TpT Seller Challenge WEEK 2: Dare to Dream

I'm linking with Sparkling in Second, Teach Create Motivate, Third in Hollywood, and the Peppy Zesty Teacherista for Week 2 of the TpT Seller Challenge: Dare to Dream!  What a fantastic idea!!! In this week's challenge, we are asked to blog about our hopes and dreams for our TpT Store. (Last week was a product makeover challenge.  Since we just ended school Thursday and I am still packing my room, there just hasn’t been enough time in the day . Maybe next week!) Here are my hopes and dreams:

1. My Doctorate!  - Yes, I am almost there!!!  I have been committed to doing this in the most sane way possible. The tuition bills are pretty big, but so far my very sllllooooowwww progress has helped this to work!  I would love to be able to put some of my TPT money towards this life goal.

2. My Little House – My husband and I have lived in our little house for 13 years this fall.  We have paid down half of our loan (ugh! That interest!) and ideally, I would love to put more funds towards that.  I yearn for financial freedom!

3. Shopping Addition! – This is actually what I use most of my TPT earnings for.  I know that I have a little bit on my PayPal account and usually support other TPTers.  Occasionally, I make purchases of gently used clothing from my favorite online consignment store – ThredUp (This is my referral link: http://www.thredup.com/r/CRUBFE.  If you use it to make a purchase, we both get $10!).

My store have been a bit neglected this year.  Hopefully I will find some time this summer to make updates and add some fun new products that I have started!

Have a great one!

What Will You Be Reading This Summer?

Lori, over at Conversations in Literacy, wrote a post about what she will be readign this summer!  I am sure there are a few blog-book clubs out there, but to be honest, I just can’t keep up with them.  They usually start while I am still in school and then I feel guilty for getting behind…so I think it is best to just work at my own pace.

Here’s what I’m reading this summer:

Lucy Calkins Units of Study for 3rd Grade - My district adopted Calkins this year and it was a rough start.  These books are PACKED with lesson models and resources.  I don’t think we even scraped the surface with what we were able to try due to the sheer volume of content and change to our program.  My goal is to REALLY read through the units and block out some long-range plans

Oh, Daily 5, how I missed you this year!  I bought the second edition of the book and especially wanted to update my math system.  I have yet to read it !   I team taught this year and had a couple student teachers and a variety of other circumstances that changed how I typically do things.  I found that my classroom just didn’t work the way I wanted it to this year and my instruction and management suffered in my opinion.  I am returning to D5 next year, as I found that my classroom just didn’t “work” without having it firmly in place.  Sometimes, what works works and change is not necessary.  You live, you learn! 

I have wanted to read this book FOREVER!  I saw the author at a workshop last year and loved the premise.  It is very similar to the Calkins apporach for writing and I am excited about finding some new ideas.

This is ANOTHER book I bought this year and have not even cracked yet!  The premise is that centers are great, but what is realistic.  Again, looking forward to expanding my thinking.

These are the professional books I really want to read this summer.  I could add a dozen or so to the list, but that would stress me out, so I won’t!

Currently…Last, As Usual!

I’m linking up with Farley for the June Currently Link-Up!  It has been forever since I have posted, but I always love this link-up!

Listening – Weather has been crazy in NY this year.  We had many very hot days and it was getting really dry. Now there is a lot of rain and flooding in certain areas.  I love listening to the rain on our metal roof!  It is so comforting!  I am also into a 21 Jump Street marathon!  I remember it being on when I was a kid, but it was not exactly my kind of show.  It is corny and silly, but I am enjoying watching this  80’s throw-back!  Next up is Quantum Leap!

Loving – I have been into Bloggers and YouTubers that focus on the simple life.  Recently, there have been a few book clubs on the KonMarie Method and Loving the Home You Have.  They have inspired me to stop thinking about what I don’t have and think about the home that I do have.  There is nothing as nice as being comfortable in your own home.  I am enjoying it more and more, and am looking forward to those summer days when I can stay home allllll day!

 

Thinking – Yikes!  We have 2 1/2 more weeks of school and two days to pack our rooms.  Aaaannnnddd I may be moving classrooms again.  My choice this time!  One of my colleagues is retiring and she has an amazing room.  Hopefully I got dibs on it!  I am also taking a summer course – which means 14 weeks of content in 7 weeks – during the busiest season for teachers.  I did it last year, but am still recovering from the burnout.  Perhaps the fact that it is pass/fail and I did a lot of prep work will help!

Wanting – I am super into good-old-fashioned ice cream sandwiches lately!  I try not to eat dairy base ice cream, but these little guys are just sucking me in!  I have also been having a tough time with just wanting to stay home (I feel like one of the kids!)  Work is just such a rat race day-after-day and the stress is crazy.  Compared to my uber-zen house, the contrast is making me want to hang at home more and more.

Needing – I have been on a purging kick.  Not quite on the level of KonMarie, but getting there.  I have been purging clothes, books, personal teaching materials.  I am planning to have at least one gigantic yard sale this summer to see what I can clear out!  The space is so freeing!

Summer Lovin’ – Three weeks and I am free!  I will be doing some curriculum writing and working on my comprehensive exams this summer, but I am so looking forward to the freedom of time and the lower pace.  Can’t wait!!!

Hopefully I can get blogging again – I miss it, but my time is so limited right now.  Hope to be back soon!