New Toy and a Measurement Idea

There's a new addition to our classroom that has us all in smiles...

our new Smart board! Yahoo!!

Now I need you to direct me to the best sites for Smart board activities. I've never used one so I'm very new to this, but very excited!



In math we've been working on measurement. One of the activities my kids loved was measuring tape that I put on the floor around the room. This is an Investigations lesson if you use that math series. We discussed different ways that we could measure to find out which tape is the longest or shortest and I let some kids come try to measure one piece (that I have placed in our meeting area). They're funny because sometimes they tried hopping or scooting one foot instead of just taking steps (and some will want to measure with their fingers or whole body). We decided on a few rules for measuring (by taking steps, heel to toe, and what to do if there is part of your foot hanging off the end) and then they went around the room measuring and recording alone or with a buddy to help with balance.

 

Here's a recording sheet if you want to do this activity. We also went back later and measured each tape with other units. It's great for getting the kids up and moving and would be fun during these last few weeks of school.

I also had to share what our awesome room mom whipped up for Earth Day. So cute and yummy too! I can't turn down a snack=)

Lastly, I just posted the Daily Data/Question of the Week morning work(or however you want to use it) packet for May. It's got 5 weeks of questions and activities using 3 overlapping hoops and incorporating tally marks, equations, and fractions. It's on TPT for $2.00, click below to preview or purchase.

Free Poetry Booklet

I just started poetry with my kids this week. We're using this little booklet to practice a few types of poetry. I've had it on TPT for $ but this week (until Friday, April 20th) I'm making it free! If you can use it I'd love for you to leave a comment. Comments make my day=)

Also, I've been tagged and I'm terrible about following through with these kind of things but I'm really going to do it this time! (So sorry if you've ever tagged me and I didn't participate, I'm a bad friend).

Jennifer from Herding Kats in Kindergarten (I taught upcoming kinder in summer school last year- my first experience with kinders- and yes, it was truly like herding cats!!) tagged me and asked these questions:

1. If you could eliminate one behavior from your classroom, what would it be?
Hmmm...either tattling or whining! I don't have any horrible behaviors going on this year, just the little annoying stuff.
2. What is your favorite part of the week? (end of day on Friday does not count!)
I have to admit, I do feel relief on Fridays. Knowing I made it through the week is nice.
3. What is your favorite unit to teach?
I love teaching about space because the kids are always so intrigued and my dad gives me great resources from NASA=)
4. After a hard day at work, how do you destress?
I'm trying to do Couch to 5K so I've been walking/jogging after school a few days a week. My best friend, who teaches right across the hall from me, walks with me on our track at school and its a great time to wind down and talk about our day.
5. What's your typical work outfit? Is your school dressy or casual?
My favorite school outfit is a sundress, maxi dress, or long flowy skirt. I get on the floor with the kids so it has to cover! But I would much rather wear dresses and skirts than pants. Most everyone at my school dresses casually.
6. Can you go off-campus during the day? If so, where do you go?
Not really. We could run somewhere when our kids go to PE (30 min) but there is really nothing near our campus. I've never left campus, don't think I'd make it back in time. Strangely, I have a recurring nightmare that I've left to go shopping and accidentally stayed gone for hours and not realized it! I always wake up thinking I've lost my job! Crazy, right?
7. What is your favorite field trip destination?
We go to the zoo every year. It's such an easy field trip. I typically don't like field trips, they make me nervous.
8. Do you snack while blogging? Post a picture of your snack of choice if you do!
Oh yes, I'm a snackaholic! York peppermint patties are a must.
9. What was your worst experience as a student teacher?
I might have said sh*t instead of sheet one time when I was asking 6th graders to take out a sheet of paper! Luckily the cooperating teacher wasn't in the room. I can't even remember how they reacted but I was quietly flipping out in my mind.
10. If you had to do anything besides teaching, what would you do?
Does anyone know what "Sips and Strokes" is? Around Alabama there are studios where you can take a painting class and you bring your own drink of choice. So I decided I want to lead a "Crafts and Drafts" class. Crafting and drinking sounds fun, right? You're all invited!

Reuse Your Egg Cartons

My kids are loving the new egg carton games in math stations this week! Maybe I didn't dye any eggs this Easter but we do eat lots of eggs around my house. Being the teacher that I am I hoard containers (don't lie, know you do too, we need have a support group for it) and egg cartons are some of my favorites because of all the possibilities.

We've been playing addition games so I made lots of recording sheets: full page, half page, for 2 or 3 partners, and one with 3 addends. And for those friends that need the directions spelled out and in photos, I've got that covered. So all you need is a numbered egg carton (or 5 like me!), some colorful pom-poms, and a recording sheet.

The best part is that the same carton can be used for subtraction or money games. I put directions and recording sheets for those in this game pack on TPT. Click below to preview. Further down is a copy of the 3 addend recording sheet for you to use.

Book Publishing Party!

We recently sent off a class book to be published and it's back! I've been doing this for a few years now and I love how excited the kids get when they see their writing in an actual hard-cover book. So this year we celebrated with a book publishing party complete with punch, cookies, and the very first reading of our book. They even made toasts and clinked their plastic cups together. It was a hit with my little authors!

I posted about the books last year too. Go here to read and get details if you're interested in getting student books published for FREE too!

Speaking of authors, I got to meet and listen to Jane O'Connor read her latest Fancy Nancy book at a signing a few weeks ago. Makes me want to be a children's author. How fun would that be to travel around reading your books to little ones at books stores and schools?

(Don't you love her fancy accessories?)

Well I hope everyone has a wonderful Easter day tomorrow! Don't you throw out those egg cartons though, I've got a plan for them and freebies coming soon.

April Daily Data

I hate to post just to advertise, but...

I uploaded last week on TPT and I totally forgot to mention anything on here about the April Daily Data pack, oops!! It's got 5 weeks worth of quick math activities to go along with a question of the week. Click the picture to see the preview or purchase if you want. Thanks so much for all of your support with these packets. I'm going to try to have May's ready in the next week or two so you can go on and print and prepare since I know you're eager to get things ready for this last stretch before summer! (only 33 days with kids left for me, wow!)

Cute Storage!

I snatched up some of the cutest polka dotted metal pails last year at a hole in the wall surplus store(I'm a bit in love with polka dots). They were a couple dollars each and I thought I'd surely find a use for them. They've become gift "bags" for my teacher friends birthdays- filling them with a soda, some sweets, and little office supplies and such. Of course I saved this one for myself. It's bigger than the little ones in Target (about 6 inches tall).

While I was cleaning up the house a little this morning (more like moving junk piles from one place to another) I stopped to admire my little pail and found a website on the sticker in the bottom. So of course I grabbed the computer and looked it up and wowie wow wow! If you love cute and cheap pails, bins, boxes, and bags then take a look.

  

All the items are about $.75 to $1.50 each but it seems that you have to order in bulk (like sets of 36 or so) but maybe you could go in with some friends. Here's website bloggy friends, www.italia100.com, don't spend too much!