Happy 4th of July!

I cannot believe how quickly the 4th of July is approaching!!  While my hubby is ecstatic (he has vacation time), I am not as much.  July signals going back to work time is coming quickly!  Students return to school on August 1st.  Where, oh where, does time go??  I've felt pretty engaged in thinking about my classroom, instruction, etc. for the upcoming year.  I am going {to try} to actually be in vacation mode during this trip! Don't worry though, I have a series of posts about my classroom theme, set-up, and organization already planned out for when I return in a couple of weeks! :) 

When do you all return to work?  

My introduction

I'm a Christian, mom to three boys, a loving wife to an adoring hubby, and a middle school math teacher.  My school is in a rural area.  I have spent the last 6 years teaching 6th grade, but next year I'll be in 7th.  I told my students I adored them so much that I was going with them!  {In reality, my principal moved me but I was certainly okay with the change!}

So here I am in the world of blogging.  It's honestly a world I didn't know existed in the realm of education until a few months ago.  Since then...yes, like some of you, I was am a blog stalker.  I was amazed at the creativity, ideas, and most of all the collaboration.  As our state is implementing the Common Core initiative, I thought it was a great time to come on board to the blogging world.  Some of the things I hope to accomplish with this blog:  

1.  Discuss room set-up.  I know I'm not the only one that LOVES seeing room pictures!  Too bad most are of elementary rooms.  Don't get me wrong, I LOVE seeing those too.  Unfortunately they just aren't always applicable to the middle school setting.

2.  Discuss organizational strategies. This will really go hand-in-hand with my room set-up in a lot of areas.  I <3 organization.  Though I often appear to be organized, I often feel VERY far from it.  Anything that makes my life easier is great to me!  I honestly feel my world is that of organized chaos!

3.  Discuss motivational strategies for students.  In a perfect world, ALL learners come to school ready to learn...in my world, well that's not always the case.  :)

4.  Most importantly - discuss teaching strategies! :)  More than anything I LOVE finding lessons or ideas that I think will be fun, engaging, and educational!  
    
Thanks for reading and I hope you'll be back soon!