Sunday Sentiments. {last Sunday in 2014.}

The holidays are over. The leftovers are almost gone, the wrapping paper already recycled, and unwanted gifts returned, and slowly but surely, real life is starting to work it's way back. 

I have successfully put work on the back burner for almost five whole days, and the idea of starting the endless to do list again is a bit overwhelming, but young minds must be shaped and the world needs to be saved/taken over (whichever you prefer.) 

The holidays at our house were wonderful - my brother and I are older, so it was definitely about family and love, and less about presents and stockings. I am very grateful for my family this year. I was constantly asked what I wanted for Christmas, but the things I want and have can't be bought, and I am just so grateful for the quality time I got to spend with my family, as I am sure everyone was and is. 

As the year wraps up so quickly, today is the last Sunday in 2014 - I have started to think about what the new year will hold and what am I going to do with the rest of my life. 

This morning, the sermon at church was so poignant - one of those moments where you are stopped and the truth you needed to hear was spoken to you. The message that everyone needs to hear (regardless of your faith) is that: everyone has a gift + you have to use it to better the world for yourself and others. 

One of the constant topics of Ginger On the Move is motivation and making sure you are making a difference all the time, and in 2015, that is such a driving force in my life that it is, slowly but surely, becoming more of my identity and that is nothing to be ashamed of. 

This year, you have something to offer the world - maybe you have been offering your gift or gifts, and this year you need to continue to make them sparkle and shine, and perfect your talents. Maybe this year, you need to find out what your talent and gifts are, so that you can start making the world and yourself a better place. Maybe this year, you face the greatest challenge: figuring out how to use your talents and gifts to make the world and yourself better. 

That is the one most people (including myself) struggle with - how do I take this amazing gift and turn it into a skill, service, or offering that will enhance the world? That, loves, is the million dollar answer, because it's different for everyone. How you choose to show, display, and use your gift is different. Even if someone has the same gift as you, how you use it is going to be different. 

For 2015, your resolution shouldn't be lose ten pounds or save $20 every week, your resolution should be filling the void of the world that only you can fill with your gifts and talents that only you have. There is no one like you on the Earth (which is an amazing fact); therefore, you have to be faithful to your gifts and talents, and you have to show the world what it's been missing. 

When the new year comes, be ready - be ready to be more assertive and to give more and more each day - those who give much will receive much. As the year winds down, start that journey of using your gifts, and making sure they aren't gathering dust. Don't miss out on a chance to be great. 

Photo Credit: Google Images

Until next time, loves -

Lucy 

Five Wonderful Things. {bye bye, 2014}

Happy Sunday, loves! 

There is a little less than three weeks left in 2014, and I've been constantly asking myself, "Where did it go?" I remember NYE 2014 like it was yesterday - I went to sleep crying, because I was alone - at that moment, I thought the year would be a bust, but 2014 has been anything but a bust. 

I have conquered more fears in 2014 than I could have ever imagined, and became more of the woman I am meant and want to be. My milestone birthday of twenty five came and went, and it was more fabulous than words can describe, and as I prepare for one week of school and three weeks at home with my wonderful family, I can't help but feel grateful and blessed for this amazing life and amazing year that I have been given. 

I hope, as 2014 disappears before us, you can also find tiny moments of gratefulness and contentment. I also encourage you clean house and prepare yourself for next year. Part of a new year is that you can shed old skin, literally and figuratively, and clean out space for better blessings. These blessings can take the form of people, jobs, or material goods, and you need to be ready for them. You can't accept a gift if your hands are still holding onto trash. 

With these last few weeks, find the time to make a literal list (on paper or electronically - I realize not everyone likes to hand write these days) and list the things you are most proud of in 2014 and the things you are most excited for in 2015. Hopefully your list will make you realize how wonderful you are and how hard you worked for those proud moments. 

This week marks the last week of school before winter break, and energy and emotions for all are running high, so as I take this Sunday and use it to recharge and do the things Lucy wants to do, I want to remind myself (and you) of Five Wonderful Things. 

1. I babysat a puppy this weekend. I don't like dogs anymore. I loved one dog, Mocha, and she was perfect. We put her to sleep when I was 21 and I never knew the loss of a pet until her. After her death, dogs were no longer welcome in my heart. Petty, I know, but we all deal with grief differently. My best friend, however, has a puppy and he's snuggled his way into my heart and I had the privilege of baby-sitting him this weekend. I had the best time walking and snuggling and playing fetch with him. My love for all dogs hasn't quite returned, but it was a nice weekend spent with a four legged friend. 

2. I did Christmas cards. This seems like a routine activity for some, but this year, was my first year doing Christmas cards for my friends and coworkers and it was such a sweet, loving feeling to write how much I loved each of them in a card decorated with a cat dressed in Christmas attire. I hope they enjoy them as much as I did. 

3. I planned my babes' winter celebration. My babes have earned a winter celebration, and they voted between a present party (a white elephant party) or arts and crafts, and my heart sang when they chose arts and crafts. We will have a ginger bread house contest, make ornaments, color scratch art, and make ugly sweater ornaments. My aunt is graciously providing pizza for our celebration and  I can't wait to spend Friday afternoon just being their friend instead of their teacher. 

4. I made a financial plan for 2015. I wrote down my financial goals for 2015, and the best way to achieve them. I may be cutting back my wants in the short term, but the long term gain will benefit me more. Being an adult isn't an age, it's a mindset - a mindset that you have to be willing to sacrifice in the present to reap benefits in the future. I will go back to Ireland in 2015, and I will begin to conquer student loan debt. Fabulous girls manage their whole life, including their money! 

5. I chose a MSA program that fits my lifestyle. I had previously written about applying to a MSA program at a prestigious Southern institution, and while that was a great experience, I have chosen a different path. I already have a Master's and there is a program that will allow me to add on to my license without going through a three year program, which is fantastic for so many reasons! So, come January, I will be a full time teacher and a part time student and I couldn't be more excited! 

As one o'clock creeps up on this Sunday afternoon, my sense of urgency is low - a Sunday well spent bring a week of contentment.  My lesson planning will be done in an appropriate amount of time and my book will be read for pleasure. 

Take this Sunday for yourself and bask in your fabulous life! (: Enjoy your Sunday, loves! Until next time, 
- xo, Lucy 

Strategy Saturday {seating arrangements - no place cards needed.}

Good morning, loves + welcome to the most recent edition of Strategy Saturday! 

Today's topic is something that seems thoughtless; however, it can reflect your classroom culture, your values in the classroom, and significantly impact the learning that takes place in your room. 

Today's topic is seating arrangements. 

From what I remember in my time school, there were lots of rows or whatever seemed to be convenient to the teacher, the furniture, or the size of the room. My reality is probably one of many of you can relate too, and our reality is far from what seating should be. 

The layout of your classroom is a true reflection of what you value in that room. If you value engagement, your desks should be grouped into collaborative learning teams and facing the learning materials (anchor charts and the board.) If you value order and routine, I suspect your desks are grouped in rows, possibly rows of two for minimal interaction between students. Ask yourself: which one is more desirable, can you have both in a perfect mixture? 

The answer is: YES. You can have order and collaboration and true learning can take place. 

Here are some simple steps for successful seating arrangements: 

1. Group desks into heterogeneous learning teams. I have five groups of four desks to fit my twenty babies. I also believe strongly in heterogeneous groups  - all students have strengths and deserve to have them amplified and nurtured in the classroom. 

*Here is a radical idea for older grades: Let students group themselves. I teach 5th grade, and when it's time to change seats, I give them parameters (can't sit with all boys or girls, some students have to sit in the front, etc.) and they group themselves. I've been doing this three, almost four years and I have ever only had to change two seats from self selected seating. 

If we think about one of the true purposes of school, it's to create independent and self sufficient learners and people. At ten and eleven years old, I need to give my babies a chance to identify their strengths and group themselves within a safe environment. I set the tone of our classroom culture, and they have accepted it and embrace it. When it's time to pick seats, they reflect our classroom values when they show their independence. 

2. Arrange seats so that all can see the learning materials. My students all face our boards and learning maps (full scale advanced organizers.) These are two things that are integral to our instruction, and all students need to be able to see them without struggling. I am in a mobile unit, so if I can make this happen, you can too. 

3. Provide a supply caddy for each group. This is so necessary to uninterrupted lessons and a smooth transition to each subject. Each group has a dollar store caddy that is filled with colored pencils,markers, crayons, highlighters, glue sticks, scissors, and pencils. This is to cut down on searching during the lessons or noise from constantly sharpening pencils. Each group has whatever they need and whenever they need it. 

4. Change often. Student conversations should be the corner point of your instruction - if you want students to remember it and practice it, they have to talk about it. With all this talking and learning going on, students get bored of their seat mates and quickly learn each other's personalities. By changing seats often, conversations stay fresh and the incidents of misbehavior are decreased by new faces. 

So, as winter break approaches, think about changing up your layout for when students come back. A fresh layout will lend itself to a fresh start in 2015. 

Enjoy your Saturday, loves + stay fabulous! 

Love, Lucy 

Where have you been all my life? {post-surgery fabulousness + other musings.}

One major holiday and surgery later, the Ginger is back + with a plan. 

The stretch to Thanksgiving was easy to tolerate in some ways - I had gallbladder surgery and missed a week from school (an awful thing to do, I don't recommend it), so I only had two days to separate me from school and the holiday. 

Thanksgiving was amazing - being home with my family is an experience that I cherish, especially now that I am out on my own for almost five years now. I desperately miss my time with them, but moving back to eastern Kentucky is not on the radar at all or even anywhere close to what my five year plan looks like. My family does influence my professional choices; however, as any twenty-something will tell you, it's not the deciding factor by any means. 

It was so nice to be surrounded by love and good food and a mom who takes care of you, especially post surgery. I am already counting the days till I am back for Christmas. 

My surgery, which preceded all of this, was easy, with a single rough day of recovery (which I am blessed so much for.) I stayed overnight in the hospital the night after, because all the air that they inflate you with was the worst pain I had ever felt. Thank goodness for IV medicines, moms, and good nurses. My recovery has gone well - being without an organ has forced to me cut out fast food completely, which is another great thing. For any of you who thought positive thoughts, vibes, or prayers - thank you, I appreciate it. 

In other news, I am waiting to hear about acceptance to the MSA program that I applied for. I should be hearing, informally at least, towards the middle of this month, and formally, in January. After considering my options, I truly feel that this is my best interest professionally. I am slowly becoming okay with the idea that I am ready for different work - not less, but different. 

When I became a teacher, I knew I would never retire after thirty years in the classroom. Number one, that is a ridiculous notion. Number two, I get bored easily. Number three, I get attached easily and the list could continue. As I move towards my fourth year of teaching, I am ready for new and different responsibilities. It might mean being a principal, working for a non profit, starting my own non profit, working for a consulting firm - I don't know right now, to be honest, but I know it's there and it will happen very soon. 

I have started to do some research about the other opportunities that exist for teachers who are built for more than  lesson planning and data talks - my true passion and drive is to make others love teaching as much as I do, and to make sure they are effective while doing it. Our students have suffered too long without true, effective educators and it's up to a group of determined people (who aren't associated with charter schools or politicians) to make that difference. 

So, as my students wrap up their second district test this week, I leave with the attitude of excellence on this Friday and I hope your weekend is just as fabulous as you are. 

"I have to thank God and Ice Cube for Friday, because we like to party." - J Cole 

Photo Credit: Google Images