Our future's so bright...

     This school year's theme is "Our future's so bright, we just gotta wear shades!"  It's very unique, but very difficult for me to wrap my head around.  I mean, I get it and it's a great motto, but how on earth do you decorate a classroom for this???  I have never really decorated and filled my walls (it's clutter-y and overwhelming.....just sayin'), so I don't know why I was so bothered by this.  Anyway, after I got over the decor, the real struggle came when planning the opening week.
     I always begin the school year with a discussion about goals and dreams.  It really sets up a great classroom environment of goal-setters and diversity.  These activities also lead into my monthly character education read alouds (check out ....Bad Case of the Stripes).  As I was wrapping my head around, and google-ing, some "bright future" activities, I ran across this one.  I'm not sure where I saw it but I adapted it for my third graders.
     First, we talked about setting goals and having a dream for the future.  Then, each student wrote down one big goal for either this year or for the future.  After that, we talked about how people meet their goals; whether through education, hard work, etc.  Finally, my Bright Learners, wrote about their goal and how they were planning on meeting that goal.  They did a great job and really impressed me with their thinking.   For a display board, they wrote on a big cut-outs of sunglasses (see what I did there?).  This made for a great Orientation/Open House display for parents.

Lasagna Rolls

     Spaghetti is a classic dinner option in most American homes...ours is no exception!  I absolutely LOVE tomato sauce and pasta.  This recipe is a spin on the classic: Lasagna.  I came across this "rolled up" idea on Pinterest and just ran with it.  Now, I make Lasagna Rolls at least once a month.  I really love this recipe because you can add anything you would in a traditional lasagna.  It's nothing fancy but makes pretty and perfect portions (easy for eating now and packing up for later).  Enjoy!

Lasagna Rolls
Ingredients:
1 lb. lasagna noodles
15 oz. fat free ricotta cheese
1 cup shredded mozzarella
1/4 cup grated parmesan
1 large egg
10 oz. frozen spinach (thawed and squeezed dry)
2 1/2 cup marinara sauce
salt and pepper, to taste
non-stick cooking spray
***You can always add some other fillings!  For my meat-eating husband, I'll toss in some browned ground turkey.  For my vegetarian sister, I'll add sauteed mushrooms.***

Directions:
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.  Cook lasagna noodles to al dente.  Drain in a colander and set aside.  They will take between 12-15 minutes.

While your noodles are boiling, prepare your filling.  In a bowl, combine egg, spinach, mozzarella, parmesan, ricotta, and a dash of salt and pepper.  ***Here's where I would add the meat or mushrooms.***

Preheat your oven to 400 degrees and spray a casserole dish with nonstick cooking spray.  To fill the noodles, lay them flat on a cookie sheet (You may need to spray this also.  Sometimes, mine stick.).  Spoon some of the filling into the middle of each noodle.  Carefully roll them up and place them seam side down into your casserole dish.  This may get a little messy but that's ok!

Ground turkey and cheese filling...yummy!

Pour the marinara over your roll ups.  Make sure the liquid gets all around each roll.  This is what will keep the lasagna moist as it cooks.  Cover with tin foil and bake for 30 minutes.  Serve with a side veggie or garlic toast.  Enjoy!

Crock Pot Chicken Chili and Corn Muffins

     Now that the weather is cooling down, it's time for some yummy soups, stews, and chili.  One of my favorite recipes is [of course] made in the crock pot and [of course] chicken.  This chicken chili couldn't be easier and is so delicious.  It definitely leaves you with hot soup belly.
     As my side, it's only logical to make corn muffins.  :)  This recipe is also pretty easy.  I usually freeze half of the batter for a weekend breakfast or just the next time I made this chicken chili.  The muffins are also great with a dollop of jelly the next day.  Enjoy!

Crock Pot Chicken Chili
Ingredients:
1 can of black beans, drained and rinsed
1 can of corn, with liquid
1 can of Rotel tomatoes, with liquid
1 package of Ranch dressing mix
2 chicken breasts, frozen
1 cup of onion, diced
1 tablespoon of olive oil
2 garlic cloves, minced
Salt and pepper, to taste
1 8oz. package of reduced fat cream cheese

Directions:
In a skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat.  Saute onions for several minutes, until beginning to soften.  Add minced garlic.  Be careful not to burn the garlic.  It'll only need a few minutes...long enough to become fragrant.

Spray your crock pot with nonstick spray.  Set to low and add "cooked" onions and garlic, seasonings, beans, tomatoes, and corn.  Nestle the chicken in; making sure that it's covered with the other ingredients.

Dollop cream cheese over the top of everything else.  Cover and cook for 8 hours.

Before serving, shred chicken and stir thoroughly so that everything is incorporated.

Corn Muffins
Ingredients:
3 cups of AP flour
1 cup of sugar
1 cup of corn meal
2 tablespoons of baking powder
1 1/2 teaspoons of salt
1 1/2 cups of fat free milk
1/2 pound of unsalted butter, melted and cooled
2 large eggs
Muffin or cupcake liners

Directions:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Line 12 muffin cups with liners.  In a large bowl, combine dry ingredients.  In another bowl, combine wet ingredients.  Slowly pour wet ingredients into the dry and mix, using a hand mixer on a low speed.  Stir until just blended.

Spoon batter into liners, filling to the top.  Bake for 30 minutes.  Use a toothpick to test.  Let cool slightly and remove from the pan.

Strength training:"Baby Got Back" Glutes

     One troublesome body part of most women is their gluteus maximus...at least for me it is!  Either I'm filling out my pencil skirt or I'm squeezing into my favorite jeans.  For me, my butt never seems to look the way I want it to.
     For this workout, I targeted just my back side.  The exercises are simple and easy but definitely burn!  With time and persistence, I'll be donning sexy skinny jeans and a cozy scarf in no time!

"Baby Got Back" glutes

*Repeat routine three times with one minute rest between each set*

15 donkey kicks, each side

15 glute bridges

15 forward lunges, each side

15 squats

15 pile squats

15 side lunges, each side

Hasselback Chicken

     If you've read any of my previous recipes, you know that chicken is a common protein in my house.  Unfortunately, chicken can get rather redundant and boring.  Here's an easy twist on simple baked chicken breast.

Hasselbeck Chicken

Ingredients:
2 chicken breasts
2-3 slices of deli meat (I used turkey breast)
2-3 tablespoons of shredded cheese (I used Mexican blend)
2 tablespoons light or low fat mayo
Salt and pepper, to taste
Teaspoon each of garlic powder and dried parsley

Directions:
     Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Place chicken breasts onto a greased baking sheet.  Using a pairing knife, make three to four slits in the top of each breast.  You want them deep enough to fill but not all the way through.  Fill each slit with cheese and deli meat.
     In a small bowl, combine mayo and seasonings.  Spread mixture over each chicken breast.  Bake, uncovered for 20 minutes.  Enjoy!

Hasselbeck chicken served with green beans and tomatoes and brown rice with spinach.

Bad Case of the Stripes

     Each year, I try to incorporate some character education within my reading and writing curriculum.  I feel that it's a lost subject in today's high-rigor schools.  What I do is very simple and takes maybe 20 minutes every couple of weeks (the goal is twice a month but sometimes that just doesn't happen).  I find a read aloud that has a message; sometimes these are broad, other times I target misbehavior occurring within the classroom (bullying, stealing, tattle-telling, etc.).  After reading and discussing, I plan a simple activity to post in the room and then send home.  We refer back to this activities if needed.  It's amazing ho powerful these little things are and it really builds a strong classroom community!
     This particular activity is great for the beginning of the year.  It's a read aloud of David Shannon's Bad Case of the Stripes.  The moral of this story is to be yourself no matter what the people around you are doing.  This is a well-loved story and the kids really get into it!  I've found that if the teacher is 100% invested, the kids will by-in quickly and the activity will stick.  I completed this activity a month or so ago and my third graders still say things like, "Remember that Camilla was scared at first" or "Don't forget to be yourself even if you really do like lima beans."  It's awesome!
     After reading, I had the kids write about a time they had to "be themselves" even though it was against what other's were doing.  I went around and took each student's picture (just a head shot).  I printed them out in black and white.  The kids, then, gave themselves dots, stripes, spots, etc.  We created a bulletin board with a quote from the story.
     I loved teaching this activity and I loved watching my class learn and grow as whole children!  I will definitely continue planning these activities, no matter how crazy busy our schedules get.  Look for more updates :)

"When Camilla stops trying to please everyone else and isn't afraid to be who she really is, her bad case of stripes goes away."