Five things Friday: New Computers, Anchor Charts, and KT Tape

1. I have to be honest:  I've been putting off blogging because I have had it up to HERE with my computer.  It is sooo slow, and I think I have upgraded and reupgraded the system as many times as I can to prolong its life.  The cherry on top was when I tried to Skype with Older Brother and Adorable Niece last weekend, only to have my video completely not work.  Then, I tried to download Skype on my work laptop, only to have audio not work!  Terrible.  The good news is that I decided to use my tutoring $$ to buy a pretty new laptop!  (And then of course went into cardiac arrest at the fact that I just spent a month's rent and decided to start tracking my spending for October and actually get around to me perpetual new year's resolution of budgeting...)

2. Yesterday was a marathon day of parent conferences.  I had one before school, had kids from 8:40-11:40, then had...wait for it...TWENTY MORE, wrapping up the night at 8pm.  Dear god.  District gives the kids the day off today so we can use it to finish conferences, but we don't have to schedule any for today if we don't want to.  We just have to go in for at least 2 hours (any time) either way.  At my old school, most teachers scheduled all of their conferences for Thursday and used Friday to just get some work done, so that's what I did again this year.  Yes, 21 conferences in one day (plus teaching all morning, woo) is quite the marathon, but it was pretty awesome to sleep in until 8am this morning, head to school in jeans and TOMS, and work in a quiet, dark classroom listening to Iron & Wine.  Afterwards I treated myself to soup and some reading time at Panera--in other news, it's officially chilly and fall!  Soup season!

3. While working at school today, I spent about a half hour prepping chart paper for next week.  I LOVE my easel, chart paper, and Mr. Sketch markers something fierce.  The thing is, in order to not have to spend excessive time with my back to the kids writing on a chart during teaching, I have to spend time "prepping" the paper, aka drawing the bare bones of whatever anchor chart we'll be using so that I can just fill in the necessary parts during my lesson.  Does anyone else spend huge chunks of time doing this??  Even though it takes time, I love my chart paper and Mr. Sketch markers, so it's time I don't mind taking. :)  In other news, I got a new easel!!  Wooo!!  Sad how exciting this is.  Here is is, along with the focus chart we're filling out during our read aloud, Wonder (The best. book. ever.  Full post after we finish it.).

Mr. Sketch = best markers ever.  Perfect for anchor charts...

and coloring new clothespins for my clip chart clips!

4. We are finishing up our first writing project--a fictional narrative.  Here are pictures of some of the anchor charts we made together during mini-lessons:

Publishing

Strong Titles

My favorite mini-lesson ever: Power of 3

The Run-On Police

5. I have a 8-9 mi run on the schedule for tomorrow.  My IT bands have been in the best state they have been in a year, but I'm still using KT tape to get them through long runs:

The big pain though is that the samll pieces of tape always peel off from around my knees, especially when I get sweaty.  KT tape sticks great, especially KT tape pro, but the problem is just the placement of these small pieces and the fact that they are mostly sticking against another piece of tape, not the skin.  KT tape pro comes in pre-cut strips, and for IT band taping, you're supposed to cut one piece in half to make the two small X pieces.  Buuut the half size ends up not being big enough to stick to enough of the skin!  And the tape is just two darn expensive to use a bigger amount for these pieces--as it is, I have to use 4 strips to tape both of my IT bands, which roughly equals $4...that adds up, yo!

Anyways, after some excessive google searching for another kinesio tape option, I settled on Rocktape H2O.  It sounds ULTRA sticky and even waterproof, plus I can cut strips in whatever size I want.  We'll see if it does the trick!

What are your weekend plans?

Training Tuesday: So, speedwork actually WORKS. (or, Reflections on training)

Remember when last week I posted about how freaking hard speedwork is?  Well, I haven't come to like it any more since then, and I am NOT looking forward to the late night 400s on my schedule for after class this evening, but I am now living proof that the following statement I shared last week is true:

After just a couple of weeks of speedwork and tempo runs, last Thursday night I ran the fastest three miles of my life and never once felt like I wanted to quit or was going to die.

I set out for my run around 6pm Thursday with the plan to work on speed and keep my average pace as close to 10min/mi as possible, but definitely under 10:30/mi.  To give you a little context, a comfortable pace for me is about 11min/mi, or more like 11:30 if it's a longer distance.  But with my hopes resting on a sub-30 5K this fall and my race dates getting closer every day, I know that "comfortable runs" are not going to be enough to get me there.  When I started my run, though, and was realized I was averaging a 9:40/mi pace, I worried that I wasn't going to be able to maintain this for three miles.  I tried to slow down, but literally couldn't make myself do it.  After a mile, then two, my watch was actually showing my average pace decreasing, hovering in the 9:20s at one point, and I was still feeling great.  After 2 miles I started to feel a little tired and let that average pace creep back up a little bit, but I finished strong in 28:28 with a 9:30/mi average pace.

Tears actually came to my eyes as I slowed to a walk afterwards, realizing what I had accomplished and that my hard work at the track is actually paying off.  To be honest, part of me wondered if maybe my garmin was messing with me.  I have NEVER seen an average pace so fast, and I definitely haven't seen a 9:30 mile since high school presidential fitness testing, and back then it was ONE mile and I gave it EVERY OUNCE I had.  After this run, for the first time ever I feel like sub-30 really can be a reality for me, especially if I finished these 3 miles feeling so strong!  Can't wait for my first 5K of the fall season Saturday evening.  Bring. It. On.

Saw this article in this month's Runner's World--If you want a PR, you better embrace the inevitable pain.  

Consider it embraced!

While training for a speedy fall 5K, I am also training for my third half-marathon, the Space Coast Half in Cocoa, Florida.  The race is in November, the Sunday after Thanksgiving, and was the perfect excuse for a Thanksgiving getaway to visit Older Brother, Sister-in-law, and Adorable Niece for a few days this fall.  As babies tend to do, Adorable Niece is growing like CRAZY!  Case in point:

Us this summer...

Olivia a couple of weeks ago, standing up!

After my length history of injuries in just the past few short years (stress fracture, shin splints, random hip flexor issues, and ITBS...), I currently feel the strongest I have ever felt during a training cycle.  It's like I've finally figured out EXACTLY what I need to do to get my body through a training plan, to the start, and eventually to the finish line strong and uninjured.  For the first time ever, my lingering IT band syndrome is LESSENING with my training, not getting worse.  Yesterday morning I set out for a 7 miler in beautiful 60 degree temperatures on an old favorite running loop.  I KT taped my IT bands, stretched, and hit the road...

I am still struggling a little bit with KT tape.  Even though I put the tape on the day before, I'm finding that in this particular spot, the long strip stays on great, but the smaller Xs just aren't in enough contact with actual skin to get a good grip.  They peeled off my left leg in just 2 miles and my right in about 4.  I still like it, though, because it DOES work (when it stays on...) and is way more comfortable than my ITB straps.  Even so, I was able to run 7 without any pain, just a tiny bit of discomfort at one point which disappeared with a quick stretch.  When I first developed ITBS over a year and a half ago, I couldn't make it ONE mile without pain.  Success.

Also, I try to keep my long runs molasses slow to avoid any unnecessary stress on my body and keep injuries at bay, usually around 12:00/mi.  Yeah, I know, I'm S L O W.  After my first mile, I was averaging about 11:30/mi, which I knew was too fast, so I tried really hard to slow down.  I swear I did.  I even got the pace down to 11:40 at one point, but my legs just wouldn't let me keep it there.  They had other plans, and by the end of the seven miles, my average was 11:23/mi and I felt STRONG.  The only time I felt tired was that last mile, which makes perfect sense as 7mi was a new distance in this training cycle.  WIN.

Once again, I can tell that the speedwork is working!

Last summer (or "The Summer of Injury" as I like to remember it), I remember talking to the PT I was seeing at the time about my training and the reasons I'd probably been injured so much.  (Seriously, I think I posted nothing but ice-pack pictures ALL SUMMER LONG...)

 

Oh 2011, you were a rough year on my legs...

Looking back through my training log, I'd realized that I'd jumped into training for Half-Marathon #1 after taking months off for a stress fracture and jumped into training for what was supposed to be Half-Marathon #2 but ended up a DNS (did not start) after taking months off with ITBS.  Obviously, training for both of these left me injured and miserable (and out 80 bucks in the one case).  What's different this year?  Here's what I think...

• Tri Training/Cross training: A spring and summer of non-stop triathlon training left me with a body that is STRONG, and not just the running muscles.  Tri training = amazing cross training and overall fitness.  Plus, it kept my workouts interesting so that when I started the distance running again, I wasn't burned out and was HUNGRY for it.
• Building a solid running base: This was the mistake I made twice last year and vowed to never make again.  This summer I kept a solid running base in the midst of tri training, putting in a 4-6 mile run one day a week in addition to my tri workouts.  It kept me in the running game and made it easy for me to pick up half-marathon training.
• 5K training: Like I just said, speedwork and tempo runs are actually working for me, and while I'm using them to hopefully nail a new 5K PR this fall, I plan to keep them in my weekly run rotation even after the 5Ks to hopefully help me nail my second half-marathon PR of the year.  

Just PRed!

• Understanding what works for my body: After my DNS last summer, I realized that part of my problem was running too many miles per week.  Even though I've always been an every-other-day runner, running just 3 days/week most of the time, I realized that the 5 milers I was putting in on Tuesdays and Thursdays in addition to my weekend long run were just too much for my body.  For the Kentucky Derby Half-Marathon, in addition to making a training plan that increased distances hella slowly, I also kept my weekday runs to just 3 miles for the entire training cycle.  I know it may sound like I'm not putting in enough miles to be really prepared for a half marathon, but truly, this made all the difference for me in that training.  Not only was I ready for the race in Kentucky, but I finished strong.  I'm keeping to this plan for my Space Coast training, knowing that it's part of what I need to do to stay strong and uninjured.

Anyways, that was a lot.  I'm dying to know, though...

What have you learned through your training about what works for YOU?

Buh Bye Summer...

Teachers: Tomorrow is the last day to enter my giveaway to win a book of tips to organize your classroom! 

Today is August 20th and officially the start of the school year.  This morning I saw 5:30 am for the first time in a LONG time...unfortunately, my relationship with 5:30 has not improved since June, and I think it is safe to say that in this case, absence does not make the heart grow fonder.  Bummer.  Today was a day of boring meetings an Institute Day for teachers in my district, followed by a meet the teacher Back to School Night and barbeque.  In other words, it was a long one!  I am feeling so much more excited about this year, though, than I was this morning.  Third and Fourth graders are way cuter than 5th graders, it turns out!  And I love my new team.  But more about that later...first, let me share how I spent my last day of summer yesterday!

The morning started with a glorious 6-mile run.  You guys, I haven't seen 6 miles in quite awhile, and I love love loved this run.  I forgot the wonderful groove I get in after 5 miles (sometimes at least)!  But I have another reason why this run was awesome...Here's a clue:

What my legs looked like during Sunday's run...

See that?  Notice anything about my knees?  Here's another clue:

What my legs USUALLY look like before a run...

Yup, yesterday I ran without IT band straps for the first time in a LONG time!  Actually, this happened by accident.  I've been trying out KT tape on my IT bands this summer from time to time (I'll do a full post on KT tape vs. ITB straps another time!), and I typically put it on my legs the night before a run to let it really stick on tight.  Saturday night I forgot to do this, and Sunday morning I decided I'd use the tape anyways and just stuck it on before heading out the door.  Well, about 1 mile out the tape peeled right off my sweaty legs. I hadn't even brought the straps with me when I'd driven to the forest preserve where I like to run, and I immediately began wondering if I should just head back to my car and call it a day--I was already imagining the familiar knee pain that typically comes when I don't wear the straps (or even sometimes when I do!).

I decided to attempt the run anyways--the day was just too gorgeous to pass it up--and figured I would just stop and stretch as needed, listening to my body.  I stretched at 2 miles and 4 miles, and while I felt a little tightness in one of my knees, I can honestly say that there was not a single moment of the run when I was in pain--truly, this feels like a small miracle.  I don't want to say my IT band woes are OVER, but I am feeling so optimistic--something I haven't felt in terms of running/ITBS in a long time!

After my run (and an obligatory chocolate milk, PBJ, and a nap), I met my soul sister teacher friend Katy who also started school today for manicures and pedicures per back to school tradition...

Followed by Panera yumminess.  I am totally lovin' the summer corn chowder these days.  It is seriously AMAZING.

While I wasn't THRILLED to be gettintg up early this morning, and while I am still a little nervous about our first real day of school tomorrow, I am in a good place and feel 100% confident that I made the right decision in taking this job and moving to my new grade level and building.  What a great feeling to know you made the right choice!  And now, it's time to relax after a long day with some Jimmy Johns and craft beer... :)

PS: A big thank you to Claire from the Country Mouse Tales for featuring me on her blog today!  Claire, I love YOUR blog too!

When do you go back to school?  How are you feeling? 

This is my brain on injury...

I am one of those runners who is always injured.  Seriously, always.  I try to do all the right things, honest!  Yoga, cross train, stretch, foam roll, low mileage, even ice baths, but I'm always either out with an injury or coming back from one it seems!  My latest injury didn't even have anything to do with running--I slipped on the ice and banged my knee outta whack.  No, thank YOU Midwest winters...Anyways, long story short I took the past two weeks off of running.

 It got me thinking about the mental and emotional side of injury and how I deal with it.  I definitely have a pattern!  Unlike many runners who approach injury with a deny-deny-deny type of attitude, I'm what I like to call a paranoid runner.  When I first feel the twinges of an injury, instead of an "If I pretend it doesn't hurt it's not a real injury" approach, I have more of a "Frantically google my symptoms and freak myself out" approach... This almost always leads to hours of reading every Web MD article and runner's world injury forum thread describing my pain.  Healthy, I know...

Anyways, at the beginning of an injury I am always super depressed.  I play over and over in my head what I could have done differently to prevent the injury.  This is especially true for my ice-fell-knee-foolishness as I've taken to calling it.  Since this wasn't a running injury, I knew exactly what caused it.  "If I hadn't parked on the street, I wouldn't have had to walk down the icy driveway."  "If I'd worn different boots, I might not have slipped."  "If I didn't live in freezing Illinois, there wouldn't be so much ice!!"  You get the idea.  Obviously that's all nonsense and completely unhelpful!  I'm also known to spontaneously burst into tears when coming to terms with a new injury.  Last year when I slipped on the stairs at my friend's apartment and twisted my ankle, I immediately burst into a sobbing fit because I realized that this obviously meant time off running.  (And if I hadn't been wearing ballet flats/drinking wine/racing down the stairs...you get the idea.)  Emotional injured Amy also likes to jump to the worst possible conclusion.  "I will never run again."  "I'm just not meant to be a runner."  Case in point: convincing myself that my ice-fell-knee-foolishness was a torn meniscus and would require surgery.  So. Completely. Untrue.  And crazy.

After I've managed to stop crying, I get in a bit of a funk.  I look out the window of my car longingly at other runners.  I look up races online "for when I can train again."  I make training plans for these "distant future races."  I read running books.  And the shopping...oooh the shopping.  Let's just say I should be allowed nowhere near the running store, amazon, the fitness clothes section at Target, or the nike website when I am injured.  It's almost comical, really.  I literally want nothing more at any given moment during this time than to run.

Case in point, new running capris and swim suit purchased this week while not running...

Here's where things get really interesting...after I've started healing and am ready to try running again, I do a complete 180 and want NOTHING to do with running.  You'd think I'd lace up my shoes as soon as possible, but often times I don't.  Here's why: I become so petrified with fear that I won't be able to run that I don't want to try.  I know.  I'm completely crazy.  It's like I can convince myself that my injury has healed while I'm still taking time off running, and am so scared that if I run I'll find out that's actually not true.  Or that I'll have lost all of the endurance I'd built up and just not be able to run anymore.  Even just admitting all of this I feel silly.  I know it doesn't make any sense!  Welcome to my world of anxiety...

So anyways, back to the present.  I said before that I took the past two weeks off to let my knee heal from the ice wipe out (that wasn't a torn meniscus...duh...).  The first week I was depressed, paranoid, and jumping to the worst possible conclusions.  And I was dying to run.  Then the second week my knee started feeling much MUCH better.  I realized it was probably going to be okay.  And I was dying to do anything BUT run.  I told myself all week that Saturday I'd do it.  Saturday I'd put on my shoes and get out there.  Not until Saturday.  Then this morning rolled around.  I got dressed in running clothes, tracked down my road id and garmin....and sat in bed Pinning and putting off running:

I even caught myself thinking, "Maybe I don't actually like running.  Maybe I'm just not a runner.  I don't HAVE to run if I don't want to..."  Eventually I decided enough was enough.  That that was crazy talk.  That I was being ridiculously stupid.  I put on my shoes, stuck my keys in my banjee (have I mentioned how much I love this thing?), and headed out.

And I ended up having a great run.  3 miles in the sunshine, and the first non-freezing run I've had in awhile.  My knee felt fine!  My IT bands were another story, but I knew that would happen--every time I take a break they tighten right back up.  (Of course, I probably shouldn't have taken a break from foam rolling...oops.)  But this run was just what I needed.  Next week starts half marathon training again (and excessive foam rolling!).  

Last but not least, can I just share my new favorite running song?  Thank you Lauren for introducing me to it and its amazingness.

I must have listened to this at least 4 times on my run.  It was just what I needed to hear today to calm my anxiety, put a smile on my face, and remind me that I CAN do it. "You've got every right to a beautiful life."  Love.  

Do you go completely crazy like me when you have an injury?  

An "I should get outta the classroom more often" Kinda Moment, and Exciting News!

Do you ever have those "Seriously, I am SUCH a teacher" kind of moments?  The ones where you find yourself reprimanding strange children in Target, neatening up shelves at the grocery store, or telling friends and loved ones, "Great job!" or "I can tell you did your best"?  Hopefully it's not just me...Well, listen to this one:  When I got home from school a little bit ago and was (immediately) changing into comfies, I was thinking how my skirt needed to be dry cleaned, and how I could drop it off at the cleaners Thursday after I tutor...then I caught myself thinking, "I'll stick it in my 'Thursday Bin' so I don't forget!"

Thursday Bin?  As in the spot I stick my Thursday copies at school?  Last time I checked I don't have a day of the week bin system in my home...The thing that makes this an even BIGGER face-palm moment, though, is that a tiny little part of me totally wishes I had a day of the week bin system at home...seriously, you know you do too... ;)

Believe it or not, that geektastic moment was NOT the most eventful thing that has happened since I last blogged--this time last week my beautiful new niece was born!  I know everybody says this about their own family, but this baby is seriously gorgeous.  I am beyond thrilled about her and so happy for Older Brother and Sis in Law.  Unfortunately, they live in Florida so I won't be able to meet Beautiful Niece until Spring break... :(  It can't come a moment too soon!

Other than that news, my life has been pretty darn uneventful these days.  My Sunday 7-miler was foiled because I had the *brilliant* idea to attempt to run through 5+ inches of snow on an unplowed bike path...I made it ONE mile away from my car, thought I was going to pass out from exerting so much energy WADING through snow and fighting wind, and barely made it the mile back to my car.  Fail.  Also, later that day I managed to have an epic wipe out on an icy sidewalk, smack my knee on the pavement, and seriously jack up my knee.  It's still hurting and just not working right!  After a friend's 2 cents and some web MDing (obv), I convinced myself that I had torn my miniscus...which I still think might have happened, but it's feeling a little better every day so hopefully whatever it is is healing on its own!  Anyways, the long and short of it all is that this has become a spontaneous "Rest Week"--and it's given me an excuse to rock my Tommie Copper knee sleeve 24/7...  #attemptingtoseethegood...

Continuing with the random theme of this post, let me just share the beautiful piece of writing I had the pleasure of reading this week...it darn near brought me to tears.  Grab the kleenex.  Prompt: Write about a place that is special to you.

Check back soon for a new product review/giveaway and a post on persuasive writing/anchor charts!

Back to School, Back to School...

Happy Tuesday!  To those of you teachers who are still off...well, I'm jealous. :)  I have to say that I loved my two weeks off.  This break was hands down the laziest break of my teaching career, if not my life.  Several pajama days. :)  I have to tell you that I was completely dreading going back to school today.  You know how Mondays have been pretty rotten in my classroom this year?  Well I figured that the Monday after a two week break would be just that much more rotten...I'm happy to say I was wrong!

To convince myself to leave my warm cozy bed and pjs at an ungodly hour, I made myself a sinfully delicious bowl of oatmeal with peanut butter, brown sugar, and a spoonful of mini-chocolate chips...every bite was ah.maz.ing.  Seriously, I know this bowl was just LOADED with sugar and wasn't exactly the healthiest start to the day, but it was good for my soul (and probably still a healthier choice than a big starbucks muffin!).

I made it to school super early to prep for the week and get my brain back in Teacher Mode (nothing worse than scrambling on a Monday morning, except maybe scrambling on a Monday after a break!).  My kiddos, miraculously, weren't too crazy and our day went relatively smoothly!  (Except for when I told them a little white lie that lunch recess was going to be cancelled...my "hook" into a new unit on persuasive writing, more to come on this soon!)  Everything went smoothly, that is, until I BANGED my knee on the corner of a low cabinet in my classroom this afternoon.  My god.  That one stung...actually, it is still REALLY sore.  This job is just plain dangerous sometimes!  Anyways, I nixed my plans for a treadmill run and came home to, believe it or not, cook myself dinner.  Shocked?  I am too. 

Three "pots" (well, 2 and a blender), 20 minutes, and the easiest dinner ever was done!  I had quinoa with (frozen) sitrfry vegetables smothered in mmmm sauce (find the recipe at mamapea's here!).  Easy, yummy, and vegan!

Now, faced with a rare free evening, I'm putting up my feet, icing my swollen knee, and watching my newest guilty pleasure, Breaking Bad.  Have you watched that show before?  Holy intensely awesome.  Thank you, Netflix instant!! 

Teachers, how was your first day back?

What's your favorite quick-cook meal?

Giveaway Winners!

Sorry I'm a few days late, but I'm excited to share the winners for my Active Bands giveaway!  First, thank you SO MUCH for entering!  And a BIG thank you to Active Bands for letting me spread the headband lovin. :)  Winners of a $25 gift card to Active Bands are...

Jill @ Run for the Hills!

ShanMall @ The Imperfectly Perfect Family of 5!

^ShanMall must have some awesome lucky charms or have some super amazing skill of winning headband giveaways...she won my bondi band giveaway too!  

Ladies: email me at juiceboxesandcrayolas AT gmail DOT com to claim your prize!

In other news, after taking all last week off of exercise due to the cold that wouldn't quit, I just could NOT get myself back on the exercise wagon this week.  How sad is it that breaking a routine for 1 week destroys all motivation?  I know a lot of you are probably dying to get back on the roads or to the gym after being sick, but it's hard for me to get that motivation up again.  I finally did make it out for a rainy run Tuesday (why helloooo there Fall...), but after 1.5 miles my left knee started killing me!  WHAT?!?!?!  Although I have had almost every runner injury out there, my joints have never been a problem!  My rotten IT band gives me pain in the right knee when I'm not wearing my strap, but this pain felt super different.  Like a good little runner, I RICEd and took the next 2 days off...terrified the entire time.

After a long week, the last thing I wanted to do this afternoon was run, especially since I was pretty nervous about what new ache or pain I would feel...I planned on changing at school and hitting the trail in hopes the fresh air would perk me up, but it started HAILING when I left the building!  

(On the plus side, I did see this gorgeous rainbow while driving...)

Plans changed and I headed to the gym...the thought of returning to the dreadmill and sweaty cardio floor after a lovely summer and fall of outdoor runs doing nothing to boost my energy levels.  I literally almost fell asleep while sitting in my car in the parking lot.  Somehow, I did manage to drag myself in and run 3.5 miles on the treadmill.  My knee felt okay except for a few twinges, and I'm 99% sure that the pain is from another tight IT band even though it felt a little different at first.  After foam rolling, sure enough, the IT bands are nice and tight.  PHEW!  I never thought I'd be grateful for sore IT bands, but that's definitely preferrable to some new knee problem... I guess that week off did nothing good for my tight muscles!  You can bet there will be lots of foam rolling this weekend. :)  

Anyways, I'm thinking of running a 5K at a nearby arboretum Sunday, but haven't decided yet...I'd be running alone and the course is pretty challenging--the first mile is almost completely uphill...but it should be beautiful...whaddya think, should I go for it?

What are your weekend plans?  Racing this weekend? 

MY CLASSROOM IS FINISHED!!! (and other happenings)

I had planned on going out with a friend tonight, but when Friend got sick and cancelled, I ended up at Caribou working on my first week's lesson plans.  Not the most exciting night, but I think they are about done!  

Page 1 of my plans...

2 more institute days Monday & Tuesday, and then let's get this party started!  I am feeling MOSTLY ready. I say mostly because my plans are done, my room is ready, and my team has already had some great collaborative meetings that have really given me a positive feeling about our year....buuut at the same time, who wouldn't love a few more weeks of summer??  Anyways, here is my room!

View from the doorway...Library and small group area

Another library shot...and check out my baseball themed board for "Out of the Park Work" :)

Even more library and my currently empty Writing Workshop board...

My desk...I LOVE having it against the wall.  

Big time space saver, and I never sit there with the kiddos anyways!

Sorry for the blurriness...This is the side board with my desk, schedule, homework, clip chart, and rules.

Front of the room--I'm placing my gathering place in the front instead of the library this year because I hope to use it with my new LCD projector (!!) in addition to the easel.

Guided Reading table

Side Views (those desks in the corner are on their way out...)

NOTE: I made this sign by compiling ideas I saw on several other bloggers' sites.  

However, I recently learned the original design was created by Mary Musel.  

Visit her etsy site here.

Whew!  That's about it for the classroom!  I'm sure I will rearrange many times this year--I always do--but so far I'm happy with it!  The true test, of course, is how it feels once I get some kiddos in there!!!  This week I also made some time to stop by and visit Mrs. Literacy Specialist's new classroom!!!  She is a classroom teacher this year at another school in the district.  How cute is she with her affirmation sign?!  (She was trained in Quantum this summer too!)

 In the Running World...
Unfortunately, I have very little to report.  My hip flexor is still killing me!  I ran about 2.5 miles Thursday morning, and it's still tight!  I've been doing a lot of lunges and yoga stretched to loosen it up...any other ideas??  Good parts of the (way too early 5am) run were testing out these awesome new compression sleeves that Coach Melinda gave me!!!  Isn't she the sweetest??

How silly do I look with the sleeves and IT strap...just cover me in bandages...

Coach Lauren got a pair too, and we are obsessed.  They are WAY tighter than my zensah ones!

Another perk of a 5am run is that I also caught a pretty great sunrise...

Pain aside, it was worth the early morning. :)

Hope you're having a wonderful weekend!!  Check back tomorrow for a post about implementing the Daily 5!