Just Pinning Away...

Do you use Pinterest? Yes, I'm a Pin Addict. Or Junkie. Or whatever you wish to call someone who is addicted to pinning things on Pinterest. It's just so visually stimulating, I guess. But I really love seeing all the great, creative things I can try in my classroom AND getting a good chuckle from time to time. I'm not a food-pinner, though. Seeing food just makes me hungry and want to eat. Plus, I'm not much of a cook, so what's the point? ;]

Anyway, I thought I'd share some of my favorite pins with you. I apologize that I may not have these all sourced, but you can find them on my Pin Boards. Feel free to follow me, repin, comment, whatever. ;]

This one is courtesy of Kathie, my Facebook/Twitter friend & fellow educator. It's pretty sad how this is so true for many of us in our classrooms/schools. I guess it is a reflection of education, itself, in our society. Let's hope the pendulum swings back...soon!

This picture was taken by ‏@PaulWHankins at Donalyn Miller's workshop (she is amazing) and is one slide in her presentation. I think it speaks volumes about the power of reading.

Yep...

There's not enough time in the day to read as much as I'd like to!

Authors are my rock stars. Of course, rocks stars are my rock stars, too. {lol} 

You can order it from SourceBooks for $20. It's simply Poetastic!

And how cool would this be to eat from book-shaped plates? Buy them by the case (12 per case) 

from The Webstraunt Store. (Not sure if you have to own a restaurant to buy from them.)

I love this visual representation of "Knowledge is power." 

R.I.P. Ray Bradbury. Author of so many great works, including Fahrenheit 451 and one of my favorite short stories, "There Will Come Soft Rains" (which is also one of my favorite poems by Sara Teasdale.)

It seems appropriate to mention another author who did not believe in censorship, Mark Twain. (Actually, I can't think of any authors who favor censorship, can you?) 

And who doesn't love some ecards??  Here are my latest favorites:

(Nope, we just had unexpected company...lol.)

Yes...please direct these moms to me, please. I have a list ready for them. ;]

This one goes out to all my Wisconsin teacher friends. Unless we all get out and vote, what is happening in Wisconsin is sure to spread to the rest of our states, if it hasn't already.

And everything must end with a laugh. 

This one is from LOL Wall on Facebook, asking how you have been keeping cool this summer...

 Not sure if I pinned it, though I shared on FB. I guess I'll have to pin now, huh!?

And if you're looking for anything related to The Hunger Games, I'll be adding my favorite Hunger Games pins over on my Hunger Games Lessons blog shortly...

Have a great weekend!

Add your Pinterest link to Allie's link-up here:

Teacher Appreciation Week: You DO Make a Difference

Today kicks off Teacher Appreciation Week and Tuesday is Teacher Appreciation Day. We celebrate it to honor those who devote their lives to teaching children and serving others.

It's nice to get a pat on the back, especially this time of year. We often go about our day lecturing, explaining directions over and over, wondering if anyone is listening, if anyone cares. Sometimes it's a thankless job. Sometimes it seems as if we've not made a bit of difference. Then, perhaps years later, we receive a note from a student or a call from a parent who just wanted to say thanks. Those moments lift us and remind us that our jobs may not have immediate rewards, but they DO make all the difference in the lives of others.

As we near the close of another school year, stay positive and end it with a smile. And know that even though you may not see the fruit of your labor this year, or next year, or even in ten years, you have planted the seed and it will continue to grow because of your efforts.

Thank you to teachers everywhere for your efforts with our children...with our future.

Here are some of my favorite teaching-related Pinterest pins: