Currently January 2016

Happy New Year! With this fresh start comes my vow to blog more often in 2016 :) Resolution 1 has at least started off well! To celebrate the new month & year I'm linking up with Farley over at Oh Boy Fourth Grade to share the currently love.

Listening
We have had a HOT start to Summer here and the air conditioner has been our saviour! I love the heat though so no real complaints. My hubs, not so much.

Loving
We both really, really needed the break at the end of the last year. It's been so nice to be home and to chill. Plus it's week 2 of our school Summer holidays so I am just enjoying life!

Thinking
2015 was not the worst year ever but it was certainly not a great one either but after everything that has happened (or not happened as has been the case) I know I am just so lucky to have this amazing life. And no matter what it IS amazing. My husband and I are both well, I have the best hubs anyone could ask for, we have our house, great friends and a pretty lovely little life. Us and our cat, it's enough even sometimes when we are struggling we ARE lucky.

Wanting
Last year was super stressful in a lot of ways but it's time to let the personal stuff go & sort it's self out and get back on the blog wagon.

Needing
To just chill for a bit before I start organising work stuff. Shopping is a must as I've lost a bit of weight (yay, that's my brag for the post) but I really am not looking forward to buying new work clothes. Ba-humbug. 

One Word....
HOPE! The universe has a plan for us, we just have to keep putting in the work and following the different paths that we come across and I know it'll work out! Sorry if this post sounds a bit cryptic if you're just visiting, read some of the background here if you are utterly confused :) I might post the latest updates & decision making at some point but for now we are just trying to sort things out.

Thanks for stopping by & THANK YOU to those gorgeous, over 2000 ppl who are following me on FB. You are legends!

xxxxx

A Spring Five for Friday

I'm taking a few minutes between report writing this morning to link up with Kasey at Doodle Bugs for Five for Friday. It's been a while!

~ One ~

We had a fun night at the Zart Christmas PD this week. I really love these nights and getting to see teacher peeps I haven't seen in a while. Plus making awesome crafts is a bonus! Can't wait for Christmas.

~ Two ~

We made some Starry Night inspired art this week, focusing on a impressionist style using oil pastels to create some texture. Kiddos loved it! 

~ Three ~

Finally found the perfect portable record player. She is a gem!

~ Four ~

Tuesday was Melbourne Cup. As I have a million and one things to do at the minute I hadn't planned on including any activities this year but the kiddos twisted my arm. They turned these horse patterns into these amazing horse statues independently. Love how these kiddos minds work!

~ Five ~

We are loving Spring here and so is our garden!

Enjoy your weekend!

Currently November

November.. how scary does that sound! Linking up with Farley to share the November Currently love.

Listening
Watching Season 1 of NCIS on Netflix. I love Kate.

Loving
The weather is finally warming up here as we are heading into Summer. Yay!

Thinking
We are 6 weeks away from the end of our school year and I am FREAKING out! There is so much to do and so little time to fit it in. Deep breaths!

Wanting & Needing
I need to finish my testing so I can finish reports. Fun, fun! I have gotten a head start this year but I really just want them out of the way.

Yummy
Not that I can eat them anymore (wheat intolerance, yay) but my Red Velvet Cupcakes are the bomb! I miss you cupcakes. I use this recipe from The Cake Mistress.

Wishing you a great November.

Hamburger Collages

My class have been loving making collages in the last few weeks. If you follow me on Instagram you would have seen a few pics of our awesome artworks.

We began our unit getting all inspired by Claes Oldenburg and his amazing Pop Art sculptures & 'floor' artworks. After focusing on the floor burger and exploring that collage is "cutting with scissors" (thank you Henri Matisse), we made our own Burger PopArt Collages.

The kiddos used some of my templates to cut out their own pieces from felt, paper, tissue paper & cellophane, as well as making some of their own.

If you would like to make your own, I have the templates available in my store that are easily photocopied onto coloured paper to create the collages. Click on the any of the images above or this link to purchase.

I Can Do That! & Freebie Reflection Worksheets

I have just finished my new I Can Do That: Reflect & Review Worksheets and to celebrate I have a sneak peak of the packet and a freebie to share!

This packet of 20 worksheets are perfect to be used before or after a  range of different activities, for example, after story time, for independently reading or at the beginning and end of the year to share what students know quickly. All activities are black & white, ideal for colouring and photocopying. 

The pack contains the following worksheets:
*10 Things/20 Things I know;
*What I know/What I now know writing pages;
*In 10 Words & In 20 Words list;
*Before & After;
*Thumbs Up & Thumbs Down pages;
*Describe It, Note it & Wonderwall pages;
*I Feel/I think pages;

For a sneaky sneak peak download this freebie for 2 free worksheets.

Term 4 No Chore Linky: Organising for the End of Year Clean Up

Here in Australia, we are in our final term of school for the year {eek}. It is always a super busy term with reports, assessments, Christmas activities, school performances and the end of year clean up that comes with the job. 

With only 10 more weeks to go, it's getting to crunch time! I am linking up with some fantastic blogging friends to share some tips to survive and be super organised for the end of the year. After you read my tip, make sure you go to the link up below to find other fantastic ideas to survive Term 4 :)

Term 4 No Chore Tip
One of the biggest tasks at the end of the year is cleaning up, especially if you are needing to change classrooms. I am the checklist queen and find having a list at the end of the year really helps. Over the years, I have moved from scribbled notes EVERYWHERE to having a typed up checklist.

Here is a pdf copy you may like, with a blank version for you to write on. For other great teaching ideas follow me on Instagram, Facebook & Pinterest!

An InLinkz Link-up

Currently October

Feeling the blog-guilt this month, from a lack of proper posting (something that I have in common with Farley) but at least I'm linking up for Currently!

It is finally Spring here, we have a gorgeous week of mid 30's (90F) ahead and I am coming to the end of 4 weeks off of school (2 weeks long service leave + 2 weeks Spring break). 

I am a much nicer person when the weather is nicer :) So I have been running (first time ever peeps), enjoying the sun and listening to a lot of Florence!

I, however, have not been planning. At. All. Tomorrow, peeps, tomorrow... hopefully :) The sun is distracting ok! And so is Netflix...

Happy Halloween month to those in the Northern hemisphere! Very jealous that you have everything pumpkin-related. I guess in Australia we do get the sun this time of year, so shouldn't complain!

I feel boo-tiful when I know I am eating well and therefore feeling SO good. The month off of work has been great for getting my head on straight and I have to say, I am feeling pretty damn HOT at the minute :) Most be all of the yoga, walking and running.

Happy October everyone.