Saturday, March 29, 2014

Rain, Sleet and Snow

This calls for some science experiments and cookie baking!  When we return to school it will be 65. That's going to be tough! 

Thursday, March 27, 2014

Spring Break is Winding Down

The older I get the faster break goes. We have grade cards due the Monday we return, so I have some work to do over the end of my break.

A few short weeks after returning we have the O.A.A and I have a stack of math practice tests to review. When are your state tests? Ours were moved back a week due to all the snow days, but I still feel like we are behind.

And all I want to do is use the new clip art that I purchased last night! I found some great sales and I have a huge pile of goodies to enjoy!

Tuesday, March 25, 2014

Monday, March 24, 2014

Donors Choose Project Completed

I'm so excited to have finished this project. Next time I won't give myself the maximum time allowed for the thank you package due date and I definitely won't pick a date that falls during break.  I goofed on the number of photos that I needed, so I had to be creative.  I don't think it was a bad thing because I actually posted more variety.  I thought I'd share 4 of the 6 pictures. I have some big plans for these books that will keep me very busy this summer!  I just love these books! 





Have you submitted a project?  I need to decide if I'd like to try for a 3rd set of these books, or for technology.  Our students do not have classroom tablets.  They are unable to use my school issued ipad unless I'm nearby. This really limits on how it can be used.

Tuesday, March 18, 2014

Personalized Story Problems

I can't wait to use these with my students.  I've written each problem with the students' interests in mind.  They are fairly simple problems, but I like that the operations are mixed up.  Most resources that I have will have all multiplication problems on a page. My class needs help determining which operation to use.

This should keep their attention for this last week before spring break! On Friday, I may just have to pull out the Duck Dynasty product.




Monday, March 17, 2014

Donors Choose

This year I completed my second project with Donors Choose.  My project was Ready to Listen II.  Our class received Gail Gibbons books and CDs.  Last year I received another set along with CD players.  These books are wonderful!

Today we finished up our Thank You Letters and mailed them.  I clearly didn't follow directions because we used envelopes. Oops!  These pictures are too cute though! 




Ready to Listen- These are the books that I've received.

 Set 1

Set 2

I'm so excited to see a new set!  I'll be starting another project soon unless of course I'm penalized for my envelope error!  


Ready to Listen


What type of projects have you submitted?

Saturday, March 15, 2014

Sorting Polygons

Last week we worked on comparing and contrasting polygons. Here's a little activity they completed.


My artistic students love these cut and paste projects. 


You can download this freebie Shape Sorting by clicking on the picture below. 

https://drive.google.com/file/d/0By8za1p1J_ofd011T2RkOFFMRE0/edit?usp=sharing

Tuesday, March 11, 2014

Ordered Pairs

We are in test prep mode!  I am working with small groups on reviewing ordered pairs.  Somehow I have to get them to "unlearn" reading map grids. It's the same thing every year because students naturally want to go up and over to solve these.  My students were excited to see this activity for some extra practice. 

http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Ordered-Pairs-Ocean-Monster-Bug-Style-956149

Sunday, March 9, 2014

Multiplying by 6 Puzzled

Our afternoons are very long.  We have specials in the morning and no afternoon recess, so by the end of the day they are tired.  Last year I moved part of my math block to the last period so that I could use it for intervention and math stations.  They are happy to be moving around and out of their seats at this time.

Last week we worked on x6 and used Puzzled. It covers all facts and each one is color coded.



For the next 4-5 weeks I'll be using the first part of this period to work on our Coach workbooks reviewing skills.  Then they'll finish the period with math stations.  I have a wonderful parent volunteer who has been coming in to help at this time and working with a small group.  How do you use volunteers in your classroom?

http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Puzzled-Multiplication-Puzzles-x2-x10-1117376

Monday, March 3, 2014

The Perfect Dog

Have you seen this product?  My students are having such a good time with this.  They love dogs.  One of my students shows dogs, so I purchased this item with her in mind. 

http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Real-World-Research-Project-The-Perfect-Dog-1041339


The students interviewed their families and then completed the research.  On Friday, they wrote their paragraphs stating which dog was perfect for their families. Now they are working on their trading cards.





This is such a unique activity!  I'm so glad that I found it! I loved hearing their reasons behind their choices!  Once we are finished I'll have some more pictures to share!

Sunday, March 2, 2014

Electric Circuits

Last week we worked with circuits.  This is one of their favorite activities in science.  I used several products from The Science Penguin. I just love these products.  They are well thought out and they make my job planning science much easier.  They are easily adaptable to third grade.

http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/All-in-One-Science-Interactive-Notebook-Bundle-877337


We had a parent volunteer in to do some demonstrations.  He showed the students how to make the fan go faster by using two batteries. They thought that was pretty cool!


 

Missing a piece. :)





 




Multiplying by 6

This week in math we'll be working on multiplying by 6.  Last week we reviewed x2-x5, so we didn't have one of these packets to use.  My class will be excited to see these. You can grab it for only $2 right now.

http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Multiplication-Activities-x6-1117800

These are the activities for our stations.  Students spend about 20 minutes at the stations while I pull small groups to review skills.

Saturday, March 1, 2014

Can't Stop Shopping!

Am I the only one still finding great materials that I can't pass up?  Everyone is nervous about the Common Core and OTES beginning next school year.  There are so many great materials out there that will make my job a bit easier and less stressful.  I honestly don't know how teachers have time to create some of these Common Core resources, but I'm thankful that they do!

These amazing resources will work with items that I already have!  You can find them here.




I Had to Have

Shop until you drop!  Did you?  I sure did.  I'm not so sure my wallet would have liked a weekend sale.  Here are a few items that I couldn't resist! 

To check out what others have purchased, go to  Blog Hoppin.

http://imbloghoppin.blogspot.com/