Meet the Teacher

I'm linking up with Stephanie from Falling Into First to help you get to know Ms. Van Orman a little bit better.  :)

 

 I am 29 and living the dream in Arizona!  I love everything about this state - the warmth, cactuses, palm trees, pools, real Mexican food...  :)  This is my TENTH year teaching!  Can you believe it??? 

 

I'd just like to take a minute to tell my junior high and high school teachers - HA!  I did it.  I amounted to something.  You didn't think I would, but I did.  :) 

 

I taught 1st Grade for 7 years in Idaho before moving down to Arizona to my dream job - teaching 2nd Grade! 

 

 

THESE ARE A FEW OF MY FAVORITE THINGS...

 

Tumblers. Target.  Thank You Cards.  Manicures.  Pedicures.  Pools.  Tanning.  Sunshine.  Singing.  Ice-skating.  Starbucks.  Netflixing.  Flowers.  Books.  Chocolate.  Pink.  Chevron.  Traveling.  Family.  Friends.

 

IF YOU WEREN'T A TEACHER, WHAT WOULD YOU WANT TO BE?

 

I'd love to write children's books, or own a cute, little bookstore.  You know, like the one on You've Got Mail?  Adorable.

 

THREE LITTLE WORDS THAT DESCRIBE YOU.

 

Perfectionist.  Compassionate.  Fun.

 

FINISH THE SENTENCE, "__________", SAID NO TEACHER EVER!!!

 

"Oh yes!  Another inside recess!"  said no teacher EVER!!!

 

IT'S YOUR BIRTHDAY AND YOU CAN INVITE ANYONE {DEAD OR ALIVE} TO THE PARTY.  WHO ARE YOU INVITING?

 

My Family. 

I have three older brothers, three sister-in-laws, three nephews, and four nieces.  They all live in Canada and I miss them constantly! 

 

IF SOMEONE WROTE A BOOK ABOUT YOUR LIFE, WHAT WOULD BE THE TITLE?

 

Confessions of a Workaholic

 

YOU GET TO PICK ONE SUPERPOWER.  WHAT IS IT?

 

The ability to stop time.  Then maybe I'd get everything done in one day!  :) 

 

WHAT'S YOUR FAVORITE QUOTE OR SAYING?

 

From The Teacher Wife

 

IF YOU HAD TO SING ONE SONG ON AMERICAN IDOL, WHAT WOULD IT BE?

 

Don't Rain On My Parade

*And wouldn't you know, this song came on my Lea Michele Pandora station right now!*

 

ARE YOU A MORNING PERSON OR A NIGHT OWL?

 

Total morning person!!  I get pretty tired and grumpy from about 4:00 p.m. on...  :/

 

WHAT'S YOUR FAVORITE RESOURCE THAT YOU'VE CREATED IN YOUR TPT SHOP?

 

I can't pick a favorite... I love them all!  But, I especially love my newest products.

 

 

 

 

Alphabet Posters and Classroom Rules

I decided on a new classroom color scheme this year, and needed a new alphabet and classroom rules to match.  Since I couldn't find any I loved, I made my own!  I love them!

 

SHARE SOMETHING WE MIGHT NOT KNOW ABOUT YOU!

 

I may be a good teacher, but I was a poorly behaved student!  I was on a behavior plan starting in the 3rd grade.  I just couldn't keep my mouth shut!  Oh the stories my parents could tell.... but they won't.  :) 

 

On a more positive note, I toured Europe with my High School Girls Choir.  We went to England, Germany, and Scotland.  We had an amazing time and saw more castles than I knew existed!  We even sang in St. Paul's Cathedral! 

 

Go link up! 

 

 

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First Week Fun!

We survived our first week in 2nd grade! 

The first three days were a whirlwind, to say the least, but we had a great time! 

 

Meet the Teacher

 On Tuesday, I got to gather supplies and meet most of my kiddos for the first time!  It was wonderful to see all their smiling faces and gear up for the new year. 

I gave them these yummy welcome treats. 

 

Click here to grab these treat toppers. 

 

I also gave them their first homework assignment! 

 

I attached this note to a white paper bag.  They brought their bags back on the first day and we shared them throughout the week.  It was so fun to see and hear all about them.  I noticed we have quite a few baseball, hunting, fishing, and gymnastics fans!  :)

 

Day 1

On the first day of 2nd grade, I had them write their numbers to 200 (or as high as they could go) and draw their self portraits while I gathered supplies and paperwork.  

 

Our grade level aide took their first day pictures for their scrapbooks. 

 

 

Then we went on our traditional scavenger hunt and school tour.  In the past I've always done a Gingerbread Hunt Tour, to go along with the Gingerbread Man and gingersnap cookies.  But, with the new healthy foods guidelines, we had to change it up this year.  Our school theme this year is The Pink Panther.  I started to read one of our back to school books.  When I opened the book, a pink paw fell out.  It had a rhyme on the back introducing him and inviting us to find him.  Each clue led to important places and people around the school.  The last clue led back to our classroom.  Unfortunately, we didn't spot the pink panther, but he will show up another day! 

 

 

 

For our math lesson we graphed how we get home from school, and discussed the data. 

 

And we ended the day with my FAVORITE activity - Jitter Juice!  We almost had to skip this one this year, due to that stinkin' healthy foods policy.  But of course, we found a way to make it work!  Instead of the recipe Abby uses in her pack, we used sparkling apple cider.  It was a big, bubbly hit!!

 

 

Day 2

On the second day of 2nd grade I introduced them to Class Dojo.  

I'll do another post about how we use Class Dojo in our classroom another day.   

 

We made our All About Me Snapshots. 

 

 

The kiddos went on a scavenger hunt around the room answering questions about me!

 

 

For math, we made and explored rekenreks. 

To make these rekenreks, I laminated poster board, cut it apart, and punched two holes on each side.  Then I put two black pipe cleaners through the holes and taped one side down.  I had my kiddos count out 5 red and 5 white beads for the top and the same for the bottom.  Once they put their beads on, I taped the other side down.  Then, they chose a sticker and put it on the "starting position" side.  When the rekenreks were all made, I explained how to use them and then introduced the game "Fast Flash".  One person moves some beads over.  The partner has to guess the number as fast as they can.  It was a fun, quick game to become more familiar with the rekenreks.  We'll use these more next week to practice subitizing, adding, and subtracting.   

 

 

Since it was the 2nd Day of 2nd Grade, I made this fun activity for us to do. 

 

 

Day 3

To start out the third day of 2nd grade, I had them write about their favorite thing about 2nd grade so far. 

 

Then, we talked about what will make 2nd grade so special and made a "This Year Will Be Sweet" craft.

 

 

 

In the morning, we FINALLY spotted the Pink Panther!  He snuck into our classroom, waved, danced, and went on his way!  Moments later, our Principal came in, dressed in her detective gear, trying to find him.  Apparently, he snuck into school without signing in at the office.  Our Principal spent the whole day looking for him.   She didn't find him until the assembly at the end of the day.  It was great!  (Sadly, I was too slow to get any pictures of the Pink Panther or our Principal.)

 

Three days down, only 177 to go!!!  ;)

 

I used these amazing resources to get through our first week!

 

 

 

 

 

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Meet the Teacher

1. 

I’m a Canadian girl at heart!  I was born and raised in Medicine Hat, Alberta, Canada.  I moved to Idaho to go to University, and am now in Arizona teaching 2^nd grade.  My family all still lived in Canada, and I try to make it home to visit as often as I can.

 2.  (More like 1 ½)

I LOVE my family more than anything.  Sometimes I wonder why I live so far away from them, but thank goodness for facetime!  This summer we were all able to get together and spend some time camping in the mountains.  We had SO MUCH FUN!  I’m already counting the days until Christmas when I get to go back up and visit.  (Not looking forward to the snow and cold…  I've definitely adapted quickly to the warmth of Arizona!)

3. 

I still remember the first Zumba class I went to.  It was AWFUL!  I wanted to walk out so bad, but my friend didn't want to waste the $5 we spent on the class.  But it turns out, I just went to the wrong instructors!  I am now obsessed with it!  I try and go as often as I can.  I also bought the DVDs so I can dance awkwardly away in the privacy of my own home.  :)  One day I would LOVE to become a Zumba Instructor and teach a class to kiddos and adults!

4.

I was adopted as a baby.  My birth mother was only 15 and since my mom badly wanted a girl after three boys, my parents adopted me!

5. 

From the time I was five years old, I wanted to be a teacher and would play school on a big chalkboard in my basement. But even before then, I would tell my mom all kinds of stories and she would “publish” them for me. I love teaching, but being a children’s author is my dream job.  I have always loved writing poems and stories. For a few classes in college, I wrote books for the final project. I have one ready to be published right now!  Just need to get it submitted.

6. 

I started choir when I was four and continued until I graduated high school. At times I wanted to quit, but my mom wouldn't let me. I am glad she didn't, and I really miss it.  But I am so excited to be directing the Mesa Children’s Choir this year!  I’m scared spitless, but excited for the new challenge!

(If any locals are interested, it is for children 8-12 years of age.  Contact me if you are interested in joining!)

7.

I played Rugby in high school!  (I was much better than "Red Ross"!)

I loved it and wish I would've played more sports sooner!

8.

I’m an adult who loves macaroni and cheese with cut up hot dogs.

9.

My biggest talent (according to my BFF, Brittany) is that I can bust out into song at any given moment with a single word prompt.  Impressive, I know…  Ha!

10.

I am very OCD in my classroom. I am trying really hard to let things go, but I will literally take down all the pictures and re-hang them if they don’t look right. I've even used a ruler to measure and plan ahead where to put things. When I hung up our frog life cycle scene, there was about an inch of the cork board showing. The old me would've taken it all down and started over. The new me left it up! Granted it drove me nuts everyday... baby steps, people... :)

BONUS!

That's ME in 2nd Grade!  

Oh...my...word!  I'm dying!  

And so the awkward phase begins...  I wonder when it will end???

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Meet the Teacher

Thanks to a day off from school (-21 F), I had the time to link up with Cara for the Meet the Teacher Party! If you want to join in, go to her amazing blog.

First off, here’s a little about myself. If you want to know anything else, just ask. ;)

I am 26 and from Alberta, Canada. I graduated BYU-I in August of 2005 and starting teaching right away. It was a CRAZY start! I’ve taught first grade for six years now, and couldn’t imagine teaching anything else. It is by far my favorite! I just finished my Master’s in Education/Literacy in November. That was an amazing experience, but I am so happy to be finished. I divorced a little over a year ago. Now, I’m looking forward to my next adventure... I’m thinking either Arizona (for the warmth) or Canada (for my family). Two extremes, but I’d love them both!

Q and A

Q: What would you be doing if you weren’t a teacher?
I would love to be a children’s author. I have always loved writing poems and stories. For a few classes in college, I wrote books for the final project. I’m working on getting one published right now!

Q: What are your hobbies?
I LOVE:
Reading - I am so glad to have time to read for pleasure again. I just finished the Hunger Games series in less than a month! :)
Singing – I was in choir for 14 years growing up, 2 in college, and am currently looking for another one to join. I LOVE LOVE LOVE to sing! Perfect fit for first grade, right?? ;)
Shopping – I need to stop, but I may have a slight addiction.
Ice-Skating – While in Canada for Christmas, I bought some new skates and went every chance I got. So fun. One of the only things I like to do in the cold.

Q: When you were little, what did you want to be when you grew up?
I’ve always wanted to be a teacher and an author. We had a giant chalkboard, and I loved to play school with anyone who would join! My mom also told me that I used to tell her stories and she would “publish” them for me. Funny!

Q: What are your guilty pleasures?
Chocolate carmels, nibs, Glee, the Bachelor, nail polish, blogstalking

Q: What is your biggest fear?!
I am scared of so many things, it’s ridiculous. Most animals freak me out: creepy, crawling bugs, snakes, spiders, bears, cats, birds, people dressed up in costumes... you just can’t tell what they are all thinking/looking at. Too creepy.

Q: When you’re on vacation, where do you like to go?
Anywhere warm! I went on a cruise to Mexico, and that was AWESOME!

Q: What’s the best advice you’ve ever received?
It’s YOUR life. Do what YOU want.
I am too much of a people pleaser. I need to start thinking of myself for a change. And I am!

Q: What do you value most in others?
Compassion. I’ve had a few difficult experiences in the past, and have realized how important it is. I have learned that things aren’t always as they seem. You never know what is going on with someone. You never know what burdens they carry. We really have no right to judge anyone or think negatively of them. We need to make more efforts to help those around us. I am trying to find the positive in everyone and every situation. I am learning how to be more compassionate towards others.

Q: If you could choose one of your personality traits to pass down to your kids, what would it be?
My sense of humor. You gotta have that to teach silly six year olds.

Q: If you could have lunch with anyone in the world... living or dead... who would it be?
My entire family (mom, dad, three older brothers, three sister-in-laws, two nephews, two nieces, and one more on the way!). We haven’t all been together for a very long time.
I really couldn’t pick just ONE celebrity-type person. I’d want to have lunch with them all!!!

Now tell us one random thing about yourself:
I’ll tell you TWO things:

1. I am adopted. My birth mother was 15, so I was adopted as a little baby. I’m very grateful she gave me up. I have the most wonderful family!

2. I am very OCD in my classroom. I am trying really hard to let things go, but I will literally take down all the pictures and re-hang them if they don’t look right. I’ve even used a ruler to measure and plan ahead where to put things. When I hung up our frog life cycle scene (that post still to come!), There was about an inch of the wall showing. The old me would’ve taken it all down and started over. The new me left it up! Granted it drove me nuts everyday... baby steps, people... :)

Bonus: That's me in first grade!

Now it’s time for YOU to join the party!!!! Here’s what you need to do: Write a post titled “Meet The Teacher”. Start with a brief “biography” and then copy & paste the Q&A {using your answers, of course!} Copy the web address of your “Meet the Teacher” post and come back here & link up! It would be GREAT if you could visit at least 3 other teachers...get to know a little bit about your fellow bloggers...and leave a comment!!!! Don't forget to grab a button when you link up!!

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