Perimeter and Area Robots

Hello Blogger Friends!  I figured I needed to post some of the activities we have been doing in class; however, I must admit...I have not really wanted to do much of anything except read The Hunger Games.  I have fought reading this book for quite some time, but our school is doing a pep rally with The Hunger Games theme this Friday.  I figured in order for me to remotely know what is going on, I was going to have to break down and read the book.  Well, to my surprise, I am really, really enjoying it!  Several of my students have been reading it and they have loved it too.  In fact, I am actually reading one of my student's copy of the book.  How funny is that?  I can't imagine ever giving one of my elementary teachers a book that I had read for her to take home for the weekend.  I am not sure if that's because I am just a super cool teacher or times have changed that much.  I am going to go with the super cool teacher option.  LOL!  :)

Anyway, in class we are still working diligently on learning area and perimeter in Math class.  To be honest, the kids have really struggled with the concept and we have spend two weeks on it.  Boy, during that time, I have done a lot of hands-on activities to help the kids see the concepts in a concrete manner.  One really fun activities we did was Perimeter and Area Robots.  The kids absolutely loved these!  I can't take credit for the idea.  I originally saw it on a Ashleigh's site Education Journey. Here are some of the pictures of the kids work.  They loved them so much, the robots have names and are hanging proudly in the hallway.  :)  One pair named their robot "Squarefeetius."  Pretty clever, huh? 

I had planned to share with you some of our Earth Day activities, but I realized I don't have those pictures on my computer.  I will have to share those with you later.  

I am looking forward to an exciting week of school.  On Monday, we are taking our kids to Mammoth Cave (I teach in KY).  It's about a 3 and 1/2 hour drive one way on a school bus....should be loads of fun!  :)  Pray for me, please! LOL! The kids really love it, so it makes it all worthwhile.  This is also the week before state assessments, so I will be speed reviewing all of the concepts that I think I need to visit.  Then on Friday, we are having a HUGE school-wide pep rally to get everyone motivated.  Busy times! 

Do you take your kids on BIG field trips?  I would love to know where you take your kiddos.  Field trips are SO fun!  I wish we could take more than we do.  Money is tight and gas prices are through the roof.  This has really limited our field trips.  :(

Have a great week!

All About My Bloggy Friends

Today, my class had a delicious day of learning thanks to Amy Lemons from Step Into Second Grade.  I began my Math class this morning reviewing Area and Perimeter.  I used Amy's lesson from her Shapin' Up Unit.  The students created shapes using Cheese-its, drew the shapes, and found the area and perimeter of their creations.  It was SO much fun!  :) 

Then in Reading class, we started our Earth Day unit.  We are reading nonfiction articles about Earth Day, earthworms, etc.  (I will blog more about that tomorrow).  But anyway, in Writing class, I continued our study of Earth Day with a how-to writing activity also from Amy Lemons- How to Make Dirt Pudding. Let's just say, I didn't hear any whining about having to write.  The kids really liked this activity.  For the rest of the week, we will work on editing, revising, and publishing our pieces.  The packet had a cute little craftivity to go along with it, but I am not sure if we will get around to that or not.  I'll keep you posted.  :) 

Another thing I wanted to let you know that my bloggy buddy, Rebecca Sutton, from Teaching First, is having a HUGE giveaway!  She has 20% off at her store until Thursday and she is giving products away from her store to three lucky winners!  Read more about this giveaway.  You won't want to miss out!

Last, but not least, all of you that are fans of my monthly Daily Fix-It products will be happy.  I posted the May packet yesterday.  You can pick up this packet by clicking on the picture below. 

I will post more about my Earth Day Activities later this week!  Stay tuned! 

Brilliant Buzz Game

Oh my goodness!  I am SO glad it's Friday!  I don't know about your kiddos, but mine have been CRAZY!  I think they have Spring Fever or something.  They are certainly in rare form.  I guess I am noticing it more because I am desperately trying to review and get ready for the end of the year state assessment.  I am all business and my kids are ready to play!  :)  I am just hoping that we can can make it four more weeks....SUMMER BREAK is so close I can taste it!  I am thinking that maybe the kids can too.  LOL!

Anyway, I have a game to share with you this evening.  It's one that I use with my kids and I think you will love it because it can be used with virtually any subject and with any grade level.  I guess with my clipart, it's probably geared more toward elementary age kids, but nonetheless, it's FUN!  If you are interested in checking out this game...you can download it for free by clicking on the picture below.  

I hope you will check it out!  :)  Have a great Friday evening!  Relax....you made it through another week. 

More Greek Mythology Fun

Today we worked on our culminating project for our Greek Mythology unit. The kids made trading cards for their favorite Greek characters. They had SO MUCH fun! Today the kids kept telling me, "Mrs. Shelby, this has been the best day ever!" I asked why and they said, "These trading cards are SO fun!" One of the kids told me that he appreciated the opportunity to "visualize" the characters we have talked about in class. Yes, he used those exact words! I was thrilled that he had actually been paying attention in Reading class all year and remembered that reading strategy. Kids say the funniest things. Anyway, here are a few pictures of what the kids came up with. We are going to finish the project tomorrow.

Here are the directions for the Greek Mythology Trading Cards. This is actually included in my Greek Mythology unit, but I thought I would share this particular activity with you. The adorable graphics are from Melonheadz Illustrating. She does a fantastic job! She designed the clipart specifically for this unit and I could not be more pleased.

To purchase my entire Greek Mythology unit that is aligned with the Common Core Standards, click here. The unit is actually on sale right now! :)

Happy Thursday!

Tax Break Sale

Okay, I know I am TOTALLY breaking the blogging rules by posting two times in one day, but I think you will forgive me when I tell you what I have brewing. A bunch of bloggers are having a Tax Break Sale with 15% off the items in their stores. I am joining in on the fun! Click on the picture below to start shopping now. Enjoy!

Also, here is a sneak peak as to what I am working on right now. I hope to have it finished tomorrow....no promises though. :) If I do get it posted, I will make sure you save 15% on it as well.

Happy Sunday!

Don't Forget About the Giveaway!!!!

It’s not easy being green!!!

I am teaming up with some fabulous bloggers for an Earth Day inspired Giveaway!! Some items are Earth Day/Nature Related while other participants simply offered a winner’s choice (How exciting is that!!)

Drawing will be held Saturday night at 10:00 est.

There are 3 ways to enter

• 
  
  One Entry for Following all 7 blogs




• 
  
  One Entry for Following all 7 TPT stores




• 
  
  One Entry for Reposting this giveaway on your blog or facebook page (please link in comment)
  

Please leave a comment for each one you have completed. I have put links under each person's giveaway.

From Deedee Wills of Mrs. Wills Kindergarten

Deedee Wills TPT Store

Mrs. Wills Kindergarten Blog

From Amy Lemons of Step into 2nd Grade

Mrs. Lemons TPT Store

Step into 2nd Grade with Mrs. Lemons Blog

From Amanda Nickerson of One Extra Degree

One Extra Degree TPT Store

One Extra Degree Blog

From Yvonne Dixon of Sassy in Second

Yvonne Dixon TPT Store

Yvonne Dixon’s Sassy in Second Blog

From Nicole Shelby of Teaching with Blonde Ambition

Nicole Shelby’s TPT Store

Teaching with Blonde Ambition Blog

From Amanda Myers of A Special Kind of Class

Amanda Myer’s TPT Store

A Special Kind of Class Blog

From Melissa Freshwater of Mrs. Freshwater’s Class

Melissa Freshwater’s TPT Store

Mrs. Freshwater’s Class Blog

GOOD LUCK EVERYONE!!!! To enter be sure to visit Mrs. Freshwater's Blog!

PB&J Activities Freebie

Short post today....I just wanted to make sure you check out my new peanut butter and jelly activities freebie that I just posted! :) Click on the picture below.

Enjoy! :)

Greek Mythology Fun

I want to share with you what I have been doing in my classroom lately. First, I need to say that Kentucky has adopted the new Common Core Standards and we are teaching them this year. Many of the standards are not too out of the ordinary. One standard though has really been something different for me. In fourth grade, I am to teach common words and phrases that allude to significant characters found in mythology. Umm.....okay???

Well, I dug through all of my materials for something to use, search the Internet, and even TpT. There was NOTHING out there for elementary aged students that met the standard I was to teach. So what did I do.....developed my own unit. I was hesitant to do this because to be honest, I have NEVER been a Greek mythology fan. I always found it to be boring. I could never keep up with all the Gods and what they did. :) But, I knew I had this standard to teach and needed materials.

I am a clipart queen and knew that if I was going to develop this unit, I was going to have to have some cute clipart. So Melonheaz Illustating was kind enough to create the cute clipart. Once I saw how adorable the clipart was, I kind of got into the unit. Now I am like my kids....totally in love with Greek mythology. I guess their excitement about the unit made me excited.

To begin the unit, I started out with a schema chart. I was totally surprised at the schema that kids already had about the subject. You can see our chart. We add to it every day.

We have read lots of myths. I was choosy about the myths we have read in class. I chose ones that have inspired phrases that we use today like Pandora's Box, King Midas (Midas Touch), Achilles, etc.

One of the projects the kids worked on today was a booklet of allusions (common phrases) from the myths they have read. The kids had to write the phrase and a little information about the story behind it. Then the kids were able to color the booklets. Here is an example. The kids were so proud of these we had to hang them in the hallway today. Their enthusiasm was exciting! Tomorrow we are going to start a trading card project. The students are going to make a trading card for six of their favorite Greek mythology characters and/or creatures. They are super excited about this. I can't wait to post pictures of their finished products.

If you are interested in doing this Greek Mythology unit with your kiddos, it is available on my TpT store for $6.50. You can click on the unit cover below to check it out.

Don't forget to get in on the MAJOR giveaway! See yesterday's post for more information. If you win, you might want my Greek Mythology unit as your freebie from my store. :)

Have a great evening!

It's Not Easy Being Green! Giveaway

It’s not easy being GREEN!!!

I am teaming up with some fabulous bloggers for an Earth Day inspired Giveaway!! Some items are Earth Day/Nature Related while other participants simply offered a winner’s choice (How exciting is that!!)
Drawing will be held Saturday night at 10:00 est. Click on the picture below to see all of the great loot that is up for grabs.

Good luck!

Earth Day Book

Today was my first day back after Spring Break. I was certainly dragging this morning. But, I was so happy to see the kids and to get back into the swing of things. Believe it or not, I missed them! They're the BEST group I have EVER had! Their little smiling faces put a little pep in my step this morning.

Today I have something really AWESOME to share with you. One of my teaching friends has a sister-in-law that has illustrated an adorable Earth Day book called, The Earth, The Alphabet, and Me. I have my own copy and it has become an Earth Day staple in my classroom. It's message is wonderful and the illustrations are FANTASTIC! They are actually made from scraps of wallpaper.

If you click on the picture below, it will link you to a webpage where you can purchase this book. There are also some lesson plans available to use with the book. Please check it out! I think you will love the book as much as I do! :)

Happy Monday! :)

Multiplication Freebie!

Happy Easter, Everyone! I hope that you have had a wonderful day and that you have enjoyed your time with your family. Today is the last day of my Spring Break! :( A part of me is very sad that it had to come to an end, but the other part of me is excited. Our last day of school is May 18th. During the last month, we have several field trips planned and of course, state testing. I know at this point, it's all downhill from here and summer will be here before I know it. I am thoroughly looking forward to the time off. I have vacations planned, books to read, and I am sure that I will work on some items to post on TpT.

Anyway, I have something to share with you today. I posted this last night, but thought I would point you in the direction. For years, I have struggled with giving my kids multiplication quizzes. Rather than everyone taking the same quiz to show they have mastered their 3's, 4's, etc. I let the move at their own pace. Well, I had kids testing on 2's all the way up to testing 12's all at the same time. It was a NIGHTMARE making sure I had copies the needed tests made. It just about drove me insane. Well, this little freebie has been my lifesaver! Everyone now takes the "same" quiz. They just write what times tables they are testing over. Without looking at the document, it's kind of difficult to explain, but if you click on the picture below it will take you to my TpT page and you can download the freebie. There are directions in the packet for how to use it in the classroom. I hope that this is something you can use and will make your life a little easier. :) It's that the GOAL! We have enough on our plates...anything that can make our job easier, I am all for.

Please leave feedback! Let me know what you think. Besides, I love to hear from you.

Also, more information to come tomorrow, but I am participating in my first "collaborative" effort Earth Day giveaway. As part of this giveaway, I will be giving away one free item of choice from my store. You don't want to miss out on the opportunity to cash in on some wonderful materials offered from several sellers.

Thanks for stopping by! Check back tomorrow for more information about the giveaway!

Enjoying Spring Break and New Products

I am sure many of you are on Spring Break this week. I hope that you all have enjoyed your time off. I know I have certainly loved being able to stay in my pajamas all day and do NOTHING! :) Well, I have not been totally unproductive. I have cleaned out my closet and switched it over from winter to summer and I have been busy working on products to post on TpT. My two newest units are:





You can check these units on TpT by clicking on the pictures above. Science teachers, you are in luck if you are looking for a hands-on way to teach Science.