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Tuesday, November 29, 2011

Christmas Crafts

It's that time again!  Time to start thinking of which Christmas crafts I will do with my class...here is a list of things we have done in the past.  Now just to decide.....


Christmas Craft Ideas:

Candy cane reindeer—use 1 candy cane, 2 “googly eyes”, one small red pom pom, and one brown pipe cleaner cut in half to make two pieces
Make a snowflake center—this is a center activity on following directions—all they need is a piece of white copy paper , their scissors, and pencil
Heart Wreath- students will trace hearts onto green construction paper , cut out and form a circle with point of heart facing the middle of the circle.  Then they will add small red circles as “holly”.
Snowman Can- Use a clean soup can.  Paint it white, add eyes and nose out of buttons and students will draw a with a red or black sharpie.  Hot glue ribbon around the bottom of the can to serve as a scarf. Hot glue a pipe cleaner as a handle.
Clear glass ornament- Students stuff iridescent filler into a clear glass ornament and the paint a snowman face on to it.
Blue handprint ornament- students dip their hand in white paint and they will grab the blue  ornament from the bottom. This will give the effect of five white snowmen.  Add hat, and face with black sharpie.  Attach poem :”These aren’t just five tiny snowman as any one can see, they are made with my handprint which is a part of me. Hang it proudly on your tree so you can recall, the Christmas of 2011 when my hand was just this small”
Can lid metal ornament: use a soup can lid removed with smooth edges and cleaned.  Students can decorate with glitter, scrapbook paper, paint, etc.  Add student’s picture to the middle and add a ribbon to hang.
reindeer  lapel pin: Use old fashioned wooden clothespins and decorate to look like a reindeer
add pin to back to wear
    
What ideas do you have that you have done with your class?

Wednesday, November 2, 2011

Behavior Doctor

I had the opportunity yesterday to hear "The Behavior Doctor", Laura Riffel, PhD speak. Although our seats wear very uncomfortable (a junior high auditorium built in the 50's), the speech was definitely worth hearing.  What great ideas and perspective she has about dealing with children with "problem" behaviors!  After siting there all day, I started thinking about how I like the kids to get up and do learning centers for reading and math. While centers are GREAT, there are times when we need to stay at our desk and do work.  I realize sitting there will get uncomfortable for some kiddos (as I was uncomfortable yesterday).  I have a chair cushion on my teacher chair I sit at during small group instruction.......so why not make the kids chair cushions??  This is something I think I may do for them.  I have to explore cost, color,materials, etc. Has anyone else done this?

Here is the link to the site for The Behavior Doctor if you are interested. Today I played the music from her site while the kids were doing independent work.  Very calming.....

Monday, October 31, 2011

Happy Halloween!

Happy Halloween to all my ghosts and ghouls out there!  What a busy weekend it has been ! 


 I turned 40 last Thursday and spent the day watching my oldest daughter compete in the district cross country meet. She took the bronze medal and her team won the district championship!  What a great birthday gift to see your child be so successful! Friday evening I went with family to celebrate my birthday at a local BBQ restaurant that has local bands play.  We had a great time! Saturday my husband and I went to a Halloween party for adults only. Hubby dressed up as Allen and Baby Carlos from the movie the Hangover, and was hilarious!!! He won best costume! 

Today, I am back at work and it has been a very busy day with a parent picnic and Storybook character parade.  My team dressed as the M&M's from the M&M's Counting Book ( I know it's a stretch...but it worked and was easy!)

I made an M &M template for the kiddos to make M&M headbands.  They had a challenge to make theirs in a pattern.  Have a safe and Happy Halloween if you take part in the trick-or-treating! 

Sunday, September 18, 2011

Scentsy

I love Scentsy!!  I was given my first one as a Christmas gift from one of my students last year.  I absolutely ♥ it!  I bought one more for my classroom to help with those "after PE" aroma's...you teachers know what I mean! Who says third graders are too young for deodorant?? :)

I am ready to buy another one from my colleague at work Veronica, who sells Scentsy.  I came across this giveaway today via The Tip Junkie.  Check this out: Scentsy Baked Apple Pie BarScentsy
This giveaway is sponsored by Being Allison (twitter) , Being Allison (facebook), Being Allison (blog).  Go to her site(s) and check it out!!

Sunday, September 11, 2011

September 12th



What will you be discussing with your students tomorrow?  I read this book every year and think it is fantastic!

Time flies when you are ....BUSY!!

Wow......time flies when you are ......BUSY!!!

I have not been on here in a month!  No time to do much other than go to work, help give rides to day care for my nephew (my sister had surgery), pick up my high schooler from cross country practice, pick up my 4th grader from our friends home (they care for her afterschool for about 30 minutes till I can get there), come home, make dinner, feed family, feed horses, pick up the house mess that magically occurs even though you just cleaned it, get ready for the next day, shoewr, sleep, and...repeat! Weekends are busy too running to small towns in Texas to watch my daughter compete in varsity cross country meets and lets not forget church, CCD classes, and ......grading papers! Blah!

While on here today I found a give away!  I love give aways!  I won one from TeachHub and from the Organized Classroom blog! I never win anything so I was delighted!

The give away is from Glue Sticks and Tape.  It is a $25 Walmart giftcard. Who couldn't use that? I would use it to buy something for myself!  I know, that sounds selfish...but I am always buying for my kids, my students, and everyone else.  I will turn 40 next month (YIKES!!  How did that happen?) and would like to treat myself, even if it is only at Walmart and not a fancy spa! :)
Giveaway_Walmart_gift_card_giveaway

Monday, August 8, 2011

Last day of freedom! (sorta)

Well, it is that time!  Today is the last day of freedom for me....sorta.  Tomorrow I can finally go in to work on my room!  :)   Even though I am not required to go until Monday the 15th, I must go.  There is no way possible to get it all done in the two days they give us.  Actually, a day and a half since Meet the Teacher is on the Friday afternoon before school starts!  So, tomorrow all the stuff I have been lugging around in the back of my car will get a new home!  New stylish crates, pencil holders, shiny posters, new borders, etc.  No more sight seeing trips for you!

Back to the routine.  Routine is good for me...even though I ♥ my sleep late days (I have trouble sleeping in the summer..weird..I know) and wearing my cute Yellow Box flip flops.  I do better when I am on a schedule.  It exhausts me, but I sleep like a baby! zzzzzzzzzz......

My daughters will be entering their sophomore and 4th grade years in school.  They are anxious and excited and I am as well for them. Fall brings new school supplies, new routines, new expectations, traveling all over the state following my daughter's varsity cross country team, and hopefully some cooler weather here in HOT-Texas!!

Every year my goal is to "be better organized".  I think that is one of those forever goals with me.  I am organized, but am also guilty of making "piles". I am working on that. This year I have a new goal.  I found this saying on my friend Ginny's pinterest board and re-pinned it to mine.  It  is so true!


So....my goal this year is to live with a positive attitude----GLASS HALF FULL!! I want my class to be more positive to each other as well.  Many of them come from dysfunctional home lives and I need to find a way to make them think positive.
I am looking forward to this school year and the changes it brings.... So here we go!

What is your goal for this year??