You Need to Add a Little Spice

I LOVE lists.  Some of my lists have lists.  I will even do a rough draft of my grocery list and then revise by the layout of the store. I LOVE lists!
As a teacher, lists are a big part of what makes me productive - the more that I can check off, the more productive I am!  In the summer my list making takes the month of June off (except for that grocery list), but with July upon us, the lists go into what my kids call BEASTMODE.
Side note... July is also the month that the school supplies begin appearing in the stores (July 5th to be exact).  This is one of those days that I live for.  You can keep your Black Friday shopping in November - I am happily at home for that- but give me school supplies in July!  I went the other day and take a look I what I found...

I now have colored plastic folders in six different colors for my six groups (plastic may be bad for the environment, but it's a godsend for elementary folders).  I also picked up a cute spiral for personal note taking (I still prefer to take notes the old fashioned way) and a purple 2" binder so I can begin building my 2013-14 Super Binder (more about the Super Binder in a future blog).
The spiral is where I take notes from inservices, workshops, faculty meetings, conferences, etc... I like to keep all of my notes in one place so that I will always know where to look.  Each school year begins with a new spiral!  The spiral begins its new life beside my bed.  Let me explain, beginning around the end of June I begin having the school terrors that will wake me up in a cold, sweaty panic.  They usually involve an idea or a list of something that I will need to do or want to try in the upcoming term.  With my trusty spiral beside my bed, I can jot these things down and go back to sleep.
After 19 years, I still do this.  Teaching must never become rote, so teachers must never become stagnate or believe that they don't  have time to improve.  I change something every year (often many things).  Even after 2 years of indoctrination to become a language therapist where they tried to kill the teacher living in my heart by drilling that therapy is best when it's super structured and never changes.  Don't tell the therapy gurus (love 'em), but my teacher's heart beats loud and true. I tweak my therapy classes a bit each year and in turn, each year is a little better than the last. It all starts in the spiral.
Don't be afraid to spice things up, make some changes, try something new.  What's the worst that could happen?  It might not be successful, but your kiddos get to see how well you respond to fooboos.  That is a LIFE LESSON!
Go on now - grab a spiral, make some changes, spice it up!

Speaking of spice...
I have a recipe to share.  These are the perfect little something when you are in need of a chocolate fix. Most of the ingredients are typical, but there are a few that I have marked with a * in case you want to spice it up.  If you do, the changes are subtle but spectacular!

Brownie Cookies
1 box brownie mix ( I use dark chocolate)
1 1/4 C AP flour
1/4 C brown sugar
2 eggs
1/2 C butter (melted)
2T water
1 C chocolate chips (any type, I use semi-sweet)
1T espresso powder* (intensifies the chocolate flavor)
1t vanilla*
1t cinnamon*
1/8-1/4 t cayenne pepper* (trust me)
combine all and cover and chill for 2 hours
preheat oven to 350 and drop the dough by tablespoonfuls onto a parchment-lined sheet pan
flatten slightly
bake 10-12 minutes
yield 60 cookies

Before you leave, here's a homework assignment:
How do you plan to spice up your class this year? please leave a comment

Love & Blessings!
Puddin'