Five for Friday! Holla!

Hey y'all...I'm linking up with Doodle Bugs Teaching for another edition of...

 

Can I get a Holla!!

 

 

 

Check out some of the great things I bought at the big TpT sale earlier this week.  I got Clutter Free Classroom's Hand Signal Signs.  I've been using hand signals, but these graphics are just too perfect.  I got Jen Jones hello fonts, task cards from Teaching with a Mountain View, and 4mula Fun's Commercial License for the flippable templates.  I can't wait to start creating with those babies!  Also, I am hoping that Schroeder Shenanigans in Second's Blo(r)ganized pack will help me make (and more importantly KEEP) some creating and blogging goals this year.  I MUST do better.  Okay...full confession...this is only a portion of my purchases this week.  I may or may not have filled my cart FOUR times.  Ah, well...it was worth it!  I got several clip art sets, digital papers, Pond Fonts from Graphics from the Pond, and added more licenses for my KG fonts.  Eventually I had to stop because I.  Wanted.  It.  All.  For realz though.

 

So, I am doing a superhero theme in my classroom this year, and I wanted some décor that had more than just red, blue, and yellow so that I could continue to use my current table colors and caddies.  I decided that I would get myself a set of superhero clipart and make some flair pieces to match just what I wanted and needed.  One thing I did was buy several different black-and-white patterned borders, and when I can start setting up my room next week I will start with those and black paper.  Then I will add colorful tissue paper poofs, and I am going to print some of these flags to mix and match and string together for little banners.  I decided it would be a good idea for me to create my Facebook Fan Freebie tab!!!!  (Lord have mercy...that was some work.  I was having technical difficulties.)  Can I get another Holla!!!  Anywho, these cutie patootie banner flags are there for your downloading pleasure.  I would LOVE it if you would like me on Facebook and invite your teacher blogging friends to do the same.  I only have 9 likes, because I have NOT been using it, but that is about to change. 

 

So I made this activity back in ummm February.  I never did get around to adding the cover page and credits so that I could put it in my little shop.  Today, I finished it up and it is for sale right now...just click here or on the pic!  Yay!  I'm putting it on sale for 20% off for the next two days since I missed the sale.  If you teach 5th grade math in Texas this is something you can use...I PROMISE.  Our students have such trouble with the 5.12 B TEKS that says use experimental results to make predictions, and so that is exactly what they practice using this fun, hands-on, activity!  They spin the spinners various amounts of times (on the booklet page directions) and they tally the results.  Then they make a fraction to describe the results. (TEKS 5.12A). After that, they use their fractions to make predictions by setting up equivalent fractions.  My students REALLY enjoyed doing this last year, and I know it helped some of them GET.IT...ya know what I mean?  Now, I'm sorry...I'm not sure about you common core folks, but if it does meet one of the CC standards, I'd love for you to tell me which one in the comments.  It looked like maybe they did this kind of thing in 7th grade, but of course then the numbers were more complicated.  I don't know...I only speak TEKS.

 

I took a road trip to Blue Bell factory with my munchkin, my momma, and her friend from college who was in town for a visit.  It was H.E.C.T.I.C. let me tell you, but that free scoop of Magic Cookie Bar ice cream made the waiting soooo worth it.  Ohmygoodness Yum!!  I really enjoyed the little tour, and now when I see Blue Bell in the freezer case at the store I want it even more.  I might have bought some from HEB the next day.  #igotnosugaraddedchocolate #itsnotasgoodasmagiccookiebar

 

Last, but not least, we got some new little patio furniture on sale.  I love it.  :)  (BTW...ignore the crazy paint job...they are in the process of painting our apartment complex.  They will come back for trim and doors later.)  We sat out there and enjoyed coffee the other morning.  It's the little things y'all.  Well...I'm off to enjoy my last *sniffle* weekend of summer.  Let the work begin full force on MONDAY! 

 

Monday Made...zzzzzzzzzzzz...It..zzzzzzzzzzzzzz

Oh. My. Goodness. Y'all.  I am soooo tired.  The time change is still taking its toll on me, and then today was the first day after spring break.  It was rough.  To top it all off, I could not go to sleep last night for the life of me.  I'm pretty sure that it was anxiety about going back to school when I didn't feel ready.  I was awake until 3:30, and I was up and out the door by 6:30.  All I can say is TGFS aka Thank God For Starbucks!!!!   Who's with me?!?!

I'm going to make this a quick post to share the things I made that I want to share with you all.  First, I needed some examples of various electric circuit setups to test my kids on their ability to decide whether light bulbs would light or not in each one.  I just could not find what I was looking for.  I decided to make my own.  I'm so glad I got them done just in time to review the last month before STAAR happens in April.  (That is our state testing here in Texas.)  There are 40 different black-and-white circuit task cards included in the set, four sorting mats, a recording sheet, and an answer document.  There is a directions page with a four different ways of using the cards that I thought of, although I'm sure there are plenty more.  I have put the preview picture below.  I will give one set away for free from my blog, one on Instagram, and one from my Facebook.  Leave a comment below including your email address to enter the giveaway here.  To enter your chance to win on Facebook, click here to head over to my Facebook page.  Become a follower and leave a comment with your Facebook username under the giveaway post.  To enter on Instagram, click here.  Follow me on Instagram and comment on the giveaway post for your chance to win.  I will choose a winner from each place Wednesday night!  (We have a softball game tomorrow.)  If you are interested in buying these circuit task cards after the giveaway ends, click here!
 

Secondly, I said I would share this little Valentine freebie.  I know it's too late for this year, but you can always download and save it for next year.  There is four quick pages of practice turning improper fractions into mixed numbers.  I made it really quick to leave for a sub. Just click on the picture to download the file.  :)

 

This is how my sweet little Valentines turned out, and I have to say I think my students really liked them.  We watch CNN student news most days, and each episode ends with Carl Azuz telling puns related to the final story.  I think some of them really liked these punny Valentines even more because of that! :) 

To see other awesome things made by fabulous teacher bloggers, head over to 4th Grade Frolics for another link-up of Monday Made It! :)

 

Math and Literacy with a Basket of Eggs.....Plus a Freebie!

I just love when I can use one thing a million different ways.  I made Reagan's fabulous Phon-eggs and it got me to thinking...what else can I do with plastic eggs.  I typically have four math tubs a week, and the kids catch up or do free centers on Friday.  I also have various amounts of literacy centers each week.  My goal was to make four math and four literacy activities, and I did it!  Success!  One of the activities is available below as a freebie, but you can get all eight centers here in my TpT store.  Plus if you buy it today or tomorrow, you can get it for half-price.  Score!  The math tubs include: "Eggspanded" Notation (matching the number and the expanded notation written on the top and bottom halves of the eggs), "Eggsact" Change (counting coins inside the egg), "Eggstraordinary" Math Facts (matching addition facts written on eggs), and Time to "Hatch" (reading the analog clocks inside the eggs).  The literacy centers include: "Eggstra, Eggstra!" Read all About It! (writing prompts inside eggs with writing paper), "Eggcellent" Compound Words (matching base words written on the tops and bottoms of the eggs to make compound words), Nouns and Verbs Are so "Eggciting" (reading the words inside the eggs and recording as either a noun or a verb), "Scrambled" Word Wall Words which is described in detail below, as it is available for a freebie.  All of the activities have cover pages and recording sheets.

I already have some easter baskets that I got at the good ol' Dollar Tree, and I bought a bunch of the cheap colorful eggs from Wal-Mart.  Mostly  I bought a bunch of the smallish, regular sized eggs, but I did get some of the larger eggs too.  I used the larger eggs for this freebie literacy activity, because they hold the magnet letters better. 

 

 

For this activity, you can put either magnet letters or paper letters inside the eggs.  The letters should spell a word from your word wall when it is "unscrambled".  (hehe)  Once the kids have the word wall word figured out, they will record it on the recording sheet.  You can either make 9 or 18 eggs, as I have the recording sheets for both.  I made 18, cause I have some super fast, super smart firsties that need the extra challenge.  :)  Click on the picture below to grab this freebie for your classroom, and don't forget...comments=love. :) 

 Last, I wanted to share a picture of what my firsties got when they got back from spring break today.  They were so excited, and it made our first day back so much more fun!  Have a great week!

Presidents' Day Freebie and St. Patrick's Day Mystery Pictures

It has been forever since I have had time to sit down and create.  I hate that!  We have been having tons of fun though.  We had our 100th day of school and our Valentine's Day party.  Probably my two favorite days of the entire year.  I just love February!  Here are some pictures of our fun times  Some of us dressed up like 100-year-olds...the most precious thing ever!!!  

The kids made 100th day hats and glasses and made a 100 fruit loop necklace.  I have NEVER heard my room so quiet as when they started making that necklace.  They were dead silent...seriously...they were crickets-chirping-I-can-hear-the-clock-ticking quiet.  Can-we-make-a-fruit-loop-necklace-everyday kind of quiet. ;)

Last for Valentine's week we made these precious Mr. Valentine craft in our follow directions center. We make him every year, and I love him so!

I have really enjoyed reading all the other bloggers in the meantime and getting fresh ideas and new products of course!  In lieu of Presidents' Day this week, I created this little roll and graph activity for my math tubs.  Some students are still needing to master the skill of creating and interpreting a graph.  Our curriculum has them create a graph independently including the labels, title, numbers, and colors.  The students then have to be able to read the graph and write comparative statements about it.  They are only required to do a three-item graph, so that is why my die has two each of three different images.  Because I put it in math tubs, I only make one die, and they share.  Sooooo it's super easy to print and make.  I included a black-and-white die in case you don't want to use colored ink.  Click on the preview image below to download yourself a free copy if you can use it too.

I am linking this post up to the February Freebies Linky...check out other awesome February Freebies at Teaching First!

Also, I finished my packet of mystery pictures for St. Patrick's Day.  You can get these seven mystery pictures in my TpT here or by clicking the picture for only $1.00.  My students love them, and they are always trying to guess what they are going to be before they even start coloring.

Thanks for stopping by, and if you liked either of these products or have suggestions for me please leave a comment below. I'd love to hear from you! :)

Friday Freebie: Spin and Add February Style

I'm just so excited that it's Friday, y'all.  The weeks are getting longer, but I know it will be summer before I know it.  For now, I am just going to bask in the glory of all things pink and Valentine-licious.  I just love February!  We are always trying to make games and activities for our firsties to practice their math facts, and so I created this little guy here for my favorite month!  It's a spin and add game.  Simple...they just spin and add.  :)  Spin the first spinner with a pencil and a paper clip, then spin the second spinner, and then add the two numbers together.  They record the number sentence on the recording sheet.  Easy peasy.  I included pictures of the candy hearts in the spinner for the sweet babies that need to count 'em up, but I will encourage others to count on with their fingers or use the facts they already know.  You could also give them some candy hearts to count up if you're feeling up to it.  :)  Just click on the picture to download a free copy and feel free to leave me a comment if you enjoy it!  Happy Friday!

Also, you can check out some other fabulous freebies at over at Teaching First.  Click the button below to check it out.

ABC Order Freebie and More Mystery Pictures!!!

Yippee!  I FINALLY finished my Valentine's Themed Hundreds Chart Picture Packet.  I have to sit and play around with those things forever until I can make my vision come out on the chart.  I think they are just as adorable as my Christmas Hundreds Chart Mystery Pictures, and I know my students are going to love them.  We use them for morning work while the kids are eating breakfast in the classroom.  They love to find the mystery picture, and I love to watch them try and figure it out as they going along.  See the preview below to get a peek at the eight different designs.  You can get a copy for your class at my TpT by clicking on the preview picture below.  

Meanwhile, my students are also learning how to put things in alphabetical order.  I made this little game for them to practice this skill during centers.  It is going to be a part of a larger TpT packet, but I have the game by itself for you to download by clicking on the picture below.  :)  Yay for freebies!!!  I liked all of the ABC order activities that already have, but once the students order the cards in those they are done.  This game is different, because it can be played over and over again for continued practice during center time.  To play ABC Order Grab Bag you start by printing out the picture/word cards, laminating them, and putting them in a gift bag (or a paper bag).    Then students shake the bag, pick out 6 cards and put them in alphabetical order.  Then they record the words in order on the recording sheet and draw a picture to go with each word.  They can play again and again, because there are 48 cards and they only draw out 6 at a time.  They will get new cards each time!  They have open-ended fun, and I am free to see guided reading groups.  Hope you enjoy!