First Week Down

My first week in FIFTH GRADE is in the books!! 

My kids are fabulous! I never thought I would love another grade level like I loved second grade, but my class this year has proved me wrong! I am soooo happy with the kids I have in my class and am really excited to teach fifth grade. The kids are excited and interactive, have their own fun personalities, AND they love everything we do in class. EEEK!! Best part of teaching in the deep south (because Virginia is in the south-some friends don't realize that but it is) is that my kids answer everything with "Yes m'am" or "No m'am"!! AHHH it is awesome and SOOOO polite!!! 
Even better part of my awesome kids is that they LOVE, and I mean ABSOLUTELY LOVE when I read to them!!!! AHHHHHHH!!! WHO KNEW FIFTH GRADERS WOULD LOVE IT WHEN YOU READ TO THEM!!!!! This makes me so happy because right now we are reading picture books (Lily's Purple Plastic Purse, Officer Buckle and Gloria, If Everybody Did, Leo the Late Bloomer, Enemy Pie, and The Attack of the Veggie Monster) all of which are "little kid" books, but they teach great lessons about rules and citizenship. Next week we are going to be reading books that are for setting up our reading block and I am also going to to share my FAVORITE fifth grade chapter book (it was the book that turned me on to reading when I was in fifth grade) Travel Far Pay No Fare. I am hoping it gets my kids excited about reading like it did for me. 
Since it was our first week of school I didn't get to finish my BTS2014 blog hoppin' but I will post my organizational tips and helpfuls, lesson plan templates, and my favorite things to teach as I get better at balancing teaching and bloggin!  :)  

Thanks to my awesome followers and readers!

Teacher Week: My Classroom Digs

BTS2014 Click any of the BTS2014 buttons to join the fun!

Where I teach:

This is a unique fun fact about WHERE (geologically) I teach. 

I think it is important to note that I teach in Pensacola, Florida. Pensacola is home to BEAUTIFUL white sand beaches, and Naval Air Station Pensacola - home of the Blue Angels. This is important because everyday Tuesday and Wednesday I get to hear the Blue Angels fly over my school. If you have never seen them you should, they are amazing. I remember seeing them as a kid when we lived on various military bases. And the weather is amazing. Living 20 minutes from the beach definitely has its perks!

Now for my classroom. 

My theme this year is safari meets Dallas Cowboys. Typically my theme of my classroom matches the school mascot, however there is a lack of teaching decor in Roadrunners. So I used what I had from my old school and mixed it with my favorite football team. Enjoy the view!

Mr. Bear has been with me for several years now. He used to wear a kid made tshirt with Dinosaur stamps on it. Now he wears his own Dallas Cowboys Jersey!

 super cute cursive alphabet cards with a Safari Theme! From Tangled Up In Teaching

my awesome schedule cards made by Fourth Grade Lemonade. Check them out at her store on TPT!

Orientation sign in and Lollypop Gift!

Hope you enjoyed seeing my classroom! Be sure to join the Linky!

Teacher Week: Who

 Linky Party Number 2.

 BTS 2014 Click any of the BTS14 Buttons to join the fun!

Family:

I have the greatest family. Seriously it's the best one there is. At least that is what I grew up thinking and I am happy to shout it from the mountain tops. :) My family is a split family we have a his, mine and ours thing going on, but if I didn't tell you that you wouldn't know. 

My mom is the most beautiful and talented woman I have ever met. She literally has an unimaginable strengthen. She raised four kids, had three of us go off to college at the same time, and now is managing to hold it all together while we all disperse across the country. She is truly an amazing woman. She can do amazing things with a camera, and I have never seen anyone google quite like my mom. She can find grants, scholarships, lesson ideas and a whole range of things that I couldn't find. Truly blessed she is my mom. The song "Somebody's Hero" by Jamie O'Neal. While my mom didn't raise us on her own my whole life, she did balance everything in a superhero like way. 

My (step)dad has been in my life since I was four (my biological father not so much), so as far as I am concerned my stepdad is my dad. After many years of fighting to use his last name, my senior year I was legally adopted and finally legally able to use his last name on everything and anything I wanted. He is an amazing man and the Brad Paisley song "Man He Didn't Have To Be" is my dad's song from me, because my whole life he has been the man he didn't have to be. 

My older (step)brother, Matt, is awesome. Best older brother ever. He isn't going to sugar coat anything and he tells you how it is and how it is going to be. He is one of those "Only I make my sister cry, you do it I'll take you out" and has always considered me a blood sister and has been protective of me me whole life. Man it is awesome knowing you have that in your life. 

My younger brother, Jayme, is also awesome. Biologically my brother, I used to think we had this sibling thing going on, like twins (except we aren't twins haha). We got really close in college both being away from home and yet only about 10 miles from each other. I have always been VERY protective of Jayme. He is my Hero and he is my whole life...well until...

Until my baby sister came along. I have a baby sister, Emily. She is also my whole world. I always wanted a sister and when I was ten years old I finally got one. Little did I know that at ten a baby sister is not quite as much fun as you would think. However later in life it is the BEST thing ever. Now granted we never traded clothes, shared makeup or a bedroom. We did have great sister adventures and I couldn't be happier to watch her play soccer, volunteer at Sprout Therapeutic Riding Center, she has grown into the most beautiful young lady. I could literally go on and on about my sister, and the whole rest of my family. They are literally the BEST family ever.

Can't forget my adorable furbaby. Myles. He is so handsome and really is such a good dog. I miss him terribly as he is living with my roommate in Virginia since I can't have him in our house in Florida.

One more family member I have to mention is...Christopher. It is about to get super mushy guys...sorry. Christopher and I have been dating for a little over a year and I have just moved over a 1000 miles away from my family, friends, and teaching career in Virginia to be by his side in Florida. I couldn't be happier about this decision because he is the BEST thing to have happened to me in the last year. He makes me a better person and is able to tame me when I am all wound up or stressed about school or general life. I wake up every morning smiling and fall asleep happy because I know he is there with me. I am truly blessed. I can't say it enough. Every once in a while I ask him if he still loves me and his response is always "Everyday". <3 

Friends:

While I have the BEST family I also have the BEST friends. To keep you from reading too much more than I have already written  I will include pictures with brief captions. 
Right Photo: Left to Right: 
My Catoctin Creek Distilling Company Family, best second job I have ever had. 
My coworker Alexa, awesome girl. My roommate and Myles, miss them. Mr. Skiffington, kindest soul on the planet. 
My SUG girls! 
Laura, My best friend since 1st grade.
Jen and I - is it happy hour yet? 
SUG girls again! 
Kacey and I.
Laura and I. Best friend Kisses.

Bottom Collage: Left to Right: 
Desiree, my soulmate. ame soeur. 
Chelsea, Chris, Andrea, Steve and I.
Both pictures are Desiree and I.
Kacey and I. 
Chris's whole crew for Frankie's B-day
Night out in Richmond with Shana, me, Desiree and Katie
In Purple is Caitlyn (she is fourth grade lemonade) and I. Follow her blog friends she is inspiring!!!
Me, Desiree and Courtney at a Nationals baseball game
Steelers vs Redskins game with Chris, Chelsea, Steve, Andrea, Kacey and me!

Why I Teach:

Part of what makes me who I am as a teacher is why I teach. I my reasoning for teaching has changed over the years. When I went to college and throughout college it was because I thought I could do it better than my previous teachers. As I started subbing and working in schools more (teaching extended school year for Autistic students) and then finally getting my first teaching job in a Title 1 school in Virginia that was mostly Hispanic students who were the sweetest yet most economically disadvantaged kids I had ever seen. My reasoning for teaching shifted to being I wanted to make a difference in their lives. I wanted to be the one that cared for them and about if they succeeded. It was so rewarding. Starting my first day in fifth grade, my students asked me "How many kids are you going to have?" my response was I don't need to have kids, I have you guys and you guys are my life. And that is so true. My students aren't just the kids that sit in the desks in my classroom they are my kids. I don't just think about my kids when they are sitting in my classroom I think about them ALL THE TIME. All summer I have thought about my previous kids and my future kids. It is truly awesome being a teacher and being able to affect the lives of others.

Click the button below to join the Linky!

Meet the Teacher - Linky

 My first Linky!! EEEK!

My name is Cynnamon. I am a 28 year old teacher in Florida. This is the start of my fifth year of teaching. I am super excited about my new school, and grade level. I am teaching fifth grade this year (previously I taught 2^nd grade and Special Education). I am very nervous and anxious about what this new year will bring, but I have great team and school so that is helpful.

I just moved to Florida and so far love it. Part of my love of Florida is because I made the move with my boyfriend, Chris. Through this whole moving process we have gotten closer and I am so happy every day to be here with him even though we are both 1000 miles from our families having each other has been amazing. 

This summer I have been moving and unpacking the house and taking friends and family to explore our new Florida home! Seeing the Blue Angels, the Alligators and the beach are the favorite places to take friends and family!

THESE ARE A FEW OF MY FAVORITE THINGS...

The Dallas Cowboys. Country Music. Fall. Colorado.

 IF YOU WEREN'T A TEACHER, WHAT WOULD YOU WANT TO BE?

I want to work at the Alligator Park. I think it would be the best job to be outside all day and playing with alligators! Lucky for me soon it will get to be my part time job! : )

THREE LITTLE WORDS THAT DESCRIBE YOU.

Sassy.  Passionate. Loyal. 

FINISH THE SENTENCE, "________,  SAID NO TEACHER EVER!!"

"I would love to rewrite all the stuff in the pacing guides, and standards into my lesson plans as “proof” I am actually doing my job...said no teacher EVER!!"

Q: IT'S YOUR BIRTHDAY AND YOU CAN INVITE ANYONE {DEAD OR ALIVE} TO THE PARTY. WHO ARE YOU INVITING?

Nicholas Cage! I have the hotts for him something awful! 

Q: IF SOMEONE WROTE A BOOK ABOUT YOUR LIFE, WHAT WOULD BE THE TITLE?

On Her Way

Because is one way or another we are always on our way somewhere or through something

 Q: YOU GET TO PICK ONE SUPERPOWER. WHAT IS IT?

My superpower would be teleportation. The idea of snapping my fingers and being in a new place is pretty cool and fuel efficient!

Q: WHAT'S YOUR FAVORITE QUOTE OR SAYING?

Q: IF YOU HAD TO SING ONE SONG ON AMERICAN IDOL, WHAT WOULD IT BE? 

I could be never be on American Idol – singing in front of people sounds terrifying the only singing I do is in the car! ;-),
 

 Q: ARE YOU A MORNING PERSON OR A NIGHT OWL?

I can be both. Although usually when I pick one or the other whichever one I didn’t pick ends badly. Staying up super late makes for rough mornings but I get so much done (catch up on TV shows, out for date nights, wine and a movie at home), getting up early and starting the day is super productive but makes for an early bed time. 
 

Q: WHAT'S YOUR FAVORITE RESOURCE THAT YOU'VE CREATED IN YOUR TPT SHOP?

 I haven’t created anything for TPT yet. Well I have created lots of things just none of them are on TPT yet…work in progress. 

Q: SHARE SOMETHING WE MIGHT NOT KNOW ABOUT YOU! 

I love milk. Especially whole milk. I like to drink it all the time and have been known to go through a half gallon at one meal. Everyone has their weird things this happens to be mine haha!

Writing Blog Posts

My Awesome Followers-

I am having a hard time figuring out what to blog about. I could write about a million things I think and feel about teaching and my classroom. But do you (my audience) really want to read everything I have to say? hmmmm...

So while I have started writing two other posts that I need to reread and adjust the actually post I went "Googling". I came across this article I found really useful to help me get over my "blog-fright" and guide my future posts. 

The 12 DO's and DON'T's of Writing a Blog

Now most of you reading this may already know how to blog - what you want to write, how you want to write it and you even know that your audience wants to read it. Yay for you! 

I guess this won't pertain to you, but if you are like me and have always wanted to blog and haven't started or you have started and now you are stuck (ah what do I write??) this might help. Enjoy!

Look forward to more posts soon from me! 

-Cynnamon-

Meet the Teacher

Ahhhhh my first blog post! :) 

Hi! I'm Cynnamon! I'm a fifth grade teacher in Pensacola, Florida. This is my fifth year teaching! My first four years in teaching were in Northern Virginia. I have been talking about blogging for over a year now and am finally doing it!

Grade you teach: 

I am teaching fifth grade now. I was a general education teacher in second grade in Title 1 school in Virginia for two years. I started my teaching career as a Special Education Teacher for grades K and 4, and a self contained ED teacher for grades 3, 4, 5. I always thought I wanted to teach in the lower grades after leaving the Special Education world but since moving to Florida my mind may have changed. I have heard several times since being here that I look like a fifth grade teacher or that I have an "upper grade teacher" personality so I am excited to see what fifth grade has in store for me! 

What is your teaching "style"?

I want my students to enjoy school. Learning should be fun, that means that I try to make my lessons fun, engaging, hands-on and memorable and include as much student centered learning as I can. I came from a school where the teachers created most all of their lessons for every subject because of the needs of our kids. Our kids were significantly economically disadvantaged and had significant learning setbacks because of language barriers - so textbooks were used to supplement the teaching not be the teaching. At my new school textbooks are the way of teaching so I am in new territory. I am looking forward to finding a balance between all of my awesome hands on created lessons and using the textbooks so that I have more free time to enjoy my paradise living. I want my kids to enjoy being at school and feel safe and happy to learn and share their ideas.