Christmassy Currently

Listening - It's that time of year again in my house... I'm a Celebrity 2015! An explosive series this year, although I genuinely cannot believe how rude Lady C is (she certainly is not a lady in any sense of class!) Still Ant and Dec are their usual funny selves!

Loving - That the end of term reports are done and dusted!

Thinking - Only one more week of Christmas/sugar-filled craziness left to go with my kidlets!

Wanting - All my Christmas shopping to be done, got a full-on weekend of shopping planned... ugh

Needing - To go to the post office to post all my cards... school day means I only have a small window on a Saturday morning to get there!

Real or Fake - fake now that I live abroad as real ones are imported and waaaay too expensive for me!

Now you've read mine, why not head over to Oh Boy 4th Grade and join in the linky!

Bit of a cheating post...

But wanted to draw your attention to the Teachers Pay Teachers Cyber Sale taking place over the next couple of days. I've put my entire store on 20% off and include the discount code 'SMILE' at the checkout to get another 10% off that.

I shall be purchasing a few items off my Wish list, why don't you? It's only on for Monday 30th November and Tuesday 1st December! Hurry hurry!

Double link up fun

Now I'm slightly more awake in this blogging world, I thought it was time to get back into my monthly link up with Oh Boy 4th Grade for her Currently linky party.

Listening - to my washing machine (this is actually a miracle as a couple of weeks ago I had an exploding washing machine/landlord refusing to replace it situation going on!)

Loving - parents' evenings the week after half-term break is NOT FUN, but they are done now and I love thats its months and months before that stress again.

Thinking - that my work to-do list is mountainous and I'm in denial about how I'm going to manage it!

Wanting - to be more efficient with my time in school (see above!)

Needing - to tidy my house as I've just had visitors staying for a few days and its quite messy now!

Yummy - my mother cooked when she was visiting here and left me some food to reheat when they left yesterday, so dinner tonight is sorted!! 

I also wanted to link up (on a Tuesday) for The Ordinary to Extraordinary's Meet the Teacher Monday... 

Due to circumstances out of my control, my 30th birthday celebration was delayed by 11 months, but it was completely worth it as myself and 13 friends ended up staying in a resort that looked like this...

I wish I was there now!!! But until that is possible, it is definitely my favourite birthday memory. 

5 for Friday, the on-time edition

Look at this miracle of 3 posts in one week?! That's more than the last three months put together!

Anyway, to remind people that my blog still exists and that I'm still posting (occassionally), I'm joining in with one of my old favourite lunky parties, Doodlebugs' Five for Friday.

1

The other week our teddies came to school and I used them much like an 'elf on a shelf' scenario. We put them all to bed in our 'Bear Cave' role play area, but much to our surprise overnight they escaped and were found playing all over the classroom the next day and for the rest of the week. Some absolutely fantastic speaking and listening and writing followed with really enthused children. 

2

As part of their morning routine, my class self-register by placing their balloons on the rainbow to say they are 'ready to learn'. Like many incentive charts, they can go up to the sun for fantastic work/behaviour etc, but I was more excited by my new teammates' idea of what happens when they go down. If they reach the black rain cloud, they spend a few minutes on the 'Thinking Chair' to reflect on their choices. I chose a positive yellow colour to help them associate the chair with a positive consequence as after their time finishes we talk together about what we could have done better and return straight to the rainbow.

3

Over the week, parents bring in 'star moments' they have witnessed their child doing outside of school for us to share with the class. I have loved the "she played football at training for the first time'"or "he helped his little sister get dressed". Of course, there are the few parents that misunderstand the purpose... "she enjoyed watching tv" "he likes to eat food"!

4

Recent phonics game, where the children rolled the dice, counted the correct number of spaces and said the grapheme they landed on. We played it twice, the second time, they had to give a word containing that sound as well.

5

Not school related, but just happened to watch a new advert created by the Thames Valley Police about consent. Absolutely brilliant and straight to the point. Well done them!

Trying a link up!

I know everyday posting will not be happening, but I came across a lovely link up today as I was perusing my Bloglovin' feed and thought why not have a go and at the same time show my little blog a bit more love?

So I've decided to join in with Trina at The Ordinary to Extraordinary Classroom for her 'Meet the Teacher Monday'.

This week she would like readers to post about their Halloween This or That. So here is mine...

No I cheated and didn't choose an answer for the last one as I don't watch Halloween themed movies (have a fear threshold of about 1!) and so I had to look them up as I'd never even heard of them let alone watched them! 

I've also never actually carved a pumpkin, but that definitely sounds more fun than just painting one! Although here is a throwback picture from last year that my tinies made...

Anyway, why not head over and link up yourself? 

Am still alive!

I'm not sure I've ever had such a long blogging gap as I have just had... or let's hope not!

I don't even have a lot to say today, but I took a look at my little blog and saw the date and was really shocked that July was my last post! So updates...

July - travelling around the UK, catching up with family and friends and spending some time with views like this...

August - THE BIG MOVE (hot, humid and stressed as I house hunt, cope with the fact my shipping is delayed and try and find my way around new job)

September - beginning of new year craziness combined with constantly feeling I don't know what I'm doing!

October - getting into my stride... and it's half-term break! Bring on the beach and lots and lots of reading!

Anyway, back to work tomorrow, but suitably relaxed and recovered! Fingers crossed the lead up to Christmas is not as busy (haha!)

July Already?!

Without fail, Farley posts the Currently link up and while I am managing to massively fail at any sort of other posting at the moment, I'm still hanging on by joining in each month!

Listening - To the soundtrack from 'Oliver' pretty much non-stop since I went to see my school's production of it last week. Though none were from my actual class (the older age groups' production) it was so nice to see children I know well performing their little hearts out!

Loving - That term ends in only 3 more days... goodness its been a long year!

Thinking - That term ends in only 3 days... there is so much still to do!!!!

Wanting - To take my friends and colleagues to my new school, I am going to miss some of them so much :(

Needing - To pack. I have literally 2 suitcases to fit everything I have got left here (shipping went last week) and I'm not convinced its all going to fit in.

All Star - Planning ahead. I'm the person who has their planning and resources done in advance if at all possible as I hate working on the fly.

Anyway, why not head over to Oh' Boy 4th Grade and check out this fab link up? And if you've made it here from there, please leave a comment! I would love to hear from you!!

Just June

I'm struggling at the moment if I'm honest. A lot is going on and thus this blog is being sadly neglected... its the most I can manage to throw together this Currently post!

Listening - I adore Meghan Trainor and have had her album on repeat recently, was looking for something else to listen to and heard this song on the radio... looked it up to discover it features Meghan Trainor too! Accepted the inevitable and its now top of my playlist!

Loving - It's Saturday and I've had a lie in... therefore everything is automatically just that little bit better!

Thinking - Only 4 weeks to go at this job... and this country!!

Wanting - Shipping needs to go and neither classroom nor flat is packed... help!

Needing -  End of year reports need to be finished this week, and they are holding up my packing etc

Summer Lovin' - Seeing friends, family and the UK for one whole month before new job!! 

Must Be May

Only three days into May and still not able to make it into the top 100 of Farley's Currently. Such a popular and fabulous linky party!!

And here is mine for this month...

Listening - Britain's Got Talent (or possibly Britain's Got no Talent judging by some of the acts so far!!)

Loving - I was persuaded to go out drinking last night with some work colleagues (I'm really too old for this!), however, I woke up this morning and no hangover! 

Thinking - holiday plans are coming together! I have 2 months left here and I've got 3 weekends away planned to try and tick off places on my bucket list.

Wanting - a long weekend, seriously half the world seem to have a long weekend with Labour Day, Wesak, May Day or something and I'm at work!!

Needing - With only 2 months left I really need to start getting myself organised!

Summer: yes - Move country, that is happening!! ARGH!
hope - Not hyperventilate about said move, this is unlikely to happen...
dream -  The move goes well and I have made the right decision in uprooting myself!

Flash freebie - a new product at last!

I don't normally use my blog to write posts that are purely about products, but since its been so long since I actually managed to create a new product I thought I would make an exception today. A request from a reader has led to me to adapt one of my previous products and create...

This is to help with the common letter reversals 'g' and 'q' by providing card with the letters in different fonts and colours, which the children then need to sort into the correct groups. Mats have picture clues on to help identify the sound.

And the best part of this post? I'm going to make this product absolutely free for the next week! Head over to my TpT store and grab this product (click on the image above or here).

After the next week, it will become a paid product. If you like this or any other of my products I would really appreciate feedback and constructive criticism for any future products I might produce!

Happy weekend all :)

Photo Frenzy

I kept meaning to post a Five for Friday or Sunday Smorgasboard or some sort of update at least to use up some of the photos I have been taking over the last few weeks, but I completely failed. And so I am just going to have a bit of a photo dump to update you all!

Easter Craft Afternoon
Parents and kidlets enjoyed making a variety of crafts together just before the break. Most of the inspiration came from Pinterest!

Display
A recent Science display from my classroom

Japan in April
Hundreds of cherry blossoms and generally great holiday!

Liebster again

I'm so so grateful to be nominated for my second Liebster Award by Ashley from Teacher Will Run For Books. Firstly I want to offer my thanks! And I owe her a massive apology since this nomination was given to me in November... and its taken me 5 months to get around to accepting it. Frankly I wouldn't blame her if she took the nomination back!!

For those that don't know, the Liebster Award is an online recognition for 'new' blogs by their peers. It is only awarded to blogs with less than 200 followers in an attempt to send more readers their way. The rules differ according to who has nominated you, but I will use the ones given by Ashley. 

1. In your post, be sure to link back to your nominator as a shout out and a thank you!

2. Answer the 11 questions given to you.

3. Nominate 11 blogs of your choice who have less than 200 followers. Provide them with 11 questions or ask them to answer the questions above.

4. Let your nominees know they've been nominated and provide them with a link you your post so that they can accept.

5. Send your nominator the link to your post, so they can learn more about you... leave it in the comments! 

I was first nominated in February 2014 and to receive another nomination is so flattering. I am struggling with keeping my blog updated this year, so it is greatly appreciated to find others reading and enjoying my blog enough to want to nominate me again.

Right here goes...

1. Why and how long ago did you start blogging?

I started blogging in November 2013 after reading blogs such as Clever Classroom and Oh' Boy 4th Grade to get inspired. 

2. What 1 word sums up the heart of your blog?

Random

3. Is there something you learned late in your blog journey you wished you knew before?

Don't be scared to put your ideas out there. I've read posts by other bloggers giving tips that I already knew, but didn't think were innovative enough to share, but I should have just written them! 

4. What is your favourite past time other than blogging?

5. How many hours a week do you dedicate to your blog?

An embarrassingly small number. When I'm into it, several in a go, but then nothing for weeks...

6. What category of blog post do you enjoy the most?

Those that have both teaching tips with personal anecdotes. A Teeny Tiny Teacher is the perfect example of this. 

7. Where does your blog inspiration come from?
My favourite link ups! Random things from my classroom.

8. Which post have you written that you are most proud of?
My post debut-ing my blog design which I posted a freebie on. This freebie was then selected to be the featured freebie by Teaching Blog Addicts. I was so proud!

9. Is there any post that you have been planning on doing but have been postponing for a while?
This one!!

10. What is your favourite thing about blogging?
Getting new ideas to use in my practice.

11. What recipe, project or idea on my blog would you most likely try yourself? 
The Super Improvers Wall is something I'm definitely going to be considering for my classroom next year.

My nominees (not 11, sorry!):
A fun themed blog who is only just starting her blogging journey! Love love love her classroom!

A UK-based blog full of innovative ideas for Early Years (Kindergarten). 

Mrs Krevat has already received the Liebster Award before, but I can't help nominating her again as I love her blog!

Only just less than 200 followers so I'm glad I'm managing to squeeze in my nomination for her great blog in time!

Questions for my nominees:

1. How long have you been blogging for?
2. What is your most popular post so far?
3. What are you top 3 blogs to read?
4. What is your teaching style?
5. Favourite linky party to join in with?
6. What educational website couldn't you live without?
7. What is your best subject to teach?
8. How many years have you been teaching?
9. What tip can you offer other 'new' bloggers?
10. If you could change anything about teaching what would it be?
11. What idea from my blog would you most likely try yourself?

Thanks again Ashley for the nomination and I encourage everyone to head over to her and my nominees' blogs to check out some fabulous blogs eager for more followers!

Currently not on time lol

So I was so pleased with myself in March with my posting of Currently on time, well that obviously didn't last (sigh), but I am only 2 weeks into the month, I'm sure I have been worse! So here goes... April's link up with Farley from Oh' Boy the 4th Grade!

Listening - I bought the Meghan Trainor album the other day and am loving it. My favourite song at the moment is 'Dear Future Husband'. 

Loving - That there is still a week to go of my Easter break. I was away last week gorging on lush food and beautiful cherry blossoms in Japan (photos to come in a future post!) but this week I have strictly vegetative week planned. Well a bit of work should probably happen as well! 

Thinking - Antibiotics suck! I have had my wisdom tooth out and I'm having to take antibiotics...sigh

Wanting - To get my blog back on track. February went well. March not so much. April must go better! 

Needing - To do some online shopping. Several birthdays back home coming up and I need to get organising and ordering! 

EGGS-plain your name - I love love love butterflies. And I also love what they represent. I thought that they are a fitting metaphor for how both my teaching and my students are changing. I used to start my posts with a 'butterfly' quote, so here is one for old times sake.