{Monday Made It} Birthday Treats

As a part of my efforts to build community in my classroom, I thought that birthdays provide an excellent opportunity to celebrate my kiddos. Our students always let us know when it's their birthday. My normal response is "Well, Happy Birthday!" and I keep on rolling with math. Why not have a little acknowledgement, a little celebration, or a little token to let them know I care. Of course, I'm not trying to go broke, but a 50 pack of giant pixie sticks from Sam's Club got me more interested in this pin, so I went for it!

I bought giant pixie sticks, balloon cut-outs, birthday stickers, and a galvanized tin to hold it all together. Now, when a student tells me it's their birthday, I'll have a sweet treat to offer!

A few other pins I have on my to-do list are below:

What Pinterest projects do you have your eyes on?

{Monday Made It} Teacher Toolbox

So, this teacher toolbox has been all over Pinterest for the past year or so. While, I loved the idea from the moment I saw it, I was not compelled to make one because it looked too tedious. That is the furthest fromt the truth. This project took me about 20 minutes and $20 and I'm so glad I did it!

I bought the Stack-On 22-Compartment Storage Cabinet from Home Depot. I'm not going to post directions because you can find them multiple places. I used the directions provided by Leslie @ Jack of all Trades and printed my labels from a free template provided by Elizabeth @ Fun in Room 4B. I used scrapbook paper that I already had at the house and inspired by my current classroom crush from Melanie @ Inspired In Style.

I debated on painting the frame of the toolbox and I'm glad I did! Here's the final product!

As I'm cleaning out and packing up, I've been dropping things in the appropriate drawer of my toolbox and it makes me even more excited about this project.

2012 in Review

I've been surfing the blogosphere and enjoying seeing everyone reflect on 2012, through their favore blogs post, favorite outfits, favorite events, or favorite pictures. I decided to go ahead and compile my own review of 2012 as well!

January. I  went skydiving for the big "3-0!" I was my first time and you know I had to get pictures to prove it. 16 of my friends joined me!

February. I actually turned 30. My hubby and I went to the prom. LOL. Our church hosted a prom remix as a couples event for Valentine's Day!

March. I finally bought an iPad! Me and this thing are connected at the hip.

April. After being named a 2012 Intel School of Distinction finalist for achievements in mathematics, some superintendents in the DFW area decided to visit our classrooms and experience the "flipped classroom."

May. I was on the news! Last school year, my friend Trista found the concept of a "flipped classroom." We ran with the idea. Our kids enjoyed it and they were succeeding.  Educators visited our classrooms to see "the flip" in action.

Source

I also interviewed for a position as a Math Master Teacher and accepted it the same day. That's why I was all dressed up on the news. I definitely don't put that much effort into my look when going to work.

May was a busy month! I also went on a couples retreat with three other couples. We rented a house in Granbury, TX for Memorial Day Weekend. It was a great time of learning and encouragement. Looking forward to our 2013 trip to San Antonio! (Thanks or the great collage you put together, Angela! All off my pictures were from the scavenger hunt.)

June. Went to Chicago with Trista for the National Flipped Classroom Conference. (Side Note: For some reason, I have no pictures of myself and Trista together. We need to fix that.) I also celebrated 10 years as a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. by getting together with some of my line sisters for a weekend trip to San Antonio. 

Oo-oop!!!

July. My mom was diagnosed with breast cancer. I would say it was the craziest roller coaster of emotions and testing of my faith. My mom has been in high spirits though and only has two more chemo treatments. I also completed my favorite Pinterest project thus far. I was home visiting my parents and told my dad I needed a saw to cut some pencils and he breaks out a big 'ole band saw! We made these pencil monograms for all the math teachers on my team. My dad thinks we should go into business making them!

August. I started volunteering with AWANA at my church. I had taken a break from ministry at church and finally found a place that I love. It's so encouraging to work with the kids as they learn God's Word!

September. I can't find anything in my calendar or pictures from September. I was probably working too hard at my new job to do anything else.

October. I got to go to Virginia for a Differentiated Instruction Symposium held by Dr. Carol Tomlinson. While there, we got to visit Thomas Jefferson's Monticello. I'm no history buff, but I thoroughly enjoyed it.

November. Two years loc'd...I began my locs back in November of 2010 and haven't looked back. I wish I had of started locking my hair earlier. I also started blogging again! You can read about my past blogging experiences here!

December. We celebrated my hubby's birthday in style! You can read about it here! And, I got to spend much needed time with my family for the holidays!

I would say that 2012 was a good year! I'm looking forward to what God has in store for 2013!