Sign Up Genius

Oh my goodness, y'all! My teaching life has been completely changed by one website! Last week I sent home the Valentine's Day party food sign-up sheet and wouldn't you know it almost every single kids signed up for plates and plastic cutlery. Well that doesn't sound like a fun party, does it? Instead of writing notes to ten parents and asking them to choose something else, I went online to see if I could find a user friendly sign ups site. I found Sign Up Genius and made three different sign-ups for the party, taking our class pet home over the weekends, and volunteering in the classroom. After the first day, almost all of the spots were filled. Isn't that just amazing with a capital A? Click on the picture below to create your own sign up.

Math Journal Monday (Pinkalicious Word Problems)

My absolute favorite children's book is:

I created some word problems to go along with the book series. Click HERE to download them. Enjoy!

Math Journal Monday (Money Rebus Style Word Problems)

This week's Math Journal Monday problems are all about money. I decided to spice them up a bit and did them rebus style. There are four days worth of problems. Click on the picture to download them.

Coin Counting Game

This week my students are learning about adding money so I created this little game. Click on the picture to download it.

Pets in the Classroom Grant

Meet Coco:

She's our precious new guinea pig. My students absolutely adore her! She's been a wonderful addition to our classroom. Several of my struggling readers love reading to her which gives me an opportunity to complete their running records in a more comfortable atmosphere. Every week I appoint two students to be in Coco's Fan Club. They are in charge of cleaning her cage, feeding, and giving her water. It's such a great way to teach them responsibility.

I got her and this cage for practically free using a grant called Pets in the Classroom. They offer grants for almost any small animal sold at PetsMart or Petco. Click HERE to learn how you can apply for the grant.

ABC Order Center

Next week my students will learn about dictionary skills. To introduce using a dictionary and review ABC order, I created this center activity using clip art from KPM Doodles:

Students will put each set of pictures in ABC order and then record them on the recording sheet. Once they are able to successfully complete that task, I am going to ask them to find the words in the dictionary. Click HERE to download this center.

Christmas Break

I hope that all of you had a fabulous Christmas break! I sure did! I LOVE Christmas and family time but, I also really enjoy the week after Christmas. It's so calm and stress free. Last week was so great in fact that words will not do. I'll have to use pictures instead.

I spent some time baking with this beauty that my sweet hubby got me for Christmas:

Isn't it perfect?

I spent a lot of time hanging out with this handsome guy:

We spent a little bit of time walking and playing but, really most of our days looked like this:

 I also discovered a new guilty pleasure:

I watched all 4 and a half seasons in two weeks. Don't judge me, please. : ) 

We hosted a New Year's party and I was so busy having fun that I forgot to take pictures. I did however, use my new found love for Pinterest for inspiration to create several tasty treats. Here was the crowd favorite:

Cookie Dough Truffles!

I also reorganized the pantry and master bedroom closet. I'd include a picture of the completed project but, who really wants to see my pantry? Next year maybe we'll do something a little more exciting like travel to Europe but, this break was simply perfect to me. : )