Text to-Self and some Glee

I don't usually post videos or talk about tv a whole lot, but I just HAVE to share two of my fav Glee songs from this week.

I just ADORE B52's Love Shack, especially when Blaine is singing it.

Then there is the new addition to the cast. Very nice voice and excellent song choice for him.

Now on to the teacher stuff.

I am obsessed with Text to-Self activities. I found Mrs. Williamson's Snowy Day activities and fell in love. I knew I had to recreate this goodies and add a spot for my students pictures. My kids just did so great with these.

I liked adding my students pictures, because I made me feel like my kids understood the strategy better.

Next, we tried Cara Carolls Love Splat mini unit's Text to-Self.

I love Splat. I do think the red hearts look MUCH better than the red ones.

I loved the Text to-Self activity so much I wanted to share it. But it wouldn't be fair of me to share my copy of Mrs. Williamson's activity. So... I created a GENERIC version. I think I will use them often.
(Text to Self)

Have a great Friday!

Hello Stranger

So... I have been MIA lately, sorry.

It's so bad that I haven't even been reading other blogs. :/  I am a bit worried of how long it will take me to catch up with all your wonderful posts.

 

I love this book. 

I love Splat period, but this one is one of my favorites. Of course I read it yesterday. My class even completed some super cute activities about it. Too bad I didn't have my brain turned on, because I forgot to take pictures. That has been happening a lot lately.

There has been plenty going on that I have not taken pictures of. :( I did manage to snap a picture of my kids hard at work during our writers workshop and using our word wall.

I was so proud when I caught these Kinder Kids helping each other to use our word wall. Precious, I just had to pull out my phone a snap a picture.

 Because I forgot to take pictures of my more recent activities I will share some SUPER late resolution pictures. This year I had them write a resolution and a toast.They came out super cute.

 Some close up shots.

 I promise to go to school on time a lot. I toast to go to school a lot to learn.

 I promise to help my mom cook. I wish to not forget to do my homework.

I have been doing some great text to-self activities I will share with you later this week. So keep an eye out for it.

Hope your V-day was calmer than mine. :)

Inspired shots

First, I have to ask, what do you think of the new look?

Although I loved my old template, after I got A Teacher's Plan done by Kristen at...

I couldn't resist doing it again. We kept the same color scheme but added it in chevron, my current obsession.

Warning: This post will be completely not teaching related.

Occasionally venture off teaching blogs and find some other great blogs out there. While reading Following Your Bliss, I found Shadows and Light. Shadows and Light is a blog written by Steve, an American photo journalist living in London. He writes daily and I go every morning, just to check out what new fab picture he has got up. Anyway, to make a long story short, I was inspired to share some of my pictures with you.

Now those of you who are long time readers, know that I usually post pictures of big snow falls here where I live. I mention in my previous post that we were getting LOTS of snow. We did, I believe it was a foot of snow. (Disclaimer, I took these with my iPhone.) I woke up on Saturday morning to this.

Let me just add that these pictures were taken in the morning and it did not stop snowing all day.

Ok now that I have made myself cold I will stop. There are TONS more, because you know once I got started, I couldn't stop. I just didn't want to bore you with 28 pictures of the same.

I guess this kind of weather warrants a revision of A Snowy Day. If I am feeling generous I might even take the kids out to make a snowman.

Have a great day, and I hope it is a warm one.

The Jacket I Wear in the Snow

Wow I did not think it would take me this long to get back on here. I am dead on my feet and don't want to chat much. I promise not to grunt at you but words are the last thing I want to speak or even write. One of those silent monk temps would be nice right now. 

Two weeks ago we started our Winter Clothing theme/ unit. For me this always meas "The Jacket I wear in the Snow". To make a long story short we did lots of naming of clothes. Talking about different types of winter clothes, ie: gloves vs. mittens, and the forever funny "long underwear". We added winter clothing words to our DJ Inker bears, made a winter clothes pattern book, added color and size details to our sentences about winter clothes and did one of my favorite projects of the whole year.

All we do is take a picture with all their winter gear on. Then I print it out and glue onto construction paper. Then I give them their labels. They cut and paste them to the matching clothing. Great little assessment too. Take a peek.

School A

School B

Want the labels? Well, good think I am making them my VERY late Friday Freebie.



Before I do though, I have to say that I am dedicating this Friday Freebie to Pam, the Vintage Teacher, who recently passed away of natural causes. In her time as a blogger she posted 74 freebies! Her contributions and presence online will be missed.

The Clothes I Wear in the Snow labels

You can find last year's version here.

I also have to give special thanks to Kristen W, from First Grade Teacher, for the fab JIWitS clip-art that I used in our pattern book. I forgot to take pictures and I am very sorry for it. She is a great artis and super sweet teacher with a great blog. Check her out.

BTW, we are supposed to get over a foot of snow tomorrow. Ugh! I hope the weather gods change their minds and skip over me.