Monday, July 29, 2013

Fan-N-Pick Matter Review

Dear Diary,

This year I will be planning science for my 5th grade team.  I enjoy teaching science because of all the hands-on activities. My brain has been going 90 miles a minute trying to come up with some fun and engaging things to do this year along with all the other things we do. I started off by creating an I Have Who Has Matter Review.  If you have not picked up this freebie yet, head over to my TpT store to grab it.
I Have Who Has Matter Review
I have also created a Fan-N-Pick Matter Review.  As you can tell, matter is my favorite unit of study to teach in science!  With this activity, students are placed into groups.  There are 4 students in each group.

Student #1 (Fan) - holds the question cards in a fan and says, "Pick a card, any card!"
Student #2 (Pick & Read) - picks a card and reads the question aloud.
Student #3 (Answer) - orally answers the question. 
Student #4 (Check & Praise) - responds to the answer by tutoring or praising.

This activity can also be found in my TpT store if you would like to check it out!
Fan-N-Pick Matter
Each year we begin by jumping right into ecosystems and try to teach the science process skills as we go along.  This past year I found that did not work too well with my students. So, this year instead of jumping right into ecosystems, I would like to take two weeks to teacher the science process skills.  What are some activities you use to introduce your students to the science process skills?  Thanks for sharing!

Tuesday, July 23, 2013

Kinder Loves Back to School Giveaway

Are you looking for a great Back to School Giveaway?  If so, head over to Kinder Loves and check out their giveaway!  There will be a new giveaway each week!  You know we all love those giveaways!!  

Here's a little secret.... During week four, Kinder Loves will be giving away my Getting to Know You: Quiz-Quiz-Trade! So, be sure to check back each week for some great giveaways!
Good luck to you all and have fun!

Monday, July 22, 2013

Back in the Swing of Things!

Dear Diary,

It is hard to believe that summer is almost over and I have done very little!  So, today I decided that I needed to do some classroom shopping and begin working on some of the projects that I have on my to do list for my classroom.  My absolute all time favorite place to shop is Target!  Especially in the dollar section! I found these cool colorful labels for $1.00!  There are 152 labels in each pack!  I think I am going to print my students names on the labels and use them to label school supplies.  We also have to make sure that students' names are in all the textbooks.  Instead of writing the names in, I will just use these labels with their names on them!  This way I don't have to write names over and over again!  How might you be able to use these in your classroom!

I also found these cute mini composition notebooks! There were 2 in a pack for $1.00.  They weren't found in the dollar section but with the school supplies.  I absolutely love these colors!  I think I might use these as a one minute write that will allow students to reflect on a lesson.  What do you think?  

Finally, making a mesh wreath for my classroom is on my list of classroom projects!  I have seen them all over and adore them!  I have been watching Youtube videos on how to make one and it seems fairly simple. So, today I am going to take the plunge and begin working on my classroom wreath.  Since Michael's is right next door to Target, I made my second stop for the day!  I had a 40% off coupon and spent only $26 for all of the materials!  Once I get this made, I will post pictures of it for you to see. That's only if it's cute!! :) Wish me luck!  If you have made a mesh wreath, what advice can you give me?

Wednesday, July 17, 2013

Blog Makeover

Dear Diary,  I am so excited about my new blog makeover!  A huge thank you to Christi from Design by Christi!  She is a very talented blog designer.  She was able to take my vision and bring it to life!  Not only did she design my blog, she also created by Facebook Fan Page cover which I truly adore!  I am now ready to begin posting on my Facebook Fan page!  Be sure to head over to my Diary of a 5th Grade Teacher Fan Page and check it out!  Thanks Christi!  You are the best!  What do you think of the new look?

Design by Christi

Friday, July 12, 2013

Liebster Blog Award


Wow! I am without my computer for a few days because it crashes and when I finally get it back up and running, I return to some great news! My blog has been nominated by three of my fellow bloggers for the Liebster Award!


 



I am so honored to have been nominated for this award!  I really appreciate all of my followers and enjoy reading your blog posts each day.  Thank you to Kristen from Aspire to Inspire, Christy from 3rd Grade Theatrics, and Stacy from Ray of Kindergarten Sunshine for nominating my blog.  



To accept this award, I need to do a few things...

1.  Link back to those who nominated me, Kristen from Aspire to Inspire, Christy from 3rd Grade Theatrics, and Stacy from Ray of Kindergarten Sunshine.

2.  Nominate 5 blogs that have fewer than 200 followers.

3.  Answer 11 questions created by those who nominated me.

4.  List 11 random facts about myself.

5.  Create 11 questions for my nominees to answer.  

6.  Contact your nominees to let them know they have been nominated.

The bloggers that I have nominated are...
1.     Steph at Rock Stars in the Classroom


3.     Mrs. White at Mrs. White’s 5th Grade Class

4.     Sheila at Flipping in Fifth

5.     Beth at Whooo’s Ready to Teach





Aspire to Inspire Questions
1. What is the best part about teaching?  Seeing the light bulbs go off when my students know they have finally got it!

2. Are you an introvert/get your energy from being by yourself or an extrovert/get your energy from being around others?  I am definitely an introvert! 

3. If you watch television, what is your favorite show?  My favorite T.V. show is Cupcake Wars!

4. What was your worst subject in school?  Math

5. What's the best advice you ever got?  Believe in yourself!

6. If you could keep just three possessions (besides your family and pets), what would they be?  My Bible, my computer, my makeup!

7. What goal are you working toward personally or professionally?  This year my goal is to successfully implement reading workshop. 

8. If you had a day to yourself, what would you do?  Sleep

9. Would you rather swim in the ocean or in a pool?  Pool

10. What is your greatest accomplishment?   My greatest accomplishment has been having my two wonderful boys! 




Ray of Kindergarten Sunshine Questions

1. How long have you been teaching? 19 years


2. Did you always want to be a teacher?  If not, what did you want to do? Yes, I have always wanted to be a teacher.


3. What is your favorite thing about teaching?  Planning fun and engaging lessons


4. How long have you been blogging for?  I just seriously started this summer.


5. If you could travel anywhere in the world, no expense spared, where would you go?  Paris


6. Do you have a favorite techie tool or any techie advice? If yes, what is it?  I love my iPad.


7.  What is your favorite dessert? (I love dessert!)  apple pie


8. What is your favorite movie of all time? Titanic

9. What is your favorite holiday? Christmas

10. Are you a dog person or a cat person? Dog!  We just got our first puppy about a month ago!

11. What was your favorite toy or doll from childhood?  My Raggedy Ann & Andy dolls!




3rd Grade Theatrics Questions

1. When did you know you wanted to be an educator?  When I was a little girl!  I used to play school all the time.

2. What is your favorite classroom memory?  The first day of every school year!

3. What is your dream vacation?  Going to Paris

4. What was your funniest teacher moment?  I don’t think I have a funny teacher moment.

5. What is your favorite summer activity? Going to the beach.

6. What is your favorite brand of handbags/purses?  Michael Kors

7. What is your favorite movie? Titanic

8. What is your favorite children's book?  Charlotte’s Web

9. Which holiday, during the school year, do you look forward to the most?  Christmas

10. What is your favorite on-the-go snack? popcorn

11. What is one piece of technology that you can't live without?  My iPad



 11 Facts About Myself

1.      I enjoy going to the mountains for Thanksgiving.

2.     I am a active member of my sorority, Alpha Kappa Alpha (AKA)

3.     We got our first pet one month ago.  Head over to my blog to meet our puppy, Cody.

4.     When I was in 5th grade a sewing needle broke off in my foot.  It remained there for 6 long months!

5.      I am a huge Twilight fan!  Team Edward!

6.     I served as a mathematics instructional coach for 3 years.

7.     This year I took my first trip to New York and LOVED it!

8.     I have a 9 and 21 year old!  They fight like cats and dogs!

9.     I love technology!

10.  My favorite colors are pink and green.

11.  I enjoy watching crime T.V. shows.  



My Questions for My Nominees


1.      What is your classroom theme?

2.     Who inspired you when you were a child?

3.     What is your least favorite subject to teach?

4.     How do you spend your summers?

5.     If you could do something else other than teaching, what would it be?

6.     If you had three wishes what would they be?

7.     Target or Walmart?

8.     How often to you blog?

9.     What is the last movie you’ve seen?

10.   What is one word you would use to describe your first day of school?

11.   What motivates you?

Again, thank you for the nomination!  I look forward to learning more about my fellow bloggers!

Tuesday, July 2, 2013

3rd Grade Theatrics 100 Followers Giveaway!

Congratulations to 3rd Grade Theatrics for reaching 100 followers! To celebrate this milestone 3rd Grade Theatrics is hosting a great giveaway! Head over to the blog to enter to win a host of products that have been donated by a number of TpT sellers! This giveaway will run from July 1st - 6th. Good Luck!