Currently...It's Monday Made-It {July 1}

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      Two of my most favorite linkys happen today!

Farley's Currently ANNNDDDD, it's time for Tara's Monday Made-It!!

First up-----July's Currently!

      Currently, I'm listening to Duck Dynasty.  Who doesn't love that show?!  It just makes you Happy, Happy, Happy to see such a fun family!

      I'm loving summer, but man!  It needs to seriously SLOW down!!  I mean, come on!  It's July already!  It seems like I was just doing Roller Chair Races for the end of post-planning just yesterday!  

      I am seriously longing for the beach, but it will have to wait!  We aren't going for another couple of weeks!  {Big sigh, right there!}

      Last night I did need to go to bed, but what was I doing?  Creating my Currently instead.  

      In this whole blogging experience, you should always make sure you are having fun and definitely be yourself!!  If you're not doing either of those, you won't enjoy it like you should and it will become a chore!

      Now, onto Monday Made-It!  

                                    

Monday Made-it #1:

      I've been wanting to do some dabbling in creating things for my classroom using QR codes sooooo.... this week, I made some an awesome little set that I plan on letting them use during math centers.  They are for addition within 100 with no regrouping!  They can be used in some many different ways!  Love them and I think my students will absolutely love these!!  If you would like them for free, be the first 3 to comment!! :)

Monday Made-It #2:

      Ok, so I found this great magnetic board last week.  I didn't get it and it has been on my mind ever since.  So, today, back to TJMax!  I think it is great!  The finish is kind of a turquoise that has been roughed up a bit.  Shabby chic love!  

      This beauty didn't come with any magnets and I've been wanting to make these glass blob magnets.  This was the perfect time!  I had some cute scrapbook paper and some peel and stick magnets.  I stuck the magnet on the scrapbook paper and cut around it.  Then, I placed a dab of hot glue on the the scrapbook paper side of the magnet and stuck the glass blob right on top, pressed down, and Voila!  A cute little magnet for my new board.  I can't wait to hang it in my classroom!

Just noticed I need to trim up that chevron one!  Ha!

Head over to Farley and Tara's to check out their awesome linkys!

Till next time...

Robin

Five for Friday...Wait! What? It's Seriously Friday?!?!

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      The last Friday of June is among us!  I can't even believe that!  I have always felt that once we get to the 4th of July, summer is almost over...and July 4th is NEXT week!!!!   This year, we don't go back until the middle of August so we get a little more time for sweet summa time!

      Friday also means it's time to link up with Doodle Bugs Teaching for Five for Friday!  Whoo-hoo!

                                               

      One of the places that is a must visit place {{many times}} is Crystal Springs Recreation.  It is about 35 minutes away and it is a pool that is spring fed.  The water is a constant 66 degrees all year long!  On our H-O-T Georgia days, that feels heavenly!!  Crystal Springs originally opened in 1859!!!  Of course, from the pic, you can tell they have made many improvements over the years!

      

      On Wednesday, my son had his last double header of the school summer league.  He got to show off his talent in several positions!  In the first game, he got to play 2nd base, pitch, and catch!  In the 2nd game, he just caught.  That's his normal position and I love to see him do his thing behind the plate!

                          

      On Thursday, Mac and I, and my bestie went to the Atlanta Apparel Mart!  This is where all the boutiques get most of their merchandise.  My bestie owned a little children's boutique and we are still considered buyers!  Whoo-hoo!  It's just not summer if we don't make a couple of trips to the mart!!!!!  I hardly EVER pay retail for any type of jewelry!  The JCrew bubble necklaces that sell for $150, I got for $5.99.  That's right - less that 6 bucks!  They have costume jewelry and fine jewelry.  You can see some of the costume jewelry on Mac!  He had to put a little BLING BLING on!

      We also had to have a little lunch while in the ATL so we stopped by Hard Rock Cafe.  It was the first time I had ever been to this Hard Rock!  It's way bigger than it looks and we decided we'd like to live in one of the apartments above it!

      I also have been wanting to dabble in creating QR code activities for Teachers Pay Teachers.  I created this I Spy QR Codes Addition for addition within 100 (no regrouping).  I cannot wait to let my kiddos use it!  The first 3 people to comment with their email addresses will get it free!  Yippey!!!

      Our washer has been acting a little wonky.  The repairman came today and look what he found in the drain hose!  Yuck!  About 4-5 dollars, an earring, paper clips, and the torn off section of an Under Armour shirt!  That's why the washer was acting wonky!  Then, when I went to wash after the repairman left, my washer leaked all over the floor!  Thank goodness I was watching it and caught it before it was horrible!  Needless to say, the repairman is coming back tomorrow!

Sorry for the blurriness! You can still see how yucky!!

      And last, but not least is coming this weekend is...DUH, DUH, DUHMMMMM...the end of Google Reader!  If you haven't followed me over on Bloglovin, please do that before the end of Google Reader as we know it!  You can push that button over on the right OR click on the picture below!  Easy-Peasy!!

      Have a GREAT weekend!!

Till next time...

Robin

   

Monday Made-It {#1}

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      Hi everyone!  I'm linking up tonight with Tara from Fourth Grade Frolics for her Monday Made-It!

                                            

      I've been soooo wanting to make some of those c-u-t-e clipboards that are all over Pinterest and the blogs.  Well...I finally made one!  I absolutely love it!  It is so cute!  Now, it just have to get about 10 more done!

      Sooooo, that may be my Monday Made-Its for the rest of the summer!!  Hahaha!!!!
                               
                                                     Just kidding......... Maybe...............  ;)

Cute, right?!?!

      I also just posted a two new math resources.  One is to guide your math instruction and it is called Math Talk Conversation Stems.  Your math discussions in your class are sooooo important for student understanding!

      The 2nd math resource is 11 Back to School Centers.  I know I just blogged about both of these yesterday, but they still count for Monday Made-It, right?!

                                        

   

                                       

      Anyway, go link up with 4th Grade Frolics for Monday Made-It!

Till next time...

Math Madness and a FREEBIE!

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      Happy Sunday, y'all!  It has been an amazing first week off for sweet summertime!  We have mostly been at the baseball field.  My youngest is playing in a summer league for his high school so we get lots of quality time at the good ole ballfield!

      I have been thinking a lot about Back to School.  I know, I know!  But, we all do it!  Our vacation is still a couple of weeks away so I'm still thinking about school.

      Anyway, I've added two new things to my TpT store that I am so excited about!  The first product is a resource to use for your Math Talk.  It is a set of sentence stems that can be used to guide your math discussions.  Common Core demands that we have these math discussions with our students.

      Before I got my masters degree last year in math education, I taught the skill and if they got it right - Whoo-hoo!  Well, that's what I thought anyway, but through my program, I learned so much about what my students were thinking.  I learned that they should discuss and defend their solutions!  Wow, this was just in time for Common Core!  I have really felt a little ahead of the game in my math instruction!  Ha!  Is that even possible in a teacher's world???

This is the first product:

      I'm really excited about these because they can lead to such great math discussions and you can really understand what your students are thinking about their math and clear up any misconceptions if they happen to have any!

      As I said earlier, I am already thinking about Back to School so I decided to revamp some of my beginning of the year math centers.  This is my first time putting them on TpT.  There are 11 different centers ranging in skills from ordering numbers, time, money, math facts, among others.  Each center has a direction page with cards and/or a recording sheet.  I hope you'll check them out!  

      Oh!  If you go to the page and click on PREVIEW, you can snatch a little FREEBIE!  Whoo-hoo!!

      Now, I'm off to enjoy the rest of this evening!

Till next time...

   

Book Box FREEBIE!

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      Just popping in very quickly tonight to offer you a quick freebie!  I use book boxes in my room as part of my students read to self and read with a partner.  In order to trade out a book, they must complete this book box form.  It gives me a record of what they are reading on their own and it gives a record of their understanding of the book.  It also gives them an opportunity to state an opinion about the book and whether or not they would recommend it to a friend.  There are two on a page and I print them front to back, cut them apart, and put them in a book box form basket.

      I hope you can use it!  Click on the picture to grab your FREEBIE!

      Also, I am linking up with Classroom Freebies so hop over and grab some great FREEBIES!

Till next time...

My Week in Review

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      WOW!  This has been a looonnnggg week!  I was so glad to wake up and know that today was finally  Friday!  Did your week feel long?

       And, it just wouldn't be Friday without linking up with Amanda at Teaching Maddeness and Doodle Bugs Teaching for my week in review!
                                             

•  Teaching Blog Addict is having a little birthday bash!  They are hosting the ultimate freebie celebration with freebies for grades Pre-K through 6th grade!  Head over there to grab up some great freebies!!

                                      

•  We had to have a little crisis drill lockdown on Tuesday.  They were all super sweet and stayed as quiet as a mouse!  It was so quiet and still that a few decided it would be a great time for a nap!  Wish I could have joined them!  Ha

       

•  We've been working a bit on practicing basic fractions and how the whole must be in equal parts.  I learned about this little game while taking my masters classes in math education.  It is so simple and yet the kids LOVE it!  They make the game  pieces and practice fractions and it keeps them actively learning!  What more could you ask?

 The materials are:  construction paper (at least 4 colors) and 

                              a die that can be labeled with 1/2, 1/4, 1/8

How to prepare:  Decide which color will represent each fraction of the whole.  (I used blue for 1/2, yellow     

                           for 1/4, and hot pink for 1/8.  For the gameboard, I used brown.  The gameboard 

                           represents the whole.)

                           For your color that represents the half, I tell them to fold the paper in half, crease it, lick it 

                           (I know, but  it helps with the tearing!), and then tear it.  Set this aside.

**Side note, my professor said that if was really important for them to actually tear the pieces instead of cutting them with scissors.  She said that they make more of a connection of how the pieces fit together to make the whole.  I've always had them tear it and they understand the concepts  I want them to learn so why mess up a good thing, right?

                           Do the same thing for your paper that will represent the 1/4, but then tear each half in half.

                           Do the same thing for your paper that will represent the 1/8, but tear each 1/4 into 1/8.  

                           Are you still with me????  Hope so, because your kids will love it! ☺

How to play:  Each kiddo puts their gameboard in front of them.  The first player rolls the die and the student 

                           covers whatever the die tells them.  The next player does the same thing.  They must cover

                           the entire gameboard with none overlapping and none overhanging.  It must be a perfect 

                           fit.  The first one to cover their gameboard is the winner!  So easy!

      As students play this game, they come to see equivalent fractions and begin to use these equivalent fractions to cover whatever their die lands on.  It is so cool to watch!  They love it!  If you have any questions, just ask!  I know those directions are about as clear as mud!!

•  We all have them...the day that just won't end.  Today was my day.  Today has not been the easiest of days.  The kids are ready for spring break, I'm ready for spring break, and we still have two weeks to go.  UGH!  My kiddos, who are normally so, so sweet to each other are "Whah-whah-whahing" my to death!  Bickering about this, that, and everything in between... I am just so exhausted from it!!

   Anyway, I digress, you get the idea!  I know you can relate!  I drag myself to my car after school and I find a beautiful bouquet of flowers inside.  My sweet husband had taken his lunch time to go get flowers, drive from his job, and put them in my car with a sweet note for me to find!  LOVE, LOVE, LOVE!  He had no idea that I'd had a rough day, which makes it even more perfect!  It was just the pick-me-up I needed to start this wonderful weekend!

I hope you had a great week!  Now, go link up and blog about your it!!

Till next time...

April Currently and a FREEBIE!

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        The days just keep ticking right on by!  I can hardly believe it is time to link up with Farley again for her April Currently!  

      Here's mine:

      It's the home opener for the Braves and all the boys at my house want to watch the Braves.  This has been the most anticipated season that I remember in a long time!  It seems my Facebook is blowing up about this upcoming season!

      It is just so beautiful outside right now!  I really wanted a snow day, but I am over that now!  It is finally spring and it is glorious!

      We had a Family Math Make and Take night at school tonight.  Plus, they threw in a PTO meeting.   I just didn't even go home.  I stayed and worked so I. AM. TIRED.  I just really think I want to go to bed  now and slllleeeeeppp for a long time!

      I so, so, so NEED Spring Break.  We won't have ours until the third week of April!  It can't come soon enough!!

      There is no need to worry so...don't worry!  I know, I know, easier said than done.  But, just know that if God takes care of the flowers and bird, how much more will He take care of you?  He's got this!  Right?

      Now, for the freebie...it's a Dictionary Search.  I am linking up with Classroom Freebies for Manic Monday.
 I have my kiddos use it to look up vocabulary words from their guided reading lessons.  We also make it into a fun game of Dictionary, where they race to find the words and write them down.  Anytime, there is a race of any kind, they are all in!  Of course, you can use it any way that you see fit.  I hope it helps your kiddos!

      I hope you have a great week!

Till next time... 

  

      

Five for Friday time!!!

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Happy Friday y'all!! I'm soooo glad to see the weekend!! We have had a great week, but -WOW! - I need some down time! And, since it's Friday, I am linking up with Doodle Bugs Teaching for her great Five for Friday! It is such fun seeing everyone's week in review!

So, here's mine!

1.  Last Saturday, our school participated in a Math Madness competition.  It's the first time we have participated  so we weren't really sure what to expect, but I think all who participated really enjoyed it!  Ten students were chosen from each grade level (1st-5th).  They were coached using questions from the common core.  On Saturday, each grade level had 70 kids per grade level!  Students were seated two to a table with a white board, given 5 tickets, and were read the question twice.  If they missed a question, a ticket was removed.  Competition continued until just 5 students were left.  I'm so proud to say that one of my 2nd graders was one of the top 5!!  He was so excited, and so was I!!!!

This is how is was set up on the high school gym floor.
There were only 7 left at this time.  Some are not pictured.
(Notice those gray shirts?  Those are my sweeties!)

I wish you could see his little face!  He was SO excited!!

2.  Here's my baby catching for his high school 9th grade team!  I'm so proud of him!  We've spent lots of time at the field this week!  And tonight, he got the call to move up to the JV team, so he is super stoked!

  

3.  We've been studying author's purpose so we used this cute little PIE to help.  I found this on a blog a couple of years ago and I have no idea where so if you know, let me know so that I can give proper credit!  

           

4.  This week, I linked up with Denise at Fifth in the Middle.  She has an awesome linky where you can link up with bloggers from your state.  That is great because I have so often wondered where my blogging buddies were from.  It's also great because you can find others in your state and connect with them!  Once you link up, you can grab the blogger button for your state!  Easy-peasy!!

                                                           

5.  I have been seriously wanting some snow here in middle Georgia, but with no such luck... And, since we haven't had any snow, I decided to create a little myself!  I had my students write math story problems, four to a page, cut them apart, and wad them up.  I didn't tell them what we were doing at first so you can imagine their surprise when I told them we would have a snowball fight!  We would snowball fight and then they would have to go and solve one of the problems thrown.  We played several rounds and they loved it!  That may be the only snow we get this year so I hope they did!

(I did take pictures, but completely forgot to bring the camera home!)

That all for now!  Head over to link up with Doodle Bugs Teaching for all the Five for Friday posts!

Till next time!

Oscar Night Sunday...AND a FREEBIE!!

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     Whoooo's watching the Oscars??  My favorite part of the Oscars is totally watching the Red Carpet pre-Oscar show!  I love to see all the beautiful dresses!

Who's best-dressed?  

Who's worst-dressed?  

So far I love Jennifer Chastain, Anne Hathaway, and Jennifer Lawrence!  I didn't really see any that I loathed.  For the most part, I thought everyone looked really good!  

What did you think?

     I've also been working while watching the Red Carpet.  I've been working on a tiered math game for my students.  It is called Perfect 100, Perfect 500, Perfect 1000, or Perfect 5000 based on what your students need.  The Perfect 100 is great for your little sweeties that need extra support.  The Perfect 500 is great for your on-level students, and the Perfect 1000 and 5000 is for your students working above grade level.  Of course, that's how it is for me.  :)  You may need to use it differently in your classroom.  I've provided a little FREEBIE to get you started!  Plus, you get the number cards for your deck of cards!  Just click on the picture to take you to the FREEBIE!!  The rest of the tiered levels are in my TpT store.  Hop on over to grab your tiered games for your class!

  

      I hope you have a great week!

Till next time!