{40 Tips for Yearbook Class}

I attended JAU this week (that stands for Jostens Advisor University).  It was 4 days of learning and connecting with other advisors in the Journalism classroom.  Part of JAU was a hands on homeroom where we had the chance to work with others on something that we could put to use in our classroom.  My group decided to share our top 5 things that "work" in our classroom.  Below is the link to the word document and I hope you find it helpful.  There's lots of good ideas on here so be sure to read through and find ones that will work in your classroom.  Until next time...

40 Tips for Yearbook Class

{Change of Pace}

This has been an awesome week! I spent 4 days at JAU (Jostens Advisor University) held in Orlando, FL.  (I commuted each day since it was just a 45 min. drive).  Then Wed. through today was yearbook camp over at Disney's Coronado Springs Resort.  I learned so much and I can't wait to get things going for this year and work with my students.  I think I will have about 26 on my yearbook staff this year and I will have large classes for TV & Newspaper as well.  Something I am planning to try this year is doing away with our beat sheets we've been doing and switch to a beat system where students keep track of a team, club, department, or topic on campus like a newsroom.  I am also planning to have my students complete journalistic assignments each week to be graded.  I created a menu of choices for journalists to pick from in order to achieve the grade they want.  Below is a link to that document.  You are welcome to borrow it and make changes to fit your needs.  Until next time...

Grading Menu

Editor's Tracking Sheet

{Room Decorating, again}

I spent some time yesterday organizing and cleaning up a couple areas of my classroom.  My desk is cleared off (for once!).  I'm working on getting everything ready for school in just about 3.5 weeks (I'm crying!).  Anyways, below is a couple pictures of my desk--pay no attention to the fact that the back of my desk is still maroon--I need to order more contact paper.

Only my computer is missing :) 

(I can't wait to re-do that sign on my desk--I'm taking a hand lettering class Thursday evening so I can't wait to make all things pretty!)  

This is my turn-in station and graded work plus paperwork for my 3 classes.  It needs some more cleaning up, but hopefully you get the idea.  

Until next time...

Bookshelves & classroom mailboxes

I decided to make my classroom bookshelves even prettier by adding contact paper to them.  I ordered all the contact paper I've used on Amazon.  It isn't the easiest to put in straight, but it sure looks pretty when it's in place! (Don't zoom in to see that its actually very imperfect).  I love it though and I can't wait to update our staff mailboxes (these are the pictures of last year's staff, but you get the idea).  Until next time....

Chalkboard Placemats...SCORE!

Just had to share! I went to Hobby Lobby on Thursday & an entire section of home decor was 80% off!! 😆😆😆😆🎉🎉🎉🎉 Needless to say, I stocked up! One thing I want to share is these adorable chalkboard placemats I found!! There were 12 in the pack & they were not in the 80% off section 😭....However, I used the online HL coupon (it's always there & gives you 40% off 1 regular priced item...you're welcome!) So, I used the coupon on the placemats and instead of $10, they were just $6. I plan to use them in my classroom decor!! I'm taking a hand lettering class next week & I can't wait to learn and then create! Until next time....

Sparkle is my favorite color

I found a super fun idea on Pinterest for sharing and posting student journalist work in my classroom.  I'll use twine to hang across in 3 rows and then use clothespins to hang student work...the one I found online had 3 categories---Fabulous Photos, Wonderful Writing, & Delightful Design---works perfectly for my classroom....so I used some mod podge and gold glitter and made the clothespins more fabulous! It was so much fun that I found a couple other things to add glitter to...check it out! Until next time....

I'm moving....classrooms!

I'm so excited because I'm moving to the classroom across the hall from my old room and it's HUGE! I can't wait! I've been working on projects to get my new space ready and I love it because I can start from scratch.  I'm really loving everything rustic & farmhouse so that's my theme or decor ideas.  I'm pinnning like crazy on Pinterest and creating as I go.  I've been up there a few times now painting bookcases to match and getting things ready so I can move my stuff in.  It's coming along. Below are some pics of the room.  I have 20 computers and this room is so big that one side will be the computers and the other side will be my round tables.  My old room was much smaller and we filmed our TV show right in the room---I had 32 in TV last spring so we would say, "Ok, quiet everyone! We are on air!" It was madness...I've been doing that for 3 years though so I'm most excited about the new room because it has a giant double door closet that will now be turned into our studio!!!! Hooray! Anyways, check out the pics below....Until next time....

Update 2016

I really fell off the blogging bandwagon! I'm determined to get back up and share so much that has been going on.  The girls are now 7, 5, & 2...as of this past June! :) We did one big party in June and celebrated all 3 of our June babies....I just realized my last entery was April of 2014 so at that time we were awaiting the arrival of Kinley Austin who made her debut on June 26, 2014.  She just celebrated her 2nd birthday 2 weeks ago.   Now that we are a family of 5 things have been more exciting and fun all the time! Kinley was our last piece to the puzzle that is our family and now we are a perfect fit! :)   Below are our most recent pictures from July 4, 2016. Happy birthday, America!