What’cha Workin’ on Wednesday ~It’s Time for Winterfest Preparations ~Wise Old Owls

With our Winterfest Application on our counter,

my helper cat and I decided to start a couple of projects.

We started by selecting appropriate fabrics.

We took inventory of the items that are in storage.

These are listed in our Tins and Treasures Etsy Shop,

but will be on display during our Winter Arts Festival.

I have a list of things I want to still make this fall...

some new creations along with some old favorites.

Winterfest is a juried show. 

Photos are submitted with our application.

The committee reviews all applicants.

After a two week wait, we received our acceptance notice!

So now it’s time for some big finishes...

starting with this project.

The Owls are ready for their beaks and some stuffing.

It was a good day for staying inside and stitching...

...And a little napping.

Stay tuned to see the finished project,

and what we’re working on next.

Take care,

~Natalie

Introducing Miss Ottenbacher

Meet Miss Ottenbacher,

Central High School's newest Family & Consumer Science Teacher.

Here she is with her new school computer.

I was privileged to spend the afternoon with her on Friday.

She is smart and well prepared. 

She had a list carefully thought out questions.

We visited about the curriculum.

She will teach all foods classes, so

we talked about what has been done in the past...

and she will bring creativity and fresh new ideas to the program.

We also talked about student concerns.

Miss Ottenbacher has a kind and caring spirit,

wanting to consider the needs of others.

I am so excited for her, 

and I can't wait to see how she makes this classroom her own.

I couldn't be more confident to turn the reins over

to this young, energetic teacher.

Congratulations, Miss Ottenbacher.

You are going to be a great teacher!

Take care,

~Natalie

Monday Mania ~A New School Year & A Fresh Start ~~A Teacher's Work is Never Done

My 38th year teaching and another teaching assignment.

This one promises to be one of the best yet!

We teachers have been preparing classrooms,

preparing lessons, reviewing policies,

attending meetings, cleaning files, 

organizing curriculum materials,

dealing with technology,

creating displays, 

and much more!

I can't wait to show you my classroom.

Stay tuned!

Take care,

~Natalie

What'cha Workin' on Wednesday ~Sorting and Moving my Teacher Stuff

My friend, Kari, posted this meme on my 

facebook news feed earlier this summer...

made me laugh out loud!

Some of you remember my posts last May?

I moved out of my classroom in the ATEC Building.

I moved my curriculum materials out of my space in the

Teacher Planning Center.

I had three decades of resources stored there.

Most of it ended up stacked in our garage.

There were no less than two dozen of these paper boxes 

stacked by the front of my vehicle.

Throughout the summer, with Callie's help,

I sorted stuff.

So much garbage went out to the curb on Wednesdays.

It was exhausting!

Last weekend, hubby and I made a quick stop at school

 to see how the construction was coming.

(I am very excited to come back and 

show you our new Commercial Foods Lab!)

In my classroom, I found the cleaning, 

painting and waxing finished...

...so hubby helped me arrange my furniture to create my

"Teacher Nest".

We investigated the TPC to find the new carpet installation was complete

and our desk modules were back in place.

So, it was time to get super serious at home!

I had stacks of stuff on the dining room table and chairs.

I created signs for my boxes to organize supplies and resources...

It is time to start moving it back to the school!

Here a few of my boxes.

Now, to find the perfect balance of teacher preparations

with  the end of summer rest, relaxation, and rejuvenation.

Take care,

~Natalie

What'cha Workin' on Wednesday ~Planning a Party ~Celebrating Graduation

Today was our Seniors' last day of high school...

and since I have a Senior Super Study,

a little party was in order.

My friend, Karren, is a master cupcake maker...

and she did a beautiful job with these.

If you thought they were cute in the box,

they looked simply fabulous on my cupcake tree!

Zoe made brownies... and,

Josh has been our official ice cream scooper for four years now.

A couple of the girls collaborated and brought flowers for me.

(Thank you, Megan and Mackenzie!)

In the background, a photo from their freshman year.

Check out the full blog post here.

Sweet treats!

Congratulations, everyone!

I'm proud of you...I'll miss you.

I hope we can stay in touch!

I have been at CHS long enough to see four groups of students through from their Freshman year to their Graduation.  As you can imagine, teachers develop a close bond with these students.  

Each and every one holds a special place in my heart.

Take care,

~Natalie

Fruit Pizza ~It Looks Good Enough to Eat ~~Recipe Link

Fruit Pizza is a favorite in my Foods Class.

We spend a week on the Fruits and Vegetables Unit.

Students study Nutritional Value, Selection and Storage Tips,

and they research interesting facts.

Each student prepares and presents a powerpoint 

on the fruit or vegetable of their choice.

The unit concludes with the preparation of Fruit Pizza.

They can exercise their creativity in their arrangement of fruit.

Plus, it's delicious.

Here's the link to my Fruit Pizza recipe.

There are nuts and rolled oats in my crust for texture, 

flavor and some whole grain goodness.

Take care,

~Natalie

p.s. If someone has an allergy to nuts,

just leave them out.  The crust still turns out fine.

Finally Friday ~Where the Week Went ~Monday Mouse Patrol and My Fearless Freshmen

I like to arrive at school early...

I can prepare for lab, log into my computer,

and unpack my school bag.

However, the best part is the one-on-one time 

I spend with the Early Bird Students that hang out in my room.

On Monday, we were doing just that, 

when out from the pantry comes a tiny mouse.

Tevin and I were trying to trap the little guy under a trash can,

when Conner came in. They got him!

Can you see his tail?

Soon after, the little mouse's brother emerged from the pantry.

This guy wasn't so lucky. 

That's his head sticking out under the trash can.

He died at the scene.

With Conner sitting on the pink trash can,

and Tevin's foot up the the brown trash can,

I called the office to send the custodians.

Bye Bye, Little Guy.

After everyone settled down, we were able to focus on the day's lesson.

Students presented Power Point Presentations about various fruits and vegetables...

then we enjoyed some fruit tasting.

Until Michelle says, "Mrs. Geffre, there's another mouse!"

He sought refuge under the range in the window kitchen.

(Normally, students are not allowed to sit on the counters, 

but this day was an exception.)

A couple of Freshmen boys pulled the range away from the wall,

and Harrison caught him.  

I sent him out the back door to release him in our Environmental Classroom...

But not before 

he became a part of Kaylie's Snap Chat Story.

Take care,

~Natalie

p.s. Trust me...

we have washed all the dishes, utensils, and counter tops

in our foods lab!