Top 10 Insta Pics of 2014

I was so excited to see Natalie over at Teachery Tidbits host an Instagram-centered linky.  Seriously, Instagram in my jam.  #sorrynotsorry

I may not have time to blog daily, but you can pretty much guarantee that I am posting to Instagram daily...sometimes multiple times.  Favorite social media ever!

If you're not following me there, what are you waiting for!?  Find me at http://instagram.com/teachingmaddeness/

Here's a sampling of what I post with my top 10 pics of 2014...

Straw Dispenser Turned Pencil Dispenser

I often share my pinterest-insipred projects.  This one actually was a true #nailedit - amazing, huh? 

Ugly Christmas Sweater Day

On rare occasions, I'll share a #selfie or #groupsie, or just a snapshot with my work besties in our finest attire.  ;)

Shopping Funds Finds

Instagram boutiques get all of my money.  It's pretty much the only way I shop now. And, well,  girls just wanna have funds so we can keep shopping!

Book Love

Any time I find a new book that I love, I am sure to share that, too.  It's important to share the book love.  This is a great one!

Funnies

Who doesn't love an e-card??  This one is perfect for winter break actually! ;)

Teaching Ideas

Of course, fun teaching ideas are at the top of my list to share!  This was a fabulous one from my friend, Linda, at Around the Kampfire.

A Good Sale!

If I find a can't-miss-it, go-buy-all-they-have teaching supply sale I blast it on IG for all the teacher's of the world!  I'm pretty sure we cleaned out the cardstock at all Michael's locations on this day.  #teachersunite

Recipes

Bahahaha!  Okay, so you won't find recipes on my Instagram - EVER - but you will find easy-peasy food ideas like this that your kids will love even more than if you I attempted to cook.

Teaching Resources in Action

When I don't have time to blog about the teaching resources in our shop, I at least take pics for Instagram so you can see them action.  The kids had so much fun creating these for addition "flip flop" facts!

Classroom Photos

I often post pics from my classroom so you can get a glimpse into my day with my little "MonSTARS."

If you're not already following me, I hope you'll become a new follower so I can find you and follow you back to share teaching "maddeness"...one picture at a time!  http://instagram.com/teachingmaddeness/

6

Budding Bloggers Showcase {Roxy from Rockstar Math Teacher}

I've got a ROCKIN' teacher for you this week!  She has a love for math and a lot to share...

★ Rockstar Math Teacher ★

                

How long have you taught?
I have a multiple subject credential and taught elementary grades for four years. 

I loved teaching 4th Grade:  
California History, California Indians, California Goldrush, Missions... So much fun...

I loved teaching 5th Grade: 
The curriculum rocked!!! US History, Plant Cells, Creative Writing...

                         

                         

I also taught 7th Grade Math/Science Core. It was during this time that I found a 
love for teaching math and went back to school and got a single subject math credential 
and have been teaching math for six years.

Grade You Teach:
I previously taught 8^th Grade Honors Geometry , 7^th Grade Honors Algebra 

and 8^th Grade Common Core Math.  I am currently teaching 8^th Grade Common 
Core Math and Math Intervention and Support.

What is your favorite subject to teach?
I have a passion for teaching math and absolutely love it.  Coming from a multiple subject 
background gives me the ability to break down hard math concepts in a way that the 
students can understand.

What would we likely see if we popped into your classroom 

Since I always have the door open in my classroom, I often get unannounced visitors.  
What visitors see in my classroom are engaged students who enjoy being in math class. 

If I am not direct teaching and giving guided notes, then you would see the students 

discussing and completing team tasks.  You would see a student centered classroom 
and me as the "facilitator" in the room.

                       

What gets you through one of “those” days?
What gets me through one of “those” days is my sarcasm and my quirkiness. 

What is one “can’t live without” teaching resource?
I can’t live without my Flipcharts.  I absolutely love ActivInspire and everything 

I do in class from beginning to end is done with the Flipchart.

Give us a glimpse of your teaching style
My teaching style involves all aspects of technology.  From giving guided color-coded
notes with my MimioPad, to interactive lessons with my Promethean Board or lessons
involving iPads.  My favorite lessons would be done with iPads. I love doing team tasks 
with the iPads or 1:1 activities with the iPads.  I have learned a lot about how to effectively 
use iPads in a mathematics classroom. :o)

What is one of your blogging goals for this year?

I started my blog to share ideas and learn ideas from other great math teachers.   

My biggest blogging goal would be to follow through with my Blog and to not give up 

even when it seems like no one is reading it. :o(

2

Budding Bloggers Showcase {Sara from Frampton's FUNdamentals}

Today I have a very special blogger to showcase.  Sara is a teacher from Newtown, CT and I know we've all kept the teachers from that town in a special place in our hearts.  Read on to learn more about Sara and be sure to read to the very end to find out about a special tribute on her blog for the Sandy Hook victims.  Drop by her blog to find it and welcome her to the blogging community!

Hi everyone, I'm Sara from Frampton's FUNdamentals, I have been blogging since the beginning of 2014.  I never found myself to be much of a writer, however I am loving this forum.  I love talking to teachers that I never would have had the chance to talk to without this blogging world! It has helped me to become a better teacher, and I can't thank everyone enough. 

I have lived in Newtown, CT my entire life! I love the hometown feel and the people of my town. I have a really close knit family, and I know I couldn't be luckier.  My parents love and support me in everything I do. 

My older brother, Richie.

My younger brother, Willie.

 I have 2 brothers, who are typical brothers.  They are a pain in the butt, however they will be the first ones there for me when I need it.  I get along really well with my brothers, especially my younger brother.  He is 8 years younger than me, but we have never been closer.

 I have 2 dogs, Daisy and Penny.  We bred Cocker Spaniels for a while, we had Daisy and Donald, Penny is actually one of their puppies.  On the top Daisy is on the left and Penny on the right, on the bottom it is the opposite way.

Lately I have loved riding my bike (it is summer when I am writing this, and I live in New England, so depending on when this is published I may not be actively riding).  I try to ride as much as possible when the weather allows.  I also like creating things on the computer and physical items.  I am usually up to making any kind of craft item, as long as I can give it away when I am done.  I love anything techie, especially Apple.  I also have the Lego EV3 Mindstorm set and enjoy building the robots.  I really want to learn to program so I can make a custom app for my classroom.  One thing that I don't do enough that I really enjoy is taking photos with my good camera.  I have gotten so used to my iPhone that I forget about the good one, hopefully by the time you read this that has changed. 

For the next part of the post I decided to use the questions Amanda sent to me and do it Q & A style

Grade You Teach: I currently teach second grade, the first year I taught I had kindergarten.

How long have you taught? I am on my tenth class! Wow, I can't believe I have been teaching that long!

What is your favorite subject to teach? My favorite subject is reading, I love the Daily Five we have set up in the second grade.  I also love when the students get off topic and we end out exploring things off of the lesson plans, sometimes that is the best.

What would we likely see if we popped into your classroom unannounced? If you popped in unannounced you would see a room full of students working on their own items at their own speed.  If it is snack or a non work time you would probably be greeted by students who would want to hug you and share what ever is on their minds. 

What gets you through one of “those” days? The students get me through "those" days, just look into their eyes and that is all I need to do.  Or a student or many will sense I am off and they will try to make me smile, I am lucky to have them.

What is one “can’t live without” teaching resource? My coworkers, they have taught me more than any book or college class ever could.  When I am having trouble, they are there for me, and I am there for them.  We have an excellent support system at our school, it really is a giant family. 

Give us a glimpse of your teaching style by sharing a brief summary of a favorite classroom activity/project.  My favorite classroom activity is the Daily Five.  I love the authentic learning that is taking place, and I love making the activities to go along with it.  Last year was my first year teaching it and I can't believe I haven't been doing it for years.
One project I really loved was one that wasn't planned, and student initiated.  Last year my students were so into the Who Was series that we turned the back bulletin board into a giant timeline.  That was a lesson that was never planned and will never be forgotten.  The conversations I over heard from students discussing people and dates were priceless. 

 

This was before we had all the dates up, we added them as I got the books.  By the end of the year I had the complete series. 

What is one of your blogging goals for this year?  My goal is to blog more than once a week, it gets crazy when school is going, but I feel it is important for me to be an active part in the blogging world. I am also hoping to save up to go to Vegas and meet so many bloggers that I feel I already know. 

Final Thoughts:
I have always felt honored to be a teacher, we have the greatest responsibility in the world.  We are shaping the future one child at a time.  I have never taken this fact for granted,  I do everything I can for my students, they are my children and the know it.  When all the terrible things happened in my town that December day, I was nervous going back to school Monday, I was crying all weekend, and didn't know how I was going to handle it.  Everyone knew I was from Newtown, my kids knew I was upset and something was wrong on Friday, and I didn't know if I could handle the questions.  I was told I could take as much time as I needed but, going back to school Monday  was the best thing I could do, I stepped into that classroom and felt this is where I am meant to be.  I helped my students, I talked with the older students and staff, by helping them I felt I was doing something.  There were many things I learned from that experience, the thing I try to teach my children is to be kind.  We had so many random acts of kindness shown to us, that I feel I need to show my students to do kind things for others.  I have always taught this, however now it has a different meaning, now I know what it feels like on a massive scale to have someone across the world say a pray, to say a kind word, or to give a smile.  In a day where there are so many material goods, I want my students to know the most valuable gift is that given from the heart.  

Please take a moment to stop by my blog, somewhere in the design there is something hidden to honor the Sandy Hook Victims, they are so much a part of me I had to honor them, see if you can find it.  If you find it you can send me an email, please don't post a comment saying where it is, I want others to be able to find it as well. 

Thank you Amanda for helping out new bloggers, a little kindness goes a long way and I am grateful to you for helping us.

0