My Teacher Tote

Teacher by the Beach is having a "My Teacher Tote" linky. I think this is such a cute idea, so I'm linking up. Plus, I just received a new "teacher bag."

I've never been one to specifically purchase a bag for work. The bags I've used in the past have just shown up. Several have come from conferences, some from students, or I've purchased some (cheap) cute bag on sale. Needless to say, I would go through a couple of bags a year. However, switching to a 1:1 iPad school, I found I don't need a huge bag (much) anymore. Most days I leave school with nothing more than my iPad and my purse. So, I was super EXCITED when a friend of mine showed me the Vera Bradley tablet hipster, online. I wanted it! And, guess what!? It arrived yesterday! 

More than anything, I'm excited about the front flap for my iPad! Every purse I own is just a tad bit to small for it. I've been wanting something that would hold an iPad, and whatever else I may throw in my purse; which isn't much. It's very roomy inside, with two pockets and a zipper pocket. To my surprise there is another outside magnetic pocket that I don't remember reading about in the description, but I LIKE it!

What does your teacher tote look like? You can see what others are carrying over at Teacher by the Beach's linky party.

I'm off to find a lunch bag:) 

Wordless Wednesday

I'm linking up with Miss DeCarbo for Wordless Wednesday. 

Less than 3 weeks before I'm back in my classroom. How much summer do you have left? 

Currently {the Middle of} July

It is currently the middle of July, and I'm joining the currently linky party over at, Oh Boy Fourth Grade. I know I'm late for the party, but better late than never. Without further ado here's my July currently...

Listening: The nightly news is on and they're talking about the weather across the United States. It seems many of you are probably experiencing thunderstorms. We are experiencing fall like temps here in Kansas City. As I write this the current tempeture is 70 degrees. I'm loving our current weather, and it's predicted to last the reminder of the week before tempeture begin to warm up. 

Loving: I am having a wonderful summer! I have a two year old and we are having a blast! I'm going to be so disappointed when I return to work, in three weeks. 

Thinking: THREE WEEKS of summer is all I have left. Summer has gone by so fast! I haven't accomplished much of my summer cleaning, or any of the school projects I had in mind. 

Wanting: Summer needs to slow down, way down! Ha! What are the chances of that happening? I guess I need to speed up. 

Needing: As I mentioned earlier I haven't accomplished much of anything I wanted to, and that's because I just haven't been very motivated. I am in dire need of some motivation, or back to school is not going to go well. Any suggestions???

4th Plans: Since the 4th has come and gone, I'll just tell you how I spent it. I attended a family picnic in the park, and was able to catch up with some of my cousins. Fun times! Later, we went to the lake and watched a beautiful fireworks display. 

There you have it, my extremely late July currently. I sure hope there's someone out there still interested in reading a July Currently! I'll do better next month. 

Monday Made It

It's Monday! I made it! And I'm linking up with Tara from 4th Grade Frolics for  Monday Made It. This is my first time linking up this summer. Trying to get my mind in back-to-school mode. Only a few weeks left. 

 I made something very simple, post-it clipboards. You've probably seen them on Pinterest. Working in a 1:1 iPad school students don't have a need for much paper. However, there are times I want them to write a quick answer or response on a scrap piece of paper. Since they don't usually have paper it was always a scramble for scrap paper; taking up precious minutes. Hopefully, I can cut down on wasted time this year by having 2 post-it note clipboards at every group. 

These clipboards would also make it easier for me to give students feedback. I could pick up one at anytime and quickly write a note to a student. 

They are very simple to make and require very few materials. 

Materials: 

1. square coasters-usually found at a restaurant. I got mine from Outback Steak House. 

2. Washi tape or duck tape (used to cover the coaster) 

3. Scissors 

4. Small binder clips (used to hold the pos-it on the coaster) 

5. Post-its 

Simple yet practical. I also have one that I keep in my purse for my 2 year old. It comes in handy in the waiting room at the doctor's office or at a restaurant. 

Happy Monday! 

Oh Snap! A Sunday Linky

It's been awhile since I've written a blog post on a Sunday, but the collaborators over at Blog Hoppin' are having a linky for those of us participating in the scavenger hunt. They are asking us to link up our favorite photos so far. If you've read my Saturday Snapshots post from yesterday than you've seen my favorites from the week. If you missed it you can read it here. I just have a couple more photos I want to share today.  

The first photo I'm sharing has received the most likes. On Friday, 7-11, we went to get a free slurpee from 7-Eleven, and found this cute little mustache slurpee straw for $1. I couldn't pass it up! 

Next up is a science experiment. I thought that I was going to have to come up with some type of experiment for my son to do to capture this one, but we went to family fun days, on Saturday, and Mad Science was there. This experiment with a ping pong ball and a hair dryer was perfect for my two-year old, and he loved it! 

The last photo I want to share is not mine, but one I found as I was scrolling through #bloghoppin2014. #Justhave2teach was very creative with this one. Love it!!!

Follow me on Instagram or search my #rolandteach, to leave some love on my photos. Leave your personal # in the comments, so I can check out your photos. I'm having so much fun with this scavenger hunt! Such a great idea. 

Saturday Snapshots

It's time to link up with Miss Nelson for another edition of Saturday Snapshots.

Have you heard about Blog Hoppin's scavenger hunt? Maybe you've seen the photos on Instagram. The first couple of days there were tons! It has since slowed down a bit, but I'm sure you're still seeing them in your Instgram feed daily.  Well I'm one of the many people participating in the scavenger hunt. During this month long scavenger hunt you must find and snap photos of 105 items, from a list of 200, and post them on Instagram using the hashtag #bloghoppin2014 and a hashtag unique to you; my hashtag is #rolandteach. Everyone that post 105 photos will be entered in a drawing for a really fancy camera and more. You can read all the details here. It would be nice to win the camera, but what are the chances of that? I like scavenger hunts, taking pictures, and Instagram, so I'm having fun with this. Here are some of my favorite pictures from this week: 

I found this telephone booth on our mini staycation this week. There aren't many pay phones around anymore, let alone an entire telephone booth. 

A trip to Hobby Lobby and Party City turned into fun for these two, as I found two items on the list: a visor and a red, white, and blue pinwheel. 

The first few photos, someone wearing mismatched socks & a lei, I had my 2 year-old help me out with, and holding the sign didn't workout very well. 

During a mapping session this week, my co-works helped me out with, a group of teachers making silly faces. Thanks guys! 

These are just a few of my favorites from the week. You can follow me on Instagram to see more, or search #rolandteach. I've uploaded 22 of the required 105, so I still have a ways to go. I'm in no rush, who knows I may not make it to 105, but I'm having fun. 

Be sure to check out other Saturday snap shots over at Run! Miss Nelson's got the Camera.

What I'm Wearing Wednesday

Let me first say this is not one of my normal post, nor is it school related...hey it's summer and I'm trying to get my blogging groove back, so I'm linking up with Jessica at Ideas by Jivey for "What I'm Wearing Wednesday."

Let me begin by saying I'm a jeans/shorts, t-shirt, flip flops kinda girl. This summer I decided I needed something more than the Old Navy flip flops...Yes, I have tons of the Old Navy flip flops; don't judge! So, with birthday money in hand, I went out to find a pair of decent black flip flops. Who knew I would end up with two pair neither of which are black, and I love both pair. Take a look...

I spotted these cute silver sandals at DSW (Designer Shoe Warehouse), and immediately fell in love with them, and even though it was not the black sandal I was looking for, I wanted them. The $19.99 price tag wasn't bad either, especially since I had a $5 off birthday coupon...not to mention silver is a perfect addition to my wardrobe. 

Silver won't work for every outfit, so I had to get the gold ones too...

These are my go to sandals for this summer, and you will catch me on any given Wednesday with one or the other on. What are your go to summer shoes? 

Saturday Snapshots (7/5)

It's Saturday! Time to link up with Miss Nelson for Saturday Snapshots...

What a patriotic week! It began with a watch party for the US Men's National Team (USMNT). I must admit I'm not a soccer fan, but the past few weeks have been exciting watching the USMNT. I was sad to see them eliminated this week:( I was able to make to it to the largest watch party in our city.  It was a very fun experience; thousands of people came out, in their red, white, and blue to cheer on the team. 

The week ended with Skydivers and fireworks to celebrate Independence Day. 

I hope everyone had a fun and safe holiday!