Postings on...HOLD!

Unfortunately, I'm going to have to put my postings on HOLD for several more days.  I'm WAY far behind in grading papers and life just isn't getting any easier right now.  I will be taking a break from the blog and will pick it up again VERY SOON...I promise!  Spring has definitely SPRUNG...finally!  Below is a good book to get you interesting in taking a break and relaxing!

Spring Thoughts for this Blog

After two busy weeks and the looks of my current schedule with three children playing spring sports...I've given some thought to how I could possibly continue to write each day a bit...

Well, it ISN'T possible...so, for the next several weeks I will make some changes to this blog.  After all, I've got to sleep sometime!

It's going to be near impossible to just exist...with ball practices on Monday and Tuesday evenings, Bible study on Wednesday evening, the after school program I work on Thursday evenings, my new cleaning job on Friday nights, ball practices again on Saturdays, and worship services on Sunday...there is no room to breathe!

Could you leave a post and tell me your favorite part of this site right now?  I want to keep that part going!

Special Days for March 14-20th

Poison Prevention Week

This is always celebrated the third week of March.

The theme for National Poison Prevention Week is "Children Act Fast...So Do Poisons!"

This is a great time to make young children aware of the dangers of regular household cleaners, detergents, medicines, and beauty supplies.  There are upwards of 2 million reported poisonings every year with half of those in children under 5 years old.  The above poster was created for a poster contest promoting the idea of locking up poisons and keeping them out of reach of young children.  Go here for some helpful poison control tips from About.com.

Ideas for this week:

*Make stickers for your students from address labels and list the Poison Control Center number, 1-800-222-1222.

*Conduct a poster contest using the theme above.

*Have students explore the Texas Poison Control Center site for valuable information.

*Have students make a list of the items under a sink at their home.  Hold a class discussion about several of the items.

*Look through local newspapers, sale papers, or magazines and cut out pictures of items that are potential poisons.  Make a collage of those items and display in the classroom.

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Brain Awareness Week

The brain is a complicated, yet interesting organ.  There is a really neat website here at BrainsRule.com with lesson plans and activities to explore.  This is a Nebraska website using their state standards.

There is a page of questions and answers here.  These questions and answers are more geared toward Middle School students.  And, go here for some information about "Brain Food"!

Brain Awareness and Poison Control connect very well together since poisoning can greatly affect the brains ability to function!

Do you have an idea for Brain Awareness week?

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Wednesday, March 17th is St. Patrick's Day

We are usually NOT in school during this upcoming holiday.  This is our usual week for Spring Break...but, thankfully, this year our Spring Break is actually during Spring!!  Woohoo!

The meaning of St. Patrick's Day according to Wikipedia.com is: Saint Patrick's Day (Irish: Lá Fhéile Pádraig) is a yearly holiday celebrated on 17 March. It is named after Saint Patrick (circa AD 387–493), the most commonly recognized of the patron saints of Ireland. It began as a purely Christian holiday and became an official feast day in the early 1600s. However, it has gradually become more of a secular celebration of Ireland's culture.

I found it interesting while reading Wikipedia.com, that the original color of St. Patick's Day was blue! 

Resources and Ideas:
* Go to enchantedlearning.com for lots of St. Patrick's Day activities and printables.  You may have to sign up and purchase a membership to access all of the printables.
*Kaboose.com has a vast selection of St. Patrick's Day art activities.
*Despite the cool temperatures, go on a 4-leaf clover hunt!  Dry any lucky charms found and laminate for students to keep!!!
*Discuss green and all the different shades of green.  Then, make a poster displaying the greens.
*Make green with yellow and blue food coloring or paint!
*Hold a "Wear Green" Contest...who can wear the most greeeeeeen!!! 

Do you have any special activities you have tried and know the students enjoy?  Please share!

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Coming Soon....information for the other TWO fun days this week!

The First Day of Spring

National Agricultural Day

Coming Tomorrow... Special Days for March 14-20

Sorry...I'm still spending a lot of time AWAY from the computer.  There are several interesting days this week.  I hope to have them posted tomorrow evening.  In the meantime, enjoy the beginning of your work week!

Friday's Finale

Thankful to have made it through this LONG week...enjoyed being outside in the Spring-like weather!  Just not looking forward to the even longer week coming up.

I have morning and afternoon bus duty...plus, our school hours are extended due to extreme winter weather.  So...my days ALL next week will be from 6:45 am-3:45 pm.  ACK!  Report cards go out next week and my two little girls begin ball practice on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Saturdays...  Oh yeah, we have an Easter Egg Hunt and a birthday party next Saturday!

Any suggestions?

Thursday's Thought

"  I like coming to school now!" 

This made my day, FIRST thing this morning!  The above quote came from one of my struggling students, who has gained nearly a whole year in reading and math, but remains unprepared for promotion.  THIS is why I teach!!!  I love to watch the transformations that happen in those 180 days.

I'm really NOT sure why this precious child just "now" likes coming to school.  I'm still teaching the same ways and maintaining the same routines.  But, I've noticed many more smiles and interest in the last several weeks, even if an answer is incorrect.  I will probably never know the impact I've had on this child's life, but I hope and pray my few days have helped mold what this child will become.  Little does this innocent child know that one of this week's vocabulary words, HONOR, was put into action with that simple statement above!

Wednesday's Website

This is a very resourceful website.  There are many activities, both printable and hands-on for prek-6th grade students.  These activities span the curriculum.  There are also quizzes and worksheet generator tools to help you customize your own worksheets for your themes of study.  There are even foreign language resources!  Go on over and check out the infinite supply of resources at apples4theteacher.com.  You won't be disappointed!

Tuesday's Tip

I've been away from the computer ALL WEEK running here and running there...running around everywhere...like Dr. Seuss's The Foot Book with feet here and there and everywhere!

So...I guess it's catch up time!  I believe it when life "wakes up" in the Spring.  We have SOOOO much going on both at home AND at school.  How is your life awakening this Spring????

Tuesday's Tip: Newsletter Homework

After several years of teaching, I discovered that "telling" students to practice spelling, vocabulary, and reading and math skills, etc. doesn't mean a whole lot.  The students have no idea HOW to practice and many parents are unsure of where to start, too.  Because of this, I began including skills and simple practice activities on the back of my weekly newsletters.  I also make a tiny space for parents and caregivers to initial when complete.  Below is a copy of the "Academic News" portion of my most recent newsletter.  I create my newsletter on PrintMaster with three columns.  My students and parents ALWAYS know what to do!  You may notice spelling activities at the bottom of the first column.  I have a list of spelling activities with their explanations that the students keep in their daily binders if they need to refer to it.  Tweak this to suit your classroom's needs.

Monday's Moment

Today went rather smoothly considering we're now adjusting to a new school schedule because of the many snow days we experienced in February.  I'm finding MOST of my MONDAY Moments occur while using the new Promethean Board!  It seems, I am constantly forgetting to click on the necessary tool to enable me to write or erase, which then causes all kinds of giggles.  The kids really get a kick out of my booboos while using the Board!

Did you have a Monday Moment you would like to share?

Special Days for March 7-13th

Ok - so I'm STILL running a little behind.  I'm barely keeping my head above the water right now.  Think I'll repeat Thursday's Thought - Whew!  Praying for this week to be a little calmer...

 )()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()(

This is GIRL SCOUT Week!  This is the season for Girl Scout cookies.  Yum!  Be sure to support your local troops and stock up your freezer so you can enjoy those cookies ALL year.

 

Wednesday, March 10th is Harriet Tubman Day

 

I'll have to say I've only touched on Harriet Tubman each year during Black History Month.  So, who was Harriet Tubman?  She was a Civil War Spy that helped slaves get to free areas of our country.  Click here for a nice biography that is kid friendly.  Here is a very kid friendly site with all sorts of activities regarding Ms. Tubman.  I like to read Follow the Drinking Gourd since this book is about slaves escaping to freedom.  Teachervision.com has a several pages of Harriet Tubman printables for the younger students.  (You can get 3 items free, but anymore and you have to sign up.)  Please, share how you study about Harriet Tubman!

Thursday, March 11th is Johnny Appleseed Day

The resources for an apple day are endless...

Please, everyone share YOUR apple day fun!
Don't forget to include some links!

Thursday's Thought AND Friday's Finale

Yay for the SuNsHiNe!!!

My thought for Thursday goes along with our Finale...

WHEW!

I can't put it any other way...our FIRST FULL WEEK since before Christmas break!  And, it's been a doozy...  I'm glad to be back on a predictable schedule, but we end the week with news of having to change our "predictable" schedule because of the many snow days.  Our school board voted to extend our school day for the next 13 days.  We will now go from 7:45-3:15 for the next 2 1/2 weeks - all to make up just ONE day.  WHEW...again!

I've had so many WHEW moments...and I've been SOOOOOO pooped...I've been behind ALL week at posting!  Oh well, I'm sure all things will return to normal soon.  

^!^!^!^!^!^!^!^!^!^!^!^!^!^!^!^!^!^!^!^!^!^!^!^!^!^!^!^!^!^!^!

MORE HANDWRITING POEMS:

The Letter D

Dd Dd Dd

D is for dinosaur,

Skating on the ice,

Eating a donut

And a dish of rice.

The Letter E

Ee Ee Ee

E is for elephant,

Beating on a drum,

Wearing purple shorts

And chewing bubble gum.

The Letter F

Ff Ff Ff

F is for fish,

Swimming in a lake,

Blowing out candles

On a birthday cake.

Tuesday's Tip AND Wednesday's Website

Calling ALL parents!!!

I get an email newsletter from education.com and enjoy reading the tips they offer for all learners, from preschool to high school.  This particular newsletter I get contains tips/activities for learning at home.  Since I stay involved with my own four children at home, this gives us ways to interact and learn WHILE having fun. These activities can also be included on your classroom newsletters to give parents at-home learning ideas.  Our school system requires parent involvement opportunities...so, these activities are a GREAT way to meet this standard!  Below is a small snippet of my most recent email newsletter.  You can also visit education.com and click on the "Tips from Teachers" in the right column to subscribe.

3rd Grade

Cook Up Some Science!

by Julie Williams, a credentialed elementary, middle, and high school teacher from Palo Alto, California.

As winter days continue, remember that there’s lots of warm and cozy third grade learning available right in your kitchen! Third grade math includes extensive work on fractions and measurement. In science class, students transfer these skills into early experiments that show what happens when you blend ingredients.

Cooking helps all this science make sense, often with delicious results. While we may take it for granted that eggs, flour, butter and sugar can be mixed with baking soda, heated up, and eaten as cookies, the chemistry behind all that is really quite sophisticated. One batch of chocolate chip cookies, for example, may require just one teaspoon of baking soda. But try a little practice with the scientific thinking processes of prediction, cause and effect: in part of a batch, leave out that baking soda. It's the ingredient that makes cookies spread: see what happens without it!  Click here for another of our favorite kitchen chemistry experiments: making marshmallows you can drop into your hot chocolate.

Monday's Moment

Monday went VERY well!  With all the activities around my building this week and it being only the second full day to use my new Promethean Board, I thought for sure we'd have a Monday Moment of some sort.  But, to my surprise things worked out great!  I'm so thankful to have had a prosperous, yet uneventful day.

Quote - When prosperity comes, do not use all of it.  ~Confucius

So, if you had a Monday Moment that made you want to hit the rewind button and write a new script...please, share it!