Fabulous Five For Friday!

It's my favorite day of the week which means it is time to link up with Doodle Bugs Teaching for:

This week started with Memorial Day.  My son, Derek, played Taps at the town's Memorial Day ceremony.

 During snack I started reading a new book to the kids:

 

I really love reading these books to the kids because the "Great One" - who is to the left - is in third grade, and she deals with typical third grade issues such as being afraid of riding her bike; pretending vs. lying, having her first sleepover party, etc.  The younger brother - the "Pain" - is a typical younger brother in first grade.  Plus there is a whole series of these books so if your students like them, there are more to check out.

We finally got around to measuring our gingerbread houses:

The kids even found the perimeter of their yards!

We also started making interactive math notebooks for measurement.

You can check out this whole activity at Blair Turner's TPT store:

http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Interactive-Notebook-Activities-Measure-to-the-14-Inch-Line-Plots-3MD4-870477

Next week we'll be writing a persuasive paragraph so this week we practiced by writing about why we should keep the cafeteria clean.  I found a paragraph in need of editing in our Six Traits Writing book.  The kids wrote the sentences on white lined paper, cut them out, glued the sentences onto another piece of paper, and added their own ideas.  Then they put all the sentences together to write their own persuasive paragraphs. 

This strategy is called "break apart," and I learned about this in my RETELL class last week.  The kids enjoyed the whole process of cutting out and gluing the sentences onto another piece of paper.  This added some excitement to the writing process.

Happy Weekend!

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Pinspired and Positive Thinking Thursday = Two For Thursday!

Today I'm trying a fun new link-up sponsored by Just a Primary Girl:

I have to say that I LOVE Pinterest - so many creative ideas!  I have 283 pins.

Here's a pin your can check out about an Anchor Chart for Reading:

I also found a perfect pin to help me with my measurement lessons that I'll be doing shortly at
Measuring to the Nearest Inch:

 

Here's a non-school pin with information about the Old State House in Boston:

 

See that balcony?  Every July 4th, an actor dressed in colonial clothing stands on that balcony and reads the Declaration of Independence at 10 o'clock.  Some day I'm going to go hear it myself.

Now it's time for some positive thinking with Jennifer from Mrs. Laffin's Laughings:

Last night while reading my April Oprah magazine, I came across an article titled "What Do I Really Want To Do All Day?"  This article includes an interview with Maureen Taylor who is a career coach in California.  Here is her response to the question, "How do you choose the right career?"

Think back to who you were in second grade.  Some psychologists believe it's around that age - the first period of time many of us can remember - when we become individuals, when we fully grasp the meaning of right and wrong.  It's also when we tended to gravitate toward what made us happy.  In second grade, were you an athlete, a bookworm, an artist?  You're still the same person.......

The next question was "And how do you know if you're in the wrong career?

You're not only stressed out - which is normal - you're drained....When people are in the wrong position, they're tired all the time.

When I was in third grade, I know that I wanted to be a teacher - that goes along with the first answer; however, teaching really makes you tired all the time.  I still love being a teacher, even if I'm tired all the time!

Until next time,....

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Peek at my Week/Anchors Away = A Great Way to Start the Week!

Today I'm doing a double link-up because they go hand-in-hand.

First, I'm linking up with Deb from Crafting Connections for:

 

Here are my two most recent anchor charts side by side - which is how I like to keep them:

My friend, Cheryl, asked me these questions (in blue) for last week's link-up:

Will you save your anchor charts for next year, or will you remake them each time?

I don't save these anchor charts because I make them while we are reading the Science book.  I think of it as modelling for how to take notes when reading.
 
 Do you make then ahead of time or with the children?

This is a great question, and I've always wondered how other teachers do this.  It would be easier to make them in advance, but most of the times, the kids have questions that I haven't thought of asking.  I include the answers in my anchor charts.

Now it's on to Jennifer's: 

 

Reading

This week we are finally getting around to reading:

 

I LOVE this book and its message!  I'm hoping the kids realize how lucky they are to learn how to read.

Math

We're working on different strategies to use when solving word problems, like making a picture.  The kids love using their white boards to solve problems.

Science

We're still learning about plants  - see above.  We are having a quiz on Thursday (tomorrow), and we'll be wrapping up the chapter next week.

Happy Hump Day!

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Ten Things To Do This Summer!

I'm doing a new link-up started by Mrs. Jump:

 

  Of course, if you live in Massachusetts, summer doesn't really arrive until mid-June, and we don't get out of school until the end of June (June 24th, to be exact) so this link-up is a little early for me, but I'm going to try to think of 10 things to do this summer.

one

I want to read for at least one hour, do the crossword puzzle and the Sudoku every day.  Here's the first book I've ordered through the inter-library loan system - I'm 72 on the waiting list:

 

This new bestseller tells the story of a blind girl living in Paris during World War II.  Of course, I was hooked after reading that because I LOVE Paris, and I LOVE historical fiction.  Plus, the book has 5 stars on Amazon.

two

Clean all the windows and deep clean/organize all the rooms in my house.  This is my ambition every summer.  

three

In my quest to be more stylishly dressed, I'm going to try this out:

http://getyourprettyon.com/style-me-challenge-spring-2014/

For $19.99 (which is how much it costs to get a Stitch Fix package), you get a list of 10 essential items for summer.  Some items you could already have or you can buy the items wherever you shop.  The web site gives you daily suggestions.

Plus, this blogger is having a link-up to share your outfits:

Positively Learning

if you want to read more about this.

four

I really want to get caught up with  Gabi's Dog Blog.  I've really neglected my Dog Blog lately due to taking my RETELL class, and I really miss writing about Gabi and her adventures.

five

I'm hoping to take a Responsive Classroom workshop with my school friend, Miss Nelson.  Of course, she can walk to the class from her home, but it's about a 45 minute drive for me, but I've always wanted to improve my classroom management skills.  Here's a link if you want to check out workshops in your area:

Responsive Classroom Summer Classes.

six

For years I have wanted to go on a whale watch.  I just read in the Boston Globe that the whales are coming closer to land to eat this certain type of eel.  

                                                  seven                                                 

During the summer I also like to read a book that helps me become a better teacher.  Today I was reading Flip Flopping Through 3rd Grade's blog.

This blogger is participating in a book study using the book:

The author of this book also wrote The Book Whisperer which I bought and couldn't really get into.  I just ordered this book through the interlibrary loan so I'm hoping to read it as well as participate in the book study.

eight & nine

My younger son, Andrew, is going to Malta to do his third co-op in pharmacy at the end of August.  Northeastern University has a program there.  Malta is an island country off the coast of Sicily.  Check it out:

 

I wish he had planned this co-op around my schedule - it's pretty impossible for me to go anywhere in the fall.  Of course, I'm sure I'll be helping him prepare for his adventure.

Speaking of adventure, Andrew also wants the whole family to go on vacation to Iceland:

 

At this point, we have no definite plans, but you just never know...

ten

Finally, I made it to number ten. My favorite activities this summer will include:  relaxing; waking up when I want to; going to the health club in the morning; going in the pool; going out to lunch with friends;......I do love the summer!

In the meantime, I'll just be reading about others' summer vacations - until June 24th, that is.

Have a wonderful week!

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Five for a Friday before Memorial Day Weekend!

It's my favorite day of the week which means that it's time to link-up with Doodle Bugs Teaching for:

On Wednesday we had a Bubbleology assembly:

The assembly was very fun and educational.  The next day several students told me that they had gone home and made bubbles - now that's a sign of success and engagement!  We also learned that in the 18th century bubble art was very popular for people.

If you want to check out more about this show, here's a link to the bubble artist's web site:
Bubbleology

Also, we read this funny book as a follow-up:

Back in November/ December I purchased a No Fuss Gingerbread House activity on TPT from  Science For Kids.  

By the time I managed to get enough milk cartons, it was the first of the year.  Then we had to get ready for our MCAS,.....Finally, we made our gingerbread houses yesterday, and the kids had a blast!  Check out these amazing examples/pictures:



Here's Mrs. Borselli working with Ashley; that's Seamus in the forefront:

Here's Markey with her creation.

Amanda's house - I love the picnic area!

Ava came up with a genius idea while we were making our houses - "How about having a yard?"  What a great idea!  The kids went to town with their yards by adding pools, a skating rink,...

The next part of this activity is to measure the houses.  I'm hoping to do this today.  Plus we're working on measurement so this is really a much better time for making gingerbread houses - even if we're several months late.  Some times things just work out for the best after all.

We are studying seeds in Science.  For the past two days we have been observing a dry lima bean; then a soaked lima bean; then a split in two bean.  It's so amazing to see the seedling inside and then the seed coat comes off - it's all FUN and EXCITING!

This is my newest anchor chart on seeds. 

Today was Wacky Clothes Day.  Here's my outfit:

I'm getting plenty of use out of my hard hat!  Thanks to my friend and colleague, Mrs. Johnson, for taking a picture for my blog.

We just had our monthly Character Assembly today.   Courage was the last trait, and now the trait will be integrity.  Also, we had a raffle sale, and I won an UNO game for the class.  I'm always needing new games - although I'm hoping most recesses will be outdoors for the rest of the year.

Happy Memorial Day Weekend!

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Positive Thinking Thursday!

Thursday is one of my very favorite days of the week, especially now that I can link up with  Mrs. Laffin for her:

Many years ago - at least 15 years - I used to do cross stitching a lot.  I made many cross stitches for many family members, including my father-in-law who passed away last December.  While my husband and his sister were cleaning out his place in Florida, my husband found one of my cross stitches:

 

This is a perfect contribution for today's link-up because it's so true!  Plus, I LOVE this cross stitch! 

Tomorrow is a Friday before a long weekend. 

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Peek At My Week! Anchors Away!

It's Monday so it's time to link-up with Mrs. Laffin's Laughings today for:

 This week we'll be reading one of my favorite stories:

 

This book describes how Booker T. Washington learned to read as a young boy.  It's a very inspiring story that shows how determined Booker was to learn to read.

 Also, this week we're going to work on measurement so I can also link-up with  Deb from Crafting Connections for:

 Here's my newest creation. 

 We'll be working on measurement; working our way from length to weight to volume.  This week we'll be focusing on U.S. standard measurement.

In Science, we're having a quiz tomorrow, and then we'll be learning more about plants, starting with seeds, parts of a seed, how seeds move, etc.

We also have three assemblies:

1.  The dress rehearsal for the Memorial Day concert.

2.  Bubbleology.

3.  Monthly Character Awards

That's it for now.  Next weekend is a three day weekend!

Have a wonderful week!

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