4 weeks down 14 to go!

Wow, the past month has zipped by, especially the last two weeks.  Every day in the classroom I feel more and more sure about my decision to become a teacher.  I wake up in the morning excited to see our 22 smiling faces, and look forward to learning from our 2nd grade team.  I love that even though our daily routine doesn't change, each day brings something new and different!

I began leading morning work about two weeks ago.  Every morning when the kids come in, they have their routine "check in" procedures (making lunch choices, handing in HW folders, etc.), and then they sit down for morning work.  This is either a poem to read, questions to answer about the poem or DOL's (daily oral language, this is reading and writing practice).  From a teaching standpoint, this is easy.  I just monitor the students, to be sure they are on task and trying their best.  Then, we all go over the work as a class.  Easy, right?!  WELL, this is where being a teacher REALLY comes to play.  Finding these routine moments to insert extra learning.  I feel like I'm constantly on a game show, trying to come up with good questions to ask the students, and how to relate it to past lessons or connections to the real world.  This part takes some practice, you have to be on your toes and ready to expand the student's learning.  It's fun, sometimes challenging, and I feel like I'm part of an improv show!

Another great milestone was my first full day of teaching!  My CT was gone and so it was me and a substitute.  The sub works at our school, and for my CT on a regular basis so she's pretty familiar with the routine.  She was so kind in letting me take over, and just stepping in where it would be beneficial to have two teachers!  She was great to work with, and complimented my teaching, which meant A LOT!  Since then, I only take over here and there throughout the day.  The students are learning routine a bit still, therefor so am I.  The things that don't change much each day, are the things that I typically lead since I'm familiar with them. In about 2 weeks I will hopefully be doing 75%-100% of the teaching on a daily basis.

My class helped me celebrate my 27th birthday on September 4th!  It was the most exciting birthday song I've ever had!  I passed out cookies, the kids sang to me, and I got 27 "high-fives" from them.  They sure know how to make someone feel special!  In the mornings the kids with birthdays get to announce it on the intercom.  My CT sent 3 kids up to announce my bday.  They each said "Hi my name is ___" then they said "and today is Ms. Fat-nellys, I mean Fanelli's birthday!" hahaha, it was pretty amazing!

A gift from PTO, a candle and Panera gift card!

We went on our first field trip this past Friday.  I never thought a field trip would be more exhausting then a full week of teaching.  Holy cow, manning 3 boys with selective hearing was a lot.  They taught me more about patience and reasoning, and they made me appreciate our school routine that much more.  With that said, it was a FUN day at the Highlands Ranch Mansion.  We learned about our towns history, and got to participate in some cool activities like a hay ride, a petting zoo, and crafts!

Check out the size of this bunny at the petting zoo!

Adding their art to this map

As I've said on Facebook, the teaching is the part that gets me up and going in the morning.  I'm thrilled  that I'm so motivated for an 8 hour day on my feet, watching these munchkins expand their knowledge every day.  What doesn't thrill me as much, is our TWS and Capstone project that have added some stress to the weekly schedule.  TWS stands for teacher work sample, and it's basically a formal unit plan we have to create and teach.  We did a MTWS (mini teacher work sample, right grad friends?! I've forgotten already lol!!) in one of our classes, so the format is familiar.  The difference is the size of this particular project.  I'm doing my TWS focusing on habitats.  This should be interesting because its a science lesson, and we all know how much of a priority science and social studies take in the classroom these days (not!).  My CT said we will make it a point to fit it in when I'm scheduled to teach, though.  Wish me luck!

I've also finally settled on my Capstone project.  Our capstone is a big final project that incorporates pieces of everything we've learned while in our grad program.  We have the option of several different project types, and just before graduation, we present our project to our peers and professors.  I am doing a literature review of Backward Design. Backward Design is a specific way of lesson planning that is HUGE within the district that I'm teaching in.  I figured I should educate myself on the topic, from from to back, so I can go confidently into an interview with this district and show them how much I know!  I have A TON of reading and writing ahead of me, but I am sure I will finish with a very informative piece of work!

Here's to another month of school, and another month closer to accomplishing a huge goal in my life!

Ted, he's cute.

Fried lemon Dover Sole

I'm one of those people that LOVES seafood…as long as it doesn't taste too fishy.  I like to marinade, drench, and fry my fish to mask that possible fishy flavor.  I know the fishy taste depends on the freshness and variety of fish, but just to be safe…I'll add more sauce ;o)

One of my favorite fish to eat is Dover Sole.  My mom introduced me to this recipe, and I loved its creamy buttery taste and texture! Over the past couple years I've altered a few things for my own taste preferences.

Ingredients:

1-1.5 Pounds of fresh Dover Sole (it's a white meat fish, thinly filleted)

~1.5 Cups flour

~3 eggs

~1 Cup regular breadcrumbs

~1 Cup Panko bread crumbs

~1 Tbsp lemon pepper

~1/2 Tbsp garlic powder

Olive Oil (or vegetable oil)

~ 4 Tbsp butter

1 Lemon

Let's Cook!

1. Place flour in a bowl large enough for the fish.  Crack the eggs into their own bowl large enough for the fish and mix them with a splash of water or milk.  Add the Panko and regular breadcrumbs to a third bowl, mixing them with the lemon pepper and garlic powder.

2. Place oil in frying pan, covering the bottom about 1/4 inch.  Turn to medium-medium/high heat (you may need to experiment with the temperature of your stove.

3.  Take each fillet and cover with flour, then egg mixture, then bread crumb mixture.  Drop into frying pan and fry about 2 min on each side or until golden brown.  This fish is very delicate and flakes easily, so pull it out carefully.  Repeat these steps for each fillet, setting aside on a pan or plate.  

4.  Melt butter in a bowl and squeeze lemon into the butter (half or whole, depends on your liking).  Brush each fillet with the butter/lemon mixture.

5. Tips: If you aren't going to eat the fish right away keep warm in oven.  Heat oven to lowest heat, that's usually around 170 degrees.  Cover plate of fish with foil to keep from drying out in the oven.  I typically serve this with a pesto pasta and veggies.

Jessica's Fall Bucket List

With fall approaching quickly I have to say I am sentimentally over summer and dying for Fall!! Every year when fall approaches and I can smell the crisp air (that makes no sense but I like it) and wear a comfy sweatshirt I welcome fall with open arms! Honestly, if I could hug fall I would. And it just so happens I still have my fall wreath on my front door.... from last year. (Don't judge) Anyways, with my favorite season approaching I put together my Fall Bucket List because I'm hoping if I write it down it will actually happen. So, here I go! :)

1. Pumpkin Patch- I love going to the pumpkin patch in the Fall. That to me is the definition of fall. Cool weather, pumpkins, apple cider, face painting, veggies...etc. I went to a Pumpkin Patch/Farm last year and it was amazing. Not the one highlighted here, but it had face painting, animals, a fresh market, roasted chilis, hay ride...etc. I loved every minute of it! This is definitely #1 on my list. I told my husband last night and he was... thrilled. ;)

2. Farmers Market- We go to the farmers market quite often over the summer but my favorite time to go is fall. I love walking around, trying food samples ( I mean let's be honest, that's the main reason I go) ;) and stocking up on fresh produce! There are farmers markets everywhere- so check your local area! The one we go to is open till November!

3. Air Force Academy- Don't ask me why but going to an Air force Football game has been something I have always wanted to do! Maybe because Colorado Springs is my favorite city in Colorado and so going to a college game sounds like a blast and a half! :)

4. Drink gallons of pumpkin spice lattes- because why not? It's fall.

5. Decorate/carve pumpkins. I really want to paint pumpkins instead of carve this year because carving is hard and messy. and that's not my thing.

(Pic from Pinterest)

6. Wear leggings 7x/week ;)

7. Lose 10 pounds so I don't feel bad about the 100 batches of baked goodies I'll be making. Fall Trail Mix, pumpkin chocolate chip cookies, macaroons, pumpkin pie... and the list goes on. Martha Stewart would be proud. (I'll post recipes to all in a later post)

8. Go on long walks. I love walking in the fall. I love hearing the leaves crunch under my feet and once again smelling the crisp air. It's simply the best.

(Pic from Pinterest)

For some reason fall reminds me to slow down a bit. Summer is always sooo busy that when fall hits I'm reminded to just take a breath. What's on your Fall Bucket List??

Sign, Sealed & Delivered

My friends sister in-law has a sign business that I HAD to share with you because these signs are adorable!  Katie Goodwin creates chalk signs for ALL occasions: Birthdays, weddings, family photos, holidays, business advertisements, you name it!  

I worked with her when one of my friends was expecting her baby boy.  They have a sports theme nursery, so those were basically my only guidelines…make it sports themed!  I let Katie take creative control and this was the result!

Is this cute or what?!  It now sits above baby Lane's closet in his baseball/football nursery.  

Look at some of her other adorable creations!

Prices vary depending on size, frame, and design.  She is located on California's Central coast so if you are out of town, there is an additional shipping cost.  

Katie is offering $10 off a custom sign to our followers!  All you have to do is hit "join this page" on the right hand side of our blog, and if you are on instagram follow us @ajlifestyleblog 

Like Sign, Sealed & Delivered on Facebook

Contact Katie at ssd.katie@gmail.com for more information & to place your order!

Paleo Blueberry Muffins

I found this recipe on Pinterest and decided to give it a try. I always try and make a healthy version of my favorite treats and these did not disappoint! Click here for the recipe! The only thing I forgot to add in my pictures is the maple syrup! Let me know what you think!!!

A Written Note...

Hey y'all!! :) Hope everyone is having a great week! This is a super random post but whatever ;)

For those who know me, you know that I LOVE writing letters/cards and sending them the good ol' fashion way- in the mail! Me personally, I love getting mail. (And by mail I mean a sweet card or invitation- NOT a bill). One day I decided, well if I love getting mail then everyone else does too, right? So, that's when I decided I would go to the store, buy a sleeve of stamps and write hand written notes randomly to people. I have absolutely LOVED doing this, especially when people say it brightened their day! It doesn't have to be anything fancy, just a quick hello and that I was thinking about them! I went to Hobby Lobby and picked up a box of blank colorful cards so I could put my own little message on the front and have LOVED it! Especially with friends & family out of town this is a fun way to keep in touch! :)

If the camera on my phone wasn't broken I would show you pictures of my cards but the below Etsy inspiration will just have to do!!!!

1. Monogrammed Stationary

2. Personalized Note cards

3. Blank Note Cards

4. Hipster Inspiration

And because I'm obsessed with all things monograming this personalized mail stamp is on my wish list! I think sending/receiving personalized note cards is so refreshing in such a "technology" driven world. It's just a little something extra special instead of a text, email or wall post on FB. Try it out. Send a card to someone special and I guarantee it will make their day!

Happy labor Day!

Happy Labor Day! Hope everyone is enjoying their 3 day weekend!!!