Day in the Life

Hello and happy Wednesday!

This week started off slowly, but is certainly picking up the pace.

It’s been quite a while since I’ve shared a day in the life post, so that’s what I’m doing today!

I’ve captured last Monday…September 16th.

I forgot to screen shot my phone when my alarm went off, but I got up at 5:50. This is a new time for me this year. I used to get up at 6, but 5:50 has given me a few extra minutes in the morning with a new time frame of the kids getting up a bit earlier than they did in their middle school years.

The day before, I had put out my fall decorations, so I was happy to turn on my pumpkin and light a fall scented candle.

While my coffee brewed, I found my best friends in the fridge. I applied my eye mask, grabbed my coffee and went to the living room.

‘Tis the season for this mug:

I always watch the local news…while I drink my coffee, read blogs, and scroll Instagram.

I usually play my daily Bejeweled Blitz during this time too.

I try to get moving by 6:50, but I was lazy and lounged until this time:

…before trying to wake my sleepy heads. They set alarms, but definitely know how to hit the snooze button.

Then it was time to wash my face and do my morning skincare routine.

Of course I made the bed.

Then, I applied my under eye concealer…I like to let it set, while I drag the kids out of bed and make my way to the kitchen.

I pulled out my slow cooker as a reminder to start dinner when I got home from school.

Then, I packed my lunch. Mondays are often lots of prepackaged items…

The kids were eating breakfast, so I went ahead and got ready. I did my makeup and my hair…

…and I was ready for the day.

I filled up my travel coffee mug, grabbed my school stuff, hugged everyone goodbye, and headed out to leave.

On my way out, I realized there was a load of laundry that needed to be moved to the dryer, so I did that.

On my drive to school, Trav called to get organized for the day. Hadley and I used to have the same Apple account/ID?, so when Trav calls, it says, “dad.” haha

I got to school, and got my board ready. I always update the date, write the agenda, learning targets and learning intentions. Ugh…don’t get me started on the things I have to write on my board that the kids don’t care about 😉

This year, I purchased a digital set of Google slides from Teachers Pay Teachers, to use for my agenda. Some slides have timers and “welcome” messages.

It’s really helped keep me organized, and the students know what we are doing when they walk in the room.

On this day, we were going to the library, so I didn’t have much to prepare.

Here’s an example of what a typical class period looks like:

First hour, my English 1 students went to the library. We have an amazing librarian who is really involved and plans fun activities. She talked with the students for a few minutes, but then they played “break out games” in groups to open boxes using clues about the library. It was a fun way for them to get acclimated with the library, learn new info, and work with others.

2nd hour is one of my intervention hours. A teacher sent me a few students who needed additional support answering comprehension questions for the Cyclops part of the Odyssey.

After 2nd hour, I have tardy cart duty with another teacher. If a student is late to 3rd hour, we scan their ID and give them a tardy pass to class. I only have to do this for five minutes or so.

3rd hour is my planning period, and I maximized my time.

I went to make copies after tardy cart duty. Most of what we do is online, but I still have to make a few copies throughout the week.

Then, I went back to my room to get organized. I started a binder with everything we are doing in Unit 1, so I had some pages to add to that.

Then, I sat down and scanned the sections of The Odyssey that we were reading last week. I like to have the student book out when I’m teaching as it’s lighter and easier to carry when I’m walking around the room. Since we got new curriculum this year, I’m having to prepare day to day.

I jot down questions and answers in the student book that I keep, so I’m not dependent on the teacher edition when I teach.

Then, I take some time to get my Canvas page organized. This does take a few minutes, but I know the pay off is great if I stay organized, and it helps the students.

Then, I had time to grade a few assignments. Friendly reminder that I haven’t had to grade papers in close to five years….so this has been my biggest adjustment going back to the classroom. I will say that the online grading is pretty seamless, and then Canvas syncs with our grading system every night to update grades.

I also had a few more minutes to plan reading strategies for my students as we read The Odyssey. Since this is our first year, I’ve given them a reading/literacy strategy to do before, during or after reading our assigned text for the day.

This way, they stay engaged in the reading and will know these strategies as we use them throughout the year.

Then, it was time for Advisory. I share an Advisory with a math teacher. Advisory is only 25 minutes, so I head to his room to help out. Just this week, our principal moved Advisory to the beginning of the day to hold students more accountable with attendance, so that’s been a bit of an adjustment.

4th hour is my other MTSS hour. I helped a student with a Newsela assignment.

Then, I had lunch and a 30 minute meeting.

My last two classes of the day are my Advanced English 1 and Co-teach English 1. Those classes went to the library as well.

When the librarian told me when she was available, I jumped at the Monday availability because it was nice to start the week that way with something different for my students to do.

After school, my kids came to my room, and we left pretty much immediately because we had a busy evening.

As soon as a I got home, I saw that Amazon had delivered my new garden flag. It was the perfect addition to the front yard, so I put it out immediately.

Then, I went inside and made Hadley a quesadilla before I had to take her to her scrimmage.

I put meatballs in the slow cooker for dinner later. When I know we won’t eat until late, I prefer to put food in the slow cooker later rather than have it sit all day. I made Shay’s meatballs and rice.

Then, I changed my clothes. I always change out of school clothes as soon as possible! I have this over-sized t-shirt in a couple of colors, and I love it.

I picked up two of Hadley’s friends, and dropped them off at the school where they had three scrimmage games.

I came home for about thirty minutes and had a snack and did my Bible study.

My favorite snack lately is a bowl of Honey Nut Cheerios. It just hits the spot!

Then, I went to Hadley’s games. They played at 5:30, 6:30 and 7:30, but of course the games were running late…

…so a soft pretzel became my dinner!

Once we got home around 9, I helped Hayden study for his Biology test the next day. My kids hate it, but I tell them note cards are the way to go. Yes, it’s true…kids don’t know how to study. I tried to stay awake while talking about homeostasis!

I watched a few minutes of baseball…

…before mustering the energy to take a shower…and then it was time for my PM skincare routine. One of my friends sells Mary Kay, and for my birthday this year, she gave me this Retinol. I use it Monday, Wednesday and Fridays, and I love it.

After my skincare, I brushed my teeth and got ready for bed. The kids came in to tell me goodnight as I was reading my Kindle.

Then, it was lights out at 10:20. I was tired!

So, that’s a peek a relatively normal day for me. If Hadley doesn’t have a game, she still has practice, as does Hayden…but at least I get home a little earlier on those evenings.

Thanks for following along,