Summer Vacay

Okay so I've been super busy and I am just now able to sit down for a sec and blog.  Between helping a friend move into her new house, and taking care of all of my home stuff that doesn't get done during the school year (thoroughly cleaning, dog to the vet, summer dance camp for my daughter, etc.) I've been a busy woman.

But, my blog and my bloggy friends have been on my mind {promise}.  I just haven't had a moment to post pics of things my students created before we got out of school.  Those will come in the near future.  I've been creating a classroom management clip chart that I will share FOR FREE, with you guys after I get it laminated so you can see it in action.

Meanwhile, take a look at my "Back to School Math Centers" activities that I have been working on again and off again for the past 3 weeks.  It's only for 2nd grade teachers, but can be adapted for 1st and 3rd for differentiation among high and low students.  I am using it for a review of 1st grade concepts at the beginning of the year.  The students will work in groups of 3 or 4 and will rotate centers the 1st week of school.  It allows me to see what they have learned and concepts that need more reviewing.

Back to School Math Centers

Oh Gee Whiz & Letters to Troops

Oh Gee Whiz!

We still have one more week of school.  All of my Texas and Florida friends are out and I must say I am very JEALOUS.  I've got summer fever terribly badly.  There are so many things I need to do like...thoroughly clean my house from top to bottom.  I've got friends and family coming to stay with me each week through July.  I've been so busy with paperwork and grading that I've abandoned my home sweet home.  Forget spring cleaning, I've got to catch up before school starts again.  I need some help or some motivation for that matter.


Letters to Troops

Yep, just now posting the letters my class made to send to some troops in Afghanistan.  I wanted the troops to get them by Memorial Day, but it takes forever to get a package overseas.  So, I'm being told that they should receive the cards this week.  (These are included in my "A Salute to Our Veterans- Veteran's Day and Memorial Day Activities" on TpT.)

End of Year Luau

Today was full of fun, learning, more fun, and more learning.  Every year I like to have a Class Luau to celebrate the end of the year.  Who wouldn't like to celebrate with thoughts of Hawaii?  While I am completely exhausted, I know my students enjoyed themselves.  I have former students who come back each year with memories of their Luau.  It melts my heart!

Things we do:

Learn How to Speak like the native Hawaiians Days and Months

Explore the islands and land forms

Discuss the capital, state bird, state flower (and the fact that Hawaii is the 50th state)

Eat pineapples and coconut

Attempt to learn how to hula

Limbo (However, my limbo stick was broke this year, so that was a no go)

Read-aloud this book:

And PAR-TAY of course!  We had snow cones, cotton candy, and a pretty cool cake!

Then we had a little picture fun in our Hawaiian wear!

Okay, maybe not such a cute pic, but you get the idea! Ha!

We still have 4 days left and then my sweeties will officially be 3rd graders.  I am so proud of their accomplishments this year.  They are all so very precious to me.  I KNOW they will accomplish many great things.  I will miss them very, very, VERY much, but they will always hold a special place in my heart!

If you want to grab some of the printables I used for the Luau click HERE!

SMART Cookie & Super Speed 100

Whew, it has been a WEEK!  It is only Tuesday and I am completely exhausted.  Our 3rd and 4th graders started the EOG (end of grade tests) today.  I know they are prepared to do their best!  Being in 2nd, we don't take EOGs {PTL!}.  We did get to show some of our 3rd graders love and support.  We made this poster...

and made these little inspirational tags and attached them to Little Debbie cookies

and took them to the third graders.  

We read the poster, gave them their notes and cookies, and wished the LUCK!  No like they need it...I know they are amazingly, talented kiddos.

Click HERE to pick up the taggies.

Super Speed 100

Since they were testing, I decided to give my students a challenge.  I have been reading about Whole Brain Teaching for months (See the video in an older post.  It is brilliant!).  I wanted to use some of the resources and found this website http://www.wholebrainteaching.com/.  I read all about Super Speed 100.  It is basically a highly effective sight word practice reading system.  I decided to try it out with my class today.  {I wish I had found this sooner!}  Not only did my students love it and keep asking to do more and more so they could pass their last goal, but they were able to work in partner teams without fussing or bickering.  I was very impressed on how many students kept passing their goals.  It is not as simple of a read as one might think.  I used my document camera and projector to model with another student.  I kept getting tripped up, and they would laugh.  I think it made them feel good to know that even teachers make mistakes (no secrets here).  There is a training tonight to get certified to be a Whole Brain Instructor.  I am definitely checking it out and will fully implement it next year.  Meanwhile,  I am having fun practicing with my current students these last 11 DAYS OF SCHOOL!

13 Days and a Multiplication Packet For You

Well, technically 12 and 1/2 since our last day of school is an early dismissal.  The students aren't dismissed until 1:30 so it is really like 2/3 of a day {not sure who decided to call it a half day anyway}.  Well, we have been reviewing and wrapping up the year.  My students are excited to dive into multiplication.  Since we will have arrays on the lovely Common Core next year, I decided to create a mini-packet to use with this class so they are a little more prepared for what's coming.  If you are still straining to get through these last few days, I hope this packet helps, if you are already out for summer LUCKY YOU!  Enjoy for free friends!

Arrays Freebie

I Heart the USA!

Memorial Day is quickly approaching.  While as a teacher, I am very happy about a three-day weekend, I think we sometimes often forget the meaning of Memorial Day.  As a military spouse currently going through a deployment, I am greatly aware of what Memorial Day means.  It means...

Sacrifice, Bravery, Honor, Respect, Dignity, Unity, Reflection, Loss, Tears, Mourning, and so much more.  

I was fortunate enough to get to visit Washington D.C. about 5 years ago.  I toured the White House, which was really awesome.  I went to the Lincoln Memorial, which was extremely crowded.  I saw the Washington Monument, but did not get a chance to get an up close look.  Though these were amazing things to see, I'll never forget the day I was there,  You see, I was there on Veteran's Day.  Talk about E-MO-TION-AL.  I met vet's from all different wars, some in perfect health, some confined to wheel chairs, and families of those that were lost.  I read the name on the memorial walls and watched people trace names.  

Afterwards, I went to Arlington National Cemetery.  It gave me CHILLS!  The silence was so serene and peaceful.  I actually felt like it was a piece of heaven that had dropped down to earth.  I witnessed the wreath laying at The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.  Tears again!  Coming from a non-military background,prior to being married, I guess I just didn't get it.  I didn't understand why people joined the military.  I didn't understand the price of war.  I didn't understand a woman or child's sacrifice, even though I thought I did.  In the past 5 years, it has become so much more clear.  

So, as I reflect on Memorial Day next Monday, I reflect as a military spouse who misses her husband, who sheds tears as my daughter cries for her daddy, who must keep calm and know that everything is in the Lord's hands.  I ask that while you have the day off, pray for our troops and families, past and present who have sacrificed so MUCH for your freedom.  

I have created an activity packet that you can use with your class for Memorial Day or Veteran's Day.  Check it out at TpT or Teachers Notebook!  May God Bless!

A Salute to Our Veterans Packet

Ladybug Life Cycle

I think I have worn my kids out with studying insect life cycles.  But...I just needed to create one last activity or should I say craftivity.  Look how cute!

They turned out perfect!  I just added a brad and some pretty glitter glue to the antennae.  They are hanging in my classroom window.  If you are just as in love with this as I, you can pick it up at my TpT store!