I think she has super powers of some kind!  Check out her blog here: click here.

Here are some of the winners of our raffle:

We also did the coolest thing- a favorite teaching supply exchange!  You brought in a gift that was $5-$10 that was your favorite teaching supply.  Then everyone drew numbers and got a gift!  It was kind of like a white elephant exchange.  I think the one below is hilarious!  She got Black Velvet- one of my favorite teaching supplies!  Just kidding.

So.... now is the time for me to tell you about the swag bag!  In the swag bag you get pens, pencils, magnets, clips, back seat pockets, a lanyard and a bag to keep it all in!  The subject magnets above are in there.  Also, there are scented pens and pencils!  What do you have to lose?

Swag Bag Goodies

Enter below to win:

a Rafflecopter giveaway


Here's a list of the donors and their websites:

Learning Resources- Seat Pockets, Magnets, Clips, smens and raffle games 

http://www.learningresources.com

Little Knits Studio - Pencil Scarf Raffle Prize 

https://www.etsy.com/shop/LittleKnitsStudio

Lakeshore Learning- Organizing bins, carry all, timer raffle prizes

https://www.lakeshorelearning.com

Scentco- Raffle Prize 

http://scentcoinc.com

BIC- Pens, Pencils, Stylus pens, Mechanical Pencils 

http://bicfightforyourwrite.com

GoNoodle- Bags, pens and lanyards

https://www.gonoodle.com

Learning Expeditions- T-shirt raffe prizes 

https://www.etsy.com/shop/learningexpeditions 

Gifts By Gaby - Pencil Banner Raffle Prize

https://www.etsy.com/shop/GiftsbyGaby

Classroom Friendly Supplies -pencil sharpener raffle prize 

http://classroomfriendlysupplies.com

KristyBear Designs- Design Service 

http://kristybeardesigns.blogspot.com

Plan Book - Digital Plan Book Subscriptions. 

 https://planbook.com

Wild Ideas!

Wild Ideas!

As the school year comes to a close, I am full of ideas for next year's classroom!
I am moving to a new classroom, so I have the chance to start over with decorating.  Here's my list of wild ideas!

1.  I am going to paint my classroom teal (or aqua or a pretty color of blue).
Kind of like the  color of this bedroom wall:


2.  I want to line my walls with black and have black and teal bulletin boards.  Like these:

3.  Then I want to make no-sew roman shades for my windows!  I watched some Youtube tutorials, and I totally think I can do it.  I am thinking of using this fabric:

or this one:

and then attaching teal ribbon to tie a bow with:

4.  I am going to line my classroom walls with black border.  I did this in my old classroom and it really made it look sharp!

5.  I already have black bookshelves.  I think I will touch them up with black paint.

6.  Then, I want to find this rug and buy it!

7.  Finally, I want to find black or teal crates and zip tie them to make shelves!

I am hoping to find them in black.  I am also hoping they are cheap!  I think this will help my 6th graders-give them a spot to put their binders!

Well- that's as far as my ideas and thoughts have gone.  My chairs are already black- so that will be fit perfectly!

Do you have any ideas for me?  Or do you think this is a horrible idea that will back fire?

I am hoping I don't go broke trying to do this!  Where can you buy cheap black crates?  I haven't been able to find any so far.

Follow my blog as I re-create my classroom!  I am planning on taking before, during, and after pictures.  I really hope I can finish this room- makeover by August!

:)  Nala  Bella

5 DAYS left...

There are 5 days left of school.

I think the way I feel is best described by this lovely picture:

My class has completely lost it!!!

They have been struggling lately with behavior.  A few even admitted it and told me that they had been keeping it together all year, and now they were about to lose it.  BUT that was yesterday.



Well- today they lost it!  TWO kids were suspended during recess for two different fights!  AAAHHHH!!!!!

Which doesn't sound like too big of a deal.  Except that of course they had to do it during lunch recess.  Which of course is when I eat lunch.  And use the bathroom.  And make appointments.  And plan and make copies and and and....


So today I was stuck in the office dealing with the two fights.  Grrr.....  So I didn't even get to pee!

After recess, I put the smack down!  Talk about strict.  I felt like an old lady witch!  No talking, no getting out of your seat, blah, blah, blah.... DO YOUR WORK!  SSSSHHHHHH!!!

It's days like today that.... well... sigh.  Make me wonder if it's all really worth it???

This will be me in 5 days:



HA HA HA HA HA!

How do you survive the CHAOTIC last few days???  Leave your tips below!

Here's an activity we do the last two days of school- check it out at my TPT store!  It's FREE this week only!  :)

Nala Bella