School's out for SUMMA......officially!!

At the very end of the school year, as I came thru the doors at 7:30, coffee in hand....BUT NOT CONSUMED YET...(that is the key part), I was asked if I would teach summer school.  In my sleepy stooper, I agree.  Although some days I am like a zombie walking, today is the last day, and I have to say, it flew by.

The last three weeks have been jammed packed with small group instruction, skill specific instruction, and guided reading groups.  Summer school sure is quite a bit different than the regular school year....10 kids... AWESOME! :)  Although at 6 a.m. the last 3 weeks I have been mentally quizzing myself on WHY I agreed to do this, eventually throughout the day....the small class size, the four days a week, the getting out of school at noon thing, my attitude perks up and I realize that it is actually pretty awesome and very beneficial to the kids!  It's been quite nice....and maybe when I get that extra check I can buy those Chevron Curtains that I've been eyeing for months and really get started buying materials and supplies for the school year and all of my DIY projects that I have in mind.  I have found quite a few wonderful resources this summer though as far as materials that I plan to use for next year.  One thing that I REALLY liked is the listening center.  I tried it a bit last year, but I never could get it right....I think I have it figured out now.  So hopefully that is something that I will be incorporating into my classroom next year. 

On a side note....I am SO ready to get started putting together my teacher binder for the 2013-2014 school year.... I found the perfect one for my OCD needs on TpT and the organizer in me is chomping at the bit to get started.  Last year being my first year, I felt like I did a LOT of surviving, making it through, not sinking....but not exactly SUCCEEDING.  So that is my top priority this year...to be extremely organized so that my students and I can succeed.  Most of my co-teachers would say that I am over the top organized, because I do not like clutter, but if they really knew that last year was really a disaster in the grand scheme of my real OCD-ness, they would know that I was a hot mess!! ;)

We are having game day and making homemade ice cream in a baggie today then we're outta here....HELLO SUMMER! Have a great weekend, ya'll! :)

xo-C

All about ME..... :)

Okay, first off, I guess I should tell yall a little about myself.  My name is Caroline Hudgens and I am a "barely survived, just trying to keep from sinking" teacher who just finished up my first year.  I am also that teacher that, even though I am SO thankful for my college experience, learned that college does not quite prepare you for the teaching world that you are thrown into when you decide to teach.  There was quite a bit of "figuring it out as I go" this year.  I am 25 years old and live in the great state of Texas.  I live in the same small town that I was born and raised in, went to school in my entire life, that most of my memories come from, and that I now teach in :)  I taught preschool for four and a half years while I was attending college.  I student taught in 5th grade in my hometown and and after I graduated I was hired to teach 3rd grade in my hometown as well....  Are you seeing a trend here?? I seem like quite the "hometown girl" right... HA!  There is a reason that I've never left this tiny little population of 2000 town, and I'll get to that momentarily.  :) It was a bit of a rough transition for me to go from those sweet babies with snotty noses and untied shoes to the back talking, attitude slinging, sassy 8 year olds, and I will be honest, I had a FEW meltdown's along the way.... I am not proud of that, but HEY, we are all human right?? On the days that I felt like I couldn't handle it, there was always coffee, Diet Dr. Pepper (I know, I know), and a fresh pack of 64 crayola crayons with the built in sharpener waiting on me at home to help pull me thru... Don't judge, we all have our vices :) Although it was a bit hard on me at first, bu the end of the year, I had come to realize that, they became my heart.  I feel like someone upstairs had quite the hand in placing me where I would flourish.  I truly feel those kids saved me.  They gave me meaning and purpose.  I miss them something kind of crazy! 

Now... to expand on the topic of why I have chosen to stay in this little bity teeny tiny town... There are many reasons why I love this place, and a lot of that has to do with comfort, stability, and just plain habit.  But the people here rock, too!  BUT the main reason that I chose to be here, more than anywhere else in the whole world is these 3 little kids. 

They pretty much rock my face off, daily! When I think of my life without them, I couldnt bear it! :) btw, I'm just the aunt...not the mom!  They have an amazing mom and dad that just happen to let me spoil them rotten basically every day.  LOVE LOVE LOVE!!!

Now... for you to really grasp my life, you'll need to meet my four, four legged children.  But that will absolutely have to be a post all in itself, because I am quite obsessed with my little babies!  Here's a glimpse.... Post more tomorrow! :)

PJ ;)....The sass...

Presley...The princess :)

Parker...the lover :)

Piper...the DIVA!! :)

Clearly I am not quite an expert yet at this whole blog thing....but hang with me! :) More to come...

xo-C