Long First Week and Some Good Reads

I feel like I have seriously neglected my blog this past week.

My first week teaching 6th grade at a new school literally FLEW by!!

I didn't have time to do anything but survive.

Needless to say... I have lived to see another week of 6th grade.

I'm just about done lesson planning and I feel like I'm actually prepared for this week.

I'll just have to go in early tomorrow and make some copies.

I'm still desperately trying to figure out how to fill (without over-filling) a 45 minute period.

Some days last week I was underplanned... some days overplanned.

I don't adjust well to change so I like when my lesson plans work out perfect....

but as we all know as teachers... that very rarely happens.

Sigh... still waiting on bookshelves that my school ordered for me to arrive.

Until then, I will not be posting a classroom reveal.

And I am DYING to post a reveal. 

I LOVE my classroom this year.

Being put into a classroom with absolutely nothing in it was refreshing.

The past three years I inherited a classroom full of junk.

So, since I can't post a reveal yet, and I had no time for a Monday Made It this week....

I'll post something else.

I've been asked MANY times for a list of my favorite good reads.

Here it is!! 

(Later this week I'll post clothes from my most recent shopping trip!)

Ashley's Favorite Reads

1. Tell the Wolves I'm Home (LOVED this! Totally different than my norm!)

2. I Hunt Killers

3. The Game (the sequel to I Hunt Killers)

4. Delirium trilogy (the ending of the first two made me so mad!!!)

5. Gone series

6. If I Stay

7. The Mortal Instruments

8. Digital Fortress (or anything by Dan Brown)

9. The Testing

10. Maze Runner series

11. Legend series

12. Wonder

13. Ungifted

14. Out of My Mind

15. Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children

16. The Hunger Games

17. Divergent trilogy

I'm sure there's many, many more I could add... but I just can't come up with them right now!

I'm currently reading Freak the Mighty.

XO

Monday Made It... More Classroom Decor!

Today is my last free Monday.

School starts tomorrow!!!

I will have 6 periods of anywhere from 19-28 brand new, little 6th graders!!!

I just might throw up. lol

Just kidding.

Maybe.
No really....
I am FREAKING out!!!

If you know me at all, you know I am OBSESSED with minions and Despicable Me.

Well, a few weeks ago we went to the county fair and I could not win a unicorn.

I tried and tried and tried. Spent a bunch of money. And lost. Darn carnival games.

Well this little guy arrived yesterday and
HE'S SO FLUFFY I'M GONNA DIE!!!!

hehe 

I'm linking up with 4th Grade Frolics for today's Monday Made it!

I am so proud of this!!! Today I hung up a banner that says "Sudoku"

Every week I'll put up a new puzzle for students to solve. 

They'll have an entire week to complete and turn in the puzzle.

Students who complete and get it all correct will get one bonus point.

On the counter next to the game I have a container with blank sudoku puzzles.

I made this Truman Award Nominee banner early last week. 

I finally finished decorating the rest of the bulletin board.

Students will "tweet" a book review after they finish one of the ones posted.

We're also going to set class goals on how many books we can read this year.

Finally, I made this with a friend for her classroom. 

She's a 6th grade ELA teacher so we turned my Sudoku board into a Boggle board!!

She'll switch out the letters every week.

And last but not least... I am super excited to announce that my 

Donors Choose project has been fully funded!!!!

It only took just a few short days. 

I am sincerely grateful for everyone that donated!!

Soon I will have brand new books on their way to my classroom!!!

Anyway, wish me luck tomorrow!!!

Stress, Classroom and Some Donors Choose

I haven't been this stressed out in a long time.

It's not only the fear of a new year... but it's also a new school and a new grade level.

Let's be honest. There's a BIG difference between 4th and 6th graders.

However, with all that stress, I could not be any happier with my new "family".

This new school has offered nothing but kind words and support.

And it feels amazing to be able to do my own thing.

No more complaints about us not all doing the exact same thing, at the exact same time.

Oh the joys of Middle School.

My classroom is getting closer to being ready to go.

Unfortunately, I don't know when the bookshelves my school ordered me will be in.

It's driving me nuts that I can't finish my room until then.

My lesson plans are just about done too.

Again, it is wonderful to have such a supportive team. :)

 As a secondary teacher, I have the opportunity to receive 24 copies of the Truman Award Nominees.

These books are great for kids this age because it's usually something they can relate to.

When finished, the board will have copies of the covers of all the books.

It's also going to be a tweet was where students can leave "tweets" as reviews of the books.

I can't wait to finish everything!! :)

Did I mention that I'm a 6th grade teacher teaching ALL of the subjects?

This is my science wall.

Scientific method and lab team roles all courtesy of The Science Penguin.

This is probably my favorite part of my room right now. 

I LOVE my expectation frames. <3 <3 <3

The baskets will be for each class to turn in work.

I'm also super excited I was able to get a horseshoe table for small groups!! :)

Anyway... 

I am EXHAUSTED!!!

This week has been super long. I've put in about 10 hour days.

This weekend will be full of much needed rest and relaxation!!!

But first...

PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE check out my first ever Donors Choose project

Visit my Donors Choose Project Page to donate.

I'm really hoping to get more Truman Award Nominee books and the next ones in their series.

Your donation will help my students immensely!! 

About Me && a Monday Made It

Welcome to my new and improved blog! Don't judge me... I'm currently on the wait list for a super cool new blog design courtesy of Lindsey at Blog Designs with the Teacher in Mind. :) I blogged about two years back but couldn't find the time to keep up with it. So this time, I'm ready to give it another shot.

But first... a little bit about me...

My name is Ashley Dudeck and I'm a 1st year, 6th grade teacher. I've taught 3rd and 4th grade previously but I'm definitely ready for the change! I truly love my job and {almost} everything it entails! Can't say I enjoy all the paperwork too much. HA!

I grew up in St. Louis, MO but later attended Missouri State University for a degree in Elementary Education. This past May I graduated with my Master's degree in K-12 School Administration from Lindenwood University.

I got engaged back in February and am currently planning a wedding which will {hopefully} 

be held in Mexico. Fingers crossed!! :) Here's us :::

A little bit more... I like to do crazy, fun things! I run 5ks {but mostly the fun kind!}, I love to get dressed up, and I love all things glitter and pink!

Finally, I'm a proud mama to three adorable furbabies :) Jenny, Val, and Jazz

Alright! That's enough... for now :) Now, onto today's Monday Made It with 4th Grade Frolics.

First, after cheer practice, I built a bookshelf from Walmart. 5 shelves!! I'm so proud of myself :) :)

Second, I made 14 of these beautiful, glittery bows for my girls! The crafty side of me finally made an appearance this summer. I really love these things and am incredibly surprised they turned out so nice!!

Okay, I think that's enough for now. Check back often for more updates!! I plan to blog about my teaching endeavors, daily fashion, and all things me!