The Evolution of My Blog

Wow!! Talk about a lot of changes through the years! And really that's not all of them! Up above you see a picture of all of my blog buttons that I have created. When I first started my blog (which was 4 years ago in June, cRaZy!) I didn't design my own blog. I just used a free template. The name of my blog back then was, "Crouse All-Stars". I had been graduated from college for a year when I started but had yet to have a teaching job. I talked a lot about the teaching interviews I had went on and my experiences subbing and being an RtI aide at two different schools. 2 years after I started my blog (June 2013), I finally received my first teaching job! That is when I changed the name of my blog to "6th Grade All-Stars". As you can see above, I obviously enjoyed changing my blog design (because I finally learned how to do it!) haha! I taught 6th grade for two years, and last year I got the greatest opportunity to move down to 3rd grade (where my heart truly was). So therefore, the next blog change "Mrs. Crouse goes to Third". After teaching 6th grade for 2 years and 3rd grade for one, I decided that my blog name need to be more general. Because I have ideas for the middle grade levels and the lower levels. So this summer (my 4th year blogging), I changed my blog name to "Mrs. Crouse's Teaching Adventures". I also changed my whole blog design by myself (well, with the help of 2 fellow bloggers which I mention in a previous post). I absolutely LOVE my new blog design!

I can't believe that my teaching career has changed so much in the 5 years that I have been out of school. Here's a little timeline:

-I graduated in 2010

-Got married 3 weeks later

-Subbed for 3 months (absolutely HATED being a sub)

-Got a job as an RtI aide at a teeny tiny school (met some great people there!)

-Got offered another RtI aide job at a better and closer school

-After 11 interviews (yes, 11!). I was SO frustrated at this point, I kept questioning God and wondering if teaching is really what I was supposed to be doing. But then, I finally got the call I had been waiting for,  I got hired in 2012 as a 6th grade teacher.

-Had my son in 2013 :)

-2 years later, in 2014, I got to move down to 3rd grade in the same school

- Now I am getting ready to start my 4th year teaching, and 2nd year in 3rd grade

- My baby is now 2!

I just love how you never know where life will take you! 

All you can do is trust in God's plan for you.

Have a great weekend!

Assess Me!

Tonight I am linking up with The Tattooed Teacher with her Assess me Linky Party! How fun! 

Now, let me explain some of my answers!

1. I do talk to myself, mostly in my head though and not out loud (I'm introverted like that!)

2. I am not superstitious, at least not that I am aware of!

3. I crack my knuckles more than I think I do probably.

4. I am ALWAYS hungry, just ask the hubs!

5. TV is almost always on. I just need some background noise, even if I am not watching it (like right now)!

6. I got my wisdom teeth taken out when I was 16 *all 4*

7. I did shower! YAY (didn't wash the hair though)

8. I went to Disney when I was 5, so I don't remember much.

9. I have glasses, but I don't ever wear them. Contacts for this girl!

10. I have never moved out of Illinois (although, I wish I would most days!)

Have a great night or day!

Monday Made It!

Hey there everyone!

I am linking up with Tara over at 4th Grade Frolics for 

This is my first project that I have done for the upcoming school year. Which starts in 25 days! I can't believe it!

I have been working on re-purposing my stool that I use at my podium.

I started by sanding down my stool. I picked my favorite color of spray paint and when to town on the legs. I then got some fabric and foam from Hobby Lobby and stapled everything together. I love how it turned out!

This now matches my rocking chair and pillow! So excited to see it in my classroom. 

Blog Update!

Hey everyone!

I have made some MAJOR changes to my blog! I have changed the name and gave it a new look! 

A HUGE thanks goes to I Teach. What's your superpower? and Prepping for the Primary Gridiron for their amazing tutorials! Wouldn't have been able to do it without you two! Check out their blogs. 

How I Do Classroom Jobs

I have recently had a special request to talk about my classroom jobs. I have done classroom jobs for 2 of my 3 years of teaching. One year in 6th grade and the next year in 3rd grade. I am first going to talk about how I set up my classroom jobs in 6th grade.

In 6th grade, I had my jobs set up on a bulletin board in the library card holders. I number each student, and their numbers were on sticks. (I thought I had a picture of this but I apparently I don't!) Any who, I had enough jobs for 10 students. Librarian, Sweeper, Vacuum, Mail Carrier, Paper Passer, Messenger, Desk Cleaner, Teachers Assistant, Assignment Board, Planner Checker. The rest of the students were put in the Substitute pocket, and if someone was gone that day they would fill in for them. At the end of each day (which was our study hall) my students would do their jobs in the last 15 minutes (some of the jobs were done throughout the day ex. paper passer). At the end of each week I would go through the jobs and pay each of the students with tickets (my classroom reward system). The students were able to use their tickets to buy prizes or candy. 

If I were to teach 6th grade again, I would probably change up my classroom jobs a little bit. Some of the kids didn't care for some of the jobs. So what I would do different is to have them each get a chance to try all of the jobs. Once I went through one rotation I would give out a job application. they would pick their top 3 jobs that they enjoyed doing and then I would assign them that job for the rest of the school year. That way I know that would like it and they would actually do their job!

In 3rd grade, I did my jobs a little differently. 

Here are 2 pictures of how I displayed my jobs last year. 

As you can see in the first picture, I have my awesome mustache sign! :) I have each students name up on the board. But not each student had a job every week. I spaced out the jobs throughout their names. The different jobs that I had were: Teacher's helper, librarian, door holder, desk cleaner, trash patrol, and housekeeper. This year I am going to add pencil master to the list of jobs. In 3rd grade we do not have study hall so I would allow my students time at the end of the day when we are packing up to do their jobs. My teachers helper would have a checklist for the week and check off each day whether the students did their jobs (I, of course, would check over the check list!). The following Monday I would give a ticket (still my classroom reward system) for each day that they did their job. That's a maximum of 5 tickets! The kids loved that part. It gave them motivation to actually do their jobs. 

Well, I hope this helps those of you that are going to try out classroom jobs for the first time. Also, to those of you who have done classroom jobs longer than myself, I would love to hear what you do and what some of your jobs are!

Thank you,

Currently...July

I am linking up with Farley over at Oh' Boy 4th Grade for this month's CURRENTLY!

Wow, has it been awhile since I have posted a currently. The only time I have to blog or do anything computer related, is when my 2 year old is sleeping! He loves ALL things electronic so we have to keep things (like this computer) locked up! I guess he will be my little techy when he grows up!

This summer has finally started for me because I am currently working towards my masters (yay!). I had class all throughout June, so July is the real start of my summer vacation! 

To get you up to date:

 I moved down to 3rd grade this year (and LOVED it), 

I coached volleyball, 

I got hired as co cheer coach, 

I resigned as volleyball coach (bc of cheer),

My son turned 2!

I really feel like I am in my element teaching 3rd grade. Although, this year I felt like a first year teacher ALL over again, ugh! Hopefully this year will go much smoother (fingers crossed!).

Have a great 4th of July!!