I'm back again to link up with Deanna over at Mrs. Jump's Class, but it is going to be quick because I am more than exhausted. My eyelids are getting heavy just writing this . . . is it summer vacation yet?
I'm sure I've talked about this book before, as well as Peter H. Reynolds' other books, but anywhoo, I'm still going to mention it this week: The Dot:
This book is a sweet tale about Vashti, a girl who thinks she cannot draw. With an encouraging art teacher, she discovers that not only can she draw, she can create amazing, creative art. Vashti not only learns a great lesson, but takes the time to pass that lesson along!
I love this book as an inspiration to all those reluctant artists in the classroom. How many times have you heard a student say, "I can't draw. It's too hard!"? Students need to learn that they are all artists, they just need a little confidence and a lot of effort.
In addition to the great message passed along in this book, there is also great artwork to be inspired. Use this book at the beginning of the year to remind students that they can draw (and paint etc.) or at the beginning of a great "dot" inspired art lesson.
When I stumbled on a new link-up with Deanna over at Mrs. Jump's Class, I couldn't resist! I love books and can never resist talking about them, so of course I had to link up and share my two cents.
Have your students been singing Pharrell's Happy on repeat? Well not only is it the name of a great song, but it is also the name of a great book.
Happy by Mies Van Hout not only has amazing artwork, but it allows students to discuss emotions. Each page is simple - it has a fish representing a different emotion - but powerful. There are so many different ways that this book can be used in the classroom and I especially like it to introduce to kids who are having a difficult time reading emotional cues.
Have students use black construction paper and bright pastels to create their own inspired artwork. Not only is it a great art lesson, but students will really need to think about how to represent the emotion they have chosen.
And come on, doesn't that bright title page just make you happy?
I recently pinned a bunch of smoothie recipes and it inspired me. I love smoothies and wanted a way to get more fruits and vegetables (because I'm sure I'm not getting enough). I haven't tried any of the fancy ones, I've stuck to the (almost) same recipe all week and I still LOVE it. The best part is that I tried to make it more green than the regular fruit smoothie I'm used to, by throwing in a bunch of spinach. The great thing about spinach in a smoothie is that you (or at least I) can't taste it.
I love using Youtube for a quick brain break in the classroom and I just discovered Koo Koo Kanga Roo (I told you, I'm late to the game for everything). I'm sure I read a blogpost about these brain breaks months ago, but just started using them in the classroom. My favourite is Dinosaur Stomp! Let me know about some others I should check out.
Have you read this book? No, me neither - but I bought it. When I first saw it at a Scholastic book fair (probably at the beginning of the school year) I knew I had to get it. So of course, rather than buy it then and there, I went home, added it to my Amazon cart, waited a few months, then finally purchased it. I haven't started it yet, but I've added it to my ever-growing reading list.
Oh yeah, I forgot to mention that I changed around my blog design. For now, I love it, but I'm sure I'll have to tweak it a bit. Oh well, the life of a picky person.
I was slightly productive this week, probably because I was dreaming of summer! I finished up my Daily Language Summer Take-Home Booklet for First Grade.
I've also got some Daily Math Summer Take-Home Booklets, which can be found {HERE}.
Each booklet contains 40 days of summer-themed questions that review the common core and keep students thinking over the summer.
Alright, this week down, only 8 more to go until summer (that sure seems like a lot)!
Sundays sure are great . . . when Monday is the start of Spring Break! Although we don't get two weeks, I sure am thankful for this week off; hopefully it will be filled with a little R & R!
This freebie contains 36 place value cards with 3-digit numbers and is perfecting for assessing students' oral comprehension of place value. Click the pictures to check the freebie out.
If you are in school tomorrow, and celebrating St. Patrick's Day
Let me know if you enjoy the freebie, and if you are on Spring Break this week, enjoy that
Is it only Tuesday? I feel like I'm already behind and the week just got started! I am so exhausted that I don't have a freebie to share tonight, but if you missed them, check out my Polar Express freebie {HERE}, my Mooseltoe freebie {HERE}, my Snowmen at Christmas freebie {HERE} and my When Santa Lost His Ho! Ho! Ho! freebie {HERE}.
So for day 11 of my Christmas picture book countdown, I chose Who Will Guid My Sleigh Tonight? by Jerry Pallotta.
This is a fun story about how Santa found the perfect animal to guide his sleigh. Your students should enjoy picturing the other animals that Santa tried. If this books seems familiar, you may have seen some of Pallotta's other books such as, Who Will Be My Valentine This Year? and Who Will Help Santa This Year?
The one reason why I wanted to mention this book is because it talks about reindeer and I just had to mention these adorable reindeer pictures you may have seen floating around Pinterest:
I saw a few other teachers (even Kindergarten!) try these last week and they turned out ADORABLE! It takes a few steps (pencil, pastel, paint the background, paint the nose and scarf, paint the fur) but with patience and support, they will turn out fantastic. If you do it with younger students, make sure to do the step-by-step drawing with them - ARTventurous has great step-by-step instructions (& pictures).
These pictures will be sure to brighten up your classroom bulletin boards!
I just found out a fun Christmas Questionnaire over at Michelle's (Fabulous in First) blog. I guess I'm not too tired to join in and answer a few Christmas questions!
Here are the questions:
Hot Chocolate or Eggnog 100% hot chocolate. I think I might go make some tonight!
Does Santa wrap presents or just sit them underneath the tree? Wrap unless it it something awkward (like a bike. Who on Earth could wrap a bike?).
Colored lights or white?Photo Cards, Letter or Store Bought Card?
When I was growing up, it was always color. Now, white, white, white!
When do you decorate?
Way too late. As in, I still do not have a tree or bit of decorations in my house. Hopefully this weekend!
Real or Fake Tree?
REAL. It always takes me hours to pick out as we go through every.single.tree at the tree lot. I tend to pick out ones that are too tall (roof-scrapin' tall) and wide (can't-see-the-front-door wide), though not quite as big as National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation!
What Tops Your Tree?
Umm - an embarrassing star that I homemade years ago. I think this is the year I'll have to find a new topper.
Favorite Christmas Memories or Traditions?
So many little things remind me of childhood holidays - getting up way too early to peek at stockings, eating chocolate on Christmas morning, visiting extended family, listening to the same Christmas songs year after year. Some of that we still do, some I've outgrown (ahem, there is no way I'm getting up at 4 a.m. to look at stockings or presents!). Do you remember your favourite gift as a child? I was (and still am) a complete bookworm. When I was nine, my aunt and uncle got me FIVE books and I was on top of the moon!
Do prefer giving or receiving?
Giving all the way. It is such a great feeling!
What is your favorite Christmas song?
Oh, there are so many! Mariah Carey's All I Want for Christmas Is You, Run DMC's Christmas in Hollis, Madonna's Santa Baby spring to mind, but I think my number 1 favourite is Carol of the Bells.
Candy Canes. Yuck or Yum?
They kind of make me nostalgic, but after the first few licks, no thanks,
Favorite Christmas Movie?
Home Alone!
Do you shop online or at stores?
A little of both, but I try to do as much online as possible.
So I was thinking back on the books I read this week, and I started to wonder, was it too soon to read a Halloween book? Because I did. I read it to go with some Halloween writing so hopefully that makes it OK!
This is a cute, spooky Halloween spin on the 12 days of Christmas. I read it for some Halloween writing that was unrelated to the actual story, but it great for retelling, sequencing, alliteration or comporting/contrasting with the 12 days of Christmas. I would love to see the kids come up with their own ideas for the 13 nights of Halloween - is it just me or do the kids get extra creative around this time of year?
Now onto the second reason for this blogpost. I am apparently very late to the game, but I'm here anyways to say I'm joining with lots of fantastic TpT sellers for a FLASH SALE! TpT reached a huge milestone of 100, 000 likes on their Facebook page!
Click on the picture or {HERE} to check out my TpT store. My store will be 20% off and if you use the promo code FB100K, you'll get an extra 10% off! A long weekend (Canadian Thanksgiving) and a sale - I'll take it!
Click on the banner above to check out my Halloween products (some old and some new) including my new freebie:
Want to join a fun linky party? Try linking up with Tammy at 1..2..3.. Teach With Me. She's hosting a link-up that joins two teacher favourites - Pinterest and TpT! Go link up with 3-5 of your favourite TpT products (organized by grade level for efficiency) then pin 5-10 of the other products. What a great way to spread the love!
Well it's getting rainy and cold, the leaves are changing, Starbucks is serving Pumpkin Spice Lattes and my Scholastic order included a few Halloween books - it must be Fall! Here are a few of my fun Scholastic finds:
Substitute Creacher by Chris Gall. Perfect monster book to scare students into behaving.
The 13 Nights of Halloween by Guy Vasilovich. Fun, creepier version of The 12 Days of Christmas.
Frankenstein Takes the Cake by Adam Rex. Fun follow-up to Frankenstein Makes a Sandwich.
In a short follow-up to the Pete the Cat Saga of 2013 talked about {HERE} and {HERE}, we are still completely Pete obsessed. One student even showed me the handwritten note that "Pete" left for her at home. I must apologize to her poor parents. I have to say, listening to 20 five-year olds sing and read all the words to all of Pete's books makes it so worth it!
Finally, I guess I should get to October's Currently. I kind of dropped the ball on linking up for the past few months and I'm not sure why. Oh yeah, it's because I complete fell of the blogging train. I don't know if I was ever actually on the train since I write pretty sporadic posts, but anyway, I'm back to link-up.
I think mine all speak for themselves, no explanations needed.
As for the treat, seriously if you have a SMART Board in your class (and access to Youtube) Just Dance Kids videos are perfect for movement breaks. Short, fun and work in any weather. We have had too many indoor recesses already.
Well if that wasn't the longest/most abbreviated blog post name in history I'd sure like to see the one that is.
Anyways, onto the important stuff - a sale . . . a huge sale! The dates for the Teachers Pay Teachers Back to School Sale have officially been announced - this coming Sunday & Monday, August 18-19th!
So I'm linking up with a bunch of other fabulous bloggers for this fun link-up in preparation for this amazing sale.
So the number 1 most wish-listed item in my store is one my personal favourites - my Daily Math 3rd Grade Bundle Pack:
It contains all 6 of my Daily Math packs for 3rd Grade for a full year of math review - great for morning work!
The number 2 most wish-listed item in my store is also one of my personal favorites, because who doesn't love the pigeon books? It's my Pigeon Pack of Plenty:
This pack was one of my first creations (though - thankfully - it's gone through an update) and contains writing, graphing and activities for Mo Willems' fantastic Pigeon books.
So onto my wish list. I am a sucker for new fonts and graphics, so I think number one might have to be some cute new frames from Fancy Dog Studio!
