Heading Back to School!

Yup, I really am insane.  :)

I have been fully accepted into a curriculum and instruction graduate program at my alma mater, UT Tyler.  I will start classes in May, and I am so giddy that it almost feels like when I went back to school in 2008.

So, what will I study?  Funny you should ask. . .

I originally considered programs that I thought might open up opportunities for better paying positions within public education.  I stressed myself out and worked myself up and agonized over the decision for weeks.  I declared special ed as my focus, seeing the great need for special ed services, but after researching the opportunities possible via the curriculum and instruction path, it became evident that pursuing a master's in special ed curriculum would not do much for my career.  And as much as I'd like to be very noble, I have to be honest and acknowledge that I am just not cut out to give those kiddos what they need for 7+ hours a day every single day.  Special ed is probably not the place for me.

I was discussing my angst over making a decision with some fellow teachers - all more seasoned than me - and one of them asked, "Well what do you want to do?" while another suggested I do what I makes me happy.  Novel idea, huh?  So what should I choose, then?  I love reading.  I love teaching reading.  I love when kids get excited about books and want to share their thoughts.  I love discovering new worlds and practicing escapism through reading.  But what should I choose as my cognate?  

I.Love.Reading.  When I was offered a position teaching reading, I could not believe how blessed I was.  It's what I wanted.  It's what I mentally prepared for as I was taking my college courses.  It's exactly what I had wished for and what I had dared hope for, even though I knew with the current economy I better just take whatever job I was offered teaching whatever subject I was offered (if I was even offered a job at all).  I remember driving home with tears rolling down my face after being offered a job teaching reading because I could not contain my joy in knowing I would be teaching READING.  I remember thinking, "Wow, He really does give us the desires of our heart."

So what should I choose as my focus for my Master's degree?  

"Reading, stupid." 

That's what I told myself when I finally consciously made the decision.  durrrrrr...  I'm truly giddy now that I've admitted that I WANT to do my Master's in reading.  And it's okay that maybe it's not the most lucrative or noble or selfless choice.  It's the right choice for me.  And besides, I LOVE reading.

Small Town Perks

Living in a small town is hard.  I know, I grew up in one.  The cliquish mentality of the always-haves can be oppressive to the never-hads.  Your business is everyone else's business, 24 hours a day.  There's little opportunity to grow into your full potential, unless you stretch your wings and break free of the small town.  And yet for those of us who grew up in small town USA, there is no place better.  A sense of community, security, and belonging are there for anyone willing to settle down and make a home.  There is a certain comfort in knowing that if you hit a snag, someone will be around to offer a hand.  You know if your car dies in the middle of the road, not everyone will zoom past, angrily honking at your misfortune.  Somebody will stop and offer a tow, a phone, or a ride.  Even if they don't know you.

If living in a small town is hard, moving to a small town and trying to find your place is even harder.  We wanted to raise Aaron in a small town similar to the one we grew up in, and we've always felt drawn to Kaufman.  We ended up building a house just outside of Rockwall in 2000 instead of moving to Kaufman because the drive seemed too far.  In 2007, Rockwall county's growth was pushing in around us and we decided we had to get out of the chaos and pandemonium.  So we put our house up for sale and started preparing to build on the land we had purchased in Kaufman county the year before.  After realizing building was not our best option, we sold that land and bought an existing home in the country.  The adjustment was tough (for me - notsomuch for Pressly, who would do without people altogether if allowed).  We had very few neighbors and didn't really know anyone in town.  Several people invited us to visit their churches, but beyond that, no one really reached out or even seemed interested.  We were just outsiders encroaching on their small town, not worth a second glance, because who were we, anyway?

We've been here 4 1/2 years now and we have made a place for ourselves.  We know a few people, either by name or at least by familiar faces.  I have a job teaching here, and am getting to know more and more people through work.  I can get from home (7 miles outside of town) to anywhere in town in under 20 minutes.  Traffic is nonexistent, and our vet is level-headed and super cheap.  One of our few neighbors is a precious woman whom we've grown to love like a grandma.  We help each other out.  Yesterday she called me in a panic because she'd locked her keys in her car at the grocery store, so I ran to her rescue with a spare key.  She picks Aaron up from school and hangs out with him when I have meetings.  Our other neighbors own the feed store.  When I called today to find out if they had de-wormer for our dogs, she not only told me my choices, but offered to stay at the store late to meet me or bring it to the house later this evening so I wouldn't have to drive back into town for it.  I love living in this small town!

Goodbye, Beth

A while back, I shared a link to the blog Beth and Dave James kept to chronicle her battle with pancreatic cancer.  My friend Beth passed away today.  Thankfully her battle was relatively brief.  She spent a year fighting it, and really suffered the last three months.  My heart aches for our loss, and for the fact that her children will grow up without her, but I find comfort in knowing she is in the loving arms of our Father, free from the pain that enveloped her these past months.

My prayer for her children and husband is comfort and peace.  God surely has wonderful things in store for them.

Before anyone told me she was gone, I knew it.  I felt it somehow.  When Pressly came home from work, he asked what time she had passed, and I said I didn't know for sure.  He said for some reason about 6, he just knew that she was gone.  She had been on my mind all afternoon, and shortly after 6, I had a sense of relief when I thought of her.  My prayer has been that God would take away her pain, and He has.  Just not the way I had hoped.

This was the scene from my back porch after I received the phone call confirming what I already felt. 

Thanks for the splashy farewell, Beth.  

We love you and will miss your effervescent spirit and beaming smile.

Oops! (The first day of school!)

When I turned the final corner on the way to my school this morning, I knew I was in trouble.  I thought I was getting there early.  Just for the record, parents who are eager to dump their kids and reclaim their daytimes think early is actually much earlier than I thought.

After flying into a silent rage over a parent blocking the ENTIRE entrance to the parking lot, I finally parked, ordered Aaron out of the car, grabbed my rolling cart and fled into the school pushing fresh faced children asunder.  Okay that last bit was a lie.  But I did pass up quite a few of them on the way in.  I couldn't believe at 7:20 there was already a line of parents waiting to drop off.  And the parking lot was full.  That meant there were probably already kids in the school.  I walked into my room at 7:28 and saw 16 bright shining faces attached to 5th grade bodies sitting quietly at their desks.

And get this... they were at the CORRECT desks!!  I had put name tags on the desks and the kids figured out where to sit without being told.

During my conference, I was chatting with another teacher and laughed at my timing error.  The 15-year veteran assured me it is impossible to beat the first child there.  She arrived shortly after 7:00 and had a precious sitting outside her door.  

So, lesson learned for next year: arrive at 5:00 a.m. to beat the rush.

Scaredy Kat

Our dog Katy is a strange duck.  She's afraid of everything.  When she was younger, it took a good thunderstorm or nearby fireworks to send her scrambling to sit on my head.  Have I mentioned she weighs over 60 pounds?  There has been more than one occasion when I woke up suffocating under her girth.  I'm not kidding.

Nowadays, anything a little out of the ordinary sends her over the edge.  She's not one to shrink in the corner and shake with fear.  Oh, no.  She needs the comfort of a human in close proximity.

Last Saturday morning, I awoke to the sweet, sweet sound of a slow rain. Apparently it's been so long since we had rain, she found the peaceful drip-drip-drip menacing.  She refused to go out into the scary water-falling-from-the-sky; instead, she opened both bathroom doors to let herself in while I was on the toilet and wedged herself behind the porcelain.  Have I mentioned she's not a small dog?

Stop envisioning me on the toilet.

Saturday afternoon, we bought a new TV.  Apparently new electronics are now sinister.  She sought shelter between Pressly and the cabinetry as he was leaning over trying to reach the inputs on the back.

This dog is nutso.

I Have No Words . . .

. . . for this:

We parked waaaay out on the edge of the Kohl's parking lot in Rockwall and when we got out of the truck, this is what we saw. 

Here's a closeup of it:

 

Looks like someone took a huge bite, chewed part of it up, decided he/she didn't like it and returned the partially masticated bread to the loaf.

What the heck?  And also, ha!!

Swag!

Orientation on Friday was actually enjoyable!  The superintendent shared his passion for education and his love for the district.  He and several other speakers were pretty funny!

There were only 11 new hires; 9 of us were teachers, plus 1 nurse and 1 counselor.  This compared to a typical year when there are 30+ new teachers - I feel so blessed to have been chosen to work for Kaufman ISD at all, but especially this year!

A local business, ABOX Packaging donated a ton of supplies to help us stock our rooms so we have things for those kiddos who get to school with nothing.  Lookit!  And this wasn't even all of it - there were baskets full of stuff on every table, too:

Our principals, who were also at the orientation, told us to "go shopping."  So we did!  At first we were all being very conservative, but then someone decided to heck with that, and we all started grabbing up all the things we knew we each would use.  Once our bags were about to split and we all felt like we had been too greedy, we looked around and saw that there was still lots of stuff left! 

This is what I ended up with:

 

I didn't inventory all of it, but there's a lot of stuff there!  The large blue and black bags on the right were gifts from the chamber of commerce and the school.  The First Days of School was a gift from the district for all first-year teachers.  I already have a copy, but figured I could share this one with someone!  The green, pink and b/w gift bag is full of post-its, colorful binder clips, push pins, etc.  It was a door prize from Lee's Pizza in Scurry.  

The Chamber of Commerce, Texas Health Kaufman, and American National Bank provided a delicious barbecue luncheon from Jackson Street BBQ on the square in Kaufman.  I had chicken and beef and both were tasty!  Their sauce is really good too.

I'll be sending out thank you notes to all the businesses and organizations who helped make our welcome to KISD a real event.

Turquoise Toes?

Yes, please!  

 

That super fancy background is my new classroom clock sitting atop a bunch of paper I've been using to cut out lettering.  Hey, it was close by and looked prettier than my carpet or a dining room chair.  Classy.

 


I bought this Finger Paints brand polish earlier this summer and I just love it!  The color is called "Tiffany Imposter."  Tomorrow I have to dress more formally than I'm really comfortable when it's 110 degrees out because in the midst of orientation, there will be a luncheon hosted by the school board, chamber of commerce and a local bank.  So this is my little bit of "me." 

Calm

I don't know why, but I'm calm today.  I get all orientated tomorrow.  I've been told there will be more introductions and hand shaking than I've ever experienced.  I sure hope there's no test over the names, since I'm horrible at remembering them!

Yesterday I managed to come up with a furniture setup for my classroom that I like.  I think it overcomes most of the obstacles I was facing, and it's a little offbeat, so it suits me perfectly!  I have an area reserved for student computers (hope,hope,hope I get some!) and for a reading/library corner.  I still have no bookshelf, no extra table, and no chair for my desk, but things are coming together nicely!  Once I get things on the walls, I'll post pictures.

Setting it all Up, Or not...

I was so exhausted yesterday, but I resisted the urge to take a nap.  I just knew I'd be able to fall right asleep last night.  Notsomuch.  I tossed and turned from 11 to midnight, then gave up for a while.  I finally fell asleep after 1.  My mind was spinning about how I'm going to set up my room.

I spent several hours yesterday covering bulletin boards, arranging furniture, etc. 

Yes!  I have furniture!  The big teacher's desk has one dubious leg.  I'll need to watch that to make sure the steel behemoth doesn't threaten to amputate any young toes.

But I still do not know how my room setup will work.  My document camera/projector cart needs to be 10 feet from the nearest electric plug on one wall.  It will have to be  12 feet from my computer on a different wall because the network drop is waaaayyyy over there.  And I can't seat kids directly behind the cart, or they won't be able to see.  Oh, and I need to create a small classroom library area.  So I need to think about cords, visibility, space efficiency, seating arrangement, and who knows what else!  These are things the general population doesn't consider.  Can't someone just come set this up for me and then I'll make changes to suit me? 

On the upside, I got keys to the building and my room yesterday, so I'm no longer at the mercy of others to let me get in there to work.

The Script

Last night I pulled out my The First Days of School book, determined to finally finish reading it.  There's lots of free online content that goes along with the book, and every time I'd settle in to read (on an airplane, in the car, at the orthodontist's office), I'd stumble over the fact that I didn't have my computer with me to look at the additional content while I was reading.  I had only managed to work my way through about 2/3 of the book so far.

I didn't finish reading last night, but I did get to the root of what was bugging me the most: the script.  I wanted to see some examples of effective first-day scripts, and I found a couple with great ideas on the Wong's free website!  I've started building a fun and informative PowerPoint with basic rules and classroom procedures.

Yes, in spite of myself, I did write some procedures, even without knowing exactly how my room will be set up!  I decided to just force it, and I did leave some blank bullet points.

You may think that 5th graders are too young for a PP presentation.  Rest assured, I'm keeping it simple.  And this is a novelty to them at this age!  They are not like the PowerPointed-to-death college students who would rather pull out their eyelashes with duct tape than sit through another booooring slideshow.  Most of these kiddos have probably never seen a PowerPoint at all.  I have the luxury of making it fun and adding animation.  :)  And I'm designing it as an outline to remind me to hit all the important points, rather than typing out all of the information, so the information will be coming from me, not a succession of slides.

I was up until 1:30 working on my script.  I still need to brainstorm on it a little more, but I feel so much more settled since I have the framework started!  My stomach still feels like a rocking boat, but today it's more like a canoe and less like a cruise ship.

Like a Rocking Boat

To coin a phrase from Aaron, my stomach feels like a rocking boat.  I'm not sleeping well at all, and when I'm awake I'm anxious, nervous and excited all rolled into one mega emotion.  This Friday is new teacher orientation.  I'm a little concerned about it because the schedule implies that they will dominate my entire day from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m., including a working/networking lunch.  At the very heart of me, I am an introvert and very reflective.  I need space, at least for a few minutes, to gather my thoughts when I'm feeling overwhelmed or when I'm in a new situation.  While I was long-term subbing at the end of last year, I learned that I'm usually one of  "those teachers" who doesn't lunch in the lounge.  I prefer to sit in my room, gather my thoughts and use the time to prepare or decompress.  Alone.

And I still don't know what my first day with my kids will look like.  I can't even begin to think about my first-day script or procedures until I know how my room will be set up.  I know that's strange, but it's just the way I am.  I don't have a good sense of theoretical spatial organization - I need to actually be in the space and see it.

We did finish painting my room Saturday!  Pressly was such a sweetheart to help me, and several people who came in said it was a "relaxing" or "calm" color.  Perfect!  I'm accenting with bright, stimulating colors like orange, tropical blue, lime and hot pink so the kids won't immediately fall asleep.  But calm is definitely what I was going for.

I have been creating lots of new letter cutouts for my class walls and have some other ideas that I want to vet out once I have my room set up.

I had a nightmare last night that I got into my room and the kids' desks were all mis-matched.  Some of them were the newer sturdy tan and blue desks, others were half pink, half yellow, even others were the old melamine (fake wood) desks, so when I tried to arrange the desks in groups of 4, they were all different heights.  Crazy stuff my brain comes up with, but since I don't even know what kinds of desks will be in there, it's a valid fear, I guess.  They waxed the floors over the weekend - I'm hoping they put furniture back today.

So the Power of God Can Be Seen

I have a dear friend who is battling pancreatic cancer.  The crazy thing is I didn't even know her a year ago, and we've never shared a meal or even spent much time together.  But I have grown to love her and her precious family over the past year as we've gotten to know them through their children's ministry at our church.  Their son was in the class I was assigned to the last two months of last school year, and their daughter loves to pester Aaron by chasing him around and acting like a typical little girl (squealing, giggling, and generally being silly) during youth activities.

Beth and her husband Dave have very openly and honestly blogged about the entire journey So the Power of God Can Be Seen.  So far nothing about her journey has been medically typical.  We are praying for a miraculous healing.  Please visit their blog and add them to your prayer list.  You can read about her diagnosis under "Our Life Changing Week" and catch up on all they've been through by reading the archives.

Ozone

I thought I had decided on a color for my classroom, but the more I looked at it, the  more I felt it was a bit too bright.  I chose a few shades lighter than carribean blue, but it didn't provide the serene feeling I was going for.  So I stood in front of those racks at Home Depot and looked and looked and looked.  Aaron tried to help, but he kept choosing colors named things like cherry red, competitive orange and sunshine yellow.  Uh, not exactly what I was looking for, but thanks anyway, kiddo!

I knew when I found the shade I would just know it.  Finally I laid my grubbies on a sample from the Behr Ultra display.  Ozone.  It's perfect: a pale greyish-blue shade that is calming and acts as a nice background for the other very brightly colored things I've already chosen for my room.  It's blue, but not baby-nursery blue, and I think it's fairly gender-neutral.  At any rate, it's the color that will go on my walls because I've spent the money now!

Huge thanks to Home Depot for this color swatch.

Malfunction

Aaron walked out of his room at 7:00 this morning holding one of the big blue glue chunks that are supposed to keep his teeth from closing all the way.  I called the ortho as soon as they opened at 8 and got an appointment for 11.  As soon as I hung up, he also presented me with a bracket from one of his molars.  It's from the same tooth the glue plate was on.  Good thing they can get us in today!

Random

This is Spencer.  He used to be my sister Jessica's dog, but now he's ours!  He's such a sweet boy.  And maybe a little sassy, too.  Check out those crossed paws.

Speaking of sassy, Aaron snapped this picture of me on the way to church Sunday.  I still can't believe I have only ONE chin after all these years.  It catches me off guard when I see a photo of myself.  I wonder if I'll ever get used to the way I look now?

I went today to see what kind of progress has been made on the construction in our building.  My classroom is almost complete.  They just need to put a few more ceiling tiles in place.  I am going to buy paint tomorrow.  I'm not sure photos can do the scene justice, but I'll try:

I'm not sure the colors are right in these photos.  The walls are sunshine yellow, orchid purple, teal and Pepto pink.  When I first saw my room, the lights were off and in the dim lighting, I though the colors were pretty cool.  After going back and actually seeing them with the lights on, I realized that: a) I don't care for the color combo at all - in fact, I have a very unsettled feeling when I'm in there; and b) the walls are really dirty and marked up.  I think I'm going to paint all four walls a serene shade of blue and if that goes well, I might add a lime green stripe.

Having all brand new ceiling tiles already makes the place look clean and fresh.  Once I get everything painted, I hope it's a relaxing, welcoming place for my kiddos.

In other news, I did spot a teacher's desk in the hallway with my room number on it, so I will at least have a desk.  Not sure what else will be there.  I plan to write a before/after post once I get all moved in and settled in my new classroom!

Back to the Future... Waayyy back

Thanks to Netflix, we got to expose Aaron to some retro sci-fi goodness last night!

Photo Credit

First, I did not remember it being so racy way back when.  Hopefully my sweet, innocent son missed the peeping tom, questionable language, and the attempted rape scene.  Wow.  It's crazy how differently you see something when you are a parent vs. a pre-teen.  There were several times Pressly and I shared a surprised glance.

Second, Pressly had to explain to the young 'un what a cassette tape was.  Oh geez.

If I had a working Walkman, I might buy Aaron this cassette.

I think Aaron love the soundtrack to the movie more than the actual content.  He was dancing around all over the living room at the end, and when I giggled he said, "What?  It's Rock and Roll!   I have to move!!"  Looks like we need to download some Huey Lewis and the News for him.  That's my boy!

Frolicking With the Fishes

 Aaron has been begging to go to the Dallas World Aquarium for several weeks.  We've been half a dozen times, but he just loves it.  Or the idea of it.  The problem is that we can only go there when the rest of the free world is also available to go.  C.R.O.W.D.E.D.  We decided on the spur of the moment today to head over there.  If you get there early (within an hour of opening), parking is not too bad and the line to get in isn't horrendous. 

 This Sloth lives on some trees in the middle of the walkway.  It is not separated from the public by rope, wire, a cage, or anything.  I could have reached out and touched it, but there were ample signs discouraging such behavior.  Don't think I wasn't tempted, though.  It was down lower this time than I've ever seen it, just about eye-level.  Sooo hard to mind the rules.  And apparently my phone LOVED the lighting here, because this picture turned out pretty great.

The talks and feedings (especially the feedings!) are awesome, but if you want a good spot, you have to arrive at the exhibit early and camp out while people crush in around you.  Aaron does not do well in crowds, so we don't hang around for the feedings.  We did stumble upon a talk on the Two-Toed Sloth.  Pretty cool to watch those critters eat green beans and carrots and learn a little about them.  Aaron was especially impressed to learn that because of a really slow metabolism, they poop only once a week.  I did have to clue him in on the definition of defecate.  Then he giggled.  A lot.

 Contrary to its name, it is not JUST an aquarium.  

In fact, it's mostly not an aquarium. It's very educational if you take time to stop and read about the exhibits.

 

I couldn't get a shot of the giant anteater, but here's a picture of Aaron reading about it.

All of these photos are from my phone.  The quality isn't fantastic, but we've been so many times we didn't feel like hauling around a camera today.  Plus my neck's been telling me to lighten up my purse lately, so I didn't have room in the micro bag I carried today.

 

Aaron's most favorite thing at the DWA are these garden eels.  They are pretty darn cool!  They almost never leave their burrows, and they are very territorial.  They are also very scared of fish that swim by. 

I'm pretty sure Oscar the Grouch's friend Slimey was actually a garden eel. 

 This Jaguar doesn't need a mate.  He's taking care of himself just fine...  Incidentally, this is a different one than they had last year.  She was a she.  And solid black.  I remember feeling so sorry for her because she just paced the perimeter of her glass cage the entire time we were there.

Shhhh.... I'm hidin' under this leaf.  I learned it from the chameleon:

 

 

I can't remember the name of this fish bit it was a something-nose something-or-other.  I caught it sticking its tongue out at me.

 

And that little blue streak near its gill is another fish that it would let swim INSIDE its gill, presumably for a mutually beneficial munchy.  (I'm pretty sure it's not dead.  It just likes the way the water feels flowing over its tongue.  Or something.)

 This is a fish.  It's swimming in some water.

Teehee.  Piggybacking...er...

 

Aaron thinks it's both funny and cruel that the flamingoes' habitat abuts the lip of the 21' deep shark tank.  I'm pretty sure he keeps asking to go back to the DWA because he wants to see one fall in and get eaten.

 

This is wildlife was on temporary loan to the DWA.  It probably will not be on exhibit when you visit.  (That expression?  It's his this better not end up of Facebook look.)  No worries, hon...

 

Cute, TINY tortoises!

 

Black-footed penguins.  These live in warm climates, so they are perfectly suited to the Texas heat!

 

Look toward the left on the edge of the rock - there is a penguin lying down.  He is very, very old and blind.  The penguin standing at the center of the rock appeared to be protecting the old one and refused to leave that spot, even when the others swam by.

 

Don't worry, the Manatee did not actually fall on Aaron's head.  

 

Or emerge from his chest.

 

Seahorses! They're my favorite.

 

See?  Awesomesauce.

After the DWA, we headed to Dave & Buster's for lunch and a little more fun. 

 

Pressly will probably divorce me for putting two photos of him on the internets in one day, but look how intent he is on winning that game! 

In an apparent attempt to prolong the sealife experience, Aaron ordered shrimp.  It had to be cut into tiny pieces before he could eat it because his mouth is still sore.

The day wasn't ALL fun and games.  I made them help me get groceries at Walmart on the way home, after which Pressly felt it necessary to reaffirm his complete and total hatred for that establishment.

Fun with the Cricut

Pressly bought me the Cricut Expression for Christmas in 2008, along with Make The Cut software so I could cut a variety of fonts not available through Provo Craft / Cricut and manipulate the layout on my computer before cutting.  My very first project was to make layered folder labels for my next semester of school.  As you might imagine, I was the envy of all my School of Education peeps.  Yes, we are a crafty (and covetous) bunch.  :)

I've made a number of other things, including some great layered letter cutouts for my student teaching mentor.  And now I'm using it to create for my very own classroom!  I'm so excited to be able to choose different fonts and cut them in any color combo I choose, instead of being relegated to whatever is available at the teacher supply stores.

The layered letter process is a multi-step one that involves choosing a font, laying out the design with the computer software to get the best use of each 12"x12" sheet of paper, choosing the paper(s), cutting, then gluing the layers together.

Sometimes too much choice is not necessarily a good thing.  I started pulling paper out of my stash and realized I might have a small addiction. 

Okay, let's be real.  I'm not ashamed to admit that I love paper.  Lots and lots of paper.  In different textures, colors, weights, and patterns.  Love.  

So of course, I got the paper out first and fondled it...erm...studied my choices...

Then I actually powered on the Cricut and opened my handy dandy software.

First up - for the bulletin board outside my classroom:

 (No, my bulletin board does not look like 18" floor tiles.  That's on my floor because I can't get into my classroom to work for another week or so.)

First, I laid out the letters using my software, then chose papers, mounted them on the cutting mats, and started the cutting:

This software is really cool because it shows you what it's cutting as it cuts!  Too bad Provo Craft (the company who makes the Cricut) sued Make The Cut and they can no longer sell their software for the Cricut platform.

After cutting four separate sheets, everything was ready to assemble:

The mat you see standing up is an example of what I have after I pull off all the excess paper.  I then have to carefully remove each letter from the mat.

I applied adhesive to the backs of the smaller top layer pieces, then applied them to the fatter bottom layer:

I use Elmer's no-wrinkle rubber cement because if I get sloppy, I can rub off the excess after it dries.  Plus, no wrinkles.  

(The letters, not necessarily me.)

And, then, like cooking-show majick, the final product:

 I also made letters for my read around kiosk:

 See the two "&" signs?  That's because they will be mounted in a circle and the phrase will never end.  "Look around and read and look around and read and..."  Get it?  I need to laminate these before I attach them to the kiosk; I'll post a picture of that once it's done.

I also plan to make letters for my Word Wall and my Academic Vocabulary wall, but I need to find out whether I have time to paint my room first.  The walls are currently purple, yellow, blue and pink.  I'd like to change the color scheme, so whether I have time to paint will dictate the colors of those letters.

Next up? Buckets of Fun...