Paparazzi them to Spark Motivation...Lovin' it & Over it...

YAY! 

 It's Saturday and first I'm linkin' up with 

my high-heeled hero, Joanne,

from Head Over Heels for Teaching

for Spark Student Motivation Saturdays.

Want to know one of the best motivators for students?

Pretendin' you are the paparazzi and 

snappin' pictures of your students' faces.

I'm not jokin'.

In Florida

(don't stop readin' even if you aren't from the Sunshine State), 

any testin' grades have an online

program called FCAT Explorer that can 

be accessed at school or home.

Each grade level has different subjects that can 

be accessed.

This year, my 5th graders can work on 

the Math or Science portion of the program.

Math has 162 questions and Science has 200.

162 + 200=a lot of questions

There are questions that would be worded

similar to our actual standardized test questions and 

are basically a review of all of the standards 

that we have covered throughout the year.

The students have from January until April to 

complete this program.

Anyone that completes BOTH sections will 

get a surprise or treat from me.

Sometimes I assign it for homework, sometimes we 

do it in class, and sometimes I just tell the 

kids to go above and beyond to complete this.

For some reason it takes a looooong time for

some of them to get anywhere with this.

In January I start to keep track of their progress 

and at the beginnin' of March

I put their pictures up to show who has completed 

one or two sections of the program.

As soon as those pictures go up on the wall, 

all of a sudden the program MIRACULOUSLY gets completed

faster than I can get the blue sticky-tacky on the back

of their picture.  

No joke.
I put the pictures up this Wednesday and

by Friday I had four more people complete the program.

Just like that.

Motivation at its finest.

The pictures are mounted on spray painted CD's

to go with our Rockstar theme.

Joanne will LOVE this one...

I also gave each student a Post-it note

and gave them two numbers...random numbers.

Random to them...not to me.

Each student's numbers were different.

Then they had to add their two numbers together.

They then checked one another to see if they added correctly.

Luckily, everyone did. 

Thank goodness....I didn't want to have a nervous breakdown.

Then I asked them to get in order from smallest to largest numbers.

The person with the smallest number had completed

the least amount of questions on FCAT Explorer...

(I'm sure you know where I'm goin' with this) 

and the person with the largest

had completed the most.

I'm sneaky.

Now I've got pictures on the wall and kids lookin' 

around to see who is goin' to finish ahead of them.

I've got a competitive bunch.

They don't like bein' beat by their classmates.

I have a feelin' by the time Monday rolls around,

I'll have several more kids that have completed

the program.

I'm also linkin' up with my other favorite Ali from 

Teaching (Powered by Caffeine)

for "lovin' it & over it".

Some of you may remember that my school had

to say good-bye to a very special teacher

a few weeks ago.

Two of my colleagues and the Student

Council came up with a fundraiser to raise money

to be placed in Mary's name through the 

Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer foundation.

Students were able to purchase a pink strip of paper for

$.50 or 3 for $1.00.

The pink strips made paper chains that could be hung in each

classroom in our buildin'.

Students at my school raised around $1,000!

We had over 500 strips in our room.  

We actually ran out of hangin' space.

I had to be careful if the fire marshal came back.

He dislikes me immensely.

 I'm so proud of my Rockstars for honorin' Mrs. Martin's memory 

and always wantin' to give to others.  

They were so excited every time they brought in money

and most of them even gave up their Friday ice cream money

each week to buy pink strips instead!

The kids took the chains to our 

Student Council reps so they can attach all the chains in the

whole school.  

All of the pink chains

will be displayed in our Media Center for everyone

to see durin' our Scholastic Book Fair.

I think Mary would have truly loved this!

I have a paper cut and it hurts.

I've been sayin' bad things again.

I teased Ali that she was goin' to be my "over it"

because I emailed her and I knew she was nappin' 

and unable to respond.

It's great that she's such a good sport

and can take my teasin'.

I'm only over my paper cut!

Happy Saturday, friends.  

I'm on a boat today catchin' fishies...no I'm not postin' from there!

Just by the time you read this...I will be on a boat.

Krewes and Doubloons...Thursday Throwdown

Laissez les bons temps rouler...it's Thursday Throwdown

time with my favorite Saints fan and friend, Erin, 

from I'm Lovin' Lit.

What have I been doin' to make learnin' more interactive?

On Fat Tuesday one of my super sweet parents came in

to do some hands-on activities to celebrate Mardi Gras.

I can't take the credit because she actually did the activities.

I'll take the credit for allowin' guest speakers to 

come in the class. 

Let's face it...kids like to hear a different voice sometimes.

Most of the boys and girls in my class have been together since
before Kindergarten.  They have grown attached
to one another.  Next year is goin' to be difficult
for many of them because they may be goin' to
a different middle school than the rest of their friends.
Basically, the kids will need to form new "crews"
in middle school.
Since it's Mardi Gras, my sweet volunteer
had the students form their own "krewes"
to practice before they move off to middle school.
They were given beads and doubloons.

The kids got to choose:
 1) which members would be in each krewe
2) why their krewe was formed
3) what their krewe would stand for
4) which design they would use for their doubloon
5) how they would present the information to the other krewes

I present to you...the 5th Grade Krewes:

Krewe of Rosettes was formed
because they share a love of all things Ms. Rose and
care about friendship.
Of course Queen Rosie was super excited
to be a member of this krewe!

The Krewe of Tomahawk Nation was formed
to irritate their precious teacher because she
is a Miami Hurricanes fan and they
love the Florida State Seminoles.
They forget I am the one who enters the grades
into the computer.
I kid, I kid!

The Krewe of Royal Turtles joined together to discuss turtles.
They like turtles.

Krewe of Money Boys just want money...all of it...

any way they can get it. 

 

Krewe of Loomies came together because of their passion 

for all things Rainbow Loom.

Ye Old/Olde Krewe of Technology is organized with
tech gurus.

This activity was student-led, but monitored by
the Krewe Coordinator and me.
Of course it was only appropriate that we
celebrate with King Cake afterwards.
Formin' krewes is a tough job,
but it was an extremely valuable lesson
and one I hope my students will remember
as they join their new "krewes" in middle school,
yet never forgettin' their old krewe.

Last year we did a narrative writin' piece from the
perspective of:
1) Beads bein' thrown from a float
2) A float in the parade at Mardi Gras
3) Mask on someone's face durin' the parade
Of course we went all out and decorated our
papers with glitter, feathers, sequins, etc.
The more bling, bling...the better!

Happy Thursday, friends!

Wonderful Websites for Workshop Wednesday....

Guess what...

You can find me over at 

Ideas by Jivey 

today where I'm guest bloggin'

for my super sweet friend, Jivey!

Check out 

Workshop Wednesday...Wonderful Websites

for Reading

and leave some love!

Happy Wednesday friends!

QR Code Adventure: Mammals...Tried it Tuesday

It's Tuesday, but I actually wrote this on Sunday.

I surprised myself and got a jump start.

It's time to link up with my sweet friend Holly from

Fourth Grade Flipper for Tried it Tuesday.

Tried it Awesomeness: QR Code Adventure: Mammals

Do you know my other friend Matt from

Digital: Divide and Conquer?

He's awesomeness and probably 

one of the most creative and innovative people

that I've never actually met in person.

His wife and girls are lucky to have 

him around all the time because 

he is full of all kinds of knowledge.

I learn so many things from readin' his blog

and he never disappoints in the humor department.

Matt knows how to make learnin' fun and 

just about always incorporates technology

into his lessons and products.

Do your students love learnin' about mammals?

Mine definitely do.

My rockstars tried Matt's QR Code Adventures-Mammals.

I started out this activity whole group, so the students would 

know what to expect when we use these again in

small groups or individually.

 I gave each child their own card with a QR code and 

their correspondin' class number.

Every one that had a phone or device that day with a QR code scanner

on them placed the device on my table to share.

We then split up into five groups.

The groups worked together to scan the QR code and 

watch the video or read the text.

 Then the boys and girls worked together to complete some 

question cards from the video or text that they encountered

with their QR codes.

Here's the description for QR Code Adventure: Mammals

QR Code Adventure: Mammals combines

technology, science, reading, writing

with analyzing and comprehending to create

an interactive lesson kids won't forget!

There are 30 QR codes that send students all over the

internet bringing back facts, articles, videos,

and live video streams of MAMMALS

from around the world.

Students will learn about and see lemurs, leopards, 

little bear cubs, and elephants crashing a pool party,

just to name a few.

The idea is for students to analyze what they are seeing,

reading, and hearing.  Then deconstruct, ask questions,

look for answers, and expand their ability to ask questions,

analyze, evaluate, and create.

There are over 25 questions for students to answer that are

based off of Common Core expectations.

Each question is on a half-sheet of regular sized paper for

easier printing (the same question is on a paper twice).

Questions are labeled TEXT or VIDEO.

These QR codes are also great for class discussion

and/or simple opportunities for students to take brain breaks.

You should definitely check this out!

Also...
my friend Courtney from Polka Dot Lesson Plans
is celebratin' her Blogiversary.

She is givin' away an Erin Condren $50 Gift Card.
Be sure to check it out here.

I just realized this is my 102nd published post!
Neat stuff!

Happy Tuesday friends!

Sunshine Blogger Award...

Yippee!  

I was nomiated for the 

Sunshine Blogger Award from 

Jamie from

Teaching Tidbits and More with Jamie

I like sunshine and Jamie...so

this is right up my alley.

The rules of the Sunshine Blogger Award are:


1. Post 11 random facts about yourself


2. Answer the 11 questions asked by the blogger who nominated you


3. Nominate 11 bloggers you think bring sunshine to the world


4. Make up 11 questions for your nominations to answer.

My 11 Random Facts: 

1) Mashed potatoes are my favorite food.  If you feed me mashed potatoes you will have made a friend for life.

2) I drink entirely too much caffeine.  I am not a morning person, so it's safe to say that it's better for people to keep a safe distance until I've had some(one lucky student fetches me a Diet Coke Diet Green Tea every single mornin' when they see me come around the corner).

3) I teach next door to my very best friend.  We have an accordion wall between us and we keep it cracked open pretty far each day(sometimes all the way) because we have separation anxiety when it is closed(we teach different grade levels and collaborate with one another and the students as much as possible).

4) I live with my other best friend who I also teach with.  We watch a lot of Bravo TV shows together and like to gossip about anything and everything under the sun.

5) I'm an only, lonely child and if you can't figure that out in the first five minutes of meetin' me...there is somethin' wrong.  I can entertain myself for hours(even days) without any other human contact.

6) I love to read. You can always find me in a quiet spot readin' an actual book or my Kindle. I have been known to stay up all night because I can't put a book down.

7) I can be VERY grumpy if I haven't gotten enough sleep.  I truly enjoy takin' naps after school and can still go to sleep at night without any problems.  I love summers because I'm a night owl.  My dream job would be to get paid to sleep.

8) I love music! I'm vain and think every song is about ME!

9) I'm the only person in my family that doesn't have a Southern accent.  There are 80+ people on both sides of my family. 

10) I can't live without my cell phone.  It is on 24 hours a day and right next to me at all times. I'd probably take it in the shower with me if it were waterproof(probably not what the Life Proof case is intended for).  I don't actually use my phone all the time...it's just nice knowin' I have it there if there is an emergency since my family is so far away.  Okay...I'm lying.  I'm addicted to Candy Blast Mania, so I have to use my phone to play.

11) This is my favorite number.

My 11 Questions Asked by Jamie:

1.  What is your favorite subject to teach? Readin'...hands down.  I just love it.

2.  What is your favorite thing to wear to work? Pajamas...no really, I live for pajama days!

3.  Who is your favorite children's author? Robert Munsch...he is hilarious and I love listenin' to his narrations of his books. Alligator Baby is probably my favorite.

4.  What do you like to do in your free time? Read, blog stalk, nap, run around in circles.

5.  Do you pefer movies or books? Books...all the way.  I do like to see the movie afterwards to compare the two.

6.  What is the perfect date night? Couch potato-ing

7.  How do you bring sunshine to someone else? Laughter...I enjoy makin' others laugh and am always up for a good time.

8.  How did you know that teaching was for you? I just ALWAYS wanted to be a teacher.  I definitely didn't do it for the money.

9.  What is your favorite just for fun activity you do at school? Play music and have dance parties with my kids.

10.  What is your favorite food? Mashed potatoes...yummiest food in the whole wide world.

11.  Would your rather:  Have a lazy quite day around the house or hang with family/friends? I'd rather have a lazy quite day around the house WHILE hangin' with family/friends...am I allowed to do this?

I nominate all of these bloggers that bring sunshine to my world:

Coffee Cups and Lesson Plans
Hodge's Herald 
Keep Calm and Hoot On
Learning, Lessons, and Life
Learning in the Little Apple
Miss Lifesaver
Mrs. Spangler in the Middle
Polka Dot Lesson Plans
Teaching with Giggles
The {4th Grade Journey}
The Babbling Box
(I wanted to nominate more, but I could only choose 11...I hope my bloggy friends forgive me)

Questions for my nominees...
1) How long have you been teachin' and what is your absolute favorite grade to teach? (I know that's two questions, but they go together)
2) If you had an opportunity to change one county, state, or national law about teachin', would you change anything?
3) Have you ever thought about teachin' abroad?  If so, where?
4) If you could go on a shoppin' spree for one day and buy anything you wanted(money would be no object), what would you buy?
5) What is your favorite "me time" activity to do?
6) What is one food that you could eat every single day and not get sick of?
7) What is your all time favorite children's book title and why should I read this book?
8) What is one app or piece of technology that you could not live without?
9) If you were in charge of your school for one day, what would you plan for that day?
10) What made you decide to start bloggin'?

11) Where should I go on vacation and what should I do there?

I can't wait to read everyone elses' responses!

March Goals 2014 and what I'm lovin' and over...

It's March.
Time to write some new goals.
I've added my February goals below for review...
I am joinin' one of my bloggin' besties again,
A, from The Babbling Box for her March Goals linky.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------

February Goals:

1.  Continue to eat clean and healthy.

Last month I lost 11 pounds.  

11 is my lucky number, but I'm goin' to be realistic here

and go with 7 because it's a short month.

I ate bread yesterday. 

I didn't feel so healthy after stickin' it in my mouth.

I completely fell off the wagon durin' a Super Bowl party.

As my friend Ashley likes to say, "I'm jump startin' my metabolism."

Sounds good to me!

(This one's for you, A!  Did I do it right?)

*I am still at the same weight, but I'm still eatin' healthier.

2. Organize my pictures.

I used to keep up with this...a lot.

I haven't printed any pictures in a while and the ones that I have

printed are in a huge ziploc bag...unorganized.

There is no excuse.

I also need to do this digitally.

My phone always says I've reached my storage limit.

I need to transfer my pics to albums on my laptop.

I would be heartbroken if I lost any pics.

*Fail...I forgot about this one.

3.  Finish watchin' Sons of Anarchy.

Jerm and I started watchin' this last week.

We are half way through the first season.

Season starts back here at the end of February, 

which means Spring Break madness, which means Jerm 

will be back to a crazy work schedule.

*We are on Season 5 episode 5. 

Pineapple Willy's opened back up full-time, so

I have to wait for Jerm's days off to watch.

I like Jax Teller...a lot!

4. Take 3 A.R. tests.

Yes...I take A.R. tests.

I compete with my kids.

This year they are beatin' me...a lot.

I cannot let this happen.

I've got to sneak attack them

when they are least expectin' it!

*Done-zo!  I did all 3.

5. Spend my gift cards.

I currently have several gift cards that need to go 

back to where they came from

and new merchandise needs to come home with me.

Shoppin': Dillard's, Kohl's, Amazon, T.J. Maxx, Hobby Lobby

Eatin': Outback/Bonefish Grill & Captain Anderson's

Pamperin': Rose Nails

I heart gift cards!
*I used two of my gift cards...still have some shoppin to do!
February was too short.

6. Still work on my bossiness.

It's pretty self explanatory.

I'm bossy and I know it.
*Hahahaha...I'm goin' to abandon this goal.

7. Go to bed earlier.

I blame all you fabulous bloggers for this one.

I keep tellin' myself, "One more blog and then I will go to sleep."
You all just have so many amazin' ideas...I can't stop readin'.

The next thing I know it's midnight and I'm still wide awake.

Maybe if I go to bed earlier, I won't need to take so many naps.

Who am I kiddin'? 

I could sleep twelve hours and I'd still want a nap.
*It hasn't happened.  I'm still a night owl.

Seven is the lucky number for this month...I decided.

Keep your fingers and toes crossed for me.

---------------------------------------------

March Goals: 

1. Go to the dermatologist.
I have an appointment on March 18th, but it's at 8:00 a.m.
I have had the appointment since last month, but I'm feelin'
guilty about missin' some time from school because
I've been tellin' the kids we don't have a minute to spare.
I'm thinkin' the dermatologist is goin' to win.
You just can't be too careful...especially this
Florida girl.

2. Find two dresses for a weddin'.
I'm goin' to a weddin' in Georgia at the end of the month.
I need a dress for the rehearsal dinner and the ceremony.
Maybe I need to head to Dillard's and spend my gift card.
I wonder when they are havin' their big sale?

3. Enjoy a boat day.
Saturday would be ideal, but the high is 68.
That's still a little chilly for me to be on a boat.
The fishies are callin' my name though.
My pink light-up fishin' pole misses me.
It might have to wait for Spring Break.

4. Make Behavior Beads for St. Patrick's Day & Easter.
This IS goin' to happen.
Be on the lookout.

5. Cut down my afternoon naps.
I nap almost every day durin' the week.
I can't help it.
I'm tired...probably because I'm a night owl.
I was one of those kids that never fought a nap.
I never grew out of it apparently.
I'm not sure how this one is goin' to go over.

Five is all I'm shootin' for this month because
I might actually sleep through the last week of March
durin' Spring Break.

I'm also linkin' up with my

other favorite Ali from Teaching (Powered by Caffeine) for her 

"lovin' it & over it" linky!

Two words: Palazzo Pants

I can't get enough of these pants.

Hello...they are basically yoga pants in disguise.

You can dress them up...or dress them down.

They are long...which is awesome for this tall girl.

Can you say...obsessed?

I already have three pairs and two more on the way.

There are just too many fun prints out there.

I want them all.

Here is a pic of my fave pair so far.

Black & Taupe Chevron

*No, that's not me.

I have a pair of butterfly palazzo pants on the way.

White Plum Boutique often puts palazzo pants up on

Jane.com for $21.99. 

(I know you're sick of hearin' about this site from me)

Sometimes if I can't find the size I want on there then

I will head over to ebay to find a deal. 

LOVIN' IT

I said earlier in the week that I'm over standardized testin'.
To make matters worse...
this week all of Florida teachers had their
names and teacher scores from the past two years
 published in a newspaper
All of us.
OVER IT!

Buddyin' Up & a Currently....

It's Saturday, which means it's time to link up with 

my super sweet friend, Joanne,

from Head Over Heels for Teaching

 for Spark Student Motivation Saturdays.

I live in a pod settin'.

My very best friend in the whole wide world

teaches next door to me.

 She teaches 3rd and I teach 5th.

We have an accordion wall that separates our class.

It is never fully closed all the way.

We suffer from separation anxiety.

We buddy up almost every day for a quick activity.

This week we buddied up for a speakin' & listenin' activity

which then turned into a buddy writin' activity.

 3rd Grade buddies read their question card

to their 5th Grade buddy.

After readin', they discussed their answers

with one another.

Then they began writin' their responses together.

The 3rd Graders look up to the 5th Graders...

BIG time!

We have many discussions about bein' wonderful

role-models for their buddies.

I believe buddyin' up is SO beneficial

for both groups of students.

I definitely know they each take away

somethin' positive from their experiences

with one another. 

When one or the other does somethin' 

spectacular, you might hear one of us say,
"Go show your buddy!"
When they are gone to special area,
we use their computers or spread out in their classroom.
Vice versa.
There really are no boundaries.
It's amazin' even what the "little" kids
often teach my "big" kids.

Overall, partnerin' between students

creates an essential motivation component

of our learnin' environment.

Some examples of our buddy partnerin' up:

  

 If the leprechaun was your teacher, what would 

he/she teach you?

If you found a pot of gold, what would you spend the gold on?

Spring Question Cards by Double Trouble

These are still on sale until 3/2.

 Happy St. Patrick's Day Questions

 Happy Spring Questions

Happy Easter Questions

I've also decided to link up with Farley from Oh' Boy 4th Grade

for March's Currently:

Listenin': To my stomach grumble.  I'm pretty sure it's

past my feedin' time.

Lovin': That I got to sleep in this mornin'.  This will keep me from 

havin' to nap today!

Thinkin': I am attendin' a weddin' at the end of March in Georgia.

I seriously need to get on bookin' the room. 

Maybe the area won't be as busy as ours with Spring Break. 

Wantin': I NEED an unlimited life-time gift card to Jane.com.

I'm assumin' it's not always a good thing when you get a package

in the mail...every.single.day.

I can't stop.

Needin': I need an extra weekend day...every week.

Do you know how productive I could be with a three day weekend?

I would be Super Ali.

???:  Diet Coke, lightning, butterflies

I have given you three possible answers...now you have

to guess the correct question.

Be sure to leave bloggy love for others.

Happy Saturday friends!