Monday Made It that Sparks Student Motivation...Valentine's is on the way...

This week has been a blur.

I'm behind on readin' blogs and commentin', but

I know all my sweet friends out there will let it slide.

You see...this week somethin' very sad happened

for my school...we lost one of our own 

to the awful "C word".

Mary Martin's laugh could be heard

anywhere in the school.  

She had the best sense of humor and

was the strongest person I've seen dealin' 

with this sickness.

She came to school every single day without a complaint,

even when goin' through chemo.

Mary dedicated her life

to all the babies she ever taught, her daughter,

and the rest of her family and friends.

On Friday, her sweet second graders let go 

of ballons with a message to Mrs. Martin in Heaven.

Their sweet innocence while gigglin' left many

teachers and older students with flowin' tears.

Yesterday we celebrated her life and it was beautiful.

Mary was a huge Auburn football fan.

Everyone wore orange and blue and it made my heart smile

when everyone shouted "War Eagle, hey!" for Mary.

She will be missed, but never forgotten.

This was hard, but I was happy to see 

my school band together, as they always do

when one of our "family" is hurtin'.

To any of my co-workers readin' this...

I love you!

Since I'm behind...I am doin' two link-ups at once.

Thank you Tara for hostin' Monday Made It

and Joanne for hostin' Spark Student Motivation Saturdays.

Love these ladies.

I wanted to do somethin' sweet this week for my babies

that would cheer everyone up and keep them motivated throughout

the week of Valentine's Day.

I made a little pit stop at Dollar Tree today 

and picked up a few things (Joanne...are you proud?)

I got enough for our 3rd grade buddies also.

 I'm goin' to have the kids write their names on the lil' heart boxes

where they will store the pink heart gems 

they earn throughout the week.

I don't really have a set plan for what they will earn them for,

but I'm sure they will have some ideas when they see them.

The table scatter hearts are for the tables durin' our 

Valentine's celebration.

 On Valentine's Day I will let them buy a special treat

with their gems.  

Maybe these will work?

Again, I will let them choose what 

the gems are worth.

The kids are more creative than I am

and it will be interestin' to see if they agree with me or not.

1 gem=treat bucket

2 gems=ten minutes free time on device

3 gems=extra recess time

4 gems=free choice

I am goin' to let them keep the gems to take home.

 I also bought these pink glitter stickers and a

 photo frame to stick them on.

I'm goin' to give this to my best friend's niece

just because I love her and she likes sweet treats.

We took this picture yesterday on our way to the funeral.

She was adament about goin' with us.

She was ready four hours before we left.

Here's a Valentine's freebie for any of you that use 

Behavior Beads 

in your classroom.

Don't know what Behavior Beads are?

Read about them here.

"You melt my heart!"

"You're top dog in my book!"

"I'm "berry" proud of you, Valentine!"

Valentine's Behavior Beads

Be sure to check out 4th Grade Frolics and Head Over Heels for Teaching

to see everyone else's ideas.

Have a great week friends!

Hug your loved ones and your babies at school!

Tried it Tuesday...All things Science

Happy Tuesday friends!

It's time again for Tried it Tuesday with my sweet friend

Holly from Fourth Grade Flipper.

This is long...I'm sorry!

Here in Florida...we are beginnin' to talk about "the test"

that should not be named...

FCAT.

3rd grade takes Reading and Math in April.

4th grade does Writing in February. Reading and Math in April.

5th grade takes Reading, Math, and Science in April.

As many of you know, I'm a loopin' teacher.

I had my lil' rockstars in fourth grade last year.

One of the major benefits of this is...

I know what they learned last year.

I know which areas I need to hit hard with them

and what concepts they instantly grasped 

and need just a little bit of review on.

Since Science is such a big deal in 5th grade,

I try to incorporate as many resources as possible to 

reinforce the different standards we are coverin'

and integrate this in my Literacy block...

not just the textbook.  

Here are some of the things I've tried:

#1: Science Saurus: A Student Handbook

These were purchased by my district to go with our 

Science series, Science Fusion. 

When plannin'...I will pull out the Science Saurus

and pair it with the text and vocabulary from our Science textbook.

I like that Science Saurus has the book pieced 

together by different categories.

Doing Science, Life Science, Earth Science, Physical Science, 

Natural Resources and the Environment, Science, Technology,

and Society, Almanac, Famous Scientists and Inventors.

#2: Bill Nye Videos

Many years ago, a 5th grade teacher

ordered Bill Nye videos to match our standards.

She pulled out the questions that go with the videos 

and designed a Science video notebook.

For nine weeks, the 5th graders watch

three videos a week and take notes while tryin' to answer

a few questions that go with the video.

On Fridays, they take a Science video test

with the same questions from their note-takin'.

This week our videos are 

1. Earthquakes, 2. Erosion, 3. Rivers and Streams.

To help my students organize their notes,

I have them color code the titles on their papers

with the same color for one week.

This helps them visually know which video notes to study.

Week one: red

Week two: orange

Week three: green

etc.

After the video I put up my color-coded notes on the board to see if they 

wrote down the important points.  

They copy my notes into their binder.

If a student misses a video, I search my friend YouTube

and link the video to our Edmodo Science library folder

for them to watch at home.

#3: Study Jams

Study Jams is somethin' else I use...a lot.

They have just about every topic in Science.

This summer I found a list of StudyJams videos

on TpT for Science and Math.

I printed this list and paired the titles with the units in 

our Science textbook.

#4: Symbaloo Science boards

 I have a classroom website geared towards upper elementary.

I have added over a thousand links to my site 

in the past few years.

In Science, I had over 250+ links.

They were a little overwhelmin'.

I condensed them to several Symabloo boards to make

it easier for the kids to search for the site they want to use.

Class website

Example of the Solar System Symbaloo board

#5: Science Leveled Readers & Digital Lessons
We use Houghton Mifflin Harcourt-Science Fusion
We are fortunate to have a digital version of our textbook with
virtual labs, lessons, and leveled readers.
The students are able to access this at home and school.
We also have a consumable textbook and leveled readers
that match each unit. We do complete a lot of
graphic organizers and extension activities to go with the leveled readers.

I really like the virtual labs because sometimes we might not
have all of the materials for an experiment in the class.
Students are able to self-quiz themselves also...
which in an added bonus.
It took me well over a year after our Science adoption to
realize the potential of some of the resources included
and which ones were just fluff.
There is NO possible way to be able to utilize every resource.
We'd be here on the weekends too if so.
Science links to accompany units in 4th Grade Science Fusion &
5th Grade Science Fusion.

#6: Science Vocabulary Word Wall Words and Definition Cards
We use these for word wall words and Science games.

#7: Science passages from ReadWorks

If you are a K-8 teacher and don't already know about 

the benefits of ReadWorks, 

be sure to check out their website.

Good stuff!

Recently I received an email about STEM passages.

Of course I can't locate it now.

The sample below shows one student's color coded answers

 and highlightin' of where she

found her evidence in the passage.

She came up with his method on her own!

#8: FCAT Explorer Science

This program is designed for Florida students in the areas of 

Reading, Math, & Science.

This is presented to us to use by the Florida Department of Education.

If you teach in Florida in upper elementary and middle schools,

but don't have this program...ask your Media 

or Technology Specialist.   

I'm sure after I post this I will think of a million other things I have
tried recently in Science.

February 2014 goals...one down...eleven to go...

It's February.  

Time to write some new goals.

Here were my January goals...
and my reflection of my January goals.

I am joinin' one of my bloggin' besties, A from The Babbling Box.

I did pretty well with January's goals, but...

 I want to knock February out of the park.

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?)

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.

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.

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!

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!

6. Still work on my bossiness.

It's pretty self explanatory.

I'm bossy and I know it.

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.

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

Keep your fingers and toes crossed for me.

It's not too late to head over to The Babbling Box
and join in on

the February Goals linky.

The more the merrier!

Throwback Thursday...doin' some reflectin'...

Happy Thursday friends!
I could really get used to this stayin' home for snow(ice) days stuff.
This has been the best three day birthday celebration in my history!

Since we are nearin' the end of January, I wanted to go back to my
original January 2014 goals post and reflect on my goals
that I made at the beginnin' of the month.
Read my responses that are highlighted in pink to see
if I did what I said I was goin' to do.
__________________________________________________

I am linkin' up with one of my absolute most favorite bloggers, 

A(my nickname for her), from The Babbling Box.  

A is real, she is honest, she types from her heart and
 isn't afraid to let out what is on her mind.  

I love that about her and I enjoy readin' her blog immensely.  

She is startin' a new linky that suggests you write down your goals
for the month.
I can totally do this.  

One month is much more attainable than one year...for me personally.  

1. Do not let my laundry mountain get too high.  

I end up waitin' until the mountain gets really high before doin' laundry and 

then it absolutely overwhelms me.  

My goal is to do a little, a few times a week, instead of all at once.

I will unpack my suitcase when I return and put away my clothes.
(So far...pretty good.  Not great, but definitely better.
Now only if I could kick my Jane.com problem
I wouldn't have to worry about more laundry.)

2.  Stop drinkin' Diet Coke.

I can't help it.  I really can't.  It's an awful habit.

I have been three days Diet Coke free. 

I'm hopin' I can keep it up.
(This has by far been my biggest challenge.  I am 32 days Diet Coke free.
There are times that I have almost cracked, but I'm determined to keep it up.
I have switched to Green Tea and I haven't bitten anyone's head off...yet.)

3. Read a book once a week in January.

Before I started bloggin', I read two to three books a week.

I am after all the leader of the Nerd Herd.  I love to read.

It is my escape.  It's my happy place.

Readin' blogs is still readin' though...so I haven't actually given up cold turkey.

That's a plus.
(I have read three books this month.  
Divergent, Insurgent, and Allegiant all by 
Veronica Roth.  Since I'm still on a snow(ice)
day...in Florida, I still have an opportunity 
to read a fourth book before the month is over.
Still hangin' out in my jammies has been a great motivator.)

4. Get my Bloglovin' feed down at least once a week.

I'm pretty good about keepin' up with blogs.  

Then again...I'm new to this and I don't have children.

I imagine this has a lot to do with it. 

I admire each and every one of you that goes to school each day, 

raises a family, does all of the extra work that teachin' requires, 

and still manage the time to be an online celebrity.  

You amaze me and you really are a celebrity to me.

I want to keep up with at least once a week gettin' my feed down to zero.
(I have been super busy on the weekends this month, BUT I have 
made time to get my feed down.  Success!)

5. Stop bein' so bossy. 

Again, I can't help it.  I blame it on bein' an only child,

 but I know plenty of other only children that are not bossy like me. 

I like to make excuses.  I know I need to stop.

I'm goin' to at least try.
(Major fail on my part.  I'm still bossy.
I knew this was goin' to be difficult when I typed this.
Will it be awful if I use it as a February goal also?)

6.  Gettin' back to the kitchen. 

I know I tease that I am allergic to the kitchen. 

 I'm not.  

I do know how to cook,

I just hate don't like to cook.  

The grocery store stresses me out. 

There are too many choices.  I go in there and instantly become brain dead.

I have no sense of adventure and always walk out with the same things.

Since Miss Nelson and I are goin' to be juicin'...I must go to the grocery store.

We can't juice forever though, so we have vowed to start cookin' together,
 one day a week,

to get ourselves prepared. 

 Both of us are spoiled by really amazin' men that would rope the moon for us if we asked. 

 They are responsible for feedin' us.  

This is about to stop and we are goin' to surprise them.

(I hope neither of them are readin' this because they would probably be laughin' their heads off)
(Miss Nelson and I did two rounds of juicin' together...
which wasn't as bad as I thought it would be.
 I have been eatin' a lot healthier and have even participated in the grocery shoppin'. 
I'm gettin' really good at pinnin' healthy pins on my "eat well" board.
Who knew there were so many different recipes out there for cauliflower?
 I am down 11 pounds...my jeans thank me.)

7.  Quit lettin' every little thing about education bother me.

I am passionate about what I do.

I love teachin'.

There are some things that really get under my skin though and I let it overtake me.

I need to breathe and let things go.

I waste too much time and energy too often on this.

Movin' on...
(I did VERY well with this until about a week ago...
Never fear...I'm back on track now.)

8. Join Amazon Prime.

I just need to do it already. I don't know what I'm waitin' for.
(I got two $50 gift cards to Amazon for my birthday.  I'm thinkin' this was
just what I needed to make this happen.)

9. Watch Downton Abbey.

The only way to stream it now is on Prime, so I'm goin' to accomplish two things at once.
(I technically have two days until January is over.  Don't give up on me yet.)

10. Win big at the slot machines.

I'm goin' to Biloxi this month for a yearly birthday trip with some friends.

Last year I hit the first five minutes I was there and lost it back.

This year...I'm goin' to hit and get up and walk away.

You just wait.
(Um...this did NOT happen...I lost...a lot.)

11. Smile more.

Sometimes I forget to smile. 

It's not that I'm unhappy, I just get lost in my train of thoughts.

I really am a happy person. 

I can do this!
(I have been tryin' this..."tryin'" bein' the key word.
I just need someone to walk around with me all day tellin' me jokes
so I can laugh...which produces smiles.)

Just got the call that we are back on for school tomorrow.
One day...I can do this!

The sweetest birthday message and a SNOW DAY in Florida.

Today is Tried it Tuesday! 

It's also my first official 39th birthday.

I have had so many special gifts, cards, and surprises today.

My heart is full and I feel spoiled and extra loved.

I got called to the Front Office...with no explanation other than...

"Come up here...now!"

When I came back to my room...there was no light.

I heard lots of screamin'. 

"HAPPY BIRTHDAY"

 My babies were throwin' confetti & streamers...

and balloons were everywhere.

They tricked me again!

One of my sweet girls bumped me off my computer

to log in to her Gmail for a special Powerpoint

that some of my girls got together and made for me.

Here are some of the pictures from the Powerpoint:

They added a guitar because we are the Rockstars.

My principal's son, Russ Spivey, is fightin' a very rare form of leukemia.  

This month marks one year of his fight against this awful cancer.

My students are very passionate about the SpiveySTRONG message.

This brought tears to my eyes.  

They incorporated Math!

I couldn't be more proud!

 

 They know me so well!

Haha!

Aren't they the sweetest ever?!

A sweet gift from my best friend.  A January Alex & Ani bracelet for 

patience/creativity/perseverance.

Jerm had flowers delivered to school from my favorite florist.

The BEST birthday present of all...

our school will be closed tomorrow for a SNOW day.

Snow in Florida...tonight

That just sounds odd doesn't it?

I have never seen snow...that I remember.

I am sure it is beautiful and I'm glad it will only last one day.

I'm ready for the 70's to come back and no I'm not talkin' about the 

wonderful years of my birth...with scary lookin' clothin'.

I'm linkin' up with my special buddy, Holly, from Fourth Grade Flipper 

for Tried It Tuesday.

Tried it Awesomeness #1: Knee to Knee Partners

I said, "Quick, knee to knee" and they scooted together and compared their answers 

for a Science study guide.

They had to explain why they came up with their answers.

I had three groups of knee to knee partners goin' on

around the room.  

Simple and successful!

Tried it Awesomeness #2: Hands-on Science

I put the stuff on the table for them to make circuits.

I did not give them any directions and they were able to make the light turn on.

Many chose to work together in order to get their circuit to turn on.

They built series circuits and parallel circuits.

They even made multiple series circuits.

This is just another example of me lettin' go...

It was so neat to listen to them as they discovered how to 

make the circuits work...without me!

Happy Tuesday my friends!

ZenniOptical...Tried It Tuesday...

It's Tuesday, time to link up with my super sweet friend Holly at Fourth Grade Flipper 

for Tried it Tuesday.  

I was really excited about this Tried It, but I had to wait a whole week

in order for my Tried It to be delivered.  

It was well worth the wait!

I happened upon a website called ZenniOptical after

reading about it on someone's Instragram.

(I am not affiliated with this company...at all)

 

 Yes, I'm an Instagram stalker.

No, I do not feel bad about this.

I learn many valuable things on there...like the 

best online shoppin' places...like Jane and Groopdealz.

I am still waitin' for Joanne to join...she promised!

I got on ZenniOptical.

I watched the How To videos.

I pulled out my prescription from the doctor that I got in the summer.

Measured my PD (Pupillary Distance).

Uploaded a picture of myself to see what each pair of glasses

would potentially look like on me....laughed A LOT!

Ordered.

Waited about two weeks after stalkin' the mailbox

every.single.afternoon.

Opened the package and was delighted.
They each came with a lil' plastic case and cleanin' cloth.

I ordered THREE pairs of glasses for under $50!

This included tax, shippin', lenses, frames, etc.

THREE pairs!

The lowest frame is $6.95 and they have 10% off right now 

for Valentine's Day.

Here they are.

Not a great picture, but they are cute little frames.

 I would take a selfie with them on, but I'm sick.

My eyes are pitiful and don't want the attention today.

I will definitely order from here again.

In fact, one of my teammates ordered a pair for one of her students

that had misplaced her glasses.

Sweet...right?

Favorite Teacher Scavenger Hunt and Giveaway

I am happy to be joinin' Erin from Miss Lifesaver and 

Susan from Middle School OCD

for their "300" Celebration Scavenger Hunt and Giveaway.

So happy for them!

Most of you readin' this have been influenced by a special

teacher at some point in your life.  

A teacher that went above and beyond.

A teacher that shared their love of learnin' with you.

Someone who probably made you want to be a teacher yourself.

My favorite teacher was my first grade teacher, Mrs. Gillette.

I remember Mrs. Gillette callin' all of the students to the carpet to read every day.

She would sit in her chair and read with such expression and love. 

When she read aloud to us, it was my very favorite part of the day.

I wanted to read just like her.

Along with my parents, Mrs. Gillette helped foster a love of readin' in me 

that has stuck with me ever since.

I LOVE TO READ!

The sayin' "It's a small world" is so very true.

I moved 600 miles away from my hometown about 8 years ago.

When I was talkin' to a colleague about where I had moved from, she 

said..."You wouldn't by chance happen to know a Mrs. Gillette would you?

She's my next door neighbor."

I jumped up and down screamin' and yellin'...

"YES, SHE WAS MY FIRST GRADE TEACHER.

SHE WAS MY FAVORITE TEACHER!"

 My colleague was so excited and went home and asked Mrs. Gillette 

if she remembered me....and guess what?

She did....TWENTY FIVE YEARS later.

I don't know if that's a good thing or a bad thing, but definitely super cool!  

We have the opportunity to be the Mrs. Gillettes of the world.

We have the opportunity to inspire every child that walks through our door.

Thank you Mrs. Gillette for inspirin' me and teachin' me.

To celebrate the favorite teacher giveaway,

I am includin' my 

Valentine's Decimals Multiplication Task Cards 

in the Scavenger Hunt.

Task cards in action: 

Head on over to Miss Lifesaver's blog or Middle School OCD's blog 

and enter the Scavenger Hunt Rafflecopter.

Everyone is a winner!

My favorite teacher is: Gillette

Be sure to also enter the Grand Prize Rafflecopter
at Miss Lifesaver or Middle School OCD.
The person that wins the Grand Prize will receive my 

S.T.E.M. Edition Behavior Beads

along with many other fabulous prizes from 

some other very special bloggers.

Best of Luck!
I hope you win!

Graphics and Fonts by:
 Confetti Graphics, The Learning Site, I'm Lovin Lit, and Sheila Melton