Glue, Tiaras, and Five for Friday!



I am linking up tonight with http://doodlebugsteaching.blogspot.com/  for Five for Friday fun.   The whole point is to share 5 random photos from your week, which is PERFECT for me this week, because the best way to describe this week is random!  It was actually a really fun week - which I was not expecting coming off of spring break.  ( I will not confirm nor deny that there were actual tears coming from my eyes last Sunday night at the prospect of going back.)

 

 

My first bit of randomness was the sweetest bit.   One of my kids came in and brought me a gift.   She very ceremoniously handed me this bottle of Elmer's glue.    She explained that it was the favorite glue of the BEST teachers (raising her eyebrows) so she thought I would like it.   BEST GIFT EVER!

 

Monday morning an amazing thing happened - our math specialist came to the door and handed me (and everyone else on my team) a big old box of Versa-tiles.  We each received ten sets of tiles and the entire second grade set of books.  When does THAT happen?  Seriously,  when have you ever just received a bunch of materials that you did not have to beg for?  It doesn't happen much in my world,  but I loved it and my kids loved it.   I am beginning to think that our new math curriculum director person (I am unsure of her real title) for our district might be the true Bomb Diggity - like capital letters,  proper noun,  true Bomb Diggity.   And,  as if that were not enough,  I also received a giant tub of books to use for ELA.  I honestly don't even know where that came from,  but you won't hear me complaining (or admitting I know where it is if it was delivered to me by mistake -shhhh!).

 

 

Yesterday we had a little Christmas in March event when our very fun Donors Choose project materials arrived - ART SUPPLIES! Our funding was completed last week and they already arrived.   I let the kids break into the packages and they went wild.   We have new glitter,  glitter glue, glitter paint (okay,  I admit I might have glitter problem), wavy cut scissors, paint, paintbrushes, colored pencils, thin tip markers, organizers and super fun colored construction paper that is thick and holds a fold!   Not really sure who was more excited....

 We finally finished my fabulous fairy tale unit.   It was so much fun,  it started with a field trip to see Rapunzel,  A Very Hairy Fairy Tale in Fort Worth.   I am actually sad it is over.   I love a good fairy tale and I love all the conversations that we had about them.   My kids were very vocal about what a dummy they felt Rapunzel's husband was.  It was hilarious.  I feel very certain my students know without a shadow of a doubt what makes up a fairy tale.   Next week we move on to chapter books - Freckle Juice is first!   I am excited about that too.   I really do love my job.

 

My last picture is a tiara.  I love tiaras.   I wish they would catch on as an everyday fashion trend.  But that is not why I am posting it.   This weekend several of my friends from work and I are taking our rocking trivia team on the road (okay it is really like 10 minutes from here).  Our team needed a theme and we went with Teachers In Tiaras.   Yep....  the TIT's.   So wish us luck as we try to earn some respect in the trivia world.  LOL! 

Happy Weekend Peeps!

 









http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Fabulous-Fairy-Tales-A-Common-Core-ELA-Unit

Mourning the End of Spring Break...and Fairy Tales~!

I woke up this morning feeling .... blahhh!   Today is the last day of our spring break and let me tell you I needed spring break like never before.    I was so sick before the break and so tired and so sick of being so sick and tired.    It has been a really relaxing break.   We haven't done a lot of big things but it has had some really sweet moments.   I have had time to catch up with a couple of amazing friends that I have missed like crazy.   I have had hours of time just to watch my kids have fun at the park,  I went to go see The Great and Powerful Oz movie with my son Alex, and have just had time to chill and enjoy the blessings in my life - my family.

But tomorrow is back to reality.   I am a little excited because I get to tell my class that we had our latest Donors Choose project fully funded!   I am so geeked about this one.   It is art and writing supplies.   New markers, colored pencils,  paints, paint brushes, glitter, wavy scissors, bright construction paper, writing paper, and containers to hold it all!    Honestly,   I can't tell you how much I love new school supplies,  but I suspect if you are a teacher,  you feel the same way.   I LOVE Donors Choose so much!

Today, I finally, FINALLY, FINALLY completed my Fairy Tales unit.   I have been working on this for what seems like EVAH!   But,  I finished it and I LOVE it.   This is the first time I have ever gone through and listed all the common core objectives for a unit - so that took me a long time.   You see,  I live in Texas.   Rick Perry does not believe that we are part of the rest of the country,  so we do not use Common Core.  We have our own standards.   It makes me CRAAAAAZY!   It makes no sense.   I know it must have to do with money - but I hate it for me,  for my kids and for the kids I teach.   Our objectives are very similar - it's just that instead of 10 objectives for literature for second grade - we have like 68.   Makes me want to move.   But I will stop my tangent (because I could go on and HAVE gone on for hours about this) and show you a preview of my new baby!   Please go check it out on TpT
http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Fabulous-Fairy-Tales-A-Common-Core-ELA-Unit
or on Teachers Notebook.
http://www.teachersnotebook.com/product/InThatRoom/fabulous-fairy-tales-a-common-core-ela-unit

 

 

I love this unit because it can be used with any fairy tale.   I have included pages to go with many of the most popular tales,  but the story elements pages were created to go with ANY fairy tale.   It is full of pages that can be graded for reading comprehension,  language arts and writing.  It even has two quizzes - a vocabulary quiz and a fairy tale elements quiz.    I am really proud of it!

 

 

I hope that all of you coming off of spring break had a great week and those of you heading into it have an amazing break as well! 

 



40% off for my 40th Birthday

Thursday was my 40th birthday (blech).   So in mourning  celebration I have marked EVERYTHING in my Teachers Notebook Store on sale for 40% off!

Go check it out!
http://www.teachersnotebook.com/shop/InThatRoom

From my Mama heart...

Today I am posting about something so close and important to me,  I am feeling very vulnerable.  Today is March 6 - which is Spread the Word to End the Word day.   If you don't know what this is please check out this website - it is incredible.  http://r-word.org/

Today is about the eradication of the word "retard" or "retarded" being used for slang,  being used a put down,  as a synonym for any number of other derogatory words.   But it is more - it is about accepting people with special needs as equals, as people of worth.  

This day is extremely important to me as a teacher, a special education teacher, as a mom and as a human being.   I have worked with many special needs children over the course of my career and have loved them all but none more than my own son, Grant.

On June 27, 2005,  our world was forever changed.   Due to deliver August 23rd,  I knew things were not going to be easy,  but I had no idea. We knew our pregnancy was risky - he had a 2 vessel cord, and we knew that his growth was restricted.    Our precious Grant entered the world at 3 lbs.   He was 14 inches long and the sweetest baby you have ever seen.   Once he was here we learned that he had bled into his brain on both sides.   We were told he might have cerebral palsy,  he might never walk or talk,   he might be deaf.   After several weeks in the NICU,  we were able to go home.   Grant showed signs of cerebral palsy early on,  but through intense therapy those symptoms ceased.  He hit all his milestones in a very delayed way,  but he met them.   We were hopeful that he would just "catch up", as I am sure all parents of special needs are.   But as he hit school age,  things became more clear,  Grant was not going to just catch up.   After his first round of testing,  we heard the "r" word for the first time used to describe our son.   Devastating does not even begin to scratch the surface of how it felt.

But,  the "r" word does not begin to scratch the surface of the child that Grant is.   Grant is the funniest,  sweetest, silliest kid.   He is almost always happy.   He has no ego issues,   if he thinks he hurt you, he will cry.   He loves without holding back.   His smile lights up a room and he makes everyone who knows him love him.  He is the best big brother to our daughter and the peskiest, cutest little brother to our big boys.   He is our heart.   He is an equal and important part of our family.   There is nothing about him that should be equated with negativity.  Look at my beautiful boy!

But he is indeed mentally retarded.   It is a medical diagnosis.  It means he is behind mentally.   But I hate those words.   I HATE them.   Not because Grant is behind - but because people use those words as synonyms for stupid,  for ugly, for any negative thing that they do not want to think of a better word for.  

So today I am begging you as a fellow teacher,  to talk to your students about this word.   To tell them how it hurts.   You have my permission to tell them about my beautiful boy.   Tell them that even if others use it,  it is not okay.   It hurts people.   People who would never hurt them.   It is ugly.   It is bigoted.  Spread the word to end the word.  You are huge influence on your students.   Have them go to the website and sign the pledge.   Let's get the "r" word out of the vocabulary of this generation.  Please.   I beg you from my tear soaked keyboard,  please spread the word. Share this video of my son and his amazing friend Sofia explaining why this word needs to be eliminated!  Please share and pin and share! 
http://sharing.theflip.com/session/f59bab93cdc41fe4bee19253993e56a7/video/160680671

So excited!

 

I am so excited for these fabulous bloggers - they have reached 300 followers and are having a MASSIVE giveaway! I am super excited to be part of it. I am giving away one of my favorite units - Those Shoes. If you have not read this book - YOU.NEED.TO. It is the cutest and has such a strong message that so many kids can relate to. It makes me cry. AND is the perfect platform to use to talk about wants and needs

 

.  http://collaborationcuties.blogspot.com/2013/03/hooray-hooray-our-300-followers-giveaway.html.

Please go by and check out their fabulous giveaway and stay and see what they have to say!  

Love,
Heidi

March Currently!

Look at me... two posts in one night!   I just finished posting and realized the Amazing Farley had put up this month's Currently.  So here we go...

 

Currently...explained:

 

My dog is 10 years old.   He is the best dog on the planet.  BUT.... in his old age he has started the most annoying habit ever.  He drinks and drinks and drinks water and then takes a few steps away from the bowl and barfs up half of it.   In the few minutes since I have filled in this form - he has done it.   Freaking awesome!

 

 

I am sick.   I have strep throat for the second time in the last month or so.   I am sick and tired of being sick and tired.   This time,  my precious girl also has it,  so we were home all day.   Which means I missed everything I was supposed to be doing at work... like getting ready for Open House on Tuesday.   Totally stressed about that,  so I am super happy that it is the weekend and I don't have to miss another day.     I did have a sweet day with my girlie though...hours of snuggles.

 

 

I am taking Nyquil because I can't sleep otherwise... and it is starting to make me loopy,  so I really should stop blogging.

 

Wanting to feel better and get some uninterupted sleep.   I think these are self explanatory.   I have little one in bed with me the past two nights (just get scared when they are sick) and she has been kicking me,  and talking to me all night.   Tonight she is in her own bed.   Hopefully that means mama is going to SLEEP!

 

I finally ordered my own Classroom Friendly Pencil Sharpeners and I am so thankful I did.   They are lessening my hate of pencils immensely.   They seem to be everything they promised to be and I could not be happier.   They are so quiet.   If you haven't bought one,   you should!  Love my four babies so much (and their daddy too), and I hate my 5:00 wake up time for school - but I love my job,  so that makes it easier.

 

 

Go link up!  http://ohboy3rdgrade.blogspot.com/

 

Love, Heidi

 

PS (added after reading other Currently posts)

 

In my Ny-Quil induced stupor,  I did not read for comprehension - I was supposed to do my like, love, hate portion using the first letter of my first name  - so H (which is also the first letter of my last name...).  So...

Like - hummus (I eat too much of it)

Love - happiness

Hate - head lice

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mulitiplication Fun!

I love, love, love teaching multiplication!   The kids love it because they feel so "big" and there are so many fun activites to go with it.   One of my favorite resources is Amy Lemon's Muliplication Strategies packet.  Find it here: http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Multiplication-Situations-Unit .

We did several of her activities including the mushroom activity, the snowball activity, sticker arrays and my favorite - the bracelet activity.  I purchased this great set of pony beads at Wal-Mart for like $12

 

I love that the set of beads is actually an ARRAY - hello!   My kids were pumped up when I brought these out. 

 

I explained to them that I was opening a bead shop.  Each bead in the shop would cost .50.   I gave each child an imaginary budget of $15 to spend and they had to figure out how many beads they could buy.   The quickly determined they could buy 30 beads.   I then explained that they could choose as many colors as they wanted...BUT each color had to have exactly the same number of beads.   I then gave them this little worksheet I had created to plan their bracelet (I actually gave them two pages but condensed it here into one). If you would like a copy - you can get one free here:

 

http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Multiplication-Bracelet-Plan

 





I sent them to their seats and they had to go plan.   It was so interesting to watch their little minds go to work.  It was a good indicator to me to see who was really getting it as well.   Several of my students immediately started with the thirty and broke it down by dividing (which is awesome because we have not even talked about that yet) and others worked up.   A couple of my kids chose to use very few beads their multiplication bracelet because they found a combo that worked and they couldn't seem to go past that (gave me a list of whom to call to the table to work with after the activity).  

After they had finished their plans,  I provided each child with a pipe cleaner and a plastic cup to carry their beads.   The built their bracelets and were so proud to wear them home.   I got a few sweet emails from parents telling me how their children explained their bracelets to them.   I loved that!

Here are some pictures of how they turned out.

 

Hope your weekend is awesome!