Living in an area of North Carolina that rarely gets snow means that when snow is forecast that news is pretty exciting! I’m originally from Michigan where snow in the forecast is greeted with a sigh, but I’ve lived down here long enough that I’ve adopted a very North Carolinian view of the weather. So…
We made it to 2021! 2020 was definitely an unusual, heartbreaking, and stressful year. But for me it was also punctuated by moments of beauty and kindness. I hope you felt those moments as well. That’s why I think it would be interesting to do this activity with your students: Sum up 2020 using a…
So I got to thinking—if the classic song, “The 12 Days of Christmas,” could be remade with teacher-related lyrics, how would that go? Hint: There are no partridges or pear trees. Keep in mind that I couldn’t put everything in here. (For example, “enthusiastic support from administration,” wouldn’t fit the…
Tomorrow, December 15, is one of those totally random “holidays,” that pop up celebrating odd things. What is it we’re observing? Why, it’s Cat Herders’ Day—and it spotlights exactly what you think it does: trying to control something that is clearly uncontrollable. Finally, a holiday that is obviously for teachers! Do you feel like you’re…
Shouldn’t I be making cookies right now? It’s the beginning of December and this month is usually filled with cookies and candy, but these are strange times and I don’t have the usual parties that require cookies. Are you doing your normal cooking and baking for the December holidays? While I decide whether baking is…
Have you decorated your house for the December holidays? I’ve noticed this year people have started decorating earlier than usual. And why not? If it brings you joy, I say go for it! I’ve already plugged in my pre-lit tabletop tree. (It’s high up on a bookcase because I have a herd of attack cats.)…
This Wednesday is Veterans Day, a day set aside to honor those who have served the country during both wartime and peacetime. Veterans Day was originally called Armistice Day, and it commemorated the end of World War 1. As time went by, the name was changed to include all those who have served. How can…
Happy November! It’s always difficult for me to say goodbye to October because it’s my favorite month of the year. So it helps if I can get geared up for Thanksgiving. That’s why these printables are all about turkeys! Print or download these options that are perfect for this month. Let’s all have a fabulous…
This poem book has long been a favorite of mine. I remember hearing the poems when I was in elementary school—and the illustrations bring back vivid childhood memories of fall. So when I taught in schools that had Halloween celebrations, I would always read this favorite aloud. One year, I read a particular poem with…
What’s on my mind today? Eyes. I have an eye appointment this afternoon, which I’ve been avoiding. I don’t have an optometrist phobia, but I haven’t been all that eager to go due to Covid-19. It just seems like it’s a bad time to have someone poking around at your eyeballs. But I gave in…