An Apple For The Teacher

Friday, February 21, 2014

Five For Friday February 21 - With a Few FREEBIES

Time for Five For Friday with Doodle Bugs Teaching! It was a short week, but a busy week nonetheless!

We had fun playing math games this week. One of the favorites was this freebie from Bunting, Books, and Bainbridge.

You can download it free (without the badge) here.

We also have been loving this equivalent fraction bump-it game from Classroom Game Nook.

You can download it free here.

I can't believe that I forgot to post this last week - must have been the excitement from Valentine's Day! But... I bought my ticket to the TpT conference this summer and am soooo excited!

Is anyone else going? I am looking forward to meeting some of my bloggy pals in real life!

I have an extra duty position as a drama director for the Intermediate School in our town (5th and 6th grade). We started rehearsals for our Spring production this week. They have been amazing - and I am blessed with their talent!

While we were rehearsing, Luke kept himself busy doing his homework. He got really quiet, and I went to check on him, and I had to snap this adorable picture!

I got a nice surprise mid-week when I stopped at Starbuck's for my usual morning treat to find out that the car in front of me had paid for my order! It was a fairly big order to because I ordered for me and two of my boys. The boys thought it was amazing to have someone do that for you. So... we decided to pay it forward the next day! Somehow, the Starbuck's tasted even better after our random act of kindness!

We also had our science fair this week, and one of my students was a top place finisher! She will be going to the regional competition for the third year in a row! I am so proud of her!

If you have a science fair coming up soon and are looking for some graphic organizers to help your students focus on the scientific process, you may want to check out Let's Enter The Science Fair - Graphic Organizers. 22 pages of science fair goodies!

Let's Enter The Science Fair - Graphic Organizers

The first three people to comment with their email address will receive free copy!

Saturday, February 15, 2014

Five for Friday February 14th

Happy Valentine's Day! I survived the sugar rush that was our Valentine's Day Party! It is ~~Friday~~ Saturday and time for a belated Five for Friday post with Doodle Bugs Teaching!

Speaking of said sugar rush here are a few pics of our "Love Fest"

My haul - good thing I have a few boys at home to help me eat all the goodies!

I tried to tame the sugar monster a bit by having a Heart Healthy Breakfast. I think it is going to be a new tradition - the kids loved it!

Speaking of healthier eating - I know I have to be better about this. I was really good at the beginning of the year, but as soon as I got bronchitis and pneumonia right before Christmas my good habits went out the door. Being sick made me crave all of my comfort foods and unfortunately that includes sugar. I lost a ton of weight when I gave up sugar during my last pregnancy (I had gestational diabetes), but I went back to the sugar and gained it all back and then some. I know I have to change permanently. So for the past three weeks I have gotten back on the exercise habit and this week was the week to get back on track with my healthier eating. I rarely have time at school to sit down and eat, but I am a snacker. Usually I munch on candies or other quick things to eat. I knew I had to have quick and easy snacks on hand to help out. I was inspired by this pin from Pinterest to bring some healthy snacks to school.

My Version

What types of healthy snacks do you bring to school to keep the hunger at bay?

Another fun Valentine tradition that has developed in my class is hair bows. Because I have rolled up with my class, I have the same students this year that I do last year. One of the girls in my class has brought hair ribbons to school for all of the girls in our class (including me) every Valentine's Day. Here is a pic of the girls modeling their bows:

And then the boys had to get into it too.

And on a final parting note:

Yeah, not sure what to say about that exactly :D

Hope you had a great Valentine's Day! Hubby had to work last night so we are going out to dinner tonight.

Tuesday, February 11, 2014

Multiplication Helpers For Struggling Students - Tried It Tuesday FREEBIES!

Today is Tuesday and time to link up with Fourth Grade Flipper for Tried It Tuesday.

We all have those students who need more practice, more instruction, more time, more strategies, just plain MORE! Well, I have a few who have really struggled with multiplication and that makes teaching the 4th grade math curriculum (with long division, factors, multiples, fractions, etc.) really difficult for them to achieve. Many of them are very hands on learners and CAN succeed if given the right tools. Here are a few of the things that I have tried to help them become more successful mathematicians.

Touch Math
I learned about Touch Math a few years ago while working with some SPED students, but, I have used it very successfully with some of my regular developing kiddos who just need some extra assistance with math. Our school had purchased this kit years ago and it was buried in a storage room and I was lucky enough to dig it out.

Upper Grades Touch Math Multiplication and Divison Review

Upper Grades Touch Math Multiplication and Divison Review

I have been using it for multiplication and division of course, but I was also excited to find that it covered some fractions as well since that is the current unit we are working on!

I found some freebies for you to try in your classroom as well.

Multiplication and Division
Fractions

Multiplication Multiples

Multiplication Multiples By JH

I also found this amazing product on Pinterest and knew it might help some of my kiddos. I followed the link through to the FREEBIE from Judy Hopf, printed out a few of them and then laminated them to keep them durable. I introduced them to my students, and they have been just as loved as the "cheater charts" (the name my students have given multiplication tables).

Speaking of Freebies, I just uploaded this mixed numbers addition and subtraction activity perfect for Valentine's Day!

Love Mixed Number Style - Adding and Subtracting Mixed Num

You can download it free at Teachers Pay Teachers here.

And... before you go, make sure to visit my Giveaways page to enter our weekly giveaway to win a $25 Teachers pay Teachers gift card!

Saturday, February 8, 2014

300 Follower Giveaway!

This teacher blogging world has been an amazing journey for me! Recently I hit a big milestone with 300 followers on bloglovin and 333 followers on Teachers Pay Teachers. While I was amazed, honored, and humbled to have that many people interested in what I have to say about teaching, I was even more humbled when over 60 bloggers and Teachers Pay Teachers offered to donate to this amazing giveaway to help me celebrate! I have divided it into two giveaways - K-2 and 3rd grade and up so there is something for everyone! I ALWAYS giveaway a $25 Teachers Pay Teachers Gift Certificate each month, but this month I am giving away TWO gift cards (1 for each giveaway)! Here are a few of the other prizes you can win.