Candyland Classroom

Well, my mother is going back in the classroom. It may come as a surprise to few, but what the REAL surprise for me is that she's going to be teaching 2nd grade!

I always knew she loved that grade and growing up she would always comment, "Second grade is the best grade. That's my favorite grade to teach."  I on the other hand thought, "OK, yeah right mom! You've been teaching Junior high for so long, that must be your real love." 

BUT low and behold her dreams/prayers have finally come true and she is back in the wonderful land of lower elementary teaching 2nd grade. :) 

So with this new found teaching opportunity, we have had to work our "Hill/McGill" teacher magic and come up with an outstanding classroom that's decorated top notch! 

Now all the theme credit goes to my fabulous sis, Abby! (and Pinterest of course). She couldn't have picked a better theme to get those 2nd graders ready to walk in a room and learn-CANDYLAND! 

I'll take full credit for the manual labor part of this project along with Abby! Mom, well I love you, but I think the decorating was just too much for ya and socializing up and down the hall didn't help, SO Abby and I get all the glory for this job! LOL

At last I present to you: Candyland

Now there are a few things left to do, but overall I think it's coming together very "sug-cessfully!"

Now, on to enjoy my last few hours of summer before the 2014-2015 school year begins in the A.M........Ready to score a touchdown year with my RES teachers! 

Summer Update

I have said this before, but I am the worse blogger ever! Consistency is so hard for me. Probably because I stay BEYOND busy most days.  So here is a little recap of my summer fun!


The day after I got out of school my family went to the Nassau.  It was a blast and so much fun.  We have already been before so this trip was less touristy and more relaxing.  We spent 9 days soaking up the sun and enjoying family time.  We even got to bring along my honorary sister Lori.

 Group Photo

 conch, conch, and more conch

 cave exploring

 My 2nd home...The Bahamas

Once we got back from vacation on Friday, I started work on Monday (YES IN THE SUMMER!). I taught the 2nd grade class for the 21st century summer program.  We had so much fun doing a Piper Reed Navy Brat story study.  We learned all about life in the Navy.  So after 2 weeks of teaching, Rob and I went to Montana.


In Montana, we spent a week with my mother-in-law Barbara.  We enjoyed seeing nature at its finest.  We visited Yellowstone, rafted the Grand Tetons, and just enjoyed each others company.

 Yellowstone

 Hidden Valley

 Sightseeing

After enjoying the oh so hot  freezing temperatures of Montana and Wyoming, I came back to teach 21st Century for another week.  This was my last week to teach that program.


Then Rob and I left to go to Ocho Rios.  We ABSOLUTELY enjoyed this vacay the most.  We didn't leave our Sandals resort the whole week.  When I think of being lazy and enjoying vacation, this comes to mind.  Every single day I slept in, laid on the beach, came back and napped, ate dinner, and went to bed. Multiple that by 7 and you have my all time most relaxing lazy vacation ever. It was heaven and much needed.

 Ok....so this is also my 2nd home! haha

So then I come back on a Monday and started teaching a 3 week Reading remediation summer program.  I throughly enjoyed spending time helping 1st and 2nd grade kids bring up their reading and math fluency.

This past week I attended a 2 day workshop on Eureka common core math.  Oh my dear teacher friends! I ask BEG you to start the new school year with an OPEN OPEN OPEN mind.  Please be accepting of change and willing to try something new even if it's not the easiest, simplest way to do something.


I have come to realize that, yes common core brings HUGE changes in the curriculum, BUT I can't change the fact that I have to teach common core. So therefore, I have decided to change my attitude towards common core and embrace it.  I think my teaching life will be a lot easier.  I challenge you to accept CC and make the most of it.

Get a head start.....you can access your grade modules for free here: http://commoncore.org/maps/math/home

On to other things that have been happening this week.  We had Bible School one day (SO MUCH FUN),  I sold my Fleur-de-Lis and Stella & Dot jewelry at Christmas in July this weekend.  I met so many great people from my new hometown. I think that was the highlight of my weekend.

I bought Rob tickets to see a Rangers Game, so he spent the weekend in Dallas with his other girlfriend, man bestie Tusch.  I was so happy they could enjoy the game and I was able to stay home in the AC.


I also got to visit this summer with my old B-13 roomies! Oh how I love them, and miss them! They are the best, and I'm SO lucky that we have stayed friends even though we don't live in the same apartment anymore.

 we missed our Abbs!

On a last note, Ro and I celebrated our 1 year on June 15th! OH YEAH!! We are super blessed to have found each other.  He's such an amazing husband and one of my best friends.  I don't know what I did to get him, but I hit the jackpot!

 celebrating our one year in Montana

Until next time, have a great week! I'm hoping to take it easy, as its my last non-working week of the summer! Back to the grind on Aug. 4th! I feel like year round school would be easier than this!


-A


P.S. My donors choose project runs out SOON. If you have a few extra dollars and want to help a great cause check out my website.  It would be greatly appreciated.  http://www.donorschoose.org/Amy.hill.mcgill 




P.S.S  I am now selling Stella & Dot jewelry.  It oh so fabulous, so stylish, and amazing quality.  Try it out, fall in love yourself.  I can do home/online parties so you can earn free jewelry, or you can order ANYTIME at my website  www.stelladot.com/amymcgill

Short update on life

So I'm waiting on dinner at McAllisters so I thought I would give a quick update on my life! 

Tomorrow is the last day for me!!!! Summer break is soooooooo close! 

My grandmother came and spoke to my class about how times have changed in her lifetime. That was quite interesting. She use to work at the telephone company and you can only imagine from the days of having to connect with others through the switchboards, to cellphones the changes she has seen! 

She did so good! She even wrote her speech and my students were so interested in life back then. 

Zulu is doing fabulous. I can't say enough how lucky Rob and I got with him. He is such an amazing and spoiled little ball of fur energy. I'm going to miss him on our trips. Luckily we have THE BESTEST FRIENDS in the world who are going to watch him at our house! Also he is going for the man surgery the Friday before we get back!!! We don't want any little Zulu's running around. 

He LOVES a car ride and that custom bed!!! Rob thought I was crazy for buying him that but it was worth every penny! 

We got new living room furniture! HALLIJUAH!!!! I can't tell you how excited I was to fill that living room up with so plush, cozy, cushy, oversized furniture! 

Big enough for Rob and I both to stretch out!!!

Countdown to vaca!!! Gosh I am beyond ready!!!! 

That's all for now! Gotta get this dinner home to my hardworking handsome husband!!! 

-A

Little Rock

So Saturday we headed to Little Rock to celebrate Abby's 23rd Birthday! She doesn't officially turn 23 until Thursday, but we celebrated early!

We started the morning by going to the farmers market. Then we headed around town to do a little random shopping. Of course since my parents have become Harley Freaks, they had to torture me at the Harley Davison store.

    Sent a "HELP ME" snap to Lori & Tiff

Then we came home and I took a restful nap. I've been trying to limit my daily coke intake. Not going so well. 

        NO COKE= MAJOR HEADACHE 

For dinner we went to DOE's. It is the perfect little hole in the wall place. The entrees are either steak or shrimp. The steak is served by the pound. It's also served family style. Delicious doesn't describe this place. 

          Love Hole-N-The-Wall places

      Homemade tamales for appetizers

       Fried shrimp were also appetizers. 

This is 3.5 of sirlion. We ate every bit! 

You get unlimited new potatoes, fries and butter toast as sides. 

Visit this piece of heaven. It's amazing! 

         Successful birthday dinner!!

After dinner Abby and I hit up the local coffee shop. I've had MYLO coffee at the Hillcrest Farmers Market and now they a store. This coffee is unique bc they drip it through a filter. It lifted my headache within minutes!!!! Ahhhh my saving grace! 

They also serve local ice cream called loblolly! It's so creamy and good. I got the salted carmel and Abby got the berry and granola. It's all made locally in Little Rock. 

               Coffee and ice cream 

I was taking a bite of ice cream and then drinking a sip of coffee. It was like salted carmel coffee! Yummy! 

Such a charming little shop

I loved how they sold items from vendors at the farmers market. Helping out the locals! 

If you ever find yourself in Arkansas and need something to do, definitely check these places out! You won't regret it! 

Dog + House = Big Changes

Well big changes have been going on in the McGill household. In January we were blessed with our little miniture schnauzer. We named him Zulu after the Mardi Gras parade. (Rob and I LOVE all things Louisiana!)

          Before and after his 1st haircut

One of my birthday present from my mom....such a true statement. 

In late February, almost March we bought a house!!!! Ahhhhh adulthood at its finest! I still can't believe I am old enough to buy a home. I still feel 20! Needless to say we LOVE the new McGill Casa! Future post on the new house and the motivating factor that pushed us to buy! It's a great one....I'll leave you hanging and guessing. 

              The new McGill residence. 

Less than 6 weeks left in the school year! I can't believe I've almost made it the whole year!  It has flown by faster than any other time in my life including my wedding!  

My class has been blessed with some generous donations through donorschoose. We are lucky enough to have an iPod and iPad thanks to generous donors throughout the US! If you or someone you know is in the giving mood check out my class page. My students will LOVE you forever for it! 

http://www.donorschoose.org/Amy.hill.mcgill

Also with the end of school come the beginning of VACATIONS!!! Rob and I are headed out to Nassau, Bahamas the day after I get out of school. We get to spend 9 glorious days in paradise. I'm looking forward to: 1) being lazy, 2) being lazy, 3) soaking up the sun and sand, 4) being lazy and 5) spending quality family time. Ahhhh I can't wait! 

Well have a happy Sunday and a fabulous week! It's Holy Week! Remember the tomb is empty! What a glorious feeling! 

Love, A

New Name, New Year, New School

So it's that time of year again! School officially started for me today! My new school, Ringgold Elementary, is awesome.  I have such a good feeling about this year (let's hope I still feel like this in Jan).  

I'm very excited, but also nervous. Any of you that know me well know that leaving Glenbrook was a difficult decision for me. I whole-heartily loved the people and students there.  So now I feel like a newbie again.  Starting all over, trying to figure out the school's routines and procedures. 

Thankfully I have some amazing co-workers that I have known practically my whole life (and most of them are newbies too) to help me out on this new teaching journey.  

I would appreciate some prayers for this upcoming year!! Please pray I: 1) survive (LOL) 2) have safe travels and 3) have a positive impact on my students and fellow teachers. 

With all that being said here are a few pics of my classroom. I kept the jungle theme I've had the past 3 year!