Sunday Encouragement

I just realized I have been terrible about remembering my Sunday Encouragement. Today I am being a little silly but it does have serious implications.  I typed YOLO into pinterest and found this picture that I really do like.  Although I think YOLO is a silly phrase, it is a fact of life that you only live once. It should be lived wisely and without worry right?!?

In honor of only living once, hubby and I added a new addition to our family last night.

Meet Suzy.  She is a shih tzu puppy.  She is so so SO cute!  We were planning on looking at dogs but were not planning on taking one home! I guess she was just so cute that we couldn't leave without her! This weekend was originally going to be used to figure out my writing lessons but has turned into puppy training.  It has been so fun!

Remember, you only live once! Take those risks. And enjoy life!  Happy Sunday everyone.

First week of school!

I have officially made it through my first week of school as a teacher!! It was so much fun and I learned so much.  I am so blessed to be at this wonderful school. I LOVE having kids from all over the world.  It does make some things a little harder but overall it is wonderful! I have realized I need to talk slower so some of my ELL students can better understand me. I also need to talk clearer!

Anyway, I have so much to share that I dont know where to start!  I guess I will back track a few days to the TPT sale! I got some wonderful stuff.  I got  Ms. Fultz Community Building Activities.  I am excited to use this in the next couple weeks.

Additionally I bought an owl clipart set from Tracee Orman that I LOVE. It matches my owl and polka dot theme so brilliantly!  (more on that later)

I also purchased the Time Capsule from Fourth and Ten.

I did a much larger version of a time capsule when I was in 5th grade and loved it!  We did part of the activities last week and my kids loved it.  I told them they could bring in a picture or a small item to put in it for the year and they all got excited! We will finish them up and hide them away this week!

Finally, I purchased Super Summer Writing activity from Coffee Kids and Complusive Lists.  I did this with my students and they loved it as well! I had them write 2 paragraphs about their summer and then color, cut, and glue their super hero together.  It was great. I will post them on the walls this week!

(All items should be linked up to TPT now!)

So these are my first legitimate purchases from TPT that were specifically chosen for my classroom. I could not have been more thrilled.  Being on this side of the world has its advantages ;) I got to download my stuff right away because what seemed like no one else was on!

I will wrap this post up with my Sunday Encouragement.  Tomorrow (hopefully) I will post pictures of my classroom and some of the stuff we have done already.  The next day I will post about some dilemmas and questions I have experienced.  And then I hope to share and receive feedback from the new spelling program my school is doing.  Hope you all are enjoying your Sunday.

As teachers I feel like this is very important.  Work for a cause NOT for applause. mmmmm. Makes me think. I like it!!

Sunday Encouragement

Today is Sunday. For me, the Sunday before school starts.  As the nerves set in and the anticipation builds I must remind myself of this one thing:

I may WILL mess up at some point during this first week and even more the following weeks, but those mistakes are proof of my existence.  They are proof that I am indeed trying. They are proof that I am human. A human trying to make a better life for myself and hopefully others as well.  I must remember these things.  I must focus on moving forward through everything.  This is my motto for the first week.  Maybe I should share this with my class as well!

Hope you all are encouraged to try new things and embrace the mistakes that come along the way.  Be blessed this week wherever you are in your teaching timeline and in life.  May you find reminders throughout the week that encourage you to continue doing what you do best!

Sunday Encouragement

Today's encouragement comes from a famous and favorite author Dr. Seuss.

Remember that you are you.  You were created with and for a purpose.  But you just have to be you.  That is all that matters.  Be confident in who you are.  

p.s. I'm thinking about posting this in my classroom.  I think it is important to instill this into young people, especially those who struggle with self esteem and confidence.  That is one of my goals this year to make sure that my class is confident in who they are.  

Enjoy your Sunday folks.  Be blessed!

Sunday Encouragement

Today's Sunday Encouragement is about happiness. I have learned that happiness is a choice and one that, for me, needs to made every day.  I like that this quotes points that out by saying that you've 'decided' to look beyond the imperfections.  It is a choice you have to do. The imperfections will always be, but we can look past them and ignore them.  Happiness is also a realization that things are not perfect because they never will be!

Hopefully today you can choose happiness. Find the good in your day.  It is worth it!  Be blessed today :)

Sunday Encouragement

Two things: I am very glad that I have internet and can update this post live :) and I am very thankful for all of the bloggy support. It makes what I am doing that much more wonderful.

Anyway, Sunday Encouragement. Today's quote comes from Eleanor Roosevelt.  I love Eleanor Roosevelt. However, I must admit that I do not know much about her life or what she did but I do know that many of my favorite quotes come from her!

This has brought me so much encouragement throughout this journey just getting here.  I was so worried and afraid about this transition but I knew that in order for me to grow, I had to let go and look fear in the face!! 


I know that this might not apply to everyone but I have to imagine that there are other circumstances in school in which you have to look fear in the face. Maybe it is integrating a new idea or lesson that others are afraid of, or maybe a new management system. Or maybe you have to confront a student, parent or teacher and it is scary.  But the reality still exists to gain strength, courage, and confidence, you must do the thing you THINK you cannot do.

Sunday Encouragement

Encouragement for today.  Be so busy loving life!!  That is my goal for today.  Focus on how much you love life and how blessed you are.

Sorry its so short but dont have much time today.  Hopefully I can explain my situation better tomorrow!

Be encouraged today!!

Sunday Encouragement

This past few weeks I have been so blessed by how wonderful everyone is on bloggyland!! (really bloggyland is not a word? What do they expect us to call this place anyway?)  So my Sunday encouragement is to let you all know how much I appreciate you all!  Thank you for encouraging me as I begin this journey into teaching.  My excitement has only increased because of these new connections.

So again.  Thanks for being wonderful!

Sunday Encouragement

Today, I need some personal encouragement.  This weekend was really hard as I said goodbye to many close friends that we visited for the last time.  We will be leaving in two very short weeks.  So here is a picture of an awesome verse.  I love the ending "without fear of the future".  

This is my goal.  To live without fear of the future. To be clothed in strength and dignity. And to be known for my laughter!  What blessings and powerful words these are.  

I hope that they can encourage you in whatever you may be encountering.  Be encouraged today to live without fear of the future!!

Sunday Encouragement

I love this quote.  It is challenging. It makes me think.  It encourages me to take the risk and not worry. I hope it does the same for you.  Be creative and do not fear being wrong.  Fear is the largest obstacle many of us have to face.  

Short and simple Sunday Encouragement!  

Sunday encouragement.... I know its Saturday :)

I know that today is Saturday, but I will be busy with a family get-together all day tomorrow and wont have time to blog! (which is probably a good thing since I am addicted!) Anyway, Sunday encouragement will be a new aspect of my blog.  I have found so many things on Pinterest (doesnt everyone!) and other places that have inspired me and encouraged me that I wanted to share some of these things and offer some encouragement to others on here as well.   If you want to follow my Pinterest stuff that would be awesome....I'm still learning how to get the linky thing on the side but hopefully that will be coming soon.  Until then here is a link to my Pinterest boards:  http://pinterest.com/bknechtel/

First thing I wanted to share was this quote picture thing that has challenged me to change my perspective.  Choose faith over worry.  I love that it begins with the word choose.  This is a choice.  We have the power to choose how we feel and what we focus on!  I also love that it says faith over worry, not instead of but over.  For me not worrying isn't an option. I swear it is part of who I am.  However, I can choose faith OVER worry.  I need to work on ignoring the worry and focus on faith and on positive things.  I need to trust that things will work out and not worry about EVERYthing!

So this is my little thought for the day.  Sunday encouragement. You have the power to choose faith over worry!! Do it.  

Also, I recently found Amanda's new blog Teaching Maddeness and have fallen in love.  Not only is it super cute, it is full of wonderful ideas and information.  She is also incredibly popular :) which is lovely.  She has had her blog for a week and is already celebrating her 100 followers.  She is so gracious and having such a wonderful giveaway.  Hopefully I can follow in her footsteps...someday... and hopefully I can win! Choose faith, right? So click on over to Amanda's giveaway and check out what she has to offer!