Five for Fraturday

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      I'm a day late linking up with Doodle Bugs Teaching because I fell asleep...and slept for 12 HOURS - make that a little over 12 hours!!! Can you say T-I-R-E-D?!?!

                                         

      We had a great third week of school. Lots of stuff going on!

We practiced Read to Someone and they did an amazing job!! I was so proud to see them reading to each other in the correct way! It does a teacher's heart good to see!

                               

                               

      We also got to celebrate our first birthday of the year with this little cutie!!  To read more about how I use the Birthday Box, you can go HERE. 

                              

                              

       We also had an all day training on Scholastic's new program called iRead. It really looks amazing and I cannot wait to get started!! It is computer based, but also has a whole group and small group component.  It will look at what your kids have done on the computer and group them for you in order for you to do small group instruction with them.  That little item is called The Groupinator.  I cannot wait to use that bit of awesomeness!!  There are some technical issuers that have to be worked out before we begin so we are supposed to get started at the end of September.  Can't wait!!

                                     

      While I was out my poor kiddos ended up with the sub from CrazyTown!!  Apparently, he threatened to hit them with a stick, a paddle, or a belt?!?!  What?!?!  Is he crazy?  He also left them alone to go up to the office.  Now, my kiddos were no angels while I was away, but seriously ---- What was he thinking?!?!

      On Friday, we had an almost all-day celebration of PBIS.  The morning was filled with rotations to different areas of the building where someone was there to discuss the expectations for that area.  For instance, we went to the cafeteria to discuss cafeteria expectations, then rotated to the hallway to talk about hallway expectations, etc., etc.  At the end of the day, we had a pep rally with the local high school cheerleaders coming to pump them up!  We also had a cup stacking demonstration from most of the grade levels.  

      

                                        

This is one of my kiddos competing.

      And to end the day, we did a little Adventure to Fitness.  If you haven't tried this website, you can read about it HERE.    The kids love it.  It is great for indoor recess or if you have some time at the end of a crazy day! 

                             

      I hope you enjoy your Labor Day with rest and relaxation.

Till next time...

      

The Birthday Box

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          Hi everyone!  I hope all of you are having a fabulous Labor Day weekend!  Any weekend is great, but a 3-day weekend is even better, right?!

          What I wanted to show you tonight is how I help make my little sweetie's birthdays special while at school.  They get to blow out birthday candles!  I have this cute little box that I think I got at DollarTree and covered the top with matching cardstock.  I then use those little candle holders to punch holes down into the box.  This little box has lasted MANY years, I just replace the cardstock as needed.  The first time I bring out the birthday box, there are "ooohs" and "aahhhs" from everyone!  I take their picture with the birthday box, we sing, and they get to make a wish, and blow out the candles. 

Smiling picture before the candles are blown out.

Make a wish and blow out the candles!

          The vast majority of my students come from homes where they have had the traditional birthday parties and blowing out the candles is nothing new, but there are those few that every now and again, I've wondered if they have had had this experience.  You sometimes never know what they go home to or have to live with and just this small part of childhood that many of us take for granted is something I want for each of my students...to make a wish and have the hopes of it coming true. 

          Now, I'm not saying that those sweeties that get to blow out candles every year at home are not excited because they are!  This is one of the most anticipated things that happens on their birthday!  If we don't do it right away when their birthday arrives, I have to listen to "When are we doing the birthday box?" and "Are we going to do the birthday box?"  Of course, I can't keep them waiting for too long!!

          

          I can in no way take credit for this sweet idea!  When my youngest son (who is now in 9th grade!) was in first grade, his super sweet teacher did this and I have had this tradition in my classroom every year since.  My sweeties love it and I do too!!

          Do you have any traditions in you class that you do each year with your class?  I'd love to here about them!

Till next time...