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!