Ms. Bohlen's Classroom

Many of you know that I'm a teacher. I am on my fourth year now, and I finally feel like I found my groove. Some days are longer than others, some kids have attitude, and some days I put on movies, but for the most part, I feel confident in my teaching abilities. I would say one of the biggest things I have learned is to be able to think of things on the fly - whether it be because the kids aren't getting it, the copier is broken and you can't make copies, or you have 30 minutes of unexpected extra time. My classroom management is also somewhat easy and figured out as well.

Over the last four years, I have accumulated a lot and have eventually figured out a system that works in my classroom, so I thought I would share a classroom tour! I also thought I would share some helpful info/resources that I have grown to love in hopes that a few of my fellow teachers out there could find useful. Enjoy!

What is your favorite online resource?

I love Scholastic Scope magazine. It is a monthly subscription of magazines geared towards kids and has the BEST stories and online resources to go along with them. It is a life saver and the kids love the stories! Our school pays for it for us, but I'm pretty sure it is reasonably priced.

How do you stay organized?

Organization is KEY when you are a teacher. I am constantly updating my to-do list and always try to make copies ahead of time if I can. I keep all my future copies behind my desk organized into 3 categories: THIS WEEK, NEXT WEEK, EXTRA. I also put extra copies in a folder organizer at the front of the room for the kid that constantly loses their copy. When kids are absent, I put their stuff in a folder for their specific class period in the back of the room, so they know exactly where to go when they come back. Each class period also has it's own turn in tray near my desk. The kids have an area of items that are exclusively theirs so that they don't touch my stuff - tape, colored paper, scissors, markers, colored pencils, stapler, hole punch, etc. It has worked really well for me the past couple of years.

What is your grading system?

My mentor my first year used a paper gradebook, so I followed suit. I like having a physical paper copy just in case. I put the original grades in that first, then transfer it to our online grading system.

What is the most fun thing about teaching?

Honestly, the kids are hilarious. Sometimes we just have fun and those are my favorite moments.

What is the worst thing about teaching?

It is the most exhausting and emotionally draining job at times. But at the end of the day, it is rewarding.

View of my classroom from my desk

View from the front of the room. I NEVER have my overhead lights turned on...ever. The kids have grown to hate them as much as I do. I love the natural light my windows provide plus my two standing lamps and Christmas lights. It makes the classroom feel warm and homey.

Classroom Library. The kids LOVE this area of my room because only a few students get to read here per day - I tell them it's a privilege, not a right. I've accumulated these bean bags, pillows, and blankets over the years and got the rug from Walmart. The kids also love the artwork and decor. It is definitely the coziest spot in the room.

My safe haven AKA my desk area. It looks cluttered, but each item has a purposeful place. My parents bought me this amazing chair a few years ago from a Billiards store. I love being able to sit there while teaching or having class discussions.

One of my favorite parts of my classroom - my personal bulletin board! I keep my calendar here as well as pictures of all my favorite people. It reminds me that I have a life outside of school, too. I have a couple of lamps over here as well to keep the cozy feel.

View from my desk. I have an Activboard and a document camera that literally saves my life.

Weekly calendar of objectives, lessons, and homework for the kids to copy in their planner and keep us on schedule. I am super OCD and like having this in the room to stay on track and model organization for the kids. My mom used her Cricut to make the words and I used masking tape for the grid lines.

My cluster**** of a desk drawer. No organization here, people. I basically am constantly grabbing and throwing things in here.

I love quotes and picked this up this summer at Michael's. I like changing this according to the time of year, books we are reading, or just a great song lyric!

A Few of My Favorite Things

Happy Sunday!

For the past couple of months I have been obsessed with watching other blogger's Instagram stories and scouring their blogs for outfit inspiration, home decor ideas, and just general products they enjoy using. Some of my favorite products, recipes, or clothing items I have are because someone ELSE recommended them! I'm the type of person that has to know someone else tried it and liked it before I bite the bullet and decide to purchase. (I am the type of person that is always reading reviews of restaurant spots, beauty products, or clothing).

Obviously I am nowhere near the status of any of the bloggers I follow, but I feel like someone could hopefully benefit from a couple of these. I will try to keep you updated if I think of or discover new things I want to share! I will also be linking some of my favorite blogger's websites so that you can follow them as well!

BEAUTY

Long Time Favorite: Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturizing Lotion

I have been using Clinique products, specifically this lotion, since I was in high school. They have different formulas specific for different skin types, but this one has worked for me for years and is at a good price point for the quantity you get. I use it every night after I wash my face and it keeps my skin moisturized without feeling greasy or thick on my face. 

Current Favorite: MAC Haught and Naughty Lash Mascara

When I got my makeup done at MAC for my engagement photo session, I got lashes and a free mascara with my purchase. I didn't pay much attention to it because I thought it would probably be their cheapest mascara and not worth using. However, about a week later I ran out of my other mascara I use and decided to swipe some of this on my lashes instead since I was in a rush...OMG! Where has this been all my life?! First off, it has a dual brush so it makes my lashes thick and super long. Secondly, it stays on super well without being waterproof...which I need since I wear contacts. I would HIGHLY recommend! 

HAIR

About a year ago, I discovered both of these products and they have totally changed my after-shower hair routine!

Wet Brush 

This brush is super cheap but SO GOOD. I swear it's magic. It combs through even the toughest knots and tangles.

Protect & Detangle by Beauty Protector

This stuff is gold. Super conditioning and lightweight. I just spray this in my wet hair right after the shower and before I brush or style my hair.

ACTIVEWEAR

Any time I'm not dressed up for an event or work, I am in activewear. I have accumulated quite the amount of workout tops, athleisure jackets, and of course, leggings! These two styles and brands are tried and true and the best part is I can wear them multiple days in a row (just kidding...not really) and they stay fitted and clean feeling. I've owned both of these for a while now and would definitely say they are both well worth the price point!

Align Pant by Lulu Lemon

I currently have the crop version, but am saving up for the pant version seen below. I like these for lounging or working out, but I think they perform super well in workout classes because they stay up and you don't have to constantly adjust them!

High Waisted Live In Leggings by Zella 

Zella is Nordstrom's activewear line and I am obsessed. These pants are by far my favorite leggings I've ever worn for day-to-day. They are thick enough to keep you warm in colder temps, but could also be work in the fall or spring! I like them more for running errands or lounging than working out because of the thickness.

Favorite Bloggers:

The Fancy Ashley

Carrie Bradshaw Lied

Style Your Senses

Goodbye, 2017. Hello, New Years Resolutions!

This year has been my favorite year yet. Rings and puppies are pretty exciting. 2017 will be hard to beat, but I have a feeling it will be amazing in it's own way.

Ryan and I will get married in June 2018 and move to Beaumont, TX that July. I have lived in the Houston area for most of my life (besides for college) so it should be interesting. Thankfully we will be about an hour away, so quick visits will be manageable! I'm excited to see how we grow as a couple as well as individuals in this new chapter of our lives.

With all that's going on in 2018, I set some resolutions that I can only hope to stick to.

1. Maintain my weight loss. I lost 25 pounds this year, and I would really like to be able to continue to maintain it through a healthy diet and exercise.

2. Tone up. With my current weight loss (see above), I did a lot of cardio. I want to focus on toning up and trying some new weight training classes and routines at the gym.

3. Focus on eating HEALTHY. Through my weight loss, I learned a lot about portion control and healthy eating, however I want to incorporate more vegetables, fruits, lean meat, and organic foods into my diet and lower the amount of sugar and processed foods that I eat.

4. Refocus on my faith. Honest moment: I have not been going to church as frequently as I should. I need church and I need time with God, and I haven't been making that a primary focus for the past few months. My goal is to attend church at least 1 time a month this year along with praying every night.

5. Streamline Darling Designs. This year, my business grew a lot. I had orders coming in faster than I could keep up with at times. My goal this year is to streamline and organize how I handle ordering, payments, etc.

I chose to just have 5 solid resolutions this year. Quality > Quantity you could say. I'll keep you guys updated on how that goes, but I wish you luck in your own resolutions and I hope you have a happy New Year!

Blog Revival

I started this blog the year after I graduated from college, and now here I am again trying to revive it. A lot has happened in the last two years (namely that I got engaged, adopted a puppy, and grew my business), so I haven't had a ton of downtime to work on it. However, I really miss writing, so I thought I'd try it out again!

Right now my focus is going to be on health and fitness, the wedding, Bentley, our upcoming move to Beaumont, and really anything else that goes on in my life and is somewhat interesting. Let me know if there is anything specific you want to see!