Tried it Tuesday {Stick 'em up}

I'm linking up with Fourth Grade Flipper for Tried it Tuesday.

 

 

We had been focusing on short vowels when I read Kelley's post from Teacher Idea Factory.

 

She shared about a little controlled chaos that was going on in her classroom.

 

She had me at CHAOS!

 

I downloaded her freebie and let the craziness begin!

 

 

 

I placed word family headers around the classroom. I divided my class into four groups. Each group was given a word list. On my count, they turned the word list face up and got to work.

 

The noise level went up, lots of giggling and laughing was happening, teams were working together and learning was going on all at the same time! LOVE!!!

 

 

 

 

They had such a fun time with this activity and were begging to 'play' again! I love how they didn't even realize they were learning.

 

This activity is great for all learners. Everyone felt successful in the end!

 

To read in more detail how to use the activity in your room click {here}.

 

I plan on using this idea frequently in word work. 



Five for Friday: Gobble Gobble

Woo Hoo...It's Friday!

We are knee deep in turkeys in first grade!

One of my lil' sweeties wants the turkey madness to stop!

 

Not a chance Sister!!!

 

What have we been up too?

ONE:  Reading about turkeys...

If you have not read this book, it is a must read before the Holiday!

 

This book set us up nicely for #2.

 TWO: Disguising turkeys...

 {Basketball Player and Princess}

{Principal}
 

THREE: Sponge painting paper plate turkeys...
 

{Front and back view}

This is one of my favorite art projects.

These always turn out so funny cute!

 

FOUR: Writing about what we are thankful for...

{So sweet!}

 

 Love how colorful these came out!
 

You can pick up the free template for these at Ms Makinson's TPT shop

 

FIVE: Illustrating turkeys...

 

Along with turkeys, we've been learning about the first Thanksgiving {compliments of Tunstell's Teaching Tidbits}



This book is just perfect for First Graders.

We highlighted the important words on each page and then illustrated those words using construction paper. 

 

 

I just love the way these came out!

 

I'd love to know what your favorite turkey project is.

 

Make sure to hope on over to Doodle Bugs Teaching to see what everyone else has been up to.

 



Read-Aloud Sadness...And I Mean It!

Today I learned some really sad news.

 

 Barbara Park passed away on Friday from a long battle with ovarian cancer.

{Click on the picture if you'd like to read the article}

 

 

SNIFF! SNIFF!
 

I have been reading the Junie B. Jones series to my firsties for as long as I can remember.

 

We just LOVE her books and can't wait for read-aloud time everyday to see what Junie B. is up too.

This has got to be one of the greatest first grade series!

 

It just warms my heart when they check out the book you are currently reading from the library and read along with you?

Our read-aloud time is now known as Junie B. Jones time!

 

I have the entire series...all but one, that is.

 

 

 

I've always let my students borrow them.

 

One year I didn't get one of the books back.

I didn't realize this till the following year when I went to get it.

 

I don't know who borrowed it so I can't go hunt them down!

 

I use to let my students borrow them on the honor system.

 

Not anymore!

 

Now I use a very complex system of checking out the books.


Exhibit A...

 

Exhibit B...

 

All I do is write down the students name and the title of the book.

 

Now, if I don't get a book back I keep bugging them until they return it.

 

After I told my students the sad news about Barbara Park, one of my little firsties said... "That's OK cause she was old" in a very serious, almost adult-ish, tone.

 

After I explained to them that she really wasn't that old, but she was sick many of them said that we should continue writing  the series and read it to the class.

 

I feel a Junie B. Jones is in Second Grade series coming on...First Grade Style!

 

I am ahead of the game this year reading the series and will probably be done before spring arrives. I am looking for that next great read-aloud.

 

What books do you read to your students that have them super engaged?

 



Five for Friday...Thankful Style



I did it!
I actually linked up on time!
This week I'm sharing things I am THaNKFul for...

 

 

Thankful for the ability to be able to workout!

In a recent post, I posted about the 'F' word...Fitness {here}.

I admitted that I have a LOVE/HATE relationship with working out.

I've held true to my word and joined a gym close to my house.

I've forgotten how GREAT I feel afterwards!

 



 

Hopefully this time I can continue on the Fitness Rollercoaster and get off of the gain weight/loose weight rollercoaster.

That ride isn't very pleasant!

 

 

 Zumba!

Need I say more? Soooo much fun and a super good workout!

 

 

The only problem I'm having is when I catch a glimpse of myself in the mirror.

I feel as though I am doing everything exactly like the instructor and then BAM,  I see myself.

 

Oh! My! Word!

 

Not even close!

Oh well, at least I'm getting my sweat on and a good chuckle all at the same time!

 

 



 I've rekindled my relationship with the elliptical machine.



We've missed each other.

I've vowed not to be the one to leave the relationship this time!

660 calories burned in an hour...Oh Yeah!!!

 

 

Who can fix it? I can {and so can you}!

 

I am very thankful that I am able to fix things around the house and not have to pay someone to come and fix them for me.

 

In an earlier post I wrote about fixing my dryer {here}.

It is still running smoothly...in case you were wondering.

 

 

Fixing something is so empowering!

Makes one want to take things apart and put them back together even if they're not broke!

 

 

So thankful for Coffee mate's seasonal creamers!

 

Yum-mee... Peppermint Mocha!

Did you notice that it's sugar free? I'm trying to cut out the sugar and carbs since I'm trying to get fit again.

Not sure how long I can last, but I'm gonna give it my best shot!



Fix It Monday

 

Disclaimer: This post has nothing to do with school. Just thought I would share a little of my DIY (fix it) self with you.

 

I am all about saving a few dollars and turning to YouTube when something around the house needs fixing.

 

As a single mom of 3 teenagerish boys, I must say I do this quite often.

 

A few summers ago I fixed my dryer and my lawnmower this way and saved myself a ton of money in repair costs.

 

Well, that same dryer has been making a really loud squeaking sound.  I tried to ignore the high pitched squeaking sound even though my boys said it was rather annoying. This sound turned into the most obnoxious sounding grind. 

 

Fine! I'll fix it!

 

Once again I turned to my buddy, YouTube.

 

I found this handy dandy video and went to work!

 

 

First I went to my local dryer repair parts place to gather my supplies (make sure to take the parts number with you). I had mine written down in a few different places (just in case). 

 

This picture is from Amazon. I was so excited to get started, I forgot to take a picture of the new parts.

 

 

Then I took apart the dryer and removed the old parts.

 

You are not suppose to be able to see all the way through this part and the front opening is way lower than it should be.

 

This must have been where the grinding sound was coming from...metal on metal.

 

I replaced the old with the new and reassembled the dryer.

 

Easy Peasy Lemon Squeezy! 

 

For about $35 my dryer is purring like a kitten.

 

Weeeeell, not exactly like a kitten.

 

Now I am hearing a little bumping sound. It was probably there all along, I just couldn't hear it with the high pitched squeals, grinds and all.

 

I'm hoping everything is just working its way back where it should be, but if it continues I'll definitely be visiting my buddy YouTube again.

 

Now all I have to do is figure out why there are those random numbers at the beginning of my posts? Hmmm...

 

Have you fixed anything around your house lately?

 



Tardy for the Party

Yep! I'm tardy!

 

I don't like to be late for anything, but I have a semi good excuse.

 

Kinda Sorta...

 

I really hope I don't get in trouble from the bloggy police for linking up 2 days late!

 

Are there rules against that?

 

Enough already...here's my Five for Friday.

 

ONE

It snowed on Tuesday and shut the hill I live on down.

 

 

Just so you all know, I am not a fan of the snow!

 

I was so lucky not to be involved in this...

 

The white SUV side swiped another SUV that pulled off into a parking lot. I carefully went around the SUV and this occurred. GRRR! People, it snows here! Get yourself some snow tires!

 

I managed to make it to school 40 minutes late. Man I DISLIKE the snow!

 

TWO

Fundraiser at McDonald's

 

 

McTeacher's night ROCKED!

 

We had so many families show up that the manager said she will give us an extra 1/2 hour next year. Not sure of the actual figure yet, but the estimate is over $600.

 

(On a side note, my teaching partner just started a blog today, KinderCoaster. Check it out and give her some love!)

 

THREE

I am learning to tap!

 

 

The High School my son attends puts on a show every year for their fundraiser. The parents are the stars of the show (no students allowed)! It has been running for 50 years and raised over $80,000 last year between sponsors and ticket sales.

 

I am so excited to get to tap this year! I've chickened out the last 2 years, but decided to face my fears and just do it!

 

FOUR

One of my sweet parents showed up before our Veteran's day assembly with stars and strip hats and camo bandanas for the kids.

 

 

How cool is that?

 

FIVE

I was working Friday night and Saturday morning on these

 

 

Just one of the reasons I am tardy this week, besides the fact that I got LAZY!

 

There you have it, my Five for Friday... tardy fashion!