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2014 is the Year for ME!

January 1, 2014 By Rachel

It’s a brand new year! I know some people don’t like the whole resolutions thing, but I for one LOVE them!  I love the opportunity to start fresh!  Being a teacher means I actually get to start fresh twice a year!  In August, I make school-related resolutions.  So in January…I get to focus on me.  2013 was not that great of a year for me.  Don’t get me wrong, I had some wonderful moments, but I’m glad to be leaving it behind!
I have 2 things that I’m making my focus this year.
The first one is my finances.  I really need to rein in my spending.  I’m going back to the Dave Ramsey basics. I have a few opportunities to make some extra money and I might try this little challenge.
The 52 Week Money Saving Challenge - The easiest way to save $1,378! Plus, a chance to double your savings if you complete all 52 weeks.
The second one is my health.  It has totally gotten out of hand.  I’m miserable.  So I’m eating right, working out more, and working on me!
Motivation is key...
Of course, there are other things I want to work on…blogging, TpT, relationships.
Ok…so technically it’s two words…but I know there will come days when I don’t want to be financially responsible, or eat healthily, or workout.  There will also be days where I will make a poor decision, but in order to make these lifestyle changes permanent, I must remember to keep moving forward!
***Next Up***
Now for January’s Currently with Farley!

Listening – Pretty self-explanatory…It’s raining and I’m watching reruns
Loving – I feel so sorry for those who go back to work tomorrow.  I’m so glad I don’t go back till Monday
Thinking – If you’ve read this far, you know how much I’m looking forward to the possibilities in 2014!
Wanting – I have so enjoyed being lazy during my break, but I need to get that to-do list finished.
Needing – It’s time to stock up on the healthy stuff.
Memory – My parents used to host a pig picking party every New Year’s Day.  Lots of good food and friends.  Maybe they should start that again at the new house! (wink, wink, Mom)
Blogging was definitely one of those wonderful moments last year!  I have so enjoyed this journey and making such great connections with other teachers!  Thanks for reading!!
Wishing you the best in 2014!!
  • Rachel
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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Unknown says

      January 1, 2014 at 11:26 PM

      Hi Rachel, Happy New Year! I am glad I found you today through Currently! Your blog looks great! I love your 35 before 35…great idea! I am currently needing a healthy makeover too! I am joining my sister in the Tone It Up program…she's been doing great on it already. Anyhow, just stopping by to say hello and that I am happy to be a new follower!
      Tracey

      The Teacher’s Chair
      Share the Bloglovin’!

    2. Susan says

      January 1, 2014 at 11:26 PM

      I agree with you about the eating healthier and working out more. It is so important to be kind to ourselves. And my "word" is way longer than your "word." So, I give you the two and agree that they do go together – almost a compound word. Happy New Year!

    3. Susan says

      January 1, 2014 at 11:27 PM

      Sorry, as a life-long Southern California girl…what is a pig picking party? I had to ask:).

    4. Kelly Benefield says

      January 1, 2014 at 11:58 PM

      My husband actually teaches Dave Ramsey in one of his classes. I have wanted to go to the cash system, but haven't started yet. Perhaps this year! Happy New Year!

      Kelly
      Teaching Fourth

    5. Alison Rose says

      January 2, 2014 at 12:41 AM

      I'm glad I wasn't the only one that was wondering…what is pig picking?
      I heart Netflix! Good for you that you are going to be focusing on YOU!
      Alison
      Rockin' and Lovin' Learnin'

    6. Unknown says

      January 2, 2014 at 1:40 AM

      Another blogger left a comment on my blog about the 52 week challenge. I have not heard of it until then. I am going to read up on it and find out what it is all about. I need to save some money too. I spend way to much on such silly things. Maybe it is a woman thing, at least that is what I am blaming it on! Happy New Year!

      Jamie

    7. Jessica says

      January 2, 2014 at 2:15 AM

      Love your post! We need to reign in our finances, too! And, exercise and eat healthy and . . . more. I'm going to have to check out that 52 week challenge!

      What I Have Learned

    8. Vic Vincent says

      January 2, 2014 at 3:49 AM

      Pig Picking: roast, slow cook, or grill some pork roast. Pick it apart with forks, add BBQ sauce. Pig out with a lot of friends. Laugh hard. I'll have to think about re visiting that tradition. Rachel's Mom! P.S. We did the slow cooker version today. Delish.

    9. Vic Vincent says

      January 2, 2014 at 4:21 AM

      I guess I should clarify that back in the 'olden' days, Rachel's elementary/middle school years, we would actually buy half a pig & roast him on a huge grill. You could literally pick the meat off once done. It does sound a bit disgusting, but oh-so-delish.

    10. Rachel says

      January 2, 2014 at 3:19 PM

      Thanks for defining pig picking Mom! I didn't even think about people not knowing what that was. My inner redneck was coming out I guess. 😉

    11. Anonymous says

      January 2, 2014 at 5:36 PM

      Love your post Rachel! Thanks for sharing the Dave Ramsey program. My husband is a big fan of his, I'm going to pass this along to him. We hope to buy a new car in the next few months, I definitely need to curb my spending to do that! Being from the south as well, we love a good pig picking! Happy New Year! Hope it's everything you want it to be!

      Karen
      An Apple a Day in First Grade

    12. Joanne Miller says

      January 3, 2014 at 3:16 AM

      Good for you Rachel! I think as teachers we're such givers, so we forget about us! I can't wait to hear more about your "saving" plan-I too, have a small spending problem. I can't resist clearance! Happy New Year!
      Joanne
      Head Over Heels For Teaching

    13. Brandi says

      January 5, 2014 at 7:11 AM

      I love me some Dave Ramsey and completed Financial Peace last spring. I'm also doing the 52 week challenge! Here's to a great year!

      Brandi
      Success in Second Grade
      Follow me on Facebook!

    14. Miriam Riley says

      January 5, 2014 at 12:45 PM

      Sounds like you have great goals for next year. We will have to keep each other accountable for want we eat at school. I am so excited about what the new year holds for our kids.

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    Rachel | 4th Grade Teacher
    How long is your students’ attention spans? I o How long is your students’ attention spans?
I only have about 10 minutes before I lose them! 🤪
And I don’t know about you but my lessons are typically longer…so I try to mix it up every 10 minutes with a Think-Pair-Share or some kind of movement
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    6 ways to get your students participating in your 6 ways to get your students participating in your lessons!
1️⃣ Think Time - giving your students time to think about the answer keeps your over achievers from answering all the questions 
2️⃣ Movement - Stand/Sit if this is your answer
3️⃣ Turn & Talk - Everyone shares their answer with a partner
4️⃣ Hand Signals - Perfect for multiple choice questions
5️⃣ Think-Pair-Share - Combines the think time with turn & talk 
6️⃣ Repetition - repeat important information to help it stick
🗣🗣Which number are you trying this week?!
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#teachersfollowteachers #igteachers #iteach #teachergram #iteachfourth #iteach345 #teachingstrategies #studentparticipation
    Do you have these 4 teacher goals?! 1️⃣ Instr Do you have these 4 teacher goals?!
1️⃣ Instructional Goal - How are you improving your instruction?
2️⃣ Relationship Goal - How are you building relationships with students or coworkers?
3️⃣ Balance Goal - How are you trying to have a better work-life balance?
4️⃣ Non Instructional Goal - What other area are you trying to improve?
Here’s my 4 goals!
1. Vocabulary Instruction 
2. 2 Positive Notes a Week
3. Leave by 3:00 3 out 5 days
4. Clean off back counter once a week
What are your goals?
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#teachersfollowteachers #igteachers #iteach #teachergram #iteachfourth #iteach345 #teachergoals #teachergoals🍎
    Coming back from break is a lot easier than the fi Coming back from break is a lot easier than the first day of school!
Less teacher talk 🗣
More student talk 👥
1️⃣ Give your students time to catch up with each other. Even adults like to chit chat about what we did during break!
2️⃣ Review procedures by playing a fun game. Charades is a great way to act out procedures to see if other students can guess what they’re doing!
3️⃣ The halfway point of the school year is a great time for students to set goals!
What’s your favorite thing to do after a break?!
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