The Bow Tie Teacher

Relaxing

Anyone know where this is a picture from? Comment me and I'll send you a shoe full of sand.
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Summer treasure/scavenver/puppet show hunt.

This should be a hoot. Might video the adventures.

101 things to do this Summer Update

So far we've done 28 things on our list of 101. Our family is so routine that I should have spread some of the things out. We've had 3 cookouts this summer, but really can only check that box 1 time. next time I'll certainly make up some different things. Make it like a scavenger hunt. Speaking of that, I'm working on a treasure map as well as an epic "check off our list week". More to come. 

I really didn't know this

I'm not sure how many people know what I'm about to share, but if you do please indulge me.

• I live in GA.
• Air Conditioning is almost manditory most of the year.
• AC does tend to wear on your car and gas consumption.

So just this week I learned that the "recycle" button on the AC means that the car will stop pulling in warm exterior air and start "RECYCLING" the cooler air from inside the car. This might have been common sense to everyone else, but for some reason I didn't know this.

Ok so this week I was in a teaching reading workshop. *I know that's a Summer crime, but hey. I thought I knew what I was doing before the workshop, but WOW! I got a fresh dose of "sit down here and learn something".  Just like the common sense button on my AC I had the common sense button hit for my profession and I really feel I'm prepared to take my students to the next level.

One huge take away was how we as 2nd grade teachers are supposed do and have to bring our students to or on grade level by the end of the year. It's obvious, but the HOW to do it really has been elusive.

So even during the summer I can learn some useful, new ideas. As long as I'm willing to pay attention. This year I expect to not waste as much time and be far more efficent at moving this class to their future.

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Points for Teachers during the Summer

Points for Teachers during the Summer

1. Major points to you if you don't check your work email while on Summer break. +10. -5 if you check it, -10 if you check and reply to anyone. 
2. If you can be seen walking around in flip flops, +5. Give yourself +10 if you strategically stuff sand between your toes. 
3. Walk out side around the time your neighbors are leaving for work. Stand in your front yard and wave to them +2. If you're in your bath robe, +20. 
4. Sign up for a work related workshop? - 5 for each day long the workshop is. -20 if you are the guy writing this blog WHILE YOU'RE IN SAID WORKSHOP! (+2 points back if it's a good workshop and you're learning useful stuff.)
5. Talking wife into taking kids to camp so you can sleep late +10.
6. Sleep late. Give yourself +2 points for every hour past your regular wake time. +10 extra points if you just throw the alarm clock out the window. 
7. If you got by your school for any reason short of it being on your normal route -1. If you go inside -100!
8.  If you buy little drink umbrellas and put them in all your drinks +20. 
9. +2 for every show you clear off your DVR.
10. +5 if you actually made Netflix earn their $7 this month. 

Bonus points 

    +40 Take a picture of  #3 or #8 and I'll post them for you. +10 for creative cups/umbrella.  

    +999 Give me some ideas of more points and pass this one to a friend who'd enjoy it. 

    +1000 if you're enjoying your Summer. 

 

Reasons you should turn off your TV this summer

My DD1 and I were going to do a video of this post, but her agent didn't contact my people and the collaboration didn't come together. 

• Your child hasn't met 50 bestest friends as of yet. 
• Your child cannot quote any Dr. Seuss. 
• Your home electric bill has doubled. 
• Your child doesn't know where their swim suit is.  
• Your child hasn't touched that "Summer work packet" their teacher sent home. 
• You haven't said "whew, you smell like outside". 
• "Mommy, whats that building?" "It's a library."
• Your child hasn't been sun burned, bug bitten, climbed a tree, visited a park, zoo, carnival or pool, swung on a tire swing, or gotten so tanned you didn't recognize them. 
• They still haven't cleaned their room!

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Read!

Summer Work

To say that I've been relaxing and chilling is to give this Summer no credit. I'm so ready to start "Summer Working" now.  Summer Work is me getting at all the things I can't get done in the regular year. My biggest thing is cleaning off our Family 100 + list. Can't wait. 

New posts coming soon. 

Maybe I am making a difference

I had a student A LONG time ago in 2nd grade.

*My third year teaching, the 1st time.  

Back to the story. He was a sharp guy. He worked hard and had super parent support. Matter of fact his class was the 1st and only class I promised that if any of the boys went to Morehouse and any of the girls went to Spelman I'd pay for their books all 4 years.

Well this summer my family and I were invited to his high school graduation. He was given a full ride, books and all to another great school. Besides me getting off the hook for books I'm really excited for him and his family. I met his 3rd grade teacher who kept in touch with him through out his school years. She assured me that it wasn't a fluke and that he was a really great student. 

So maybe we're making a difference. Just maybe this isn't for naught. 

Alright back to Summer time relaxation. I could really get used to this. 

READ!

A picture is worth 1,000 words, but you better be reading, too. This really provoked me. I don't keep track of the time we read, but I will be making sure it's at least 20 minutes of good, quality reading. I also noticed that this is just for the school  year. If a child doubles up during the summer or takes their Summer Reading list this number could be higher. 

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102 things to do this summer

I don't know all the back story of Little Free Libraby, but I do know the little boxes are adorable. I've seen them a couple of times and noticed one near Trina's Summer Camp. So we stopped. Trina loved the idea of getting a free book. She later suggested that we bring some books to put in the library. My mind started racing. What if we did a Free Little Library crawl. Hit up 3 or 4 of these little buddies one weekend dropping off and putting in books! Our 101 things to do this Summer list has just grown. 

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