It's a blog hoppin Saturday!

A lot is going on in teacher blogging world lately. There are so many linky parties it is hard to just choose one so today I'm joining in on several I found interesting. I've just started getting back into blogging so this a great way to find other blogs to follow. Click on any of the buttons to be taking to the host of the linky party. The first one is a Back to School Bloglovin hop.  The purpose is to find other teacher blogs on Bloglovin to follow.

For anyone just finding me through a blog hop today, I'm Jamie, a sixth grade teacher in NC.  Learn more about me by click the About me tab up top. I'd love for you to follow me as a share my journey as a middle school teacher.
 The next linkup I found is optimum organization with Fun in Room 4B & Ladybugs teacher files.  This is all about how to organize your classroom.

 

Today's main topic is about how to keep parents informed. Last year I used a classroom website, email and newsletter to inform parents of what we were doing in class. I also had a folder with parent information in it that got a little messy.  I found some great ideas on Pinterest that I plan on using this year.  The pin below is for a free parent contact log I found.

On to the next linky party with Ms. Nelson.  I love this linky because I love taking pictures! Thank goodness for smartphones!

I love taking pictures of pretty clouds.  This week it was almost all clouds and rain.

This is my favorite flower, hydrangeas. 

 I made a lot of frog friends by the pool this week.  We get some out almost daily.

     Finally, you can click the links below to visit my Middle Grades Bloglovin' hop or my Plan like a Pirate hop. Blog hops are a great way to get to know other bloggers so excuse the multiple linky parties but I just can't resist.

  

July Goals & Snapshots Saturday

July is right around the corner so I'm linking up with I {heart} Recess to share my July goals.

Personal:  July is the heart of my summer so I want to make sure to capture it with lots of pictures. I will be going to Belize in the middle of July on a mission trip and hope to take many picture there.   I will have time to go snorkeling and to see the Mayan ruins. The picture below I found of the island we will be going to.  I can't wait to see that blue water! 

Family:  My nephew is at my house almost every week day this summer.  He is six years old and currently doesn't have an interest in reading.  I feel like I'm badgering him to get him to read the phonics books he is supposed to be working on.  So this summer I want to try to read more with him and hopefully find something that will interest him.

Health:  I've been running much more lately which is great exercise.  However, I want to stay in a constant routine of running so I will build up enough endurance to run a race.  There is a really fun race in August called the ROC race which is a 5k with obstacles that I want to enter.

School:  I have a pretty good idea of how I want to set up my language arts classroom next year.  However, I'm still questioning how I can change my social studies instruction so that my students remember what we learn for more than a week.  I'd like to come up with a structure for my classroom and also go ahead and prepare some social studies lessons.

Blog: I'd love to learn how to make my own new blog design.  If it seems to take too long then I will purchase a custom made one.

Outside the Box:  Going out of the country in July will be a new experience for me.  I really need to start praying more about it and asking God's plan for me while I'm there.  There are also many changes at my school this year so I need to spend more time praying about it and less time worrying. 

I also found a new link up I wanted to participate in called Snapshots Saturday with Miss Nelson.  The point of this linkup is to share your favorite snapshots and photography tips. This will work great to help out my personal July goal of taking more pictures!

My current favorite photography app is PhotoStudio.  I love it because it has so many different effects you can use.  You can also add text to photos easily with this app.  Here are some photos I edited using PhotoStudio.

The view around our driveway.

This is me in downtown Lexington.

Raleigh Flea Market last summer

Make sure you go link up with Miss Nelson as well. I'd love to see everyone's photography skills!