What's Up October

Happy Wednesday Y'all

Today I'm joining  Mel, Shay, and Sheaffer for their What's Up Wednesday link-up. 

 

Every month we answer the same few questions based on how things are currently going in our lives. 

The questions are...

 

But first - a question of my own...

How is it already the last day of October?! 

Can y'all believe it? 

Anywho - on with the post...

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What am I eating?

This past Friday, we did a fun activity in class. The students became the teachers and taught us how to make peanut butter & jelly sandwiches. We followed their instructions exactly (much to their dismay). And once they realized the point of the lesson, things went well. And y'all... By the end of the day, everyone was still laughing and having a good time, telling parents about the fun we'd had. It was definitely a lesson to remember. :)

What am I reminiscing about?

My school celebrated International Appreciation Week earlier this month. There were all sorts of fun activities planned for the whole school, including dress up days, games, tasty treats, and even a Parade of Nations. And in my room, we learned about and celebrated the "homes" of the friends in our room. It was such a fun week and another reminder of the beautiful diversity of our school. :)

 

What am I loving?

I loved the visitors who came to my classroom the other day. Seriously... Could they have been any more adorable? I'm definitely not a fan of the evil/bad parts of Halloween. But cute kids in costumes walking with family and friends, greeting people, talking and enjoying a fun afternoon? That, I enjoy :)

Photo Credits: My friend (and mom of cute karate star up front and superhero in the back).

What have I been up to?

I spent 4 days last week at a Teacher's Conference here in Dakar. It was put on by AISA - The Association for International Schools in Africa. A handful of people from our school went. I honestly didn't know what to expect, going into it. But I was so pleased. What an informative time. I'm so grateful for the opportunity.

 

What am I dreading praying for? 

I typically shy away from including something I'm dreading. Honestly, there's usually nothing that I'm dreading anyway. So instead, I've decided to change "dreading" to "praying," and instead, list what I'm praying for...

So what am I praying for at the moment?

It's more of a praise report. I'm thanking God for answered prayers and the gift of teaching such an incredible group of kids. Teaching these kids is a literal, God-given dream come true. Not sure what I'm talking about? Check THIS out.

 

What am I working on?


My newest class started a little over a week ago. I only have this one and one more (in the Spring) and I'll be able to renew my AL teaching certificate. This class is all about inclusion practices and the Universal Design for Learning. And it's full of all sorts of info that I wish all teachers could/would learn.

What am I excited about?

I'm excited about a day full of watermelon themed lessons and activities. We're going to read, write, draw, carve, and eat. There are Math lessons, Language lessons, Reading and Writing lessons, and Science lessons too... We're going to embrace our inner writers and artists. It's going to be a fun day.

** Be on the lookout for a blog post later in the week, recapping all the fun. **

What am I watching? 

Nothing new... However, I am thinking about binge watching a show or two over Thanksgiving Break, since I'll actually have time to do so. 

Anyone have any good suggestions?

What am I reading?

We started our book studies as part of our Reading/Language lessons this week. Each student is reading a different book and will be completing different lessons, based on his/her grade level and individualized plans/needs. Today is only our 3rd day with this, but I can tell it's going to be great. They are loving reading!

What am I listening to?

I love this whole album by Lauren Daigle. She has such a beautiful voice. And the messages in each of her songs is so inspirational. I love it!

What am I wearing? 

This week is Spirit Week at school. Monday was MOVIE MONDAY. Yesterday was TACKY TUESDAY. And then today, it's WAKE UP WEDNESDAY.

And in case you're curious, Thursday is THEME DAY THURSDAY and Friday will be FAN DAY FRIDAY. We're all having fun showing off our creativity this week :)

What am I doing this weekend?

I have had something planned literally every single weekend this month. So I'm looking forward to actually doing nothing this weekend (other than church and studying for my class as a student and doing lesson plan prep, I mean) :)

What am I looking forward to next month?

Women's Retreat
Thanksgiving
Thanksgiving meal with my AG co-workers
a few days off from school
No alarm clock for 4 whole days in a row!  

What else is new?


We started something new in Bible this week with my older students. We're doing a Bible Study type format, individualized for each of the students. Each child has a list of assignments they'll need to complete each day, whether that be through independent work, partner work, working with a teacher, or through class discussions. We may only be three days in. But my crew is loving this new Bible lesson format. And if they're happy, I'm happy :)

And then each month, there's a special question.

October's question is...

What's your all-time favorite Halloween costume? 

I'd have to answer that by sharing these pictures of my nieces from a few years ago. I mean, seriously... Could they be any more adorable? :)

And that's what I'm up to this month.

What about you?

What are YOU up to this month?

Growing in Gratitude

Happy Friday!

Today I'm joining Julie and Trista for their monthly Growing in Gratitude link-up, helping us to focus more on having a more grateful attitude.

 I'm actually a day late posting.

But it's always a good time to show gratitude. 

Right?



Anywho - On with the post...

Want to know what I'm grateful for at the moment?

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I'm thankful for learning opportunities.



I'm thankful for biblical lessons teaching character traits.



I'm thankful for pops of color in this dry, dusty land.



I'm thankful for Dr Pepper and sub plans.

And furthermore... I'm thankful for an AMAZING sub!



I'm thankful for the group of kids I call "mine."

I'm also thankful for the beautiful poster shown below (and I'm thankful, too, for the sweet girl who created it, as well).

I'm thankful for Wednesdays being my longest day each week.



I'm thankful for a new note-taking strategy, making Science lessons actually "stick" in my crew's brains :)



I'm thankful for more than one "home."



I'm thankful for #thelovedbibleproject.



I'm thankful for dreams placed on my heart by my Creator.



So what are YOU thankful for?

Wordless Wednesday

Happy Wednesday, Y'all

Today I'm sharing a (mostly) wordless Wednesday post, in efforts to share some of the pictures I've taken lately, but just haven't shared on here yet.

So here we go...

Last week was International Appreciation Week at my school. We spent the whole week celebrating all the places around the globe we call "home."

A couple weeks ago, I got this sweet note from a student.

This shot was taken one day last week.

Each day last week, we dressed up to represent a different region of the world. On one of the days, we were supposed to wear the clothes of "home."

I included The Rainbow Fish in my Kids Club lesson this past week. I also may or may not have broken my "no glitter whatsoever" rule in craft time :)

One of our teachers is an AMAZING baker who baked over 2000 international recipe cookies for our students and staff to enjoy last week. Can you imagine? 

Ah, Children... They're so innocently nosy and inquisitive. Ha! :)

I ordered a pizza last night and ate it in my classroom so I could use the wifi (since mine's out at home) so I could finish up my last big assignment for my class.

 

I've been slowly adding to my sub plans for the beginning of next week. I'll be missing two days to go to a Teacher's Conference. 

 

And now I'm off to work a super full day and hopefully get home before dark tonight :)

Currently

Happy Thursday Y'all

Today I'm joining Anne from In Residence for her monthly Currently link-up, where we share what's currently going on in our lives. 

Each month, Anne gives us a list of prompts to use to guide our posts. The prompts for October are:

* wearing * collecting * making * taking * planning*

So what am I currently up to?

I'm currently wearing my hair in a ponytail almost every single day. We are officially in the hottest and most humid month of the year here in Dakar. I was born and raised in Alabama, one of the hottest/most humid states in the US. But y'all... AL has nothing on hot/humid Senegal. Now excuse me while I go find some more ice to put in my cup of water. :)

I'm currently collecting journal articles on Teaching Non-Native English Speakers with Special Needs for a research paper that's due soon. I may be spending a lot on printing. But it's totally worth it. There's just something about holding the paper copy in my hand, actually use a real highlighter, highlighting it and making notes. There's something about doing that which helps solidify the information I'm studying in my mind.

I'm currently making plans for Elementary Camp, which is an event I lead for our elementary students at the end of April. I know it's super early to be thinking about such things. But I'm currently "window shopping" on Amazon, prepping to order things to bring back with me when I go to the States over Christmas Break.

I'm currently taking my time with #thelovedbibleproject. I'm really enjoying slowly working my way through the Bible. Instead of trying to hurry and read, just so I can read through the entire Bible, I'm taking my time and really savoring what I'm reading, letting it sink in as I read and reflect and pray. And y'all... I'm loving it.

I'm currently planning a class reward which involves ice cream and Pringles for my kiddo's. Why Pringles? ...because one child does not like ice cream. I know. I know. It blew my mind too ;)