[life] Currently...

I am linking up with Farley at Oh' Boy 4th Grade to share my "currently" for this month!

Listening: to the dishwasher. I'm home (again) today, recovering from some sort of a stomach bug and low-grade fever. Nate came home for lunch and put on a load of dishes before heading back to the office, so I am basking in the sound of sweet silence... except for that dishwasher. But it's so refreshing!

Loving: Y'all. Have you been to B&BW lately? The fall scents?! YES PLEASE. They are my favorite scents out of the entire year! I picked up two (because they're $22 each... what?! I had a $10 off coupon... but still, that's CRAY for candles... but, I digress): Spiced Pumpkin Cider and Sweet Cinnamon Pumpkin. They're amazing! Trying not to burn them all at once, but it's really hard!

Thinking: I hate missing school. I feel bad for my kids, for the other teachers who have to help my sub get organized, and for the overall feeling of missing out and missing the structure/routine/instruction that my kiddos so desperately need during this 3rd week of school. There's so much to do upon your arrival back after an absence, but of course it can't be done from home. Everything I need to do is at the school. So... back to resting, I go.

Wanting: See above. Not only do I have school things to do, I'm also responsible for the Children's Wednesday night program at our church, plus I like to help Nate with other church things... AND not to mention my house, whew! We are having a bridal shower here on Sunday and there's about 14.3 million things to do, but of course the minute I try to get up and move around, I get hit with the stomach crud... ugh.

Needing: Does anyone else have this dilemma? No color printing at school, but of course you want your class things to look cute, so you buy your OWN color ink which lasts a week. Again, things I want to be doing for school while I'm at home, but no ink (I've already ran out of both cartridges thanks to the beginning of the school year).

3 Trips:
1. Hawaii: I mean, obviously.
2. Europe: I want to see the architecture, the sights, the accents, the FOOD!
3. Canada: The snow. And the sights.

What are you all currently up to? Link up with Farley and check out others as well!

[teach] WHO Am I?

It is only fitting that the gals at Blog Hoppin' decided to have Teacher Week THIS week, August 18-22, because today is the first day of school for me! All 22 of my new bunch of Kinder babies will walk through my classroom door today and I am anticipating another wonderful year with Kinder!

Each day, I will ::hopefully:: be posting about myself as a teacher. Today is: WHO am I? So here's a bit all about me!

My name is Chrissy Johnson and I am from Dallas, TX. I grew up with two loving parents and a big brother, Michael. I lived there my entire life, graduated from the same high school as my parents and brother, and then it was time for college. I applied to UT in Austin, Baylor, and Dallas Baptist. I was accepted to all three, and I was ::thisclose:: to attending UT because my brother was a senior there. He convinced me that I wouldn't like it, so to DBU I went! And boy am I glad. Some of the BEST four years of my life! Grew in my relationship with Christ, met 4 of my best friends (who I will have for life), and I met my HUSBAND there! And, DBU has THE best Elementary Ed program in the country, so what an amazing turn of events for me! God definitely had a plan. I didn't even start out as an Ed major (I was majoring in Print/Graphic Comm, but changed my major after freshman year).

Okay, so after the fabulous-ness that was college, it was time to get married! Nate actually proposed my junior year, and we were married less than a month after my college graduation. We added to our family in the form of a puppy named Chloe and she is literally like our child... yeah, we're those people!

I had accepted a job at the school I student taught at, but unfortunately had to switch campuses (and grade levels, UGH) due to low numbers in my grade. I didn't have a very good 1st year of teaching (but then again, who does?).We lived in DFW for 10 months before he accepted a job offer in South TX. Mind you, I had NEVER lived more than 20 minutes away from my family. EVER. This was a huge change for me. 4 hours away?! I know it's not that big of a difference in the grand scheme of things, but it was huge to me. 

However, God once again had His hand in it and we have happily lived in South TX for four years now, going on year #5! I accepted a job offer at a private school in our town, and although it was such a huge shift from public education, it has been such a blessing.

We also adopted our 2nd fur baby, Oliver, once we moved here. Such a sweet boy!

My husband is now the head pastor at our church, where I am also involved in our children's ministry. We have an amazing set of friends, along with so many older friends who act more as family since our parents live four hours away. I'm starting my 6th year as an educator in Texas, in my most favorite grade, with my most favorite age of kids. All in all, I am just blessed to enjoy life with my sweet husband, our precious pups, and loving family and friends. Can't thank God enough!

Now, what about you? Can you relate to anything in my story? Can't wait to read y'alls!

Don't forget to link up at Blog Hoppin'!

[teach] TPT

So I did this yesterday...

 

I created (finally) a Teachers Pay Teachers (TPT) store online! This is a website where teachers can upload their self-made documents, assessments, organizational tools, anything that can be used in a classroom, and earn $$$! This is amazing because teachers can earn additional income from other teachers and help them in the classroom at the same time!

I create self-made documents allllllllllllll the time. I can't tell you how many docs I have on my home and school computer for school. Sometimes, you just have to make them yourself! I have been excited, nervous, and anxious to post my work online for others to see. Of course, if you use clip art, page backgrounds, downloaded fonts, etc, you have to give credit where credit is due, but that involves a simple link back to where you got them from. I only have a few downloads so far, but it is exciting to know that people want to use my stuff in their classroom! YIKES. 

So, here are a few things that I have uploaded in the past... 24 hours, I'd say?

First Day Portrait

Labels for Teacher Binders by Theme

Journal Covers

Back to School Info Form and Activities

Commitment Card Signs

Center Rotation Display Signs

[click on each picture to be directed to its site on TPT]

For those of you who aren't teachers, I am sorry that this is probably boring to you! I thought about creating a separate "teacher blog", but I like the thought of having everything in one place. Please do tell me though if it is obnoxious and I'll see what I can do. I will be mixing "lifestyle" with "teaching" more so in the coming months, so I apologize in advance!

Teachers: do YOU have a TPT store? Please tell me: I'd love to follow you!

Happy Wednesday!

[teach] Oh SNAP! Blog Hoppin' Scavenger Hunt

I have followed a few of the Blog Hoppin' gals for some time (Kacey, Cara, Abby, Amy) but didn't know about Blog Hoppin' itself until July 6th. That is when the Scavenger Hunt started!

For those of you who follow me on Instagram, you will have noticed MANY of my pictures have had this strange sign entitled "Blog Hoppin' 2014". Weird, huh? Well, the gals (like I'm friends with them, that's what we call each other ;)) have teamed up to share amazingly amazing prizes, one of which being a Canon Rebel camera (say what?!) if you choose to participate in this hunt. There are over 200 items, plus many bonus points that are offered daily. If you get at least 105+, you will be entered into a drawing to win one of the prizes. Eek!

I'm so pumped: even if I don't win, it has been so fun participating in this scavenger hunt! A)I'm a sucker for scavenger hunts, B)I'm a sucker for Instagram, and C)I'm a sucker for PHOTO SCAVENGER HUNTS. So this was right up my alley! Here are a few photos from my collection (you can see the entire collection at #chrissydj, or see EVERYONE'S photos at #bloghoppin2014):

Someone with an ice cream cone:

A teacher doing a cartwheel (I was SO sore the next day: embarrassing!):

"Bloghoppin'" spelled out in Play-Doh:

Five friends laughing (love these people):

6 pairs of flip flopped feet:

It has been so fun to have my husband, family, and friends participate with me! Nate even said once, "This scavenger hunt is taking over my life." #commitment

See everyone's linked up blog posts at the Blog Hoppin' site! Thanks girls for the opportunity: this has been so fun! Again, sorry to be blowing up your Instagram feeds with my pictures: the hunt is over August 6th! Wish me luck!

[teach] It's Gettin' Crazy Here...

Y'all. School starts in 3 weeks and 2 days. Where did summer even go?!

One of my summer projects was to organize my Pinterest "School Days" board, the board where I "pin" all of the school ideas I find. As I went through this... wow. I realized I had a bajillion categories to fill! It was a bit tedious/time consuming, but it is so much easier finding what I need/want to make/want to implement in my classroom!

Here's an example... Instead of searching through ONE "School Days" board for that cool art project I want to make with my kiddos, I can go to my "School Days: Art" board and find it in a jif!

If you are interested in getting specific pins, here are the links to my forty-billion School Days boards: enjoy!

School Days: Reading/Phonics

 

 School Days: Math

School Days: Science

School Days: Social Studies

 

 School Days: Writing

School Days: Videos and Brain Breaks [my kiddos LOVE these!]

School Days: Classroom Organization, Helpful Tips, and Decor/Set Up [my favorite section!]

School Days: Documentation/Assessments

School Days: Art

School Days: Centers/Fast Finishers

School Days: Technology

School Days: Holidays and Themes

School Days: Behavior Management

Whew! I know, OVERWHELMING. But isn't it better to identify the specific thing you're looking for instead of having ALL of these ideas in one place?! Yikes. My heart likes organization, thank you very much.

Hope this helps, fellow teachers! And if you're not a teacher, maybe you'll find a fun idea to implement with your kiddies at home? No kids? Maybe your nieces, nephews, or even for you at your own workplace! You never know what you will find on Pinterest :)

Have a good weekend! Sorry for the lack of posting... we have been out of town, and then I have been prepping for our Vacation Bible School (I'm the director) and working in my classroom. Very very VERY busy week! Hopefully I'll have more to share soon, but in the meantime... have fun perusing my Pinterest boards!

"There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens." Ecclesiastes 3:1

[teach] Teacher Appreciation Day

Happy Teacher Appreciation Day to all of my fellow teachers out there! My day included two sweet cards, chocolate, a new children's book, gift certificates for school things and Whataburger, plus a free makeup makeover that two of my parents nominated me for (and I WON) at a local spa. I also went shopping at a boutique next door where they gave teachers a free gift and 20% off shopping. AND a church member was so sweet to give me a gift card to go towards a bag I really wanted and Nate covered the rest of the cost as my Teacher Appreciation gift from him. I've been spoiled today!

 My new Consuela tote bag: I was so excited, I took a picture in the car as soon as I got inside! It's huge, durable, waterproof, and has leopard print on the inside! And the embroidery is gorgeous!

 

Gifts from school:

After my makeup makeover when Nate picked me up! The spa used Glo Mineral products: each product felt fabulous! The only thing I was unsure about was the liquid eyeliner they used on the bottom of my eyelid... a bit too much for this natural-loving girl, but I felt fabulous afterwards!

My free gift from the boutique next door to the spa: super cute, right? It's a long necklace with gray quatrefoil patterns on it. So pretty!

The gifts I purchased for myself with the 20% off deal the boutique had going on today: a new wristlet and "J" pennant banner. Great finds indeed!

Now we all know teaching isn't about the "spoils" you get, but about the impact you are making in the life of a child. So from one teacher to another, whether you teach as your profession or you teach in another form or fashion as a mentor, Sunday School teacher, or leader of a company or group, just know that your influence means a lot to those around you: THANK YOU FOR ALL YOU DO! On the hard days when no one listens to you... on the great days when everything falls into place... you have a meaningful job with a wonderful purpose! Thank you for all you do!

Happy Tuesday!

"Start children off on the way they should go, and even when they are old they will not turn from it." Proverbs 22:6

[teach] If I Was On A Cruise Ship...

When I returned to school after the cruise, the kiddos were so excited to see me: they were full of hugs to give me and had big smiles to share! One of the many reasons I love teaching Kindergarten... They were so excited to hear all about my trip. They couldn't believe I was able to eat pizza and ice cream all day, along with watching movies on a huge screen!

To connect my trip to their level (and after I had talked about my trip with them), I asked them what they would do if they took a cruise ship vacation. Their responses were so adorable, I just had to share: enjoy!

"If I was on a cruise ship I drive the cruise ship."

[this student's aunt was on the Carnival Triumph: the ship that was a nightmare a few months ago... he was very excited to be able to help the captain!!! ha!]

"I like to look at the ship."

"I like to eat pizza"

 [love his detail of the people on the top deck with pizza slices in their hands!]

"I like to ride the boat."

I like incorporating parts of my life into my teaching because I feel like it makes a connection between my students and myself. They love hearing about "Mr. Johnson", our pups Chloe and Oliver, and all of our trips/vacations we go on. They were so excited to draw a huge cruise ship and they loved seeing pictures of my vacation too! Teachers: do you incorporate parts of your life into your teaching? How do you make personal connections with your students.

Happy Wednesday!

"The LORD will guide you always; he will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land and will strengthen your frame. You will be like a well-watered garden, like a spring whose waters never fail." Isaiah 58:11