Layla Henry- Fancy Free in 4th- Blog

Fancy Ideas for the Everyday Classroom

  • Bloglovin
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Layla Henry- Fancy Free in 4th- Blog
  • Home
  • About Me
  • Blog
  • Shop
  • Contact

November Currently

November 2, 2014 By fancyfreein4th

Happy November!!! I am so excited to link up with the Fabtabulous Farley for her monthly Currently link up.  Here goes…

Listening:  The Sound of Silence…. literally.  Don’t get me wrong, I love me some Simon and Garfunkel… however, I am soaking in silence after yesterday’s festivities.   To start the day off, my school had a morning Halloween Parade.  I have never had a school celebrate Halloween and allow the students to dress up. It was so much fun!  The day was full of different Halloween theme math and reading reviews- thanks to some of my favorite Tpt/Blogger friends!  Later in the evening, we hosted a children’s Halloween party with some of our nearest and dearest friends.

This year we dressed up as The Flintstones…

We were only out for an hour BUT it felt like an eternity… Today we cleaned up and recovered.  Now the kids are in bed and my husband is at the UCLA football game with a huge group of his AVID students- so it is just me and the quiet hanging out!
Loving: I am sure I am not the only teacher that thanked the good Lord that Halloween was on a Friday this year…. can I get an AMEN! 
Thinking:  About sub plans… I really dislike making sub plans because I am a little bit of a control freak when it comes to my classroom routines and procedures.  Whenever I leave plans for the sub it is at least 3 pages long with coordinating post it notes.  I have subbed a handful of times and know the value of good sub plans to go off of… This past Tuesday and this coming Tuesday I am taking professional development days to learn about different ways to support the various reading levels of my students, make an action plan and it has been exciting!  I look forward to this week’s training, I am just dreading making the plans.

Wanting: Patience for potty training- at the end of summer our daughter seemed pretty much potty trained.  BUT with us both going back to work and her starting her childcare routine of grandma- babysitter and preschool she has regressed…. which I know is normal BUT the past 2 weeks she  has really regressed. I am praying for patience and guidance and to be the mom she needs me to be during this time, rather than the control freak/worry police.  

Needing: Kindle Apps- I was just the lucky recipient of 5 Kindles from Chevron and Donorschoose.com.  I LOVE my Kindle and I figured, they were cheaper than an iPad so I could get more but now I am in need for some good apps to use in my classroom.  Any suggestions, especially for remedial math drills for times table fluency I would LOVE!!!
Reading:  I am in a great book club with some other mommies who meet once a month to chit chat about the book, life and snack.  I have developed some amazing friendships with this ladies but some have moved away and some have had other priorities come up so it has dwindled down.  A few of us are still meeting and fighting to keep it alive but now we are approaching the holidays which is a CRAZY time of the year.  To pass the time, I have found a new series that keeps my attention and is a fun read.  It’s got time travel and history and a plot that takes you in and out of places suddenly! I was a history major for a little bit in college, so the historical and time travel piece is quite fun.  The series is called: The Chronicles of St. Mary’s and I am on Volume 3: A Second Chance.  I feel dorky and enthralled while reading this book and I can’t put them down.  I have read 3 in the past week and a 1/2…. hence my lack of blogging 🙂
Well, I am off to work on sub plans… I can’t wait to check back with you all to read what is going on with you.  
P.S- Don’t forget to set your clocks for the time change!!!

«
»

Filed Under: Uncategorized 7 Comments

Comments

  1. 180 Days to Happy says

    November 2, 2014 at 2:27 am

    I have an 18 month old and is it sad I'm not looking forward to potty training?!?!? My son was pretty easy, but I'm nervous about the process with my obstinate daughter!!! I'm sure your baby will get the hang of it! Keep it up 🙂

    http://www.180daystohappy.com

    Reply
  2. Mandy B says

    November 2, 2014 at 2:44 am

    Your halloween costumes are SERIOUSLY adorable! I can't even handle it. LOVE!

    I'm crazy pants about sub plans, too. I label everything, put stickies everywhere, and binder clip all my worksheets in the order they will be needed. I even have a magazine holder full of extra work- like, 3 days of extra work. 🙂 I just want to make sure the sub has everything they need!

    Mandy
    Caffeine and Lesson Plans

    Reply
  3. Rachel - Mrs. O "Knows" says

    November 2, 2014 at 2:45 am

    I love those costumes! You guys really looked fantastic!

    I'm exactly like you when it comes to lesson plans. Luckily, I've found a gem of a sub who actually accomplishes everything I ask her to and the kids love her and behave for her. I'm sure you understand how grateful I am for this wonderful woman! I hope that your professional development is wonderful!

    I love your blog. Great design and content! Glad that I found you through this month's Currently!

    Mrs O Knows

    Reply
  4. A New Box Of Crayons says

    November 2, 2014 at 2:52 am

    AMEN for halloween on a Friday and your family costume was ADORABLE! I hate making sub plans, but professional development can be a lot of fun and give you a lot of amazing ideas! I found your blog through the November Currently!

    I hope you have an amazing November!

    Reply
  5. Mary Bauer says

    November 2, 2014 at 2:55 am

    I enjoyed silence a lot today. Halloween and conference week left me exhausted. Now, I have sub plans to write for a training on Monday.
    Have a great week,
    Artistry of Education

    Reply
  6. Heather Renz says

    November 3, 2014 at 2:33 pm

    Hi Layla! I found you through Farley's Currently. You are so right about sub plans! Ugh! It's harder to be gone sometimes! I want to share a great site I love for math fact practice called Xtra Math. Maybe you've heard of it. I don't know if it works on a Kindle or not (it is web based and also has an iPad app) but my 4th graders (and their families) loved it! Check it out and maybe it works for you. https://xtramath.org
    Heather from Mrs. Renz’ 4th Grade Class

    Reply
  7. Thrills in Third Grade says

    November 4, 2014 at 4:14 am

    Hi! I found you through Farley's Currently. I couldn't help but pop over because I'm in Los Angeles, too. (At least, I'm assuming you're in LA since your husband was at the UCLA game) Where do you teach?
    Didn't you just LOVE the rain last week? What a treat! I'm so NOT looking forward to the upcoming heat, though! Yuck!
    Stay cool-

    Jamie
    Thrills in Third Grade

    Reply

Leave a Reply to Thrills in Third Grade Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Welcome Widget

Welcome Widget

Subscribe Via Email

Topics

Latest on Pinterest

  • These Donut EOS lip balm cards are the perfect party favors for a Donut party, bridal shower, baby shower, teacher gift, Valentine, Mother's Day or Easter!
  • Teacher Appreciation Donut Door Decor idea
  • Data Wall
  • Figurative Language Spring Bulletin Board
  • emoji surprise ball DIY
  • Get your desk organized with a Teacher Tool Box!
  • Great ideas for Classroom Jobs
  • Organizing state reports in your classroom
  • Flip Your Classroom on a Budget
Follow Me on Pinterest

Instagram

Took a mental health day, and I don’t feel guilt Took a mental health day, and I don’t feel guilty about it at all.  We heard last week that we are remaining in distance learning for the rest of the year and I’m coming to terms with having to switch grade levels (and classrooms) next year 😬. So, today I took a day to myself, got a hair cut, finished a book and I’m feeling good. I’ll let tomorrow wait and enjoy the rest of today. To all my fellow teachers out there, keep on keeping on and it’s ok to take a minute (or a day off) for yourself.
Spending this lazy Sunday afternoon writing 💕Va Spending this lazy Sunday afternoon writing 💕Valentine’s to my students. I am writing different figurative language notes on each postcard. Then we are going to share them on GoogleMeets during our morning meeting and vote which figurative language is on each student’s post card! You can take the teacher out of the classroom but they will still find ways to engage; no matter the distance! This year I have to mail these to my students ((because of distance learning)) but who doesn’t love some good ole snail mail 🐌 💌.
This isn’t the best picture, but that’s not th This isn’t the best picture, but that’s not the point...

I love being a teacher. I am aways challenged and get to be creative (especially these past 11 months). I feel at home at my school, and I’ve missed it so much since working at home. My district is in a zip code that is highly impacted with COVID-19, and we have felt the effects tremendously. Everyday, I am amazed by how resilient my students have been since their little world’s 🌍 changed on March 13th, 2020. It’s been one, wild ride, reinventing teaching, trying to stay motivated, trying to keep them engaged while feeling supported and seen. Yet,  I’m hopeful this chapter soon will end. Amidst all of the unexpected and difficult things that have happened this last year... there’s still a lot of good out there. Look at this 💛 glimmer of hope and goodness. My uncle and Father in Law just made a class set of desks for my students (plus 30 more for other kids at my school). They used their stimulus money to give back to my school community. This desk will be their own special spot, and memory of the time we learned from home. I’m feeling really grateful and I can’t wait to see past the masks and imagine the smiles that my students will have when they pick these new family heirlooms up on Friday!
Sometimes it is all about the little goals you mak Sometimes it is all about the little goals you make for 2021. Ones like drinking more water and making sure to stand while distance teaching. I miss the days of walking around the classroom, running down the the stairs to grab my class after recess and hopping into a coworkers classroom at lunch.
Cheers to the New Year. I felt like I needed a lon Cheers to the New Year. I felt like I needed a longer winter break but as soon as the school day started, it was game on. I was so excited to see my students online, ready to learn. I am constantly in awe of how resilient they are and how even though we have yet to be together in person, we have created such a supportive and close community. We giggle, we work, we do the best we can and feel good about it together.
Love these perfect stocking stuffers for my Little Love these perfect stocking stuffers for my Littles! Thank you @chattyfeet for helping us deck the halls and keeps our toes cozy and cute!
Shaking things up in our new Point Of View unit an Shaking things up in our new Point Of View unit and using one of my all time favorite prompts where the students pretend they are the turkey and they sere persuading a hungry child to not eat them on Thanksgiving! The students work on time, dialogue and perspective in this. Check it out! Your students will gobble this up!
Since my husband won’t let me put up our 🎄tre Since my husband won’t let me put up our 🎄tree yet (#scrooge) I am stocking up on stocking stuffers instead! Move over slime and hello 👋 squishies and plushies. Grab these and a whole lot more @orientaltrading ❄️ The countdown clock ⏰ to the holidays is officially on! Be sure to order early so that you get all these goodies in time. Oh and FREE shipping on any order Friday-Sunday use code: Favorites20 at check out ✅! #ad #orientaltrading #OTCholiyay #otcchristmas
Working hard on alliteration and using adjective a Working hard on alliteration and using adjective and adverbs this week with this adorable winter ❄️ sticker science. This can be used in so many fun ways, endless possibilities!  #ad * Select holiday products are up to 60% off
 * Order early, shop now, carriers expect shipping delays as we get closer to the holidays
* Offer Details: The offer will be Free shipping on any size order
 * Plus $10 off orders $59+, $15 off orders $79+, or $20 off orders $99+
 * Use Code: CyberYay20.
Follow on Instagram

Copyright © 2021 · Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in