New Project

I should be getting a new Doc Cam very soon provided by my school, so I have take down my project on Donors Choose for a Doc cam. I do have another project up from the same link below that I really hope to be funded soon, as I have already started the animal unit. Thanks for any support you can provide.

If anyone is looking for a way to volunteer, I always have things to correct (you can do that at home), file (must be done here), kids to read to or listen to their reading (English AND Spanish is needed). Just let me know if you would like to come in once a week, month, or just a day here or there.

Thanks - Teacher Beth

Donors Choose

I have had several projects funded through Donor's Choose. It is a website that provides teachers a way to post some projects that would be helpful for their classroom and students. This August I had 3 projects funded: A new writing center - book maker, colored paper, lined paper, white tag board, and the writing process folder. Also, some educational games from Lakeshore Learning and a project to make paper books and book bags to take home for my students. I feel so blessed. We also got just a few weeks ago another project funded by the Disney Planet Project as we are entering their contest for a recycling project - we got new white boards and markers - to cut down on paper waste, Environmental books, and we will get a book on making projects out of recycled paper. Very excited! Right now I have one project up for a Document Projector that would really help the students see our lessons better. It can be used for ALL subject and I know we would use it throughout the day. Here is the link if anyone would want to donate (tax-deductible) http://www.donorschoose.org/btinseth. I am so thankful for all who have donated to the other projects. Thanks for looking!

Give aways

Here is a give away link for $50 gift card for Educational Insights
http://www.thebudgetmommy.com/home/2011/10/14/50-educational-insights-gift-card-giveaway.html

Teacher Projects

Going Back to School . . .

I have been into my classroom 3 times so far. The last few years has been devastating the first day back. EVERYTHING stacked in a pile. Usually it is hard for me to breath and stay focused without crying. This year, I geared up and invited Dave (like he had a choice) and the boys to help for a hour or two the first day. We went in, and things were out of place - of course - because they move it to wax the floor over the summer - but not too bad. I had Dave and Jonah help me move the teacher desk, kidney table, some HEAVY file cabinets, etc. We only spent an hour I think, then went up to OMSI for a fun day.

Since then, I have been working on a few projects. The first one is an organization folder for my students. I am not finished, but hope to work on it this week. Here is the cover:

It will have a place for homework, returned forms, money pocket, lunch menu, newsletter, etc. I am excited about this. I have never done it before. Hoping to teach the kids to be responsible. I did purchase the WAY CUTE clipart for my Explorer theme-ish.

The next project is this:
This is a wire organizer, in different colors. I bought it from a teacher garage sale years ago, and I am sure it had been around for MANY years before that. My project was to spray paint it black. WOW!!! That was harder than I thought. I went through WAY more paint cans than I thought and I think I bruised my trigger finger. It was sore for quite a while. I am sure it is still not perfect, but since I am not a perfectionist (thank goodness) I can move on. Still on the list to find really cute (cheap or free) ribbon to hang labels.

The next project is this:I got this paper on clearance from Michael's and I was so excited to make some cute signs. I will be posting the standards that we are working on next to these subject signs. I will post more when I finish my room.

Thankful Today #3

This was such a wonderful opportunity for Jonah. We had prayed about the opportunity to share Christ in Spanish, and he was able to with Marcielo. Sharing Christ, then after he believed, discipling him how to share with others. Bruce W helped lead Jonah and Boh (with another boy), in how to do this, while Jonah did his best speaking and sharing and translating in Spanish. What a blessing and an answer to prayer.

Thankful today #2

Today I am thankful for the ladies that we were able to share Christ with. I have a list of prayer requests that I will type up soon if anyone wants a copy. Our camera got dropped by ... ? so it was not working wonderfully. Other people took LOTS of pictures, so I can not wait to get some of those. Upon leaving for Mexico, I thought I was going to be doing the music for VBS and helping with elementary age kids, possibly a day of working with teen girls. The opportunity changed as soon as we saw the needs. We had some Mexican Missionaries (18 year old Lalo and 23 year old Chucho (Jesus) - they had just been trained the week before, so they were ready to lead almost the whole thing and were very excited about it. Therefore, they did not need much help. So, the 2nd day I went to go help Marlo and Beth W. with the moms that were hanging around. We started with a light question, then then to another light one (so I thought) Tell us about your family. I was expecting something like what I would share "Hi, my name is Beth, I have been married for 14 years to my husband Dave. We have 3 boys, Jonah age 11, Jacob age 10 and JD age 6, almost 7) Light enough, right? Wrong! We got everything from domestic violence, brain tumors, a story of a 10 yr old boy kidnapped from that same neighborhood, a husband/father that does not want to be part of their family, not living for God, hard heart, and trying to honor God. WOW! First day meeting and I heard prayer requests that would take ladies in the States weeks or months to share. I was thankful for their honestness. It made share the gospel with them so amazing. We did share the gospel several times and in several ways. Two ladies accepted Christ, and a few of the ladies from the church prayed with them. The missionaries that we were working with Rolland and JoAnn Smith, were just pulling out of their church plant ministry there, so allowing the new leaders to take over and disciple the new believers. I am excited for this opportunity for them. Please pray for Mireya (Pastor's wife), Sandra, and Elena - strong believers. I am so amazed that all these ladies came together from a very poor and dangerous neighborhood and heard about Christ. I know seeds were planted and the gospel was heard. Two new sisters in Christ and hopefully more to come.

Thankful today #1

We are back from our Mission Trip to Mexico. Today I am so thankful for our trip. I am thankful for our transportation system in the US - lines on the road, speed limits, turn signals, etc. God gave us an amazing driver for our Mexican adventures - Toño, and he kept us safe on the road. I am also thankful for a wonderful shower, clean sheets, a washer and dryer, clean drinking water, clean fruits and veggies in abundance, toilet paper that I can throw in the toilet, muchos besos from my kids and husband, and a great home. I have so much to be thankful for from our trip. More things to share...