Tuesday, August 31, 2010

Would You Like to See My Classroom(s)?

Up first is my Typing... errr... Keyboarding.... ummm... Touch System Data Entry classroom (the name has changed a few times, this latest new name drives me crazy!):

Disclaimer: you'll have to excuse the patches of torn paint that can be seen in some of these photos.  I've asked repeatedly in my 7 years here to have my room painted over the summer.  The torn paint appeared when the Christmas lights held up by packaging tape left by the previous teacher were taken down when I came to Hildebrandt...

looking over the left half from my desk:
(on the wall is Claude Monet's Dusk and The Seine Near Vetheuil as well as printing instructions way off to the left)


The front of my classroom -- bulletin board with school information, work turn in area, and reams and reams of printer paper! In the past I've covered that brown chalkboard on the far left with colored butcher paper. I think I'm going to find some contact paper that is subtle and cover it permanently. This year I may hang my Mary Engelbreit posters there.  I rotate between those and my patriotic poster collection randomly over the years.


looking over the right side:
(on the wall: Vincent van Gogh's Wheatfield with Crows, Cafe Terrace at Night, and Starry Night.


And this is my Exploratory Language classroom down the hall:
This year, because of the number of students we lost to a new school opening, a lot of us are teaching two or more classes.  I'm teaching Explortory Language this year -- a course that looks breifly at a wide range of languages and communication to allow the students to see the history and shaping of language/communication and to also help them decide which foreign language they would like to persue.  It should be a really fun and interesting class... As long as the kids are interested.  Unfortunately some have signed up or were dumped into the class without understanding what it is and we have some challenges to overcome...

Coming into the classroom:
across the top of the white board is a topper with all the flags from around the world. I think on the blank bulletin board, I'm going to hang a few photos from my Russia and Mexico trips OR a big poster with "Hello" or "Welcome" in various languages.

My desk area. Desk is a little bare, but that's what happens in a secondary classroom!


So excited to have a window to let in some natural light! I have two of these small guys and I found this awesome suncatcher at the dollar store!

student computer area (though, we'll just go to my computer lab down the hall when needed) :
(on the wall above the computers: The Acropolis of Athens in Greece

a closeup of the bulletin board I made from flashcards off the dollar rack at Target: famous landmarks from around the world. I have two sets so I could hang the descriptions next to each landmark photo.

from the front of the room looking back.
(on the left is school information and on the right is a poster titled The Art of Currency, showcasing with history of various types of currency from around the world.

Wednesday, July 07, 2010

a week of experimenting...

So, on my trips to visit my (second ;)) cousin, we have fallen into the habit of experimenting in the kitchen.  The last time I was in Omaha (in October for our 30th birthday blowout weekend!), we tackled Julia Child's Beef Bourguignon -- or as we referred to it, Beef Booya.  I'm sure Julia would not have been impressed with our nickname. haha.  And yes -- we were indeed inspired by the movie Julie and Julia.

Tuesday, June 29, 2010

What I'm Loving -- Edition 2

I think it's time for another What I'm Loving post!

Up first -- got2b smooth operator smoothing lotion (click what's new, then smooth operator).  I looooove this stuff! 

Wednesday, April 07, 2010

ummmm...

so, apparently it's been a year since I last wrote. wow. I seriously had trouble for a few seconds figuring out how to start a new post. haha.

Sometimes I figure Facebook does a good enough job updating my friends on my life. But, I think some of you that (used to) read my blog may be missing some stuff? Though you probably gave up on this blog a long time ago...

So a quick catch up.

~ my girls' Bible study
~ THE MOVE to Illinois
~ Lost and Found Ministries
~ a new Ford Escape!
~VBS planning and Summer planning begins

I'll try not to ramble too much about the above items, but I needed a bit of a list to hit the highlights. :) And, yes, my list is random and out of order. Much like I live my life. Does this surprise anyone? I think not. :)