Well, this is the second month that I thought I’d post my Prime Purchases on the first Monday of the month like usual, but then never had time to hit “publish.” So, today, I’m sharing my Amazon purchases from January.
I’d seen this vest floating around in my Instagram ads, and finally purchased it when the weather was cold and snowy! I’ve worn it quite a few times, and I like that it’s heavy enough to keep me warm, but it doesn’t make me hot. I’ve also worn it in place of a coat which has been nice…especially when running errands or sitting at a volleyball tournament.
With my dry skin, I added this “honey milk” to my skincare routine. It’s been a nice dose of hydration before I put on my serum!
I ordered this Touchland pack with two hand sanitizers and one case. ‘Tis the season for all the germs, so I wanted to ramp up my hand sanitizing. I keep one in my desk drawer and then one, with the case, in my purse.
Both of these scents are so nice!
I replaced the Bento boxes I got in December as a gift because the lids wouldn’t stay on. These have been perfect…the compartments are just the right size, and the lids stay securely fastened!
I always use very subtle eye shadow, and I wanted to try this liquid eye shadow. I love it! This is such a pretty color and the application is easy. I’ve noticed that the eye shadow stays on a lot longer too.
When I’m not wearing these sunglasses, I’m wearing these black ones. Well, I misplaced them, so when I went to re-order them, I got the two pack. I love these light-weight sunglasses.
Travis heard me fussing and cussing a bit about the mess I was making trying to drain the cooked ground beef. He heard my cries, and ordered this clip on strainer! It’s been the perfect solution!
Hadley had a couple of orders this month including these hair clips…
…and this “octobuddy” for her phone. I knew these existed as a way to mount your phone, but I didn’t think about sticking things to the little octo feet. Now, I’ve noticed the teens sticking their Air Pods or debit cards to their phones this way. Such a cool little invention…
So, those were my purchases this month! What have you “Primed” lately?
{This post contains Amazon Affiliate links. Thanks for supporting my blog.}
Hello and TGIF! Happy last day of January. It’s felt like the longest month.
Y’all, only a few hours stand between us and the weekend, and I’m grateful to have made it through this five day week. It’s been a minute since we’ve logged a full week of school thanks to winter break and the weather.
As always, I’m linking up with Andrea and Erika for this week’s Friday Favorites.
…to share my…
One of my favorite posts to write at the end of the year is when I take a look back on the year. While I will still probably write that post, I thought it would be fun to share the highlights of each month.
My goal is to share four to five moments rather than a laundry list of all that we did in a month.
Since these are some of my favorite moments from the month, I’m still on track with a Friday favorites post.
1. SnOMG
First of all…SnOMG! We got snow and ice on January 5th, and there’s still some snow in some spots. Well, it will be gone today thanks to the rain we’ve been getting.
We had one week of traditional snow days. Then, we had three NTI (non-traditional instruction) days before finally going back to school on Thursday, January 16th. The following week, we had another NTI day due to the below zero temps.
The snow was so pretty, but I’m also appreciating the warmer temps now.
2. Reformer Pilates
Thanks to the snow days, I was able to go to a few Reformer Pilates classes. I think I’ve been to five now, and each one is different! I really enjoy this workout, and I hope to do it when I can…especially in the summer when the class times align more with my schedule.
3. My Birthday
I celebrated my birthday…on a snow day! I’ve never had a snow day birthday in all my 23 years teaching. Since it was an NTI day, I was able to go to a Pilates class, grab a Starbucks and then head home for my Zoom meeting.
We went out to dinner, and then had a Bundt cake for dessert.
4. Volleyball
Hadley started her club volleyball season a couple of weeks ago. Her team made it to the gold bracket in their first tournamnet, and had lots of fun playing!
5. KC Chiefs
To round out the month, the KC Chiefs beat the Buffalo Bills in a nail-biter AFC Championship game last Sunday. It was such a good game, and we’re looking forward to the Super Bowl!
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The news of the DC plane crash is so heartbreaking, and I can’t imagine what those families and communities are going through. Life can change in an instant.
I hope to share this post on the last day of every month…just a way to be grateful to the moments each month, both big and small.
My kids and I are chugging along on this five day school week. It’s been a major reality adjustment.
I’m linking up with Patty and Holly for the first Monthly Musings of 2025.
This month’s topic is…winter self-care.
1. What do you do to stay warm in winter?
Stay inside! haha
Truly, thankfully, if it is really cold, I don’t usually have to go anywhere. I never wear socks in the house, but if I’m cold, I will wear some fuzzy socks.
Even with our really cold temps last week, we never turned on our fireplace, but we usually do.
Of course, I’ll dress in layers. As soon as I get home from school, I put on a cozy sweatshirt.
We seem to have more downtime in January and February which means I get more time to catch up on my shows or watch movies.
I always love having a bit more time to read.
3. Any different beauty routines in the winter?
During the winter, I tend to have very dry skin which means I get out any of my favorite body butters.
Right now, I’m using the candy cane one from Trader Joe’s.
I always use lotion after a shower or for dry skin, but when my skin feels dry and itchy, body butter is the best way for me to combat that.
4. Skating, sledding or skiing?
I think I’ve been skiing once, and it was in high school. Growing up, we’d ice skate occasionally at Crown Center. Sledding is fun, but now that the kids are older, they do that on their own.
For years, we’d go tubing with friends at a place outside of Cincinnati, and that was always really fun!
5. Favorite winter recipes?
Chili and soups are my favorite recipes to make. Pasta recipes are cozy, but I will make pasta dishes all year, but I don’t make chili or soups outside of fall and winter.
There’s nothing better than a hot cup of coffee on a cold morning, and while I don’t usually eat breakfast, a warm breakfast, like an English muffin or waffle will hit the spot.
7. Best winter memories?
Snow days! ….and sledding down my front yard hill.
8. Coldest day that you remember?
I know we’ve had colder days in the past, but we hit negative windchill for the first time this year last week, and it was pretty cold. Homer sometimes refuses to go down the back stairs if there’s snow or ice on the stairs or the ground. Even when we clear the steps off for him, he seems to remember that there used to be snow/ice on those steps! Anyway, for a stretch of about four days, we had to take him out on a leash a few times in the front yard…and then, he decided he needed walked around the block to find the “perfect spot.” Ohh…it was cold taking him on that lap around the neighborhood for a few days.
9. How are you practicing self-care this winter?
Honestly, I’m usually in a pretty good head space in January and February. Those months, especially January, feel like one big deep breath after the hustle and bustle of December.
So having a bit of extra downtime during those months is a nice part of my self-care. I still stick with a routine of my morning “me time.” Even when we had our stretch of time off for the snow and cold temps, I made sure to make my bed, do skincare and shower, get dressed (even if it was just leggings and a sweatshirt), and even put a little bit of make up on. Even as the days ran together, it was good to keep a routine.
10. Flannel sheets…yes or no?
I like them, but we don’t have any on our bed. For Christmas, my mom got Hadley these cute penguin flannel sheets.
Hadley already loves lounging in her bed. Now, she’s extra cozy. That’s a blessing and a curse!
As much as I love all the months, and I certainly appreciate a snow day, mentally, it does end up taking a toll on us, and we are better when we are in a routine and out of the house!
Well, as January wraps up, I’m sharing my first reading recap of 2025. I started the year off reading four books!
It was a strong start to the year reading a little bit of everything… historical fiction, memoir, fiction: romance and holiday.
{As always, book summaries are from Goodreads…}
Lilac Girls:
Summary:
Inspired by the life of a real World War II heroine, this powerful debut novel reveals an incredible story of love, redemption, and terrible secrets that were hidden for decades.
On the eve of a fateful war, New York socialite Caroline Ferriday has her hands full with her post at the French consulate and a new love on the horizon. But Caroline’s world is forever changed when Hitler’s army invades Poland in September 1939—and then sets its sights on France.
An ocean away from Caroline, Kasia Kuzmerick, a Polish teenager, senses her carefree youth disappearing as she sinks deeper into her role as courier for the underground resistance movement. In a tense atmosphere of watchful eyes and suspect neighbors, one false move can have dire consequences.
For ambitious young German doctor, Herta Oberheuser, an ad for a government medical position seems her ticket out of a desolate life. But, once hired, she finds herself trapped in a male-dominated realm of Nazi secrets and power.
The lives of these three women are set on a collision course when the unthinkable happens and Kasia is sent to Ravensbrück, the notorious female-only Nazi concentration camp. The tragedy and triumph of their stories cross continents—from New York to Paris, and Germany to Poland—capturing the indomitable pull of compassion to bring justice to those whom history has forgotten.
Quick Thoughts:
This book popped up on Facebook as a book to buy, but I borrowed it from the library. This book was long with some parts that were difficult to read. There were three parts of the book, and the meaning behind the title was fitting for the girls. This is based on a true story, and I thought the author’s note was insightful and interesting.
Rating:
The Stories We Tell:
Summary:
We all have a story to tell. This happens to be mine—every chapter a window into who I am, the journey I’m on, and the season I’m in right now. But this book is an invitation to capture the full picture of your own life with renewed clarity. To see your story as greater than any past or future thing, but for all the beauty and joy it holds today. It’s an invitation to a kind of life where you know how to hold what you believe—about yourself and the quiet worlds behind the people you pass—with gracious and open hands. To slow your feet and steady your life-in-motion so you can see where you stand today from a new point of view. No longer through weary or uncertain eyes, but a lens brimming with hope.
Because this is my story, maybe you won’t always relate, or maybe it will feel like you’re looking in a mirror. Whatever we have in common and whatever differences lie between us, I only hope my story can help shine a light on the beauty of yours. That my own soul work will stir something of your own. And that by the time you get to the end of my story, you’re also holding the beautiful beginnings of your own.
A story only you can tell. And I hope that you will.
Quick Thoughts:
I still love listening to memoirs, and this one was a good one. I did feel like it was more of life lessons than stories. I just mean Joanna would share a brief story and then follow up with lots of thoughts and lessons learned or how that experience shaped her. Her life is interesting, and I just felt like I didn’t walk away from the book knowing her as much as when others write memoirs.
Rating:
The Match:
Summary:
Sometimes, love finds you when you least expect it…
Having worked for Southern Service Paws for a few years now, I like to think I’m prepared for just about any client meeting under the sun. I am dead wrong.
The day I meet with single dad, Jacob Broaden, about potentially matching his daughter with one of our service dogs, I learn a few valuable lessons.
1) Always set my alarm clock. 2) Single dads are way hotter than I previously thought. 3) It is possible to go from fantasizing about kissing someone to wishing they would be run over by a truck in a matter of two minutes.
Unfortunately, I don’t hold that opinion of him for very long. Not when he shows me a different side of himself—one that’s sweet as maple syrup and hot as apple pie fresh out of the oven. And after a few days of working closely with him and his daughter, he starts looking at me with fire in his eyes, making me dream of something I probably shouldn’t… A family.
Quick Thoughts:
This was a nice pretty light read. The plot centering around service dogs was sweet, but obviously seizures are a more serious component to the plot. I liked that the main character met a single dad, and his daughter was a sweet part of the story.
Rating:
One Big Happy Family:
Summary:
Please don’t come home for Christmas…
Julie Parker’s kids are her greatest gift. Still, she’s not exactly heartbroken when they ask to skip a big Christmas. Her son, Nick, is taking a belated honeymoon with his bride, Blair, while her daughter, Dana, will purge every reminder of the guy who dumped her. Again. Julie feels practically giddy for one-on-one holiday time with Heath, the (much) younger man she’s secretly dating.
But her plans go from cozy to chaotic when Nick and Dana plead for Christmas at the family cabin in memory of their late father, Julie’s ex. She can’t refuse, even though she dreads their reactions to her new man when they realize she’s been hiding him for months.
As the guest list grows in surprising ways, from Blair’s estranged mom to Heath’s precocious children, Julie’s secret is one of many to be unwrapped. Over this delightfully complicated and very funny Christmas, she’ll discover that more really is merrier, and that a big, happy family can become bigger and happier, if they let go of old hurts and open their hearts to love.
Quick Thoughts:
So, I usually don’t read Christmas/holiday themed books after December, but I’d looked this one up on Goodreads, and by accident I marked it as “currently reading.” Well, I couldn’t figure out how to undo that, and I didn’t want to mess up my book count, so when the book became available, I read it. I’ve read other books by Mallery, but this one wasn’t my favorite. It was long, and I just felt like there were some details that didn’t need to be included…or repeated. For example, I don’t think I need to read about “IBS” more than once!
I did love the premise of the extended family plus friends at the family cabin for Christmas. Of course, with lots of personalities and family history, there’s bound to be lots going on!
Rating:
I’m happy to have started the year off with some solid reads.
Well, it just dawned on me that I haven’t been in the school building on a Monday in six weeks! Thanks to our winter break, crazy weather, and MLK day last Monday, it’s been quite some time since I’ve had the “Sunday scaries” haha!
This looks to be a five day week, and while I’m sure I will be exhausted by Friday, it will be good for us to get in a solid routine!
This is the last week of January, so I’m sharing some of my favorite memes from the month.
The first few memes are winter related for sure…
While January is one of my favorite months, this meme definitely rings true:
We’ll *finally* crack the 40’s this week which will hopefully melt the rest of this snow!
Speaking of the cold…sometimes I did feel like hibernating when the wind-chill was below zero!
‘Tis the season for resolutions…
My family can always agree to go to one of our favorite Mexican restaurants for dinner.
I’m always ready for bed…especially in the winter months.
Travis took my car for me to get it cleaned this weekend because we needed to get the snow/salt off of it. The inside of my car was fine, so I just needed to get the outside clean. I hate going through the do it yourself car wash. I always panic trying to get the wheels lined up just right and second guess myself when I shift to neutral. I’m grateful he did that task for me.
I share an Advisory class with a math teacher, and I always show him these math memes. I’m an English teacher for a reason!
I hope you have a great start to your week!
We’re still celebrating the nail biting Chiefs AFC champion win last night!
Well, another Friday post after another odd week for us. We had a three day weekend, and then an NTI day on Wednesday due to the frigid temps. Next week, it looks to be in the 40’s, so we’ll feel like it’s a heat wave.
As always, I’m linking up with Andrea and Erika for this week’s Friday Favorites.
I’m keeping my favorites short and sweet this week….
To start, I loved having a three day weekend….and then one snow day! Well, it was an NTI day, but since we knew ahead of time, at least I didn’t have to set my alarm. Next week looks like it will be warmer, so I’m guessing we’ll have our first five day school week since December 16-20.
Last weekend, Hadley’s club volleyball team kicked off their season!
Hadley was excited to get her #14 jersey…that’s her favorite number. Mine too! She’s playing Libero again for her team.
They made it to the gold bracket which is great for their first tournament.
I ordered a new set (different brand) of Bento boxes for my lunches since the other set I ordered the lids wouldn’t stay secure. Anyway, this new set has been working perfectly.
I’m loving my new lunch tote which was a gift suggestion I gave to my mother-in-law. It’s so roomy, and has a side pocket and then another side pocket that zips. It comes in a variety of colors and patterns, and I’m loving the leopard.
I have quite a few of Shay’s cookbooks, but I’d never made her Chicken Sausage Pastarecipe. I made it for dinner this week, and I thought it was delish.
Favorite Kid Quote:
I walked in the kitchen last night, and Hayden was on his computer. I asked him what he was doing (meaning – what was he working on?), and he said, “I plead the fifth!” I chuckled…and immediately texted his Government teacher. haha
What are your weekend plans? I have a friend (and her family) coming in town tonight. On Sunday, I’m cashing in one of my Christmas presents…a massage at a spa! Then, we’ll be cheering on the KC Chiefs!
I like sharing Enneagram posts, and @the.freckled.home on Instagram had some goal setting and words for the new year posts based on Enneagram types.
It’s hard to believe that we only have one week of January left. So, I’m taking a look at these before this first month of the year is in the rear view mirror!
I’m not a big goal setter for January, but I did have one goal which was to get back to working out. I figure if I have one thing to focus on, I’m more likely to be successful!
In the new year, I’ve completed 17 workouts in 22 days. I have done a really good job of getting workouts in most days which was a main goal, and I’ve enjoyed doing a variety of things: walking, elliptical, Pilates, and weights.
I’m a 5w6 in the Enneagram world, so these posts were fun to look at.
2025 Goal Setting:
Goal Ideas for 5’s:
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Set reading goals: Yes! I’ve set a goal of reading 40 books this year. While I’ve fell short of that goal the past two years, maybe this will be the year I accomplish that goal again.
Monthly home minimalizing: Well, you’re talking to the girl who still has her skinny Christmas tree up in her bedroom! I just love the glow at night! I am going to take it down today. That being said, there’s nothing like putting away the clutter of Christmas. I do love having all my regular decor out.
Daily screen free time: I’m sure I’m on my phone the average amount of time, but I also do read my Kindle…that’s a different kind of screen time. One thing I’ve done in January, is do a word search every day. One of my stocking stuffers was a daily calendar with word searches. I love a word search!
Hike more: No ma’am.
Create a new nightly routine: My nightly routine does vary more than my morning one. That being said, I’m pretty consistent with showering, skincare, reading, and going to bed at a decent time. Of course, some nights I stay up later, or I will watch a show instead of read a book.
Goal Ideas for 6’s:
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Try new quick workouts: Well, it looks like I’m off to a great start! I’ve been to a few Reformer Pilates classes lately, and I really have been enjoying them.
Make it through a whole planner: The only paper planner I use is my lesson plan book, and I always make it through that.
Create a morning routine: I think my morning routine is pretty good. As a matter of fact, I’ve done a really good job being on time to school this year. Not that I’ve been really late in the past, but I was always pushing it to be there on time. This year, I’ve started getting up ten minutes earlier, and I’ve also set an alarm on my phone for 6:45, so I quit sipping my coffee and get up and moving to get ready for school. Now, I leave around 7:30 instead of 7:45.
Connect with online friends: That’s what I do with you all, my blog fam!
Create a water goal: I’ve been pretty good at being consistent at drinking water for quite some time. I’ve had this tumbler for a year and a half, and I don’t leave home without it. I drink at least two tumblers of water a day. It comes in so many colors and patterns. Y’all, look how cute this heart one is!
2025 Words of the Year:
Thanks to our NYE progressive dinner tradition, I start the year with a few words in mind:
Ennegram 5 words for the new year:
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Of the words for 5, better, growth, and balanced popped out to me. I’m always trying to do better while growing and finding balance in my life.
Enneagram 6 words for the new year:
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For the words for 6, content caught my attention. I do feel very content with my life. We’re in a great phase of life with the kids, they’ve adjusted to high school, and Trav and I both enjoy our work. I want to continue to create, which for me, is writing blog posts. I’m a very driven person, but sometimes I don’t feel that way. I guess we all go through “funks” sometimes. I will say that I’ve really enjoyed having a few classes this year, and I’m very driven when planning lessons for them and adjusting to our new curriculum.
As always, the Enneagram topic is always interesting to me…and I love seeing how it applies to a variety of topics like goals and words of the year!
Well, we made it to school one day this week, and today we’re home due to the cold temps. I’m optimistic we’ll be back to school to finish out the week, but it’s been hard getting into a routine!
It’s my first Hodgepode of 2025 and I’m linking up with Joyce to share my answers to her fun prompts.
1. What’s a winter memory you treasure (can be from any winter in your lifetime?)
I have a January birthday, so of course there’s always a chance of snow. I can’t remember which elementary age birthday it was, but the plan for my party was to go to Show Biz Pizza. Well, we got a ton of snow, so we changed the party to a sledding party. The house I grew up in until 7th grade sat on top of a big hill, so it was perfect for sledding.
I hope my kids always remember the fun they have had sledding with friends on snow days and the snowman pancakes that I make for the first snow day of the year.
2. Tell us about the last time or recent time you were caught up in red tape.
What does this mean? Well, actually I Googled it, and I get it, but I don’t know that I have dealt with any red tape recently. We did complete my health insurance for the kids and me, and while it doesn’t really change year to year, the amount of flex spending we choose does. For example, we always took out more when the kids had braces. Anyway, I guess when Travis submitted it, he didn’t change the amount. We applied to take out less, but they denied our request.
I hate dealing with things like mortgages, health insurance, etc., so I appreciate that Travis takes care of that! I hate to even book a hotel room on my own!…like what if there was a better rate that I missed?!?!
3. Do you eat/like fish? Do you cook fish at home? What’s your favorite fish dish? Ever been ice fishing?
I do like fish, but I’d say the fish I eat the most is sushi.
Hadley’s favorite fish is salmon, and it’s about the only fish I cook at home. We actually don’t eat it as much as we used to. What I like about the salmon at Kroger is that the butcher will put it in aluminium foil packing and add in spices and herbs. I always get butter and parsley or rosemary in the package. Then, it’s easy to cook and throw away.
Growing up, my aunt made a delicious clam pasta that I loved. My mom got the recipe and would make it occasionally. I might have the recipe in my recipe box, but I don’t think I’ve ever made it. I haven’t had it in years.
I’ve definitely never been ice fishing, but I feel like I live in Alaska with these freezing temps we’ve been having!
4. Did you watch any of the US President’s Inauguration coverage on Monday, Jan. 20? On a scale of 1-10, how interested are you in politics in general? Do you follow local politics?
Since we were home from school on Monday, the TV was on most of the day, so I heard bits and pieces of the commentary. I saw the clip of Carrie Underwood singing America the Beautiful, and I thought she did an amazing job. I did like seeing what people wore and who was there. I thought the First Lady looked stunning in her black and white dress during the dance with President Trump. I only saw clips of these moments thanks to the news and Twitter.
On a scale of 1-10, I’m probably a four when it comes to politics. I’ve just shamed my family, I’m sure! I will be hearing from my dad and my brother. haha
I follow local politics like what’s going on in Lexington and in Kentucky. I actually taught at the same school as our Lt. Governor for a few years, and I trust her and the governor and appreciate their focus on education.
5. What’s the coziest thing you own and what makes it so?
Right now, I’ve been loving this fuzzy fleece vest. I got it a few weeks ago, and have worn it a few times already, including yesterday to school. It was on sale when I bought it, but it’s very cozy and easy to wear with leggings, jeans, or pants.
6. Insert your own random thought here.
On Sunday, I hadn’t placed my Kroger order yet, so I went to Aldi and then to Kroger for a few things. On a whim, I decided to make an easy dinner of Hamburger Helper…which I haven’t had in probably a decade…and my kids turned their nose up to it! Here I was trying to go easy on myself, but apparently I’ve spoiled them with my fabulous meals through the years.
At Aldi, I was pleasantly surprised with my haul. It had been quite some time since I’d been there, and I spent about $50 picking up a few odds and ends.
A couple of faves…
I usually get my little plants at Trader Joe’s, but I bought this little guy for my classroom.
These iced mini oatmeal cookies are the absolute best! I actually keep them on a shelf in the basement, so I’m forced to pace myself with these things! I threw one in my lunch bag yesterday, and it was the perfect afternoon treat.
‘Tis the season for winter weather! In the past few weeks, we’ve had a little bit of everything – ice, sleet, snow, and frigid temps. Today and tomorrow are to be the coldest days of winter so far.
All of the snow days got me thinking about snow days through the years!
When I was a kid I don’t really remember having tons of snow days, and I also don’t remember how we were notified. My mom was a teacher, so I’m sure she would find out and let us know. I assume those snow days were reported on the news and would run across the bottom of the screen….I do remember that in high school.
My first year teaching, there was a school phone tree, and I did get a few phone calls for snow days, and then I’d call the next number on the list!
When I moved to Kentucky, my first year here was the 2004-2005 school year, and we didn’t have a snow day until late February or early March. I remember asking Travis if it snowed here! haha
For most of my earlier years in Kentucky, we’d get an automated phone call and probably an email. For twelve years, I taught in a more rural county, and we would miss more days than the city schools like Lexington where we live. I do remember waking up some mornings and checking the local news to see if we had school or not.
We would also rarely have those days forgiven and would have to make them up. In 2014, we had probably fifteen snow days. To alleviate some of the time we’d have to make up, we added twenty minutes to the school day after spring break. The students made up a couple of days at the end, but the teachers were in school until mid-June! No ma’am! I remember being so annoyed…making up our time for two weeks after the students got out.
The following year, my district applied for NTI (non-traditional instruction) days. This was kind of a new idea although there were even more rural/mountain towns who had been using NTI. For NTI, we gave out packets with ten days worth of work. At this time, students didn’t have Chromebooks. So, students knew to complete the assignment(s) on the days we had off. Once we returned to school, students had three days to complete and turn in the assignment for their attendance to be counted for those NTI days. Honestly, it worked fairly well, and even like what I do now, I incorporated grammar, short reading comprehension passages, etc. So, it was work we would have done in class anyway, but I saved it for NTI. On those NTI days, we were expected to work from home, and we’d fill out a time sheet with what we worked on.
It’s crazy to think out “antiquated” this process seems compared to what we do now although there are still some similarities.
In my county, NTI days started after Covid. We truly never thought we’d ever be 1:1 with technology with the number of students we have in our district and the various demographics that we have of our student populations. During Covid, our county was out for almost a year, so we all became very acclimated with Zoom and online assignments.
Not only do these kids not have to wait for the school name to scroll on the bottom of the TV screen (although it still does when we don’t have school), they can also find out via social media, sometimes quicker than I know!
As parents, we get a text message and an email…sometimes, we receive a phone call. I hate the phone calls at 5 am! As teachers, we get an email and a text.
For NTI now, we post assignments to Canvas, and have two hours where we are expected to be on Zoom in case a student has a question or needs help with their work. The district assigned the time frames and elementary have earlier Zoom hours, middle school is around lunch and high school have the later afternoon shift.
I take attendance based on who has completed the assignment by the end of the day. If a student turns in the assignment the following day, I will change their attendance from absent to present. Once we get back to school, students have three days to turn in the assignment just like how we did at my former district.
I assign work similarly to how I did when students had packets, but now I use IXL to assign grammar and Newsela to assign reading passages. I will also assign videos that have to do with what we’re learning and have students complete a 3-2-1 (which varies)assignment. For example, they will submit three facts from the videos, two questions they have and make one connection.
Last week, when we finally went back to school on Thursday, I did start class as if it was the first day of the semester. We went over classroom expectations, but then I gave them a work day on the three NTI assignments. I found that about 90% of my students completed their first NTI assignment the day it was assigned, but then that dwindled to about 50% of students completing the third NTI assignment. Since we hadn’t had in person school in almost a month, I figured we could all ease into the semester.
That being said, I did tell my classes now that we’ve discussed NTI expectations, if we’re out one day, then I’m not giving them a work day when we return. If we’re out an extended amount of time, that’s different.
I also told my students if we’re out this week, we have to wrap up To Kill a Mockingbird, so I’ll upload the PDF of the chapters we need to read and give them an assignment.
I feel like what we make up year to year is different. I do think my district goes five days more than we need to, so students don’t always have to make up every day. We have a day in March that’s always marked as a day to use if needed. Before NTI, we also would add days to the end of the school year, but I hope that’s not the case this year.
If the governor declares a state of emergency, which he did after our recent snow/ice storm, we can apply for up to ten days to forgive.
That being said, of course, teachers have to make up their work days. Often times, we’re able to “flex” our time if it’s just a few days. We fill out the flex form with any work/meetings that we do outside of our contract hours. My former district didn’t do that, but I appreciate that my district does have that as an option for at least a few days.
Once winter is over, the school board makes these decisions for students and for teachers.
Unpopular opinion — but I love a snow day…but I also love to get back into a routine…which has proven hard to do lately! There hasn’t been a school year in my teaching career that we haven’t had a least one snow day.
Well, this was a different kind of week for us…three NTI days and then two days back to school. Yesterday, was a good day, but I’m tired! It kind of felt like the actual first day of school.
As always, I’m linking up with Andrea and Erika for this week’s Friday Favorites.
This week was basically about my birthday. If you know me, then you know that’s really “on brand” for me….as I always look forward to my birthday. haha
But, really –with all the snow days and the kids just in the practice phase of their sports right now, we didn’t have a ton going on. It was a good week though.
A few days before my birthday, we went to Jeff Ruby’s for a family dinner.
Jeff Ruby’s went all out for my birthday…just look at the menu! haha
We’ve been to this restaurant a few times, and I usually get sushi whereas Trav and the kids usually order steak. The sushi was delish.
Then, it was time for dessert. Jeff Ruby’s doing the most…
I didn’t want any attention, and out walks our server with my dessert on fire! At least no one sang to me!
We also ordered cheese cake and a gooey butter cake as well to share around the table. For special occasions, the server takes your picture, prints it out and gives it to you as a keepsake.
This one is a keeper:
On my actual birthday, we had a snow day. In 23 years as a teacher, I’ve never had a snow day on my birthday. That morning, I went to Pilates class and then picked up my free Starbucks. I got an email for a free Jimmy John’s birthday sandwich, so since we were home for the snow day, that’s what we had for lunch.
(BTW: I’m sure both of these freebies have a time frame in which to cash in…I just had the time to do so on Tuesday)
After dinner, Trav and the kids gave me flowers and a card…and bubble letters on the card, of course.
Then, it was cake time! Bundt cake for my birthday! It was delish.
Wednesday morning, I picked up another Starbucks (I’m loving the cold brew with peppermint foam) and had a slice of cake for a late breakfast. This is one of my traditions (if we have cake leftover. haha)
Yesterday, was back to school. I packed my lunch in my new containers that I got as a Christmas gift. These were my suggestion to Trav’s mom as she needed some ideas, but now that I’m using them…the lid only seems to snap on/stay secure on one side…which is a bummer. I will give them another try, but I might have to find a different brand on Amazon.
My lunch was perfect…and I was able to take one of my favorite things…a “snack plate” lunch to take to school.
I still love sharing what I’m reading on my Instagram account. When I started making the book trackers last year, I only had a couple for January and February, so I made a couple new ones to add to my Instagram highlight.
Well, we were back to school for two days, and now we have a three day weekend. It’s hard to get in a groove lately, but I will take the extra day of rest!
showmeandsweettea.com 