Summer Plans

This summer will mark the first time in nearly 4 years that I will not be worrying about classes. I am finished at the end of this week and I am not even looking back. Haha.

I am both completely broke and entirely eager to make the most of my summer.
Here is a list of things I intend to do during my summer:
1. Find a job. Anything. I realize expecting to get a teaching job is a long shot, but I just need anything for right now.
2. Read. Read. Read. I have read exactly 1 book this school year. It is tragic. I need to compile a list of books I will devour this summer. One that I do know is on my list is Educating Esme: Diary of a Teacher's First Year by Esme Raji Codell. Someone in my student teaching cohort mentioned it at a seminar and I am interested. However, that is only one book and I need suggestions for more, because I will NOT take Oprah's word for it.
3. Take full advantage of everything St. Louis has to offer. There are so many concerts, plays, festivals, etc. that go on during the summertime that for the most part FREE. Laumeier Sculpture Park Music+Movies series and Sara Bareilles at Live on the Levee are two musts for the season.
4. See Wicked!! I have been talking about seeing this show for years. However, it has not come to a theater at a time when I had money to go. LOL. My boyfriend, who is in the nation's capital for an internship, bought me amazing tickets right behind the orchestra pit. He won't be there to enjoy it, but I will have fun with no matter who I take.
5. Go to Washington, DC. I have been spoiled from the two years that Dillon and I have been in a long distance relationship that I have never had to go longer than 2 months to see him. Because, honestly, that's my limit. He moved last week and will be there for an indefinite amount of time. We were talking about when I would visit and what better time than Independence Day. I am so excited. Of all the places I have been in the world, Washington, DC is not one of them.
6. Go swimming. I am going to get a serious tan this summer. I have decided it.
7. Cook. I love to cook anytime of year, but there is something about occupying the kitchen during the summertime that I love.
8. Go for more walks. My dog needs to get out more, but then again so do I.

to be continued...

I feel as though this blog will go dry until I am back in the classroom...
I am going to try to keep it going...

I did hear of an activity that would be great for the beginning of the year for primary grades.

Find a container of some sort with different compartments (i.e. egg carton) or use sandwich baggies. Paint each section of the egg carton a different color or if you are using baggies paint on slips of paper to each be placed in a baggie. Have students look around the room and/or outside to find items that match that color to be placed in the corresponding compartment/baggie. For upper elementary grades, I supposed you could be more particular or specific or ask them to describe these items. Then, invite students to read their descriptions for their classmates to guess at what the item is. I also thought for upper elementary grades, you could do this activity and use it for students to practice writing sentences using adjectives. Students could also take this home to be completed to get the parents involved.

One person gave me the idea and I guess I just ran with it. Hahaha.