Happy President's Day to ME! :)

Happy President's day... and HAPPY DAY OFF to other teachers in my district!  A lot of my teacher friends in other districts do not have the day off.... this must be what it feels like when THEY have a day off that I don't have....  it's epic!

Today's mission: catch up on organizing my out-of-school-life.  Things aren't too crazy, but there are projects unfinished... errands that have not been crossed off the to-do list... and here I am: blogging. :)  I will say my lesson plans rock for this week {maybe there is a field trip scheduled for Wednesday... hello even short-ER week!}

I am so in love with Scrappin' Doodles.  Ever since I have started purchasing A-DOR-A-BLE clipart from them, I am a happier teacher {it's the little things in life}.  I have even CUTER workstations than before and my kiddos LOVE my anchor charts and other activity pages with a l'il clipart surprise on them.  {anything for engagement.... right???}  Check 'em out if you haven't!  President's Day stuff is a tad on sale - well worth it!

How nerdy am I that I am PUMPED about reading my new Abe Lincoln book tomorrow?!?!?  My students grew an obsession last year, and while they don't need me to read it to re-learn facts.... I cannot wait to see their excitement when I pull it out of the book back for social studies tomorrow.

Okay!  Back to cleaning up my orphan room so I can stop and make me some lunch in a little bit! :) :)

Happy President's day!  I am truly thankful for the leaders of our country.  Sometimes I do not agree with their decisions, but I believe in a God that is moving in all areas of the world.  He is in control and we are not alone.

<>< Laura {ilovesignlanguage}

Happy birthday, Miss America!!

Happy birthday, Miss America!!!! Can I have your autograph?


There was a birthday in my classroom today.... and, you would have thought she was Miss America HERSELF!  A week ago yesterday, sweet little V had a tendon release performed on both of her legs in two different places.  H.o.l.y. s.m.o.k.e.s.!! She returned to school on Monday in a wheelchair, with a beautiful smile on her face, purple casts on both legs up to the middle of her thighs and Hello Kitty sock-boot-thingys on.  V also has cerebral palsey and she came to my classroom in the spring of 2010 with very little language. {The language she did have was Mexican Sign Language.  Yes, it exists.  No, Sign Language is not universal.  No, her MSL was nothing like the ASL I learned in high school and college.}  BACK to my story.  Today she turned 7!!!  What a big girl!!!  So, we have been carting her around all week and are slowly giving her more responsibility with her wheelchair {she is suppose to be in the chair for weeks.... like, 4+ weeks.  Maybe mom misunderstood the doctor?  Oye}.  FOCUS-She was wheeled on down to the library for announcements and did a FABULOUS JOB telling our AP how old she was and her teacher - So proud!  After returning to my room, I placed my birthday sticker and the school ribbon on her shirt and gave her my adorable BIRTHDAY PENCIL.  She was on cloud nine.  After whole group speech, we proceeded to the cafeteria for breakfast... and she flew from cloud nine into heaven.  Sweet little V absolutely loved ADORED&LOVEEEEEED all the attention!  Everyone was saying and signing HAPPY BIRTHDAY, V****** the entire day.  The best part--> Pushing V around during the day and she is signing, "BIRTHDAY+ME" to every adult that she saw that smiled at her or simply make eye contact.  {English translation: "It's my birthday!"  Side note: I was that kid... and at 25, I still am.}  Even if they had already wished her a happy birthday.... she reminded them. Absolutely melted my heart.  I might or might not have taught her the Miss America wave...  It's whatev.  


All of my kiddos ended the day on BLUE AND PURPLE!!!  Such a little blessing in my week of doom.  My behavior friend has reallllllly been challenging me this week.  We are making baby steps in eliminating his behaviors...  I have a very optimistic feeling about when his BIP is officially in place {Behavior Intervention Plan}.


Tomorrow I am wrapping up my Polar Bear unit.  Such a sad day.  Next week is Walruses with a little groundhog mixed in on Thursday.  I am sooooooo glad thrilled that tomorrow is Friday.  I need a Saturday without a workshop or training in a very bad way!!


Time to finish some American Idol (Deep in the Heart of Texas) while multi-tasking on some lessons and activities before hitting the hay a little bit early {at least that is my goal}.


<>< Laura {ilovesignlanguage}

OTH Makes the Lesson Plans Stress-less

That's right!  It's the Final Season Premiere of One Tree Hill.
{Confession!!!!  I have watched OTH since the very beginning of the first season and.... maybe a boy in high school got me interested... just maybe.}

I'm curled up on the couch, wrapped up in a fuzzy blanket with a full tummy and Lappy {my laptop}.  Of course, OTH is on the TV and I am so in love.  It is making my lesson planning for the next two-three weeks SOOOOOOO much better.  As in, my copy day is Friday and I am not even worried about the fact that I am not sure which of the fabulous activities I have purchased from Teachers Pay Teachers I want to do when.  Normally, not having these in my copy folder --> in my school bag --> and loaded up in the car, on Wednesday night would absolutely stress me out.  Also, my home printer is out of black ink & my school printer is out of yellow... which apparently means that it cannot even print black ink on worksheets.  Lame sauce.  No stress here!!!  This show should air every night... but then again, it wouldn't last an entire season - only like 2-3 weeks.  Boo.

FOCUS!  Classroom update!  I am in the process of creating my very first Behavior Intervention Plan.  Holy.  Smokes.  I haven't felt this out of the loop since I walked in my classroom for the first time two and a half years ago.  We have been doing testing since we started back last Wednesday.  Allow me to describe my 2012 school year thus far.

** Wednesday - Full day... extra coffee and nap by sundown!

** Thursday - Full day... morrrrrrre coffee and a nap before sundown!

** Friday - Full day... luckily, our Auditory Enrichment specialist pulled kids throughout the day so I was able to start administering CBAs to my kiddos.  Two grade levels; one grade level never seeing a CBA before.

** Monday - Full day... Testing and AE pull-out (Thank you, Jesus).

** Tuesday - Full day... kiddo absent and testing.

** Wednesday - Half day... are you kidding???!  Testing ends this week.  Different kiddo absent.

** Thursday - Half day... WHYYYYYYYY?!?!??!?!  Please let the absentees be present.

** Friday - TEACHER PREP DAY!  Yes, I am thrilled to have this day to myself, but if my kiddos do not show up tomorrow, Ms. Cothran=Doomed.

** Monday - MLK Jr. Holiday!  That's right!  First one in three years where I will not be sitting in an inservice!  I'll be waking up without an alarm and wrapping up some Pinterest things.

** Tuesday - ALLLLLLL MATERIALS AND CONCEPTS!!!

ANYWAY - coming up next in room 315 is.....

Penguins, walruses, polar bears - OH MY!

The episode is about to wrap up.... I have to see how it ends!  Full focus!  No more blogging or planning.  OTH and then possibly some printing of activities.

Adios, bloggers!

<>< Laura {ilovesignlanguage}

Ho - Ho - Ho - Hallelujah!!

Ho! Ho! Ho! HALLELUJAH - We survived Classroom Holiday Mayhem 2011!!! :) :)

Can I get an AMEN??!?

St. Nick Delivery, Polar Express day (favoriiiiiiite) and the 2nd annual Deaf Education Cookie Decorating Party just made the holiday season the best!

We focus a lot of attention on Thanksgiving (when I first got to my school, my students thought that GRAPES and POPCORN were what you had for Thanksgiving dinner!?!?!??!?!?!?  -  ARE YOU KIDDING ME?!??!.... that has been re-taught and corrected).

Here are some snapshots of our Holiday Happenings!   -   With a short video of our SNOW-BALL FIGHT!!!! :) :) :)  <----------NEW tradition!!!!!!!!!!

4th Graders performing at Supper with Santa

4th Graders that performed at Supper with Santa - Lovin' on Mrs. Evon!!!
We miss her dearly!  Baytown is super blessed to have this woman.

My inexpensive gift for my students this year.
I did not neglect my 3 year old... he was already gone for the day...
Snowman in hand!

"May your holiday be filled with sweetness!"

2nd Annual Cookie Decorating Party :)

A new pair of BFFs - I don't know what little guy will do
when his 4th grade friend leaves in June!!!

I just love these kids.

Mmmmmmm.

All smiles.

Oh yeah - I went there.  Justin Bieber Christmas album for the
ENTIRE party!!!!

Yes, she is in LOVEEEEEE.

Beiber Fever Friends.

How match-y match-y and PRECIOUS are we??!?!

You would have thought we were torturing them.

"THIS IS THE LAST DECEMBER PARTY PICTURE I WILL HAVE WITH YOU.
YOU ARE GOING TO MISS ME NEXT YEAR AND BE GLAD YOU HAVE THIS
PICTURE!!!!!"  -- I might or might not have yelled this each time asked our 4th
graders to pose this month.  **tear**

SNOWBALL FIGHT!!!

Wait until we count to THREE!

You are about to witness the best idea EVERRRRRRR.

Ms. Cothran.  Is.  A.  GENIUSSSSSSS.

Get it Mrs. Farrell!!

So, maybe this table dumped over and we had to sit a teacher there
for the duration of the fights.

POLAR EXPRESS DAY!!!!!!!
**I DON'T EVEN WANT TO TALK ABOUT HOW I WAS STUCK
IN A PLANNING MEETING ALL DAY FOR THE NEXT NINE-WEEKS.
I'D LIKE TO {{SMACK}} THE PERSON THAT PICKED OUR DAY!!!**

A Deaf Ed teacher out means a silly schedule for everyone!
Breakfast altogether was a big hit!

Don't they just melt your heart??  My boys.

Santa and Mrs. Claus stopped by SHE!!!

He is signing "Santa Claus!"

4th Grade program.... going to miss this group! :)

I love helpers.

Sweet perfection.

Love 'em.

My boys.

2/3 of my girls.

School-wide caroling.  An incredibly unique tradition at our school.

Entertaining ourselves waiting on the carolers.

SANTA CAME!!!

Have you ever heard of "Be An Angel"?
Check them out!!! ---> {Be An Angel.org}

Santa visited during the caroling!

Many, many blessings!!!  I cannot find where my St. Nick pictures went.  I love this time of year.... and I am so glad we survived.  Until next year, December in the classroom!  --It's time to wrap up these homemade Christmas gifts and hit the hay.

Adios, bloggers!!

OHHHH!!!  Snowball Fight # 1 video::::

<>< Laura {ilovesignlanguage}