Blog post will be live Saturday, 3/25- stay tuned!
Create Your Own Beauty with Shimmery Spring Makeup
In case you don’t have a class full of third graders to remind you, Spring is quickly approaching! My students and I are both ready for a change in season and routine. This week, I switched up my work makeup routine in partnership with Ulta Beauty. An iridescent glow and shimmery highlights are big makeup trends for this upcoming season and I was surprised at how easy it was to incorporate it into a natural look for teaching.
Teaching makeup doesn’t always have to be natural, though, it’s simply a personal preference of mine. The key products used to create a shimmer glow come in a variety of colors, so you can make the look as minimalist or “maximalist” as you’d like! That’s what I love most about Ulta’s spring campaign- their theme is “Create Your Own Beauty”. Ulta stores always have a variety of products at varying price points, so creating your own beauty is super accessible no matter what your budget is. In addition to their higher range “shimmer” products (which I highly reccommend because they’re super pigmented and worth every penny), I tried to include items from the more affordable lines that Ulta carries as well because budgets are real for teachers!
Feel free to use this guide as a baseline to create a look that’s as subtle or dramatic as you’d like! I applied all of the makeup in this post dry, but simply wetting your brush before applying will create a more intense glow! I love a good 2-for-1.
Speaking of 2-for-1’s, I’m now obsessed with these dual-ended brushes. I try to keep my makeup routine as quick as possible, so the less items the better. These brushes have 8 different functions on 4 brushes! There’s a different type of brush on each end, which make applying this look so much easier.
Step 1: Prep and Glow
After prepping my face with my favorite self tanner drops, I added a bit of concealer to my problem areas, then contoured using the NYX Highlight and Contour Pro Palette. I then added Becca Shimmering Skin Pressed Highlighter to my upper cheekbones, forehead, and I also did a quick sweep on my eyelids using the dual ended brush. I know this sounds like a LOT of highlighter, but I chose a shade that is close to my skin tone so it’s super subtle. For a more intense look, try a shade such as pearl or prismatic amethyst.
Step 2: Eye Shimmer
For everything eyes, I used the LORAC Pro Palette 4. It’s a little pricy, but SO worth it. The shades are super pigmented and it even comes with a primer! I prefer lighter colors, but even the more intense shades were really flattering, so I know I’ll be getting a ton of use out of this palette. I lined my upper lashline with the shadow color “java” on my upper lashline and the outside of my lower lashes (where my lashes start) using the dual-ended liner brush. The dual-ended shadow brush was used to apply “pecan” to my crease, “soft pearl” to my lids and “chantilly” right below my eye. If you take a look at the picture, you can easily pair shades by using a top color with the shimmer shade right below it:
I then added a quick swipe of L’Oreal Lash Paradise to my upper lashes. I prefer the waterproof one because I wipe my eyes a LOT subconsciously at work, but the original formula works just as well.
Step 3: Set and Go To Work!
My all-time favorite setting spray is NYX Dewy Finish. I apply a bit of Smith’s Tinted Lip Balm before heading out the door. It adds a really nice glowy tint to lips while still allowing me to drink coffee at the start of the day!
The whole look took me under 10 minutes because I was really able to only use one main palette and streamlined 2-in-1 brushes. If you love any of these products or know of other great shimmery makeup items, let me know! Also tag me on instagram if you try this makeup look!
Thank you Ulta Beauty for sponsoring this post and letting me be a beauty blogger for a day 🙂
4 Books To Help You Become A Better Math Teacher
Becoming an instructional coach has provided me with many opportunities for specialized professional development in elementary Math. It’s been an exciting year of learning. Since I have yet to conduct my own research, I often rely on the research of others when coaching math. I first implement strategies from books with my third grade class, and I forward the information that “passes the test” to the teachers that I coach! These four books are universally loved by both new and veteran teachers at our school. They’re not only extremely informative, but they’re designed to save teachers energy and time when implementing new strategies!
1. Number Talks: Whole Number Computation, Grades K-5
Number talks are my favorite part of the elementary Math block. Number talks are used as a designated time slot when students typically solve a problem through conversation, rather than using paper and pencil individually. I always wanted to try them and watched countless youtube videos, but still had no idea where to start. The book Number Talks: Whole Number Computation, Grades K-5
not only provided a starting point for me, but also included the exact problems to use. When coaching, I often encourage teachers to use Number Talks before beginning the math block, but now some teachers in our school feel comfortable enough to also use them during small group intervention and enrichment, which I love to see as well! Teachers who feel comfortable with the structure of number talks will most likely enjoy the fourth book on this list, which extends the discourse from number talks and integrates it throughout the math block.
There’s a big push to use “Growth Mindset” as a teaching tool, yet schools provide very little and sometimes inaccurate training supporting it. Mathematical Mindsets: Unleashing Students’ Potential through Creative Math, Inspiring Messages and Innovative Teaching
3. Why Before How: Singapore Math Computation Strategies, Grades 1-6
This book has a more constructivist approach and helps children understand the why behind addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division. This book provides quick 1-2 page lessons on helping children understand the four basic operations. I’ve had this book for years, but didn’t open it until starting Eureka Math/ Engage NY when my students were having difficulty understanding the lengthy approach to problem solving. This book helped me find some great mini lessons and additional strategies to use during whole group instruction. I can’t imagine why I didn’t use it sooner! The strategies take a bit longer to implement, so they would be most useful during small group time or if you have flexible time in your schedule.
4. Talk Moves: A Teacher’s Guide for Using Classroom Discussions in Math, Grades K-6
This is a newer edition of “Classroom Discussions in Math”, as pictured above. The title changed, but the content inside is the same! This is a great book to look into if you’re ready to move beyond number talks and into including classroom discussions throughout your math block. There are helpful video lessons and like Number Talks, there are plenty of examples to get you started! My favorite chapter is “troubleshooting”, which helps you work through the reasons why students may not be participating.
I could go on and on, but those are definitely my top 4 favorite K-5 Math books at the moment. What are some of your favorites? Feel free to share in the comments!
2018 Holiday Playlists
SHOP THE POST
5 more days until Christmas break! I spent today procrastinating lesson planning making some fun playlists for this holiday season. There’s one for the classroom, a calming playlist for when you’re working (or trying to keep everyone alive… it is December in the classroom after all), and a playlist with my favorites this year! Enjoy!
2018 Teacher Gift Guide
I’m not sure what’s more difficult this time of year: trying to get your students to focus or shopping for everyone on your list at school! I’ve had a lot of people with special teachers in their life reach out on instagram and ask for gift suggestions, as well as friends looking for gifts for their student teachers and others looking for Secret Santa/ teacher friend gifts. Everything on this list is under $50 and there are separate lists according to who you’re shopping for! Merry Christmas and happy teaching!
Teacher Gifts for Yourself (or a loved one!)
It’s the best time of year to treat yo’ self! Here are some of my favorite items this holiday season, whether you’re shopping for yourself, family member, or spouse!
My current obsessions:
- This cute keychain charger so you no longer have to carry one in your teacher bag!
- 6-can mini fridge: small enough to fit on your desk and hold a few cans of La Croix, Diet Coke, or under eye pads!
- A blinged out version of the classroom microphone you see all over instagram. It’s bluetooth compatible, so it would be perfect to connect some short tunes for transitions or your favorite classroom Spotify playlist!
- A downloadable hand-lettering holiday book. I love A Perfect Blend’s teacher fonts, so I freaked out when I saw she created a hand lettering guide! It’s perfect for creating anchor charts and, in the words of Leslie Knope, jammin’ on my planner.
- The HP Sprocket prints pictures directly from your phone! My coteacher and I have been using this in the classroom nonstop. There’s even a card app for easy classroom Christmas Cards and low prep end of year gifts!
- EVERYTHING LEOPARD. I consider it a neutral for work because it works with black, brown, or denim. My favorites are these flats and cardigan.
Gifts for Student Teachers & New Teachers
We have some college students doing field hours at our school, so I created this list with them! Everything is under $50, with most items around $10!
- A budget-friendly wireless earbud set (Airpod dupes!) for study sessions in the library. Pair them with erasable highlighters for note taking during class!
- An ID holder and lanyard for classroom keys- something every new teacher struggles to find
- A cute and trendy pack of ban.do planner stickers and a special set of teacher planner stickers!
- “Readers Gonna Read” shirt for teaching literacy or curling up with a good book at home
- College girls love Alex & Ani bracelets, so the apple one is a personal one she’ll cherish!
- For male and female new teachers, a USB case is so necessary! I take mine everywhere because I’m always falling victim to losing them in the copy room or having them rattle around the bottom of my bag.
- This teacher clipfolio is useful for attendance and grading while also storing important papers inside!
Gifts for Your Teacher Bestie
Your bff probably has everything, so here are a few things she may not have! I asked some of my close friends for their input on this one and added some gifts under $30 that I would love to receive from my bff (hint hint)!
- This tote bag has all of the words that describe any great friend, and it’s perfect for taking home a stack of papers to grade or to put gym clothes in for after work!
- Teacher off-duty socks definitely get the message across for the next two weeks your bestie will spend binging Netflix on the couch!
- A magnetic teacher notepad is perfect for a classroom fridge, metal desk, or whiteboard- pair it with this fun set of “best teacher ever” pencils for a sweet gift around $20!
- This before school & after school wine glass/mug set will make your best friend think of you whenever she pours that glass of wine after school!
- “How teachers swear” is the FUNNIEST coloring book I’ve seen in a while! Only teacher friends understand!
Gifts for Male Teachers
So this was a super feminine list, but I can’t forget about the boys! Since I couldn’t include beer (Fletcher’s words, not mine), here are some items that will come in handy in the classroom. My best-kept secret is Kiehl’s facial fuel… I got it once at an airport not realizing it was men’s and it’s been a staple in my beauty bag ever since!
Gifts for your Secret Santa
Let’s face it… you’ve probably speak to this person once a week at the most and have no clue how to gift for them. Here are some no-fail gifts at reasonable prices that any coworker would love!
#TeachLikeABoss Teacher Appreciation Giveaway
Happy Teacher Appreciation week! I feel beyond appreciated thanks to awesome team at We Are Teachers. They sent me this package full of teaching goodies, and want to spread the love to 25 other teachers as well! In order to enter, post a classroom selfie to instagram or twitter with the hashtag #teachlikeaboss!
Here’s what’s included in each box:
- $25 gift card to Teacher Created Materials
- Love by Matt De La Peña
- Papermate Flair Pens
- Personalized notepad
- Stickers
- Clipboard
- 8 x 10 Art Prints
